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HISTORY

Kane County, 111.

By R. WAITE JOSLYN, L. L. M.,
and FRANK W. JOSLYN,

Ex-State's Attorney of Kane County.

VOLUME I

ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS AND VIEWS

CHICAGO
THE PIONEER PUBLISHING CO.

190S

9 7 7. ^X3

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HISTORICAL

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

History is composite biography. There has been no great event but
what has affected us all. The spirit awakened by the struggle in 1776 lives
by heredit}' in all American hearts and l)y arloption and education in the hearts
of those who were foreigners but are now citizens. Any people become what
they are by the combined experiences, failures, and successes of their chain of
ancestry. Too little thought is given, too little credit attached to this fact.
We cannot change what is back of us. if we would, and what is there deter-
mines our ecjuipment. So history — the history of a State, Nation, City or
County, is but a composite biography of those who there worked, and by
their efforts left to us who here follow them a hundred forces and tendencies
that aid i>r retard our advancement. They left public opinions, social notions,
business methods, forms of government, standards of morality, etc.. etc., by
which we are now controlled ; and which are changed with difficulty. So it is
with all communities ; their standards are largely set by those who first estab-
lished themselves in control. To them came others of like standards and
methods and cemented the recognized ways of doing and thinking. History
is the composite picture of the past ; setting forth the common outline.

The subject of this historical sketch is a piece of land thirty miles long
and eighteen miles wide, within whose borders dwells a population of nearly
100,000 people of many dift'erent nationalities ; a people whose products are
distributed to the four ends of the civilized world. Less than seventy-five
years ago it was a wilderness peopled by native Redmen, whose ancestry had
dwelt here many centuries, living liy the chase and the hook. Today it is the
home and workshop of a prosperous poinilation. It is the story of the evolu-
tion of this territory that we shall here present, seeking to make intelligible
its varied activities, their origin and progress, and the men and women who
directed them.

The word "County" is doubtless a thousand years old. for it originated
in the Feudal System of about 800 A. D. Charlemagne, after conquering an
unwilling territory, sent out officials to sfovern it. Some of these were named

6 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Counts, and in time the district tiiey controlled came to be known as a County.
When William the Conqueror readjusted English land tenure the County or
Shire became a political division over -which one of the new nobility was set as
owner, judge and law maker, subject to the King and owing allegiance to the
throne. The word "Shire" is an English name and was used as a synonymous
term, and is yet common in England and New England.

Under the Feudal System, the Count or Earl was the chief person of
the County or Shire. He was "lord of the manor.'" The people had little
power or privilege, their value being as contributors to those in power and
place, whose occupations ran much to wars and political strife. We here
today can but vaguely picture the subjection of the general people of those
ancient Counties. The Count held court, collected taxes and spent them as he
willed. No workman could leave his County without consent of the overlord.
Freedom of act was unknown. The common idea was that the lesser man
was created to give support to the powerful and privileged.

But times have changed. Some battling has been done; many lives
sacriticed. Today the Count and Earl and his followers have disappeared,
and we here control the government and conduct of County affairs. \\'e with
difficulty realize that this territorial and political division was ever other than
it is. Therein is the value of history — of such local history as is here pre-
sented. To those who read it. it gives a larger and more intelligent view of
the conditions now realized. Today is ever the child of yesterday.

Another old word grown new is "Sheriff." which in its origin was
"Shire-reeve," which became, by spelling it as it sounds, spoken quickly,
S h e r - i f f. It anciently denoted the bailiff' of the Court of the County, then
termed the "Shire-gemote," or meeting of the general people to do justice.

Modern counties comprise farm lands and cities, living peacefully
together, ruled by like laws and customs, each buying and selling their
products, the one to the other. No such fact existed in the early history of
Counties and Shires. Each City was an independent commonwealth about
whose limits ran a protecting wall sharply distinguishing it from the general
territory about it. Each City was a fortress. The existence and peace of the
City, which was continuously harassed by the nobility and highwaymen, and
its merchants plundered as they conveyed their produce to inarket, necessitated
armed protection. Each City kept its own army, and some built navies.
Each elected its own officers, built its own churches, and within the safety of
its protecting walls conducted its affairs much as a modern City does without
such walls or protection.

In the Middle Ages walled Cities were built all over Europe, and the
Lord of the County built his fortified castle upon the highest hill lest his
neighbor lords come in and wrest from him his place and property. There
was no cooperation ��� no agreement between City and Country.

In ancient Greece and Rome each City was a political and religious unit.
which could combine or cooperate with another in no manner except by
conquest. Each City recognized its gods as superior to all other gods, and all
who were not citizens or slaves, or clients of citizens, were barbarians unde-
serving charity or mercy. Each City fought its own battles, save where the

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 7

necessity of existence compelled union of forces against a common enemy.
There was no method by which a citizen of one City could become a citizen
of another City. To be ostracized from the City of your birth meant to wander
over the earth dependent upon }-our own powers alone for life and living.
Greece and Rome knew no political unit but the City. To some City or some
citizen all property belonged.

The Greeks and the Romans invented and developed the City ; the Teutons
of the [Middle Ages, the County and Township. The Germans were organized
by villages and tribes. Each was a democratic form of government controlled
by what in later years became the town-meeting, where gathered all the people
of the town, decided upon their customs and laws, and did justice between men.
The Shire-gemote is the original from which our modern County Court was
derived.

Under stress of the chaos of the jMiddle Ages, when no central govern-
ment existed strong enough to hold the plundering hand of marauders and
highwaymen, the ancient German Villages walled in the lands, usually held in
common ownership, and prepared to, and through centuries did, defend them-
selves and perpetuate the liberties and privileges which they had secured by
continued strife; and did as much, if not more, than any other agency to keep
alive within the hearts of the many those standards of liberty and freedom, the
full fruits of which we here enjoy.

While we speak of our progress and present advanced conditions, it should
not be forgotten that we arose not by magic in a day, nor were our institu-
tions conceived anew, but are a development and evolution from that older
time where struggled our ancestors. W'e here now enjoying some indi-
viduality, are product of that time. Our Counties, our Cities, our institutions
and laws are lineal descendants of that ancient day.

Before the coming of the pioneers some seventy-five years ago, the terri-
tory now known as "Kane County" was an untilled but beautiful wilderness;
unknown to white men, but well peopled by savage tribes of Indians.

About the year 1671 the Frenchmen, LaSalle and Hennepin, started
westward from the region of the St. Lawrence river and following the shores
of the Great Lakes came to what is now northern Illinois. They passed down
the Mississippi valley, and by virtue of their exploration of this region the
French governnient claimed all land touched by the Great Lakes or drained
by the ^Mississippi river and its tributary streams, among which was necessarily
included our Fox river and the land of northern Illinois. The English did
not concede this claim, but asserted that the New England states extended (by
virtue of the grants on which they were based) from the Atlantic to the
Pacific ocean.

It being impossible to adjust contentions so obviously conflicting, the
French and Indian war resulted during the years 1754 to 1763. The French
were for several years successful in repelling attempts of the English to drive
them from the line of forts they had established through the Ohio valley from
Louisiana to Quebec. In 1757 \Mlliam Pitt became prime minister of Eng-
land and inaugurated a campaign that proved uniformly successful against the
French, until in February. 1763, France signed the Treaty of Paris, In' which

8 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

England became possessed of the Oliio and Mississippi valleys, of whicli Kane
county is part. This district then passed from French to English hands and
its subsequent history changed, to what extent, who shall tell ?

For citizens of German birth or descent there is this thought — that the
destinv of the Northwest Territory determined by the French and Indian war
was settled favorably to England by tlie assistance of Frederick the Great of
Prussia, with whom England was then in alliance, and who, by warring upon
the French in Europe, relieved the English there and weakened France. By
the alliance of England and Prussia in Europe the success of England in
America was in no small degree made possible. So those of German origin
coming to the States in the latter days may yet feel that their ancestry, strug-
gling in Europe, were assisting in the making of a W'esern Empire, where
today millions of their descendants enjoy the blessing of civilization and
prosperity — not without justice for service in that day of beginnings.

Many French settlers had taken land in southern and central Illinois
before this war. They determined the English should not settle in Illinois
and, assisted by the Indians, who had been their allies in the French and
Indian war, entered into a conspiracy with Pontiac. an Ottawa chief, who
stirred up the Indians to attack the English. This was in May. 1763. Four-
teen forts were captured, hundreds of families killed, and the existence of the
settlements of the West threatened. The war continued until 1765. when
Pontiac made a treaty with the English. Pontiac was killed a few years later
at Caliokia, Illinois, and was buried on the present site of the city of St. Louis.

Following the overthrow of Pontiac the Western territory rapidly filled
with settlers — the Ohio valley first attracting pioneers ; and peace reigned, save
for the infrequent depredations and frontier attacks by small bands of Indians.

When the struggle of the Revolution had severed the relations of the
Colonies with England, the new nation, the United States of America, was
by treaty acknowledged owner of all the land between the Atlantic ocean and
the Mississippi river. A new complication, however, at once arose. The
New England states had claimed, and still claimed, all the land immediately
west of them to the Mississippi. This claim placed what is now northern
Illinois partly in Massachusetts and partly in Connecticut, the line running
east and west through the northern part of what is now Kane county.

All the territory gained by the French and Indian war had been claimed
by the states lying directly east. When the Articles of Confederation were
submitted to the states for adoption in 1777. all ratified them except Maryland,
which refused ratification until all the states claiming land in the west should
cede them to the new nation. Maryland held no western land, while other
states claimed lands that would many times double their area and power.
New York ceded her land in 1780. The others followed. Massachusetts
transferring her title in 1784; Connecticut in 178(1. The territory now
included in Kane county then first became general public domain.

In 1787, Congress, realizing the need of general laws to govern the
settlement of this vast territorj^ and to set up a local government over it, passed
the famous "Ordinance of 1787," which was largely based on an instrument
of government drawn up by Thomas Jefl'erson, then a member of Congress

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 9

from A'irginia. He proposed dividing the territory into ten states bearing the
names : Sylvania, JNIichigania, Chersonesiis, Assenisipa, IMetropotamia, IHi-
noia, Saratoga, Washingtonia, Polypotamia and Pelesipia. The Congress
adopted many of Jefferson's suggestions, but abandoned the names he had
proposed. H for no other reason, we who dwell within this territory shall
thank Congress for that.

This Ordinance of 1787 Daniel Webster pronounced one of the most
notable pieces of legislation in ancient or modern times. It provided that not
more than five states should be formed from the territory, which number have
been formed : Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. A general
territorial government was provided for, controlled by the laws of the nation.
Slavery was forever barred, which fact had large bearing on the future, not
only of this western land, but upon the destiny of the nation which seventy
years later was in mortal civil combat over the question of involuntary
servitude.

General Arthur St. Clair, a Revolutionary hero, was at once appointed
the first governor. The land was surveyed and offered for sale, and despite
the presence of hostile Indians through most of the district, settlers came in
rapidly. In fifteen years Ohio was admitted as a state. The first white
settlement west of the Alleghanies had been made at Marietta, Ohio. In
1818 Illinois had acquired the 60.000 inhabitants necessary to statehood
(mostly in the southern and central parts) and was admitted to the Union.

But as yet no white man had set foot within view of the splendid Fox
River valley, where only the tepee of the Indian betokened the presence of
humankind, and the fertile earth lay rich for the hand of husbandry. If, in
those days, when the nation was being tried and seasoned for its destined
work, any white man trod the soil of Kane county, no record of his wandering
has been preserved. The Sac. the Fox. the Illinoi and the Pottawottamie
hunted and warred where now a contented people pursue the occupations of
peace and progress. Until about the year 183a the presence of numerous
bands of hostile Indians in the Fox River valley discouraged the coming of
settlers, although the land now within the states of Michigan and Ohio was
filling rapidly.

In 1832 an Indian chief named Black Hawk, famed for his enmity to the
white man, formed a conspiracy of the tribes then in the vicinity and attacked
the settlements. The national government at once sent troops to the seat of
trouble along the Mississippi and Rock rivers.

The exact route taken by these troops in crossing the territory, now
Kane county, is not known with certainty, but tradition says the Fox river
was crossed at the big bend at Five Islands, and two mounds, claimed to be
the graves of soldiers who died and were there buried, may still be seen upon
the hillside south of where the Traction bridge now crosses the river. This
route has in general been accepted, but in the Aurora Daily News for September
II, 1908, the following appeared :
"To the Aurora Historical Society :

"Colonel John S. Wilcox, if he was correctly reported, in addressing the
Old Settlers' meeting, about the 30th of June, 1907, at Riverview park, gave

10 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

some account of the passage of General Scott's army in the march from Chi-
cago, or Fort Payne, to Rock Island, about the month of August, 1832.
substantially as the same is given on page 632 of the recent 'History of Kane
County," published in connection \vith the 'Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois,'
in these words: 'From this camp (Fort Payne) General Scott moved nearly
due west, and struck the trail probably a little northerly from Warrenville.
following that trail he entered Kane county near the dividing line of sections
12 and 13 in St. Charles township. It passed through the southwest corner of
Elgin the whole diagonal breadth of Plato township, across the northeast of
Hampshire, and left the county over the old Hagebone farm, on section 30.'

"This route is not borne out by the facts in the case. Now what are the
facts ? Let us see. The Kane County Historian depends on the testimony of
the old settlers. It has ever been said that testimony transmitted by the
memory of persons of a reminiscent character should be taken with great care,
at a time, too, in which there was not a white resident or inhabitant north and
west of the Fox river until Dixon's Ferr)' on Rock river was reached, making
it certain there was not a white resident in what is now Kane county at the
time of the passage of General Scott's army.

"In his 'History of the Black Hawk A\'ar,' Frank Stevens, on page 247,
writes: "Then on July 29 he (Scott), finding the spread of contagion once
more checked, set out with three stafif officers for Prairie du Chien, follow-
ing the route adopted in 1834 for the mail route from Galena to Chicago, via
Fort Payne (Xaperville) and x\urora, along through what subsequently became
DeKalb county, across Lee county, up to Dixon's Ferry, arriving there August
2 with his stafif officers. On his leaving Chicago, General Scott left orders
for Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Eustis to follow his (General Scott's) route
to Fort Crawford with the well known troops, which had or might arrive
before the 3d of August, which Colonel Eustis did. but upon arriving at
Dixon's Ferry an express from General Scott informed Colonel Eustis that the
war was over and ordered him to follow down the left bank of Rock river and
to establish his camp at Rock Island. By this march Colonel Eustis reached
Dixon's Ferry August 17, 1832, resting there until August 22. Then he
resumed his march, reaching the mouth of Rock river in good time.

"It must not be forgotten that the county of Kane had no corporate
existence until 1836, and until the organization of Kendall county, in 1841,
the three northerly townships of that county were a part of the county of
Kane, hence at this point of our investigation it becomes necessary to introduce
a part of the historj- of Kentory of Kendall county. In Hicks' history of Ken-
dall county, published in 1877, at page 96 we read as follows : 'The war being
closed, Scott's troops were not needed, and about August i*the remnant of the
little army, with baggage, wagons and a drove of cattle for supplies, marched
through the northern part of what is now Kendall county on their way to Rock
Island. Fresh deaths occurred every day and nearly even.- camp was marked
by graves. The second night out they encamped near Little Rock, and three
soldiers' graves left behind were seen for years by the early settlers.'

"On page 113 of Dr. Hicks' History of Kendall County we find this
reference in regard to the family of David Evans :

KANE COUNTY HISTORY ]3

" 'David Evans, from western North Carolina, was the first settler in
Little Rock, He had a friend and neighbor in General Scott's army in the
Black Hawk war, who with conu'ades under that general marched throvigh
northern Kendall ; he liked the appearance of the country. He found his way
back to his North Carolina home the latter part of the year 1832 and told
Mr. Evans where to find the best land in the Fox River valley, Mr. Evans
followed his directions in the spring of 1833. Reaching the Illinois river at
Ottawa, he crossed the river and went up Fox river to the mouth of the Rock
creeks, then up the Big Rock nearly four miles he made his claim, between
Big and Little Rock creeks, which to this day is owned and occupied by a
member of Mr. Evans' family.'

"The route of General Scott and his three staft' officers, and a few days
thereafter by Colonel Eustis and his army, was substantially as follows : From
Fort Payne, or Naperville, to Aurora, thence to Gray's Ford ( as it was later
called) at Montgomery Crossing, thence in a westerly direction through what
is now Riverview park, to a point afterwards on the west line of Oswego and
east line at Bristol — for it must be borne in mind that the countrv was not
surveyed for some six or seven years from the time we are considering. This
point is some thirty-five rods from the north line of Kendall county, thence
diagonally across what is now section i, Bristol, in a southerlv direction to a
point near Blackberry creek on section 11, thence down said creek to a crossing
of the same on what became in the United States survey sections 5, 6, 9 and
10, passing near the late residences of C. H, Raymond and C. H. Renton,
thence still in a northwesterly direction across the lands of the estates of Lewis
Steward and Tom Lye to the east line of section 3 of Little Rock township,
thence north to the county line along the so-called base-line road ( erroneously
so called ; the line is actually a correction line, not a base-line ) , thence westerly
to Little Rock village and still westerly to DeKalb county line. It niav not be
the actual route on which Scott's army passed, as this road as traveled in after
years may have been modified by the authorities in locating the road legally,
and the government surveys may have modified it somewhat. It is, however,
in a general direction of that route.

"Wdiatever the facts may be, this route was the first stage and mail route
into and out of what is now the city of Aurora on the route from Galena to
Chicago, and from Dixon's Ferry to Naperville it is almost an air line. In
1834 the streams were made passable, and the road work by such labor as the
INIcCarthys and their neighbors could give was a mail and stage route well
into the '50s. It was by this route that Edward Bonney conveyed the mur-
derers of Colonel George Davenport to Rock Island via Dixon's Ferry in
September, 1845. See Bonney's book, 'Banditti of the Prairies,' page 190.

"Not the least important to the student of history is the mention of the
old charters to the early adventurers or proprietors. More particularly tiie
charters covering what is now Kane and adjoining counties. All that part of
Kane county lying between the north line of DuPage and the south line of
Kankakee county lies within the Connecticut grant; that lying north of the
north line of DuPage county lies within the Massachusetts Bav grant.

14 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

to wit: the six townships of llampshire, Kutlami, Dundee, Elgin, Plato and
Burlington.

"The claim that Virginia took anything by the George Rogers Clark
expedition was resisted by the northern states and finally relinquished by the
claimant, who relinquished the claim by reserving to her officers and soldiers
of the Revolution certain lands in the 'MiHtary Tract,' which was confirmed
by Congress in 1812. In 1780 New York authorized her delegates to
Congress to limit her boundaries in such a manner as they might think expe-
dient and to cede to the general go\ernment its claim to western lands. New
York filed her cession to western lands in October, 1782. Virginia followed
one year later and Massachusetts and Connecticut in 1785 and 1786. The
only claims aft'ecting Illinois already mentioned are those of Virginia south
of the fortieth parallel and those of Connecticut and jNIassachusetts to the north
of that line.

"In conclusion, just a suggestion in regard to the alleged route mentioned
by Colonel Wilcox in his address mentioned above. Why should Colonel
Eustis select that route some twenty-five or thirty miles out of a direct line
when his general had already selected and majiped the route upon which to
proceed with his command ?

"Section i of Article 2 of the Constitution of the Aurora Historical
Society provides that among the objects of the society shall be: 'To search
out, procure and preserve in permanent form facts and data in the history of
the city of Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, and the region in its immediate
neighborhood as relates to persons, places and all objects of interest therein."

"Hence this communication is addressed to the Aurora Historical Society,
with the hope that it may be sufficiently interested in the matters of which it
treats to cause the historian of the society to formulate a suitable record of
such matters to be entered in the proceedings of the same for the information
of all, as the society has well said among other things : 'These materials exist
now in rich variety, and unless steps are taken to collect them and place them
in the keeping of some authoritative body, they will in the course of time be
scattered and finally will he lost." Should the society take this view of the
matter the writer will feel amply repaid for the time spent in the preparation
of this article. G. M. Hollenb.\ck.

"Aurora, Illinois, September 3, 1908."

Black Hawk was captured and the uprising suppressed.

This was the last attempt of the redmen to prevent the settlement of
northern Illinois. The Indians remaining were friendly and all were shortly
after removed to lands provided for them west of the Mississippi, the United
States having purchased their lands. But few remained when the first jiioneers
■came to Fox river. These fast disappeared westward, the last departing in
1836.

Not many marks of the presence of these sons of the forest now remain.
An arrow bead or stone war club, or the vestiges of ancient graveyards now
and then found in opening gravel pits being the only reminders of the savages
who once here hunted and fished and warred, as their ancestors had done for
ten thousand vears before them.

KAXE COUXTY HISTORY 15

The chief seats of the Indians appear to have been at Alill Creek, just
south of Batavia; in the hills east of the river just south of what is now the
village of Dundee; and on what is now the site of the city of Aurora and
northeast through the Big Woods on the east side. Well worn Indian trails
led from one to the other. Others ran west to Indian settlements on Rock
river; others east. An Indian village also existed where Dundee now stands.

Where Calvary cemetery, Aurora, is now located, was in early days an
Indian graveyard, and on the hill just north of where D. C. Cook's publishing
house stands at Elgin, an old burial ground was disclosed in excavating for a
gravel pit. This was seen by one of the authors about two years ago and
indicated a collection of perhaps a dozen graves on a hill overlooking the
river. Mounds have also been opened at St. Charles and Batavia and on
\\^ing farm, a mile west of Elgin on Tyler creek, the inviting valleys of which
tradition says were once the home of the Indian.

The colonization and settlement of new lands is an old story begun so
long ago that no history or tradition tells of its first movements. Of the
Egyptian, the Babylonian, the Chinese, and general settlement of Asia, httle
is known. But of the great movement of which the settlement of America
and of Illinois and of this beautiful Fox River valley, where now dwell in
peace the descendants of nearly every race that has peopled the world, much
is known.

We here, battling with our problems day by day, and in our time passing
as pass all, forget that we are but a link in a chain, but a branch in a tree vast
and widespreading; but a tributary brook of a broad moving stream covering
the western world from Russia and India to San Francisco, and now threat-
ening to invade the Orient ; the Aryan race — the Indu-European group of
mankind.

The settlement of Kane county \\-as no spasmodic incident, but was part
of the onward movement of humankind that began beyond the Caspian sea
when Europe was a wilderness and America an undreamed of continent.
There is interest in that fact, rightly seen ; that we here are not disconnected
but are a related part of world history ; that our ancestry dwelt there on the
Caspian mountain hills and tended their sheep and cattle and raised their
crops, ten, perhaps fifty thousand years ago. Yet there are few men now
dwelling in Kane county but who, could they trace their lineage, would have
fijund kin among the Aryans of the Himalaya mountains north of India, in
that remote past. Frenchman, Italian, Spaniard, Irish, German, Hindoo,
Russian, Englishman, American — all were there, speaking then one language
from which has come all the languages these peoples now speak.

For thousands of years they had dwelt in those mountains and filled the
valle}-s, until their communities grew too large for the earth to support, though
none more willing than she.

The western movement began with the Greeks, who left the home of
the Aryan race, possibly 3000 or 4000 B. C, and in going north around the
head of the Caspian sea, spread into the Danube valleys and finally through
the mountain passes into what is now Greece, to the sea. They went not as
individuals, but as tribes, carrying their wnmen. children and possessions

10 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

with tlK'iii, \\ hercxcr tliey settled the oreneral go\-ernnient and trilje remained
tlie same. Tliev came to Greece, fought the people found there, enslaved them,
and possessed the land. They developed in time the most splendid civilization
the world has ever seen, and in many regards never since equaled. A second
emigration followed, and became the Romans of later days. They moved
farther west to Italy and repeated the experience of the first emigration.

Still the Arvan ])opulation increased and a third movement began, which
continued until times when history was written. Its later story is well known.
This was the invasion of what is now Europe. Forced out of the old home,
they were unable to go south, for their cousins, the Greeks and Romans, had
for a thousand years held the land. They turned north, passing through the
Alps into what is Germany, Austria. Sweden, England. Ireland and Spain.
The first to come in were the Irish, old Welsh and Britons. They found a
small, dark race, known as Basques; a remnant of which still dwells in the
mountain fastnesses of the Pyrenees. They drove them to the
mountains and poorer lands. Following this first movement to Europe, came
wave after wave of new and younger blood, the Gauls. Goths, Visigoths.
Vandals, Huns, Slavonians, and numerous Russian tribes. Each pushing on
from the Caspian sea forced the tribes next west further west : these in turn
pressed on those in Europe proper.

Added to this, the Romans came into Europe by way of France and held
all Europe west of the Rhine. The story of the conflict of these barbarian
tribes with Rome in the first centuries A. D. is well known history ; as is also
the result, and the final formation of France, Germany, England, and all
European states, from the peoples who had contested so hotly for the advantage.
The}' were of one race — of the race that is now American — but knew it not;
and would doubtless have fought as well had they known it. Kinship of
blood has dulled few swords. So by tribes and moving villages of men was
Europe settled.

When America had been well discovered and land claims between nations
adjusted, its invasion began in a manner not unlike that early invasion and
settlement of Greece. Rome and Europe. The nations were dealt with peace-
fully, if possible. Init in any event, were dealt with, disposed of, and the land
occupied. These invaders came not as barbarian tribes in paint of war, but
none the less they came as communities, not as individuals. The force of
united numbers was necessary to make a permanent stand against the native
Indian. And here was repeated the storv of everv settlement in everv country
since the world began. Those in possession have never willingly shared with
new comers. It is ever a question of power, and the \-ictory to the strong. In
no place has th.e native maintained his ]ilace against the better equipped invader.
It is the survi\-al of the fittest.

But. as above suggested, when the American nation had become a
nation, and the government established — when the movement of settlement
begun in the Caspian hills those thousands of years ago, had come over the
Alleghanies to the western prairies, it assumed a different aspect. The eastern
colonies had all been settletl by groups of men; by communities armed and
equipped for a contest, they knew they must and did meet. This li-cstcrn

::'*w'.-

A J

■■^■^'

'fe?5^

p?^v

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 19

country zvas settled by individuals. This was a new fact, a new experience
in the history of the world, — that an individual might go into a new country
alone or with his family, there build his home and dwell in comparative peace,
contesting less with fellowmen than with nature; bringing with them no tribal
gods or set standards save those dictated by the well-being and happiness of
free men. That this western country has so rapidly advanced in the arts and
standards of civilized conditions is accounted for doubtless by the fact that
they met few hostile fellowmen, but only a fertile soil and kindly climate,
where the toil of men gave back full profit. To defend against the savage
or wild beast required little attention in the middle west. To the land and its
development went the energies of the pioneers. It was a new fact — a new
condition. No walled city was required, and after 1832, no fortress and no
soldiery. The pioneers came in, built their cabin homes, touched the waiting
hills and they blossomed into fields of grain. There were none to dispute
them ; none to question their possession or the fruits of their industry.

CHAPTER II.

THE ANCESTORS OF THE PIONEERS.

]Much has been written, much is known of the personnel of the pioneers
who in the '30s settled Kane county, building their log cabins of rough hewn
oak, from Dundee to Aurora, but not so much has been recorded of the ancestry
of these men, and the nest where they were reared. There is a tradition, much
repeated, that they were largely of that ancient and honored people, the
Puritans of the New England colonies. Many were so derived, but not all, nor
perhaps most of them.

The type from which these early pioneers came was not the type of Salem,
but rather a type formed by an admixture of many races during two centuries
from 1620 to 1830; a peculiarly American type that had been made from the
struggles of the New England colonies before, during and after the Revo-
lution, with forest and savage and Englishman and Frenchman. They were
as unlike the original Puritans as they were unlike the English, the Scot, the
Irish or the Dutch, from which they were derived. They were the new Amer-
ican race of men, — sturdy, bold, brave farmer warriors, who cleared the forest
and planted their crops within the hostile view of barbarian redmen ; their
guns always within reach; their homes fortresses made ready for momentary
attack.

The land along the Atlantic seaboard was settled and permanently occupied
by different races; the English in the north, the Dutch in New York and
Pennsylvania, where also were English settlements under Penn ; in Virginia
and the South many English of a different class and time than the Puritans
of the North. The Cavalier of the Carolinas was as different from the Puritans
as either were from the Dutch. A sprinkling of French Huguenots might be
added.

20 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

As originally settled, these colonies maintained themselves and realized
each an independent existence, with little intermarriage and much contest,
particularly upon religious and jmlitical matters.

But in the i8th century, when the land near the sea had long been the
seat of a contented people little disturbed by the presence of savages and pur-
suing the works of peace, just west of them upon the new frontier line
pushed west to the Alleghany mountain valley, a new battle was being fought
for land and place b}^ a new and mixed people made up from the adventurous
or persecuted who left the older settled colonies and pttshing to the frontier
forest, there joining the newer immigration of many nations pressing west-
ward for free land; as years ago the Swedes came and settled in the frontier
land of the Dakotas and Minnesota. The tide of incoming immigration has
not stopped among the settled Eastern districts, but has flowed past them
into the West. So in the last century, a hundred years after the first seaboard
settlements, this new immigration was coming in and passing to the foothills
and valleys of the mountains, and beyond into the forests of New York,
Vermont. Pennsylvania and Virginia. All which country was being rapidly
filled by this mixed people. By the time of the French and Indian war (1763)
it had been estimated there was a population of man}" thousands, who realized
a bulwark of protection between the more settled seaboard colonies and the
western wilderness, where bands of hostile savage tribes dwelt at perpetual
warfare with these newer pioneers — the entering- wedge to the western prairie
lands. The growing eastern populations and the constant stream of immigra-
tion necessitated this acquisition of new lands ; and coming not as communities,
but as individual families, pride of race and nationality lost much of its force.
All mingled here in one common democracy united by the need for common
defense against an alert foe habituated to forest conflict. Here grew up the
first American people unprejudiced by the traditions of any particular state.
All were on a common footing; each equal to any; all imbued by that spirit,
of independence and courage ever developed by contact with the freedom and
wildness of nature; where none may dictate and the individual alone is valued.

They were a rough, sturdy race of men and women, endowed with the
qualifications of the pioneer in a degree never surpassed in the history of the
world. They came of the Scotch. Irish-English stock, with a strain of Penn-
sylvania Dutch ; a sprinkling of French Huguenots. Xo stronger foundation
was ever built for conquering a wilderness and making a nation. They were
. the "backwoodsmen" of the latter part of the first century of American
settlements; a class by themselves — unique in America and in the world — the
first Americans.

They dwelt along the border land of the older colonies in the Alleghanies,
spreading westward into New York and Pennsylvania, hundreds of miles
from the eastern settlements. They had here, during several generations
of conflict and conquest, acquired a strong likeness in thought and ways of
living. The dominant blood was the Scotch-Irish-English Protestant, who
came to this new land that they might enjoy freedom in act and thought ;
free from the oppression of the state or church. They were of the old
Covenanters; followers of Knox and Calvin: hard headed, strong hearted

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 21

men and women. Men who would rather face the forest and the savage
than endure the conditions then prevaihng in Europe and England.

That the early settlers of Kane county were of this new American type
is evidenced, not only by the communities they built up, but also by the territory
they came from into the West. Christopher Payne, the first arrival, was from
New York state. Joseph and Samuel McCarty, the founders of Aurora, were
of Scotch-English descent, and from New York, though natives of New
Jersey. Hezekiah and James T. Gifford, founders of Elgin, were from the
same state and of the same descent. Judge Isaac Wilson, an early pioneer
of Batavia. was from New York state; as were Joseph Lyon (1835), A. M.
Moore (1838), William Van Nortwick (1835).

In Big Rock, L. J. Lamson came from New York in 1837, as did j\Iatthew
and William Perry, 1835. James W. Swan (1836). Joseph Summers (1836),
Robert Nash I 1836). Robert Norton and Silas Long were from Ohio.
Jesse Brady ( 1837) was from New York: as were Isaac Hatch ( 1837),
Shepherd Johnson (1839). Paul Colburn (1836).

In Blackberry, William Lance, the first pioneer, came from New Jersey
in 1S34; David Beeler was a Scotchman; as were David \\". Annis, from Ver-
mont (1835), R. Acers, of New A'ork; Loren D. Kendall (1834), C. H.
Spaulding, of New York ; E. G. Moore, of the same state, and others.

In Burlington the first to come was Stephen Win \'elzer, from New-
York; also Allison Baker, Solomon Wright and Asa W. Lawrence; John
Halden was from Pennsylvania, Stephen Godfrey from \'ermont. Nearly
all were men of the Scotch-Irish-Englisb. type.

In Campton township, John Beatty, from Pennsylvania ; Harvey Warne
(1837), was a New Yorker; John Whitney ( 1837), from Ohio; Harry and
Spaulding Eddy were from New York; Luke Pike, from Ohio; James
Ward came from New York ( 1836) ; as did Franklin Walkins (1837).

In Dundee township the first settlers were Jesse H. Newman and Joseph
Russell, of Scotch-English descent, and originally Virginians and Kentuck-
ians. Jesse Oatman, A. R. Dempster (1835); Thomas Deweese, T. H.
Thompson, I. C. Bosworth, ^^'illiam Hale and George McClure, all were of
Scotch-Irish-English descent.

In Elgin township, Isaac Stone (1835), E. K. Mann (1S35), Joseph
Tefft (1835), Nathan Collins (1835). William G. Kimball, S. J. T-Cimball
were New Yorkers; as were Ira :\Iinard, J. D. Owen, N. G. Phillips, Calvin
Pratt and Washington Wing; James Hanks, the first settler near Elgin, was
from New York; General Elijah Wilcox, L. S. Eaton (1838), A. B. Fish
(1845), George Renwick (1838), Levi S. Stowe (1843), M. C. Town
(1846L were from the same state.

In Aurora township, Joseph McCarty was from Elmira, N. Y. (1834).
During the same year came W. T. Elliott, Elijah Pierce, Seth Reed, Zaphira
Lake and Hiram. In 1835, Daniel Eastman, Lindolph Huntoon, Winslow
Higgins, George Gorton, Theodore Lake, E. D. Terry, B. F. Fridley, John
Barker, M. D. Cone. Charles Bates, L. Muzzy, R. Matthews, D. Gorton,
B. F. Phillips. Elgin squires; all clearly nf Scotch-Irish-English descent,

22 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

and of that new American race that developed in the valleys and forests of
the Alleghanies.

In Rutland township the tirst settler was E. R. Starks, from Vermont;
Nathaniel Crampton (1836), Noble King (1836), Elijah Rich (1835),
Andrew McCornack, were Scotchmen; William Moore (1838), William
Lynch (1838), and John Hunter (1838), were Irish.

This typical American people, most of whom had back of them three
generations among the hills and frontiers of the eastern states, had been
molded by the experiences and hardships of a century. They were, as
suggested, a mixed people, but in standards, mostly Scotch Presbyterians ;
descended largely from Scotch ancestors. They were strict Protestants of
the older type, when each sect w-as content to believe the members of other
beliefs w-ould go into outer darkness and they into everlasting joy. They had no
liking for the Catholics nor the Episcopalians. A headstrong, rough and
ready people; self-dependent and asking favors of none; instinctive antago-
nists ; descendants of the followers of Cromwell ; fighters by heredity.

The Scotch and Irish Presbyterians came to the new world in large
numbers about 1700, and settled as before outlined, on new lands beyond
the colonial habitations. They pushed into the wilderness, leading the move-
ment westward, where they joined the New Englanders in the same terri-
tory. They were among the first to force themselves into the Indian's
country. With the Bible in one hand and a flintlock musket in the other,
they penetrated the wilderness, made a clearing, built their log cabins, tilled
a few acres of land, hunted in the unbroken forests, fished and trapped and
made a meager living; meantime, pushing forward and opening prairie and
forest for those who crowded in behind with industry and progress; and a
civilization, such as has been the wonder of the world.

The original seat of this type which settled the entire ]\Iiddle West before
the modern immigration of German, Scandinavian, Italian, Pole and Russian
had begun, was in New York, Pennsylvania, and in the Alleghany valleys of
Virginia. Where their lands were near the more settled eastern populations,
they built up small towns and villages, where might have been seen a store,
blacksmith shop and possibly a tavern where the traveler might find rough
rest for the night : in addition usually a log schoolhouse and church. The
latter were the first necessities of this devout people. The minister, commonly
termed the elder, dwelt in no parsonage, but usually was a missionary or
itinerant preacher who boarded among the cabins and preached zealous.
earnest, Calvinistic sermons to hearers who came not to criticise but to learn.
But as a class, these frontiersmen did not build towns, but cultivated their
farm lands. They settled near together for protection against the Indians,
who were in the adjoining forest ready at any time to attack, bum and
destroy

The forest and hill was everywhere. Nowhere prairie lands ready for
the plow. Every acre had to be cleared and made ready for cultivation,
while watchful savages were on every side. The gun and the ax were
the necessary weapons of these pioneers of the Alleghanies, of whom man}-
who first came to Kane countv were erandchildren.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 23

A number of the families settling in the wilderness made a clearing
and built within it a stockade of logs, set upright, with loopholes all around,
and a row of log cabins on one side, with a heavy wooden gate that might
be quickly barred in case of assault. Sometimes a central loghouse was
built in the middle of the stockade. These forest fortresses were used only
for storing provisions and in case of threatened Indian attacks; the pioneers
at ordinary times remaining at their cabins outside the stockade.

Corn was the grain mostly cultivated in the clearings and was relied
on for food. But potatoes, melons and fruits were raised and orchards
planted. Horses and cows, hogs and sheep were kept when practical, which
was not always, owing to the depredations of wolves and bears.

The cabin was most frequently of unfinished logs with clay forced in
between them, and of one room, in one end of which was built a huge fire-
place of stone, clay, and sticks. This served for heating and cooking pur-
poses. The floor was made up of logs, one side of which were hewn as even
as possible and the uneven places filled with clay. This was the puncheon
floor. The roof was of boards roughly cut out of logs. Pegs of wood dri\en
into the logs served for hanging garments, or to hold the rifles ; although fre-
quently the antlers of a deer served that purpose. For a table, a large, rough
cut board was placed on four wooden legs. Chairs were three-legged hand-
made stools, save where a prosperous family might enjoy the luxury of a
rocking chair. The couch or bed of rough boards was covered with blankets
of deer hides and bearskin; sometimes a buffalo robe. Few pictures adorned
the walls. Curtains were unheard of luxuries. The customary dress was a
fur cap, trousers and shirt of buckskin or homespun cloth, and shoes or moc-
casins of the same skin ; the shirt or outer coat hanging loose nearly to the
knees, and held at the waist by a belt, in which the hunting knife was carried.
A long, smooth-bore flintlock rifle completed the pioneer backwoodsman's
equipment as hunter and farmer. It was usually fired from a rest, being
heavy.

Social life among this people, scattered in the wilderness, was necessarily
very simple, and consisted largely in those pursuits that gave support to the
family. The husband and father was the provider; the wife and mother,
housekeeper. To feed and clothe the family from such materials as were
provided was the mother's work ; no small task in view of the fact that large
families was the rule. The rule of cooperative help was universal. Log
rollings, house building, corn shucking, quilting, and the providing of many
of the needs of life were done by the united effort of neighbors, who gathered
together, first at one cabin, then another, to do the work. Such meetings were
made the occasion of such gaiety as was possible among such a people.
Dancing was usual for the young folks. Intoxicants were plentiful. The
hostess did her best to provide a table for the party, containing every luxury
obtainable. Athletic games and contests among the young men were a usual
feature of the occasion: racing, jumping, wrestling and lifting, husking
corn, etc. Brawls and fighting were not infrequent.

A wedding was always the occasion of much festivity. The bride rode
to church usually on a horse, behind her father, co.ming back on her future

24 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

husband's horse. If no cliurch was near, the marriage was at the cabin
of the bride's parents : a dinner was had. and after that dancing all day and
night, the music being furnished by a lone fiddler; the ballroom, the rough
puncheon floor. After the wedding the neighbors got together and cut
the logs and built a new house for the young people, and at the house-
warming that followed its completion, general feasting and dancing was
indulged in.

Education was meager in the wilderness. Few went bevond readinsr,
writing and simple arithmetic. The teacher boarded with the families as
part payment for his services. About three and one-half dollars was a year's
tuition.

E\"ery family in that day conducted a farm and factory. The women
wove into homespun cloth the flax grown on the farm or the wool cut from
the sheep's back. The men tanned and cured the skins they had secured in
the forest. The kitchen utensils were mostly of wood, hand shaped into
bowls, plates, spoons, etc. Plows were secured in the East, but harrows
and other farming tools were hand-made of wood. The corn was usually
ground on a hand mill consisting of a block of wood with a hole in the
center, in which the corn was placed. It was then pounded and crushed with
a stone or wooden pestle worked by hand. In the fall farmers would make
up a horse pack of hides and skins which were sent to some near town and
exchanged for necessary articles, such as salt, iron implements, etc., which
they could not make themselves.

Theodore Roosevelt, in his "Winning of the West." says of this people:

"Thus the backwoodsmen lived on the clearings they had hewn out of
the everlasting forest; a grim stern people, strong and simple, powerful for
good and evil, swayed by gusts of strong passion, the love of freedom rooted
in their very heart's core. Their lives were harsh and narrow; they gained
their bread by their blood and sweat, in the unending struggle with the wild
ruggedness of nature. They suffered terrible injuries at the hands of the
redmen. and on their foes they waged a terrible warfare in return. They
were relentless, revengeful, suspicious, knowing neither ruth nor pity; they
were also upright, resolute and fearless, loyal to their friends, and devoted
to their country. In spite of many failings, they were of all men the best
fitted to conquer the wilderness and hold it against all comers."

But while many, perhaps most of the early settlers of Kane county, were
of this Scotch-Irish-English stock, molded and made new in the struggle
of the wilderness, a considerable element of the older so-called Puritan stock,
descendants of the original New England people, came here in an early
day. They were of that class who followed the backwoodsmen as they opened
the forest and prairie. And that they came into Kane county with the
descendants of the Scotch Presbyterians, most of whom, like themselves, had
doubtless never seen an Indian or lived on the frontier battle line, was because
the land of northern Illinois was cleared of Indians by the soldiers of the
United States government, and by the purchase of their lands. It is well
known history that during the time England owned and controlled the col-
onies, her policy was to discourage settlements in the \\''est, as she enjoyed

REMAINS OF A LOG CABIN STILL STANDING WEST
OF ST. CHARLES.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 27

and desired to continue the profitable trade her merchants there enjoyed among
the French and Indians. And when independence had been secured, the new
nation was too busy getting her feet well planted and her name respected
among the nations of the world, to give much attention to the opening of the
wilderness. Hence the contest in the early days was carried on by the
frontier people with little aid from the soldiery, who were more often
defeated by the Indians than successful, knowing little of the methods of
frontier warfare.

But early in the seventeenth century the general government adopted a
policy of buying the Indian lands and transferring the redmen to the West.
This was done as regards the lands of the Sacs, Fox and Pottawattomies in
the Fox river and Rock river valleys. There was some dissatisfaction on
the part of the Indians with the terms of purchase. This fact is given as the
exciting cause of the Black Hawk war, which was c^uickly put down by
government troops. In 1790, in Washington's administration, the Indians
had attacked settlements in Ohio, and it required several years" fighting to
suppress the redmen. They made a treaty ceding northern Ohio to the
United States.

In 181 1 the Indians again conspired together under a chief named
Tecumseh and attacked the settlements in the Northwest. William Henry
Harrison, afterward president, then governor of Indiana territory, met and
defeated them at Tippecanoe, in western Indiana. The Indians later joined
with England in the war of 1812. The Fort Dearborn massacre, commemo-
rated by a bronze statue at the foot of Eighteenth street, Chicago, occurred
at this time. The punishment given the redmen in these wars increased their
fear, if not respect, and they not unwillingly, if sometimes reluctantly, sold
their lands to the general government and accepted lands west of the
Mississippi.

This combination of facts made it possible to settle northern Illinois with-
out massacre or bloodshed. When the pioneers came they found the Indians
friendly, or at least pacified. They soon disappeared entirely, leaving the
newcomers in undisturbed possession, contesting only among themselves, and
with nature.

As above suggested, this peaceful entry of a new land by individuals was
a new fact in the world. — a fact since repeated many times in the settlement
of the far West.

NATIONAL CONDITIONS IN 1835.

The coming of the pioneers, who swept like a wave over the middle
western states after the French and Indian war, reached northern Illinois
about 1830, during the first administration of Andrew Jackson as president.
The general population of the United States then numbered about thirteen
millions, having more than doubled since the War of Independence; mostly
by natural growth, the later foreign immigration not having yet begun. The
center of population was near the west line of Maryland. It is now near
Indianapolis, Indiana. Less than ten per cent of the people lived in cities
of over 8,000. Now over forty-five per cent are in such cities. New York
city then comprised 200,000 inhabitants; Philadelphia, 167,000; Baltimore,

28 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

80,000; Boston, ()0.ooo: Cincinnati, tlie largest western settlement, was a
small town. Chicago was a distant settlement known as Fort Dearborn, and
contianed 400 or 300 people. There were but three millionaires in the entire
country. The naticm was yet largely composed of agriculturists and back-
woodsmen hunters.

Great industrial in\entions were, however, fast coming into use. Steam-
boats were a new fact, and ran on the great lakes from Buffalo to Chicago,
and on the western rivers. The Erie canal was a much used waterway from
Xew York to Buffalo and the great lakes, and much facilitated the transporta-
tion of settlers to Illinois. i\Iany came by lake to Chic^ago, and then west
by ox-team. The application of steam to railroading began in 1828, but
railroads were not built in Illinois until after settlement had well advanced.

President Jackson was at this time seeking to have the charter of the
United States Bank refused on application for renewal. This he accomplished ;
which fact, with the general conditions of trade, led to a panic and general
depression, which, doubtless, had no small part in urging pioneers to under-
take the settlement of free lands in the wilderness of the West.

Although it is now but seventy-five years (two generations) since the
first white men looked upon the beautiful Fox river valley and found it
good, it is uncertain wlio first trod its soil and who first made permanent
settlement within its boundaries. 2^Iany came about the same time.

Among the first to cross the Fox river within the limits of the present
county were soldiers sent here to put down the uprising of the Indians during
the Black Hawk war, in 1832. The tradition, which apparently states the
fact, has for years held place that a troop of horsemen and soldiers from old
Fort Dearborn, or from the eastern states, made their way northwest along
what is the old Chicago road, through what is now Bloomingdale, DuPage
county, and crossed Fox river near what is now known as Five islands, just
north of St. Charles. The exact point of crossing is not clearly known. They
passed on further northwest. Two graves of soldiers of that company were
long visible on the bank of the river. The path they then took was long
used as the state road from Chicago to the northwest, and is still the "main
highway as far as Bloomingdale, with branches to the various towns along
the river.

None of the first pioneers in the Fox river valley are now living, although
a mmiber who came as early as 1838 are still residents of the county, and
though well advanced in years, are able to clearly picture those earlier days.
\Miere now there are busy factories and places of trade on every hand, and all
the luxuries, as well as vices of civilization, are realized, then the virgin
forest and stream filled the landscape with beauty and promise. Of those
who came from 1840 to 1850 many live to give information of conditions and
progress then had, and of the arrivals after 1850 a large number still reside in
the county, where for sixty years, they have been conteiil to dwell with their
chiklren and grandchildren.

Such information as we have gathered together in this book we have
obtained from books which have been written by personal interviews with the
older settlers yet living, and from the newspapers and records of the county.

ka>;e cou.xty hl'^toky 29

THE TRUE CAUSE OF SETTLEMENT.

It is generally stated in the public histories of Wisconsin and Illinois
that the defeat of Black Hawk opened to settlement northern Illinois and the
southern portion of what is now \\"isconsin. Unqualified, this statement
is misleading; indirectly, it is true tliat the war proved a powerful agent
in the development of this region. The Indians in themselves were no obstacle
to legitimate settlement, the frontiers of which were far removd from Black
Hawk's village, and neetl not have crowded it for several years to come.
Of course, it was necessary in time to clear the path for civilization. What
this war accomplished in the way of territorial development was to call
national attention in a marked manner to the attractions and resources of
this part of the great Northwest. The troops acted as explorers of this tract,
concerning which nothing has been known definitely among the white men.
It is also stated that the Sauk Indians had not inhabited the part of Illinois
north of the mouth of the Kishwaukee, and when the war was fought and
they were followed into Wisconsin, it is also stated that they were unfamiliar
with that country and employed Winnebago guides. Immediately after the
war the newspapers of the eastern and older settled middle states were filled
with descriptions more or less full of the scenes and possibilities and prospective
industries in the Rock river valley, of the groves and prairies on every hand
and of the dense forests of Wisconsin. From the press were issued books
and pamphlets and accounts of the newly discovered paradise. For the
most part crude publications, abounding in error, and today unknown, save
to the historian, but it is true that they did advertise the country and set
flowing thither the tide of emigration. There necessarily followed in due
time the opening to sale of the public lands hitherto reserved and the prop-
erties of what territory remained among the Indian tribes of the district.
The Winnebagoes, hitherto unfriendly, were humbled and the spirit of mis-
chief making ceased. This, it will be noticed, was the last Indian tiprising
in the northern states, east of the Mississippi river. This incidental subduing
of the ^^'innebagoes and the broad, liberal advertisement given to the theater
of disturbance» were, therefore, the two practical and immediate results of
the Black Hawk war, the consecjuences of which were at once to give
enormous impetus to the development of the state of Illinois and the territory
of W'isconsin.

CHAPTER III.

HOW THE PIONEERS CAME.

We liere of today can form no just conception, no right idea of the
conditions met by the hardy men who came to the, then, far W'est, in the '30s.
We may enter a plush-seated car at Chicago, run over a track of steel for
twenty-four hours, and leave the same car at New York, scarcely fatigued by
the journey. We may start at Chicago at 10 p. m., and be in Buffalo, New

30 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

York, the following day for lunch. By road travel in a lumber wagon, we
would have little difficulty in getting to New York in ten days or two weeks.
But seventy years ago conditions were so different that we, with great
difficulty, realize them. There was no regularly traveled road west of Detroit
or Cincinnati. From those points west the country was unbroken and unknown,
inhabited only by Indians and a few scattered settlements. The only avenues
of travel were Indian trails and buffalo runs. Traveling meant going through
an open wood and prairie, over hills antl through \alleys with no guide, save
the stars and the sun. Where a buffalo run could be followed it materially
aided progress. Of these buffalo trails a former writer, whose name is not
given, but who appears to speak with authority, ajitly says :

"The roads of the country were originally buff'alo trails, as they once
would go in great herds in their regular migrations o\-er the country. The
habits and instincts of these animals were \-ery interesting. They seemed to
have certain routes, running from the northwest toward the eastern and
southern Atlantic sea shores, and over these they would pass at regular
intervals. These travels came in time to be interfered with bv the Indians,
who hunted them for game, and from them got their food and richest raiment.
They were truly royal game. There were several well noted routes of those
animals that could be traced, at one time, from the Rocky mountains to the
Carolinas. On these great buffalo highways were found the Indian villages
and wigwams of some of the most powerful tribes. The immense herds of
buffalo in their travels would come to a large stream, and here they would
regularly go into camp, to use an expression applied only to human action.
They would stop, and for days tramp and eat down all \-egetation for a
wide space, dig out mud holes and wallow in the thick mud, and each would be
dreading to cross, yet all seemed to understand well enough that they would
cross, and not turn back on their trip. They had no leader bold enough to
make the plunge. If they had had one of that kind they would no more than
have paused when they came to the stream. All seemed to equally dread to
lead the way across, and all were eager to follow any one that would lead.
When there was nothing more to eat on their grounds they would commence
to circle, and every time those on the inner side would push those next the
water a little and little closer to the water's edge. After a time, as they
would again come around, they would push the outside ones into the deep
water, when they would boldly turn their heads for the opposite shore and all
would follow. A singular fact is, that where the buff'alo would have longest
bivouacked, there, in time, would be found the largest Indian village, and these,
in turn, are the places where we have built our great cities. In other words,
the buffalo, and then the Indians, were the natural engineers to point out to
civilization the natural sites for their great cities. This is true of every city
in America at least. And it is, in nearly every instance, true that the early
roads of the country are now the great trunk lines of the railroads, and
these were but following the buffalo and Indian trails. The first pioneers
were generally following the Indian trails. By doing this they reached the
natural fording places of the streams, as well as the easiest passes in the
mountains.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 31

"A noted route passed from east to west tlirough Geneva townsliip, which
crossed the Fox river at Geneva. This afterward became the great highway
between Chicago and Galena, and finaUy the railroad route. This no doubt
was a buffalo and Indian highway before America was discovered, or even
the adventurous Norseman was born. The pioneers simply followed this old
trail. It became a white man's great traveled route as soon as there were white
men here to travel on it."

There appears to have been three means of reaching the West in the
early days : by wagon, on horseback, on foot ; or by way of the lakes from
Buffalo to Chicago. From Chicago to the Fox river the travel was by team or
on foot. Joseph McCarty appears to have come from Elmira, New York,
alone, and on foot, as did Christopher Payne, the first settler at Batavia.
William Lance and his son, John Lance, came from Pennsylvania with a
wagon drawn by eight yoke of oxen, in which rode a daughter, Mary Lance,
who married John Lowders, and a younger son, who drove the team. The
two walked all the way, their rifles on their shoulders. Provisions stored
in the wagon, supplemented by such game as the rifles brought down, made up
the meager meals enjoyed by the caravan as they camped by their lone fire in
the wilderness of wood or prairie. Twenty miles a day was good traveling,
and they came many hundreds of miles.

The same writer quoted above, wrote years ago as follows, his impres-
sion, no doubt, having been received from personal experience or first-hand
statements of the pioneers :

"In 1834 the stream of immigrants began its mighty course toward this
upper Mississippi valley, and the story of their coming, the rapidity of the
growth of population and improvement, the wealth and splendors of civiliza-
tion that have marked the half century from then till now, is much like a tale
of enchantment. It is a wonderful picture to the mind. First the lone hunter
and trapper, bearing about him but little more of civilization, except his gun,
than were to be seen among the half-naked savages; then came the lone
pioneer, on foot or on horseback, ready to get far into the hunting grounds,
and far away from his own people, and content to live and be more of an Indian
than a white man; then the other class of first-comers, bringing in an ox wagon
their wives and children, seeking free homes and rich lands, with no other
end in view than tilling the soil and accumulating land, and raising enough
to eat and wear. In the splendors of the present the trials and hardships of
the pioneer fathers are apt to be covered up and forgotten. That they first met
obstacles that would have appalled any but the most resolute and daring, goes
without the saying. That they met and conquered many of these obstructions
our tender children even somewhat understand. Yet the innumerable evils
and afBictions that lay in their paths — evils that lay in ambush, and that
came upon them like the unseen waves of an epidemic — cannot now all be told,
because these were silent heroes, strong and fearless men, who took their
position in the front of their dependent ones, wearing their lives upon the
sleeves of their buckskin wa'niuses, they faced, without a tremor, death in
anv and everv form."

32 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

It would be of interest to modern residents of Kane county to have at
first hand the detailed story of such a trip by ox-team or afoot through wood
and prairie, where for many a hundred miles no human habitation would
greet the eye; a settler's cabin at long intervals; an Indian camp here and
there, more feared than the wilderness. Everywhere the tangled wood and
tall tough prairie grass impeding progress. They who could afford to send
their goods by steamboat were indeed fortunate. They who came by ox-
team their tortuous way, deserved all that awaited them of enjoyment or
property.

An incident of the difficulties of travel by wagon is given of Dr. L. S.
Tyler and Mark Ranstead, who, in 1836, settled in Elgin township. Being
out of tlour, wheat and corn, in December, they went with a team of horses
to a neighboring cabin. Going, they crossed what is now Tyler creek, over
the ice. On their return the ice had fallen in, leaving it slanting on both
sides, the water running above in the middle. They had a load of twenty
bushels of corn, and fearing to cross, unharnessed the horses, and in attempt-
ing to get them over the creek one fell on the ice. The horse would have
drowned had not one of the men stood in the water hip-deep and held his
head above the surface, while the other went about a mile to the cabin to
get a team of oxen and a chain to pull the horse out.

Another incident of apparent fact is tliat of Samuel C. Rowell, founder
of the Rowell family at Hampshire. \\'hen but eighteen years of age he
started west alone on horseback from Vermont, and stopped in Kentucky three
years. He then came northwest by the same means, crossing Indiana and
entering Illinois near the middle of its eastern line. In crossing the prairies
further south he found the houses often forty miles apart. Following old
trails and new wagon tracks, pushing through prairie grass up to his horse's
neck, swimming swollen rivers, and undisturbed save by a startled herd of
deer or the yelp of a prowling wolf, he progressed from cabin to cabin. After
his residence in Kentucky he had acquired the dress there common, long hair
and whiskers, and suit of buckskin. He was one evening turned from a
settler's cabin because of his resemblance to a gang of horse thieves who had
shortly before visited the vicinity.

The coming of Amos Miner and Levi Leach to Kaneville was by lake and
wagon route. With wife and child he jnurneyed from ^Vayne county. New
York, to Detroit by boat, through the Erie canal and the lakes. The balance
of the way was by wagon. Frequently the wagon would be swamped in the
wet earth and sand. For miles they would find no dry land. At times the
team would have to be hitched to the rear of the wagon and hauled out of
a rut to solid ground. They had often to camp in swamps and sloughs swarm-
ing with mosquitoes. Upon reaching LaPorte, Indiana, the women of the
party were taken sick, and a long encampment necessitated.

Cyrus B. Ingham, who early came to Kane county from Jefferson county.
New York, wrote in 1869 as follows: "At Detroit we hired a wagon to
Chicago, and were ten days making the trip. The route between Michigan
City and Chicago we were forced to travel on the lake shore, with one wheel
in the water and the other in the dry sand, w ith the wagon tipped sidewise

KANE COUNTY'S FTEST COURTHOUSE.

KANE COUNTY'S SECOND COURTHOUSE.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 35

at about a quarter pitch. All who could, were obliged to walk. We reached
Chicago May i8, 1835. The next day we crossed the flats at Barrays Point,
nine miles out (west). At that time almost the entire distance was under
water often over our boot tops. We crossed Fox river at the old Indian
village about a mile above where Aurora now stands. There was no wagon
road then in that direction and we followed the Indian trail. Old Wau-
bonsie, the Pottawattomie chief, was then still there, ruling his tribe in all
his Indian glory."

A vivid picture of the arrival of a caravan from the east was written
by Mr. Jesse C. Kellogg, of Sycamore, in the Sycamore Sentinel in 1855.
He wrote : "Soon after the Indians had done their sugar-making, when the
groves began to grow leafy and the prairies grassy, as the sun sank low in
the west, and the prairie wolves began to howl, and the sandhill crane to
scream and poke along the ponds and 'sloughs' for their evening meal of
crawfish, a close observer might have espied, afar off on an Indian trail,
suspicious looking canvas, supposed to be the sail of a 'settler's' wagon, evi-
dently Hearing some grove, and in a strait to get 'somewhar' before night-
fall. Presently, emerging from the dusky prairie, the settler's wagon, pro-
pelled by some four or five yoke of oxen, canopied with sundry bolts of sheet-
ing; within containing the family bedding, clothing and provisions; without,
implements of cooking and husbandry, chickens in coop and pigs in pen,
backed by a drove of cows, calves, colts and other young stock on
foot, would loom up plainly to view, 'fetching in' near some point, bay or
plum thicket, where in after days 'Bonny chiels and clever hizzies' were to lift
the latch and force the way to a happy cabin home. It was no uncommon
thing in those days for the mistress of the wagon to 'pail the keows' in the
morning and place the milk where, by the incessant motion of the wagon
during the day, it would churn itself. In this way the family were provided
with a constant supply of good, fresh butter ; and old chanticleer and his dames
in the coop behind, never caught napping when hens should be awake, would
keep up the laying process, so that with other supplies from the wagon a
settler's wife could usually 'scare up' a pretty good meal on short notice.
In this hitherto neglected spot, where 'full many a flower" was 'born to blush
unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air,' the weary, yet blithe and
happy groups might have been seen to alight, strike a fire, prepare, and after
craving God's blessing, eat their frugal meal ; when, guarded by a watchful dog
and a still more watchful Providence, they would retire for needed repose
into the inmost recesses of the wagon home. And at an early peep of dawn
one might have seen the anxious settler reconnoitering, with hurried steps,
grove and prairie, when after being 'detached here' — 'countermanded there' —
bothered almost to death for fear that among so many good chances he should
fail to secure the best, at least he would bring himself to the 'sticking point,'
seize the ax and 'blaze' the line in the 'timber' and anon, hitch the team to
the prairie plough and 'mark out the furrow on the prairie.' "

A history of Elgin, published in 1875 by G. P. Lord and a Mr. Bradford,
then real-estate dealers here, contains an account of the coming of Hezekiah
Gifford and his brother, James T. Gifford. The account was published in the

36 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

lifetime of Hezekiah Gift'ord. and was apparently dictated by him, and may
be taken as an authentic narrative :

"The journey, it may easily be imagined, was not a pleasant one. For a
road the travelers had but the army trail left by Scott's troops during the
Black Hawk war, some time before. Part of the way the gentlemen rode
and part of it they walked, but at length they reached the banks of
the Fox, where St. Charles now stands, forded it near the present
bridge in that town, and in a very short time afterward were hospitably
received in Mr. Ferson's log cabin. A very few moments after their reception
they were kneeling on the floor of the aforesaid cabin, eating off a trunk, in
lieu of a table, some excellent venison steaks, and drinking coffee with a
relish that invested the Rio with qualities unknown to the connoisseurs who
delicately discussed the excellencies of a better kind.

"After a needed repose. Messrs. Gifford and Dur3-ea took their journey
down the river, and soon arrived at the present site of Geneva. This short
journey absolutely entranced them with the beauty of the country through
which they passed. Still following the river and an Indian trail, they walked
to the spot where Aurora now stands, and here they found a man digging
bowlders in the midst of a solitude that would have charmed a hermit. In
reply to a question, the delver said he was digging stones for a prospective
dam. The news was quite welcome to the travelers, as foreshadowing civil-
ization, and with the feeling that they were not altogether in a desert, they
pursued their journey to where Yorkville now stands. From this place they
proceeded to Indian creek, Somonauk and Blackberry, and at last rested at
the cabin of a man named Hollenbeck. Mr. Duryea had now become tired of
the \\'est, but seeing the patriarchal comforts by which Hollenbeck was sur-
rounded; seeing him as a Pasha of many corn fields, surrounded by game of
every kind, and living ostensibly in the happy condition that is exemplified by

the expression, ,<„,•, i

My right there is none to dispute,

he concluded to 'make a claim,' and did so. ^Ir. Gift'ord did the same, and
the twain returned homeward, parting at Buft'alo.

"From Buffalo Mr. Gift'ord at once proceeded to the home of his brother,
Mr. James T. Gifford, in Yates county, where he was received with extreme
gratification, as during his sojourn in the West his father and other members
of his family were unaware of his whereabouts. ^Ir. James T. Gifford at
once commenced asking him about the \\'est. and soon the conversation led
to a description of the Fox river country. Maps were produced, and a full
account of its beauties was poured forth by Hezekiah. It was agreed that the
latter should visit his father's family in Oneida county, and some acquaintances
in Chenango county, among them a young lady who might possibly be going
to Illinois before long; that James T. would endeavor to sell his property as
soon as possible ; and arrangements were made that the brothers should emi-
grate to the West, and share in the toils and benefits incident to its settlement.

"A short interval passed. Hezekiah was married ; James T. sold out. and
was ready for the start ; a lumber wagon was provided and filled with tools ;
a double team was procured, and the advance made. The young men drove

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 37

all the way to Chicago, at every step leaving civilization further and further
behind until, on the 24th of March, 1835, they reached the wished-for hamlet
by the lake. Here, learning that the place then called Milwaukee Bay was
a magnificent site for a settlement, they left their wagon at Chicago and rode
to that point, in company with a man named Goodwin. On the way they did
not meet a living soul, and being scantily provided with edibles, were necessi-
tated to divide even their few biscuits with their horses. At length, arriving
at Milwaukee, they procured food and corn, but soon discovered that people
from Chicago had claimed all the land in the vicinity, and then came back the
old thought, 'let us go to the Fox river.'

"Accordingly they took up the line of march, sending their horses back
to Chicago by Mr. Goodwin, he being desirous of returning thither without
delay. An abortive attempt to cross the country from Milwaukee was now
succeeded by partly retracing their steps to the neighborhood of the present
city of Racine, where they met a half-breed trader, named Jock Jumbeau,
who invited them to rest a few days. Jock, who had been a trapper, told the
Gififords that he knew the country well, and that by taking the trail from his
cabin they could reach the waters of the Fox river in half a day. He also
said they would very possibly find settlers on its banks. This was agreeable
information; and a negro boy, who acted as cook, page, etc., etc., to Jock,
having prepared the brothers some cakes, they struck into the woods and were
soon on their way.

"Reaching the river they walked down stream for miles, but encountered
no signs of human life. Anxious to explore the west bank, they were pre-
vented by the depth of the stream, until when quite fatigued, they met a lone
Pottawattomie in a canoe, who ferried them across, but could give them no
information of settlers or settlement. Now the explorers found themselves
with a broad and deep river between them, and, as they feared, all white men,
but still they walked on. Night overtook them, and they camped without
supper. Next morning they were up betimes and, still marching southward,
but no settlers were yet to be seen, and being without a compass, they dared
not leave the bank of the river for fear of getting lost. Creeks were waded
through that chilled them to the very bone, but yet, hungry, wet and tired,
they kept on. At length, when they had been forty-eight hours without food,
they thought they descried something that seemed like a 'claim mark,'
and stopped to examine it. The examination did not prove satisfactory, and
again they pushed southward. After journeying for some hours, Mr. Hezekiah
Gifford saw through the trees a little edifice called a 'punshon,' or hut, then
much in use among Indians and settlers. He approached it, calling to his
brother to follow. On reaching it thej' hallooed, but no response came, and
then, raising one of the planks, looked in, hoping to find some human being in
the habitation. But, instead of white settlers, or even Indians, the famishing
men only saw squatted in all the majesty of repose, decked with his blankets
and innumerable little evidences of high rank, a dead Pottawattomie chief,
taking the sleep that knows no waking. The body was in a sitting posture,
and but little decomposed, and was a terrible evidence to the travelers that
they were further than ever from civilization and succor. And now, dis-

38 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

couraged and weakened by privation, the journey was resumed : night came on,
and the wayfarers having lighted a fire, lay down to sleep. Rain fell during
the night, and getting up to replenish the fire, wild animals became frightened
and went crashing and howling through the woods. In the morning they
started once more, and after a long time, the stream now called the Xippersink,
in McHenry county, was reached. Here they had to wade up to their waists
and hold their clothes over their heads to keep them dry. The mud, too, at
the bottom of the creek almost engulfed them, and. long after that day, the
Messrs. Gififord laughingly remarked that the creek alluded to might be called
the Nip-or-sink with increased propriety. But now. at length, they were,
although unconscious of the fact, drawing near relief. They had walked at
this time to the bend in the river above the present village of Algonquin, and
stopping to survey the situation, they descried afar ofi a figure moving. Their
pace was quickened, and they soon came to a white man, who was splitting
rails. On being questioned, this man said that he worked for Samuel Gillan,
who owned a cabin near by. Mr. James T. Gififord. absolutely overburdened
with joy, cried out, 'Oh! now we'll have a good meal!' Mr. Gillan and his
wife kindly received the travelers, heard their story of suffering and travel,
and soon placed before them a meal of corn dodgers and coffee. A good
night's rest was afterward taken, a hearty breakfast eaten ; a few miles further
passed, and the ground on which Elgin now stands was reached."

CHAPTER IV.

WH.\T THE PIONEERS FOUND.

\\ hen the first settlers upon the lands of Kane county came here, they
found a territory very much different from w^hat now presents itself. To the
east, Fox river ran in a winding path from Dundee to Aurora, its waters
uninterrupted by any bridge or dam, and everywhere wider than at present.
The encroachments of the cities on its banks have at some points filled half the
channel. Along its shores were abundant groves of oak and other trees yet
common, but at most points now much thinned out. From Aurora northeast-
ward, on the east side of the river, a veritable forest of thick wood extended
to where Batavia now stands and two or three miles back from the river,
known as the "Big woods." On the west side of the river from Batavia
north of South Elgin another smaller wood existed, known as the "Little
woods." North of this, the banks of the Fox were thick with trees, but the
growth did not reach far from the river. In the back districts, wood and
prairie, hill and valley alternated throughout the territory now covered by
the county boundaries. About one-fourth was wood land. From the higher
ridge of land extending from Hampshire to Burlington, creeks and streams
ran east to the Fox river and west to the Rock river. The land was, and is,
largely black soil with some clav. and sand and gravel.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 39

The peculiarity of the district as distinguished from the eastern land,
to which the newcomers had been accustomed, was the large extent of prairie
land. The eastern country is a land of hills and forest. There the farmer
cut the trees, and plowing in between the unremoved stumps, raised his crops.
But the open prairie, necessitating no clearing, was a new fact wliich it
required many years for pioneers to understand and cultivate. The prairie
land was everywhere covered with a tall, rank, tough, native grass, often
growing ten or fifteen feet high over miles of prairie land. For centuries it
had grown and accumulated and thickened until it was with difficulty that a
horse could make its way througli some parts of it. This the pioneers found
and for years left undisturbed, thinking it unfit for cultivation.

Great prairie fires would at times sweep over this grass, leaving a desolate,
blackened waste behind. The general soil at the roots of the prairie grasses
was wet and swampy, which fact discouraged the farmer. It was with great
difficulty a plow was run through the tangled tough roots, it requiring several
yoke of oxen to turn the sod. The cultivation of years, and the constant
cropping of the grass by cattle, has entirely changed the nature of the plant
life of the soil and rendered its cultivation easy.

Nuts of many kinds were found here native : walnuts, butternuts and
hickory nuts being abundant ; and hazelnut bushes everywhere among the trees.
Maple trees furnished syrup and sugar. Wild raspberries, gooseberries, straw-
berries and blackberries were common ; and in the swamps and low places
mushrooms were plentiful. The writer has personally gathered all these
varieties in the woods of the county within twenty-five years, but most of the
trees have been cut down or have died out. Little wild product now grows.

Game of many varieties, most of which have now disappeared, were found
throughout the country and adjacent territory and was hunted by the pioneers
for food and sport. Deer herded in the wood in large numbers. Old settlers
yet living tell of seeing fifty to a hundred in a herd in Plato and Burlington
townships. It was a matter of small effort to go out on any morning in the
'50s and return with venison for breakfast. The increasing population, how-
ever, soon destroyed or drove them away, and by i860 it was a rare event to
hunt deer with success. Wild cats were numerous in the wood and preyed on
the settlers' chickens. The last were killed within twenty-five years. The
lynx was also found in the woodlands until after the war. Wild pigeons
came in flocks so numerous as to obscure the sunlight as they flew southward
to their feeding grounds. Many a pigeon dinner was enjoyed by the early
residents. It is told that in those days a hunter could sit beneath a dead tree
and shoot scores of pigeons as they alighted on the bare limbs to rest. The
sandhill crane, a bird not seen in this locality by many of this generation, was
numerous in the early days. They built huge conical nests of grass and weeds
in inaccessible swamps. They stood over four feet high when mature, and
their flesh is said to have been of excellent flavor. They were much hunted
but difficult to bag. They would alight generally on a high knoll where the
surrounding country would be visible. Wild duck and geese in large variety
and in very great numbers compared to present meager flights were to be seen
every fall and spring. Without decoy or other device for attracting them a

40 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

hunter sitting in a hidden spot could in an afternoon bring down more birds
than he could carry home. Quail by the thousand were found in the brush
and field everywhere, but were largely destroyed by the trap and gim years
ago. The fear of their extinction necessitated laws for their protection and
they are again becoming more numerous and so tame, because not hunted, as
to feed in the open field or barnyard. The crow was also present when the
pioneers came and is still very numerous, doing now the same depredations
he did then, and as wary of hunters and as destructive. Hunters from the
settlements would camp out and destroy quail by the thousand. Robins and
the smaller birds yet numerous were here when the first settler appeared.
Wolves were also plentiful and a continued burden to the white man, who was
under the need of at all times protecting his stock and chicken yard against
them. It was no unusual thing in the '40s for the men of the county to meet
for a wolf hunt. A large number would form a circle many miles in circum-
ference, some with horns and tin pans to raise the wolves and other animals
by the noise. In the circle were men on horseback and afoot. All gradually
narrowed in on the circle, shooting what came in sight and driving them toward
the center. Many wolves were killed, but more of other kinds of game.
Trapping and poison were also resorted to to rid the country of wolves, but
they were so cunning that until a late day they continued to harass the farmer,
and even now an occasional wolf is seen in an outlying district.

Many interesting stories are also told of the deer hunts of those days.
During the winter of 1842 the snow was unusually deep and travel was made
more difficult by a hard crust that formed on the surface of the snow after a
thaw. The deer's sharp hoofs would cut through the crust, rendering their
progress slow and making them easy prey for the dogs and the hunters.
Many came to the farm yards for food and were shot down by the farmers.

Fish, too, were found in an abundance now undreamed of. Through the
years the seine, hook and spear of an ever increasing population of Waltonians
have depleted the fish supply until a few carp, perch, bullheads, with now and
then a bass or pickerel of moderate proportions are the onl}' reward of a day's
fishing. Then, according to the stories of old residents (before the modern
"fish story was needed to give length and number to a catch") the river
teemed with fish of many choice varieties, such as bass, pickerel and pike, to
secure which required none of the modern fly hooks and casting lines.

For building purposes and fuel the thick wood of high oaks furnished
ample supply and were drawn upon as though inexhaustible. Now the original
growth has disappeared and throughout the county only second growth timber
is to be had. Limestone quarries were found along the Fox river from Aurora
to Elgin and much used for buildings.

But aside from these bounties from nature, free for the taking to supply
the immediate wants of the settlers while the seed they had sown on their
rough plowed land was growing, neighbors w^ere found in the Indians who
were encamped along the rivers and creeks. If not the best company, they
were at least welcome associates. Of these natives Samuel McCarty, who
came to Aurora in 1834, is reported as having written as follows. "It was
not a wild, desolate, unpopulated region, for we had plenty of neighbors in

NORTH END OF STOLPS ISLAND AND WEST AURORA IN 1852.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 43

the redmen, who had occupied and enjoyed these beautiful prairies and rivers
for many and many a year before this, and the viHage of the head war chief
of the Pottawattomie nation was but Httle over a mile north of us. On the
west side of the river, on the bluff opposite Mr. Tanner's stone farm house
and a little north, was the Indian burying ground, a part of which is now
occupied by the Catholics for the same purpose. The village and vicinity
contained from three hundred to five hundred Indians and we had many visits
from them. Quite a commercial trade sprang up between us, especially
swapping bread and tobacco for fish, of which we soon found that they had
much the largest supply, although we could give but one slke for a large fish
weighing from three to five pounds, and then at times they would have several
in their canoes to take back. The treaty with our government for the purchase
of their reservation had been ratified, I think, about one year previous, and
consequently they were peaceable and friendly.

"The old chief, Waubonsie, was a large and powerful man, six feet four
inches, w-eighing about two hundred pounds and as straight as — an Indian.
The most of their village was composed of movable or temporary wigwams, as
the tribe was a wandering and unsettled people. They spent their summers
here on Fox river but would emigrate to the south to spend the winter on the
Illinois and Kankakee, returning in the spring. The old chief's wigwam,
being the capitol of the tribe, was built very substantially, apparently to stand
for centuries, the posts and frames being of red cedar. The 'palace' was built
with a good deal of mechanical skill, although the mortises through the posts
for the girders were chopped with their tomahawks, but in much better style
than we would think possible with such a tool. The building, I think, was
about twenty feet wide by thirty feet long. It was built by setting the posts
firmly in the ground, forming four bents, with girders overhead and ridge
pole. The principal rafter and cross-bearers were very ingeniously put together
to gain strength to withstand the heavy gales of the prairie. There was a
hall about eight or ten feet wide running through the building with a door at
each end. Each side there were girders about one and one-half feet from the
ground and on these were small poles. On them was placed wide bark taken
from the basswood tree, which formed their mattresses or spring beds. These
were covered with skins of the animals they had slain, such as wolves, lynx,
wildcats and deer. Thus were formed their beds, with government blankets
or buffalo skins for covering. They built their fire in the center of the hall
and would gather in a circle around it to hold their war councils. The outside
of this capitol was covered with the bark of the linn or basswood tree, taken
from the standing trees, fitted to the sides and roof of the building very nice
and tight. It was fastened by cutting three-cornered holes through the bark
and tying to the cross rafters with the inside bark of young basswood trees.
The rafters and all of the cross rafters were small straight poles, with the bark
all peeled off, which made them appear neat and comely.

"The ladies of honor were quite fond of ornaments and jewelry, generally
consisting of nicely worked and ornamented moccasins. The ornaments con-
sisted of the dew-claw or small hoof of the deer, which was a beautiful shining
black. These were strung so that they had the appearance of small bells.

44 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

They admired leather fringe and tassels. The principal garment was a skirt,
formed of a piece of blue broadcloth, just as it was cut from the piece, about
two yards long. They ran a small cord in the fold (being of double width),
wrapped it around their waist and fastened with the cord. This made a very
nice rig, nearly the same size at the top and bottom, but not quite as much
pull-back as the present style (1875). The upper garment, or waist, was
made of dark blue calico, fashioned very much like a man's plain shirt, without
a collar, and reached a little below the waist. The upper classes ornamented
this garment considerably, generally with silver brooches. I have seen two
rows of these set so closely that they would nearly touch each other; one row
around the neck, the other near the shoulder, coming together at the front.
The brooches were of solid silver, the smaller about the size of a silver half-
dollar, the others a little larger than the old-fashioned silver dollar. They
were a little convex, with an engraved border on the outer edge and pins to
fasten them. I think I have seen from forty to fifty on one person ; also as
many as ten to twelve brass wristlets on one arm, covering the wrist for about
two inches. The bonnet, when any was worn, consisted of a man's old-
fashioned fur hat, with a silver band from one to two inches wide around the
hat. and a few hawk or eagle feathers tucked under the band. The hair,
braided, hung down the back, with a large bunch of feathers at the end. Over
their shoulders, and sometimes over the head, they wore a large Mackinaw
blanket. This comprised a first-class style of costume.

"The government had ratified the treaty with the Indians and bought
out their reservation, which included part of Aurora, the whole of the Big
Woods, and some prairie lying west of the river. They agreed to go west of
the 'Great Father of Waters,' and in the spring or fall ( I do not recollect
which) of 1836 the government moved them beyond Council Bluffs, west of
the Missouri river, to a large reservation, where they remained until a few
years past. About two years after they had been moved west, the old chief came
back to view his familiar hunting grounds. He called on me and took a dish of
succotash and after he had eaten a tremendous meal, across the table patted
me on the shoulder and exclaimed, pointing to the table, 'Good ! good !' Also,
to myself, saying, 'Good shemokeman !' That was the last I ever saw of
Waubonsie, the war chief of the Pottawattomie nation."

Another Indian village had long existed on the site of what is now
Dundee. They were a remnant of the Pottawattomies under Chief Nickoway
and were related to those north of Aurora. They occupied about five acres
of land on the east side of the river and engaged in a crude cultivation of the
soil. Their village was on land now in the village of Dundee. They are
described as a lazy lot by the first settlers, with whom they bartered vegetables
and trinkets for tobacco, salt, etc., and begged or helped themselves to what
they could not get by exchange. They also brought fish, game and honey to
the settlers. Rum and tobacco were their chief desires. Jesse Oatman, who
arrived at Dundee about 1835, is reported to have described this village as
being about eighty rods below the brickyard and comprised six huts or wig-
wams containing about twenty-five Indians. He visited the chief in his tepee
and was royally received. The squaw wife was at the time preparing a sand-

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 45

hill crane for a meal. She picked out a few of the larger feathers and then
placed the bird, after due dressing, it is presumed, into an earthen kettle filled
with beans and water, to boil over a fire of coals.

The Indians who li\'ed along the Fox River valley and in DeKalb county
along the Kishwaukee river were mostly of the Pottawattomie tribe, which
was a branch of the Algonquins. They were associated with the Sacs and
Fox members of the same general confederation. These tribes occupied hunt-
ing grounds in Michigan and northern Illinois, from which they had in the
centuries before driven other tribes, their villages being chiefly along Lake
Michigan and the Illinois and Fox rivers. They ceded their lands to the
United States September 27, 1833, but were not removed west until 1836.
The early settlers who traded with them reported them to have been quiet
and inoffensive and not so bad as the white men, who sold them whisky and
imposed upon them in trade. An interesting story is told of such a transac-
tion happening in what is now DeKalb county, then a part of Kane county,
which doubtless was duplicated many times along the Fox. "A half Yankee-
fied Frenchman, who will be called Peter, had made a claim on the east side
of the Kishwaukee, near where Dr. Harrington now resides, and had engaged
a half-civilized Indian boy called Shaw-ne-neese, who had lived some three or
four years with the late Hon. James Walker, of Walker's Grove, now Plain-
field, in Will county, to drive his breaking team. Now, as ill luck would have
it, or 'somehownother,' it came into their heads that for just about one barrel
of 'good-ne-tosh' each on their return to Walker's Grove might astonish the
settlers with a nice Indian pony. The temptation to play on the 'Anglo-
Saxon' was too strong. Shaw-na-neese, who had a mother, sisters, etc., living
in the Big Woods, near where Aurora now stands, was supposed to be well
acquainted with the Indians and could talk either English or Indian. So off
goes Peter for the whisky, never once 'tinking" of the foolish settler, who for
fun set a fire on the prairie that burnt up his own stacks. In due time the
barrel of good-ne-tosh was regularly set up in the cabin of the settler, and
'where the carcass is there will the eagles be gathered together.' Shaw-na-
neese talks, Indian talk — ponies plenty — good-ne-tosh plenty — so much pony
so much good-ne-tosh. Yes. Humph ! The doping begins ; the che-
mo-ko-man adding 'Kishwaukee' at the bung by night to supply the deficit
made by the faucet by day until there was a normal certainty of perfecting the
contract as to measurement. After the barrel was pretty much delivered of
its contents and the sharpshooters began to hint that it was time for them 'to
walk up,' that is, if they could, to the captain's office and settle, the Indians
being really drunk or appearing to be, began to grumble about Peter cheating
them, selling no good good-ne-tosh, etc. Explanation was attempted, but the
thing could not be explained, expostulation was used, but in vain. 'You cheat
poor Indian,' and they grew madder and madder. Peter and his comrades
began to have fear for their personal safety. There were no white men near,
and if there had been they could not have expected that they would be sustained
in such an enterprise, when all of a sudden the terrific warwhoop burst from
the whole group, and drawing their long knives they rushed upon the liquor
dealers like so many fiends from the pit. Just at this moment an old Indian

46 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

snatched Sha\v-na-neese onto a pony behind him and galloped off at the top
of his speed for what has since been called Charter's Grove. But alas ! and a
well a-day for unfortunate Peter, when he cried there was 'none to deliver.'
He had a good pair of legs and it came into his heart that 'jess now,' if ever,
was the time to use them, and bounding somewhar' about a rod at a jump he
'cut for the bush' and the Indians after him pell mell. As good luck would
have it, however, he managed to conceal himself in the thick brush and elude
their grasp, until at last, giving up further chase, they returned to Peter's
shanty. Here they soon made a finish of the remainder for their 'own special
use and benefits'. Peter's bag of flour, fry pan and new blue broadcloth coat
they vamoosed, cutting up those dreadful antics which savages, thirsting for
blood, alone know how to perform. Peter's predicament was by no means
enviable. He knew that he was in the wrong, for 'a guilty conscience needs
no accuser.' He had time to think and he did 'tink.' He had time for thought
and he 'taught' 'if he ever lived to get out of this scrape he sure to quit tarn
liquor business anyhow.' Afar off from the bosom of the thicket he had
beheld the plunder of his shanty and the subsequent withdrawal of his enemies.
He had no doubt but that they had gone for reinforcements and would soon
return and murder him. Perhaps they were still lying in ambush to 'let the
life out of him.' Still "tinking' discretion to be the better part of valor, he kept
still until it began to grow dark, when what should he hear but the friendly
voice of his old comrade 'Shaw-na-neese' cautiously calling to him from the
plundered shanty and saying to him that he had 'jest' got away from the
Indians, who were intending to come and kill him as soon as it was dark and
he was advised further by the redskin not to make his whereabouts very public
— was assured that he would get up the oxen, gather up the fragments that
remained, hitch on to the 'truckle truckles' and ioin him with all possible
dispatch in the grove. Peter and his comrade were at last under cover of
night, plodding their way over old logs, sloughs and brush to the west side
of the grove, from whence in a cold rain storm, and Peter in his shirt sleeves,
they made their retreat toward W^alker's Grove, which they had the good for-
tune to reach the next day, drenched with mud and water, and where Peter,
starved, cold and hungry, was prepared to do up any quantity of muttering
and swearing about the 'tam Injuns.' "

The chiefs of the tribes that lived in Kane and DeKalb counties were
Waubonsie (mentioned by Samuel McCarty in quotation above) and Shab-
bona or Shau-ba-nee. Shabbona's settlement was in DeKalb county, in the
township now known as "Shabbona," although he often set his wigwam in the
beautiful grove on the banks of Mill creek, just south of Batavia, now known
as "Pottawattomie Park" and much used for summer picnics. Waubonsie had
his headquarters in the Big Woods, south of Batavia and east of the Fox river.
They were at these points when the first pioneers arrived, numbering in all
possibly o\'er a thousand warriors, squaws and pappooses.

They have been described as having been powerful men physically, above
the average American in size, muscular, courageous and intelligent above the
average Indian. They had emigrated from Canada at an early day and were
allied with the French against the English, and later with the English against

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 47

the Colonies in the Revohitionary war. Shabbona is said to have been born
in Canada in 1775. He died in 1859. The government at Washington set
aside land near what is now Shabbona Grove, DeKalb county, and permitted
him to remain, when the tribe was removed westward in 1836, because of his
services in the Black Hawk war.

Shabbona and Waubonsie both sided with the Americans in the Black
Hawk war of 1832 and refused to take any part against the settlers. In a
great council of Pottawattomies held on the Des Plaines river, west of Chi-
cago, they both spoke against Black Hawk and after the council volunteered a
company of one hundred braves under Shabbona to cooperate with the United
States troops in protecting the settlers of northern Illinois. Shabbona is said
to have visited Black Hawk at his camp in Iowa and sought to persuade him
against a war upon the whites. But Black Hawk believed himself robbed of
his lands and power by the government and would not stay his hand. Shab-
bona at once returned to Illinois and set about warning all the settlers of Black
Hawk's plans, himself going from cabin to cabin and sending his sons and
members of his tribe as far south as Ottawa.

The government not only rewarded Shabbona with land at Shabbona
Grove, but settled upon him a pension of $200 per year. He removed to the
Kansas reservation given to his tribe in 1836, but returned to DeKalb county
in 1840 with his family, numbering about thirty persons, and lived at Shabbona
Grove some time. But at frequent intervals he would go west to visit his
friends and about 1847 remained so long that the government believed the
statements of persons who desired to secure the land and in 1849 sold
Shabbona's property at public sale, the grant to Shabbona being so worded
as to give him the use of the land so long as he desired to occupy it but without
power to sell it. Shabbona returned that same year. It is said he came in
the night with part of his people, possibly twenty-five in all. They camped
at their old camping place for the last time, for in the morning the settler who
had purchased the land ordered them ofif with curses and threats. It is said
that for days this faithful redman, who in so many ways disproved the
ancient maxim that the only good Indian is a dead one, wandered about in
the woods. He painted his face black and fell prone upon the graves of his
children. For a time he would not sleep or eat, but constantly beat his breast
and fasted until he grew weak and weary. His mind wavered and he wan-
dered about aimlessly, to be found lying upon the ground on Rich creek in
Kendall county, distracted and starving. He never returned to Shabbona
Grove, of which he had been deprived by the white man's cupidity, but it is
said that the Indian women would at intervals return to the graves of their
dead and mourn for them, departing as silently as they came. For many
years Shabbona, then seventy-five years of age, spent his time between his
friends in central Illinois and his kinsmen in the west. He was a familiar figure
upon the pony he always rode, taking usually the old Indian trails through
the woods rather than the roads of the settlers. Sometimes he traveled alone;
at other times with a company of his tribe, and was always welcomed by the
settlers, all of whom knew him and of his services to the pioneers. On public
occasions he was a center of attraction and made much of as a public character.

48 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

He delighted to attend country fairs with his family, where he was ever the
observed of all observers. At Ottawa on July 4, 1857. he and his children
and grandchildren led the procession and in the evening attended a grand ball,
where he was made judge of which lady excelled in beauty and grace. He
examined all critically and when called upon for his decision is said to have
turned to his squaw. Coconako, who weighed near 400 pounds, and touching
her shoulder with much pride, said, "Much heap, big prettiest squaw.
During the campaign of 1858 he occupied the platform from which Lincoln
and Douglas delivered their famous debate at Ottawa. He was then eighty-
three years of age. In 1857 a sum of money was raised by his white friends
sufficient to purchase him twenty acres in Norman township. Grundy county,
Illinois, and build him a house. He lived there until his death, July 27, 1859.
He was buried at the cemetery in Morris, Illinois, on a lot donated by the
cemetery. Here his wife, upon her death in 1864, was also interred. On
October 23, 1903, a monument consisting of a huge boulder bearing the
inscription, "Shabbona, 1775-1859," was placed at his grave in honor of his
memory.

SOME THINGS I REMEMBER OF CHIEF SHABBON.\.

Written by Laura .\llen Bowers, of Sycamore.

The first thing I knew about Shabbona mj" father went to his wigwam to
buy enough trees of him to build a log house. He told him who he was. Then
Shabbona introduced himself and family thus :

■'This me Shabbona" (laying his front finger on his breast).

"This rrte Pokenoquay" (meaning his squaw), and then he pointed to
Siboquay as his pappoose and pointing to her three children, "These are my
pappoose's pappooses.' The introduction over, ni}' father made known his busi-
ness, but the old chief thought it beneath his dignity to sell trees to a Shemoka-
man and would not let him have a single tree. Consequently he bought the
trees of Peter Aliller, and we had a shanty to cover our heads made from them,
in which we lived five years.

Shabbona was generous with the white people and he would bring a
quarter of a venison to his neighbors frequently, and once in a great while a
wild goose and a duck. Often he would go from house to house and eat with
anyone that would ask him. One Saturday he came to our house and father
asked him to sit up to the table and have some breakfast. He looked around
the table and made the remark, "Me no see um, me no eat um." We had eaten
every bit of bread that there was in the house for our breakfast and were
going to bake that morning, but that did not help us out for the meal. He
had asked Shabbona to eat, so I frowningly said in a whisper, "We have not a
particle of bread in the house." The keen-eyed old fellow saw the maneuver-
ing and said, "Lazy squaw." He thought I did not want the trouble of get-
ting his breakfast, but father said, "Bake him some pancakes." So I did and
it proved to be the very thing he liked best, and I retained my good name in
his opinion, which I have highly valued, being only about sixteen years old.

*%*:--•

' " t^'i^-.

rr'

KANE COUNTY'S THIRD COURTHOUSE.

KANE COUNTY'S FOURTH COURTHOUSE.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 51

The Indians in those days would not work. They would hunt and the
squaws did all of the drudgery, such as cutting the wood and hauling it by
hand, and they had to keep the fires in the wigwam, and they cooked the succo-
tash to eat, and the corn and beans were some of their own planting and
harvesting the summer before. The Indians furnished the meat for them.

They generally had a tame skunk running around for a pet and they
would play with them as we play with kittens. The government gave each of
Shabbona's children a pony and they never went on foot anywhere. They
never provided anything for the ponies to eat during the winter, so the ponies
had to steal what they ate. As none of us had barns we had to stack the hay
outdoors. The ponies used to eat nights. The boys of the neighborhood
would catch them and ride them down as far as Somonauk creek, ten miles
away. They would drive all they did not ride and leave them in the woods
and would keep about three ponies and then get on their backs and come home.
In about three days Shabbona would come along and ask, "You no see um
ponies?" Then we would innocently ask, "How long have they been gone,
Shabbona?" and he would say, "Maybe snee days; Ite know know." But they
always managed to find their way back in a few days and then there would be
more fun for the boys.

Shabbona understood the geography of the United States and Canada
to perfection. Just give him a piece of chalk and start him on some stream or
lake, say Lake Superior, and he would mark every bit of water and tell you
what it was named and what the Indians called it. In fact, he would mark
over a whole floor and tell us just where the different bodies of water were
located. One time he told us he was Tecumseh's aid and saw Johnson kill
him with a little gun that went "Ping !" My brother. Harvey Allen, was there
when he was telling it and he said, "Why didn't you rush in between them and
kill Johnson?" "Oh," said Shabbona, "two big men. let um fight." Then he
shook his sides with silent laughter, as though he always liked the white man
best. He had the faculty of going through gestures in all his talk, which made
it doubly interesting to his hearers.

For a few years the white men came from the east, so many in number,
and all wanted a few acres of timber to fence their farms and get wood for
their fires that Mr. W^arham Gates, of Paw Paw, bought the grove of Shab-
bona and he persuaded Uncle Sam to sell it at one dollar and a quarter an
acre. Then poor old Shabbona felt as though this grove was no longer his.
He never would live in the log house that Mr. Gates had built for him. He
wanted to go away (his old place is now owned by William Rusk) and my
brother took them to Chicago in a double wagon and when half-way there
they stopped and camped out all night. They had brought a hog with them
and proceeded to kill and dress it Indian fashion. They built a big fire made
from rails which they took from the farmers' fences and killed the hog, and
four of the Indians tied it by the legs and tossed it through and through the
blaze until every bristle was singed off. They then took out the intestines and
old Pokenoquay took them and run them between her thumb and front finger
and they were ready to cook without a particle of water having been on them
until thev were in the kettle over the fire, and that was all thev had for their

UNIVERSITY OF

52 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

supper. They offered my brother some of the stew, but he dechned it. for he
had brought his own lunch with him. Then they told him to get some of the
meat from the hog, which he did, and after taking off the skin and broiling it
on the end of a sharpened stick he took some of the butter off his biscuits and
spread it on the meat. He called it delicious. You know the Indians never
eat salt on any occasion. When Shabbona and his family came back to their
place my father had passed away. I had married and I had never seen any
of the Indians since their return. I met the old chief just turning in at our
back gate. He was on his pony and sat there like a statue. I hurried up to
him and held out my hand and said, "How do you do, Shabbona?" and he
said, "Show-in" (which meant No), "me no Shabbona." "Yes, you are
Shabbona," I said. "I know you." He still kept his face straight and kept
saying "Show-in" for five minutes and then he gave in and said I was right.
I asked him to come into the house, where my mother was. He shook hands
with her and said, "Me no see um big Injun." We told him he was dead, but
he would not believe it and wanted to go upstairs to see if we were fooling
him, so we gratified him and at last convinced him of the truth. He seemed
to feel bad and kept saying, "Dead, dead." We had a good visit with him, but
he wanted to see my Indian and I told him he had gone east. Then he laughed
and said, "Ite know know maybe, Ite know, me no see um."

You all know Shabbona was gone from here a few years and then came
back, thinking it would be home again, but he didn't like it, for it was so
changed. He felt as though the white man didn't want him any more and he
went to Morris, Grundy county, and died. I do not know any of the dates of
his going away or the death of him or his squaw, Pokenoquay.

The following is from the Aurora Beacon for September 12, 1908:

"Sitting upright, with bony hands folded in contentment, as they had died
more than one hundred years ago, Pottawattomie Indians were found recently
in what apears to have been an Indian burying ground on the C. M. Van
Der\-olgan farm, two miles east of St. Charles and about thirty feet south of
Person creek on a bluff above the water's edge.

"The discovery was made by Charles Van Dervolgan, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Frank M. \'an Dervolgan, of West Second street, St. Charles, and a
grandson of the owner of the farm.

BOXES ARE WELL PRESERVED.

"While digging in the sand on the bank of the creek the boy unearthed
a well preserved human skull with the lower jaw bone attached and the most
perfect set of teeth ever discovered in a skull in this part of the state. Almost
perfect human bones were also discovered beneath the skull, showing that the
body, of medium height, had been buried sitting in an upright position.

"Beyond were found traces of four other skeletons, none, however, being
in as good condition as the first, which seemed to have been in a dryer portion
of the gravel pit where the graves so far opened were discovered.

"Quantities of Indian arrow heads and portions of other Indian relics
were found in the vicinity, as is customary in most Indian graves.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 53

"Dr. W. E. Constant, of St. Charles, who examhied tlie skull in the
possession of young \'an Dervolgan, has given his opinion that it is that of a
man ahout sixty-five years of age at the time of death.

"The teeth are the most remarkable feature of the skull, being nearly as
perfect as at the time of death and unusually sound for a man past middle life.
Efforts will be made to make further excavations on the \'an Dervolgan
farm."

CHAPTER V.

WH.\T THE PIONEERS BROUGHT WITH THEM.

The largest asset brought to the country of the then Far West by the early
settlers was obviously sterling character and courage that might meet all
obstacles and overcome them. But further than a stout heart, willing hands
and abundant faith and hope in the destiny of the land they came to possess,
they brought with them little more than such rough tools and implements as
might be carried overland in a "prairie schooner" drawn by oxen.

A paper of which the following is a copy was found among the effects
cf Thomas H. Thompson, an early settler of Dundee and a justice of the peace
there. The paper, a notice of a sale of property on execution, gives evidence
of the equipment of a pioneer cabin home, for at the time, 1836, it is evident
that no exemption law protected the debtor. He was sold out of everything
he possessed :

"Notice. — Taken on execution, and will be sold at public auction, the
following propert}-, belonging to Jacon Iconberry, at the house of Thomas H.
Thompson, in Kane County, to-wit : one clock, one table, four chairs, one
bedstead, one bureau, one cradle, one iron pot, one dish kettle, one bake kettle,
one spider, shovel and tongs, one fiatiron, one hand saw, one spade, two axes,
one iron wage (wedge), one scythe sued (snath), one shave, two augurs,
one keg, one hoe, twenty-five ps. earthenware, two tumblers, one teapot, three
ps. tinware, two bottles, one jug, six forks, one knife, one set scales and
weights, one trumpet, two spoons, one tin pail, one puter platter, two pair
shears, one candlestick, one gimblet, one bread tray, one sive, three old barrels,
one looking glass, one earth churn, one feather bed, two straw ticks, three B
quilts, two spreads, two blankets, one tub and soap, one pail & tallow, one
hammer, one old basket. The above articles will be sold, P. M., on Saturday,
the 17th of the present month, at one o'clock. S. J. Kimb.\ll,

"September 5, 1S36. Auctioneer."

Add to such a household equipment a plow or two, an ax, saw and
kindred tools, a yoke or two of oxen, now and then a team of horses, a variety
of seed for planting the new land, a supply of provisions to last until the
harvest, a few pictures, books and keepsakes from the far away home, and an
old-style flintlock gun or two, and a small sum of money, and the material
evidences of civilization and progress brought by pioneers are named. With

54 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

the assistance of these they settled upon a virgin soil to wrest from nature the
wealth she held ready for the laborer. With this primitive aid they were to
build from the forest and hillside and develop from the willing earth a
civilization unsurpassed by any.

And last, but not least, they brought with them high ideals of manhood
and womanhood, based on generations of right living. Religion and morality
were to the pioneers of Kane county of first importance and its standards to
them, actual breathing standards upon which the acti\"ities of life were based
in manner unintelligible to the modern, whose church is more a meeting place
than a sanctuary; a lecture platform than the voice of the living God. The
pioneers were religious with sincerity, placing confidence in that Providence
that attends to the fall of sparrows as with the lives of men.

That they were so equipped and impressed upon the community in the
early days the high standards of life held by them and brought with them to
the West, has had much to do with the maintenance of a society distinguished
for good citizenship and well ordered government and activities. Though
their material possessions were small, their spiritual wealth was surpassed by
few first settlements.

CHAPTER VL

WHAT THE PIONEERS DID AND HOW THEY LIVED.

Were we to mount a canvass-topped lumber wagon, ride to the plains of
the Dakotas, camping here and there by stream or hill, and one spring day
pull up beneath a grove of trees upon some hill overlooking a valley of green
and a river glistening a welcome from the surface of silver, we might renew
the experience of those who in the '30s came from the East into the valley
of the Fox — then a Far West country. Could we mount their slow, lumber-
ing conveyance and rounding the lower end of Lake ^lichigan pull a winding,
laborious route through hill and vale, along old buffalo paths and Indian trails,
forty miles west to the Fox river, we should realize the coming of the pioneer.

When he had arrived at his destination no friendly voice welcomed him.
but only nature, indifferent to friend or foe. On some liillside under the trees
overlooking the river running below the caravan would stop; sometimes three
or four wagons ; more often but a single one. Preparations for camping would
at once be started, and for some time following the white man and his family
would live the way of the Indian — his "prairie schooner" his castle, and the
wild wilderness of wood and prairie his domain. At once the newcomer would
mark off the land he claimed by cutting the trees and driving pegs all around
the piece ; or by running a plow around it, turning the sod as clear evidence of
possession. Then would begin the building of a log cabin and the cultivation
of a few acres of corn for corn bread, the staple food article of those days, and
needed vegetables. Selecting the straightest timber at hand the ax soon
brought enough logs to earth. These were notched at each end so as to fit
together at the corners of the cabin, and the log given somewhat of a square

KAISTE COUNTY HISTORY 55

shape by rough hewing on four sides. These logs, laid one above another,
crossing and dovetailing at the four corners, comprised the body and frame-
work of the new home, which was usually built eight or ten feet high. A
more fastidious settler would shape his logs nearly square, that they might set
more closely together. Across the top of this frame logs were laid enclosing
the living space of the house, one room, which would generally measure
about sixteen by twenty feet. The upper layer of logs made the floor for the
second or gable story of the building. To make the roof rough hewn boards
were set at an ordinary roof angle, one over the other, as shingles are laid.
Beneath these board shingles (usually three or four feet long and two to three
feet wide) to support them logs were run across from the rear wall to the front
wall, the end logs at the gables being cut to form a triangle and set one on the
other, fastened together with wooden pegs. Betw-een the logs on all sides
clav was forced, filling the spaces between as tightly as possible, to hold the
elements at bay — a matter more often ardently attempted than successfully
accomplished — for water will penetrate through the hardest clay on continued
application. For a floor logs, one side of which had been hewn even by the
broadaxe, were laid close together over the entire space and clay forced in
between, making a fairly smooth surface, commonly termed the "puncheon"
floor, serviceable for wear but not as well conditioned for dancing, for which
purpose it many a time must serve.

To the modern housekeeper accustomed to a gas range and modern con-
veniences for conducting the home, the interior of that early sixteen by twenty
residence, combining in one kitchen, parlor and bedroom, would present a
puzzle she would be willing to undertake only on a summer outing. But to
our esteemed ancestors it was a haven of toil and of rest, where existed all
that was best of earth; w-here were enjoyed the highest gratifications of living;
where w-ere born and bred some of the noblest women, the greatest of men.

To enter this palace of the frontier you w^ould approach a wooden door
hung on wooden hinges. Noting a string hanging about where the knob of a
modern door would be, you would pull the string (the latch string) and raise
the bar that ran across the door inside and locked it. The string ran down
inside and was attached to the bar, which extended beyond the edge of the
door into a socket of wood at the side. For extra security at night a large bar
of oak was placed in position across the door and into sockets at either side.
The ordinary bar hung on a wooden peg at one end, as on a hinge. The door
was usually of oak boards, rough hewn, and held together by oak cross-pieces,
in many cases nailed to the boards with wooden pegs, a hole being first bored
with an auger and the peg forced into the hole. At other times nails were
used, but with saving, as iron was scarce and high-priced. The door was no
more than a hole sawed in the logs, the sawing having been done, however,
before the logs were set. Pushing the door open and entering an interesting
view would disclose itself. At the far end of the room an immense fireplace,
eight or ten feet across (sometimes covering the entire end of the cabin),
four or five feet high and four or five feet in depth, would be seen. The size
of the fireplace would depend on the fancy and needs of the owner, there being
no uniform size. Above the fireplace, which was in fact but the large lower

56 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

end of the chimney, the chimney proper ran up abo\'e the roof, gradually
growing smaller to assist the draft. This fireplace and chimney was com-
monly built of twigs and sticks and clay ; the clay hardened, forming the chim-
ney, the sticks holding it well together. On one side of the room would have
been seen a low couch or bed built of logs and with a top of boards upon
which lay quilts of different colors made by hand, and skins of deer, wolves
and bears, and here and there a buffalo skin. The bed was usually hidden by
a blanket or skins suspended to do service as a partition.

The bed had neither head nor foot, but in many cases comprised merely a
flat wooden frame on four rough cut wooden legs, the whole held together by
wooden pegs driven into prepared holes. Sometimes rope was strung across
in lieu of springs.

Not far from the bed a table would be noted ; an oblong wooden frame,
or probably a rough hewn board about two feet wide and six or eight feet
long, set on posts. Near this the chairs or stools would stand, crudely built of
a piece of board and three legs forced into holes bored in the seat. In a few-
cabins a rocking chair brought from the East would be seen. Rugs of skin
and home-made carpets were in some cabins spread upon the floor.

A hole in one corner of the ceiling afforded entrance to the gable room
above, used for sleeping and store room purposes. To mount to this upper
floor required the agility of a squirrel, for, in many cases the only means of
getting aloft was a series of pegs about two inches in diameter driven into
holes bored in the logs. The pegs were usually two or three feet long and
extended out from the wall, forming a ladder. More prosperous families
would build a crude flight of steps at an angle of about sixty degrees, but
economy of space did not usually warrant that luxury. All about die walls
would also be seen pegs projecting out from six inches to a foot. Upon these
garments, utensils, implements and weapons were hung in profusion, while the
ceiling was well provided with the same supports, from which hung corn and
seed of every description, as well as apples and fruits hung up to dry. An old
settler remarks that he has seen ceilings so thickly hung with different things
as to quite hide the logs. A window, a foot or two square, one on each side
and sometimes one in front, built five or six feet from the ground, let in such
light as the pioneer enjoyed. Glass was unseen, its place being taken by trans-
parent skins stretched across a wooden frame hung on wooden hinges in the
opening. A small window in the gable sometimes dimly lighted the upper
room. If the pioneer gained time and prosperity enough to build a log cabin
of two rooms his home was the envy of all his neighbors, for two rooms was a
convenience seldom enjoyed in the early days, when the time was required for
toil — toil in attending to growing crops, hunting, and going fifty miles to mill
and to market.

At the rear of the room about the fireplace and on the mantel that was
usually built above it (a board six to eight feet long and a foot or two wide)
were the implements of cooking suspended on pegs in the logs, or on a work
table set against the wall. About the center of the roof of the fireplace would
be seen an iron hook. Upon this were su.spended the kettles for the cooking of
food ; a kettle hung on this hook coming well over the fire beneath, which was

Group of Elgin Pioneers, 1806.

■ KANE COUNTY HISTORY 59

made up of green logs cut in the woods near by. In many instances logs of
large size would last for hours once well ignited. A support for the logs was
usually set in the middle of the fireplace, upon which one end of the log was
set to allow the air to circulate under and between the timbers. By the side of
this open grate the family gathered after the work of the winter's day, its
virtue as a heat dispenser being much impaired, however, by the fact that it
warmed but one side of the body at a time.

Of pictures, books and the evidences of culture, taste and refinement
common to the modern home the settlers possessed little or nothing. A copy
of the Bible, a singing book and an occasional literary work of a religious trend
comprised the average library. To cultivate the soil, look after the stock,
provide shelter and fuel, maintain a clear conscience by the performance of
religious service, and on occasion attend a wedding, dance or spelling school at
the log schoolhouse or church, made up the pioneer's life.

Having erected his log home, and often before, he would construct a rude
shack for horses and cattle. Poles were driven into the ground with logs laid
across the top and covered with grass and branches of trees, the sides made up
of brush, trees and grass packed together for walls. In this shed cattle were
kept with fair comfort. Near by an improvised chicken coop and pig pen
would soon be seen.

Much of the spare time of the earlier settlers was employed in "splitting
rails" for use in making fences. Many cut rails and sold them to others.
Mile upon mile of these fences may still be seen in northern Indiana and Illi-
nois, but have largely disappeared in Kane county, giving place to the more
modern wire fences.

There existed no roads in the modern sense. Paths ran through the
woods, circling around hills, through valleys and over the forks of rivers.
There were few fences to interfere. The soil was soft and the heavy wagons
would sink into the soft earth, making a trip of ten miles a day's work.

Prairie fires wen expected every fall as the tall prairie grass dried. At
places the grass remained uncut for many years and became thick and high.
Once well started in a good wind, a prairie fire would travel as fast as horses
could run and would destroy everything in its path. Many devices were
employed by the settlers to protect their lives and property from these dreaded
visitors, which in the fall of the year could be seen like a fiery snake creeping
across the prairie three or four miles away. It was customary for all the
farmers to plow the earth all around their buildings and land to be protected.
Usually a space fifteen to twenty feet wide would be turned as a bunker for the
oncoming flames. But often in a high wind the flames would jump the plowed
space and ignite material on the other side. The more effective method of
combating the prairie tire was what was known as "back-firing." This was
done by burning the grass away ahead of the apprc>aching fire. Often the
entire population of the neighborhood would "back-fire" and by leaving a large
burned space in advance of the flames check their progress. Nothing was more
feared by the pioneer than these fires that came like a thief in the night and
left behind destruction and ruin. With the cultivation of the prairies and the
replacing of the tall prairie grass by cultivated products these fires disappeared.

60 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The food staples of the pioneer were rye bread and corn bread. The
tiour was made in the earlier days by grinding the grain upon a hollowed out
stone with a stone pestle, much after the primitive style of the Indian. Meat
such as was obtainable was raised or hunted. Fish, with which the rivers fur-
nished abundant supply, were caught with hook and seine and salted in large
quantities by the individual families. Fishing "bees" were customary. The
owner of a seine would loan it to a number of men, the price being three or
four dollars for a day's rental. They would seine in company and divide the
"catch." Beef, pork and mutton were common meats. Apple, cherry, pie
plant, custard, pumpkin, egg and mince pie were among the delicacies. Mince
pies were made and allowed to freeze. They were then warmed up by steaming
in a "colander" over the kettle in which potatoes were boiling. There were
no stoves in that day of beginnings, and for a time everything was cooked in
the open fireplace. Later the old brick oven was invented by some pioneer
and for years served the purpose of the modern range. This brick oven was
built outside the house or near it. Rough stones and earth were so piled up as
to leave a space about five feet long and four feet wide. This space was lined
with brick and an arch was made of mortar, the top being covered with earth.
A hole was left at the far end for draft and smoke. A crude door was built
in front. The method of using this brick oven was to fill the space full of
wood, which was ignited and allowed to burn until the bricks were red hot.
The wood and burned material was then pulled out. Meats, pies, etc., were
then jnit into the heated interior and the door closed. Pioneers claim that no
motlern stove cooks as did this brick oven. No such rich pies, no such juicy
meats are to be had by modern methods as came from this early device, now
forgotten.

The clothing of the settlers was likewise largely home-made of what was
known as "homespun" material, it being rare that a pioneer possessed store-
made clothes. Wool from the sheep, or flax, were the materials used. The
sheep's fleece was washed by the women, who were the makers of clothes in
that day, to remove the grease. It was then "carded," i. e.. made up into
long rough rolls about two feet long and an inch across. This roll was then
placed in the old-fashioned spinning wheel and spun into a yarn, which was
wound upon rough spindles. This yarn was then worked up into cloth upon
the home-made loom, with which most log houses were provided, and which the
hou.sewife worked by hand and foot. A housewife C(juld average a yard or
two each day and do her housework.

Shoes were supplied the family by a traveling shoemaker. This itinerant
cobbler would put up at a settler's house for a week or longer and make up
shoes, usually of heavy calf leather, for the entire family. The leather was
either furnished by the farmer or bought at the tannery by the cobbler, who
was repaid for the raw material l)ut charged only for his labor as reward to
himself. These boots and shoes would ordinarily last a year.

Hats were usually made by the women of the family by weaving them
from rice and wheat straw. For winter wear they were made of skins,
coonskins being mostly used.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 61

Linen was little used about the household, although a tablecloth of linen
was usually kept in exclusion for use in case "company" came.

For lighting purposes, to supplement the fireplace, home-made candles
were universally employed. Kerosene lamps, which were considered as great
an invention at that time as Edison's electric light is now, came into use in the
'50s. Before that time and long after the women "dipped" their own candles.
Cotton strings were hung on a stick, the threads being tied on the stick at
intervals of two or three inches and six or a dozen on the stick. The threads
as they hung down loose being about a foot long, were dipped together into a
deep receptacle filled with melted tallow. A small portion of the tallow would
adhere to the suspended string. The stick was then lifted out and hung up
until the tallow hardened. It was then dipped again and again, each time
accumulating an additional amount of tallow. When the tallow was about an
inch in diameter the candle was complete for use. For use the string was
ignited and by absorbing the melting tallow oil maintained a light that would
last several hours.

A device more crude than this was made by placing a string in a saucer-
shaped vessel and filling the vessel with tallow or other oil. By igniting the
string a crude candle was realized. Gas was not used until after the Ci\i\ war,
and electric light was unknown in 1880.

SOCIAL LIFE.

Social events among those who first came to the West was like the coming
of a circus for a small boy, rare but welcome facts. With a wilderness to
conquer and a home to build without other assistance than the primitive imple-
ments, men and women had no more time for social affairs than has the modern
workman who, when the day's toil is ended, is well pleased to rest and recuper-
ate. But among the younger people the neighborhood gatherings were not
infrequent. Spelling schools and exhibitions, quilting bees, husking bees, etc..
furnished many opportunities for the settlers to gather together for mutual help
and amusement. Spelling schools were popular, sometimes three or four occur-
ring the same week at different schools, the entertainment moving from school
to school. Often the contestants and visitors would come ten or fifteen miles
to attend.

The news of such an event was communicated from house to house by
those passing — whoe\-er knew of the event being supposed to acquaint any he
might see with the coming exhibition. Ordinarily a competition would be
arranged between different schools or localities. The country teacher was
usually in charge of the affair. All who were to spell stood up in two rows,
one on each side of the room, the spectators occupying the seats between. The
teachers (mostly men) would sometimes assist their sides. A word would
be given the first one in the line. If he or she missed she sat down. Then the
word if missed was given to the first of the other side. Whoever missed sat
down. The side first all down were defeated. Sometimes in place of a com-
petition sides would be chosen and a "general" spell indulged in. After the
"spell down" a visiting interval was had, then speaking, and the evening closed
with a second "spell down."

62 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Not the least enjoyable part of these events was the coming and going.
Being usually during the winter season, a sleigh was provided in which a
dozen or fifteen couple would be stowed away and a merry time had.

Dancing parties occurred about every two weeks, being held, in the early
days, in the settlers' houses. The Virginia reel, "duck dive" and round dance
were usual. The waltz and two-step now customary would have been an
undreamed of pleasure on the rough board floor of the log cabin. The charge
per couple was usually one dollar. A fiddler sat at the end of the room on a
box or table; sometimes two fiddlers. Often the dance was given in the barn,
which was larger than the house. The dance would begin at nine or ten and
end at daylight. The "boys" would drive up to the cabin of the young lady
he desired as "company" at the dance, and although she had no prior notice
she was usually ready in ten or fifteen minutes.

The various "bees" that were held from time to time afforded the early
settlers amusement and at the same time accomplished useful work. Here the
entire neighborhood would gather at one house and all make quilts, or pare,
cut and string apples, or husk corn, as the occasion required. And there were
house-raising bees, in which a new settler having cut his logs would be assisted
by all in the erection of his home. Prizes were usually presented to winners
at husking, paring, etc.

In addition to these e\"ents Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of
July were always occasions for special doings. The enthusiasm and patriotism
of the pioneers on the Fourth of July can scarcely be concei\-ed by the modern
citizen who thinks of it mostly as a day for a picnic or for the production of as
much noise as possible.

Then, too, there were church events, which, among a people so many of
whom were devout religionists, were of large importance. Everyone attended
church. Meetings were held in the schoolhouses before churches were built,
and in the cabins before there were schools ; prayer meetings weekly. Nearly
all the modern denominations were represented. Presbyterians of Scotch descent
and Methodists being most numerous. There being no regular preachers, the
pulpits were filled by the old-time circuit preachers, who came with fiery and
earnest messages, and moved on to the next place. His compensation
seems to have been such material comfort as the settlers provided and the
consciousness of serving his God.

Of the other side of pioneer life — the criminal and vicious — there is also
evidence. Horse stealing was always to be guarded against and was usually
punished with the severity usual where horses are rare possessions. Over-
indulgence in intoxicants was not infrequent, particularly at public events,
and owing to the absence of well established government often resulted in a
general town fight between elements from different parts. In Kane county all
large affairs usually occurred at St. Charles, where many such melees are said
to have occurred. Claim jumping was a universal evil, so extensive in fact
that committees were appointed to judge such cases. !\Iany stories are told of
such contests from Dundee to Aurora. The decision of such a decision is still
in existence, the following cut being photographic copy. In this case, as
appears from reading the letter of James C. Hanks, Hanks, to whom the land

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

was finally given, got into a controversy with a Thos. Deweese, and to end
the affair Deweese knocked Hanks down with a stone.

"^J ^7"

^-A-J^

JUDGMENT OF A "CLAIM JUMPERS COMMITTEE."

In Dundee township this same Deweese had trouble over land he claimed
there. Jesse C. Kellogg wrote in 1885 of the measures taken by the settlers
to protect their lands, as follows :

" 'In those days, there being no king in Israel, every man did that which
seemed right in his own eyes." The size of claims, therefore, varied from two
eighties of prairie and one of timber to a half section of timber and a tract of
prairie two miles square. Some assumed the right to make and hold claims
by proxy, being thereunto duly authorized by some brother, sister, uncle, cousin,
aunt or friend. Meanwhile new settlers poured in apace, astonished to find the
choice timber and prairie 'blazed' and 'furrowed' into claims, whose ample
acres the claimant with all his children, uncles, aunts and cousins to the 'third
and fourth generation' would never be able to till or occupy. The new settler,
perplexed, baffled and becoming more and more desperate on finding 'God's
green earth' thus monopolized, would approach his more fortunate neighbor
with the spirit of Abraham to Lot: 'Now, I have come a great way to get
some of this timber and prairie and one thing is certain, I am going to have
some. There is enough for vou and me and our bovs. Now don't let us

64 KANE COUNTY HT^TORY

quarrel. You turn to the right and I will turn to the left, or vice versa."
Sometimes this good Scripture and consecjuently good common sense logic
would win. but in other cases the grasping spirit of the borderer would stave
ofif all kind of division or compromise, and laying his hand upon his rifle he
would bluster and threaten in "great swelling words' and drive away the
stranger from his right. Hereupon arose innumerable disputes and wrangles
concerning the size, tenure and boundaries of claims. The more reflecting
among the settlers saw a dark cloud, big with the elements of strife and
social disorder, gathering in the not very distant horizon, whose tornado
blasts threatened soon to lay waste all that was of value in the rising com-
munity. There was no municipal law reaching these cases and if there had
been the settlers probably would have been none the better for it. for it is
believed that at this period there was neither a justice nor a statute book
north of the Illinois river and w-est of Fort Dearborn, unless we except
Ottawa and Chicago. A\'rongs and outrages for which there was no known
legal redress were being multiplied. Blackened eyes, blood}' noses and chewed
ears were living realities, while the dirk, pistol, rifle, with something like
'cold lead.' were significantly talked of as likely to bring about some 'realities'
which might not be "living." What could be done to insure domestic tran-
quillity, promote the general welfare and secure to each settler his right?
Evidently but one thing. Happily some had seen something in the New
Testament about those who are without law unto themselves, and settlers
found themselves in this fix exactly. It was. therefore, apparent both from
Scripture and reason that the settlers must become "a law unto themselves'
and 'where there was a will there was a way." 'A settlers" meeting" at a given
time and place therefore came to be the \\ atchword from shanty to wagon
until all were alarmed. Pursuant to this proclamation a heap of law and
order loving American citizens convened on September 5. 1835, at the shanty
of Harmon Miller, standing on the east bank of the Kishwaukee, nearly oppo-
site the present residence of \Villiam A. Miller in the town of Kingston.
Happily the best possible spirit prevailed. The Hoosier from the Wabash,
the Buckeve from Ohio, the hunter from Kentucky, the calculating Yankee,
brother Jonathan's 'first born' and the "beginning of his strength.' impelled
by a sense of mutual danger, hereby sat down in grave council to dictate
laws to Kishwaukee 'and the region lying around about through all the coasts
thereof.' Hon. Levi Lee, now chairman of a committee to report on petitions
for the ']Maine law" in the legislature of Wisconsin, was chosen to preside
over this august assemblage, where the three great departments of free
governments, the executive, the legislative and the judicial, were most happily
united, and Captain Eli Barnes was appointed secretary. Gently glided the
sometimes turbid waters of the 'ancient river.' the sonorous Kishwaukee, as
speech after speech setting forth the woes and wants of the settlers, the kind
of legislation demanded by the crisis, went the rounds. Even those who were
not 'used to talkin" much afore folks' evinced their cordial approbation and
readiness to cooperate by doing up an amount of encoring which, no doubt,
really did 'astonish the natives.' At last, ripe for immediate action, a com-
mittee was selected to draft and present to the meeting a constitution and

OLD FORDIXG PLACE USED BEFORE BRIDGE WAS
BUILT, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 67

by-laws by wbich the 'settlers upon the public lands' should be governed.
After some little deliberation back of the shanty, around the stump of a big
white oak, which served as a writing desk, said committee reported a pre-
amble, constitution and by-laws, which for simplicity and brevity and adapta-
tion to necessity it would be hard for any modern legislation to beat. The
self-evident truths proclaimed by Jefferson in the immortal declaration, it is
believed, were the first time reiterated on the banks of the Kishwaukee, and
had there been a little more time for reflection and preparation the top of
some settlers" wagons would have been converted into the 'Star Spangled
Banner' and thrown to the breezes of heaven from the tallest tree top in the
grove. The common sense, law and logic, as well as patriotism, contained in
this constitution and by-laws were instantaneously recognized to be the very
things demanded by the crisis and were adopted with unparalleled enthusiasm,
each subscribing his name thereto with his own hand, thereby pledging his
'life,' 'fortune' and 'sacred honor' to carry out the provisions of the code.
It is not known that a copy of this singularly unique document is now extant.
As nearly as can be recollected its provisions were somewhat as follows : A
prudential committee were to be t'hen and there chosen, whose duty it should
be 'to examine into, hear and finally determine all disputes and differences
then existing or which thereafter might arise between settlers in relation to
their claims,' and whose decisions with certain salutary checks were to be
binding upon all parties and to be carried out at all hazards by the three
departments of government consolidated in aid of the executive, in what
jurists sometimes dominate the 'posse comitatus.' Each settler was
solemnly pledged to protect every other settler in the association in the peace-
able enjoyment of 'his or her claim as aforesaid,' and further, whoever
throughout all Kishwaukee or the suburbs or coasts thereof should refuse to
recognize the authority of the aforesaid association and render due obedience
to the laws enacted by the same from time to time 'to promote the general
welfare" should be deemed a heathen, a publican and an outlaw, with whom
they were pledged to have no communication or fellowship. Thus was a wall
affcjrding protection to honest settlers built in troublous times. The thing
worked like a charm and the value of these associations in northern Illinois
to the infant settlements has never been overestimated. Similar associations
were form.ed and maintained in Somonauk and other portions of the county,
until the lands came into market. This event took place in Chicago in 1843,
when the land was sold to the highest bidder ; that is. so far as 'terra firma" is
concerned. The moral as well as the physical power of 'settlers' associations'
was so great that if a speculator presumed to bid on a settler's claim he was
certain to find himself 'knocked down and dragged out,' and had the land
officer shown the least sympathy or favor to the 'rascal' there can be no
doubt but what an indignant and outraged yeomanry would have literally
torn the land office to fragments 'in no time.' "

Such was the life of the pioneer, rough and free; filled with toil from
day to day, for men, women and children, with an hour of pleasure and
pastime between. An unending contest with nature. That results have
justified those who came here and laid the foundations of a civilization that is

68 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

unsurpassed in attainments, material, spiritual and moral, none will deny;
and that what has resulted has come from the wisdom of those hardy men
who here first turned the soil who will gainsay ?

From a wilderness of wood and prairie communities second to none have
been built. In 1834, those who came found no inhabitants but the primitive
Indian. At once they set about establishing the civilization and standards of
white men. Roads were laid out and opened, bridges built, mills erected from
Dundee to Aurora. Tilled fields everywhere gave their products. Saw mills
followed. Manufacturing plants were not long in coming. The first rail-
road was laid and opened for trafiic in . Progress, material and social,

advanced until today Kane stands third in population and wealth in the state;
its cities send goods to the far ends of the world, and their names are known
and respected in every place.

MARRIAGE .SCENES IN PIONEER DAYS.

Excerpts from Judge Caton's reminiscences.

I stood up before them and asked them in English if they wished to
enter into the contract of marriage. When Kinzie, acting as interpreter,
asked them if they wanted to get married they both answered "We! We!"
with an inclination of the head and an emphasis which showed that they
were in earnest. I then told them to join their right hands, which, when it
was interpreted, they obeyed. I then went through with a rather short cere-
mony, making them promise enough, if they kept all. to secure a life of happi-
ness, which Kinzie interpreted sentence by sentence, and then I pronounced
them man and wife in as solemn a voice as I could assume, and told the groom
to kiss his bride, which, when he understood the command, he did with anima-
tion, while the bride seemed becomingly embarrassed. It was evident that
she would have preferred to have had that part of the ceremony a little more
private.

After this all were seated on benches, boxes and stools, except the bride
and groom and myself, who occupied the only three chairs in the house,
which had probably been borrowed for the occasion. Some refreshments
were then served, including a sort of whisky punch ; after this I left them to
have a good, jolly time among themsehes. As I left, Kinzie slipped into
my hand the silver dollar allowed by law.

Not many days after the matrimonial event last described, a couple of
rather ragged, barefooted boys called at my office and told me that I was wanted
at their house to marry their sister. Careful inquiry informed me that they
lived in a log house in the woods about two miles north of town, that their
name was Cleveland, and that the party was already waiting for the squire.
I recognized the house by their description as one which I had seen when
out hunting in that direction, and as soon as I could prepare myself properly,
I procured a horse and rode out to the rural abode of Mr. Cleveland. On ar-
riving. I hitched my horse to a sapling near by and went in. I was greeted
by the matron of the house, who was a fat, robust looking woman, while Mr.
Cleveland was a tall, spare man with a very fair complexion; I may say he

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 69

was a pronounced blonde. There was but one room in the house, though
that was of good size. It served as kitchen, drawing room, reception room,
parlor and dressing room, and, no doubt, as sleeping room for the whole
family, though no sign of a bed appeared.

The old lady bustled about till she found the washboard, which she deftly
clapped onto the frame of a chair from which the splint bottom had long since
disappeared, and invited me to be seated, and I was seated, and wiped from
my forehead the fast flowing perspiration provoked by a very warm July day.
A survey of the reception room disclosed no furniture except a deal table, the
seat which I occupied and several benches of dififerent lengths, not to mention
some pots and kettles in the corner of the great fireplace, and some shelves
in one corner on which were some tin plates and cups and other table furni-
ture, by no means extravagant. Near this sat the master of the mansion,
who might have been fifty-five years old, and opposite to him sat, on another
stool, a soldier from the garrison, as I judged from the clothes he wore. I
soon observed that one corner of the room was cut off by old quilts and other
articles of bedding, and by the agitation and whispering, this was evidently
occupied. As it proved this was the dressing room in which the bride was
being adorned.

After a while the curtain was raised, and the bridal party came forth from
the secluded corner and burst upon us like — like — I am at a loss to find a fair
comparison. First came the two younger sisters. They were of medium
height for their ages, and slightly built, and really handsome, one perhaps
fifteen and the other eighteen, decently and plainly dressed, but neatly. One
of these, the eldest, I recognized as having seen at Ingersol's hotel at Wolf
Point, waiting on the table. They were followed by the bride, gayly decked
out in furbelows.

Two boys walked into the house covered with perspiration and dust,
each one having a gallon jug strapped to his back. Our hostess soon undid
the straps and placed the jugs on the table, scolding the boys roundly for
their tardiness, while they protested they had fairly run their legs off, in order
to get back in time to see the fun. Madame soon found a milk pan, into which
she put a cup of molasses from one jug, and then a cup of whisky from the
other, and then a cup of cold water from a pail standing under a table; after
she had thus measured out about six quarts, she went at it with a large
wooden spoon and stirred it up lively. When sufificiently mixed, the good
and hospitable lady took a tin cup and dipped it partly full and presented it
to me, saying, "Squire, are you fond of blackstrap? I always had a knack
for making blackstrap, and you shall try it first, though you ain't the oldest,
I guess."

I protested that blackstrap was my delight and the only drink I ever
indulged in, and after putting it to my lips pretended to drink heartily. I
was so busy praising the beverage that I doubt if she observed whether I
drank or not. I then pased the cup to mine host, who smacked his lips after
a few swallows as if he were well used to the exercise. He refilled the cup and
passed it to the son of Mars, who did ample justice to the skill of his future
mother-in-law and then passed it to the bride, and thence it proceeded to the

70 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

other members of the family. This refreshing scene occurred before the mar-
riage ceremony, an innovation no doubt born of the behef that it was the
most important.

One Saturday in March, 1835, I was called upon at my office by a stout,
vigorous young farmer named Powell, and requested to go the next day about
sixteen miles up the north branch, and unite him in marriage to a young lady
living in a log house at Dutchman's Point.

The low, flat prairie was covered with water for the first eight or nine
miles which splashed up at every step, and frequently the horse would step
close beside a crawfish hole, with which the prairie was honeycombed, when the
water would shoot up like a geyser to the height of several feet, often giving
me a good sprinkling of the muddy water and more than once striking me
fairly in the face. I had taken the precaution to tie a wrap around my neck
so as to protect my shirt collar and bosom, .long leggins protected my lower
garments, and the overcoat received most of the showers of mud which
came above my knees. But the boots! Nothing could be done for them,
and they were soon so soiled that their color was indistinguishable. But that
was no matter. Everybody was prepared to make allowances for that condi-
tion of things, so I gave myself no trouble about it.

At length, after I had covered eight or nine miles of this low, wet prairie.
I struck higher ground and it was possible to increase my speed, which I
did, for I saw I was likely to be late to the wedding. I, however, arrived
at the designated place in good time. The house was a large, commodious
log structure with several rooms on the ground floor. What was most
cheering to me was a great wood fire in an old-fashioned fireplace at one
end of the house, which would admit great logs four or five feet in length,
and seemed big enough to roast an ox. The fire was occupied by the culinary
operations, which were going on. A fine turkey and a plump pig, which were
suspended before it and were constantly being basted by a ten-year-old boy,
whose face was as red as a beet, diffused through the room an appetizing fra-
grance which made me rejoice that dinner time was rapidly approaching,
and my mouth fairly watered at the thought. A nice party of well dressed
country people occupied the room, who were as chatty and as jolly as the
occasion required. Powell met me at the door and without giving me time
to take off my muddy wraps led me direct to the bride, to whom he intro-
duced me with a flourish, which showed that the situation produced in him no
more embarrassment than as if he had been married once a week for the last
five years. Not so, however, with the girl ; she seemed considerably embar-
rassed as all eyes were turned upon her. She was taller than the average
of women, and fairly stout in proportion. Indeed, she was a large, well
formed woman of fair complexion. She was decidedly awkward in her
actions, evidently having seen but little of even country society. This might
have been expected when neighbors were miles away, and she probably had
not a single acquaintance in town, and had never been there more than to
pass through it on her way west. In fine, she was troubled to know where to
put her hands and feet.

ta- *

.l,UNK[«,u

LOOKING UP NORTH BROADWAY, AURORA, ABOUT 1855.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 73

Well, I married them good and strong, but at the conclusion I thought
I would not gratify the groom's love of display and increase the bride's em-
barrassment by directing him to salute his bride, yet he did it all the same,
and she submitted meekly, as if it were inevitable, as he had no doubt in-
formed her that it was indispensable to a good marriage.

It was dark when we arrived at the log cabin of the settler, who was
among the first to locate in the O'Plane timber. It was a good sized, com-
modious house for a frontier settler, and all about bespoke neatness and
respectability. Several of the neighbors were assembled to witness the cere-
mony. Angeline introduced me to them all. for she had made the acquaint-
ance of nearly all of the settlers for miles around. She had giv-en me no
description of the bride or groom, only that they knew nothing of what is
called society, but had only associated with frontier life, and that the bride's
family belonged to the Society of Friends, and so I must expect to see every-
thing plain — very plain. As my family belonged to that society and I had
been brought up under its teachings, I was glad to learn that I should meet
some of that faith which my mother so much loved, out on this remote
frontier.

Angeline had already told them of my antecedents in this regard, and
doubtless this had its influence in the selection which was made of the offici-
ating officer, for the Friends will- tolerate a marriage ceremony performed
by a civil magistrate, while they cannot, with a clear conscience, be present
at one celebrated by a preacher of another denomination.

The bride was young, and the groom was not many years her senior.
She was quite plain looking, but he was one of the handsomest young men
I ever saw. His was not an efifeminate, delicate beauty, but a manly, sturdy
beauty, if that term be proper when speaking of one of medium size, yet
of a powerful build, uniform features, a frank, open and winning counte-
nance, toward whom one felt oneself drawn as if by a cord of friendship,
not to say admiration, at first sight. He was a decided brunette, but this
rather added to his manly beauty. I soon learned that he was as unacquainted
with the ways of the world as one who had spent his life on a farm well
could be, and had never been in any town more than to pass through it, and
had only associated with those in similar conditions. He was of good natural
parts and a clear intellect.

He soon intimated to me that he would like to see me alone, so we
took a walk out of doors, when he told me that he had never seen a wedding,
and would like to be instructed as to the mode of proceeding and what he
was expected to do. I then rehearsed to him the order of the ceremony to
its conclusion, that he would have nothing to do but to assent to the ques-
tions which I should ask him, and to join right hands with the lady. That
at the conclusion of the ceremony I should direct him to salute his bride,
which he must do as an evidence that he recognized her as his lawful wife;
this meant that he should kiss her then and there.

In the meantime Angeline had been getting the bride ready for the
dread event. She, too, had never witnessed a wedding and knew nothing of
its proceedings, but had some idea of its consequences.

74 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The bridesmaid gave her minute instructions as to how she should
act her part, but carefully abstained from any intimations to the concluding
performance, about which I was so particular to instruct the groom.

When we returned to the house the party seemed to be in waiting for
us. The bride and bridesmaid were seated by themselves at one end of the
room, while the company were seated as far away as they could get. As
I saw everything was ready, I told the groom to take his place at the right
hand of the bride, who, with the bridesmaid, rose to her feet in good order.
She was dressed in white muslin, as was befitting, but the pattern of the
\vedding garment was very domestic and unique. In short, it was precisely
that of a lady's nightgown with a yoke at the top and a most elaborate skirt
and large sleeves. This Angeline had gathered around the waist with a
broad, red ribbon, which I think she had brought along for the purpose, as a
sort of wedding present, for I afterward learned that she had planned that
wedding costume to suit her own fancy, or, I may say, freak. It was in the
main well adapted to the plain and simple taste of the Friends, though the
red belt and big bow in front were a reluctant concession to the vanities
of the world. The hair of each of the ladies was disposed of in the plainest
possible way and without the least ornament, and I, who had in early life
been taught to admire plainness in everything, thought they really looked
beautiful.

I placed myself in the space in front of the bridal party and then asked
the company to arise. I proceeded to deliver a lecture upon the solemnity of
the occasion and the great responsibilities which these parties were about to
assume, and how they should bear themselves toward each other in order to
insure the greatest amount of domestic happiness, and all of that. During
this delivery I tried to imagine myself a person of fifty, who knew well what
he was talking about, instead of a young squire of twenty-three.

I knew Miss Talcott was all the while trjang to catch my eye so that
by some ludicrous or grotesque look or expression of countenance she could
make me break down or make me laugh, but I refused to gratify that desire,
and kept my eyes steadily fixed upon the two interested parties, who were a
real study at that time.

At the close of my lecture I proceeded with the ceremony proper, w^hich
I soon concluded and pronounced them man and wife, when I directed the
groom to salute his bride. As this was the part he had no doubt most held
in expectation, he made a fierce grab at his new-made wife and attempted
to execute the order. This was entirely unexpected by her, and as she
probably had no idea of the meaning of the direction which I had given, she,
no doubt, thought the young man had lost his mental balance as she had
nearly done herself; she rushed away from the supposed madman in real
terror and actually fought back in a cat-like manner. But he was equal to
the occasion, and followed her up with such manly vigor, quite to the corner
of the room, to which she retreated, that by his superior strength he accom-
plished his purpose with such a smack that it could have been heard out of
doors.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 75

When she was released from the embrace of her stalwart husband, she
had nearly fainted, but Angeline came to her support and assured her that
it was all right and a necessary part of the ceremony which she had unfor-
tunately neglected to explain to her. It took some time, however, to recon-
cile her to having been kissed by a man in so public a way, and Angeline
said she much doubted whether he had ever kissed her before in his life.

This rumpus was enjoyed by the mischievous bridesmaid beyond meas-
ure, and she could hardly refrain from laughing outright and boisterously at
the ludicrous figure which the scene presented. Her plans had worked to a
charm and just as the ingenious girl had hoped. Most of the company stared
upon the scene as if a cataclysm was actually taking place, though a few
plainly understood and enjoyed it.

After this funny episode had terminated and Angeline had got the parties
back to their places, though it was difficult to make the timid bride under-
stand that all was not yet over, I stepped up to the married couple and
shook their hands and warmly congratulated them on the happy change which
had now taken place in their life history, though I doubt if the abashed girl
understood a word I said ; but the groom e\idently enjoyed the situation in
a calm and confident manner. I was stubbornly blind and deaf to all the winks
and nods of the roguish bridesmaid to go further and kiss the bride myself.
I felt it would have been a cruelty to have further embarrassed the timid
creature, especially as I felt sure that Angeline would have assured all the
rest that it was the proper thing for each one to do the same thing.

When I turned away, leaving half of the program unexecuted, the brides-
maid hastened up to the father and mother of the bride and by mere force
rushed them up to the wedded pair to kiss and congratulate their daughter,
and assured the good lady that it would be a clear slight if she should omit
that mark of respect for her son-in-law. Her confident impetuosity carried
her point, and the young man took the salute of his new mamma, if not with
a hearty relish, at least with a benign resignation. The father kissed his
daughter with an affectionate tenderness which plainly bespoke the depth of
the love he felt for her, and she received it as if it was a daily occurrence
and carried a blessing with it. All efforts to get the rest of the company
to follow up the assault proved abortive, and soon the order of the gathering
was broken up. Then we did our best to inspire a lively mood and not en-
tirely without success. I talked with all of the oldest people in the room on
such subjects as I thought would most interest them, and it was not difficult
to get on free and easy terms with them all.

CHAPTER VII.

LETTERS OF JAMES C. HANKS.

The following are authenticated letters of James C. Hanks, the first
white man who settled in the northern part of Kane County and who is
credited with having written letters (possibly the same here presented)

76 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

that induced tlie Giffords and other pioneers to come west. The series cover
the period from 1834 to 1838. during which year Mr. Hanks died. His
grave is still to be seen in the old cemetery at Elgin in Channing street,
where the remains of his father, B. Hanks, are also interred. The originals,
of which the following are true copies, are now owned by Mr. Arthur B.
Hinsdell, by whose kindness they are here presented. The series show,
as does no presentation of facts, the struggles of the pioneers, the conditions
they met and the character of men they were.

Far West, Galena Lead ]\Iines, October 17, 1834.
Beloved and kind parents :

After a stroll of three miles out of town to see the waters of the
Mississippi. I find time to ease your anxiety for the present concerning your
far distant son.

You, I suppose, have heard by John's leter that I started afoot and alone
for the far West. From Chicago about fifteen miles west the land is poor
and level; after this there is but very little level land to the Mississippi. For
the first hundred miles in my travel I saw none but what was tillable and the
greater part of it as fine a soil as I ever saw, the land just rolling enough for
convenience and beauty. Since that not one-fourth of the country is tillable.
It outdoes the turnpike for steepness and continuation of hills though not
so high. I found the boys Tuesday noon within six miles of the highest
settlers on Fox river. This handsome river is about fifty rods wide, a siiallow
stream with gravel bottom. We spent two and a half days up the river looking
for locations and in justice to the country I must say that in goodness it sur-
passes anything that I have yet seen ; so much so that I am perfectly satisfied
with the choice I there made.

My claim and Elisha's are joining, six miles above any settlers and about
three miles from the river on the east side on a stream of water about the size
of Spaldings spring run with a grave! bottom, three feet bank, and dry. The
land begins to rise from the banks. For beauty, convenience and goodness
take the three together, and I think my choice surpasses any lands I ever
saw. The soil when plowed up and wet is so black that it would be difficult
to distinguish l)y the color between a pile of charcoal and of earth the
distance of thirty rods. The prairie is on the creek, and timber back, which is an
uncommon thing in this country. The prairie land rises from the creek about
three feet in a hundred, the timljer more; for further particulars look at my
map. John's claim is about ten miles from mine on the other side of the river
in tlie settlement. His is a good claim; creek on one side. There is a chance for
a number of good farms joining mine not yet taken. They are now running
a straight road from Chicago to Galena, which will go somewhere between
John's and my claim; then I shall not be more than thirty miles from Chicago.
But from these pleasing news to my sad tale. The boys started for Chicago.
I started for Galena alone; down the river for fifteen miles, the most of
the way my road notliing but an Indian trail. I got witliin two miles of the
Galena road and a man told me that if I would strike across the prairie
I would gain two miles and would reach a house where tliey keep travelers.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 77

About 4 o'clock, I had three crackers in my pocket, so I thought I would do
without my dinner for the sake of gaining two miles. I soon reached the
Galena road, the best one for walking I ever saw ; I pushed cheerfully along,
not knowing any more about the road than you do, except that the houses
were scattering and that it was necessary for a fellow to have his pockets
full of provision, which I had intended doing when necessary. I kept the
main road though there were paths ; put off until 5 o'clock looking for a house
and I saw none. I began to mistrust that I might have come past it, but
could not fully believe it until 7 or 8 o'clock, then I gave it up that I had
passed it.

The prairies were afire all around me; I had to pass through one chain.
A prairie fire is about as large and handsome as that hill fire which came from
Mr. Farnum's two years ago. At 8 o'clock I came to a creek on the edge of
the prairie, and as the prairies were from three to ten miles across, and
finding some straw which assured me no house was near, I gathered the straw
in one arm and found a bush in which I fastened my umbrella to break off
the wind from me, I committed myself to the care of my Maker and laid
down. Here you may think not to sleep, but I can assure you that I was
not afraid and I slept half of the night. The fires that were burning on
all sides of me at night had disappeared in the morning. In the morning I
was faint from fasting, but moderately traveled on, expecting that I would
soon find a house. My first prairie was about ten miles across, and half the
way I could not see a tree in any direction. The smoke prevented my seeing
more than three miles, when I espied a woods ahead. Hope revived and I
pushed on in hopes of finding a house, but alas, I soon found to all appearance
an unbounded prairie before me again. I gathered some acorns and passed
on to a brook ; there sat down to breakfast on cold water and bitternuts. I
traveled on till noon and then met a boy on horseback and from him I begged
two small biscuits and found that I had but ten miles further to travel before
I would find a house. Thus ended my troubles, except that my boots blistered
my feet some. I reached the house between 3 and 4.

The land in Illinois is clay, while Michigan is sand.

I am at Rock river, within 100 miles of Chicago.

J. C. H. Oct. 21.

Chicago Jany ist 1835
Dear parents

I again find time to answer your request to write often. Through the
continued goodness of my maker and preserver I yet enjoy good health My
privileges for attending meetings, &c have been pleasant I have not missed
an evening for more than a week. Last evening I attended a prayer meeting
then went to the Methodist watch meeting till past midnight this morning at
daylight I again attend prayer meeting. Professors here are getting awake
to their duty and I am in hopes the churches will be faithful that the Lord
may come in pov^er

Last evening at the Methodist meeting 7 or 8 went to the anxious seat
The presbyterians think of holding meetings a part of next week

78 KANE COUNTY HI8T0RY

I can say of a truth the Lord has been kind unto me even since I left
home, though an unreflecting glance at my history Looks hard, I have had
strength of Body to surmount every hardship. Every undertaking I have laid
before the Lord for him to direct me and the still small voice has told me I
was doing my duty. Never before have I lived so long without a remorse
for doing what I ought not to have done or leaving undone things I ought
to do

I have made several attempts for an easier way of living than out doors
work but in each have failed but was not disappointed for I knew that him
who I chose for to decide the case would decide for the best

The weather still continues tine sun shines now and it looks more like
Oct than Jany

There was a ball in town last evening but not much extra doings today

You will see where I spent monday and tues on my map above Chicago
in making a claim for speculation in S. F. Spaldings name I have chopped,
fenced, sowed and dragged a piece of ground, cut some house logs and begun
a house so that if the preemption law is extended we shall gain a preemption
and get our two lots of poor land at lo - the acre William you wished me
to rectify my mistake about the Springs. Tell Elisha that there is a spring
nearly as large as Uncle Zz within six rods of where we stuck the stake for his
ploughing. There is dry land for building 6 rods below it where it might be
carried in to the Lower windows

It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since I came from my farm and began work.
I have earned $23.50 in the time but my Board makes a hole in it. C. Metcalf
and myself will start in a day or two out on the Oplain (Desplaines) river to
split Rails at 50 cents a hundred and be found.

The most I ask of you is to write 1/2 as often and half as much as I do.
I can think of no more for the present only that you must be making prepara-
tions for the West and urging all honest friends with all the confidence you
can put in me to come to the far west.

With the Lord I leave you praying that you may put all confidence in
him and it shall be well with vou.

Your distant unworthy son T C H

To B. & E. Hanks :

Our lattitude is but little south of you. I will give you my own opinion
why we can raise larger corn here than with you. I think it is because of the
black soil. You know that anything black will retain more of the sun's
rays and become hotter than light colored. The ground becomes hotter and
brings forward vegetation faster. If this looks reasonable to you you may
believe. If not it is only an opinion of my own.

Oplain River Jany i8th 1835
Happy Home

Tis true I love thee all thy scenes I love them well I have not much
news so I will give you some of my views concerning these prairies you know
my belief is that we live in an age of Improvement and that we ought not to
take everything that everybody says for granted without looking at the reason

FRONT AND BACK OF A LETTER WRITTEN IN lS?-.5 BY J. C.

HANKS FROM ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 81

of the case and searching to know whether or no people are not imbibing
mistaken notions

My opinion concerning tlie origin of these prairies is different from any
person I have ever yet talked with on the subject It is the minds of all
that they are formed by fire killing the timber but I believe that this opinion
is without proof or foundation I believe that looo years ago there was
not 34 as much timber here as there is now

We read in the bible that in old times they would drive their flocks to
different parts of the country for pasture no person can doubt but what
that country was blest with prairies I believe that from the hands of the
Creator a large portion of the world was left without timber but no part
of the Eastern country that I have seen has a rich soil enough to produce
a growth of grass that by burning would kill the young trees and keep them
from getting the start but here the fires on the rich soil kill the young trees.
All the timber in this country is on the poorest land or swampy where fires
cannot run as a general thing the further from the timber the better the
prairie Where there is timber here there is not half as much dead timber
as there is in Steuben further reasons I will bring with me Jany 26. Since
my last with pleasure I acknowledge receipt of your, Sarahs, Jasons and Wm
but have no news on hand to answer them I cannot say that I was pleased to
hear of Jason's appointment for I think he could have done better to come
here I am pleased with Wm singing and believe if he comes here in the
Spring he will gain his health if he does not before Everybody here back
in the country is hearty there is no cesation for cold weather by the new
comers and claimers of lands Wm if you do not come in the Spring early
I cannot answer for you a farm have one of uncle Elijahs Boys come if you can
the claim I am trying to hold for Jason I shall try to hold still for some friend
mention all the names who are coming in the Spring Wm Rumsey is boarding
here with me he came here the other day took him a claim and is now to work
on it 28 miles north west of Chicago he has a good claim but I do not like
the river I have a week yet to stay here then I think some of going to mine
we have not had more than two days yet but what it has thawed some for
the last 2 weeks we have had rain and wet snow 3 or 4 days sleighing on
about 3 inches of snow but is now all gone This letter is a hard case for
all the time I have been writing there has been half a dozen or not much less
talking and you know of old that I never could write where others were
talking As ever J C Hanks

Chicago Febr 20th 1835
Kind Father

My absence from here longer than I had expected has prevented my
writing as often as I should like. But as we cannot always do as we would
I shall try to be contented with doing as I can I have been absent from here
about 7 weeks and my situation has not been as pleasant as at your own com-
fortable tire side we had no hard winter weather until the first of Febr the
first week in Febr was the coldest take the week through I ever knew though
I quit work Init one day for the cold. Since the first week It has been come-

82 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

fortable winter weather W'lien there was moveable snow with wind it was
nothing uncommon to have the walls and floor white with snow the day that
I lay by for the cold our fire did not thaw the snow and ice off from the

floor four feet back from the fore . W'm R boarding

with me our living was poor I am safe in saying that the poorest days board
that I ever had in Steuben was better than the best I have had on the — plain
river Why I staid was that I might learn the value of a comefortable living
I could still have made good wages but could bare no longer to see others
getting their farms fenced and mine untouched I expect that I shall have
rather a lonely time for a few days or weeks I shall go and build a house
and live bachellor hermitage The hardships of the past and the prospects a
head has never yet drew from me one faint wish to be back or that I never had
come but with as good health as I have had I am determined to fence and
plough sow and plant 20 acres this Spring if \\"m can come in the Spring
I shall make calculations on fencing 40 acres by the first of June My purse
is light to form so strong a resolution on though my wages have been very good
and I have not spent only where necessity called I cannot begin house keeping
without running in debt you need not put yourself out to send me any money
soon. If I have my health I will work it through. My clothes, seed, fall
ploughing axe S:c has taken my money as fast as I could earn it your last
which told of \\m. buying J's Lumber unhinged my calculations and ex-
pectations for a short time It causes me rather unpleasant feelings to give
up the idea of your holding the claim joining mine but my hope of holding
it for you until you return from down the river is very faint for new land
claimers are beginning to come in droves W'm if you are very anxious to
come and live in this country if it is as good as I have recommended I think
you must come early in the Spring or you cannot suit yourself with a con-
venient farm do not think me homesick by urging you to come early in
the Spring. I tell you as I have formerly that nothing but the love I have for
the happiness and comefort of my nearest and dearest kindred would ever
call me back again the thought some times comes into my mind that perhaps
I am wrong in urging you to come so far when you are so comefortably sit-
uated there. It also looks as though I was trying to draw the property out of
your hands and get it into my own the country suits me and I cannot content
myself to come back and settle for life in Steuben what I have formerly said
of the country I still think to be true It is not on my account that I could
urge you to come but have looked at your comefort in old age I want you
should act upon your own feelings. If it should be your choice to stay
there and William will consent to stay with you I want you to do so but if you
had rather come here it would suit me better Brother Wm If you think it best
to stay there with your health again regained and continued you can have a
comefortable living I want you to do as you think will best suit my dear
parents you know their mind better than I do If you have heard Father
say he had rather not leave Kennedyville you cannot suit me better than
to lay out your money for the \\'heeler farm and make your selves contented
or you cannot be happy. Nothing would give me more pain than to know
you gave your selves uneasiness on mv account If you think best to stay

KAXE COL^'TY PIISTORY 83

there I have no claim but cm one dollar of \'onr property and could not
recei^•e more without repaying with interest give your selves no uneasiness
about me for the Lord is my helper your son

J C Hanks
2 1 St In 2 or 3 years it will be much the cheapest building of brick in this
State The people here are of the cipinion that the preemption law will be
extended in that case I shall be sure of mine at lo -per acre If I had not
made my claim last fall and should go on now and make it I would not give
2/-per acre extra to have it warranted to me at congress price.

I have frosted my feet and obliged me to get a pair of shoes to-day
I shall get 150 lbs pork to day
23 on the 23 I shall start for my farm

The nearest meeting house to Chicago is about 60 miles south was dedicated
last Sabbath about 200 present and not one had lived in the place more
than 20 months this speaks well of the rapid settlement of this country

Kennedyville 15th ;\Iay 1836
Dear Son

\\'e Received your Letter sent from Warren was glad to hear 3'ou was
well. I have Received a Letter from Genl. McClure and put my mind to Rest
Respecting your holding the two claims all will be safe when you get there
I also Received a Letter from Fanny Cline which gave me great satisfaction
Also one from S. F. Spalding in answer to the one you began before you left

We are now all in Tolerable health Locky has had a of the Billions

fever and fever Ague which kept her Down about five or six weeks she is
now smart again my health continues about the same as when you Left. I
think the pain in my side Rather increases. I can do but verry Little Labour
I have had one of Mrs. Hannas Boys with me about 3 weeks. I have
finished my sowing and plainting and shall not hire any more until Having
if my health continues as well as it is now. Eleanor is in the school again
this Summer at $2 per week begun i May. Asahel & Eliza was out hear 2
weks ago all well. Jason started for the west 8 days ago in Company with
Joseph Burnham He said he should come and see you before he come back.
Expects to be gone until fall. I borrowed the $45 for him from Ostrander
a few Days. I went Last Thursday to S. Mills and J. Smith and made out to
get the amount. \ ha\e wrote to St. Louis and Chicago before. I expect to
get a Letter from you in the morning from Pittsburgh or Cincinnatti. Times
are very Dull here uow all are waiting for the Rail Road to be Located
as you can hold both of your claims according to Genl. McClures statement
I think you had best hold on upon these for we all have the Illinois fever
and want to come there as soon as we can Dispose of what we have here,
you must give my Respect to all inquiring friends. Mother and the Children
join me in sending their Love may the Lord protect you and preserve your
health and pore upon you the best of Heavenly blessings

B Hanks

84 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Dear Brother

I feel as if I must write a few lines to you this evening seeing that I

cannot ha\-e the pleasure of talking with you. We are very lonesome without

you and feel as though we could not be separated from you when we

could be with you. The Illinois Fever has raged still harder with us since

we read Aunt Fanny's letter stating that her health had not been so good

in three years and that she was well pleased with the country. She said

that you must come and see her as soon as you got to Fox River. Ward

Sherman. James Hogland, & two or three others started last week for Illinois.

Asahel sends word that you must write to him. Locky says I must tell you

she had the Billions Fever and that run into the Fever and Ague and from

that into the Illinois Fever. My health is quite good but yet I am not willing

to stay here. Please write to me on the receipt of this. Ma sends her love

and says you must write to her. „

■^ -^ rrom your

Sister Sarah
James C Hanks

TA r> .1 August •?! 1836

Dear Brother & o o

I this evening sit down to write a few lines to my dear and only brother
to let you know how much I miss you in our little circle especially when we
sit down to sing We are very sorry to hear that you have been sick We are
all better than we have been We received your letter Monday morning
Pa & Ma & Sarah & I went to Branchport last week We received a letter
from Asahel they are all well Sophia walks and talks some Eleanor is a
keeping school yet I have not been more than two weeks this summer on
account of sickness Jason has moved into Widow Chapins house they are all
well We expect a new Minister here he is a comeing next Sunda\' Vincent
McClure is a going to St. Louis in two or three weeks with his Uncle
Wisner he thinks he shall come and see you Old i\Ir. Hastings died a few
weeks ago and Mrs. Chapins babe it was about ten months old Diantha
Smith is married to i\Ir. Fuller Minerva Howell is married to Mr. Underbill
We are a going to clean the meeting house tomorrow Hiro Kennedy is
not any better he has got the Consumption he is confined to the house most
of the time you must write a great long letter to me It 'S so late that I
cannot finish my letter to night

Thursday it rains some this morning I suppose that you want to know
something about the fruit \\'e have not got any plums but we have got
plenty of apples I should like to come out to Fox River and see the bound-
less prairies INIa says it is the lonesomest summer she has ever experienced
for there has one of us been sick all the time with the Fever We have
cleaned the meeting house today I want to see you very much Martha
and Caroline is here tonight they all send their love to you and we all do to
I must now to a close for I expect the Mail every minute so good

bye dear Brother
From your sister Locky (J C Hanks)

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 85

(you must not mind Lockys mistake in subscribing your name in the place
of hers, we had some frost here night before last the fog prevented it
from doing much injury)

Kennedyville Sept ist 1836

Far distant Son

Your letter of the 8th august was received on Monday last we were
glad to hear that you were getting better of your sickness I hope you will
be prudent and not work beyond your strength We have been severely
afflicted with sickness this summer I have been unable to do any work
for five weeks yesterday I about 2 acres of my got tired

and quit at 4 oclock and Today am hardly able to sit up I have had the
bilious fever and it hangs about me yet Togeather with a severe D
I feel sometimes almost discouraged and ready to give up but when I Reflect
that God is able to keep and support all that will put their Trust in him I
try to be reconciled to my lot I have got through my harvesting had I think
about 50 or 60 bushels of wheat and about a hundred bushels of oats my corn
and potatoes 3 acres on the ground we t of will be as good as I

could expect if the frost keeps off until the middle of Sept shall have a good
crop of buckwheat it is very hard' hiring any one to work cannot get work
done without paying the money our orchard back of the B is full this

year and some consid in the other the grafts are full I want you should write
to me the particulars of your bargain with Jason he says he let you have
$53. and is to have one of your claims I think you have mised it if you
have sold him one of your claims for that price when he says you could
sell your claim for $1000. I think you had better sold to some person that
would have given you the worth of the claim Jason says he shall not go
to that country but will pay for the lot when it comes in market so you see
That it is a mere p of speculation with him if you had sold one of

your claims say for five Hundred Dollars it would have helped you to
made improvement and paid for the other The Rail Road is not located yet
they are surveying the Different Routs it will be located this fall we have
now but faint hope of its coming this way I am obliged to sell the Wheeler
lot for what I can get for it D says he must have the interest

immediately Jason talks some of buying it I offered it for Ten Dollars
an acre and that will leave me but about $80. If the Rail Road is located up
the Canistro this wall be a hard place to dispose of property, but if it comes
up this valley I shall be able to sell to good advantage Mother is gaining
her health sloly Sarahetts health is verry poor this summer the Doctor
has given her some stuff that she thinks helps her I paid of Dr. Case by paying
fifty-one Dollars he thrown of Ten Dollars by my paying him $40. in money
I thought best to do it although I had to borrow some I think I shall get
along with it I think if my health gets better I shall sell the first opportunity
write often Locky will tell you the Rest

B Hanks

86 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Chicago Sept 6, 1836
Dear Afflicted Home

You are not forgotten by me though you may think neglected I left
town near four weeks ago and went into the country 25 miles South west
to help the man I Board with here in town to do his haying and harvest. I ex-
pected to be gone but 2 weeks this has caused my neglect. I worked 26 days at
haying and harvest and in the time I had but Yz days rest for wet weather price
10/- I have been very hearty since I wrote my last. All Steuben folks are well.
I saw J. G. Higgins at church yesterday all well at his house. Truely your
afflictions are great but precious promise that God does not afflict willingly
but for our good. Be ye reconciled and faithful and God will be our friend
I cannot say much in favor of onward progress of Christianity but I hope
there is enough praying souls to save the country from a judgment. I am
glad to hear that you expect a minister I have not lately heard from my
claim but spring crops are coming in well. I am not much disappointed in
Jasons account I thank him for the credit he gives the Fox River Country
but I do not his asserting absolut no such things.

\\'inter wheat never until last winter failed in this country and the oldest
settlers say that it would have stood then had it been sowed the last of
August there is much wheat already sowed Spring wheat has always
done well here average crops from 15 to 20. Just tell J that in this cold
climate York State corn that was planted early was out of the way of frost
in August ^Melons and punkins were also ripe in Augst now judge honestly
whether it is a cold climate tell Jason probably he can get a farm up by the side
of Elishas where the cold winds for many a year will not find his little
opening. The money I had of Jason was not for a part of my claim nor
did I give it to him only on conditions that he would move on early next
Spring. I shall sell it
I shall go out and sow some wheat in about a week. T r H

Chicago Sept i6th 1836
Sweet Sweet Home

I this rainy after noon have quit work and believe you will not think

me idling away an hour by bringing into sweet remembrance my dearest

Friends.

This nnist be a barren little epistle for I am destitute of interesting matter

I have stayed longer from m>- farm than I expected to when I left it the

man I left it in charge of was in town last week, he said my held had not

been disturbed. The 4 acres that was to have been ploughed by my house he

said could not be ploughed till the grass was burnt this fall.

I am looking for him in town again and shall move out my trunk and some

provision for keeping house, he said there had been no sickness nor hardly

a case of the ague in that section of the country this season all acquaintances

are well except S F Spal he has been down at the heel but is getting better.

The oldest settlers complain nf its being a very cold season I think it has

been as cold a season with the exception of frost as you often have in

Steuben

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 89

There was little frost here in August Ijut it done no injury I ha\e under-
stood that it whitened the cornfields in some parts of Michigan.
Sept 19 Dear Sister Locky Your Lengthy and welcome letter has just
come to hand and I feel that I should not be worthy of being called
your Dear and only brother should I delay answering it I must say Sis
(not wishing to flatter you) that your letter is more to the point and better
than both that I received from E & S, I have not news enough on hand to
pay for yours, these verses for your Album (please write them in tu}'
scrap book) are the most I can at present do. Sister I think that we shall
not always be separated but shall have our little family singing circls and shall
enjoy and prize them more than ever a pleasant family sing last evening
made me think of my sweet sweet Home there is peaches and apples brought
in here but they sell them high

I do believe if Sarah was out here lix'ing in a little log house (jn punken
pye and Indian she would get well I am looking for E. S. J\I. out here to live

Sister) i Though boundless space, doth part our clay,
I see you often, at your play;
Your tuning harp, I almost hear
When eastern gales pass by mine ear.

2 I see you oft in youthful glee,

In search of fruit, from tree to tree.
With club, or pole, that at your ease
Your taste or fancv vou mav please.

3 Your thoughts may wander after me.
You can not tell just where I be,

No settled home, nor feeling 1111

To check my passage through this life.

To Sister Locky Your Brother James

Kind Father I am glad to see that you put your faith trust and hope on
God in your afflictions both of body and of mind. I know by sweet experi-
ence that if we in faith do ask that lie will lend a helping hand in temporal
as well as spiritual concerns Be thou not faithless but believing and you
shall find help. I enjoy myself of late much better than I did when I first
came here this spring though the cause of religion at large is very low.
When I first came the Devil told me there was nothing in the wav I might
soon get rich in time I found out that he wanted to involve me in business
cares and anxieties that I might neglect my God I've told him I cannot
buy his gold so dear nor part with heaven for him Of late my mind
has been a perpetual calm I know of a truth that the Lord rules and reigns
in my heart Nothing troubles me for the Lord will provide Father you
know that it is customary with all Christians for to say that they just want

90 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

enough of this world for a coinefortalile li\-ing and then they are going
to do much more for the cause of rehgion O how man}' wih in this way
have to answer for the sin that it is better not to than to and

not perform I have made a covenant with my God that a certain sum
is all that I ask and should I ever obtain to that sum all my increase shall
then be given to the Lord and I hope that I may ever give when an oppor-
tunity olYers should I never attain the sum I do not know how nor where
I shall spend the winter yet this gives me not a moments uneasiness for 1
know that the Lord will provide.

Your son James

I believe I mentioned in my last your present request respecting my agree-
ment with L H. S. it was understood that if he did not come on I would
pay him the money and interest $50. the $3. note I will pay if I can collect
it If it suits him I shall let Harris Butler have what Jason was a going
to have at $1. an acre except the timber

I start in the morning for Fox River they tell me my corn is fit to cut up
tell Jason to plant some of the large kind of corn that has the ears as high
as a mans shoulders the ist of June in the warm climate of Steuben and
see if it will be fit for harvesting the middle of Sept.

Hermitage Oct loth 1836

Dear Friends

I am now spencHng my time xery pleasantly by my own fire side you
may think it to be a lonely and very unpleasant life but I can say not so
My God mv bible and my singing book are the best companions I ever
enjoyed Were I to be separated from these or the society of man for this
life alone I would say deprive me of the latter you probably think that my
evening hours must be lonesome but could you unobserved see me spend my
evenines I fear vou might envv mv lonelv retreat I have no more fears
(or what we call being afraid) than though I were sitting by your own fire
side I work till dark but not very hard then cook my supper when cleared up
My Bible My God and Singing book are the best of all company I have kept
house for two weeks and not one lonesome hour have I experienced
Last Sabbath went to the river to meeting about 3>4 miles south west (the
settlement at Elgin?) there is a very interesting bible class which they intend
to keep up through the winter there is a dozen men of your own age
engaged in it and I think you would enjoy the meetings then a sermon read
I think there will be Methodist preaching in this neighborhood once a fort-
night after conference I can not well get around flatly contradicting Jasons
account of this so much admired country My potatoe tops were as green as
in July until the 29th of Sept. My corn was not as ripe as I could have
wished it was too large a kind for so late planting I cut it up before the
frost and what there was of York State corn was dry and hard I do not
believe there has ever been such a growth of corn raised in Steuben with
as little labor T will let you know how much there is of it after I husk it

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 91

Oct TQth I have left off finishing this letter until now liecause Philo was
a going home and you by him would hear from me I am well and very
hearty my clothes are all getting too small for I think I am ten or 15
pounds heavier than I ever was in Steuben I know this to be a healthy
country and nine tenths of the Eastern people that come here have better
health than they ever before enjoyed I sincerely and honestly believe that
it would be for your and the families health to come there has not been any
agi-ie nor other sickness to speak of for miles around Marcus came here
this morning and will be the bearer of this to Chicago he is hearty, and
well pleased with the country he says it is very uncertain whether he ever
comes back to Steuben to live. The fall has been very cold it is now snowing
the ground is whitened

No more J C Hanks

I have not received any letters from home since I came out to the river.

Fox River, Oct. i6th, 1836.
Dear Sister Eleanor '

You still have a brother who loves you and is as willing to do your
comfort and happiness as he ever has been Sister we should never know how
much we loved were we always to remain with each other. I think of you
oftener and of your need of a brothers care and advice than when I was
first here.

I often think that were you all here I should be the happyest person
in the world.

I have got completely above cares and troubles for the things of earth
I am no more my own master I am an hired servant to my Heavenly Father.
I go to Him for advice in every thing of any importance spiritual or temporal
and he is ever ready to give instructions and pay me for my labors And
never when I have went to him for advice have I had to regret at doing amiss.
Eleanor I have a great anxiety for your happiness and can not be reconciled
to your spending your days in that hard hard country. In my travels and
new acquaintances generally the first topic is to know what place one or both
parties are from. My subject will be so new to you that it will be difficult
for you to get my meaning. You recollect that about 10 years ago Howard
& canistee were talked of only as miserable places with hardby civilized
inhabitants. It was as much as we w-anted to know : he or they are how-
ardites. I am not going to give the inhabitants of Steuben as hard a name
as had the howardites but I will tell you it makes a difference in a mans
being respected in travelling and forming new acquaintances wdiere he is
from.

A most every person who has only a verbal Historical account of Steuben
think it worse than it really is. To tell a person that I am from Steuben
County the next question two out of three times is. that is a hard frosty
mountainous country is it not? the people live mostly by lumbering and
hunting dont they? But observe a traveller from the Genessee country
and how altered the conversation he is at once considered as a man of natioml
and agricultural intelligence and his companv is sought by the wise and

92 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

the learned; and I think ere long this place will be as noted for enterprise
and intelligence as any in the united states.

Nov. 2 1 St Sister I have got the start of you a little I had this letter
begun before I received your jealous request. I expect now to touch your
pride a little and I hope you will not hesitate to show this to friends because
of what I am now about to write for I mean what I say. Father in his last
complained of hard times and that it was almost impossible for him to raise
money, to pay his debts, you may think me hard hearted but it was good
news to me I shall soon be looking for an answer to my letter titled my last
request for your removal and it would be happyer news to me to hear that
your property was to be sold at Sheriff sale than to hear you had made up
your mind not to come here I firmly believe that it would be for all of your
healths to come here

Sister tell my dear parents that I shall almost consider thim them mur-
derers of our beloved sister Sarah should her health continue to decline
and they neglect to bring her here where I firmly believe they might in a
few short months behold her blooming rosy cheeks I often think that this
sorrowing world is not good enough for so pure a heart as Sarah yet we
can not oh! no! we can not spare her

We have had a pleasant fall for doing fall work not more than lyz inches
of snow at a time. I am scoring timber at $i. per day I have engaged to
keep school in my own district this winter at $i8. a mo. all acquaintances
except Sarah McClure were well when last heard from She is at Chicago
her life is not expected

urge all friend to come to this country and try not to let the unwelcome news
come that you have made up your minds to stay
To "^'our

my Distant

sister Eleanor Brother James

Kennedy ville Novm 20th 1836.
Dear Son

We received your letter of the 19th Oct with heartfelt gratitude that
you were contented and happy in your lonely retreat we are all enjoying a
good degree of health at present except Sarahett she is about as usual I
was glad to hear that your Corn Crop was good. I have got along with my
fall work as well as could be expected I made 9 barrels of cyder sold all but
2 for 14 & 16, - per Barrel Wheat is 14/- per bushel here Corn 8/- I have
sold my Wheeler lot to Jason. Deavenport would wait no longer unless he
could have the back interest paid and I could not pay it and thought best to
sell it Jason gives me the Debt he had against you of fifty Dollars I have the
writing you gave him with his Receipt on the back. Jason says he will build
on it but I doubt whether he will. I wanted to pay the bank debt and have
him pay that on Gansvort the $50.00 — but be would not take the lot on no
other condition than turning the $50.00 to you which leaves me in the same
imbarrisment as to my debts as before the bank will not renew the Note
again I shall lia\e to pay it the 13th of Jany. and I owe Gansvort $80.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 93

which he is threatening to sue f(.)r he has quit (writing worn off)
I have paid (paper torn) Debt and am trying to make up the money for the
bank which I must do as tlie bank does not discount a Dollar now. I have
put up one barrel of Pork which I think will fetch me $20.00 and shall have
about $20.00 worth of wheat to spare and how I am agoing to make out the
money for Gansvort I know not but I must Trust to providence, if you sell
a part of your claim or can work it any way to deposit $50. in the Bank at
Chicago and send a check on (illegible) Bank it would relieve me frc^n my
present imbarrisment Times are very Dull her now the Rail Road is not
located here yet and we dont expect it now until Spring I am still of the
opinion that I shall sell here the first opportunity and come to Illinois Eleanor
and Sarahett are agoing to Pratsburgh to school this winter Caroline &
Martha McClure are agoing with them they have hired a room of the Widdow
Ellas for 50 cts. per week They board themselves we shall send them pro-
visions by the mail man they calculate to stay about 4 months we shall be
very lonesome without them this winter but we think it the best for them to
go. our new Minister has moved on with his family he will be located some
where in this Neighborhood, he is a very fine man and a good Preacher
you must write the particulars as to your Crop of Corn and what you are
doing there I think it not best for you to lay out too much Expense on your
lot untill you are sure of the tit# we know not what may happen respecting
the sale. Hinsdell and family are well they \^re out here about 3 weeks
ago Philo S. says he likes your location well and says he thinks he will come
to Illinois in the spring with his family If you cannot make it convenient to
send the check you will write me respecting the s?.me. Do not sacrifice any-
thing or spoil your calculations to send it as I think there will be some way to
pay it if we will put our Trust in him who is able to deliver us out of all our
troubles. Sarah thinks her health better than it has been she thinks she shall
be able to attend school this winter Your Mother and the girls send their
love to you and say you must write often our friends and Neighbors are all
well. John H says he shall certainly go to Illinois in the spring.

Write often
B Hanks.

• Elgin March 7th 1837

Dearest Girls

E. C. M. & S. your welcome letter reached me after a two months passage,
And with great satisfaction I have many times perused it. I was much
pleased to learn that you were spending the winter so agreeably and profitable.
The Lord^e praised foj^he health you enjoy especially for the improvement
of Sarah. My health is and has been through the winter as good as it ever
was. All friends here as far as I know are well. I still believe this to be as
healthy a country as any part of the United States. 1 closed my school Feb
24th The weather and sleighing was good which it was necessary I should
improve in getting out my rail timber, which is my present business. I have
a heavy spring's work before me but I shall try to take it by the foretop. I
intend to put in to spring crops 22 acres a part of which it to fence. You

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

may think me out of place here telHng my business to young Ladies, But we
are all Farmers.

My greatest earthly wish is that Dea. McClure. S. Campbell and B.

Hanks were settled here on adjoining farms. The claim north of mine is now
offered for sale it will probably be sold before my eastern friend will get here.
This in a few years will be the most noted part of the United States, and soon
it will be a most recommend to a Traveller to say his residence is in North
Illinois.

A letter which I wrote last fall headed my last request could not have been
received or the question with you would lie settled whether you ever come
to this country or not I expected an iminediate answer to that which if it
had been in the negative I should have stired myself to hunt up a pot Wrestler
by this time. But no certain answer respecting your coming, must in a few-
days oblige me to retire a lone to Rosendale Shanty.

I have become acquainted with as fine a lot of Miss's as Kennedyville can
produce. Pride Flattery or something else tells me that my standing is as
fair as it used to be with the Belles of Both I often fancy I get a look, which
says; a call would be acceptable. But I have yet the first girl in Illinois to
ask for her Company. There is a better Society of young men than Kenne-
dyville ever could lioast of. There is to be 2 weddings this week. I received
and answered a letter from A'incent which was 3 months coming. He wrote
he should call on me in the Spring

as ever Jas C Hanks

Eleanor Carolina Martha & Sarah
Eleanor

You may think as an objection to your coming here that it will take a

length of time before you will pass at with the first Dear Sister your

Brother has already done this work, he will warrant you an immediate recep-
tion with the first I have left no stone unturned in paving Virtues path for
myself and you, and the standing I now possess among the intelligent is my
reward I have many friends and no enemies but the \'Tilgar and Intemperate.
Four fifths of the young men who remain the neighborhood where they are
raised remain Boys until they are 40 years old, while if at 20, they would
leave home in 2 years they miglit be men

James
Caroline

Be assured your scroll was welcome to your old Friend who for a long
time previous had thought himself forgotten and forsaken by his dearest
friends at the Fast. I wish I dared to indulge a hope that your Kind parents
might find a home in this Fairy Land. I will be hard for Vincent to come
back and stay contented in .Steu]:)en County If he sliould settle in this country
and request it I think vou had lietter come

J. C. H.
Sister Sarah

I have been trying to think of some news that would please you and
compensate your letter but T cannot T now am sitting in my old school room

LOCATION OF JA:\1ES

T. GIFFORD'S LOG CABIN, THE SECOND
BUILT IN ELGIN.

VILLA STREET, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 97

with )-2 dozen around me talking. It is wet over head and under foot the
Snow is melting verjr Fast We have had lo weeks good sleighing Sarah I
wish you would persuade pa to come I shall forfeit my word if I ever again
ask him if he received the letter I wrote last Oct

JCH
Martha

The Old Bachelor is glad to be remembered and consoled by old Friends

in his solitary life. Maids • in Steuben must get as fashionable as

bachelors are here. I wish the of the beau for the west might

be brought up by a dozen of the Belle's of Steuben. (If my credit is good)
please give half a dozen of the best old maids a smack for me and tell them
we have 2 weddings a week here.

March 8th) I have just returned from a splendid wedding there

was 120 guests The house small for so large a company, the fashions are
different from ours I have attended 2 and in neither did the groom speak to
the bride on the day of the wedding till after the ceremony. He arrived with
an excort at the hour appointed and the not is immediately tied. One thing
I did not like, the groom was a magistrate and He suffered 2 of the escort
in front to carry flags and he followed them in train riding round the house
We had a good supper but their fashion is to set a table, which was a lengthy
business for it was 8 times filled before all had feasted. Many little oddities
were amusing and would draw from me a smile in my sleeve and I think it
would you were you to pass a plate of ice cake to a row of ladies and have each
so polite as to take a piece with her fork.

No more room Jas C Hanks

March 14, 1837
Dear Son

We received your two letters yesterday morning with pleasure we had
almost despaired of ever hearing from you again you must not let it be so
long again it is a great privilege we have now in sending letters free we do
not half take the advantage of it as we might I have sent you a nomber of
Newspapers some directed to you and F Spalding there is two letters yet
unanswered, we are all in tolerable health at this time we have been attend-
ing meeting at held by the P and the

Methodist in union mother and myself hav been evry day for 9 days &
Locky with us most of the time there has been and is yet a Glorious time
of the outporing of the holy spirit a Nomber of conversions already among
the No Esq R & Charles L a nomber of women and 30 or 40

we shall go after the Girls at Prattsburgh day after to-morrow the
tomorrow they have had a very agreeable winter they will write to
you as soon as they get home Eliza Heath is not very good this winter
she has had 4 or 5 of this winter. The and are

generally well uncle Z and myself will come and see you in May or before if Z
sells his farm we shall come early of not we shall start as soon as he

has a chance to sell Now for his price 14 Dollars per acre Sally is

afraid to have him sell until he s-nes and sees the crauitrv mother will not

98 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

aeree to have me sell until I come out and see the country &c. I do not know
but I shall yet this Spring if I have a good chance I intend to write evry
week to you and you may write to us e\Ty Day if you are a mind jwhat
know of being so in writing we want to hear what you are about.

The Preemption Law has passed the Senate you will hear from us again
soon B Hanks

Write how far you are from Elgin P Office &C write how much money
you think it will take for me to come once and back and whether I had best
come with horse & wagon and whether If I do not sell and dont have money
to get back you can help me and all about it &c what the name of the man
you live with &c

Kennedy ville 6th April 1837
Dear Son

I have this day sold my farm to Russell Kellogg and Received S2000 in
money for it and Now by the assistanc of Divine Providence we shall get
Ready for a start to Illinois as soon as Possible which I think will be by the
15th Alay Uncle and family are coming with us we think of selling

our teams here and come by water from Buffalo to Chicago I do not think
mother could stand the journey by Land through Michigan there will be such
a rush to the west this Spring there will be no accommodations on the Road
Aunt Sally is very feeble and would hardly stand the journey I want you to
write immediately upon the Receipt of this which I have requested S Spalding
to forward to you immediately Start one back immediately on the Receipt
of this Let us know about Provisions there and whether j-ou will have a
place to shelter us a few Days until we can assist you in building a shelter
you had best buy a good cow if you can and whether we had best bring a
wagon and Harness bv water with us or can we buv them there write what
pork is and other Provisions put in as much spring wheat and other spring
crops as you possibly can if you have to go upon tic some for plowing etc
we shall have some money when we get there if we have Stock

and grain is very high here I am offered 40 Dollars for the old cow I
shall write several times before we start and at Buffalo

B Hanks

We are all well and in good spirits yet and we intend to think it is all for the
best that we should come we have earnestly laid the case before the Lord,
and there seems to be a door open for our Departure from this place and
with the Blessing of God upon us we hope to see you at your place A letter
from Hinsdell this evening told they were well but Eliza was very sorry we
were going west, our friends all well it is over three weeks since we received
a letter from you I expected one before this time the last was 15th

July you will try the experiinent you will find in the Evening Post I seni
you of Raising apples by sticking the sions into a potatoe and bury it all
except 2 or 3 inches in the ground write whether we had best bring a barrel
of Flour at $10 or can we get it there better

B Hanks

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 99

April loth 1S37
Dear Sir

I iiave liad tiie pleasure of receiving two letters from you within a week
Dated Feb 15 and March 14th and agreeable to promise and now cominence
mv weekly epistles, our mail route has been let but a post master has not
been appointed on account of the burning of the General post office. Your
letter directed to Elgin has come the quickest of any for the past 6 months
My health continues good and all other acquaintances as far as known are
well.

It is hard for me to say whether I was pleased with your and uncle Z's reso-
lution of coming this spring to see the country. Your coming to see the
country before you move will release me from the obligation I am under that
nothing within my power should be left un done that should be done to make
you all contented and happy, according to your state ment Mother and Aunt
are not willing to take my word for the good qualities of this country when
I think that Aunt is unwilling to exchange that hill for these beautiful prairies
it draws tears from my eyes O Aunt believe my report. I believe it will be
for your health and happiness

uncle Z for 10 years you have not known or heard of my telling a lie — could
I have a deed of the best thousand acres of land on your hill providing I
would come and live on it it would be no more temptation for me to go than
the same number of acres would be .on the rocky mountains
Uncle Z I know that you and myself are too near alike for you not to be
pleased with this country I must say do sell come and be happy
Everybody here women as well as men believe they are in the best part of
the United States this makes contentment and a contented mind is happy
Mother I am sorry that you have to put my kind Father to the trouble of coming
so far to look out the road before you will venture to come Mother should
you ever be fortunate enough to get here I fear that you will regret that you
cannot have it to say that you enterprize and perseverence brought you here.
I drew up a paper last fall and got some men to sign it binding themselves
to assist in protecting that claim for you until the 4th of July next
The Illinois State legislature has passed an act allowing a man to hold 320
acres of land and to trespass on that the law is the same as though he had a
deed

My business is making rails I have got the timber cut for 3.000 i.ooo made.
I have concluded to hire my board what time I work on my claim 8 acres
of my ground I have let to be sown to Spring wheat on shares, I get 1/3 in

the for the use of the ground. Spring wheat in this country has

always averaged 20 bu to the acre the winter wheat looks well. I shall try
to have me a good garden, plant 5 acres to corn and potatoes sow 6 to oats
and 2 to buck wheat. I shall work out some through the summer perhaps
with the Boys again at Chicago. Flour is worth $12 corn $1 oats .75 pota-
toes 31. Horses such as yours $80. each oxen average price 80. cows

-5 H^"gs on foot 7 cts pork per bbl $26 Labor I think that good hands may
calculate through the season at 1.25 per day

100 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The hurt that I got lias pained you more than me I had called the committee
to get a decision on a disputed piece of timber the 4th time and my opponent
would never be ready I told him that I should not consent to another adjourn-
ment and that he acted no part of a gentleman in objecting as he did on
unreasonable grounds to General McClures setting at the last meeting at
this alone he got angry and said if you insinuate on my feelings I will knock
you down he stooped to pick up a stone I then turned to leave him he
threw the stone which I did not expect nor see the motion the stone would
weigh 4 lbs I was senseless a few minutes headed 2 or 3 hours, this

was done Saturday evening I kep school monday I have commenced a suit
against him my trial come on in June court

I am living at Elbert Howard ,- t ^- tj 1

^ lours J C Hanks

I have never received a newspaper from you I hope you will now send them
often to Elgin and I shall get them Our spring has been favorable for work
but it is backward

Kennedyville May 24th 1837
Dear Son

I now resume my pen for the last time while I stay in this country and
the last letter I shall frank for I shall deliver up the Post Office tomorrow
We received your letter dated loth April and have wrot you since directed
to Elgin P. O. we are expecting a letter from you buy mail I received a
letter from S F Spalding Dated 22nd April I wrote him the same time I
did you after I sold he stated he would send your letter to you the first oppor-
tunity I can tell you Dear Son it is a hard thing to pull up and move so far
as we are going but through the blessing of our Heavenly Father we hope to
go through with it the times are extremely hard here now. I cannot sell the
things I have for 1,4 the value of them and shall have to team some things to
be sold when they can be to some better advantage than now we were at
Hinsdells and spent the last Sabbath called at Wm Lomises and left Eleanor
while we were at B she is a going to move her things tomorrow and

go herself next Day it is hard parting, but we hope all for the best we shall
start on Thursday next 30th May for Buffalo with 5 teams T 2 ^I 3 we
have got a good wagon and harness to fetch with us I have got 500 Dollars
in specie and the remainder I shall have to fetch in bills as the banks in this
State have stopt specie Payments all business is at a stand here now.

I expect we shall have a hard time of it in getting to Buffalo and getting
shipt on board of a vessel as the roads are extremely bad it has rained about
every day here for 2 weeks back a very cold wet backward spring. 3^ the
people have not planted their corn yet the last arivals from Buffalo was last
Friday 19 May the ice was not out of the Lake yet so they could
with boats from there 1 fear we shall have a slim chance to engage a passage
as there is such a rush to the west this spring, teams have been constantly
passing here from Buffalo for 2 weeks past, we need your earnest Prayer
for our well fare we cannot tell anything near what time we shall arrive
at Chicago but shall as soon as providence permits if you could be there on

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 101

our arrival it would be a satisfaction, you must consult all our interests as to
that, we shall want to buy a span of good horses immediately on our arrival
it would be well to be looking out for them before we arrive Give our
Respects To the Boys and Mary.

B Hanks

Independant Grove Sept 22nd 1837
Dear Children

We this evening received your letter of the 20th ult. which gave us much
satisfaction we had been long waiting for a letter we are much pleased to
hear that Eliza was getting better and also that Eliason health was better we
received a letter from Theron & Eleanor and answered the same we are all
in good health and spirits we like the country better the more we become
acquainted with it in General. I believe it to be a healthy country as any in
the United States and equal to any in the richness of the soil we have had a
verry warm and wet summer the Crops both winter and spring has come in
good Corn is a fine crop and Completely out of the way of the frost we
are shelling some of the of Ohio Corn this evening for to grind

for mush have had ^ bushell of York Corn ground before the first frost

1 have seen in Illinois was on the morning of the 20th Sept it has

the leaves on the vines but has not touched the Corn leaves we have sowed 4
bushels of wheat and shall sow two more Next week on part of our Corn
ground, our house is verry comfortable for a Log house we are about
building a and buttery and petitioning our hous so as to make two

Rooms 12 feet by 16. the Land is surveyed North of us within about i^
miles of us we expect it will be surveyed here Next Season we are expecting
that Congress will do something this Session Respecting Publick Land we
cannot now tell when it will come into market the Settlers that are on the
land here feel confident that they shall get their land at Congress price Claims
are selling very high here Claims have been sold here since I came from
$500 to $1500. Some hold their claims ar $3000 we have 2 grist mills and
our saw mill in operation within 4 miles of us one of them a flouring mill with

2 of stones I think this to be a good place for farming purposes and
also good for mercantile business the merchant at Elgin 3 miles from us
has sold $8000 worth of goods within the last year, and he has but a small
assortment, which he fills up monthly from Chicago. I think this will be a
good place for you if you follow merchandizing or farming James has raised
this year 100 bushels oats 100 bushels corn will have as much as 100 of Pota-
toes and turnips to any amount to 200 bushels we have had a better garden
than ever we had at Kennedyville all kinds of sauce plenty and mellons as
many we wanted we have upwards of 40 acres of prairie broke forty five
fenced shall fence this winter 150 acres, we have raised buckwheat enough
for our use pumpkins as many as we want for us and cows we have 2 good
cows make butter to be verry comfortable No trouble about Pasture the
prairie affords first rate pasture our Neighbor has milked 20 cows this summer
sold her butter at 2/- per lb. it is all fudge what you heard at Kennedyville
about our being so homesick it is true we were a little homesick for a few

102 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

days after our arival but soon got over it and Now we would not care for ever
seeing Kennedyville again if our children & friends were here we shall expect
you out here to see the country soon if Nothing more.

Give our love to Theron & Eleanor we shall write to them soon Sarah
will write you a letter soon & Mother says she will write too

B Hanks

G C Nixon was here staid over night with us he likes the Country has
gone in company with two men in Chicago and has gone up the Mississippi
4CX) miles above Galena building saw mills his partners find money and Nixon
goes on with 25 men

Dear Brother & Sister

I have had the poorest health since our folks came I have ever had in
this Country I have not been able to work more than half the time since they
came I over done myself about that time I have not been confined to my
bed. At present my health is good I must urge you to leave that place I
think you can make money here as fast as there and have your health which
is of more value to you than the United States treasury would be to you
My opinion is the same respecting the value of the country that it always has
been Wheat is $ Horses & Oxen from $50 to 80 Cows $20 to 30
Hogs $6. on foot Uncle Z has taken a part of my Claim at $275. he is
building an addition to my shanty lie lives about 40 rods from us we have
got a supply of fodder for our horses & Cows our stable and sheds are yet
to build I must leave room for the rest

Yours as ever James C Hanks

Dear Sister &

We received a letter from Brother Asahel and your self last evening and
was much pleased to have you write some in it Sister I was very sorry to
hear that you have been sick so long we all think that if you was here you
would get your health Aunts health is better and also the babes how does
little Sophia come you must give her a kiss from all of us our folks is a
standing here now and saying hurry Lock for they are ready to go to the
office and so I must wind up

Eliza and Sophia do write

Sister Locky

Elgin Oct 13th 1837
Distant Brother & Sister

As an excuse for my neglect of writing is the following. It has never
been my intention to overstep the truth in my letters to Steuben and my con-
science still is clear that the country will bear me out in my representations.
I thought Father & Mother on their arrival too homesick dissatisfied & dis-
contented to represent the country unprejudiced and I knew their words
would and ought to be taken in preference to mine and I expected that my
Dear Dear Sisters who never befure had known a false report to drop from
my lips or ]>en might think that I had by misrepresenting deceived my kind

BRIDGE ACROSS FOX Rn'ER. THAT WAS FLOATED DOWN
STREAM IX FLOOD OF 1S57.

DOWNER'S PLACE TX AX EARLY DAY. AURORA.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 105

and respected parents; but their representations since reconciled, agree so well
with mine that I think my epistles may be welcomed without distrust

My health is poor. I have not been able to labor more than 3/2 of the
summer. My poor health I attribute to over doing about the time father
came. I have had a cough by turns since. I am better some than other
times my ups and downs are once in 3 or 4 weeks but of the two I think the
downs are on the gain. My cough reminds me of my Dear Departed Brother ;
Sister you know that ever since mv conversion my Motto has been

Thy servant waiteth, Lord thy bidding.

Watching, steering on his bark;

Longing for his Saviours coming

For to sink the pilgrims Ark.
Then ; Oh then, my spirit rising
Angels meeting, Saviour saying, Child come home.

i8th Yesterday I rode 8 miles down the river to consult a skillful physician,
he gives me great encouragement and I am now so heavy laden with medi-
cines & Blisters that it is hard to finish my page

Your Brother Jas C Hanks

„ „ „. , Independant Grove Oct 18th 18^7

Lver Dear Sisters

It is with pleasure I tlevote a few moments of time to hold converse with
you by letter Your to long unanswered letters were heartily welcomed by
us. I was pleased to hear that your healths were some better especially Sister
Elizas. Dear Sister I fear your health will never be much better while j^ou
remain at B. Port. This country agrees with me so well I cannot but think it
would with you. If you could but once see me you would hardly think me to
be that pale sister of yours. Brother's health is quite poor but I think it is
owing to his overdoing and not to the country. The remainder of the family
are well. Uncle's family are well ; the babe is getting fleshy. Dear Sisters
hoiv I do want to see yoit. I cannot have it that I shall always lie separated
so far from you. Since the arrival of Brother Theron's letter I have cher-
ished the hope that I shall enjoy the pleasure of having both of my Dear
Sisters in this country. I am very much pleased with our society as far as
I have become acquainted with it. I have had an introduction to a dozen
or more Eastern young ladies and so far as I am capable of judging all of
them well educated and refined. There is a half a dozen more within the
bounds of our society which I have not as yet had an introduction to, who in
respectability stand on an equal footing. Dear Sister do not think that we
are in a heathen land or in an uncultivated society. As a whole it is as refined
a society as I ever was acquainted with. We have become very attached to
Gen McClures family they almost fill the place of Dea McClures family.
The most we regret is that we were not situated nearer them than 3^ miles.
We are looking for Julia and Mary down to make us a visit this week. Mary
is expected to be married to a Captain Jemmerson of the garrison of Chicago
soon. Sarah appears to be gaining slowly but not able to sit up yet Lock
and May are great cronies. We have not been to Aunt C but hope to

106 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

go this fall. From accounts we think ourselves well rid of Kennedyville,
although we shall ever respect many of its inhabitants

I am very sorry to hear that my dear little Sophia is so unwell Give her a
sweet kiss for me and do not let her forget me. I often fondly embrace her
in my arm when dreaming; O that I could in reality. Frank is very happy
and talks a great deal about his little cousin Sophia and Aunts. We all send
out love to Brothers and yourselves. You must all write to us. I will lea\e
this page for ma to finish.

Your Absent Sister Sarah

Eliza and Eleanor.

Pa's hurry to Elgin flustrates Ma so that she gets me to copy it for her.

Sarah
Dear Children

Through the mercy and goodness of God I am in the land of the living.
My health is very good. James has given you a description of our feelings ;
he was much troubled on account of our lonesomeness I must ask you my
Dear Children how could we help being lonesome the great

distance that separated us. I could hardly be reconciled. If you was here
I should be contented. A. B. H. you must not sell and locate yourself until
you come and see us. I think you would be much pleased with this country.
I think it will be fine for ^Merchants as well as Farmers. Perhaps it would
agree better with your health to go to farming; if you think so come to this
country Eleanor you want to know whether the Prairies are as handsome
as I expected. I think they are. I could not be contented to go back to
Kennedyville and live. You must not give yourselves any uneasiness on our
account. I think it is all for the best that we came here. Sarah has got her
health. I fear we shall have to pass through another dark cloud of afflic-
tion ; but you know a Mother's fears and anxieties are great for her children.
James has written you respecting his health but we have the promise that
there shall not be more laid on us than we are able to bear, my love to all
my Dear Children, this is from your ever affectionate mother

Elizabeth Hanks
give my love to )0ur father and mother and Hannah

Elgin March ist 1838

Dear Absent Children We received your letter of the "th Feby yesterday
and to-day undertake to answer it although with a heavy heart, we can
truly say that our afflictions are great but our God in whom we trust is able
to carry us through them all we are all in Tolerable health except James
he has been confined to his bed since the 30 January he has not bore his
weight on his feet in 3 weeks his physician has given it as his opinion that
his lungs are and has about given him up we are now giving

him some syrrups and other simple medicines but have but little expectation
that he will remain with us but a short time we still entertain hopes that the

KANE COUNTY HISTORY ]07

Lord will Restore him to health again, he is in his hands and is perfectly
reconciled to his will we try to be reconciled to our situation but I assure
you we cannot Describe our feelings on this subject, we were very sorry to
hear that Eliza was so sick but we hope she will be restored to health again
before this letter reaches you we were pleased to hear that you had a fine
son hope it will live and be a blessing to his parents and friends my health
is as good as usual I have it pretty hard now taking care of James and do
the work necessary to be done we had a very mild winter untill the first of
February since that time it has been verry cold but pleasant this is the
first stormy day we have had in a month the snow has been about 4 or 5
inches deep for 4 weeks and excellent sleighing. Uncle Campbells family are
all well except Aunt she has been to him about two months

they think she is now. I shall expect you out here in the Spring

write on the Receipt of this

Yours with Respect

B Hanks

Thursday Evening March i 1838
Absent Brother & Sisters

Your long expected letter has at length arrived which give us both pleas-
ure and pain. I was much delighted to hear that you had so fine a son and
hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing him at some future day. Kiss the
little darling for me I am very sorry to hear that sister has the fever I
hope she has recovered ere this. O that I could run in and see you every
day but this cannot be at present. Father has written respecting Brothers
health, he is very low and we fear will not recover. He appears quite com-
fortable at present. We have a very large singing school at Elgin, there
is about 50 that attend the school and as fine looking Ladies and Gentlemen
as you have in any of your Eastern schools. I can assure you Dear Sisters
that I have become much attached to the Society here but should enjoy myself
far better if my dear Brother was only well. Uncle and Aunt Eline have
been out to see us. their health and spirits never were better. P C Rue and
his wife have also been out they have a sweet little boy. John intends to go
after his mother in the Spring. They were well excepting the babe which
was quite unwell with a cold while here. I expect Sophia feels quite proud
of her little Brother, do not let her forget me. Frank talks a great deal
about cousin Sophia. My love to all.

Yours truly

S E Hanks
To All.

Thursday 12 o'clock at Night
My dear Children

Through the blessing of God I am permitted to sit by the bedside of
your dear and only brother to watch and keep him from sleeping too long on
account of his night sweats. He will not want a mother's care much longer.

SOI KANE COUNTY HISTORY

No my dear Children he will go to that Saviour in whom he trusts. O that
we could be as resigned to the will of God as he is. He has no doubt of his
salvation ; no doubts no fears cross that peaceful breast I have heard him
sing a few words with the girls they are sitting in the room with him. I
must leave my troubles at home and look away to our native land and see
mv dear afflicted daughter. The hand of affliction has been laid on you
several times my dear child. O may it lead you to the Saviour Am I
addressing my Child or has that spirit been summoned away to the eternal
world. I should like to see your dear little Son and daughter. You must
tell our little Granddaughter she must not forget her Grand parents in the
far West Perhaps we may be permitted to meet you all again.

Give mv love to Theron and Eleanor and tell them they must remember
us at the throne of Grace for truly our afflictions are great "but the Lord is
able to deliver us out of all of them.'" My respects to all.

From your ^lother

E Hanks

A B and E Hinsdell.

W'heat is selling here at from lo to 12 shillings Corn one dollar Oats
50 cents Flour at Chicago from 8 to 9 dollars We have about 3000 rails
split by the job at one dollar per Hundred and Board themselves I have
hauled 1400 out to our lot where we have as

before stated.

B. H.

.p. ru-i^ Pleasant Grove 23rd April 1838

I again take my pen to give you some information relative to your
moving to this country further than I did in my letter of the i6th int. James
continues v.'ith us yet and I think probably will until the weather gets warmer'
we can see no alteration in him for the better but he keeps waisting away
the rest of us are as well as could be expected considering our fatigue in
taking care of James, we think it will be best for you to move rite on as
soon as you can get your business closed, the earlier you can get here in the
season the better the Lakes are now clean of ice which is six weeks sooner
than they were last season the Steam Boat James Maddison is a good boat
and runs regular trips from Buffalo to Chicago if you happen to be at
Buffalo when she is in you will do well to get aboard of her we think you
had best Ixix up and fetch all your furniture and what goods you can Goods
will be very scarce here this year I am informed that there will not be one
half the goods brought to Chicago this season these was lost mennv of the
merchants have not gone after goods and some of them that have gone get no
goods. You can have boxes made of good seasoned pine boards and plowed
and grooved together to keep out the wet they need not be plained at all
you can box up your chairs and fill in with anything that you can get in that
you wish to fetch you can bring your crockery safe by packing them well
Crockery is very dear here All your necessary kitchen furniture will be
wanted when you get here tubs, Churn, Pails & Pans &c you can pack them

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 109

all full in your boxes bring plenty of dried fruit bring if you can blue
Broad Cloth suitable for me a coat and pantaloons, ydu had Ijest bring nails
for building a barn etc. Andrew Jarvin and William Rumsey called on us
today on their way to Rock River Jarvin lives in Michigan now thinks he
shall move to Rock River he likes this country well John Rue is going after
his mother this spring if you could come in company with them it would be
well he will come out and see if he comes to Kennedyville.

I expect to receive a letter from you soon on your receipt of my first
letter Not answered and perhaps I may think of something more that shall
wish to inform you, then you will see what I have wrote in these two last
letters and answer them as soon as you can we all feel anxious to see you
all, write to us often until you start let us know the time If you can get a
good hand to work that wants to come to this country encourage him to
come we shall want a good hand my man that I hired for $12 per month
has left me after working a month got homesick. I have hired another for
a month but he is good for nothing and a wages is high here.

After all our advice and wants you must use your own judgment about the
whole matter as we know that your judgment is good we are perhaps two
much interested to give such advice as we should, think the journey will
be a benefit to your and Elizas health. I hope the Lord will give your health
and strength sufficient for whats before you.

Yours with respect

B. Hanks.

Sister I would like to have you get me Black silk enough for a cape as
near like my dress as you can. Ma wishes you to bring 10 yds of blue calico
for aprons. Sister you cannot tell with what joy we received the news of
your coming to this country. How does Sister Eleanor feel about it dear
girl I know it will be hard for her to part with yuu but we will hope that they
will soon follow. Give an aliundance of love to her for me. Ma wants you
to bring 3 or 4 pounds of stocking yarn for us.

Aly love to all and kiss little Sophia and Jerome for me How I do want
to see the dear little fellow.

Yours truly

Sar.

Ma is very anxious to hear how Elinn your health is. Aunt is gaining
slow.

Brother please bring me a parasol if you can collect any of Pa's money.

Sarah.

Dear Children

T & E Loomis.
You must not think hard that we have not answered your letter before
we hardly have time to write to anybody but we feel verry much interested
in Asahel and Eliza coming to this country and have wrote to
you have or will see all the letters and know how it is with us we are passing
through trials and afflictions which we cannot describe to you The Lord has

llu KANE COUNTY HISTORY

supported us thus far and given us health and strength to take care of your
poor but rich Brother he now is not able to help himself at all he is we
think weaker than William was a week before he died we try to be recon-
ciled and know it is our duty to be but when the time of his Exit comes it
will be a trying time we need your prayers that we may have
sufficient to bear us up under this great affliction we see that God has been
good to us in many ways. I left twenty dollars with for you

and he will if he has not pay you Twenty Dollars more in good and take his
pay out of Notes I left with him. We have had cold wet weather here for
about 2 weeks back. I have sowed 8 acres of spring wheat and 5 of oats,
and have 6 more to sow. The girls send their love to you and will write
soon Mother is almost worn out taking care of James joines me in love to
you and to your Father, mother and sister write upon receipt of

this with Respect your Father

B Hanks

Elgin, June 14th, 1838.
Dear Children

Your letter dated 30th May was received the 12th int. we are much
pleased to hear that Eliza was on the gain and yourself and babes well we are
all enjoying good health although we feel verry lonesome at times on account
of being deprived of the company and advice of our Dear James, but we try
to be reconciled and I think we are as much as could be expected I was in
hopes you would have been ready to start sometime in June as it is so much
pleasanter and safer coming early in the season I presume you will come as
soon as your business and Elizas health will permit we have had very dry
weather hear for 2 or 3 weeks until 4 days ago I do not know as it has
injured the crops much some pieces of corn planted on dry ground did not
come up well my spring crops are doing well now. I was out to Chicago
Twice the week before last with a wagon the roads were excellent started
from home at 8 o'clock A. M. arrived at Chicago at 4 P. M. I bought a
barrel of good Pork for S22. good dried apples at 14s per bushel Peaches
at $3.50 Good sugar at is Coffee 6 lbs for a Dollar business

is quite lively in Chicago this Spring more steamboats than usual have
arrived there this spring. Geo. C. Nixon and wife caled on us last Sabbath and
staid untill Alonday 10 Oclock we all went with them to Genrul McClures
and took dinner and then he started on for Galena he leaves Mrs. Nixon
there and he goes about 200 miles beyond to a place caled the pinary where
he is building mills with a Company they gave us the news of Kennedvville
from their Description it must be a God forsaken place Scarcely one Righteous
person left to save the place I think we are well away from it Nixon told
us that Jason had made up his mind to come with you himself see Frank
and take another Tour in the west we shall be verry happy to see him here
but little Frank he cannot have

I will now mention what artickles we should be glad to have you bring
us you need pay no attention to what we have wrote before as it will be

KANE COUNTY HISTORY HI

later in the season than we antisipated wlien we wrote before you will get
the $ioo Note from Farnums if possilile the Taylors Note trad for a w-agon
if you can if not leave it for collection as soon as due my fanning mill I
want taken to pieces boxed up and brought on if it could be sent to Buffalo to
the Care of Thomas Dudley I could get it from them to Chicago at most any
time I have wrote to Uncle Elisha respecting it. Sell the lumber at Taylor
Mill or leave it in the care of J or some other person to sell the other

note if you cannot trade them off leave this also for collection mother wants
you to fetch her a set of Curtain Calico she thinks you had best fetch a set
too for yourselves, mother and Sarah have got them Dark Dresses you
may bring one for Locky Sarah w-ants silk enough for a cape to her black
silk dress bring common merino enough for mothers and Sarah Dresses
a parasol for Sarah Broad Cloth for me a coat, we can get the other
artickles we wrote for before as cheap in Chicago as in your place taking
out transportation.

I am now alone and shall not hire any until haying and Harvesting comes
on and then I shall want one or two hands for a month or two I think I can
get what help I shall want here as there is a number of young men come into
the place this spring your goods if you cannot dispose of them there without
a sacrifice fetch them along with you you can sell them here I shall send you
another Chicago paper you will see some of the prices in that, as this will
probably be the last letter you will receive from us before you start I will
give you some directions about getting to us from Chicago you will call on
J Rue & H Butler in Chicago they will give you some directions if you come
from there in the stage you will have to stop about a mile from us at Mrs.
Howard you can get the stage driver to take the county road my team can
bring your goods from Chicago if the road should be good if not there is
teams always enough in Chicago that can be hired to bring
them out. if you could take a boy from 12 to 18 years old and bring with
you I think it would be a good plan Such a boy can do most any kind of
farming here Mother and the girls join me in love to you all hoping by the
goodness and blessing of God we shall soon see each other again.

Yours with Respect

B Hanks

Aunt Sally Campbell is better she has rode over and made a visit.

Marcus Stearns was here last week and staid two nights he is doing
very well in this country.

you must write immediately on the Receipt of this, bring a rocking
chair

Kennedyville. 4 Nov AD 1838
Dear Brother

After a short delay on the reception of your letter I take this opportunity
of answering it. our familv is all well that is at home you are aware that

112 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

John, Elisha and George have gone to the west, they are in the Wisconsin
Territory on the Chippeway river tliey wer well the last we heard from them
they will probably call on you when they return and that will be I think next
May or June, this season was verry wet the fore part and the latter verry dry
Crops came in very light buckwheat was hardly worth harvesting come
was but little raised on account of its not being planted what was planted
done well we planted two acres and had abought Seventy bushels and two
hundred and thirty of wheat three hundred of oats thirty six of peas twenty
five of Buckwheat One hundred and fifty of potatoes two hundred of Appels
and twenty five ton of hay we have one span of horses five cows four year-
lings six calves and a coalt seventy five sheep fifteen hogs, we have built
one horse barn thirty by twenty six I have got all my land paid for an a
deed for the whole of it two hundred and thirty acres in number and have
got all my debts paid and two hundred dollars on hand besides two hundred
and forty on interest. You wanted me to give you the prices of the different
articles wheat is twelve shillings per bushel corn is one dollar per bushel
Oats are three shillings Buckwheat is six shillings potatoes fifty cents peas
one dollar.

there is a fair prospect for the York and Erie Railroad agoing on Edward
Farnum has got in head engineer of this County there is four Companies
now exploaring the rout up the Cohocton and Canesteo Brigham is with the
company on this ri\er he went to the post four weeks ago they hav got as
far as both an Calculate to run as far as they can until coald weath will oblige
them to quit it will be ascertained this winter whether it will go up the
canisteo or the Cohocton. their has ben svral changes taken place this fall in
out neighborhood Franklin Glass died in September last of the Consumption
Casandra Smith died three weeks ago of the asthma and the consumption
Electa Smith died a week ago yesterday of the consumption it has been a
hard shock to Mrs. Smith but she is a recovering slowly the rest of our
neighborhood enjoys good health my health in particular has ben verry good
and all of us have enjoyed good health Elishas family are all well and Jasons
Old Mr. Neally was taken last Wednesday evening with a fit of Numbpalsy
and is speechless yet we do not expect that he will survive long Your letter
informed us of the loss you had received in the death of James it was a
heavy blow sent by the great giver of all good for some good purpose we
know not. I am rejoicet to hear that you hav bourne your self up in your
troubles and are now in good circumstances. Give our respects to Tephaniahs
family and yours in particular tell Xiah that he has forgotten his promise
like all other emegrants and we began to think that you had but the long
looked for letter arrived at last do not let as long a time slip againe for it is
pleasant to converse with freinds especially Brothers if they are at a distance
If you see Daniel or Cornelius family tell them that we send our respects to
them. I ad no more

This from your afifectionate Brother

Elijah Hanks

Brigham Hanks)

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

113

CHAPTER VHI.

LIST OF EARLY FAMILIES.

Family Name. Place of Settlement.

Adams Aurora

Allen Aurora

Anderson .... Campton ......

Annis Blackberry . . .

Arvedson .... Carpentersville

Averill Batavia

Backus Hampshire . . .

Baker Virgil

Balduc Aurora

Ball Aurora

Barber Campton

Barrett Aurora

Bartlett Campton

Baumann .... Dundee

Beaupre

Bergland

Beverly Maple Park . . .

Bishop Aurora

Bosworth .... Dundee

Bowdish

Bowne St. Charles

Bowron Aurora

Boyce Big Rock

Bradley Geneva

Bradley Aurora

Brady Big Rock and

Aurora

Britton Plato

Brown St. Charles ....

Brown .\urora

Brown Batavia

Brown Elgin

Brown Aurora

Brownell St. Charles

Burnham Batavia . .

Burnidge .... Plato

Burr Batavia

Burton Plato

Burton Aurora

Butler Aurora

Time.
1862

1854

1852

1855
1840
1882
185I
1867

1843
1864

1843

1859
1883
1865
1844

1854
1838

1840

1857

1854

1855
1846

1855

1836

187-

1838

1845

185-

1872

1875
1857

1857
1863

187I
1873

Where from.

Chemung Co., N. Y.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Shien, Norway.

Rensselaer Co., N. Y.

Windham Co., Conn.

England.

Quebec, Canada, French.

Madison Co., N. Y.

St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

Detroit. Alich. English.

Grafton Co., N. H. Mass.

English.

Canada.

Sweden direct.

Oneida Co., N. Y. Wheelwright.

Leicester, Mass. England.

Elgin, 1867, N. Y. Saratoga Co.,

England.
Otsego Co., N. Y.
Tompkins Co.. N. Y.
Clinton Co., N. Y.
\'ermont.
Springfield, N. H.
Lee, Mass.
Massachusetts.

Westchester Co., N. Y.
Cheshire Co.. N. H.
Warren, Mass.

Jefferson Co., N. Y. (Scot-Eng.).
New York.
Concord, N. H.

Rockingham Co., N. Y. English.
New York. Wisconsin, 1839.
Vermont. English.
Market Harbor, England. English.
Wyoming Co., N. Y.

Norwich, Vt.
Anderson, Lid.
Jefferson Co.. N. Y.

114

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Family Name.

Place of Settlement.

Calkins Sugar Grove. . .

Calkins Sugar Grove . . .

Card Aurora

Carlson St. Charles

Carpenter .... Dundee

Cary Kaneville

Chaffee Campton

Chase Aurora

Chipp Virgil

Clayton Aurora

Rev. Clifford

Coffin Batavia

Colton St. Charles . . . .

Cranston St. Charles . . . .

Crawford ... .St. Charles . . . .

Crego Blackberry . . . .

Dale Big Rock

Dauberman . . . Kaneville

Davidson .... Elgin

Davis Big Rock

Day Aurora

De'Wolf St. Charles . . . .

Doherty St. Charles ....

Downing Virgil

Downing

Dunton Aurora

Durant St. Charles ....

Durant St. Charles . . . .

Dwyer Rutland

Eakin Rutland

Eastman Plato

Eaton Elgin

Edwards Dundee

Eitelgoerge . . . Aurora

Evans Aurora

Evans Sugar Grove . . .

Everts Geneva

Fasmer

Fassett Hampshire ....

Fedou Elgin

Ferson St. Charles . . May,

Fikes Sugar Grove . . .

Fink Kaneville

Fisher Campton

Hillsboro Co., N. Y. English.
Wales and Ohio. 1844.

Time. Where from.

Washington Co., N. Y.
846 Steuben Co., N. Y.
842 Wyoming Co., N. Y.
873 Langelanda, Sweden. Scandinavian.
837. Uxbridge. Mass.
860 Orleans Co., N. Y.
841 Windham Co.. Vt.
868 Geauga Co., Ohio. Wis.
878 England.
867 New York City.

Erie Co., N. Y.
852 Lincoln Co., Me.
863 Rutland Co.. Vt.
863 Delaware Co., N. Y.
848 Belfast. Scotch-Irish.

(St. Charles Valley Chronicle).

851 Chenango Co., N. Y.

852 England direct.
862

854
847

859

841

85-'
868
868
846

845
854
841
844
847
840
838
839
854
841
861

851
863
865
886

834
842

851
869

Otsego Co.,
Connecticut.
New York.
Queens Co.,
Queens Co.,
New York.
Springfield,

N. Y.

Ohio.
Ireland.
N. Y.

N. Y.

Vt.

French.
1820.

County Londonderry, Ireland.

Orange Co., Vt.

Otsego Co.. N. Y.

Chautauqua Co.. N. Y. Welsh.

Germany.

Welsh ( Pennsylvania-Canada).

Wales direct. Welsh.

Berkshire Co., Mass.

Prussia.

Otsego Co., N. Y.

Sullivan Co., N. H.
Montgomery Co., N. Y.
Onondaga Co.. N. Y.
Hesse-Cassel, Germany.

German.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY IV,

Family Name.

Place of Settlement.

Time.

Where from.

Fitchie

. . Plato

[885

Perthshire, Scotland.

Foley

. . St. Charles ....

[864

Irish.

Fox

. . Aurora

[857

Chenango Co.. N. Y.

Frace

. . Kaneville

[852

Morris Co., N. Y. German.

Frazier . . . .

. . Batavia and

Aurora

866

Onondaga Co., N. Y.

Frederick . .

. . Kaneville

[846

Fulton Co., N. Y. German.

Freiler . . . .

. . Elgin

[883

Hartford, Conn.

Frisbee . . . .

. . Aurora

[874

Cortland Co., N. Y.

Gage

. . Rutland

[872

Plato

Gale

. . Aurora

86 s

Onondaga Co., N. Y.

Gannon . . . .

. . Kaneville

[847

Ireland direct.

Garfield . . . .

. . Campton

[841

Rutland Co., Vt.

German . . . .

. . Geneva

836

Montgomery Co., N. Y. Scot-Eng

Gilbert . . . .

. . Aurora

86q

Massachusetts.

Gleason . ... .

. . Burlington ....

840

Genesee Co.. N. Y.

Godfrey . . .

. . Batavia

839

Orange Co., Vt.

Goding . . . .

. . Aurora

864

England.

Griffith

. . Batavia

846

England.

Guild

. . Aurora

860

Wayne, 111.

Hagelow . . .

. . Elgin

[864

Wurtemberg, Germany.

Hall

. . Big Rock

(N. Y. City), 6 Vt. Orphan.

Hall

. . St. Charles ....

844

Herkimer Co., N. Y.

Halloway . .

. . St. Charles .... ]

8,S.^

Dutchess Co.. N. Y. Scotch-English

Hanson . . . .

. . Sugar Grove . . .

87.S

Kendall Co., 111.

Hardy

. . Aurora

860

Oneida Co.. N. Y. English.

Hardv

871

Grafton Co., N. H. English.

Harris

. . Aurora

862

Sussex Co., N. J.

Harris

. . Big Rock ]

874

Welsh-English.

Harter . . . .

. . Kaneville

Centre Co.. Pa. Ger-.Penn. Dutch.

Hatch

. . Elgin ]

8.U

New York.

Hawley . . . .

. . Dundee ]

850

Heath

. . Elsfin ]

871
858

West Hartford, Conn.

Hemmens . .

. . Elgin

Hinds

. .Aurora ]

842

Westernville, N. Y. Eng.-Sc. -Irish

Hines

. .Virgil

84.S

Erie Co., N. Y.

Hinman . . ,

. . Dundee

883

Oneida Co., N. Y.

Hirsch

. . Aurora

861

French.

Hitchcock . .

. . Aurora ]

8,=;,s

West Springfield, Mass.

Hodder . . . .

. . Aurora i

854

Dorsetshire. England.

Holden ....

. . Aurora

8,S7

Sullivan Co., N. H.

Holmes . . . .

. . Aurora ]

863

Fairfax, Vt. Scotch-Irish.

Hooker . . . .

. . St. Charles .... j

8,W

Canada. English-Scotch.

Hopkins . . .

. . Aurora i

870

Native.

Howard . . .

. . St. Charles .... i

8.^7

Cliautauqua Co.. N. Y. Eng.-Irish.

Hoyt

. .Aurora i

840

Maine. Danburv. Mass. Ohio.

Hoyt

. . Kaneville i

884

New Hampshire. English.

116

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Family Name.

Place of Settlement.

Time.

Where from.

Hubbard

. Aurora i

«S.5

Oneida Co., N. Y.

Hubbard ....

. Aurora i

86.5

Madison Co.. N. Y.

Hughes

. Big Rock 1

84.S

Pennsylvania. Welsh.

Huls

. St. Charles .... i

8.S.S

Seneca Co., N. Y. Dutch-Welsh.

Hunt

. Dundee ]

S42

New York.

Hunt

. Kaneville ,

Chenango Co., N. Y.

Hvde

.Batavia i

845

Ingham

. Sugar Grove ... J

839

Irwin

. St. Charles .... i

884

Lewis Co.. N. Y.

Isbell

. Aurora

Isbell

. Aurora ]

8,S.S

Lenox, Mass.

Jones

. St. Charles ]

838

Washington Co., Vt.

Jones

. Big Rock ]

868

Wales direct.

Joslyn

Keefe

. Elgin 1

8;n

Nunda. 1837. Geneseo Co., N. Y.
New Brunswick. Irish.

.\'irgil

s^.s

Kellev

. Elgin ]

860

Schenectady, X. Y.

Kibling

. Blackberry .... ]

855

\'ermont.

Kilbourne . . .

. Elgin ]

871

Orange Co., Vt.

Kimball

.Elgin

8.U

Grafton Co.. N. H.

Kimball

. Elgin ]

[836

Kimball

. Elgin

[838

Knickerbocker

. Aurora

[837

Dutchess Co., N. Y.

Lakin

■ Virgil

[861

Essex Co., X. Y.

Lamson

. Big Rock

[836

X'ew York Citv. Mass. America

Lamson

. Aurora

[867

Windsor, \'t.

Langworthy .

.Aurora

'873

Marengo.

Lee

. Plato

183.^

\\'estchester Co., N. Y.

Lee

. Kaneville

[844

Middletown Countv.

Lemon

. Campton

[842

^Massachusetts.

Leydon, Rev.

. Aurora

885

Catholic priest.

Lockwood . .

. Bata\ia

1853

Westchester, X. Y.

Long

Franklin Co., Mass.

Long

. Big Rock

[840

Greenfield. Mass.

Long

. Big Rock

840

Shelburne, Mass.

Lord

865

Genesee Co.. X. Y. English.

Loser

. Aurora ]

852

Luxemburg, Germany.

Lowrie

. Elgin

[882

Berwickshire, Scotland.

Mallory

. Batavia

.852

Milo, Yates Co.. X. Y. Scotch.

Mann

. Elein

i8:;o
1867
[866

Countv Westmeath, Ireland.

Mann

. Elarin

Sweden.

Marme

. Aurora

X'euwied, Prussia.

Marx

. Aurora

'8,v

Mason

. Aurora

1849

Canada.

Mathews

. Aurora

[868

Kendall Co., 111. English-Irish.

Maurer

. Xaperville

1853

France direct.

McCarty . . . .

. Aurora

'834

Morris Co., X. J. Scotch-English.

McClellan . . .

. Batavia

[86q

CHICAGO STREET ABOUT 1866, LOOKING WEST FROM FOUN-
TAIN SQUARE.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

119

Faraih' Name. Place of Settlement.

McClure Elgin

McDoIe Sugar Grove .

McDole Sugar Grove .

Meredith Big Rock . . . .

Meredith .... .Aurora

Meredith Aurora

Merrill Kaneville . . .

Meyer Aurora

Mighell Sugar Grove .

Miller, C. A

Miller Aurora

Miller Elgin

Miller Dundee ....

Miner Kaneville . .

Minium Kaneville . .

Montony Aurora ....

Moody Cainpton . . .

Morris Blackberry .

Moulding .... Campton . . .

Munger Dundee ....

Newman Elgin

Newton Batavia ....

Nimmo Elgin

Norris Blackberry .

Norris Aurora ....

Norton Dundee ....

Oppenheimer . • Elgin

Osborn Kaneville . .

Outhouse .... Elgin

Owens Kaneville . .

PaDelford . . . Elgin

Parker Dundee ....

Paull Sugar Grove

Paull Aurora ....

Pease Plato

Peck Plato

Perry Big Rock . . .

Phillips Aurora ....

Pingree Rutland ....

Pond Aurora ....

Powell Aurora ....

Pratt Aurora ....

Prentiss, Rev . . East Aurora

Prindle Aurora ....

Probert Elgin

Tune.

846

835
839
852

843
867

870

853
871

837
842

842

854
871
842

844
846
865
865

853

873
863

854
854

854

844

853
861

876

883

857
842
858
841
881
860
883
845
849
811
872
864

853
884
876

843

Where from.

Steuben Co., N. Y. Scotch-Irish.
Chemung Co., N. Y. Scotch-Eng.

Chemung Co., N. Y.
Welsh, direct from Wales.
Welsh, native of Wales.
Montgomeryshire, Wales.
New Hampshire. English.
Saxony.
Rutland, Vt.
Scotland direct.
Tompkins Co., N. Y.
Hesse-Cassel, Germany.
Wurtemberg, Germany.

Crawford Co., Pa.

Elmira Co., N. Y. German-Irish.

New Brunswick. Scotch.

Monmouth Co., N. J.

Lancashire, England.

Addison Co., Vt.

Hertfordshire, England.

Wyoming Co., N. Y.

Scotland.

New York.

Chemung Co., N. Y.

Herkimer Co., N. Y. Eng.-German.

Fort Wayne, Ind.

Auburn, N. Y. England, 1823.

Campton Township.

New York. English.

Buffalo, N. Y.

Massachusetts.

Medina Co., Ohio.

Tolland Co., Conn. English.

Ontario Co., N. Y.

New York.

Litchfield Co., Conn.

Plymouth Co., Mass.

Addison Co., Vt. Scotch-English.

Delaware Co., N. Y.

Cortland Co., N. Y.

Steuben Co., N. Y.

Litchfield Co., Conn.

Rochester, N. Y. English.

120

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Family Name.

Place of Settlement.

Quackenbush . . Dundee . . . .

Quereau Aurora . . . .

Ravlin, Rev. . . Kaneville . .
Raymond .... Kaneville . .

Reed Plato

Reese Aurora ....

Reese Dundee ....

Reeves Elgin

Reid Hampshire .

Reising Aurora ....

Reynolds Sugar Grove

Rice Aurora ....

Riddle Aurora . . . .

Riser Aurora ....

Roberts Aurora ....

Root Elgin

Roots Blackberry .

Rovelstad .... Elgin

Ryan Elgin

Safford Aurora ....

Satterfield .... Aurora ....

Schairer Burlington . . .

Schickler Aurora

Schmahl Aurora

Schmidt Elgin

Schoeberlein . . Aurora

Schultz Elgin

Scott Campton

Scott Plato

Seapy Plato

Shaw Campton

Shedden Plato

Shellhorn .... Kaneville . . . .

Shepard Blackberry . . .

Sherman Elgin

Sholes Hampshire . . .

Simmons

Simpson Aurora

Sisley Hampshire . . .

Skinner Hampshire . . .

Skinner Plato

Smailes Elgin

Smith Hampshire . . .

Smith Burlington . . .

Smith Sugar Grove . .

Smith Carpentersville

Snow Batavia

Time.
849

845
843

877
85-
863

848

865

855
836

843
856

855
882

845
848
872
849
862

857
867

856

868

857

857
869

844
872

852
870
842
885
852
838
887

857
850
86—
846

853
852

837
841

844
878

856

W'liere from.

Otsego Co., N. Y. Holland.

Cayuga Co., N. Y.

Essex Co., Vt. Irish-Scotch-Eng.

Middleboro, Plvmouth Co., Mass.

DuPage Co., Il'l.

German.

Cook Co., 111. German.

Wayne Co., N. Y.

Kingston, Upper Canada. Scotch.

Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.

Ulster Co., N. Y. English.

Merrimack Co., N. H.

Keene, N. H.

Hartford, Conn. Swiss-German.

Kendall Co., 111. Scotch- Welsh-Eng.

Genesee Co., N. Y.

Lockport, N. Y.

Scandinavian.

Ireland direct. Irish.

Washington Co., N. Y. Scotch.

Washington Co., N. Y.

Prussia.

(New York, 1853). Bavarian.

Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.

Prussia.

Madison Co., N. Y.

California.

Oneida, Co., N. Y.

Scotland direct.

Wurtemburg, Germany.

New York. Ger. and Hoi. -Dutch.

Dutchess Co., N. Y.

Burling Township.

Pennsylvania. Irish-English.

Bureau Co., 111.

Geneva.

Seneca Co., N. Y.

Esse.x Co., N. Y.

England.

Baden, Germany.

Caldwell's Manor, Canada.

Rutland Co., Vt.

Cabot, Vt.

Orange, N. J- England, 1851.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY

121

Family Name. Place of Settlement.

Snyder ...... Kaneville ...

Solfisburg .... Aurora

Southworth . . Aurora

Spencer Kaneville . . .

Spooner Batavia

Squires Aurora

Sterling Batavia

Stevens

Stewart St. Charles

Stolp Aurora . . ,

Stone . ., Elgin

Stone Aurora . .

Stone Elgin

Struch Burlington

Sturges Virgil ...

Sylvester .... Aurora . .

Tarble Aurora . . ,

Thies Plato ....

Thompson . . . Sugar Grov
Treadwell .... Elgin ....
Trumbull ... .St. Charles

Tyler Aurora . .

Van Fleet .... Aurora . .
Van Liew .... Aurora . .
Van Nortwick . Batavia . .
Van Nostrand . Elgin ....
Van Patten . . . Elgin ....

Wade Aurora . .

Wasmer Aurora . .

W'aite Sugar Grove

\\'alker Aurora . . .

Ward Campton . .

Warford Geneva . . .

Waterhouse . . Aurora . . .

Watson

Watson Elgin

Watts Aurora . . .

Weld Elgin

Wells Geneva . . .

Wells Kaneville .

Werthwein . . . Hampshire
Westgarth . . .Campton . .

White Elburn . . .

White

Whitford Elgin

Whitford .... Elgin

Whitney Campton . .

846
861
87 1
862
870

855
868
865

855
842

85-'
868

877
871

854
874
846
874

845
851
840
862
846

835

843
878

857
871
868
868
835
844
862

853
874
871
841
846
866
881
852
875

1840
1839

Where from.

Lancaster Co., Pa.
Direct from Sweden.
LaSalle Co.

Raleigh, N. C.
Cortland Co., N. Y.
Montgomery Co., N. Y.
Onondaga Co.. N. Y.

Onondaga Co., N. Y. Germany, 1738.

Bakersfield, Vt.

Bradford Co., Pa. Scotch-Irish.

Belvidere, 111.

Germany direct.

England direct.

Whitehall, N. Y. Canadian.

Sacketts Harbor, N. Y.

Germany.

Windham Co., Vt.

Windsor Co., Vt.
St. Charles, 111.

Holland.

New Jersey. German.

Somerset Co., N. J.

Cortland Co., N. Y.

Tioga Co., N. Y. English.

Consdorf, Germany.

Jefferson Co., N. Y.

Oswego Co., N. Y. 1854, England.

Genesee Co., N. Y.

England.

Middlesex Co., Conn. English.

New Jersey.

DuPage Co., 111.

Knox Co., Me. Scotch-English.

North Adams, Mass.
Massachusetts.
Newark, N. J. German.
Geneva. English.
Geneva. Scotch-German.
Norfolk Co., Mass. English.
Medina. Ohio.
Colchester, Vt.
Tompkins Co., N. Y.

122 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Family Name. Place of Settlement. Time. Where from.

Widmayer . . .Hampshire .... 1870

Wilcox Elgin 1842 IMontgomery Co., N. Y. English.

Wilcox St. Charles .... 1883 Broome Co., N. Y.

Wilder Aurora 1837 New York.

Willard Aurora 1867 Connecticut. French-Scotch.

Williams Geneva 1886 Madison Co., N. Y.

Wilson Elgin 1841 Genesee Co., N. Y. English.

Wilson Sugar Grove . . . 1856

Winteringham . St. Charles .... 1864 England.

Wright St. Charles .... 1859 Madison Co., N. Y.

Young Blackberry .... 1843 Orange Co., Vt.

Young Kaneville 1871 Orange Co., Vt.

CHAPTER IX.

BEGINNINGS ALONG FOX RIVER.

The county of Kane, although among those last settled in Illinois, is
now one of the most populous and wealthy in the State. It derives its name
from Hon. Elias K. Kane, one of the early and prominent citizens and
politicians of southern Illinois. Prior to 1836. the territory from the present
north line of La Salle county to the Wisconsin line, and from what was
then Cook county, on the east, to what was Jo Daviess county, on the west,
was a part of La Salle county. In the winter of 1835-36, the legislature
passed an act by which the present territory of Kane and DeKalb counties,
and the three north townships of Kendall, were laid ofif into a county and
denominated Kane. In the winter of 1836-7, the west half of Kane was
appropriated to an organization denominated DeKalb county, and subse-
quently the three southern townships were allotted to Kendall countj
leaving Kane with its present area — eighteen miles wide by thirty long,
and embracing fifteen townships. It contains 540 square miles or 345,000
acres. The present population of the county is 78,792.

The government surveys of Kane county took place in 1839 and '40,
and the lands came into market in 1842. In the early days of Illinois, the
local government was mainly by counties, though they were divided into
election precincts for the convenience of voting, etc. In 1850, this precinct
arrangement was abandoned in Kane county, and township organization and
government took their place.

The first actual settler in Kane county was Christopher Payne, from
North Carolina, who arrived with his family in October, 1833, and located
one mile east of Batavia. He made his journey from Carolina wath an
ox-team; but came originally from New York. Colonel Nathaniel Lyon
and Captain C. B. Dodson .settled near Batavia in the spring of 1834, there
being only five other families in the county at that time. During the summer
and fall, some forty families located along Fox river, among whom were
Messrs. Haight, Joseph and Samuel McCarthy, Aldrich, Vandeventer, How,

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 123

McKee, Town, Churchill, Miles, William and John Van Nortwick, Ira
Minard and James Herrington. At this time the country now embraced by-
Kane county was in possession of the Pottawattomie Indians — the wigwam
of Waubonsie, their chief, being a little north of Aurora, but most of them
were soon after removed beyond the Mississippi.

The first store and saw-mill in the county were built by C. B. Dodson,
in the summer of 1834, at Clybourneville, one mile south of Batavia. The
first flouring-mill was erected in Batavia in 1837 by Mr. M. Boardman, and
was followed the same year by another at Aurora, built by Messrs. McCarty.
Up to this time the nearest flouring-mills were at Ottawa.

The first school in the county was held in a log cabin on Colonel Lyon's
claim, one mile east of Bata\ia, and was taught by a Mr. Knowles, from
Vermont, with an average attendance of nine scholars.

The first post office was establishd at Geneva, or Herrington's Ford.
in 1835, and called La Fox, James Herrington being postmaster.

The first celebration of the Fourth of July is said to have taken place
in Elgin in 1836. The year following, S. S. Jones, Esq., delivered his cele-
brated oration on the Fourth of July, to eleven hearers.

The first white child of Kane county was Dodson Vandeventer. born in
the "Big Woods," October 10, 1834.

The first church was organized in Batavia in 1835. The first sermon
preached in the county was by the Rev. N. C. Clark, at the log cabin of
Christopher Payne, the first settler, as. early as August, 1834. Indeed, Mr.
Clark might well have been styled the pastor of the entire Kane county
settlement for several years, and was truly one of the pioneer preachers of
this region.

The first newspaper in Kane county was published at St. Charles in the
fall of 1841. by John Thomas. It was styled the St. Charles Patriot, after-
wards the Fox River Advocate and Kane County Herald. The paper was
burned out in 1842, but Ira Minard went to Hennepin, on the Illinois river,
with two teams and purchased a press and material, so that the paper was
continued as the Fo.x River Advocate, edited by D. D. Waite.

The following extract from a letter to the Genesee Evangelist, in 1848,
will give the impression of a traveler with regard to Kane county si.xty years
ago, and also the population of some of the villages of the county at that
time :

"This county lies north of Kendall and west of DuPage, and if any
preference can be given among so many counties, all of which are so beautiful
and so fertile, that preference must be given to Kane. I think, after taking
all things into consideration, that I may safely pronounce it the best county
in the State. Although the prairie land predominates, it is interspersed with
valuable groves, containing timber sufficient for fuel, fencing and building
for years to come.

"Most of the county is within a day's drive of the lake, thus enjoying
a proximity to market not possessed by counties further west. The new
railroad from Chicago to Galena passes directly through it and afifords a ready
communication at all times with Chicago. But its magnificent river, which

124 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

supplies so inucli w ater power and propels so much machinery, adds materially
to the wealth and business of the county. This is Fox river, which rises in
Wisconsin, a few miles west of Milwaukee, and empties into the Illinois at
Ottawa. After running twenty, or thirty miles from its source, and before
entering the State of Illinois it becomes sluggish, and for most of the way
has too little fall to propel machinery with much power. By the time, how-
ever, that it reaches the north part of Kane county, its descent is more rapid
and it rolls on in a broad channel and nearly a straight course through the
whole length of the county (about thirty miles), afifording many valuable
mill sites. On ascending or descending the ri^•er. the traveler passes, once
in every five miles, on an average, a thriving village, divided by the stream,
until he reaches the sixth before leaving the county. Each of these villages
contains one or more flouring mills. A short distance north of the south line
of the county is Aurora, containing some 1,000 or 1,200 inhabitants. Seven
miles north of here is Batavia, a place somewhat smaller than Aurora, Like
its sister village, it is separated by the channel of water which propels its
machinery. A small island divides the river as it passes through the village.
Two miles north of Batavia is Geneva, the shire town of Kane county,
although it is the smallest of its villages. Two miles further on is St, Charles,
containing some 1,200 or 1,500 inhabitants. A paper mill has been erected
here and is now in operation, being the only one in northern Illinois, Ten
miles north of St, Charles is Elgin, the largest and prettiest village in Kane
county. The state of society here is, good and the country around beautiful
and fertile, thus making Elgin one of the most delightful places in the world
for a residence. Proceeding five miles northward we reach Dundee, the last
of the Kane county villages. The place contains some 600 inhabitants, and
as its Scotch name would indicate, has several Scotch families in and
around it."

The following letter, which appeared in the Kenosha Telegraph, in 183 1,
will give some further idea of Dundee and Elgin as they appeared at that
time : and something of the county :

"Air. Editor: The river which rises a few miles northwest of Mil-
waukee, and flows so tardily to the state line, and through McHenry county,
Illinois, begins, as it approaches the line of Kane county, to move more
rapidly onward. Its haste to reach its destination continues through nearly
the entire length of the county, affording water power which already propels
a large amount of machinery, and may be made to propel much more. The
river passes in nearly a straight course from north to south through the eastern
part of the county, lined on each side by a narrow strip of woods, beyond
which the high, rolling prairie, dotted as it is by well cultivated farms and
comfortable dwellings, presents an appearance which beauty's self tuight
envy. Six of the numerous mill-seats on the river are the nuclei of as manv
villages, distant from each other, on an averag-e, less than five miles. With
such a water power within them, and such a beautiful and fertile country
around them, it is not strange that Kane county has reason to be proud of
its villages. All of them are within about thirty-five miles of Chicago. All
but one are connected with that city by railroad, and thus have daily or

OLD WOODEN BRIDGE, CHICAGO STREET. ELGIN, 1866.

OLD BRIDGE ACROSS FOX RIVER.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 127

semi-daily communication witli it. Four of tliem liave newspapers — a larger
number, probably, than are issued in any other county in the state, with
the exception of the one embracing Chicago.

"The most northern of the Kane county \-illages, on Fox river, is
Dundee, which, as its name would indicate, has a large sprinkling of Scotch
inhabitants in and around it. It lacks that appearance of thrift and enterprise
which mark its sister villages further south — and as the iron horse is not to
visit it. its future prospects are not the brightest. Its present population is
about 800, with the usual proportion of churches, schools, etc.

"Five miles further down is Elgin, containing about 2,000 inhabitants.
One of the first settlers and principal founders of this place was James T.
Gifford, whose lamented death occurred last summer. To no man is Elgin
more indebted, and long will her citizens regret their loss. Mr. Gifford
lived to see a beautiful village of 2,000 inhabitants on a spot which, when
first visited by him, some fifteen years since, had just been vacated by the
wild Indian. He also lived to realize that much depends upon the influence
exerted on an embryo village, and to have cause for gratulation that the
influence which he and his co-pioneers brought to bear on Elgin while society
was in its forming state there, was Christian. Few places can boast of better
society than this village. The number and strength of its evangelical
churches ; the number of houses erected for the worship of Jehovah, and
the interest felt in the subject of education which, whatever may be said to the
contrary, are the true indices of the state of society, speak an unequivocal
language in favor of Elgin. The scarcity of grog-shops proclaim as unequivo-
cally that here King Alcohol is not an absolute monarch.

"The Congregationalists, Calvanistic Baptists, Free Will Baptists,
Methodists and Unitarians each have church edifices — all of them respectable
in appearance, and some of them large and attractive.

"For several years there was published at this place a religious paper
called The Western Christian, and designed to be the organ of the anti-slavery
Baptists. This has recently been removed to Utica, N. Y., where it is now
published. It is succeeded by The Elgin Gazette, a paper not denominational
nor exclusively religious, but which, nevertheless, exerts a good moral
influence.

"A large two-story brick schoolhouse indicates the interest taken in the
subject of education here. In addition to this an effort was made some two
years since, by the Free Will Baptists, to establish a college at this place, and
some $5,000 was subscribed by the citizens toward the erection of a building.
A noble structure has been commenced, but the work has been suspended
in consequence of a lack of funds, and the building seems likely for the
present to remain in statu quo.

"The Elgin woolen factory is a large establishment of the kind, which
adds materially to the business and to the appearance of the place. Near
this establishment a splendid brick store, 75 by 100 feet long, has been erected
during the past season, and during the coming season a block containing
eight or ten others of like dimensions is to be erected in proximity to it.
Some idea may be formed from these facts of the growth of the place. The

128 KANE COUXTY HISTORY

rapidity of its present growth may be attributed in a great measure to the
passage through it of the Chicago & Galena railroad.

"Elein. like other Fox river villages in the countv. is divided bv the
stream, and each of its sections is striving for the ascendant. The railroad
was at first constructed to east Elgin, with the expectation that if it did not
cross there it would cross at some point above. The directors have, however,
since decided to leave the present track some distance east of the village and
cross two or three miles below. The road will then be constructed to the
section of the village lying west of the ri\er. where a depot will be erected.
This will probably cause the road between east Elgin and the Junction to be
unused, and will transfer much of the business of the place from the east to
the west side of the stream. A natural consequence of the location of the
depot is an increase in the value of village lots on the west side."

Many of the suggestions of the above writer have been realized, but
trade was not diverted to the west side, that side of the river having increased
comparatively little since the above was written, while the east side now con-
tains nearly all the business district.

A saw-mill was built by Joseph McCarty on the island at Aurora in
1835, the first timber being sawed on June 8. 1835. An old style, upright
saw being used. The first saw-mill was built just south of Batavia at the
mouth of Mill Creek by C. B. Dodson. A mercantile establishment that sold
everything salable was opened by James L. Adams in 1836. Tax'erns were
built at Aurora and Elgin that year. A stage route from Chicago to Elgin
opened in 1837. A library was opened at Aurora in 1837. A postoffice was
established in 1837. and a bridge built in 1836.

In 1834 a log schoolhouse was erected by the efforts of Colonel Joseph
Lyon, about one mile east of what is now Batavia. with nine pupils. A
bridge was built in 1837. The first Batavia tavern was built in 1837. A church
was organized in 1835.

In 1839 a bridge was erected at Dundee; a schoolhouse built in 1837;
a "hotel" opened on the west side by Hardin Oatman in 1838: a saw-mill
erected in 1837.

At Elgin a log schox^'house was built in 1837. near what is now South
Elgin. Elgin was made a v'ostoffice in 1837: a log tavern appeared in 1836.
July 4, 1836. the first road vas built east from Elgin to Meacham's Grove
(now Bloomingdale). A juvice of the peace and constable were elected
in 1836; a saw-mill was completed in 1837. A grist-mill was built the same
year on the east side at the head of the old race way. The town plat was
sur\-eyed in 1836. A wooden bridge was put up at a cost of $400 in 1837.
The first frame dwelling was built in Elgin by Dr. Joseph Tefift in 1838, on
the site of the present city hall, then Dr. Tefft's residence; a blacksmith set
up business in 1838. The first school was opened in 1835. ''"d the first
religious service was held in the Giflford cabin, September, 1835. A religious
society was organized in 1836.

At Geneva a school was opened in 1835 by Mrs. Samuel Sterling, who
taught in her own cabin. A blacksmith arrived in 1836; a church was
organized in 1837; the town was platted in 1837.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 129

At St. Charles the tnwn was platted in 1837, and named Charleston. A
dam, saw-mill and bridge went up in 1836.

At Virgil the first framehouse was built in 1839, by Luther Merrill; a
tavern was opened in 1840; a blacksmith shop in 1845; ^ postoffice in 1849.

At Sugar Grove the first log cabin was raised in 1836, with nails, sawed
boards and shingle roof; a tavern was built in 1836; a postoffice established
in 1840. The first "store" was opened in 1839 by P. Y. Bliss, who built
a framehouse in 1838. The store was long one of the largest in Kane county
and drew the trade from many miles distant.

In Rutland township a postoffice called Deerfield was established in 1838;
a log house was erected in 1840, and a church organized by the Catholics
about the same time.

In Plato township the Griggs ta\'ern did business in 1836 or 1837; a
church was built in 1852, and a school in 1840 at Plato Corners.

At Kaneville a postoffice was established in 1845; '^ hotel in 1852.

At Hampshire the first school was opened about 1840; a church in 1852.

So the county advanced to settlement, forming the basis for the large
and splendid development that has since resulted. The first needs, the church,
the schoolhouse, the saw-mill, the postoffice, the general store and the open
road everywhere were first attended to; dams, bridges, and grist-mills came
next. Soon frame dwellings were built by the more well-to-do (if there
were any such), and progress was then upon its way in the valley of the Fox,
preparing for those industries that make its cities world famous, and the
product of its farms a household word.

Since these early beginnings by sincere men it has advanced continuously.
May its future progress be no less notable.

CHAPTER X.

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

The history of the underground railroad in this county was never written
and, in fact, it would be difficult to secure a good history of the movement,
as all of its operations were supposed to be generally conducted in a secret
manner. Synopsis of the underground railroad : "It was a strange road.
It had neither locomotive nor cars ; it ran in the darkness and was invisible.
Its operations were so secret that the people called it the underground rail-
road. The friends of this mysterious railway declared that its charter came
from God and that it ran from the northern portion of the southern states
to Canada. Its officers were largely volunteers and its route was that which
afiforded to its passengers the greatest safety — salary, time, if not paid in this
world will surely be in the next ; running expenses donated. It is true that
the present generation knows but little of the meaning of the term, under-
ground railway, and we have been surprised to hear people who have attained
their majority ask if there really was a railroad that ran under ground. It

130 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

is not such a strange question in view of the fact that we may have so many
city railways that are now operated under the surface of the earth. The
work of this road was simply to aid the fugitive slaves of the South to
Canada, where freedom was assured. A conductor on one of these roads
not only jeopardized his life but subjected himself to a heavy tine and im-
prisonment under the fugitive slave law in Illinois, and if one will refer to
the statute books that were printed after the adoption of the new constitution
of 1848 they will find heavy fines and long terms of imprisonment for those
convicted in aiding negroes from slavery to freedom. The only passengers
using the underground railway were the negro people then in slavery and it
had been running years before Lincoln's famous proclamation was signed and
it might be well to state the feeling of Abraham Lincoln when he attached
his name to that immortal document. After he had drafted it and laid it
aside for reflection it was brouglit to him to sign. He lifted his hand to the
place of signature and then it fell by his side. Again he lifted it and again
it fell. Then, turning to some one near him. he said, T have been shaking
hands with the people all day and my hand is very w-eak and shaky. If I
should tremble as I write my name on this paper, which will be handed down
in history, if any deed of mine is, all the world will say "he hesitated." ' He
lifted his hand once more to the place of signature and steadily and firmly
wrote A. Lincoln, with whicii all the world is now familiar. Then leaning
back satisfied he said, 'That will do." Its principal stations were through
Illinois, Indiana and Ohio — the route that afforded the passengers the great-
est safety — and lay through the anti-slavery portions of the three states
mentioned. The homes of abolitionists whose aim was to carry fugitive
slaves from one station to another with safety were the stations used. It
must be remembered that it was not without fear and trembling that many
escaped sla\'es, who started on their perilous journey, for if they were cap-
tured the usual penalty was to sell the escaped slave further south. One
negro told how he rubbed onions on the bottom of his shoes to fool the
hounds, but this had to be repeated many times in order to break the scent.
Often they would wade in streams for a mile or more, or, if possible, steal
a mule and ride for some distance. Many of the negro men and women that
appeared at the homes of these abolitionists in DeKalb county were covered
with stripes from head to foot and had sutYeretl untold agonies in slavery.
After the publishing of Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. anti-
slavery sentiment grew apace and perhaps more than any other factor this
book secured the organization of a party that was opposed to the further
extension of that relic of barbarism — slavery."

The present generation can have but little conception of the condition
of affairs pertaining to the underground railroad and perhaps the following
extracts from Mr. Miller's letter will best illustrate the situation in those pioneer
days. Mr. Miller says : "The Church was anti-slavery in its views and here was
the 'Union depot' of the 'Underground Railroad.' There were a great many
amusing incidents when the trains came in, especially after the Fugitive
Slave Law was passed, for the slaveholders had got the lines so marked out
they could follow the fleeing slaves as a hound could a fox. I might mention

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 131

many facts, I will give only two. A woman came to my house — as white
as most women — and said she was a slave and with her iuisband was fleeing
for their freedom and was overtaken by her master and overseer, and they
both ran for their lives to the woods, got separated from each other, and had
wandered around until she was nearly starved to death, and had to leave the
woods; she said she could hear nothing from her husband and feared he was
taken back, and she wanted to be sent to Canada. About noon I got Brother
Baker to take my horse and take her to the depot at Downer's Grove. He
got back about dark. Late in the evening a white man called at my house
inquiring for such a woman. I took him to be her master, but after keeping
him in the dark for some time I found he was her husband. He said he must
see her that night, for she would be gone in the morning and he would lose
her, and then wept. I could find no one to go, as I learned the master was
in town the day before. I told him I would go, and about two o'clock in the
morning we reached the depot. I rapped on the door. A voice said, 'Who
is there, what is wanted?' I inquired, 'Have you a colored woman here?'
He said, 'No.' (He thought I was the master.) He did not tell a lie; she
was not colored."

The other instance he gives is this : "Soon after there came one woman
and two men and wanted to rest awhile, as they were acquainted with one
Larry, who lived here some time and was making money. A message came
to me from Ottawa saying, 'Four slaveholders are on the track looking for
forty slaves that had left the same neighborhood and they were going to
Chicago, two by way of Joliet and two by the way of Aurora. Hide them'
was the message. We did hide them and watched the movements of the
slaveholders as they came into town. They tried to get men to watch and
help them, but I am happy to say, with little success. Then they went to
Naperville and hired men to watch there. There was a good deal of excite-
ment and fear lest they should get them. No one dared to keep them or take
them off, I felt something must be done. Colonel Lyon had a covered family
carriage that would carry six persons, and said I might have it. I got two
of the best horses in town, had my wife and the colored woman dress alike,
sitting on the seat together, and the men lying on the bottom of the wagon
at the back covered over with blankets. W'e were to start at eleven in the
evening, and as we were ready a lawyer came in. I did not know his views
on slavery and trembled a little until he turned to the one living here the
longest and placed in his hand a bright shining silver dollar saying, 'God
bless you, Larry.' I had no fear of him after that and always found him
a fast friend to the slave. \\'hen we reached Naperville we met two men;
one took the horses by the bits and the other came to the wagon. Seeing the
two women, my wife moved her veil to one side, he saw that she was white
and supposing the boys were bags, said to the other, 'All right,' and we
passed on. On reaching Chicago, near 'Bull's Head,' we met a man and the
colored woman said, 'That's my master.' The boys peeped out and said,
'Sure enough,' and began to get their weapons ready, for they were armed
to the teeth, saying they would never go liack alive. I knew then all the
'Underground Railroad Hotels" in Chicag<'>. I tocjk them down Washington

132 KANE COrXTY TTT^^TORY

street. Deacon Philo Carpenter's back door was on that street, and I opened
the gate and drove up to his back door and called for 'Sir. Carpenter. The
woman said he was down in the city. I called for his wife: she came and at
once understood our business. She said. T do not know what we shall do,
there is great excitement in the city. The slaveholders are here and our house
and Dr. Dyers are watched day and night." I saw a scuttle hole overhead
and asked her what it was for. She said "to go up and fix the stove pipe."
We sent them up there with orders to let no one up alive. I then found
Deacon Carpenter. He said. T don't see how we can get them ott and I am
afraid they will get them, for the boats are watched, also the railroads.' I
then called on Mr. Isbell, a colored barber under the Sherman House, and a
Mr. Lucas, a colored merchant tailor, and recjuested them to get the promi-
nent colored men together. \\"e met in a private house for consultation.
They told me of a man in the lumber business owning land and mills in
^Michigan, and also vessels, and said one was loading in Chicago and would
sail tomorrow for Michigan. 'He is not known as an abolitionist, and yet he
is a friend to the colored people." I went to see him. He said, T will take
them.' A\'e took the following plan to get them to his warehouse: Forty
colored men armed themselves and went in a body to Deacon Carpenter's,
and the men on the watch, seeing them, supposing they were after them, fled,
and the boys followed them. A covered wagon drove into the yard, and they
(the fugitives) all got in and the driver drove from one street to another so
fast no one could follow and came to the warehouse. A signal was given,
agreed upon, the door was opened, and all safe inside. The next day at
noon, when all were at dinner, each took a bag on his shoulder and went on
board, and a little after we saw them on board just going to their homes in
Michigan, where they are now well-to-do farmers."

From this it appears that this fair country of ours was not always "the
home of the free,'" for the stars and stripes then was the emblem of a gov-
ernment whose supreme court had decided that slaves were still property,
although in a free state, and it was the duty of every otlicer and citizen
to return them to their masters, tlius making slave catchers of every citizen.
This was one step toward the war.

CHAPTER XI.

THE RESURRECTIONISTS.

Another type of criminality was ram])ant in the early days of our country's
history, and that was the crime of grave robbing. This had been carried on
for vears in this section of the country and many were the bodies stolen by
men who were called resurrectionists. In the early days no arrangements
were made with hospitals for subjects for dissection in medical institutions
and thev were compelled to resort to the crime of body snatching. The Medi-
cal Institution at St. Charles, organized by Dr. George W. Richards, profes-

VIEW, LOOKING NORTH FROM NEAR FOX STREET, AURORA

ABOUT 1853.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 135

sor of theory and practice of medicine, and formerly president of the La
Porte (Indiana) j\Iedical School, had established a summer school for phy-
sicians in St. Charles. His home was opposite the present Universalist
parsonage in that city, and the institution in which the dissection was carried
on was a stone barn, which has since been torn down. Students in those days
came to college poor in purse and were anxious to work to pay their way
through school, and as bodies were constantly needed by the Medical Insti-
tution they naturally sought remunerative occupation by robbing graves.
Two or three graves of honored citizens had been examined and discovered to
be emptied of their precious contents. "Many who had recently lost friends
commended the painful task of examining their newly made graves, while
many friends only refrained from it lest they should find their fears realized
and that the outrage so hopeless of redress had been consummated. The
irritation and indignation that was caused by this feeling may be readily
imagined." In the spring of 1849 three men driving a pair of horses attached
to a spring wagon stopped for supper at the Lovell tavern, four miles east of
Sycamore, on the St. Charles and Sycamore road. While eating their supper
the land lord's daughter overheard some conversation which made her sus-
picious. She reported the conversation to her father, who went out and
found the implements used by the resurrectionists secreted in the bottom of
the wagon. Mrs. George M. Kenyon had been but recently buried and they
surmised that it was the intention of the grave robbers to secure her body
for the dissecting table, and it was also known that a friendless German had
been buried in the south burying ground of Sycamore, now the present site
of the Methodist parsonage, and it was supposed that they were also seeking
for his body. This news was conveyed to Mr. Harry Joslyn, and he, with
Mr. Lorenzo Whittemore. Kimball Dow and a few others, armed themselves
and hid near the burying ground, with the hope that the resurrectionists might
be caught robbing the grave. Early in the evening, not long after dark, three
men made their way into the cemetery and immediately began search for the
grave of the German. As they approached it the men in hiding noticed
that they were armed. One of their number went to the wagon to secure
the tools necessary for digging. At this moment one of the party in hiding
was seized with a fit of coughing, which alarmed the grave robbers, and they
immediately hurried to the wagon and drove into town. The party in hiding
followed them into the village and caused the arrest of the resurrectionist
party. One was found to be the son of Dr. Richards, president of the Medical
Institution at St. Charles. Another was a man by the name of John Rude,
and the name of the other was unknown. There not being found sufficient
evidence of their guilt, they were released. The parties arrested were thor-
oughly alarmed and their fright was not lessened by Waterman answering
their question as to what would be done by them by the promise to shoot
them in the morning. It was supposed after their severe fright that they
would make a hasty retreat for St. Charles, but they recovered their nerve,
and although they started directly east for their home, they evidently decided
they would not return without something to show for their night's work.
Mrs. George M. Kenyon was buried in what is now known as the Ohio Grove

13t) KANE COUNTY HISTORY

cemetery and, dying at the age of but seventeen years, in the bloom of youth,
a girl well known, great sympathy was felt for the young husband and her
immediate family. After her burial her grave was watched for two nights
and it was supposed that all would be well thereafter. The parties watching
the grave of Airs. Kenyon the third night left shortly after midnight. Two
of her girl friends were impressed by the story of the grave robbers, which
had been circulated throughout the country, laid a twine over the grave and
fastened it at each side, covering it with dirt so that if it were molested it
could easily be detected. When the relatives arrived at the grave in the
morning they still found the string in position, but something made them
uneasy, and after hearing the story of the grave robbers being in Svcamore
they decided to investigate. Upon digging down their fears were realized
as the comb of the deceased was found about a foot below the surface.
Reaching the coffin they found it emptied of its contents and the grave clothes
alone remained in it. The lid of the casket had been broken in and the body
taken hastily away. News of this crime spread over the country like wildfire.
Mr. David Churchill, father of the deceased, was a man well known and
highly respected, and the circumstances of the young lady's death made the
crime seem doubly terrible. It was decided before any action was taken in
the matter to have a party go to Dr. Richards at the Medical Institution and
demand the return of the body. Upon arriving at St. Charles they procured
a search warrant and went to the institution and while on their way found
the horse belonging to a Sycamore physician, who had doubtless gone there
in great haste to inform Dr. Richards that he had better be on his guard.
Upon examining the dissecting room they f-^ nnd fragments of human bodies
and skeletons, but none corresponding- to the description of Mrs. Kenyon.
As they were about to leave the building Mr. Kenyon discovered upon the
stone flagging a lock of hair belonging to his wife. It was the precise peculiar
shade of his lost wife's hair and he knew it in an instant. It was not sufficient
evidence to convince a jury perhaps, but it satisfied him. He went back and
begged piteously for the remainder of his wife's remains and it was here that
Dr. Richards made his great mistake in inflaming the searching party. He
said to Air. Kenyon in his hour of sorrow: 'T have no subjects now, but if
you will come again in a few days I will have a lot of them, and from your
way. too." The party returned to Sycamore, reported to their neighbors what
had transpired, showed the friends the lock of hair belonging to Mrs. Kenyon,
told of the insulting remarks made by Dr. Richards to the grieved husband,
and with one accord the citizens of Sycamore and vicinity volunteered to go
next day and recover the body or know the reason why. A large part of
them were young men, impetuous and ready for trouble, but the older men
counseled conservative action. A committee was selected to again visit Dr.
Richards and was composed of the following men : Esquire Currier, of St.
Charles; John C. Waterman, William Fordham, Lorenzo Whittemore and
Kimball Dow, of Sycamore. They informed Dr. Richards what they were
there for, told of the party that was ready for action, and that it had only
been by the intercession of their friends that an assault had not been made at
once. They still found Dr. Richards defiant and impudent, and he denied

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 137

any knowledge about tlie body they sought for. and said perhaps the students
might account for it. They noticed also that Dr. Richards and some of the
students were fully armed and seemed to be ready for trouble in case of an
attack. When J\Ir. Kenyon caught sight of Rude, who had been detected at
Sycamore, he took an instincti\'e aversion to him and could scarcely be
restrained from shooting him on the spot. Nothing, however, was gained
by this parley. The crowd had increased on the way. so that now about
three hundred men stood in front of Dr. Richards' house and had sn arranged
their party that escape was impossible. Seeing that trouble was in store for
them, one of the young men of the institution informed them that he had
seen a corpse answering the description of Mrs. Kenyon. Upon hearing this
David Churchill, father of the deceased, and Mr. Kenyon, her husliand. rushed
for the door and forced it partly open, when the muzzle of a gun was thrust
out and fired. Mr. Churchill pushed the barrel of the gun downward, so that
no one was injured. This was followed by a shot from Air. Kenyon, who
was armed with a rifle. He fired blindly through the door and by the irony
of fate his bullet pierced Rude, the guilty resurrectionist, through the hips
and he was mortally wounded. An assault followed and all the windows in
the building were broken and several students wounded and Dr. Richards
was struck twice. As he appeared at the door and made a sign to surrender
a stone struck him in the temple and he was carried back senseless. The
friends of Richards feared that another attack would be made and secured
the services of an attorney, A. Barry, who promised them that the body would
be returned, and he instructed Mr. Prescott, a relative of Mrs. Kenyon. to go
to a spot two miles south of St. Charles on a farm now owned by Mrs. Harvey
Jones, of Sycamore. And it should be stated in passing that a constable
appeared on the scene and ordered the mob to cease firing, and at that junc-
ture Mr. Barry, an attorney, since well known in this county, promised the mob
that he would return the body the next morning. Mr. Barry and a student
named Harvey, with Air. Bannister and Prescott, of St. Charles, found the
remains buried on the banks of the Fox river in a grove, about two feet deep,
wrapped in a blanket. The body was taken to the river, washed of the earth that
adhered to it. wrapped in some clothing, placed in a coffin and brought back
to Sycamore. A second funeral ser\'ice was held at the Alethodist church
at Sycamore and a large concourse of people met on that Sabbath day to
consign for the second time to the grave the body that had caused so much
excitement in all the country around. It has been stated that the bodv was
taken to the home of Air. Kenyon and there buried under his window, but
the body was buried in the grave from which it was taken and a tombstone
pointed out to those interested in the early history of the county, and many
are the visitors even to this day to the grave which caused so much turmoil
and loss of life. An impression seems deeply founded that Dr. Richaras
was on the whole a bad man of the criminal type and thus he has been
depicted in the histories to the present time. We will say, however, that Dr.
Richards was a very well educated gentleman and at the time he was shot
ranked as high as any other physician in Illinois. Alany were the physicians
of Chicago who sought his counsel. Airs. Harvey A. Jones, who was then a

138 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

girl of ten or twelve years, and witnessed the shooting and knew Dr. Richards
intimately, as he had been tlieir family physician for years, says that his home
was one of refinement, that he had traveled abroad and in many respects was
regarded as one of the most intellectual men of the community. It is needless
to sav that this broke up the organized band of resurrectionists, and from
that dav the visitors, even to this day. to the grave which had been their
family phvsician for years, say that to this day. with one exception, crime of a
like nature in this locality has been unknown. Rude died the day following,
the students recovered, while Dr. Richards finally died from the efifects of his
wounds inflicted by the Sycamore mob. We will say, howe\-er. that had it
not been for the impudence of Dr. Richards and his students when parties
were searching for the body and for the carelessness with which the remains
of the dissected bodies were handled, this trouble would never have occurred.
Parties still living remember well how Dr. Richards and his students threw
the remains of human bodies after dissection into the river, which naturally
excited a spirit of opposition to their work. The account as we give it is
from a conversation held with George M. Kenyon about a month previous
to his death, with ]^Irs. Harvey A. Jones, who witnessed the riot, and from
members of the mob who participated in that event, and reported by L. AI.
Gross in his historv of DeKalb countv.

CHAPTER XII.

BANDITTI.

The history of northern Illinois in pioneer days is not unlike that of other
sections of our country. The lawless element always seeks the frontier, as
thev are generally freer from detection and are brought to justice with greater
ditficulty than in older settlements. In this section of the countrv- in the later
'30s and early '40s, all through this state and eastern Iowa were organized
bands of thieves. Some of these were desperate men, who were driven from
their homes in the east because of crimes committed. As there was but little
property in those early days and horses were extremely valuable as a means
of travel, and in fact w-ere the only means of communication, the desperadoes'
work was largely horse stealing. It is due largely to the men of Kane.
DeKalb, Ogle and Winnebago counties that this rascalit}' was brought to a
close east of the Alississippi valley. The story has been frequently told and
it is with considerable care and after personal investigation that we state the
facts that appear below. Great injustice has been done in the different
accounts of the stories of the banditti, which has been a severe infliction to
those who survive and were entirely innocent of the crimes committed. Mob
law is never justifiable and in many cases had the law taken its course and
the men been put on trial it is claimed their innocence could have easily been
established. As it is, even the excitement of that time, when prairie pirates
were thirsting for blood, no real proof was ever established against the men

PECK'S STORE OX SITE OF OLD CITY HALL. ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 141

so hastily and cruelly executed at \\'ashington's Grove June 29, 1S41. In
Brodie's Grove, which is west of the present township of Malta, was a
rendezvous for the banditti. Air. Benjamin \\'orden. one of the early pioneers
of DeKalb county, discovered what was known as the "sink hole" while in
search of some cattle. Into this the horses were taken and secured during
the day and at night were removed to stations further north, the horse thieves
finding an excellent market for their stolen property in the lumber districts of
Wisconsin. The line of tra\el was usually from Brodie"s Grove to Gleason's
at Genoa. Henpeck, now Old Hampshire, in Kane county, thence north
through McHenry county into \\'isconsin. It was sometimes very difficult
to detect the parties who were in sympathy with the banditti. In almost
every instance when they were brought to trial they had representatives who
were on the jury and conviction seemed almost impossible. After several
trials, with the thefts of horses increasing, the citizens who were law-abiding
organized themselves into what is known as the Regulators or Lvnching
Clubs.

yh. Burton C. Cook, state's attorney 1846-52. wrote as follows:
"During the term of Mr. Fridley as prosecuting attorney, and for a part
of my term, the northwestern part of the state was infested by a most danger-
ous and wicked association of outlaws, thieves and counterfeiters, such as are
often found upon the frontiers of civilization, having grips, signs and pass-
words whereljy they could identify each other, and bound by oaths to protect
each other. They were the enemies of society, unscrupulous and brutal.
The citizens of DeKalb and Ogle counties organized bands of regulators to
protect themselves and their property. Mr. Campbell, the captain of the
regulators, was shot at his own house at White Oak Grove, and then the
citizens followed, capturefl and shot some of the more notorious of the gang
and it was finally broken up in this section. The able and efficient prosecution
by my friend. Mr. Fridley. was greatly appreciated by the bar and by the
citizens generally at the time and was greatly instrumental in freeing the
country from the presence of the evil-doers. The indignation excited by the
torturing to death of Colonel Davenport at Rock Island caused such persistent
and hot pursuit of the rascals, and the execution of so many of them, that
the gang was wholly suppressed.

"The main trouble with these desperate outlaws was in the region Iving
along the Rock river and its tributaries, which was settled by a much less
desirable class than that which for the most part peopled the Fox River
valley. But the records show that even in Kane county there was more or
less difficulty with them. Their principal acts of outlawry consisted of horse
stealing and they were adepts at the business. At the April ( 1848) term of
the circuit court two men. Ames and Holmes, were convicted of stealing a
span of horses from William Lance, of Blackberry, and sentenced to eight
years" imprisonment in the penitentiary at Alton, whither they were taken by
Sheriff Spaulding. The county commissioners, in September of the same
year, passed an order offering a reward, not exceeding $50. for the appre-
hension and conviction of each person found guilty of stealing a horse, mare
or mule, within the limits of Kane countv."

142 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

CHAPTER XHI.

GEOLOGICAL.

Kane county occupies a position nearly in the nortlieast corner of the state
of Illinois, is thirty miles long by eighteen broad, and has an area of 540 square
miles. It is bounded north by JNIcHenry county, east by Cook and DuPage,
south by Kendall, and west by DeKalb. Being in such close proximity to
Chicago, it is traversed by several of the great trunk lines of railway, which
pass through in seeking an entrance to the metropolis. It consists of fifteen
congressional and sixteen civil townships, and ranks, in point of wealth,
population, manufactures, dairy and farm products, and other respects, among
the first in the state. A large portion of its population has clustered into the
numerous thrifty cities, towns and villages which lie within its borders. These
include Carpentersville. Dundee. Elgin. South Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva.
Bata\-ia, North Aurora, Aurora and Montgomery, all rm Fox river, and
Sugar Grove. Big Rock. Kaneville, Elburn, !\Iaple Park, Hampshire, Pingree
Grove, Rutlandville and several lesser settlements in the interior of the county.

The county is well watered l:)y Fox river and its tributaries, while the
drainage from the northwestern portion finds its way ultimately to Rock
river, the immediate outlet being Coon creek, in the townships of Burlington
and Hampshire. Fox river is, for a prairie region, a remarkably steady
stream, but this is accounted for in the fact that it drains Lake Geneva, in
Wisconsin, and Fox and Pistaka lakes, in north.ern Illinois, and numerous
other smaller bodies of water in the same region, besides being fed by springs
all along its course. Its principal tributaries in this county are Tyler, Ferson,
Blackberry, Big Rock and I\IilI creeks, from the west, and Brewster, Norton
and Indian creeks, from the east, with a number of smaller ones discharging
a greater or less quantity of water into the parent stream. Fox river fur-
nishes excellent water power from one end of the county to the other and
dams have been constructed across it at Carpentersville, Elgin, South Elgin,
St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora. Aurora and Montgomery, while
others which existed in an early day were located at other points along the
stream and were not of extensive proportions. The general course of the
river is southerly and the scenery along its banks is remarkably fine. Its
channel is dotted with numerous islands, some of which are very large and
have become valuable property, as is the case at Batavia and Aurora.

At the great bend, in St. Charles township, the stream sweeps along the
north shore of a low wood-crowned limestone bluff, and with its islands and
the beautiful shores present a most picturesque and inviting scene.

Fine drives have been constructed along both sides of the river through-
out the length of the county, and the visitor to the region is greatly impressed
with the beauties which lie spread before him.

A branch of the Kishwaukee river rises in Rutland township and flows
northward, while another branch drains a considerable portion of Virgil.
Nelson's lake, in Batavia and Blackberry townships, and Lilly lake, in Camp-
ton, once contained a considerable amount of water, but the system of

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 143

drainage adopted in late years has robbed them of their dignity as lakes. The
first settlers found in certain portions of the county quite extensive tracts of
low, marshy lands, which were called "sloughs," but judicious drainage has
reclaimed the land covered by them in most instances and heavy crops of
corn, etc., are raised where once was only a miry bog.

Stretching away from Fox river, in either direction, lies a broad prairie
region, exceedingly fertile and dotted with numerous groves of timber. The
surface of the county is diversified more than is usually the case in a prairie
country. The bed of Fox river lies from thirty to ninety feet below the sur-
rounding country and in places its banks are bold and approach the magnitude
of bluffs. In the central portion of the county, principally in the townships
of Campton and Blackberry, and again in Dundee, Elgin, St. Charles and
Plato, hilly ridges exist, from whose summits commanding views are had of a
broad and fertile region. Johnson's Mound, in the township of Blackberry,
formerly known as Beeler's Mound, is said to be the highest point of land in
the county, rising to the height of ninety feet or more from the midst of the
prairie.

The surface rock underlying Kane county belongs to the silurian
formation and mostly to the Niagara group.

■ In the north part of the township of St. Charles the Cincinnati group
comes to the surface in a low anticlinal, which bears in a northwesterly direc-
tion and forms the ridge on sections 3 and 10, around which Fox river sweeps
in a long curve toward the north and west and suddenly turns to the south,
flowing along a channel greatly diminished in width from that above. The
Cincinnati formation outcrops on both sides of the river for a half mile or
more and abounds in fossils characteristic of the group. With one exception
all the rock outcroppings are along Fox river. The exception is in the fork
of Big Rock creek, in the township of Big Rock, and section 26, where the
Niagara outcrops in several places.

The strata in the Niagara formation are of varying thicknesses, from an
inch or less to two feet or more in the Aurora and Batavia quarries. From
Montgomery to a point above Batavia the exposure is almost continuous.
Between Geneva and Batavia the rock dips below the surface, but appears
again at Geneva and is thence nearly continuous to \\'est St. Charles, when it
again disappears for a distance of nearly three miles. It shows a fine exposure
in North St. Charles. At South Elgin it appears and is extensively quarried
for building purposes.

A verv good quality of lime has been manufactured from the Niagara
at Aurora, Batavia, St. Charles and South Elgin, and the business is still
carried on at some of these points.

The thickness of the Niagara formation varies from eighty to one
nundred feet. It is sparingly supplied with fossils, the most prominent being
Pentamerus Oblongus and Orthoceras Undulatum. It is usually of a light
buff color, though in places it graduates to a bluish tinge, the latter being
characteristic of the lower and harder layers. In Aurora and Batavia occur
thick-bedded layers, which are extensively quarried for building purposes.
Fair examples of buildings constructed from this rock are the old Kane

U4 KANE COrXTY TITSTOPvY

county courthouse, the Aurora city hall and the Congregational church, private
insane hospital and the two public school buildings in Batavia, and the high
school building in Geneva. It is frequently ferruginous, and this is sometimes
a very objectionable feature. It does not withstand the action of frost or
heat well, but is durable and presents a fine appearance when not too much
exposed. The thinner lavers make, in connection with good mortar, a very
strong wall and withstand the action of the elements much better than tlie
thicker-bedded stone.

The overlying surface formations of Kane county belong chiefly to the
quaternary age, the deposits being made up of clay, sand, gravel, cobblestone
and the boulders of the drift period.

The surface soil is largely composed of vegetable mold, the entire prairie
portion being a mixture of loam and decomposed vegetation. In the timbered
districts, which comprise possibly one-fourth of the total area, the soil is of a
more clayey nature. \'ery few sandy tracts exist, though there are immense
deposits of coarse and fine sand in the form of glacial moraines and deposits,
of which Bald ( or Ball) ^lound and Johnson's Mound, in Blackberry, and the
ridge of hills running through Campton, St. Charles. Plato, Elgin and Dundee
are good examples. Brick clay abounds in many parts of the county and
good molding sand is found in the Fox river Ijluffs, near the mouth of X'orton
creek, in St. Charles and southeast of Elgin.

Owing to the limestone formations nearly all the springs and streams
are of hard water. There are a few exceptions in the case of wells sunk
wholly in gravel and deep mineral bearing springs which come up from sand-
stone formations, as in the case of artesian wells and the medicinal springs
on the west side of the river in the city of St. Charles. The deepest wells
are at the watch factory in Elgin, the grape sugar works and the courthouse
in Geneva, and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy car shops at Aurora.
\\'ater flows from them in a strong stream and is very soft and pleasant to
the taste.

An extensive peat bed occurs between Dundee and Carpentersville, cover-
ing probably i6o acres, and there are lesser deposits in other places. One
of the latest to develop was a short distance southeast of Aurora, which
became fired accidentally during the drouth of 1887 and burned until heavy
rains extinguished the fire.

Most of the timber now existing in Kane county is a second growth,
the original heavy bodies having been principally cleared away. In many
places groves of rapidly growing varieties of trees have been set out, thou-
sands of evergreens have been brought in to beautify both city and farm
property, and great numbers of orchards exist, mostly consisting of apple
trees. Upon the soil of Kane county will grow almost every product of the
temperate zone, but the changeable nature of the climate renders the winters
too severe for the least hardy trees, plants, etc. For this reason less attention
is paid to the raising of peaches, pears and other fruits than formerly.

A mastodon was unearthed in April, 1908. That this mammoth roamed
the fields and woods of Kane county some one hundred thousand years ago

OLD WAVERLY HOUSE, ELGIN.

THE OLD MILL THAT FORMERLY STOOD UN

THE BORDEN FACTORY.

THE SITE OF

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 147

is unquestioned. Such hnds have been made throughout the Mississippi
valley.

Workmen on the drainage district ditch this morning on tlie farm of
Will Campbell, three miles southwest of Oswego, hauled out one of the teeth
of the prehistoric monster and it was discovered by Commissioner Watts
Cutter, who was overseeing the work.

The tooth was a perfectly formed one about fourteen inches long and
some six inches square at the large end. The discovery of the dental work
of the prehistoric monster caused a sensation and after it had been examined
by the party the workmen commenced to dig around in the hope of unearthing
other parts of the animal's framework.

Soon their efforts were successful and a portion of the femur was tlug
up. It was a piece about a foot and a half long and was apparently broken
oft'. At the large end it was fourteen inches in diameter and tapered rapidly
down to seven inches at the place where the fracture occurred. Soon another
dipper ful of the big machine brought up a couple of foot bones and for several
hours the finds were numerous. Part of the bones were quite badly decayed
but a number of the specimens were in good shape and intact.

The finds were cleaned up and taken to the Cutter drug store in Oswego,
where they attracted much attention among the people of the village. Owing
to the fact that many of the bones are probably missing, having decayed and
fallen apart, it is hardly probable that anything like a perfect skeleton can be
constructed, but there will be enough bones found to give some idea of the
size of the great animal which rambled over Kendall and Kane counties
before the arri\al of the trollev car and other twentieth centurv creations.

CHAPTER XIV,

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS,

Earl)- roads in use in Kane countv were simply well-worn Indian trails,
which connected their various important villages. In a short time from the
first settlement, however, lines of travel were opened leading to the principal
points in the state, \Mth Chicago as a starting point, highways branched
off in various directions, and some of them were laid across the county of
Kane, One of the most prominent objective points was Galena, and as early
as 1834 a road thence from Chicago was opened for travel, crossing Fox
river at what is now Montgomer}-, at the southern edge of the county. The
growth of the McCarty settlement at Aurora, where also a postoffice was
established in the spring of 1836. caused a change to be made in the route,
it being altered so as to pass through Aurora. This, known as the "Galena
road," a name which still clings to it. became one of the most extensively
traveled thoroughfares in this region. It led westward from Aurora into and
through the township of Sugar Grove, a corner of Blackberry and across
Kaneville, and thence in a northwesterly direction to the northwest part of

148 KAXE COrXTY PIISTORY

tlie state. Lines of road were also laid crossing Fox ri\er at St. Charles and
Elgin, both making for the same part of the state as the one which crossed at
Aurora. When the da}'S of stage lines came into existence these were all
busy routes of travel.

The necessity of having roads was early recognized and met by the
settlers. Generally they were laid on what seemed to be the most convenient
and eligible routes between the terminal points, without special regard to
directness. There were sloughs and hills to be avoided and good crossings
to be selected at streams and other circumstances which naturally made the
earlier highways rather devious. But with the establishment of the govern-
ment lines of survey and increase in wealth they were gradually straightened,
until at present comparatively few of the angular and crooked roads are in
existence.

The first work done by the county board of commissioners regarding
the laying out of roads was July 12, 1836, when they ordered views of roads
to be made, as follows :

From Geneva to the west or north line of this county, on the best and
most direct line toward Rockford; Thomas E. Dodge, David Dunham and
John Griggs, viewers.

From Geneva westerly to the house of Eli Barnes, thence westerly to the
county line, on the best route to Galena ; Henry IMadden, Frederick Love and
Edwin Keyte, viewers.

From Gene\-a northerly, along the west side of Fox river, to the north
line of Sandusky precinct; James T. Wheeler. Seth Stowell and Joel S.
Young, viewers.

From Geneva, on the east side of Fox river, northerly by T. Dues" (or
Dewees') mill to the county line; Sanders M. Howard. Thomas Dewees and
William Hammond, viewers.

From the termination of a road through Sandusky precinct, on the west
side of Fox river, along the west side of said river to the county line; Samuel
J. Kimball, Francis Perry and Thomas H. Thompson, viewers.

From Geneva to the Cook county line, at or near the head of the Big
Woods, to intersect a road leading from said line to Chicago; James Her-
rington, Wallace Hotchkiss and Alexander Wheeler, x-iewers.

From Geneva to the west line of Cook county, to intersect a road leading
from said line to Chicago; viewers same as last above.

From Geneva southerly by Ball Mound, thence by or through Sugar
Grove, near the house of Elijah Pierce, to the point where the Ottawa road
crosses Rock creek; Lyman Isbell, Harry White and James Carman, viewers.
From Geneva westwardly, near the south end of Charter's Grove, to cross
the south branch of Kishwaukee, near Wilson's Ford, passing William A.
Miller's and Levi Lee's, thence to the county line at the termination of
Haight's road ; Harman Miller. Matthew McCormick and Levi Lee, viewers.
From Squaw Grove northerly by Frederick Love's, X. C. Moore's,
Samuel Jenks' and Stephen Morey's claims, thence down the west side of the
Sycamore river, crossing said stream near Harmon Miller's, thence to Squaw
Prairie ; Samuel Jenks. Harmon Miller and N. C. Moore, viewers.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 149

From Paw Paw Grove northerly to Shabbona's Grove, thence along at
or near Amos McKellen's, thence down the east side of the timber by John B.
Collins', T. Love's, Eli Barnes' and John Smith's claims, crossing the south
branch of the Sycamore, terminating at or near ]\IcCollum's ; Amos McKellen,
John B. Collins and Mark Daniels, viewers.

From this time onward until the board of county commissioners gave
place, under the new constitution, to the board of supervisors, the greater pro-
portion of the business before it was in relation to the roads of the county,
and the pages of the musty old records are filled with petitions and appoint-
ments of viewers and road supervisors, the number of road districts in the
county amounting up to considerably more than one hundred previous to
1849. The roads were not constructed after what would at this day be con-
sidered the most approved plan. Each able-bodied man in the county between
the ages of twenty-one and fifty years was required to work a certain number
of days upon the public roads, and the road supervisors, as they were called,
were expected to see that the work in their respective districts was done in
proper form. The time was "put in," and the dirt was piled up in the style
common for many years. Poll tax was a later device by which a payment
was taken in lieu of work.

Finally some wise head evolved the plan of building plank roads ; a law
was passed by the legislature authorizing the formation of companies for
their construction and tlie idea became so popular that little was heard of but
new companies, who expected to get rich out of the tolls to be realized upon
the completion of divers and sundry plank roads. The year 1848 witnessed
probably the greatest excitement over the new idea, not unlike that relating
to trolley lines the past ten years. Among the companies organized and the
roads projected were the following:

In August, 1848, a plank road from Doty's to Chicago was in "traveling
order," twelve miles being then completed eastward from the first named
point, which was in Cook county. The toll was twenty-five cents and the
travel over it was so great that at the date named the daily receipts were
about fifty dollars.

About October i, 1848, permission was granted to organize the Aurora
& Naperville Plank Road Company, w-ith a capital stock of $20,000, in shares
of $50 each, the estimated cost of the road being $2,200 per mile; distance
from Aurora to Naperville nine miles. Books were opened for subscriptions
to the stock October 7 and the company was to be organized as soon as suffi-
cient stock was taken. The effort did not prove successful, and the Aurora &
DuPage Plank Road Company was organized, to construct the road from
the west end of Cook county to Aurora, a distance of twenty-one miles. The
capital stock was $40,000 and the six miles of road west of Doty's were
included. This scheme also fell through. February 23, 1850, a company
was organized, under the general plank road law, to build a plank road from
Aurora to Little Rock, Kendall county. Shepherd Johnson, Thomas Judd,
Colonel S. S. Ingham, L. D. Brady and B. F. Hall were appointed commis-
sioners to open books and solicit stock, but the road was not constructed.
These were but a few of the roads which existed only in imagination.

150 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

In February, 1850, the subscription books of the St. Charles & Sycamore
Plank Road Company were opened and by the close of the month $30,000
had been subscribed by the citizens of the two places. The work was put
under contract in April following. By the middle of May nearly four miles
of the road (then called the Sycamore and Chicago plank road) had been
graded and plank was then being laid. Three hundred thousand plank had
at that time been distributed along the road, cut at the St. Charles and Batavia
saw-mills. These mills were then busy and a large quantity of lumber was
purchased, beside what was furnished by them, from the yards of Norton &
Butler, in Chicago. This plank road was in operation a number of years and
the old toll house in West St. Charles was, after the company ceased to exist
(about i860), converted into a dwelling. The old planks were brought to
St. Charles and used for fuel at Butler's west side paper mill and the St.
Charles Hotel.

The growth of population and increase of business in the great west at
length demanded that something should take the place of stage lines, which
should afiford facilities for more rapid transit and furnish better transporta-
tion for the products of the soil than ox teams and "prairie schooners"
afforded. The railroads offered the only solution of the problem and it hap-
pened that the first line of railway constructed in northern Illinois had a
portion of its pathway across the county of Kane. This was the Chicago &
Galena Union Railroad, which was begun in 1848. An article in the Aurora
Beacon, October 19, 1848, has the following to say of that road at the time:
"Four miles of this road are already completed and the track is being laid
at the rate of 1,500 feet per day. A locomotive (the Pioneer) for the road
has arrived at Chicago and will immediately be put upon the track. The track
will be laid as far as Brush Hill this fall and to Fox River early in the
spring."

There was some delay in building the road, for it was open to Elgin,
but the first railroad train from Chicago reached that place early in February,
1850. It was not until two years later that the line was extended beyond
Elgin.

An article appearing in Railway and Locomotive Engineer for July, 1908,
speaks of the old "Pioneer," a photo of which is given below, as follows :

THE PIOXEER.

"Through the courtesy of Mr. \\'. B. Kniskern, passenger traffic man-
ager of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, we have been favored with
an excellent photograph of an interesting old-time engine called the 'Pioneer.'
from which our illustration has been made. Speaking of this engine Mr.
Kniskern says in a letter to us :

" ' "The Pioneer" was the first locomotive used by any line out of Chi-
cago. It reached Chicago on a sailing brig in 1848 and was drawn across the
city by horses and placed upon the tracks of what is now the Galena division
of the C. & N.-W., then known as the Galena & Chicago Union Railway. It
made its first trip in November, 1848, with a party of prominent people (to

THE PIONEER.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 153

Elgin) and on the return trip a farmer with a wagonload of wheat hailed
the train, and "The Pioneer" on its return trijj brought to the city this, the
first rail shipment of grain, to the Chicago market. Similarly, a few days
later, a drove of hogs was transferred to the railway a few miles outside of
town, and thus became the forerunner of the livestock shipments for which
the city is today noted. "The Pioneer" today occupies a place of- honor in
the Field Columbian Museum in tliis city.'

"The credit of having saved this historic engine from being scrapped
must be given to Mr. Marvin Hughitt, president of the Chicago & North-
Western. By his sensible act in saving 'The Pioneer' Mr. Hughitt introduced
a new fashion, which is still popular and has saved many interesting articles
from the melting pot.

"In describing this engine in his well-known work, 'The Development
of the Locomotive Engine,' Mr. Angus Sinclair says : 'The first locomotive
to raise noise echoes in Chicago was "The Pioneer," whose antique appear-
ance is familiar to people who visit the Field Museum in Chicago. The
engine is well worthy of careful examination by people who appreciate the
great benefits conferred upon humanity by the locomotive engine.

" 'After tedious research I have succeeded in tracing the history of this
old locomotive, which is an object of keen interest to many people, especially
those about Chicago. "The Pioneer" was the thirty-seventh locomotive built
by M. W. Baldwin and was turned out in 1836 for the Utica & Schenectady
Railroad. After a few years of service in the Mohawk Valley the engine was
sold to the Michigan Central Railroad, where it was known as "The Alert,"
While in Michigan a few changes were made on the engine. As originally
built it had a single fixed eccentric for each cylinder with two arms extending
backward having hooks to engage with a pin on a rocker arm which actuated
the valve rod. That motion was removed and double eccentrics with V-hook
put in its place, the motion now found on the engine.

" 'When the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company were ready to
begin track laying in 1848 they bought "The Alert" from its owners and
called it "The Pioneer," a proper name for the first locomotive to perform
service west of the lakes. "The Pioneer" is the same type as Baldwin's
second engine, "The Miller," long a favorite pattern with Mr. Baldwin, but is
larger and has two inches longer stroke, but the other details are the same
except the improved valve motion."

" 'The Pioneer.' when being repaired in the shop in 1855, was equipped
with a feed water heater. ]Mr. R. W. Bushnell, who was for many years
master mechanic of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, in a letter
containing many interesting reminiscences of 'The Pioneer,' writes thus of
the feed water appliance : "The heater consisted of vertical pipes placed
around the inner side of the inside pipe of the smokestack and connected at
top and bottom by return bends, the pump forcing the water through these
pipes to the boiler. The stack was of ordinary pattern for wood burners in
those days, but to get ample surface for the water heater the inside pipe was
made very large to get as many pipes in as possible. To cap this and to retain
heat in the stack the cnne was made unusually large.' "

154 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The Dixon Air Line Road, under the management of the Chicago &
Galena Union, was completed to Geneva in 1853 and pushed westward until
finally it became the main line of the Chicago & North- Western Railway, as the
great system has for many years been called.

The railway did not at first tap the Fox river country at Elgin, however.
The peopje of St. Charles seeing the road about to go around them and leave
them several miles away, bestirred themselves and built what was known as
the St. Charles Branch Railroad, connecting with the Chicago & Galena
Union about four miles east of St. Charles. The first train over it reached
the place December 13, 1849, the cost of the branch having been about
$23,000. March 11, 1850, the following directors were elected: Ira Minard,
Darwin Millington, G. C. Stevens, F. H. Bowman, Elisha Freeman. Mr.
Freeman was chosen president, Mr. Stevens secretary, and Mr. Minard acting
director and treasurer. An engine arrived for the branch in July, 1850.
This road, as were all the early ones, was laid with strap rail.

Early in 1850 the subject was agitated of connecting St. Charles and
Geneva by rail. Stock was taken and proposals for doing the work were
invited in March. Matters progressed favorably and finally a branch on the
east side of the river, one and seven-eights miles in length, was built between
the two places and cars commenced running over it to Geneva, September 12,
1850. Both this and the St. Charles branch were abandoned after about ten
years and the latter place was without railway facilities until January 16,
1871, when a branch two and seven-tenths miles long was opened between
the two towns on the west side of the river, which later became the property
of the Chicago & North-Western Company and is still operated.

The North-Western continued its line from Geneva to Batavia, on the
west side of the river, in the summer of 1873, and in 1883 extended it to
Aurora, opening business over it in the fall of that year. Depot grounds,
yards and general right of way had some time previously been secured, at
large cost to the company.

The Fox River Railroad, northward from Elgin to IMcHenry, was com-
menced in 1853 and completed in 1855. The south end of the Wisconsin
Central Road, from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, south, passed into the hands of
the Chicago & Galena Union Company in May, 1859. The latter company
repaired the track and began running regular trains over the whole from
Elgin to Lake Geneva on May 16, 1859. This line has since remained under
the same management, now known as the Chicago & North-Western.

Early in January, 1849, a project was set on foot for building a branch
railroad from Aurora to connect with the Chicago & Galena Union at or near
Warrenville, about twelve miles distant, in DuPage county. An enthusiastic
meeting was held on the 27th of the month, when it was unanimously
Resolved, "That this meeting use its best exertions for the construction of a
branch railroad from West Aurora, by the most feasible route, to the main
line of the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad." A bill to charter the Aurora
Branch Railroad was passed by the legislature in 1849 (house, February 6.
and senate, February 9) and a board of directors was elected, consisting of
Stephen F. Gale, Chicago; Benjamin Hackney, Charles Hoyt and William V.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 155

Plum, Aurora, and Rodney McDole, Sugar Grove. The books were opened
February 21, 1849, and in less than twenty-four hours $25,000 in stock was
taken, or one-fourth the amount required. Mr. Gale was chosen president
and P. A. Hull, of Aurora, secretary of the board. By the 19th of April
$40,000 had been subscribed. Two or three routes were surveyed, but the
one finally adopted, October 22, 1849, started from East Aurora and led by
way of Batavia to Turner Junction; length, twelve and three-fourths miles.

November 22, 1849, 5 P^r cent installments on the capital stock were
called for and proposals were invited for grading the road from the Junction
to the Batavia depot. Work was begun about the middle of March, 1850,
ground being first broken at the Junction. It was determined to extend the
line down the river as soon as practicable. Two fine passenger cars for this
branch arrived in July, 1850. and until the completion of the branch were
used on the main line between Chicago and Elgin. Trains began running as
far as Batavia on Monday, September 2, 1850. A grand celebration was
held there August 29 in honor of the completion of the road to the place.
The cars reached Aurora early in October, and trains commenced running
regularly on the 21st of that month. J. Frink & Co. established a daily line
of stages from Aurora with the cars.

The extension south and southwest from Aurora was begun in 1851-52,
and in 1855 was under control of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company,
with trains running through to Burlington, Iowa, without change of cars.
Some years later a direct line was constructed from Aurora to Chicago and
the old spur to the Junction became a comparatively little used branch.

The Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Railroad was graded in 1870
from Streator to Geneva, the towns along the route having issued bonds to
aid in its construction. The unfinished line was turned over to the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy in October, 1870, and the latter company finished it
and has since operated it.

The Chicago & Iowa Railroad, extending westward from Aurora, and
for a time known as the "Hinckley Road," was also mainly built in 1870.
The track between Aurora and Rochelle was completed at 10 o'clock on the
night of December 31, 1870, and there was great rejoicing along the line.
This road is practically at present a part of the great Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy system, although operated under its original name. The trains of the
Chicago, Burlington & Northern, a new line opened in 1886, pass over its
tracks. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road, like the Chicago & North-
Western, has grown from a very small beginning to be one of the great railways
of the country, including in its various lines several thousand miles of track.

The Chicago & Pacific Railroad, leading from Chicago through Elgin
and the northern portion of Kane county, was built in 1873-75. Track laying
west of Elgin was commenced on Thanksgiving Day, 1874, and the road was
finished as far as Genoa, DeKalb county, January 9, 1875. This road finally
passed, a few years later, into the hands of the Chicago, ]\Iilwaukee & St.
Paul Company, since when it has become one of the leading lines of the county.

The Chicago, St. Charles & Mississippi Air Line Railway was graded
from Chicago to St. Charles in 1852-53, piers and abutments built for a

156 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY

bridge across Fox river, and a small amount of work done west of that
stream. But the investment in this road proved a disastrous one for the
people of St. Charles and it was never completed, although about eight miles
of track were laid at the east end. The right of way reverted to the original
owners and the heavy stone piers stood in the river, lone monuments for years
of the efforts of former times. But they were destined to become useful, for
a new company, called the Minnesota & Northwestern, desiring an entrance
to Chicago and recognizing the advantages offered by the direct and already
graded "Air Line." purchased the right of way. built a splendid line of road,
and commenced running regular trains over it in the midsummer of 1887.
This road extends westward and northwestward to St. Paul and ;Minneapnlis
and was known as the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railroad. Later it
became the Chicago & Great Western, by which name it is now known.

Mr. Lewis ^I. Gross in his history of DeKalb County gives the following
account of the aft'air :

"Although people generally took their produce to St. Charles they found
even that distance difficult to travel in years like 185 1 and it became evident
that something must be done to secure better means of communication with
the outside world and transportation of the products of the country to market.
Heretofore all the goods sold in stores were hauled from Chicago or from
St. Charles, causing great inconvenience and a large expenditure of money
for the merchants. The Chicago. Burlington & Ouincy was now in process
of construction and promised relief to the southern portions of the county.
The Galena division of the North-Western road was also being built, a branch
of which was extended to St. Charles, which was then a very flourishing little
city and the principal market for all the northern part of the county. When
the matter came before our people to have the road extended through Kane
and DeKalb counties the people were too poor to aid in the project. A plank
road was established from Sycamore to St. Charles, these roads at this time
being very popular throughout the eastern states and covered most of the
distance between cities, but in a year or two the plank warped and the road
became almost impassable and the planks were finally confiscated by the people
living along the road and the project was given up. This was to be a toll
road and people generally supposed it would be a source of great profit.

'Tn 1849 a road was commenced between Chicago and St. Charles, and
on the 1 2th of December of that year the first train entered that city and the
screams of the locomotive was heard for the first time in the Fox river valley.
In August the Chicago & Galena division of the North-\\'estern had completed
their track to Elgin and had changed their route from St. Charles to that
place. The citizens of that city, seeing that the salvation of their town
depended upon the thoroughfare which had been opened, took the matter in
their own hands and ran two trains daily from Elgin to the junction. Ira
Minard, of St. Charles, controlled the line until October, 1856. when it
passed into other hands. The depot stood on the east side of the city of St.
Charles on land now occupied by the Free Methodist church. In 1853 Minard.
with others, obtained a charter for the St. Charles & Galena Air Line road,
into w'hich the charter previously granted for the branch track was merged.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 157

Winard became president of the company and a large amount of stock was
taken by settlers along the line. The Chicago & Galena road commenced
with the ostensible purpose of extending to Galena never approached nearer
that town than Freeport, but from there depended upon the Illinois Central
track. In an evil hour one E. C. Litchfield, from Cazenovia, New York,
appeared in St. Charles, representing that he and his friends possessed suffi-
cient means to build a railroad through, if he was allowed to hold a controlling
interest in the stock. He was permitted to subscribe for it, the thorough-
fare was commended and graded from Chicago to St. Charles, the culverts
were built, also the piers and abutments for the bridge across Fox river (now
used by the Great Western ) and the track was laid for nine miles from Chi-
cago. Minard had staked his whole fortune of eighty thousand dollars upon
the enterprise, while hundreds of poor men had taken stock for all they could
afford. It must be understood that Litchfield promised that the road would
be finished and that it should not previously pass out of his hands into the
Galena or any other competing line. Never was a villainous scheme more
successfully executed. When the controller of the stock had crippled the only
man who had any power to oppose him and was assured that any opposition
to his own designs would result in that man's ruin, he coolly informed iilinard
he had concluded to sell his stock in the Chicago & St. Charless Air Line to
the Chicago & Galena Company, and promised to make reparation for any
personal inconvenience which such a course might occasion him if he would
raise no objectic)n. Minard was then permitted to take his choice, and there
was no choice to take. The refusal and loss of his property could not help
his friends, who were already ruined nor save his town, which was then
doomed, and he accordingly took the course which any other sane man would
have taken. The road ended at the Des Plaines river, and the grading upon
the west bank of the Fox river, since it was not necessary for the interest of
the Chicago & North-Western Company to continue it. Seven hundred thou-
sand dollars paid by hard working farmers and industrious mechanics across
the country was lost, and many farmers were reduced from wealth to poverty,
and the useless piers stood along the banks of the Fox river as a monument
to the perfidy of Litchfield until they were in later years occupied by the
Chicago & Great W'estern. The real estate of the St. Charles & Chicago Air
Line had acquired a large amount of value, especially that part of the property
which was to be used for depot and grounds in Chicago and, therefore, the
railroad property of this proposed line had appreciated enormouslv in value.
There was more than enough to pay for all the work that had been done
upon the road. It has been reported that Litchfield and Minard, by thus
selling out their friends, made a profit of over four hundred thousand dollars.
It must be said, in passing, that the friends of Minard think he has been
unjustly blamed for his course in the disaster, but it is sufficiently apparait
that he was far beneath the mark of innocence. The loss of this railroad
to those who had invested was the severest blow that had ever visited St.
Charles and almost annihilated the village. Had that line been built through
to what is now Sycamore and Dixon to the river it is possible that the towns
of DeKalb, Cortland and Malta would never have been built, and St. Charles

158 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

and Sycamore might have become two of the largest cities of northern
Ilhnois."

The Ilhnois Central, also desiring an outlet northwestwardly from Chi-
cago, has purchased the right of way, and in 1887 engaged in the heaviest
job of railroad construction which has ever been undertaken in Kane county,
and one of the heaviest in northern Illinois. This road crosses the Fox river
in the northern portion of St. Charles township, at Coleman, just above the
great bend, and passes out of the county from the township of Burlington.
The new line is known as the Chicago, Madison & Northern.

The Joliet, Aurora & Northern Railroad was opened in 1886 between
Aurora and Joliet. In 1887 the management was shifted, the name was
changed to Elgin, Joliet & Eastern, and an extension was made in 1888 from
a point a few miles southeast of Aurora, which taps the Chicago & North-
western at Turner Junction, and reaches to Elgin. This serves as a belt
line for the transfer of freight from the different roads leading to Chicago
from the west, without the necessity of passing through that city.

The Illinois & Fox River Railroad Company was incorporated by act
of the legislature, approved February 16, 1865, the incorporators being A. J.
Joslyn, P. J. Burchell, A. ;M. Herrington, J. \V. Eddy, William Cofifin, Daniel
Volintine and William B. Allen, all of Kane county, and others in the
counties of Kendall and Grundy. Capital stock to be $1,000,000, limited
to $2,000,000. The company was empowered to construct a railroad from
Elgin through St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Aurora, Oswego, Bristol and
Yorkville, to Morris, Grundy county, with the privilege of extending it
south through the coal fields to connect at some point in said county with the
Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. At a meeting of the incorporators, held
April 20, 1865, Daniel Volintine was elected chairman, and P. A. Armstrong,
secretaiy. The road has never been built.

TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES.

W^hen the railroad fever made itself manifest in Kane county, it was quite
natural that the people should desire telegraph lines as an accompaniment, and
numerous schemes were sprung upon the people to supply the need ; but, as in
the case of plank roads, most of them went no farther than talk. In June,
1848, it was proposed to construct a telegraph line from Janesville. Wisconsin,
to Joliet or Ottawa, Illinois, via Beloit, Rockford, Belvidere, Elgin, St. Charles,
Geneva, Batavia, Aurora and Oswego, connecting with other through lines
at the terminal points. The sum of $9,000 was asked to build the branch route,
and an office was promised to each place subscribing $2,000. The stock was
to be in shares of $50 each, and the profit was promised to amount to 15 to
25 per cent. The plan failed of consummation.

Another line, from Elgin to Aurora, and thence to Naperville, was talked
of in May, 1849. Offices were promised at Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva,
Batavia and Aurora, provided each place subscribed not less than $500, and
also provided $4,600 should be subscribed along Fox river. That this propo-
sition must at length have been looked upon with favor is evident, from the

FLOOD OF 1857, AURORA, SHOWING SOUTH END OF STOLPS

ISLAND.

KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 161

fact that a line was put up in Kane county in the -winter of 1850-51, reaching
from Elgin to Aurora, and thence extending to Naperville. All local lines
of telegraph tinally ga\-e way to the great systems which followed up the
railroads, and have since grown to mammouth proportions, and become num-
bered among the giant monopolies of the land.

The telephone systems, of which there are two doing business in Kane
county, the Chicago Telephone Company and the Interstate Telephone Com-
pany, are of practically late origin, but have become an indispensable part
of the life of business and social activities. In 1885 the telephone was prac-
ticallv unknown, so much so as to pass entirely unmentioned by a historian
of that period. Toda\- a resident of Kane county may talk with anyone
within 500 miles n\er the wire at comparatively small cost. To converse with
a person 50 miles distant is a daily occurrence. The Chicago Telephone Com-
pany is a branch of the corporation of the same name doing business in
Chicago. It is the unl}- "phone service from Kane county to Chicago; the
other company being unalile to secure a franchise in Chicago. This company
offers communication with the country, and towns and cities outside Chicago.
Its promoters hope to ultimately secure a grant in Chicago and be able to
compete with the Chicago people for the Chicago ser\-ice.

The past twentv vears has seen the rise and rapid development of the
electric railwav and the automobile. The electric tnilley cars now connect
everv city along the ri\'er from Aurora to Carpentersville. A complete system
of lines centering at Elgin and Aurora traverse the county and extend into
nearbv counties. A new line is now building from Woodstock to Sycamore,
crossing the west end of the county. This will greatly aid travel in that
section. The A. E. & C. Railway Company have absorbed most of the traffic,
and now own the Aurora-Elgin line, the Belvidere line and the Aurora, Elgin
& Chicago third rail line, which runs cars to Chicago every hour — time one
hour and twenty-five minutes. The corporation is controlled by stockholders
at Cleveland, Ohio. The traffic is large. A new line will be laid this year
from Elgin to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and the summer resorts.

Drainage ditches have been an improvement much enjoyed the past
twenty years for the purpose of reclaiming swamp lands. Hundreds of acres
have been, by this means, made productive. An extensive drain was put in
Rutland township in 1886, and this year one is being dug through Plato and
other townships. The southern end of the county is also putting in ditches.

CHAPTER XV.

AGRICULTURAL AND DAIRYING INTERESTS, STOCK, ETC.

The early settlers of Kane county, though accustomed to wooded country,
soon discovered that in the soil of the beautiful prairie, which made up the
most of its area, there lay unbounded resources for the benefit of the agri-
culturist, and it did not require long for them to learn to take advantage

162 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

of these. All the small grains were successfully grown, and corn came in
time to be the staple crop. Fruits of various sorts were raised in greater oi;
less abundance. In time the profits in attempting to raise wheat became so
small that attention was turned to other branches of agriculture. About 1864
or 1865, a few experiments were tried in the dairying line, and proved so
successful that the business soon became general throughout Kane and other
counties in the northern part of the state, and has grown to mammoth pro-
portions. Among the pioneer dairymen in this county were D. E. ^^'ood. of
Elgin; ]\Iartin Switzer and L. C. Ward, of St. Charles; Rodney McDole and
Joseph Ingham and J. B. Paull of Sugar Grove, and H, L. Ford, of Batavia,
These were all in the business as early as 1865-66. Mr. ^IcDole managing
a private dairy, and others erecting factories for the manufacture of cheese.
Others in Dundee, Elgin, Plato, Campton, Blackberry, Geneva. Burlington,
\'irgil. etc., fell into the new line, and the result was manifest in discharged
farm debts and fine improvements in nearly all sections of the county.
Experienced cheese makers came on from the East — Herkimer and Oneida
counties. New York, and elsewhere — to superintend the factories. At length
the manufacture of butter was also commenced, and has practically super-
seded cheese making, which is less profitable. The products of the Kane
county creameries command the highest prices in the markets. East, West ■
and South.

In march, 1872. a board of trade was organized at Elgin for the benefit
of dairymen, and up to August, 1877, it had transacted business amounting
to S22. 180.204. 49J 2, being a monthly average of 8120,544.59. The quotations
upon the Elgin market control the prices of butter and cheese throughout the
United States, and aftect many foreign markets as well.

Aside from the vast amount of milk manufactured in Kane county,
many thousand cans are shipped each year to dealers in Chicago, direct from
the various railway stations on several lines of the road. Dundee and Car-
pentersville furnish the greatest amount, with Elgin, St. Charles. Geneva,
Elburn and other points closely following.

With the introduction of the dairy business into this region naturally
came the desire to weed out inferior grades of cattle, and replace them by
those of greatest profit. As a consequence the fields and pastures of Kane
county nurture as fine stock at the present day as can be found in the United
States. The premium herds of the old countries have been drawn upon in
order that the very best might be secured ; the principal breeds finding favor in
the eyes of dair^-men being the Holstein-Friesian. the Shorthorns, the Jerseys,
the Herefords. and the Polled-Angus : some being preferred for their milk
yield alone, and others for both milk and beef. Among the noted stock
breeders and dealers of the county were Dr. W. A. Pratt and the Manns,
of Elgin; M. W. Dunham and N. S. Carlisle, of St. Charles (the latter's
farms lying in Hampshire); Frank H. Hall, of Sugar Grove: George E.
Brown & Co.. George Leigh & Co., Blair Bros. & Curry, and Hiram Norris,
of Aurora; and Hon. John Stewart, of Campton. besides numerous others
engaged in stock raising to a considerable extent in various parts of the county.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 163

Some of these became so extensively interested also in the importation
and raising of fine horses that their names are known throughout the civilized
world. Particularly was this the case with Mark W. Dunham of St. Charles,
and George E. Brown & Co.. of Aurora, from whose stock farms have come
many of the finest animals in the world. The specialty of the Dunham farm
was the magnificent Percheron horse, and in handling these 'Sir. Dunliam
acquired, during the years he followed the business, a splendid fortune. His
annual importations from France amounted to hundreds of the very finest
horses which money can purchase, and he was the heaviest dealer in this
class of horses in America. George E. Brown & Co., owners of two large
stock farms, one in Aurora and the other in Batavia, acquired a national
reputation as dealers in the fine English draft horses, Cleveland Bays and
Exmoor ponies, and their annual importations are scarcely behind those of
Mr. Dunham. Their Batavia farm, known as "Brookside," was formerly
the property of Col. B. H. Campbell, also a noted stock dealer. \\'. S. Frazier,
of Aurora, was for a number of years engaged in the culture of fine horses,
and some of the most noted racers of the country were housed in his stables.

The settlers of this portion of the state early turned their attention toward
exhibiting the products of the soil and of making displays of their best stock.
On October 2, 1842, a state fair, so-called, was held at Aurora, and is said
to have been the first in the state, although an unsuccessful attempt had been
made in the year previous to hold one at Naperville. The stock exhibited
comprised half a dozen cattle and a few hogs, and Charles Hoyt purchased
nearly all of them after the "fair" was over. Five or six hundred people
attended. Aurora had agreed to furnish a free dinner for the occasion, but,
owing to a misunderstanding between the managers and the citizens, it was
not done, and the inhabitants of Sugar Grove provided roast pigs, coffee,
bread, etc.. the pigs being artistically carved with a hatchet. Dinner was
eaten on an open spot of ground west of Ri\-er street, in the rear of the present
business district. On the same day the first stone was turned in the old Black
Hawk mill.

The Kane County Agricultural Society was organized ^lay 18, 1857,
although exhibitions had taken place annually since 1853. The first officers
of the socity were: President, William P. West; secretary, S. W. Curtis;
treasurer, George W. Waite. Its fairs were for years almost the princioal
annual events in the county, and were very largely attended. As the population
became more dense, interest commenced to lag, and now the old fair grounds
are deserted, and the ancient race tracks are overgrown or cut up into building
lots. Several attempts to revive the interest proved failures, and finally the
idea of holding fairs in other portions of the county were broached. The
Aurora Agricultural and Horticultural Society was incorporated in 1869,
with a capital stock limited to $10,000. Fifty-five acres of land, lying east of
the city, were purchased for a fair ground, costing about $7,000, and the total
expenditures were carried up to over $20,000. The first fair Was held Sep-
tember 21 to 25, 1869, and several others followed in succeeding years. In
the spring of 1874 the society found itself badly in debt, and the grounds
were sold in June of that year to a newly organized association, called the

164 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Northern Illinois Agricultural Society, having a capital stock of $15,000.
The experience of this association was, in the end, no more encouraging than
that of its predecessor, and no fairs have been held for several years. The
Elgin Agricultural Society was organized in 1870, and expended $10,000 in
grounds and buildings; but after a few attempts at holding fairs the scheme
was abandoned as unprofitable.

The only exhibitions of this character that are held in this vicinity are
the county fair at Woodstock, McHenry county, and the so-called horse
shows. The chief farm products now raised are corn, wheat, oats ; and within
the past few years considerable land has been planted to the sugar beet, a
large crop being raised this year. Foreign laborers are brought in to work
the crops, as the local farmer is as yet unfamiliar with its culture. No fac-
tories have been built in this county to date, the crop being contracted for
by factories in Wisconsin and shipped there. The belief is that more land
will be given to this product. The days when farming was chiefly done by the
labor of the individual have gone. Machinery has everywhere come into
use until nearly every farm process is now done with a machine. Plowing
alone seems to hold its own and require the hand to guide the blade in the
furrow. The reaper is an old story, but the corn cutter, upon which one man
sits, and driving his horses through the corn field, cuts it down, row by row,
is a modern invention that saves much labor. To buy the mechanisms now
considered necessary to farming alone requires an expenditure of several
thousand dollars. And lands that, in the '40s, could be bought for from 25
cents to $1.25 an acre now sell for from $90 to $125 an acre.

Another fact conspicuous in farming is the change of nationalities in the
owners. Fifty years ago farms were owned and worked largely by the
Yankees, who entered them in the first place. Later these original settlers
sold out or leased to Germans, and within the past fifteen years the Ger-
mans are being displaced in large numbers by the Scandinavians, who buy
them out. The rural free delivery list of the Elgin postofiice shows the
present predominance of the Germans and natives of Sweden and Norway.
While many Germans are found among the very earliest settlers, the wave of
immigration from Germany did not begin until after the Civil war, and the
coming of the Scandinavians may be noted in the early '70s by the appearance
of their names in the directories. Both these classes make good farmers,
and accumulate property by frugality and toil where the native Yankee would
not make ends meet, owing to his more expensive ways of living.

REPORT OF SALES OF SCHOOL LAXD IX KAXE COL"XTY.

lownship
range

and

Date
1845

Purchaser

Number of
acres

Price per acre

42, R.

Dec. 16

Stewart Christy

$ .25 No. I

42. R.

Dec. 16

Robert Eakin

■37^ 9

41. R.

Oct. 31

Joel Root

1-25 15

41. R.

Oct. 31

Th. Robinson

1.25 16

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 165

Township and
ranfje

Date

Purchaser

Number of
acres

Price I

3er acre

41, R. 6

Oct. 31

Jno. 0. Kane

1.25

41, R. 6

Oct. 31
1845

Jos. Robinson

1.25

39, R- 6

Oct. 13

Israel Seaton

1.25

39, R. 6

Oct 13

Israel Seaton

■50

39. R- 6

Oct. 31

Jno. Bunker

1.25

39, R- 6

Oct. 31

Jno. Bunker

1.62^

39, R- 6

Nov. 8

Aaron Phelps

39, R- 6

Nov. 8

Aaron Phelps

(33)

$65

.00

39, R- 6

Jan. 3
1846

Patk. Markey

(26-27-28)

.00

39, R- 6

Jan. 3

Jas. Donough

( 5- 6- 7)

.00

39. R- 6

Jan. 3

Jas. Donough

( 8-11-12-1

2) 67,

38. R. 6

Feb. 2

Jas. Dundas

39-60/ IOC

• 1.25

■38, R. 6

Feb. 2

Justus E. Ament

■50

39, R- 6

Oct. 13

Israel Seaton

■50

The

above shows

the prices paid for

land sixty

years ago.

Today

the

same farming lands sell for $100 to $125 per acre.

CHAPTER XVI.

RELIGIOUS .\ND EDUCATIONAL.

One of the early settlers of St. Charles, Joseph T. Sibley, states that
probably the first minister of the gospel wdio visited the Fox river valley
was Rev. John Clark, a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, with whom Mr.
Sibley had become acquainted at Middlebury, Vermont. He became a resident
of Kane county about 1837, in which year Mr. Sibley helped to build a log
house for him on the east side of the river, between Geneva and Batavia, on
the corner opposite the old Todd place. It is stated he came here from Chi-
cago. Mr. Clark was born in Washington county, New York, July 30. 1797,
converted in 181 7, and in 1820 entered the New York conference at the
Methodist Episcopal church as an itinerant. In 1832 he was appointed super-
intendent of all the Indian missions in the Northwest, and arrived at Green
Bay, Wisconsin, July 21, of that year, being the first Protestant minister to
administer the sacrament in the state. In 1836 he was transferred to the
Illinois conference, and it is likely that he first visited this region some time
previous to that date — perhaps about 1833-34. He was transferred to Texas
in 1841, to the Troy conference in 1844, and to the Rock River conference
in 1852, when he was stationed in Chicago. As presiding elder, Mr. Clark's
labors led him over a large district lying west of Lake Michigan. Clark (now
Jennings) Seminary, at Aurora, was named in his honor, the idea of such
a school having first been advanced by him. He died of cholera in Chicago,
July 1 1, 1833, and was mourned both East and West as a good man gone.

166 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

It has also been stated that probably the first sermon in Kane county-
was preached in August, 1834, at the log house of Christopher Payne, in
Batavia township, by Rev. N. C. Clark, a minister of the Congregational
church, whose labors among the pioneers of the valley began at that time.
"Father Clark," as he was called, has been described as "one of God's noble-
men, of a kindly, affectionate nature, truthful and sincere, and one who drew
men to better things, by his own gentle and consistent ways, quite as much
as by his persuasive exhortations. No breath of suspicion ever followed him
from his first entrance into the county until loving hands bore him tenderly
to the beautiful city of the dead that overlooks his old homestead in Elgin."
Mr. Clark assisted in the organization of several Congregational churches in
Kane county, and his home was for a time in St. Charles, where he was
residing in 1837.

Contemporary laborers with "Father Clark" were Elder J. E. Ambrose,
of the Baptist denomination, and Rev. William Kimball, a Methodist. A
former historian has said of these three : "These men traveled on foot or on
horseback among the early settlers around Chicago, stopping where night
overtook them, and receiving the hospitalities of the cabin; without money and
without price. Reverently asking the blessing of God upon all that they did,
their lives were simple and unostentatious, their wants few and easily satis-
field; their teaching plain and unvarnished, touched with no eloquence, save
that of their daily living, which was seen and known of all men. Though of
different religious sects — one being a Congregationalist, one a Baptist, and
the other a Methodist — yet no discord was ever manifested between them,
but a united effort was made by them to show men the way to better things
by better living. They were not only physicians for the soul's care, but they
sometimes ministered to the body's ailments. They married the living and
buried the dead; christened the babe, admonished the young and warned the
old; cheered the despondent, rebuked the wilful, and hurled the vengeance of
eternal burnings at the desperately wicked. A\'hen other orators were scarce,
they sometimes mounted the rostrum on the Fourth of July, and stirred the
people to patriotic thoughts. Wherever they came they were welcome, and
notice was soon sent around to the neighbors, and a meeting held. For years
they could say literally, as did the Master before them, 'The foxes have holes,
and the birds of the air have nests, but (we) the sons of men have not where
to lay our heads."

The first actual church organization in the county was effected by the
Congregationalists, at Batavia, in August, 1835. The Baptists and Metho-
dists formed nearly contemporary organizations, the years 1836 and 1837
witnessing the formation of several church societies in the county. The
Episcopalians were also early in the field, and the Universalists built, in 1842.
at St. Charles, the first house of worship erected by that denomination in Illi-
nois. The material used in its construction was brick. Rev. William Rounse-
ville, who assisted in the work of building it, also formed a Universalist society
at Aurora in the same year. Rev. Andrew Pingree. of Rutland, was also an
early Universalist minister.

PEESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ELGIN.

ELGIN SEMINARY.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 169

Following in rapid succession after the organizations mentioned came
others by various denominations in different parts of the county, until now
many hundred thousand dollars are invested in church property, while scores
of beautiful and substantial edifices point their stately spire upward, and testify
that the religious welfare of the inhabitants is not lost sight of.

The first Sunday school in the county was organized at Batavia in 1835,
and from that beginning similar organizations have spread throughout the
length and breadth of the county, until scarcely a hamlet is without their
influence. The Kane Count}- Sunda}- School Union, with representatives from
every portion of the county, has been in existence since 1866. and in its animal
con\-entions seeks to discover the best methods of operating and governing
the Sunday schools.

That there were many laughable incidents in the history of the early
churches, and in the experience of the teachers of the gospel, is a well authenti-
cated fact. The shepherds looking for the lost sheep of Israel were neither
more nor less than human beings, and that they enjoyed the ludicrous episodes
in their experience can hardly be doubted. In 1883, when there were but
few Episcopalians living in St. Charles, Bishop Chase, a tall, fine-looking,
white-haired old man, held service under the ritual of that church in that
place. J. W. Churchill, the Batavia lawyer, who was a "bluff, nervous fellow,
and much attached to the forms of his church," asked his daughter, on their
way to cliurch, if she had her prayerbook. "No, father," she replied, "I forgot
it." "Forget your prayerbook!" was the excited rejoinder; "Go and get it!
You might as well be in hell as in an Episcopalian church without a prayer-
book." The chronicler does not state whetlier the young lady returned for
the book or not.

The Free Methodists, a strong body, whose first churches were organized
in Kane county about 1859-60, under the ministry of Re\-. Dr. Redfield, have
for many years held their camp meeting in the beautiful "round grove," three
miles northeast of St. Charles, and the attendance is generally very large. A
tract of ground has been set off especially for their use, and churches are
usually represented from nearly all parts of northern Illinois. The tent life of
these people lasts one week in each year.

Other ministers of the gospel who visited the Fox river settlements very
early were Rev. Perry, who preached in the house of William T. Wheeler,
at St. Charles, in the spring of 1835; Rev. Jesse W'alker, a missionary to the
Indians, and Rev. Mr. Hubbard, a Baptist. The latter men first made their
appearance about 1834-35. A Bible class had also been organized at the
house of John Kittridge, in St. Charles, probably in the fall of 1834.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND H0SPIT.\LS IN K.\NE COUNTY.

Aurora — St. Mary's church, Rev. D. O'Brien, pastor; Timothy D. Burke,
assistant. St. Mary's school; 12 teachers of Providence; pupils, 400. St.
Nicholas' church, Rev. C. Schnueckel, pastor; L, M. Linden, assistant; St.
Nicholas' school; 12 Sisters of St. Francis; pupils, 600. St. Charles' hospital,
under the direction of 22 Sisters of St. Francis. Sacred Heart church. Rev.
J. C. Simond Scliool, 5 Sisters: pupils. 50. Annunciation B. Y. M. church.

170 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Rev. H. Bangen. School, 3 Sisters of St. Francis; pupils. 80. Holy Angels'
church, Rev. F. L. Reynolds, pastor. St. Joseph's church, Rev. J. F. Schmitt,
pastor; Rev. Charles Nix, assistant. School, 7 schools Sisters of St. Francis;
300 pupils.

Batavia, Kane County — Church of the Holy Cross, Rev. L. Erhardt,
pastor.

Elburn, Kane County — Church of St. Gall, Rev. L. Erhardt, pastor.

St. Charles, Kane County — St. Patrick's church. Rev. T. Ryan, pastor.
St. Charles school, 7 Dominican Sisters.

Elgin, Kane County — St. ]\Iary's school, 11 Sisters of Charity; pupils,
238. St. Mary's church, Rev. J. McCann, pastor; F. B. Swanson, assistant.
St. Joseph's church. Rev. Joseph Rohde, pastor. St. Joseph's school, 4 teachers
of St. Francis; 100 pupils. St. Joseph's hospital in charge of 13 Sisters of St.
Francis. Chaplain, Rev. James Friderich.

Hampshire, Kane County — Church of St. Charles, Rev. C. J. Huth,
pastor.

Gilberts — St. Mary's church, attended from Huntley. ]\IcHenry County.

Maple Park — St. Mary's church. Rev. F. J. Hartman.

Virgil, Kane County — St. Peter's church. Rev. F. G. Hartmann. School,
I lay teacher; pupils, 50.

KANE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

In 1833, while Kane county was yet a part of LaSalle county, a Bible
society was formed at Bailey's Grove, lying south of the Vermillion river,
near Tonica. Tw^o directors were afterward chosen to represent the Big
Woods district, viz. : E. S. Town, of Batavia, and a Mr. Strong, late of
Aurora. Calvin Ward, of St. Charles, was chosen for the Little Woods
district, and J. H. Mason, of Big Grove. Kendall county, for that district.
The earlier records of the Kane County Bible Society have been lost, but the
first officers were Solomon Hamilton, Esq., of Elgin, president; E. Bucking-
ham, a young lawyer, of Geneva, secretary; E. S. Town, of Batavia, treasurer.
The secretary died about 1841. The county society accomplished but little
during the first year of its existence, as the several local societies had not
become auxiliary to it. These latter were located at Aurora, Sandusky Precinct
(embracing Batavia and Geneva), St. Charles, Elgin, and Dundee, and each
did some work. In 1847, Rev. Amasa Lord was put in charge of the work in
northern Illinois. An agent was employed the same year to canvass the
county, and auxiliary societies were organized in each precinct. In February,
1848, the collection of $654.38 in cash was reported, of which about half had
been expended in the work. In the succeeding years this society did a great
amount of work.

EDUC.VTIONAL.

Schools were opened in a somewhat primitive fashion in Kane county
as early, perhaps, as 1834; it is thought a school was taught in that year in
a little log cabin at Batavia, although 1835 may be the correct date.

In 1835 the first school in St. Charles was taught, and we hear of them
soon after in Aurora, Geneva. Elgin, Dundee and elsewhere. There was

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 171

little system in the manner of maintaining these early schools, there being
then no effective laws in the state to govern them. They were usually of a
rather select nature, although occasionally they might also be termed free
schools ; but in the latter case the expenses were necessarily borne by a very few
individuals. At one time the pioneer inhabitants of Aurora elected three school
trustees, not, however, in pursuance of an)- statute, who were to superintend
the interests of education. Their honors were duly bought, it seems, for Burr
Winton, who was one of the first board, once stated that he had to pay the
bill for one quarter, amounting to nearly $30, out of his own pocket, and he
never collected $5 in return.

Edward \V. Brewster, a native of Orange county. New York, came west
in 1839 and settled upon a large tract of land in the northeastern portion of
St. Charles township. He built a schoolhouse in the Little Woods and gave
instruction gratis, this being the first absolutely free school in the state of
Illinois. "Father Brewster," as be was called, was an enthusiast in the cause
of education, and under the new constitution was elected superintendent of
schools for Kane county in 1850. He inaugurated the plan of holding
teachers' institutes, and continued the friend of free schools until his death,
which occurred in May, 1886, when the venerable man had nearly reached
the age of ninety years.

Both male and female teachers found employment in the schools of pioneer
days, the former usually holding forth in the winter and the latter in summer.
The school-teacher's position, while full of honor, was not one of great
emoluments, and there is no instance of any of the early wielders of the rule
becoming wealthy off his or her salary. The quarters in which the young idea
was taught the rudiments of an education were generally in some small log
structure; but this did not interfere with their opportunities for acquiring
such knowledge as could be imparted to them. And be it understood that
among the schoolmasters and schoolma'ams of the '30s and '40s there were
many wise heads, whose stores of educational fruit had been carefully laid up
in eastern institutions, and furnished a seemingly exhaustless fountain of
information from which to draw for the benefit of their western pupils.
Such opportunities to learn as were presented were quickly taken advantage
of, and the classes that issued forth from the log buildings of old were anything
but numbskulls.

The first free school district in Illinois was organized on the east side
of the river at Aurora, in 1851, under a special act of the legislature, the
general free school law not being passed until two years later. The progress
of the schools of the county since then has been wonderfully rapid, and no
better schools can be found today in the Union than Kane county possesses.

Alfred Churchill, school commissioner of Kane county in 1846, wrote
as follows to the Prairie Messenger, published at St. Charles : "Generally,
I would say that the schools are in a bad state, with some few exceptions,
at the head of which is placed Sugar Grove precinct; one school in Pigeon
Woods; one or two in the northeast corner of section 32, range 7. These
exceptions I do not make on account of the high character of the schools,
but on account of the determination of the inhabitants to do the best they can.

172 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY

In tlie villages on Fox river I have found that common schools were in a worse
state than in the country townships. This fact I attribute to two main causes —
lirst, an aristocratic feeling, which is manifested by the number of select
schools, which are partially sustained (I say partially, for there are so many
that none could be well sustained) ; and secondly, a miserable sectarian spirit,
which destroys all union of effort.

"Dundee has a very comfortable schoolhouse, and, I think, from the
energetic character of the directors, they will have a good common school
this winter. They expressed a determination to make their common school
superior to the select schools.

"At Elgin, I found three or four elegant houses for as many different
sects to worship (I hope not their creeds, but their creator) in, and not one
public schoolhouse; but I have hopes of that place, as they have a few indi-
viduals there, redeeming spirits, at work for the benefit of all.

"St. Charles has undoubtedly paid too much attention to erecting the
walls of intended places of worship and select schools to show well at the
common schools; though I saw a lot of boys throwing stones through the
windows of a tolerable building, and concluded from the circumstances that
it was the common schoolhouse, as the boys were well dressed and apparently
just out of the high school — young aristocracy thus venting its spleen against
plebeianism.

"Geneva commenced late in the season a house for common schools,
and was progressing rapidly when the extreme cold weather set in, which
has temporarily suspended operations.

"Batavia has two houses for worship, which are generally occupied by a
few scholars in each — the people there not being sufficiently agreed about the
road to heaven to let their children associate in one school on earth, under
one good and efficient teacher.

"Aurora has two public schools in houses belonging to the town, which,
from appearances, were built before their meeting houses, which argues well
for their good sense, showing that they were more desirous of buildings for
utility than show; and, from the literary societies, libraries, and desire for
reading and literary conversation manifest in one class (in Aurora I could
distinguish but one class, and that included the whole population of the
place), I am satisfied that Aurora is destined to take a high stand among
the inland towns of the West."

Mr. Churchill believed the select school directly opposed to the common
school interests, and urged the people to establish common schools, and live
up to the school law then in force in the state. He was hostile, not to the
teachers of the select schools, but to the schools themselves, as dangerous to
society, and for other well-grounded reasons. He urged directors to use
every effort to make the common schools superior to all others in their districts.
His hopes and desires for the common schools were realized in a few years,
and although select schools still continue to solicit patronage, the prestige
which the new free school law gave to the common schools placed the latter
in the position they should long before have occupied. With the ascendency
of the district schools, those of a select nature began to wane, and they

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 173

were soon lost sight of, with the exception of such institutions as Jennings
(Clark) Seminary and the Elgin Academy, and the many business colleges
since arisen, which were and still are valuable preparatory schools, and do
not interfere with the public places of learning.

In 1848 there existed what was known as the Kane County Educational
Association, which held its meetings at various places in the county. Prominent
individuals delivered addresses before it, and the people generally were invited
to attend its meetings. Andrew Pingree was secretary, and S. S. Jones was
elected president at a meeting held at St. Charles, October 4, 1848. The
following vice-presidents were elected at the same time: Dr. Hale, Dundee;
J. Scott, Franklin; Andrew Akin, Hampshire; Dr. Sanford, Elgin; Stewart
Christie, Jackson-; N. E. Daggett, Washington; J. W. Hapgood. Burlington;
Spalding Eddy, Fairfield; Rev. G. S. F. Savage, St. Charles; A. W. Glass,
Geneva; J. C. Waldron, Batavia ; W. R. Parker, Fox River; Mr. Hall, Big
gnd Little Rock; Thomas Judd, Sugar Grove; David Wheeler, Blackberry.
The association then voted to petition the legislature for free schools.

Some of the early pedagogues were characters in their way, and James
Bancroft, who held forth in St. Charles, was a notable example. F. G. Garfield,
of Campton, in calling up memories of the olden days, wrote as follows con-
cerning Mr. Bancroft, in the spring of 1885 :

"Asa Haseltine, Fanny Bancroft and Horace Bancroft were born in
the same neighborhood and were schoolmates of my father; and ivhen, on
May 23. 1841. a boy, I had arrived in St. Charles and put up with \Mieelock
about noon. I was considerablv astonished two hours afterwards bv having;
all of those old schoolmates of mv father, whom, of course. I knew nothing
about, getting around me, making inquiries of my father, and when he would
arrive, etc. But I was more than astonished when James Bancroft, the father
of Horace and Fanny, introduced himself by telling me he had taught my
father his letters, and was a school-teacher then, which was the fact. He
was a natural born school-teacher — good for that and little else. For years
he occupied the upper story of his son Horace's stone building, on the corner
west of the old hotel, and ran a school upon the pay-by-the-scholar principle.
From the parents of some he would collect tuition, and from some he would
not : but it was all the same to him if he was only imparting knowledge to
the young. He got money enough from his patrons to pay for his clothes,
his whiskey and provisions, all of which, at that time, were cheap. Bark
from the saw logs in the mill yard furnished him fuel, and he would always
have from one to three cords of it packed up in a large room which was alike
his kitchen, parlor, bedroom and schoolroom ; and there, amidst piles of bark,
accumulation of old clothes, dishes, dirt and fleas, he taught the male children
of St. Charles the first rudiments of an education. He used to surrender his
schoolroom to Judges Moody and Howard when they desired to hold court,
and Sam Flint used to tell a story, how once when his room was crowded,
with Moody upon the bench and Fridley and Farnsworth as opposing counsel,
the large audience, crowding back against one of his piles of bark, tipped it
over, whereupon the fleas rushed out in such force as to tip the benches
over, loaded with the crowd, and break up the court. But James Bancroft

174 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

performed well the part for which it seemed that Providence designed him.
Commencing school teaching at the age of sixteen, he taught for over a half
century, and probably no man in St. Charles ever taught a greater number
of scholars in the aggregate; and no man upon this continent ever exceeded
him in the pleasing art of imparting knowledge to the young."

The first of the fine public school buildings in the county were erected in
St. Charles, that on the west side, in 1854, and that on the east side, in 1856,
costing, respectively, $6,000 and $15,000. These were considered in their
day remarkably fine buildings, but, while still in use, they have been over-
shadowed by the splendid buildings erected at Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Batavia
and Aurora, the latter city especially being supplied with the very best of
structures. The rural districts have mostly frame buildings of a simple style
architecture, though in places brick has been the material used.

In March, i860, according to the report of Rev. David Higgins, county
superintendent of schools, there were in Kane county 186 schools, with a
total attendance of 9.074 (males 4,827 and females 4,247). In 1887 the state-
ment of the county superintendent, Marvin Quackenbush, whose death in
1904 was lamented by all. showed the following facts :

Ungraded schools 120

Graded schools 30

Male teachers 51

Female teachers 287

Pupils attending 10,421

Males 5,370

Females 5,151

Schoolhouses 150

VALUE OF PROPERTY.

Aurora $200,665

Batavia and Geneva 77,350

St. Charles 33,825

Elgin 132,850

Dundee 27,000

Sugar Grove 7-750

Campton 5'700

Blackberry 7,30o

Plato 7,000

Rutland 5,300

Kaneville 3,000

Virgil 8,400

Burlington 7,560

Hampshire 9,800

Big Rock 7.100

Pupils between ages of 6 and 21 years:

Males ' 8. 1 1 7

Females 8,241

Total 16,358

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'OLD BRICK SCHOOL," DEDICATED JANUARY, 1848.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 177

The report of Prof. H. A. Dean, present county superintendent, shows
the following condition in 1907:

Interesting data regarding the condition of the public schools of Kane
county is given in the annual report of County Superintendent of Schools Dean.
The report includes the entire work of the school system from June 30, 1906,
to July I, 1907.

NOW 32.941 CHILDREN IN KANE.

It is estimated in the report that there are 32,941 children in the county
under 21 years of age. Of this number 23.345 are between the ages of 6 and
21 years. There are 51 graded schools and 107 ungraded schools throughout
the county. The total enrollment for the year was 12,259, in the graded
schools and 2,332 in the ungraded districts.

Four hundred and fifty-six teachers are employed in the county and the
average pay is $120 for men and $52 for women, monthly. The total value
of Kane county school property is placed at the high figure of $1,336,245.
School apparatus is valued at $21,664 and the libraries at $19,169.50. The
total amount of district tax levy for schools was $391,776. The total expendi-
tures fcr the year were $520,507.17.

INTERESTING' COMPARISONS.

Comparisons in the report show that approximately the same number of
boys and girls attended the graded schools. In the ungraded districts the
boys outnumbered the girls by about 200. In the high schools, however, thei-e
were approximately 400 more girls than boys. There were 247 graduates
from high schools during the year. Of this number 151 were girls and 96
boys.

The year appears to have been a poor one in the line of school improve-
ments. The report shows that but three school buildings were erected during
the season. Two of these were to replace burned buildings, the G.. P. Lord,
of this city, and the Oak street school, at Aurora.

That the educational standard of the county as a whole is fast becoming
better is shown by the statistics that there are throughout the county only
three persons between the ages of 12 and 21 years who are unable to read
and write.

The total amount of bonded school debt of the county is $262,100.

SOME SCHOOL STATISTICS.

Other interesting figures are :

Number of boys under 21 years of age, 16,427; number of girls under 21
years of age, 16,514: number of boys between the ages of 6 and 21. 11,544;
number of girls between the ages of 6 and 21,1 1,801.

Number of graded schools, 51 ; number of ungraded schools, 107; number
of public high schools, 13; number of boys enrolled in graded schools. 6,128;

178 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

number of girls enrolled in graded schools, 6.131 ; number of boys enrolled in
ungraded schools, 1,256: number of girls enrolled in ungraded schools, 1,076.

Number of men teachers in graded schools, 32 ; number of women teachers
in graded schools, 319; number of men teachers in ungraded schools, 4; num-
ber of women teachers in ungraded schools, loi.

Highest monthly wages paid any man, S280; highest monthly wages paid
any woman, $120; lowest monthly wages paid any man for full time, $35;
lowest monthly wages paid any woman for full time, $25 ; average monthly
wages for men, $120.96; average monthly wages for women, $52.81.

Number of boys enrolled in high schools, 784 ; number of girls enrolled in
high schools, i .006 ; number of boys graduated from high schools, 96 ; num-
ber of girls graduated from high schools, 151.

Number of beginners employed as teachers, 37 ; number of men examined
for teachers" certificates. 16; number of women examined for teachers' cer-
tificates, 183; number of men rejected, 2; number of women rejected, 19.

The above facts and figures indicate that the schools of the county have
grown in many ways over 100 per cent in the past twenty years. The value
of the school property has increased nearly threefold.

CHAPTER XVH.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Kane county has the honor of being the resting place of at least one
Revolutionary soldier who died and is buried at Canada Corners near Lily
Lake, in 1852. In 1901 a committee was appointed to consider the erection
of a monument to his memory. The committee comprised John Stewart, J. J.
Read, L. M. Gross, John Winterhaller and the superintendent of DeKalb
county schools. Kane county supervisors appropriated $200, the Daughters of
the Revolution contributed $25, and $475 additional was raised. On July 4,
1902, the monument was dedicated in the presence of a large assembly of
people. ]\Ir. Frank W. Joslyn made a talk, following whom Mr. Miller,
president of the Hamilton Club, of Chicago, gave the address of the occasion.
The monument contains the following inscription :

ABNER POWERS— 1 760- 1 852

BENNINGTON-SARATOGA-VALLEY FORGE-
YORKTOWN

The veteran of the Revolution was the father of Manly Powers, of Virgil,
Kane county.

MEXICAN WAR.

The first real service in the field which men from this county experi-
enced, was during the Mexican war, 1846-48. A few scattering individuals

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 179

enlisted in the regular army, and only a portion of them returned to the
county ; the others died or became residents of the West.

Early in the spring of 1847, Governor French, of Illinois, issued a call
for volunteers to go to Mexico, and under this call Edward E. Hai-vey, of
Elein, and William G. Conklin and Lewis A. Norton, of St. Charles, raised a
company of infantry, reporting to the governor for duty about the 15th of
June. The company was promptly accepted, and about the 5th of July received
marching orders, and proceeded to Alton, Illinois, where it was mustered into
service on the 20th of the same month. The company was assigned to the
Sixth Regiment Illinois Infantry, commanded by Colonel Collins, of Jo
Daviess county. Lieutenant Colonel Hicks and Major Livingston were both
from Jefferson county. The regiment mustered 1,139 '""S"' ^"^ consisted
of twelve companies, of which one (Company I) was from Kane county, the
others being one each from Jefferson, Fayette, Greene, Boone, Monroe, Wash-
ington. Franklin. \\'arren, Madison, and two from Jo Daviess.

From Alton the command proceeded on board a Mississippi transport to
New Orleans, thence on the steamship "Ohio" to Vera Cruz. Mexico. At
that point the regiment was divided; the first battalion, consisting of Com-
panies A. D. E. F, and H, under Colonel Collins, was for a time stationed at
the San Juan bridge, on the national ruad, where there was some skirmishing,
in which one man was killed and two were wounded. The second battalion,
consisting of Companies B, C, G, I, and K, uncter Lieutenant Colonel Hicks,
was sent to Tampico, where it did garrison duty until relieved by a Louisiana
regiment, when it proceeded to Vera Cruz and marched inland toward the City
of Mexico, Company I lost, from sickness, thirty-four men, including Captain
Harvey. Lieutenant Norton was on detached service during most of his term,
acting as quartermaster and commissary. The regiment remained until the
close of the war. when it returned to Alton, and was there mustered out of
service. Lieutenant William G. Conklin afterward, during the war of the
Rebellion, served as battalion major in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry.

The recruiting headquarters of the above company, which saw hard serv-
ice during its period of enlistment in Mexico, were at St. Charles. Its roster
was as follows : E. E. Harvey, captain ; Lewis A. Norton, Hugh Fullerton,
and William G. Conklin, lieutenants; Nelson Warner, first sergeant; Benja-
min F. Garfield, second sergeant; Smith M. Berry, third sergeant; S. D.
Padelford, first corporal; Jonathan Ellis, second corporal; Andrew J. Hill,
fourth corporal ; James Welch, first musician ; Charles E. Merrifield, second
musician. Privates — Warren Bulson. George Boss, Jacob Brewer, Thomas
Bennett, David Brow. Eleazer Button. A. Gorman, William Courtner, Free-
dom Chase, John Crap, William H. S. Carlisle, Thomas Christie, Frederick
Dorchester, Perry Dunfield, Philip Effner, Henry Foote, Georg^e Fribert,
Asa M. Friend, Jacob Fonts. William Freeman, Stephen Finch, Stephen
Ferguson, James Gange, George Hicks, Benjamin B. Thatcher, Paul Hoff-
man, Edward Herrick, Harry Henries, Edward H. Johnson, Charles J. Gush,
George Kleeburgh. Charles Kleeburgh, Silas Klesalar, Lesser Lebenstein,
William H. Lawson, Isaac Lewis, Spaulding Lewis, John Siliger, Samuel

180 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

McDonald, Matthew Moran. David Mooney, Alexander Mc^Millen, Peter
Matthews. Robert D. Massey, Nicholas IMore. HeiirA^ Marshall. John Mead,
Malcolm AlcCallum. John S. Norris, David Xewton, Michael Phelps. James
Price, Orange H. Phelps, Stephen B. Portwood, Jacob Pauley, Thomas Pride-
more, John Phelps. Jedediah Phillips. George D. Roberts. Alfred Romain,
George W. Rintew, Timothy Ryan. Philip H. Sargent. Thomas Sirben. Henry
Stickler, William Sioss, John Spencer, Sewell W. Smith, Henry \\'. Smith.
George A. Thompson, James Thompson. David Tubbs, John M. Walker,
Fred Wilger, John D. Scomaker, Haney Wakeman. Charles P. Brown, John
Norton.

During its term of service the regiment lost three hundred and thirty-
two men, who died of disease, four killed in battle, one hundred and thirty-
five discharged by surgeon, thirteen transferred or resigned, eighteen by de-
sertion, and received seventy-two recruits. At the final muster-out at Alton,
in the latter part of July, 1848. there remained but three hundred and sixty-
seven of the one thousand, one hundred and thirty-nine who had gone bravely
out but a year before, and this handful of survivors returned in such a state
of physical prostration and general ill health that a number died after reach-
ing Alton. Lieutenant Conklin. the only one of the commissioned officers of
Company I living in 1888, removed some years before that from St. Charles
to De Soto. Wisconsin.

THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

The alacrity with which the President's call for seventy-tive thousand
volunteers in April. 1861, immediately after the firing upon Fort Sumter,
was responded to was an evidence of the deep feeling among the Northern
people. In Kane county there was almost no need for the call, for men came
flocking from all directions and from all pursuits to the recruiting headquar-
ters, ready to take their places in the rapidly filling ranks. During the week
or ten days immediately succeeding the call the bustle and activity were won-
derful. Men volunteered as fast as their names could be received, and
thousands of dollars were raised by private subscription for the support of
the families of the volunteers. In Aurora alone, during that time, nearly
six thousand dollars were thus raised, and four military companies were
wholly or partially filled in the same period. The same spirit was observed
throughout the county. For one volunteer company sixty names were obtained
on the roll in three hours. Captain Nicholas Greusel, who commanded a
company from ^lichigan in the Mexican war. raised a company at Aurora,
and Captain Edward S. Joslyn another at Elgin. These were the first bodies
of Kane county troops to depart for the field. Captain Greusel's men were
mostly enlisted on the i8th and Captain Joslyn's on the 22d of April. The
company from the south end of the county left Aurora on Sunday, the 21st
day of April, 1861, and was accompanied to the train by six thousand people.
All the physicians left in the city volunteered their services during- the war free
to the families of the men who had enlisted. Moving to Springfield, this
company was assigned to the Seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 181

for a three months' term of service, and proceeded thence to Alton. Captain
Greusel was promoted to major of the regiment. The command served its
time and was mustered out July 25, 1861, but immediately reenlisted for
three years. Major Greusel being promoted to colonel of the Thirty-sixth Illi-
nois infantry and E. S. Joslyn. lieutenant colonel.

By this time the great war was fully inaugurated, and people began to
realize that the movement on the part of the southern men was not to be
crushed in an easy manner; it had been thoroughly organized and only the
most strenuous effort could hope tp put down the rebellion, which now ap-
peared in all its magnitude. But the work went bravely on; men and means
continued to come to the aid of the government, and the volume of war swelled
to an enormous extent. The adjutant-general of Illinois, in his report upon
the filling of the quota of the state under a call for three hundred thousand
men, in August, 1862, thus wrote, after explaining that the full quota of the
state was to be raised and no credit was to be allowed for the excess of men
already in the field :

"To raise either 52,296 or 35.320 volunteers (with perhaps the exception
of one thousand, who had enlisted between July 7 and August 5) but thirteen
days were allowed. The floating population of the state who would enlist
had already done so. These new volunteers must come, if come at all, from
the farmers and mechanics of the state. Farmers were in the midst of their
han-ests, and it is no exaggeration to say that, inspired by a holy zeal, ani-
mated by a common purpose, and firmly resolved on rescuing this government
from the very brink of ruin, and restoring it to the condition our fathers left
it, over fifty thousand of them left their harvests ungathered, their tools on
their benches, the plows in the furrows, and turned their backs upon home
and loved ones, and before eleven days expired the demands of the country
were met and both quotas were filled. Proud, indeed, was the day to all Illi-
noisans when this extraordinary announcement was made- — that the enlistment
rolls were full.

"And when the historian shall write the record of these eventful days of
Aug^ist, 1862, no prouder record can be erected to the honor and memory of a
free people than a plain, full narrative of actual realities."

Pursuant to the call for three hundred thousand troops in the summer of
1862, the board of supervisors of Kane county held a special meeting and
took action upon the following resolutions, presented by a committee appointed
by a mass meeting of Kane county citizens held at the courthouse :

"Resolved, That we recommend that the board of supervisors of Kane
county appropriate and pay to each recruit in Kane county the sum of one
hundred dollars until our full quota is made up under the call of the Presi-
dent for three hundred thousand volunteers.

"Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to stand by and support the board
of supervisors in making such appropriation, and we believe that the interests

182 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

of the country imperatively demand that such action should be immediately
taken.

"Resolved, That this war must be vigorously prosecuted and this Union
must be preserved."

A committee of the board was appointed to draft resolutions expressive
of the sense of the board in the matter, and they reported their belief that the
board should "appropriate sixty dollars, either in cash or in county orders,
bearing interest at seven per cent, to each private and non-commissioned
officer, not exceeding five hundred men, who shall enlist before the first day of
September next, in the present war, under the President's last call for three
hundred thousand men, said sixty dollars to be paid by a committee of the
board, who shall hereafter be appointed, on the presentation of proper vouch-
ers that such recruits have been organized into a company and mustered into
the United States service." The report was adopted, as was also a resolu-
tion providing for the payment of the first fifteen thousand dollars of the
moneys so appropriated. In addition to the bounty offered by the county,
there were township and city bounties amounting to twenty or twenty-five
dollars for each recruit.

The report of J. H. Mayborne, of Geneva, enrolling officer for Kane
county, dated October 8, 1862, shows that about one-third of the whole able-
bodied male population of the county, between the ages of eighteen and forty-
five years, was then in actual service. The following table shows the total
number enrolled and the number in service from each township at the date of
the report :

Total number
Townships. enrolled. In service.

Aurora i ,845 626

Sugar Grove 225 66

Big Rock 201 40

Kaneville 283 78

Blackberry 236 64

Batavia 418 1 10

Geneva 271 loi

St. Charles 352 131,

Campton 186 42

Virgil 244 103

Burlington 167 57

Plato 204 89

Elgin 696 353

Dundee 356 90

Rutland 172 45

Hampshire 230 92

• Total 6,086 2,087

WEST BANK OF FOX RIVER CAMPING SCENE, NORTH

OF ELGIN.

FOX RIVER NEAR TROUT PARK, NORTH OF ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 185

The 2,087 ^^'-^ "Of include men wiio died or were killed in the service,
or those who had been discharged. Had they been included the number at
that time, instead of 2.087, would have been at least 2,500. The casualties
among Kane county troops had been \ery great, showing that they had borne
the brunt of the battle. A single instance will serve to show how much they
had been exposed to the fire of the enemy. The Fifty-second Illinois, at the
Battle of Shiloh. April 6-7, 1862, lost 28 men killed and 135 wounded, and of
these Kane county was represented by 13 killed and 51 wounded. Besides
these a considerable number of Kane county boys were reported missing after
the battle.

At the time of the last draft in 1864 Kane county was out of its reach,
having already furnished, under previous enlistments, 347 men more than her
quota. The quota of each township and the number credited to it at that time
were as follows :

Number
Townships. <I)uota. credited.

Big Rock 105 100

Kaneville 115 126

^'irgil ri8 124

Burlington 80 y2

Hampshire 97 130

Rutland '. 76 74

Plato 94 109

Campton 94 94

Blackberry 144 195

Sugar Grove 106 106

Aurora ( outside city) 192 204

Aurora (city) —

First ward 199 206

Second ward 334 345

Third ward 210 261

Fourth ward 157 194

Batavia 237 262

Geneva 131 154

St. Charles 222 273

Elgin (outside city) no 128

Elgin (city) —

First ward 63 69

Second w-ard 39 41

Third ward 56 61

Fourth ward 57 63

Dundee • 178 200

Total 3.214 3.561

When a new call for recruits was made, in February, 1865, the quota to
be raised in Kane county, aside from all credits, was as follows :

186 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Townships. Ouota.

Aurora, city and township 124

Big Rock 14

Kaneville i

Virgil 12

Burlington 12

Rutland 8

Plato 2

Campton 18

Blackberry 9

Sugar Grove 19

Batavia 24

Geneva 7

Elgin, city and township 24

Dundee 10

Total 284

Hampshire had an excess of nineteen and St. Charles of live; therefore
they had no men to raise under this call. The heavy call on Kane county was
owing to the fact that the enrollment lists in the provost marshal's otiice had
not been corrected.

The total enrollment for the county was based upon the population of
i860, and, as shown, was 6,086 men. Of these 4,103 were liable to military
service, and the total quota of men required to be furnished by the county
amounted to 3.872. It has been figured that the grand total of men furnished
by the county was 3,990, or an excess of 118 over the quotas. These were
apportioned in the various armies of the service as follows : Infantry, 157 com-
missioned officers and 2,989 enlisted men; cavalry, 40 commissioned officers
and 600 enlisted men; artillery, 10 commissioned officers and 194 enlisted men.
Of the whole 885 men were in the service 100 days and the remainder for
longer terms. The report of the adjutant-general of the state varies slightly
irom the foregoing in its figures, as the following from said report shows:
Population in i860, 30,024; first and second-class enrollment in 1863, 4,530;
ditto in 1864, 4,962; revised enrollment, January, 1865, 5,002. Quotas prior
to December 31, 1864: 1861, 842; 1862, 576; call 700,000 February i and
March 14, 1864, 1,020; call 500,000 July 18, 1864, 774; total quotas, 3,212;
total credits, 3.588; excess, 376. Quotas to December 31, 1865: Assigned
quota, 284: net quota, 660; total quota, 3.872; credit. 285; total credit. 3,873;
excess, i. Aside from any of these credits must be taken into account the
men from this county who served during the war in the navy, and probably
many others who enlisted in organizations raised in other states, and were
possibly never credited on the Illinois report. The entire number who enlisted
from Kane county in defense of the flag, in all capacities, could not have fallen
short of 4,000, or over 13 per cent of the whole population of the county. The
record shines in undimmed luster twenty-two years after the close of the strife,
and it is known that Kane county was represented on 107 of the battlefields
of the Rebellion.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 187

By the returns made in August, 1865, by A. B. Coon, captain and provost
marshal of the Second IlHnois congressional district, which then included Kane

county, it is seen that the county paid sums as follows for bounties to volunteers
during the war :

Bounty Number of

Date ot call. paid. bounties. Average.

July 9 and August 5, 1862 $ 60 768 $ 46,080

February i and March 14, 1864... 100 742 74,200

July 18, 1864 600 8 4,800

December 19, 1864 600 270 162,000

Total 1,788 $287,080 $160.56

lOO-day men $ 50 489 24,450

2,277 $311030 $136.86!
The total amounts paid by other counties in the district were :

Bounties.

Winnebago 1,946 $540,600

Boone 861 295,388

McHenry 1,704 419,660

Lake 1,317 347,410

DeKalb ; . . . 1,454 357,48o

Kane county paid the least average bounty, but divided the sum total
among the greatest number of men. The subjoined notes upon the history
of the regiments in which Kane county men principally served are from the
reports made by the adjutant-general of the state, as republished in 1886, and
are in some instances furnished by members of the regiments themselves :

STORIES OF THE BOYS IN BLUE BY A VETERAN OF THE SIXTIES.

(In Aurora Daily News, March 11, 1908.)

Aurora Daily News : ^^^^^^' ^"•""^'' February 29, 1908.

I know my friends in Kendall county are always interested in anything
pertaining to the doings of Company C, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and if my
little stories are not fully up to the mark will overlook it.

The old soldiers of the Civil war have always kept a loving remembrance
of their comrades who stood shoulder to shoulder with them in putting down
the rebellion. Many of those comrades have passed out of our lives. Some of
them have been so scattered over this great countiy that we have lost all trace
of them. Others, and the great majority, are peacefully sleeping beneath the
sod in our many beautiful cemeteries, where friends have placed white stones
to mark their last resting places, and it is gratifying to know that the people ,
of this busy world of ours have the time to pay a loving tribute to their soldier
dead. All surviving comrades of that great struggle know that year by year
they are growing older and older and before many years they also will have
to answer the last roll call.

188 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

It is very true since the close of the Civil war that the old soldiers have
formed many new and valuable friendships which they prize highly. But
never in these later years can they make such friendships as they had with the
comrades of the long ago.

Those times, the sweet memories the old soldiers kept ever green, and
in writing little campfire stories about the happenings of the Civil war I know
that there are those who for various reasons were not permitted to show their
love and patriotism by fighting for the preservation of the Union and the dear
old flag we love so much, are with the old soldiers in thought and sympathy,
and know that death only can dissolve the bond of comradeship formed during
the '60s.

ACCOUNT OF COMPAXY C.

In this little article I will give you a little account of the doings of old
Company C in the early part of the war. While at Cairo in the winter of
1861-62 both the Mississippi and Ohio rivers got on a rampage, overflowing
their banks and inundating that city so that the streets became vast sheets of
water which reached up to the second stories of many of the buildings. The
people were obliged to flee from their homes. Rowboats and hastily con-
structed rafts were put in requisition to save the women and children from
being drowned. At this time, it will be remembered, that Cairo and the
greater part of southern Illinois was a hotbed of secession, the people as a
general thing being in full sympathy with what afterwards became the lost
cause. But our Union soldier boys did not give this matter a thought. They
went to the rescue of the unfortunates and did ever3'thing they could to help
and relieve the suffering caused by that awful flood, and through their efforts
much property as well as human lives were saved, and there is no doubt that
this was instrumental in changing views of many of the people who had been
made to believe that the Yankee soldiers were all hoof and horns, and I wish
to say that there is no doubt that the state of Illinois was later indebted to the
efforts of General John A. Logan, or the "Black Eagle," as we liked to call
him, for changing the views of many of the people of southern Illinois, so that
they became Unionists instead of Confederates.

PROTECTED BY BRIDGE.

Shortly after this great flood Company C was detached from the regiment
and ordered to a point near Anna. Illinois, for the purpose of protecting the
place. As was well known at that time, the Illinois Central was the chief
Illinois Central Railroad bridge that spanned the Big JMuddy river at that
means of transportation the government had of sending supplies to the army
at Cairo, where General U. S. Grant was gathering his army to invade the
southern Confederacy. If this bridge could be destroyed the Confederates
knew that untold damage would result to the Union forces : therefore rebel
soldiers were sent over from time to time across the Ohio river from Kentucky
with orders to destroy and put this bridge out of commission.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 189

But old Company C was "Johnnie on the Spot," and soon convinced those
raiders that the job could not be done. After numerous attempts, the rebels
abandoned the project, but not without several engagements in which they were
defeated and a number of them killed. After all danger from those raids was
over Company C remained on duty at this point until General Grant was ready
to make his forward movement, when it was recalled to join the regiment at
Cairo.

I must not forget to acknowledge that while at Cairo we received from
the good ladies at Oswego a box containing all kinds of good things to eat,
pies, cakes, roast chicken, etc.. and if those kind ladies could have seen us dis-
pose of their contribution from the dear old home it would have done their
hearts good and more than paid them for sacrificing time and labor. God
bless those good women who gave so much to lighten the burdens of the Union
soldiers.

On January 31. 1862. the captains of the different companies in the regi-
ment had a chance to do a little weeding out in their commands. At this time
there was a fleet of gunboats just completed and at anchor in the Mississippi
ri\er, and men were wanted to man them. The government not wanting to
wait to enlist them, called for volunteers. The captains of the Fourth Illinois
Cavalry took it upon themselves to send such men as they would rather spare.
They told these men they had to go, and they went. These soldiers were nearly
all Norwegians and Germans, who could hardly speak the English language.
Some few companies, among which was Company C, did not have any unde-
sirable soldiers; therefore did not furnish any recruits for the United States
navy. Charles \\'elsh, a private of Company I (Earlville company), who was
under arrest for drunkenness and attempting to kill Lieutenant Hapman. of
his company, was given the alternative of taking service in one of the gunboats
or standing courtmartial. He chose the former, and the Fourth Illinois Cav-
alry was not of the imdesirable soldiers. At Pilos Knot, on the opposite side
of the Mississippi river, from Cairo, were many swamps in which grew great
groves of pecan trees. The nuts from these trees in great abundance simply
went to waste, and the hogs, which, owing to their size and shape, were called
"Missouri Razor Backs," were turned loose in these groves to fatten. I have
mentioned this last to show what great change has taken place in that time.
Pecan nuts are now a luxury, and instead of feeding them to the hogs all the
Americans take pleasure in eating them.

At last the Fourth Illinois Ca^•alry was ordered aboard the transports and
were soon steaming up the Ohio river. We were compelled to drop anchor at
Mound City, Illinois, for the purpose of coaling up. At Mound City, in the
national cemetery, are buried three of our comrades of Company C — Julius
Brown, Jonathan P. Warner and John S. Burnes.

HISTORY OF SEVENTH REGIMENT.

Illinois having sent six regiments to the Mexican war, by courtesy the
numbering of the regiments which took part in the war for the Union began
with number seven. A number of regiments which responded to the first call

190 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

of the President for troops claimed to be the first regiment in the field, but the
honor of being the first was finally accorded to Colonel John Cook, and hence
his regiment was numbered seven. The Seventh Regiment was recruited as
follows: Company A from Elgin and vicinity; Company B, Mattoon and
vicinity; Company C, Aurora and vicinity; Company D. Litchfield and
vicinity; Company E, Atlanta and vicinity; Company F. Bunker Hill
and vicinity; Company G. Springfield and vicinity; Company H. Lincoln and
vicinity; Company L. Springfield and vicinity; Company K. Carlinville and
vicinity.

The regiment was mustered into the United States service at Camp Yates,
April 25, 1861, by Captain John Pope, U. S. A. Was forwarded to Alton, St.
Louis. Cairo and ]\Iound City, where it remained during the three months'
service.

Was reorganized and mustered for three years' service July 25. 1861, by
Captain T. G. Pitcher. U. S. A. Proceeded to fronton, ^Missouri, and joined
the command of Brigadier General B. ^L Prentiss. August 23. 1861, marched
to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where it remained some time. Colonel Cook
commanding post. The regiment went into winter quarters at Fort Holt,
Kentucky, Colonel Cook commanding post. The garrison consisted of a
brigade — Seventh and Twenty-eighth Illinois and :McAllister's Battery.
General Grant commanded the district of Cairo.

Was with the reconnoitering expedition, under General Grant, in the rear
of Columbus, Kentucky. During the battle of Belmont was sent to Elliot's
Mills, just above Columbus. On February 3, 1862, embarked for Fort Henry,
and on the 12th for Fort Donelson, taking part in the investment and siege
of that place, February 13. 14 and 15, and was engaged in the last charge on
the left of the enemy's works. At Donelson the regiment was commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel Babcock, Colonel Cook commanding Third Brigade, Sec--
ond Division. Alajor General C. F. Smith commanding. Loss, three killed,
including the gallant Captain ilendell, of Company I. and nineteen wounded.
February 21, 1862, left Fort Donelson for Clarksville, Tennessee. Major
Rowett commanding, Lieutenant Colonel Babcock absent, sick, and Colonel
Cook commanding brigade. Ordered to Nashville, and afterwards to Pitts-
burgh Landing, where it arrived 'Slarch 22. 1862. Was engaged continually.
April 6 and 7. at the battle of Shiloh, under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Rowett, Colonel Babcock being absent, sick, and Colonel Cook ha\-ing been
promoted to brigadier general on the 2d of INIarch; was a part of Colonel
Sweeny's brigade of General W. H. L. Wallace's division; went into action
between 9 and 10 o'clock April 6th. and first took possession at Duncan's
Field and drove the enemy in its front across the field, but was in turn driven
back; and when the division commander. General \\'. H. L. Wallace, was
killed and the brigade commander. Colonel T. W. Sweeny, was wounded and
taken off the field. Lieutenant Colonel Rowett obtained permission from Gen-
eral McClernand to form on his left and become a part of his line, where his
horse was killed in a charge on the enemy. The Seventh was in the line that
repulsed the last charge of the enemy on the night of the 6th, when it was
advanced to a picket line and remained there until relieved by General Buell's

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 391

command near daylight next morning. It went into action before noon on the
7th, and was hotly engaged when the enemy retreated at 3 o'clock p. m. In
this battle the regiment lost, in killed, two commissioned oiScers and fifteen
men; wounded, seventy-nine. Lieutenant Colonel Rowett was among the
latter.

Was engaged up to JMay 30 with Third Brigade, Second Division, and
in center of right wing, moving upon Corinth — meanwhile having several
skirmishes with the enemy. On evacuation of Corinth, May 30, by the enemy
the regiment marched to Farmington and Booneville, Mississippi, repairing
roads and bridges, and returned to Corinth. June 11, 1862. At the battle
of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862, the regiment was engaged both days, entire,
on right of Third Brigade, and still in Second Division. Colonel Babcock
was in command. On the 5th of October marched in pursuit of enemy as far
as Ruckerville, and returned on the loth. Loss at Corinth — two commissioned
officers and six men killed and forty-six wounded. Also twenty-one prisoners,
who ha\e since been exchanged and returned to duty. December 8, marched
to Lexington, Missouri, in pursuit of guerrillas.

Februarv 28. 1863. Colonel Andrew J. Babcock resigned and retired from
the service, when Lieutenant Colonel Richard Rowett was promoted colonel,
to rank from that date.

April 15, 1863, marched with General Dodge's command through luka,
Glendale and Burnsville to Bear Creek, on the Alabama line. On the 17th
deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy from the creek, and, as soon as the
cavalry had crossed. Companies C and K pushed forward at a double quick in
support of a battery. The remainder of the brigade then crossed, and, mov-
ing forward to Cherokee, engaged the rebels. The Seventh, on the right,
killed twelve of the enemy and captured two prisoners. At dark retired, and
next morning moved back to Bear Creek.

April 25, again moved forward to Tuscumbia, and the same evening to
South Florence, joining the Ninth Illinois (mounted) Infantry. The next day
moved with main column to Town Creek. April 28, crossed Town Creek and
drove the enemy three miles, and remained on the ground during the night
with the Second Iowa Infantry. On the 29th, recrossed and returned to
Corinth with the command, arriving May 2. Loss, during this expedition,
one man killed — accidentally shot.

]\Iay 12 to June 8. 1863, guarded railroad from Bethel to Jackson, Tennes-
see. June 18, mounted, by order of ^lajor General Dodge, and theranainder
of the month was scouting through west Tennessee. July 7 to 9, on scout.
July 26 to August 5, on expedition under command of Colonel Rowett, of the
Seventh, capturing forty-two prisoners, including one colonel and two cap-
tains, and many horses and mules. Lost one man. accidentally killed. Again
went out, together with one hundred men of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry,
Had several skirmishes and captured twenty prisoners. September 26, com-
menced a four days' expedition with the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, Colonel
Rowett in command. Had some very brisk skirmishes, and captured thirty
prisoners and several horses and mules. October 4, relieved Eighteenth
Missouri, at Chewalla, and was again relieved on the 28th.

192 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

October 26, proceeded to luka. Here guarded approaclies until the 6th of
November, when marched to Eastport. and, crossing tlie Tennessee river,
moved on flanks of Dodge's command, capturing horses, etc., and figtiting
guerrillas until Xoxemlier 12. when camped at Pulaski. November 17 to
19. scouted to and beyontl Lawrenceburg. capturing thirty prisoners. Novem-
ber 21, ordered to Corinth, and returned to Pulaski, capturing twentv-fi\e
prisoners. December 10, ordered on scout to\\ard Shreve Creek and Florence,
Alabama.

The Seventh Infantry reenlisted as veterans at Pulaski. Tennessee. De-
cember 22, 1863, and was mustered in January 6, 1864, and left immediately
for Illinois, to receive thirty days' furlough. Arrived at Springfield, January
18, 1864. Received an enthusiastic reception from the citizens. Quartered
in Representatives' hall until next day, when furloughed. Reassembled Feb-
ruary 18. 1864, reinforced by two hundred recruits. Left Camp Butler for
Pulaski on the 23d, under command of Major Estabrook — Colonel Rowett
teing in command of Camp Butler. Arrived at Pulaski, February 27, 1864,
where the regiment was mounted, and left for Florence, Alabama, ninety miles
distant, to patrol the Tennessee river and watch Forrest's command, which
were just leaving Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the memorable raid on Paducah
and Fort Pillow. The regiment was divided into three detachments — four
companies at Florence, two companies at Sweetwater and four at Centre Star.

April 8. Colonel Rowett returned to the regiment, whose headquarters
were at Florence. Alabama, and again assumed command, having been relieved
from the command at Camp Butler at his own request.

On the morning of the 7th of May, General Roddy's reljel brigade crossed
the Tennessee, between Sweetwater and Centre Star, and attacked the com-
panies at Florence antl Sweetwater. After six hours' sex'cre fighting against
ten times their number, the companies were obliged to retire with a loss of
three officers and thirty-two men wounded and captured. On the 13th of May.
the Seventh returned with the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, under command of Colonel
Rowett, and drove the rebels across the Tennessee, capturing a number of pris-
oners. Was engaged in patrolling the river until June 14. when the regiment
was dismounted and ordered to report to the brigade commander at Rome.
Georgia. Arrived at Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the 17th of June, and was
ordered to Tilton, Georgia, to patrol the railroad from Dalton to Resaca.
which was then threatened by rebel cavalry. On July 7 was reliexed bv
the Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and proceeded to Rome, Georgia, and
went into camp on the south side of the Etowa river. On the 29th of July the
non-veteran officers and men were mustered out by reason of expiration of
term of service. Captain Hector Perrin was mustered as lieutenant eolonel.
and Captain Edward S. Johnson as major. On the 3d of October. 1864, the
Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps (to which the Seventh was attached),
commanded by General John M. Corse, was ordered to Allatoona Pass to
assist in the defense of that important station, then threatened by Hood's
army. The Third Brigade, consisting of the Seventh, Fiftieth and Fiftv-
seventh Illinois and the Thirty-ninth Iowa, commanded by Colonel Rowett,
reached the Pass on the morning of October 4. The railroad being destroyed

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 195

after the passage of this brigade, the rest of the division failed to reach its
destination. On the morning of the 5th the Pass was attacked by General
French's rebel division, numbering six thousand men. The Seventh, armed
with the Henry rifle (or sixteen-shooter j, did gallant and fearful work — suc-
cessfully repelling four separate charges made by the desperate and hungry
enemy on the line occupied by them — its torn and bleeding ranks told at what
a fearful cost. Its colors, under which fell many a gallant bearer that day,
were never lowered.

"Let its stained and tattered mass,
Tell the story of the terror and the glory
Of the battle of the Allatoona Pass."

The brave Captain Jack Sullivan and Adjutant Robinson fell mortally
wounded. Colonel Rowett was severely wounded in the head. Thirty-eight
men were killed and sixty-seven wounded. The enemy lost two thousand,
two hundred killed and wounded, and, not able to stand against this gallant
little band of defenders in the Pass, they fled, leaving this number on the
field. The Seventh, together with all those who assisted in that gallant de-
fense and glorious victory, won never fading laurels, and was highly compli-
mented by the division commander and General Sherman, who said: "For
the numbers engaged they stood upon the bloodiest battlefield ever known
upon the American continent." After the battle the regiment returned to
Rome, and on the 12th of November, with their corps, under command of
General Osterhaus, joined the Grand Army of Sherman at Kingston, Georgia,
where preparations were being made for the "March to the Sea."

On the 2 1st of November the regiment was remounted and detailed as the
advance of the Fifteenth Army Corps. On December 22, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Perrin. it entered Savannah with Sherman's victorious
columns. Then, turning northward with the army, entered into the campaign
of the Carolinas; participated in the battles of Salkahatchie Swamp, Bentonville
and Columbia.

While on the march to the sea the regiment was surprised by the appear-
ance of Captain E. R. Roberts, who was captured, with most of his company.
May 7, 1864, at Florence, Alabama. He had efifected his escape from the
prison pen at Columbia, South Carolina, and by night had traveled one hundred
and eighty miles to join his regiment.

April 20, Colonel Rowett returned from his enforced absence, caused by
wounds received at the battle of Allatoona, and again took command of the
Third Brigade.

After the surrender of General Johnson, April 26, the regiment took up
its line of march for home by way of Petersburg, Richmond and Alexandria
May 17. 1865, and took part in the grand review at Washington, when it was
ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where, on the 9th of July, it was mustered
out of service. The regiment arrived at Springfield July 1 1 , when it was paid
ofif and discharged.

As a little retrospect it will not be improper to say that the Seventh In-
fantry takes great pride in the fact that it was the first organized regiment
from this state mustered into the L'^nited States service in the war that was

196 KA.NE LUl -XTV IIISTOKY

waged to save the Union, and the first to return to the capital of the state and
reenlist as veterans, as well as being the only regiment in the whole army that
purchased its own gnns — the Henr\" rifles, sixteen-shooters — paying fifty dol-
lars each for them out of their meager pay of thirteen dollars per month,
thereb}- increasing their effective force fi^•e-fold. Colonel Rowett, who com-
manded the Seventh the last four hours of the battle of AUatoona, where
Sherman had stored millions of rations, while according to all the highest
meed of praise for gallant conduct and stubborn courage, insists that without
the aid of the sixteen-shooters French's six thousand rebels would have over-
whelmed the gallant fifteen hundred of "The Pass." Colonel Rowett was
promoted to brevet brigadier general on recommendation of General Sherman
for gallant conduct in this battle.

General Sherman, speaking of this battle in his ofticial report, says :

"I esteemed this defense of AUatoona so handsome and important that I
made it the subject of a general order, viz. : No. 86 of October 7. 1864:

"The general commanding avails himself of the opportunity in the hand-
some defense of AUatoona to illustrate the most important principle of war,
that fortified posts should be defended to the last, regardless of the relative
numbers of the part}' attacking or attacked. The thanks of this army are
due and are hereby accorded to General Corse. Colonel Tourtellotte, Colonel
Rowett. officers and men. for their determined and gallant defense of AUa-
toona, and it is made an example to illustrate the importance of preparing in
time and meeting the danger when presented, boldly, manfully and well.

"Commanders and garrisons of the posts along our railroads are hereby
instructed that they must hold their posts to the last minute, sure that the time
gained is valuable and necessary to their comrades at the front.

"By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.

"(Signed) L. 'SI. Davtox. Aid-de-camp."

SEVENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three ^lonths' Ser\-ice.)

Major.
Nicholas Greusel. Aurora; mustered out Jul}- 2^. 1861.

Sergeant Major.
Samuel G. Ward. Aurora; mustered out July 25. 1861.

COMPAXY A.

Captain.
Edward S. Joslyn. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.

First Sergeant.
S. G. Ward, Aurora; promoted sergeant major.

Sergeants.
Jonathan Kimball. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861. as first sergeant.
F. A. Raymond. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
George F. Wheeler. Elgin; mustered out July 2^. 1861.
Walter H. Kimball. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 197

Corporals.
E. Buck, Elgin ; discharged ; disability.
G. W. Padelford. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
J. R. Kinney. Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
Holland Handburg. Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
William S. Smith. Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.

Musicians.
Gust. C. Kothe, Elgin: mustered out July 25. 1861.
John Goodwin. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.

Privates.
J. W. Aldrich, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
David Allen. Elgin; discharged July 8. 1861 ; disability.
Cullen Allen. Elg-in ; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John J. Adams, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Charles R. Brown. Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Henry P. Baldwin. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
David Bradley, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
A. A. C. Bacon. Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Alden Bates. Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
Robert S. Brown, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Charles M. Boutwell, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Sidney Bradford. Elgin: mustered out July 25. 1861.
Benjamin S. Cool! Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
C. H. Chapman, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Charles H. Campbell, Elgin; discharged July 8, 1861 ; disability.
John Coon, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Thomas Crayon, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
H. S. Doty, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
C. F. Dike. Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
E. H. Densmore, Elgin; died June 2, 1861, at Elton,
C. L. Dixon, Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
M. L. Dixon, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John Detman, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

G. W. Forsyth. Elgin; transferred to Barker's Dragoons July 13. 1861.
M. H. French, Elgin; discharged July i. 1861 ; disability.
C. W. Guptail, Elgin; niustered out July 25, 1861.
S. M. Harney, Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
S. F. Hammond, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
C. M. Harvey, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John Hart, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
R. Humphrey. Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
J. L. Haines, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861,
A. A. Keyes, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Nathaniel B. Lewis, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
\y. H. Mitchell, Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
Albert Messenger, Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.
A. Martens, Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.

198 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

John Murphy, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Joseph Over, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

James O'Donnell, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

G. H. Peeler, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

H. S. Padleford, Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.

Hiram Peterson, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

John Ryan, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

William Renwick, Elgin: mustered out July 25, 1861.

J. R. Rickey, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Henry Rice, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Alexander Robinson, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

M. Harney Searghfield, Elgin; died May 19, 1861, at Alton.

J. S. Soper, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

M. J. Southworth, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Charles H. Slawson, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

A. R. Smith, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

B. Sweeney, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

C. W. Smith, Elgin; mustered out July_25, 1861.
Jacob C. Schneider, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
T. J. Thompason, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

J. M. Vining. Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
O. R. Wilson, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
N. D. Wollaver, Elgin; mustered out July 25. 1861.
J. H. Ward, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
William Wollaver, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
A. R. Walker, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.
W. H. Wheeler, Elgin; mustered out July 25, 1861.

COMPANY C.

Captains.
Nicholas Greusel, Aurora; promoted.
Samuel E. Lawyer, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

First Lieutenants.
Samuel E. Lawyer, Aurora; promoted.
Silas Miller, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Second Lieutenants.
Silas Miller, Aurora; promoted.
Rufus P. Pattison, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

First Sergeant.
George W. White, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Sergeant.
Benj. F. Campbell, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George P. Douglas, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John J. Aiken, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Corporals.
Henry A. Tittsworth, Aurora; mustered out as sergeant July 25. 1861.
Charles R. White. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 199

George Prindle, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Fred H. Ollemacher. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Musicians.
Henry A. Snell, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Joseph P. Wightman, Aurora ; promoted principal musician.

Priz'atcs.
Wm. H. Anderson, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Wm. H. Billings, Aurora; discharged June 3, 1861 ; disability.
Albert N. Brown, Aurora; mustered out as corporal, July 25, 1861.
Wm. Brown, Jr., Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Melville Bowers, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Albert Billings, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Jos. H. Bishop, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
C. A. Bamber, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John F. Churchill. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Henry Gushing, Aurora; discharged June 3, 1861.
George Garman. Aurora; discharged June 3, 1861.
John R. Dolan, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Robert Drain, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Samuel Ebbersall, Aurora: mustered out July 25, 1861.
Charles Eppner, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Michael Flinn, Aurora, mustered out July 25, 1861.
Thomas Flinn, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Patrick M. Fitzgerald, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Marcus D. Flowers, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Abner Fields. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John Fox. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Jacj Gallagher, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Oscar Getman, Aurora ; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Andrew Golden, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
F. A. Gates, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John A. Gronberg. Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Edwin Goodwin, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Frederick Hoff, Aurora; died at Atound City, June 23, 1861.
F. N. Holden, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Jacob Hopper, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John H. Hubbard, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Wm. Delos Hawkins. Aurora: mustered out July 25, 1861.
James W. Harris. Aurora: mustered out July 25, 1861.
Samuel Hitchcock, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861. ■
John W. Kendall, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Frederick Knight. Aurora; mustered out July 25. 1861.
Orvis C. Lathrop, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Joseph Loomis, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George Meigs, Aurora; mustered out July 25. 1861.
John N. Murray, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Robert Miller, Aurora: mustered out July 25. 1861.

200 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Caleb Mayhew, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Ellihu Mayhew, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Rees L. Merriam, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Frank Morlett, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George W. Moore, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
N. M. Moore, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George W. Morton, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Thomas McConley, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Fred'k Nichols, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Oscar Pease, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Wm. H. Puffer, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Wm. W. Roberts, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Lewis Ruse, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
John M. Steele. Aurora; mustered out July 25. 1861.
James A. Swain, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Fletcher J. Snow, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
William F. Schaffer, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
William Shies, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Harvey S. Seymour, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George W. Vail, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
M. J. Walker, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Henry C. Williamson, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
LeRoy Waller, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Wm. A. Warner, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 186 1.
F. W. Wells, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

Recruits.
James Courtney, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Freman H. Goodwin, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
Emery D. Hazelton, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.
George W. Kiger, Aurora; mustered out July 25, 1861.

SEVENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Lieutenant Colonel.
Nicholas Greusel, Aurora ; promoted colonel, Thirty-sixth Infantry.

Major.
Nicholas Greusel, Aurora ; promoted.

Quarteriiiasfcr.
William Brown, Jr., Aurora; died October 9, 1862; wounds.

Regimental Band.
First Class.
Joseph M. Barden, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.
John S. Cummings, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.

Second Class.
Samuel Clark, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 201

Third Class.
Phinias A. Walker, St. Charles: mustered out August 27, 1862.
Moses G. Hascall. St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.
Thomas L. Johnson, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.
Labra C. Spoore, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.
Wm. H. McCracken, St. Charles; mustered out August 27, 1862.
George Garren, St. Charles; mustered out August ij, 1862.

COMPANY A.

Captains.
Samuel G. Ward, Elgin; killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.
George F. Wheeler, Elgin; resigned December 31, 1862.
Thomas McGuire, St. Charles; discharged March 12, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Jonathan Kimball, Elgin; resigned February 5, 1862.
Mason M. Marsh, Elgin; resigned November 22, 1861.
Thomas McGuire, St. Charles; promoted.

Second Lieutenants.
Thomas McGuire, St. Charles; promoted.
Charles T. Elliot, St. Charles; mustered out July 29, 1864.

Sergeants.
James R. Kinney, Elgin ; reported dead ; cause not given.
George W. Wheeler, Elgin ; promoted captain.
Thomas McGuire, St. Charles ; promoted second lieutenant.
Charles T. Elliot, St. Charles; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporals.
Jacob C. Schneider, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles Eppner, Aurora; discharged December 12, 1861 ; disability.
Arthur N. Stone, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Musician.
Henry Snell, Aurora; transferred to Thirty-sixth Infantry.

Privates.
Oscar N. Adams, Elgin; discharged July 29, 1864.
John Bradford, Elgin; died at home March 31, 1862.
Eugene Bradford, Elgin.

Robert Carmon, Elgin; mustered out June 8, 1865, as sergeant.
Henry Carmichael. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.
William H. Coleman, Elgin; discharged January 5, 1863; disability.
William L. Gage, Elgin.

George Gilbert, Elgin; died, Cairo; no date given.
Henry C. Hassen, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

Morris W. Hickey, St. Charles; mustered out July 29, 1861, as sergeant.
John W. House, Geneva ; discharged July 29, 1864.
John Hart, Hampshire; died at Fort Holt. November 7, 1861.
Francis M. Hickox, Elgin.

Walter J. Mallett, Elgin; mustered out June 8, 1865.
Edward Orton, Elgin; discharged July 29, 1864.
Michael O'Brien, Elgin; discharged July 29, 1864.

202 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

George E. Silver, Elgin; mustered out July 29, 1864. as corporal.

William Schaffer, Aurora; reeulisted as veteran.

Charles Stone, Elgin.

Johnson Thompson, Dundee.

Lawrence J. Wheeler, Elgin; transferred to Eighth Illinois Cavalry.

William Wheeler, Elgin; died at Elgin, August 2, 1861.

Recruits.
John Fitzgerald, Aurora; discharged October i, 1864.
Richard M. Johnson, Elgin; discharged October i, 1864.
George N. Sill, St. Charles.

J^cterans.
Henry Carmichael, Elgin; mustered out July 9, 1865.
John R. Hundley, Elgin; mustered out July 9. 1865.
Andrew Hughes, Elgin; absent; sick at muster out.
William E. Lawless, Elgin; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Francis D. Orcutt, Elgin; mustered out July 9, 1865.
William C. Schaffer, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Arthur N. Stone, Elgin; discharged April 9, 1865.
Jacob C. Schneider, Dundee; mustered out July 9, 1865.

COMPANY B.

Recruits.
Edwin H. Hill, Elgin; mustered out July 9, 1865.
John W. House, Geneva; discharged July 29. 1864.
Walter J. Mallett, Elgin; mustered out June 8, 1865.
Hiram Peterson, Elgin ; reenlisted ; promoted sergeant.

COMPANY c.

Captain.
Samuel E. Sawyer, Aurora; discharged July 24, 1864.

First Lieutenant.
John H. Hubbard, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.

Second Lieutenant.
John H. Hubbard, Aurora ; promoted.

Sergeants.
Judson Parks, Aurora.
John H. Hubbard, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporal.
William H. Voorhees, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

JJ'agoner.
Henry H. Showers, Aurora; died. Fort Holt, Kentucky, January 16,
1862.

Privates.
Clark B. Alford, Aurora; killed at Corinth, October 3, 1862.
Charles Blackman, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Frederick C. Bryant, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.
Edgar Campbell, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Levi Casselman, Aurora.
Alonzo Ecker, Aurora; died Fort Holt. Kentucky. January 27. 1862.

BUSINESS DISTRICT. WEST ELGIN. 1866.

VIEW OF ELGIN BUSINESS DISTRICT IN 1866.

KANE OOUNTY HISTORY 205

Joseph Kopf, Aurora.

John Lemuel, Aurora; died, Camp Girardeau, September 14, 1861.

Paul J. B. Marion, Sugar Grove.

Eli McDaniels, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Edward McNolty, Aurora; discharged July 24. 1864.

Henry Nichboy, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Oliver Rose, Aurora; discharged December 2-], 1861.

Veterans.
Thos. W. Billington, Virgil; killed at Rome, August 19, 1864.
Charles Blackman, Batavia ; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Edgar Baker, Aurora; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Frederick C. Bryant, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Thomas J. Carpenter. Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865, as corporal.
John Fouke, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Jesse Hamilton, Aurora; mustered out July 9. 1865.
Eli McDaniels, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Henry G. Nichboy, Aurora: mustered out Julv 9, 1865.
Marcellus K. Snell, Aurora: mustered out Julv 9, 1865.
James A. Tebay, Batavia; mustered out July 9, 1865.

Recruits.
Thomas Bentley, Aurora; mustered out May 19, 1865.
H. Hammerschmidt, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Andrew Hellgoth, Aurora; killed. Allatoona, October 5, 1864.
John Schmidt, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
John Simon, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Charles Stealboldt, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Abraham Staley, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
William Turner, Aurora; mustered out July 9, 1865.
Charles Yews, Aurora; died, Rome, Ga., November i, 1864.

Unassigned Recruits.
Henry C. Bell, Aurora; died. Camp Butler, Illinois, April 11, 1864.

EIGHTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY G.

Drafted and Substitute Recruits.
John Joyce, Aurora; mustered out October 20, 1865.

HISTORY OF THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.

The Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Infantry was one of the reo-iments
organized under the act known as the Ten Regiment Bill.

It was composed of companies as follows : "I" from Cook county, "H"
from Kane county, "K" from DuPage county, "E" and "F" from DeKalb
county, "A" and "C" from Lee county, "B" and "G" from Whiteside county,
and "D" from Rock Island county.

John B. Wyman, of Amboy, was elected colonel ; B. F. Parks, of Aurora,
lieutenant colonel; and A. B. Georges, of Dixon, major.

206 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The regiment was mustered into the state service on the 21st day of
April and into the United States service on the 24th day of Alay, 1861, for
three years or during the war, by Captain John Pope, of the regular army,
at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois.

The Thirteenth was the first regiment organized from the then Second
Congressional District of the state, and was composed of as good citizens as
northern Illinois contained, many that enlisted as privates rising to field ofificers
in later regiments.

Its colonel, John B. Wayman, organized and commanded the "Chicago
Light Guards," the first Crack Corps the Garden City ever had, and he soon
brought the Thirteenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and soldierly deport-
ment that was never excelled by any regiment with which it was afterwards
associated.

On the l6th of June it was ordered to Caseyville, Illinois, ten miles
east of St. Louis, and on the 5th day of July it passed through St. Louis to
Rolla, Missouri, where it remained until the spring of 1862.

While stationed at Rolla it was engaged in guarding supply trains to and
from General Lyon's army, in suppressing guerrilla bands in that part of the
state, and was a part of General Fremont's force that went to Springfield.
Missouri, in the fall of 1861, after General Price, when the regiment was well
and favorably known as ''Fremont's Grey Hounds," a name given to them
by General Fremont himself, on the evening the regiment joined his army at
Bolivar, in splendid shape, after a day's march of forty-two miles.

In 1862 it joined General Curtis' army at Pea Ridge, two hundred and
fifty miles southwest of Rolla, and was with General Curtis in his memorable
march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river.

It was a part of General Sherman's army in his attack upon Chickasaw
Bayou, and from that time on became a part of the noted Fifteenth Army
Corps, commanded so long by General Sherman in person. In the first day's
assault at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel W'yman was killed. The day following,
it was a part of General F. P. Blair's brigade that distinguished itself by
approaching nearer to the rebel works than any other command in that part
of the field. The losses to the regiment on that day were 183 killed and
wounded. It was present at the capture of Arkansas Post, after which it
returned to Young's Point, opposite ^^icksburg. \\niile there General Steele's
division, of which the Thirteenth was a part, made a very successful raid to
Greenville, Mississippi, and up Deer creek, driving the rebels out of that
region and destroying an immense quantit}' of corn intended for the rebel
garrison at Vicksburo-.

THIRTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY B.

Musician.
George A. Hall. Batavia; transferred to invalid corps and mustered out
June 18, 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 207

Privates.
Edward E. Dunham, Geneva; mustered out June i8, 1864.
Moses D. M. Hubbard, Sugar Grove; discharged February 6, 1862;
disability.

COMPANY E.

Privates.
John Trowbridge, Aurora; mustered out June t8, 1864.

COMPANY F.

Recruits.
Abbott Merrill, Kaneville; mustered out June 18, 1864.

COMPANY G.

Recruits.
Fred Babcock, St. Charles; mustered out June 18, 1864.
John E. Clark, St. Charles; deserted March 9, 1862.
Hiram C. Frisbie, St. Charles; died September 25, 1863.
John O'Brien, St. Charles; mustered out June 8, 1865.
Patrick Ponsonby, St. Charles; mustered out June 2, 1865.
Samuel Pike, St. Charles; discharged October 31, 1862.
George Rogers, St. Charles; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Almon A. Stevens, St. Charles.
Isaac Shipman, St. Charles; died October 13, 1863.

COMPANY H.

Captains.
George H. Gardner, Aurora; dismissed, no pay, September 3, 1862;
reinstated; died January 5, 1863.

Edwin Went, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.

First Lieutenants.
Edwin Went, Aurora; promoted.
Ethan A. Pritchard, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.

Second Lieutenants.
Ethan A. Pritchard, Aurora; promoted.
Jesse D. Pierce, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.

First Sergeant.
Jesse D. Pierce, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
William Larabe, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
George E. Putnam, Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864 as first sergeant.
John Woodard, Aurora; discharged October 9, 1861.

Corporals.
Eley H. Holley. Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864, as sergeant.
George W. Meirs, Aurora; discharged March 25, 1864; disability.
Malcomb G. Clark. Big Rock; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Rodnev F. |av. Sugar Grove ; prisoner of war ; mustered out Tune 7,
1865.

208 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Henry K. Allison. Aurora: transferred to Illinois cavalry January 15,

1864.

Frank W. Whipple, St. Charles; mustered out June 18. 1864. as private.

Musicians.
Edwin \\'. Loomis. St. Charles: discharged January 10. 1863.
Frank Brown. Aurora: deserted July 30. 1862.

Privates.
Lendrum Armstrong. Aurora; deserted May 4. 1863.
Orrin \". Anderson, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Benjamin F. Brisben, Aurora; transferred to Illinois cavalry September
I, 1863.

Albert E. Beardsley, Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Thomas L. Burt. Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Eugene A. Brownell. St. Charles: mustered out June 18. 1864.
Edwin H. Babcock. Aurora; died June 6, 1863.
George Bankson. Aurora; discharged April 30. 1863.
Thomas Bexton. Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Alfred Barnes, Sugar Grove: prisoner of war; mustered out June 7,
1865.

George E. Conklin. St. Charles; prisoner of war; mustered out June 2,
1865.

Guy C. Clark. Big Rock; mustered out June 18. 1864. as corporal.
\\'alter B. Corthell. Big Rock; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Philander C. Costar. Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.
William Cheetham. Aurora: mustered out June 18. 1864.
Frank W. Gushing. Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Edward L. Currier. St. Charles: prisoner of war; mustered out Tune 8,
1865.

Noah Sharp Cramer, Aurora; discharged October 21, 1862 ; Sen. G. C. M.
Bartley Dein. Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Peter Dougdale. Aurora: mustered out April 22, 1863: disability.
Waterman DaLee. Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
John Eddy, St. Charles; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Edwin M. Emerson. Aurora : transferred to second lieutenant to Tenth
Missouri Cavalry.

John E. Foster. Big Rock: discharged April 25. 1862; disability.
John Fisher. Big Rock; deserted January 20. 1863.
Barney Hines. Aurora; discharged August 12. 1863; disability.
Henry M. Harmes. Sugar Grove: deserted January 20. 1863.
James H. Huntoon. Aurora; deserted January 20. 1863.
John Hall, Aurora: discharged January 11. 1863: disability.
John 'M. Jolley. Aurora; transferred to Illinois Cavalry. March 15. 1864
Henry H. Johnson, Big Rock: transferred to Illinois Cavalry. Januan
15, 1864.

Robert S. Johnson, Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864. as corporal
Eldorado Knight. St. Charles; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Randolph Morton. Aurora; mustered out July 18. 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 209

James McGuire, Aurora; discharged August 19, 1861.
Charles Pelan, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864, as sergeant.
Josepli C. PauHn, Aurora; died December 8, 1861.
Lemuel Purdy, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
George B. Robinson, Aurora; transferred as hospital steward to non-
commissioned staff, October 8, 1863.

Frederick Rink, x-\urora; mustered out June 18, 1864, as corporal.
Marcus E. Sherman, Aurora; died December 30, 1862.
Mathias Siegfried. Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
George W. Smith, Aurora; discharged March 5, 1862.
John A. Sohnley. Aurora; died January 21, 1863; wounds.
Edwin Sheehey, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Christopher C. Scraft'ord, Aurora; discharged September 8, 1863.
Steward B. Strong. Aurora; discharged July 29, 1862.
Christopher Schafer. Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.
Emil Sier, Aurora; died February 5, 1862.
Nelson Terrill. Aurora; died October 28, 1861.
Peter Thompson, Aurora; discharged September 12, 1862.
Arthur B. \\'est. Sugar Grove; mustered out June 18, 1864.
Dexter L. Watson, Aurora; died January 11, 1863; wounds.
George W. Young, St. Charles; mustered out June 18, 1864.

Recruits.

Henry Bonon, Aurora; died April 29, 1864.

Joseph Everard, Aurora; mustered out June 18, 1864.

Emil Kotha, Aurora; died June 12, 1863; wounds.

Orville B. Merrill, Aurora; transferred as lieutenant to Thirty-sixth
Illinois Infantry, September 17, 1861.

John H. Steel, Aurora; wounded December 29. 1862; in hospital.

Abram \'an Riper, Aurora.

Smith S. \\'ard, Kaneville; promoted captain Fifty-second Illinois, August
2, 1861.

Wharton L. White, Blackberry; died September 20, 1861.

Newton Wells, .Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864.

COMP.\NY I.

Prkvtc.
Phillip H. Carr, Dundee; discharged September 19, 1861 ; blind.

Recruits.
Cyrus Golden, Aurora; discharged September 26, 1862; disability.
Jacob H. Quant, Aurora; mustered out June 7, 1865.
George C. Wood, Aurora; discharged August 23, 1862; disability.

COMPANY K.

Privates.
James P. Gillespie, Aurora; mustered out June 18. 1864. as corporal.
Hiram Slate, Aurora; transferred to Tenth Missouri Cavalry. October i,
1861.

210 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

FOURTEENTH (REORGANIZED) INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY I.

Privates.
Ovid B. Smith, Rutland; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Cornelius B. Vaugh, Rutland; mustered out September 16, 1865, as
corporal.

George W. Wright, Rutland; sick at muster-out.

FIFTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Drum Major.
Nicholas Wolaver, Dundee.

COMPANY D.

Privates.
Marshall Stephens, Hampshire; discharged October 16, 1862; disability
Henry E. Stephens, Hampshire; mustered out May 24, 1864.
Robert Williams, Hampshire; mustered out May 24, 1864.

COMPANY F.

Corporal.
John W. Davenport, Dundee; died November 24, 1863.

Privates.
George Lock. Dundee; mustered out May 24, 1864.
James AVollaver. Dundee; discharged August 13, 1861.
Nicholas Wollaver. Dundee; transferred to N. C. S. ; drum major.

Unassigned Recruit.
William H. Rowe, St. Charles.

FIFTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY D.

Private.
Henry Gates, Elgin; died at Bacon Creek, Kentucky, January 23, 1862.

COMPANY E.

Recruits.
Peter F. Guthrie, St. Charles; mustered out July 9, 1864, as sergeant.
Henry C. Matteson. St. Charles : promoted hospital steward.
Henry C. Young. St. Charles; discharged October 27, 1863; disability.
TWENTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY G.

Drafted and Substitute Recruits.
John Hanson, Campton; substitute; never reported to company; drafted.

KAXE COUNTY TTTsTORY 211

COMPANY K.

Recruits.
Nathaniel P. Barnard. Aurora: mustered out July i6, 1865.
Luman C. Preston. Aurora; mustered out July 16, 1865.
Fayette Schofield. Aurora; mustered out July 16, 1865.

Unassigiicd Recruits.
Nathaniel Barnnino, Aurora.

TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY c.

Recruits.
John Durand, St. Charles: discharged March 19, 1S63.
George Durand, St. Charles : reenlisted as veteran.
Charles Lake, St. Charles; discharged; minor.
John Vermor. Geneva; died October 22, 1862.

COMPANY H.

First Lieutenant.
Anthony ^IcBriarty. Elgin; mustered out September 14, 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Anthony McBriarty. Elgin ; promoted.

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY c.
Corporal.
Julius Beinsdorf, Aurora; mustered out August 6, 1864.

Privates.
Jno. G. Battenshlag, Aurora: deserted December 20. 1861.
Jacob Echenberger, Aurora; mustered out August 6, 1864.

TWENTY-SINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

( Three Years' Service. )

COMPANY' E.

Private.
David Cothrin. Rutland; deserted August 18. 1862.

COMPANY' H.

Musician.
John H. Dodge. Aurora; deserted February i, 1863.

THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY I.

Recruits.

Andrew ^liller, Aurora: mustered out July 19. 1865.

212 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY K.

Veteran.
George W. C'pton, Dundee: mustered out September i6. 1865.

THIRTY'-THIRD INFANTRY REGi:\IENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMP.\XV A.

Prizrate.

Charles A. Barrows. Elgin: transferred to Invalid Corps. Januarv 14.
1864.

COMPANY B.

Sergeant.
Alfred C. Cambridge. Elgin: deserted March 17, 1863.

Recruits.
Henry Ankel. Sugar Gro\e; mustered out October i. 1865.
Joseph Albee, Sugar Grove: mustered out October i. 1865.

COMPANY D.

Recruits.
James D. Brower. Sugar Grove: mustered out Octolier i. 1865.
John ]\Ioore, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 4. 1865.

COMPANY F.

Recruits Transferred from One Hundred and Tieenty-fourth Illinois Infantry.
Edwin M. Benedict. Batavia: mustered out November 24. 1865.
John H. Cleveland, Batavia; mustered out Xovember 24. 1865.
Josiah L. Coolidge. Batavia; mustered out Xovember 24. 1865.
David Dean, Batavia; mustered out Xovember 24, 1865.
Michael Davis. Batavia; mustered out Xovember 24, 1865.
Edward F. Fish. Batavia; mustered out X'ovember 24. 1865.
Francis F. Joy. Virgil; mustered out X'ovember 24, 1865.
Russell L. Massee. Batavia; mustered out X'ovember 24, 1865.
\'alentine McDonald. Batavia; mustered out X'ovember 24. 1865
\\illiam H. Price. Batavia; mustered out Xovember 24, 1865.
Cyrus R. Roff. Batavia; mustered out Xoveml^er 24. 1865.
Clark Wood. Batavia; mustered out X'ovember 24. 1865.

Unassigned Recruits.
Lewis Baker, Rutland.
Royal Robinson. Rutland.

THIRTY-FOURTH IXFAXTRY REGIMEXT.
(Three Y'ears' Service.)

COMPANY c.

Recruits Transferred fro)n One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry.
Walter Ketchum. Rutland ; never reported to company.
George Roller. Rutland; mustered out July 12. 1865.
George ^'ermett. Rutland: mustered out July 12. 1865.

THE ISLAND IN AX EARLY DAY— AURORA.
Now Occ-upied by the Postoffice. City Hall, G. A. R. Hall and Other

Prominent Buildins:?.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 215

THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Surgeon.

Sidney B. Hawley. St. Charles; mustered out September 27, 1864.

HISTORY OF THIRTY-SINTH INFANTRY.

The Thirty-sixth Infantry, IlHnois Volunteers, was organized at Camp
Hammond, near Aurora, Illinois, by Colonel N. Greusel, and was mustered
into the service by Colonel Brackett, United States mustering officer, Sep-
tember 21,. i8(5i, for a term of three years, or during the war. The regiment
numbered nine hundred and sixty-five officers and enlisted men, and had two
companies of cavalry ("A" and "B"j, one hundred and eighty-six officers
and men. On September 24, moved via Quincy, Illinois, to St. Louis, Mis-
souri, where the companies of infantry were armed. Companies "A" and "B"
receiving Minie and Enfield rifles, the other companies remodeled Spring-
field muskets, caliber 69. On September 28 left St. Louis by rail for RoUa,
Missouri, leaving the cavalry at Benton barracks. Went into camp at Rolla
September 29, remaining there until January 14, 1862, the time being taken
up with severe drill, camp and postguard duty, and an occasional scout.
Left Rolla January 14, 1862, for Springfield, Missouri, the Thirty-fifth, Forty-
fourth and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry
composing the brigade commanded by Colonel Osterhaus. Passed through
Springfield on the 14th of February, halted on the 22d and remained for a
few days near Bentonville, Arkansas. Companies "B" and "K" participated
in the fight at that place March 6; was engaged in the battles at Leetown
March 7 and Pea Ridge March 8; went into camp at Keitsville, Missouri,
after the fight. Broke camp April 5 and started for Batesville, Arkansas,
reaching that point May 3. Here the regiment was transferred to the com-
mand of General Asboth, who started with his command from Batesville for
Cape Girardeau. Missouri, May 11. arriving on the 22d. On the 23d
embarked on a boat for Hamburg Landing, Tennessee, marching out to
Corinth. Mississippi, on the 29th. On evacuation of Corinth marched to
Booneville and from there to Rienzi. remaining there until September 6;
then ordered to Cincinnati ; went into camp in Covington, Kentucky. From
there ordered to Louisville, arriving September 19; was assigned to General
Sheridan's division. Started October i on the Kentucky campaign, marching
via Bardstown and Springfield to Perryville, at which place it was engaged
October 8. Mo\-ed thence in pursuit of Bragg via Danville and Lancaster to
Crab Orchard, returning via Lancaster, Danville, Lebanon, Newmarket, Cave
City and Bowling Green to Nasln-ille. near which place it encamped November
8. Remaining in camp at this place, "Seven Mile Creek" and "Mill Creek"
until December 26, the regiment broke camp and started on the Murfreesboro
campaign. On December 31 took part in the battle of Stone River. After
the battle and evacuation of ^lurfreesboro went into camp on the bank of
Stone river, on the Shell)y\-ille pike, where it remained until June 24, 1862.
The regiment then took part in the Tullahoma campaign, participating in the
skirmishes incident to the dri\'ing of Bragg's armv nut of middle Tennessee.

21() KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Reached Cuwan July 3. where it went into camp ami remained until July 30.
when it hrdke camp and marched to Bridgeport, Alabama. Went into camp
and assisted in bridging the Tennessee ri\'er, preparatory to crossing and
entering upon the Chattanooga campaign. Crossed the river September 2.
anil being in McCook's corps, marched to Broomtown valley, crossing LcK)k-
ont mountain through ^^"inston"s Gap. Here iMcCook was ordered to join
Thomas, which he did by a forced march of forty-si.x miles. The regiment
took part in the battle of Chickamauga September 20 and retired via Ross-
ville with the .'irmy into Chattanooga, sharing with the rest of the army in its
privations during the siege. The regiment took an active part in the battle
of Missionary Ridge Novemlier 25. 1863. its colors being among the first
planted on the Ridge. On the 28th started under Sheridan for Knoxville,
Tennessee, to relieve Burnside. Reached that point December 6. Moving
out on the 12th, marched to tlifferent points east of Kno-x\ille until it
bivouacked in midwinter at Blain"s Cross Roads on the 17th. Reenlisting
at this place January i, 1864, the regiments started January 6 for Chatta-
nooga to arrange details of muster for new term of service, preparatory to
veteran furlough. Returning, left Naslnille. Tennessee, March 26, for Chat-
tanooga, marching nearly the entire route. May 3 started on the Atlanta
campaign ; was under fire almost daily, with quite severe fighting at Rocky
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek and Jonesboro, marching into Atlanta September 8. On
September 2'^ was ordered back to Chattanooga, leaving that place on the 2d
of October in pursuit of Hood ; marched to Ringgold, Shell ]\Iijund, White-
side, Gordon Mills, Summerville, Alpine, Huntsville. Decatur, Athens, Pulaski,
Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin, being rear guard and under fire ahiKist
continuously from Spring Hill to Franklin. It was there engaged in the
hottest of that memorable battle. General Thomas personally thanking the'
regiment for its bravery and gallantry in that fight. The First Brigade, to
which it belonged. Colonel Opdyke commanding, charged the rebel lines, and
at different periods in the action captured thirty-three { 33 ) stands of colors,
and on the night of November 30 was the last to cross the bridge over the
Harpeth ri\-er on retiring from the field for Nash\'ille, which place it reached
on the afternoon of December i. The regiment was placed in position on
the Hillsboro and Granny M'hite Pikes. Was engaged in the battle of Nash-
ville December 15 and 16, and captured a battery and over one hundred
prisoners on the 15th. On the retreat of Bragg the regiment joined in pur-
suit December 17, passing through Brentwood to Franklin, thence to Columbia
and Pulaski, reaching Lexington on December 28. Leaving there on the
31st, passed through Athens on the 5th of January, 1865. reaching Hunts^•ille
on the 6th, where the regiment built barracks and went into winter quarters
Leaving Huntsville March 28, proceeded by rail to Chattanooga, from thence
through east Tennessee. Marching from Bull's Gap. went into camp at Blue
Springs April 4. AMiile in camp at this place the regiment received, on the
night of April 10. the news of Lee's surrender, and, in the same camp, April
15, news of the assassination of President Lincoln. Orders were then received
to return to Nashville, the regiment marching from Blue Springs to Bull's

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 217

Gap, where it boarded a train and returned to Xaslnille \-ia Kno.wille and
Chattanooga. Remained there until June 15. wlien it proceeded by rail to
[olinsonville, on the Tennessee river, where it was placed on transports,
under orders for New Orleans, Louisiana, reaching that point June 23. At
the special request of General Sheridan, the Thirty-sixth was detailed for
headquarters and other special duty, thereby receiving from other troops the
sobriquet, "Sheridan's pet." The regiment did special duty quelling dis-
turbances, guarding paymasters and conveying rebel archives captured in the
West, to Washington, D. C., until October 8. on which date it was mustered
out of service and jiroceeded to Springfield, Illinois, received pay, and disbanded
October 27, 1865.

In general engagements alone the Thirty-sixth ( Infantry ) Regiment
lost in killed and wounded over seven hundred men. It was reinforced by
two liundred and twenty-one recruits and drafted men. It marched and was
transported by rail and boat over ten thousand miles during its term of
service. Changed commanding officers ten times, yet it maintained through-
out its term of service the esprit de corps of its original organization.

The regimental cnmmanders ha\e been Colonel Nicholas Greusel, Lieu-
tenant Colonel Ed. Joslyn, Colonel Silas ]\liller, Lieutenant Colonel Albert
Jenks, Lieutenant Colonel Porter C, Olson, Captain J. B. McNeil, Captain
Wm, Mitchell, Company "A" ; Major L. P. Holden, of the Eighty-eighth
Illinois Infantry, assigned by Colonel .Opdyke, brigade commander. Major
Holden was relieved by Captain Geo. \\'. Mossman, Compau)' F, on his pro-
motion to major, who was hiniself relie\ed by Lieutenant Colc^mel B. E.
Campbell, assuming command and retaining the same until the regiment was
mustered out of the service.

The brigade commanders have been Colonels Osterhaus, Hausendifel.
Knoblesdorf and Greusel, General Sill, Colonel E. T. Sherman, General
W. H. Lytle, General Nathan Kimball and Colonel Opdyke.

Division commanders. Generals Sigel, Asboth. JefT. C. Da\is, G(jrdon
Granger, Sheridan, Newton, Wagner and Elliott.

Corps commanders. Generals Curtis, Pope, Gilbert, McCook, Granger,
Howard, Stanley, Thos. J. Wood,

Department commanders. Generals Eremont, Hunter, Halleck, Wright,
Nelson, Buell, Rosecrans, Thomas and Sheridan.

Companies "A" and "B" Cavalry. After receiving arms at Benton bar-
racks they joined the regiment at Rolla, Missouri ; made occasional scouts
until late in December, when they started upon an expedition under General
Carr in the direction of Springfield, Missouri. Early in February joined the
army of General Curtis, made several expeditions with General Asboth ;
moved to Osage Springs, thence into the Indian Territory with General
Sigel. Returning was with him in fight at Bentonville, March 6, Leetown,
March 7, and Pea Ridge, March 8. Thence moved to Batesville, and about
May I started with General Jeff C. Davis to Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
Thence by boat moved to Hamburg Landing, Tennessee ; thence to Corinth,
Mississippi, Company A being assigned to General Schuyler Hamilton and
Company B to General Gordon Granger as escorts ; subsequently Company B

218 KAXK rorXTY HISTORY

to General Rosecrans and then to General Mitchell, moving into Alabama.
The companies never again serving in the same departments, they will be
given separate reports.

Company A was soon transferred to General Rosecrans' headquarters
and remained with him through the battles of luka and Corinth, then to
General C. S. Hamilton and with him to ilemphis; thence as escort to General
Lauman to \"icksburg. May 17. The company was in action near Greenville,
and was on expedition to Haines' Bluff. Joined Grant's army on Big Black
river, thence moved with Sherman's army to Jackson. July 25 embarked for
New Orleans; was in action at Morganzia Bend in General Heron's division.
Went to the Techs country; was in action with General Dick Taylor and
General Kirby Smith. On General Banks' expedition to Red river with
General Lee; returned to Xew Orleans and was consolidated as Company I,
Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. Sent to regiment at Helena, Arkansas, January-
25, 1865. Gloved to Brownsville. Again consolidated as Company "M.
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, and returned to Xew Orleans. In June embarked
for Shreveport. July, started on march to San Antonio. Texas. Remained
until November 22 and moved via Galveston. Xew Orleans and Cairo to
.Springfield. Illinois, and received final muster out and discharge January 6.
1866. Company commanders have been Captain Albert Jenks. Lieutenant
Samuel B. Sherer. Lieutenant Azariah C. Ferre. Captain George A. Willis
and Captain Daniel Dynan.

Company B Cavalry, upon joining General Buell's army was transferred
from General ]SIitchell to General Carlin and marched through Alabama.
Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky to Louisville, returning through Kentucky
W'ith General Carlin. \\"as in battle of Perryville (first to enter the town)
and in action at Lancaster and near Crab Orchard. Countermarched to Cave
City, thence to Bowling Green, thence to Edgefield via Tyree Springs, where
had an engagement with General John ^lorgan, and also the. following day
at Shackle Island. \\'as in a cavalry action at Hepworth Shoals (special
mentioned by General Rosecrans). Then assigned as escort to General Jeff
C. Davis. Camped near X'ashville December 26, led the advance of McCook's
corps to Xolensville (complimented by McCook and Davis personally, and
official reports). Crossed Overall's Creek and was in cavalry fight with
Colonel Stokes. Was in battle of Stone River; with Davis" e.xpedition to
Eaglesville. \'ersai]les and Franklin. Had cavalry action at \'ersailles. Rover,
Franklin and A\'alnut Church. In June. 1863. transferred as escort to Gen-
eral T. L. Crittenden and marched with him to Stevenson. Alabama, then to
Chattanooga. Tennessee, and on to Ringgold. Georgia, back to Crawfish
Springs. Had cavalry engagement at Rossville and Ringgold. Was in the
battle of Chickamauga. then marched back to Chattanooga. Generals ]\IcCook
and Crittenden subsequently being relieved, the company escorted them to
Stevenson. Returned to Chattanooga, assigned to General Thomas' head-
quarters. Took seven hundred starving horses and mules to Stevenson,
returned to Chattanooga. Assigned to General Hooker as escort, marched to
Stevenson, thence via Whiteside to ^^'auhtehie and camped in Lookout vallev.
By order war dejiartment transferred as Company K. Fifteenth Ilhnois

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 219

Cavalry. In battles of Lookuut [Mountain. ^Missionary Ridge and Ringgold;
returning to Lookout \'alley, camped until the spring of 1864. Was escort
to General Hooker in Atlanta campaig'n; charged across and saved a burning-
bridge over Pumpkinvine creek (special mention). General Hooker being
relieved by General Howard, the company went through with him to the sea
as escort and scouts. Was in action at Rome, Adairsville, Resaca, Snake
Creek Gap, Taylor's Ridge, Lafayette, Greysville, Lynch's Creek, Mt. Elon
and Fayetteville. Captain \Vm. Duncan was twice taken prisoner, but escaped.
With five men he received the surrender of Milledgeville with General Howard
thirty miles away. With two men he floated down the Ogeechee river in a
dugout past Ft. McAllister out into the bay and thus opened communication
between Sherman and Dahlgren. ^^lustered out September 23, 1865. Com-
pany commanders have been : Captain Henry A. Smith, Lieutenant Francis

E. Reynolds, Captain Samuel B. Sherer, Lieutenant John A. McQueen and
Captain William Duncan.

REUNION OF 1908.

Veterans of the Civil war — members of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Illi-
nois Volunteers — celebrated the forty-sixth aimiversary of the battle of
Chickamauga Creek and held their annual reunion in Elgin today. Men from
ever}- part of the country, some of them coming nearly a thousand n-iiles,
attended the session, which was one of the most interesting ever held.

The following officers elected at the annual meeting :

President — Fred Sly, Sandwich.

Vice President — John C. Taylor.

Secretary and Treasurer — William F. Sylla, Elgin.

Following met-nbers of the regiment registered at City Clerk Sylla's
office prior to the meeting in the city hall council chamber :

Company A — Major George D. Sherman, Milton S. Townsend, \\'illiam

F. Sylla, John Hewitt, F. B. Perkins, Charles B. Stiles, all of Elgin, and
Albert C. Wagher, Linton, S. D. ; C. C. Truax, Crystal Lake; Homer Wilcox,
Marengo: J. C. Denison, Chicago; John F. Scott, Pittsfield. Ill; Brayman
Loveless, \Mieaton, and John Carl, Aurora ; Alexander Manahan, Elgin ; John
Cooper, Yorkville; E. H. Young, Fulton; J. C. Hall and Ed Harpending.

Coi-npany A (Cavalry) — A. R. Gillette, Chicago; W. D. Hawkins, Chi-
cago, aiid Nicholas Hettinger, Aurora ; Thomas Robinson, Aurora ; J. T.
McCroskey, Joliet; Eugene Mann. Batavia ; J. S. Barber, Sandwich.

Company B (Cavalry) — James Shedden. Dundee; W. F. Wattenpugh,
Sumner, Iowa; Lloyd Lathrop, Elgin; \\ O. Wilcox, Elgin; A. A. Lee,
Elgin; John McQueen. Elgin; Frank U. Brown, Chicago; James S. Hutch.
Piano; E. E. Balch, Elgin; Willis Richardson, LaFox; Willet Richardson,
Kaneville ; John P. Fyfe, Ravenswood Park.

Company B — W. F. Donavan, Yorkville; J. E. Way, Aurora.

Company C — Joseph A. Young, New Galilee, Pennsylvania ; Abraham
Stewart and ^^'. H. Rogers, Monmouth, Illinois; Major John M. Turnliull,
Monmouth.

220 KANE COUNTY HISTOEY

Company D — Olie H. Johnson. Newark; John Larkin, Joliet; J. C.
Taylor. Sandwich : W. W. Gifford, Johet ; John Heier, Morris ; Frank T.
Hennig. Cliicago.

Company E — J. F. Harrah Aurora; W'ilHam Wollenwel^er, Yorkville;
Henrv Hennis, Sandwich ; Charles Foster, Piano, and Joel \\'agner, Big Rock.

Company F — T. L. Munn, Parker, Kansas; G. A. Cummings, Edina,
Missouri; C. 'SI. Rolph, Seneca. Illinois; G. Gunnerson, Herscher, Illinois;
Terrence Johnson, Newark; Bergo Thompson, Sheridan; Fred L. Sly, Sand-
ivich; Martin Wilson, Aurora; F. A. Whitney, Sandwich; Charles F. Sweet-
land, Sandwich; E. H. Strait, Ottawa; William Browning. Sandwich.

Company G — Wallace Ellis, Seneca; W. W. Kerns, Morris; Joseph
Scofield, Morris ; Charles Pratt, Rochelle.

Company H — Henry B. Ford, Elgin; C. H. Benson, Maywood; S.
Carver, Omro, Wisconsin ; B. E. Allen. Laurens, Iowa ; Charles Dygert,
Algonquin; C. H. Thomas, Chicago.

Company I — Joseph M. Comp. \\'interset, luwa; Hohart Doctor, St.
Johns, Indiana.

Company K — Harrison Blank, \Vinthrop. Iowa ; C. H. Tucker. Belyi-
dere; Hiram Watkins, St. Charles; John F. Elliott. St. Charles.

MEMBERS IN MANY ENG.AGEMENTS.

Northern Illinois' Thirty-sixth Infantry is named by authorities as one
of the eighty regiments participating in the greatest number of engagements
and losing the most men in battle in the Civil war. The regiment was com-
posed of ten infantry companies and two troops of cavalry, all told twelve
hundred men. The regiment returned from the struggle with less than half
their number. The others died on the battlefields of Pea Ridge. Perryville,.
Stone River. Chickamauga Creek. Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain. Frank-
lin, Nashville, Vicksburg and Atlanta, the principal contests in which the
regiment participated.

Regrets were received from the following comrades :

John B. Burr, Company .A, Davenport, Iowa.

Wm. Varnes. Company I. Oswego. Illinois.

W. A. Mitchell, captain Company A. \\'ilmington. Illinois.

G. ^^^ Mossman. Company F, Las Cinces, New ]\Iexico.

John Bush. Company E. Table Rock. Nebraska.

John Pfanstiel, captain Company E, East Oakland, California.

James Warrensford, Company A, Dahinda, Illinois.

\\'illiam W. Trimble, Company H. Glencoe. Oklahoma.

William Smailes. Company A. South Haven, ^Michigan.

Henrv Russell. Company A, Avoca, Iowa.

Robert H. Gilmore. Company D, Hastings. Nebraska.

Robert Jordan, Company G. Elk City, Oklahoma.

Henry C. Scott, Company B. Folsom, California.

George F. Roots, Company F. ]Manhattan. Kansas.

C. H. Bissell. Company D. Mena, Arkansas.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 221

Albert H. W'ulff, Company F, Fredericksburg. Missouri.

Duportal G. Sampson. Company A, Asbland, Wisconsin.

Alfred J. West, Company B, Port Huron. Michigan.

William C. Hall. Company K. Madeira, California.

G. S. Hollenbeck. Company F, Chebanse, Illinois.

C. F. Dike, Company H, Nunda, Illinois.

W. E. Partridge, Company F, Alta, Iowa.

N. H. Clark, Company I, Knoxville, Illinois.

J. C. Wright, Company C, Aledo, Illinois.

M. G. Yarnell, Company G, Minneapolis.

Irwin Benton, A Cavalry, Redding, Iowa.

J. Henry Hogue. Company K, Monmouth. Illinois.

Alex M. Friland. Company F, Fedora, South Dakota.

John D. Pingel. Company B, Sedgwick, Kansas.

A. G. Switzer. A Cavalry, Wales, Massachusetts.

E. B. Baldwin, captain Compan}' C. Edna. Kansas.

Eben Gates, Company D, Brook, Indiana.

John W^. Evarts, A Cavalry, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

E. Nute, Company A, Alta, Iowa.

E. H. Stinson, Company C, Hampton, Iowa.
J. H. Moore, Company A, Chicago.

H. E. Dewey, Company E, Lead; South Dakota.

W. H. Mossman. Comj^any F. Ellensburg, Washington.

John P. Lloyd, Necedah, Wisconsin.

N. G. Curly, Company G, Osage City, Kansas.

Hamlet Levens, Company E, Hancock, Minnesota.

Thos. C. Penningtcm. Company B, cavalry, Chicago.

F. N. Brown, Company B, cavalry, Chicago.
Geo. W. Hulse. Company G, Gladbrook, Iowa.
Edward Leahy. Company B, Ashland, Illinois.
Schuyler Rue, Company B. cavalry, Oregon City. Oregon.
Daniel C. Clark. Company H. Magnolia. Iowa.

Christ Wentz, Company I, Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Wm. Freese, Company I, Bailey's Harbor, W'isconsin.

John Larking. Company D. Joliet, Illinois.

E. H. Strait, Ottawa. Illinois.

Chas. Pratt, Rochelle, Illinois.

J. F. McCroskey, Joliet, Illinois.

Joel Wagner, Big Rock. Illinois. ,

Gustavus Dorsterwitz, Coloma, Michigan.

C. A. Tucker, Belvidere, Illinois.

J. F. Young. New Galilee. Pennsylvania.

Emery Pratt, Waukon, Iowa.

From early morning until noon the white-haired veterans came to the
city. Many who joined the Thirty-sixth in Kane county when the call to
arms was sounded now live many miles away. Among the visitors from great
distance were A. C. Wagher. of Linton, North Dakota ; J. F. Young, of New

222 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Galilee, Pennsyhania, and T. L. Aluiin, of Parker, Kansas. Mr. Young was
a drummer boy in Company C and shook hands with his old comrades today
for the first time since the regiment was mustered out of the service.

DRUMMER STILES BE.\TS .'\SSEMBLV.

Charles B. Stile*, of this city, the drummer of Company A, composed
chiefly of Elgin men, played his drum at an upper window in the city hall and
at II o'clock the veterans assembled for their meeting. Major George D.
Sherman, of Elgin, president of the society, called the meeting to order and
for several minutes letters of regret from conn-ades living at too great a
distance to attend were read.

The thanks of the Thirty-sixth was voted Captain L. M. Kelley, chief
deputy in the department of pensions, for his assistance in collecting the names
of the living members. There are now but a few hundred left of more than
a thousand who enlisted from this vicinity.

THIRTY-SIXTH INF.VNTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)
Colonels.
Nicholas Greusel, Aurora; resigned February 7. 1863. '
Silas Miller. Aurora: died at Nashville, July 27, 1864.
Benjamin F. Cam])])ell, Aurora: nnistered out October 8, 1865, as lieu-
tenant colonel.

Licutciiaut Colonels.
Edward S, Joslyn, Elgin: resigned .\ugust 20, 1862.
Albert Jenks, Aurora; resigned February 24, 1S63.
Benjamin F. Campbell, Aurora; promoted.

Majors.
Alonzo H. Berry, St. Charles; discharged September 7, 1862.
Silas Miller, Aurora ; promoted colonel.
George D. Sherman, Elgin; mustered out December 12. 1864.

Adjiitants.
George A. Willis, Aurora ; promoted captain Company A, Fifteenth

Cavalrv. „ , ,

(Jiiartcnnastcrs.

Isaac K. Buck, Elgin: resigned March 3, 1862.

Surgeons.

Delos W. Young. Aurora: resigned Feliruary jt,. 1863.

Jethro A. Hatch, .Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865.

First Assistant Surgeons.

Sidney B. Hawley, Aurora; resigned September 3, 1862.

Jethro A. Hatch. Aurora ; promoted surgeon.

Second Assistant Surgeons.

Jethro A. Hatch, Aurora ; promoted.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Sergeant Majors.
Fred A. Raymond, Elgin ; reduced and returned to Company A.
Leslie P. Ticknor, Elgin; mustered out September 22, 1864.

BRIDGE AT CHICAGO STREET, ELGIN.

PARK, ELGIN, ABOUT 1860.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 225

Oiiarf^'niiiistcr Sergeants.
Addison A. Keyes, Elgin ; reduced and returned to Company A.
Charles W. Rhodes. Aurora; mustered out September 22, 1864.

Hospital StezK'ards.
John H. Karl, Aurora; discharged July 22. 1862; disability.

Principal Musicians.
Thomas P. Matteson, Aurora; mustered out March 3, 1863.

COMPANY A.

Captains.
Melvin B. Baldwin, Elgin; resigned June 8, 1862.
George D. Sherman. Elgin ; promoted major.
Leveritt ]\I. Kelly, Udina : mustered out October 8, 1865.

first Lieutenants.
Edward S. Chapell. Elgin; died Octuher 14, 1861.
George D. Sherman, Elgin ; promoted.
Leroy Salisbury, Elgin: mustered out January 18, 1865.
Leveritt yi. Kelly. Udina; prcimoted.

.Second Ltenteiiauts.
Isaac X. Buck. Elgin ; promoted quartermaster.
William S. Smith, Elgin; resigned August 31, 1862.
Leroy Salisliurv, Elgin ; promoted.

First Sergeant.
(ieorge D. Sherman. Elgin; promoted first lieutenant.

Sergeants.
Alexander C. Lynd, Elgin; discharged June 12. 1863; disability.
Alexander Robinson, Elgin; discharged April 25. 1863; disability.

Corporals.
Walter J. Ordway. Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.
Leslie P. Ticknor. Elgin; promoted sergeant major.
John W. Aldrich. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Bent D. C. Roland, Elgin; sergeant; discharged June 17, 1864, for pro-
motion to second lieutenant Sixteenth United States Cavalry.
Leroy Salisbury. Elgin ; promoted second lieutenant.
John S. Long. Elgin; discharged September 22. 1864.
Frank B. Perkins. Elgin; transferred to Eifty-second Illinois June 9. 1862.

iMusicians.
Charles B. Stiles, Elgin; discharged September 22, 1864.
Brayman Loveless, Elgin ; discharged September 22. 1864.

Privates.
Albert Andrews, Elgin; died October 10, 1862; wounds.
Bernan N. Adams. Elgin; discharged February 3, 1862; disability.
Daniel W. Brown. Elgin; transferred to ^'. R. C.
Patrick Brannan. Dundee; discharged January i, 1863; wounds.
Christopher P. Baker. Elgin; discharged Xrivember 8, 1864.
John Bluckman. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Cyrus F. Dean, Elgin; died at Nashville January 14. 1863; wounds.
William Dade, Elgin; deserted October 10, 1861.

226 KANE COUXTY IllsTdUY

Patrick Gibbons, Dundee: killed at Perryville October 8. 1862.
Alonzo S. Harpending, Elgin; discharged September 22, 1864.
Jeremiah C. Hall, Udina; corporal; discharged September 22, 1864.
Daniel B. Hoxie, Dundee; mustered out September 8. 1864.
Alexander F. Henderson, Udina; died January 16, 1863; wounds.
John A. Hewitt, Dundee; discharged November 18, 1864, as corporal.
Leveritt AI. Kelly. Udina; reenlisted as veteran.

Frederick Hrahan, Dundee; died while prisoner of war, December i, 1863.
George H. Knowles, Dundee; discharged September 22, 1864.
Addison A. Keyes, Elgin; discharged August i, 1862. for promotion in
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry.

Peter Little, Elgin; discharged September 22. 1864.

Alexander Manahan, Elgin; discharged June 10. 1863; disability.

Tobias Miller, Udina ; reenlisted as veteran.

Lewis F. ]\Iiller, Dundee; discharged September 22. 1864.

Leonard \\'. Alann, Elgin; discharged November 8, 1864, as sergeant.

Dorus Murus, Dundee; died at Annapolis ^larch 4. 1863; wounds.

Fenelcn J. Nicholas, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Olzewski, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

Augustus Ritze, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Frank W. Raymond, Elgin; discharged September 22, 1864.

Fred A. Raymond, Elgin; promoted sergeant major.

^^'illiam F. Sylla, Elgin; discharged December 2},. 1861 ; disability.

^Michael Seisloff, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Tolmus Stanton, Dundee; killed at Stone River December 31, 1862.

Adelbert Shaw, Elgin; discharged September 22, 1864,

James AI. \'ining, Dundee; discharged September 22, 1864.

Ebson J. Wickwire, Elgin; discharged May 29, 1862; disability.

Homer H. Wilco.x, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Joseph N. Yerkes, Aurora; died at Nashville March 21. 1864.

Veterans.
John W'. Aldrich, Dundee; sergeant; killed at Adairsville j\Iay 19, 1864.
Leman Bartholomew, Dundee: mustered out October 8. 1865, as first
eant.

Jeptha C. Deitison, Elgin ; promoted hospital steward,
Leveritt j\I. Kelly, Rutland; promoted first lieutenant.
Fenelon J. Nicholas. Dundee: deserted June 5. 1865.
Walter J. Ordway, Dundee; first sergeant; died June 12, 1864: wounds.
Augustus Ritze. Dundee; transferred to \'. R. C. June 10, 1865.
Alichael Seislofif, Elgin; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.
Arzotus White, Dundee: mustered out October 19, 1865, as corporal.

Recruits.
Henry E. Deill. Rutland; mustered out October 8. 1865.
Albert Deill, Rutland; discharged June 5, 1865; disability.
George '\\. Salisbury. Elgin: discharged August 8. 1863.
Francis M. Shaw. Rutland: mustered out October 8. 1865.
John F. Scott. Elgin: discharged .\ugust 8. 1863.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 227

Henry Samis, Rutland; died at Nashville July 24, 1864.

Ottis D. Shaw, Rutland; corporal; missing November 30, 1864; sup-
posed dead.

George M. Salisbury, Elgin; veteran recruit; mustered out October 8,
1865, as corporal.

Richard Cool, Hampshire; discharged June 12, 1865; disability.

COMPANY B.

Captains.
Silas Miller. Aurora; promoted major.

Benjamin F. Campbell, Aurora; promoted lieutenant colonel.
William H. Dugan, Big Rock; mustered out October 8. 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Joseph M. Walker, Aurora; dismissed April 30, 1863.
George P. Douglass, Aurora ; commission cancelled.
William H. Dugan, Big Rock; promoted.
Owen Hughes, Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Benjamin F. Campbell, Aurora ; promoted captain.
George P. Douglass, Aurora: mustered out November 15, 1864.
Samuel Hitchcock, Aurora ; declined ; commission cancelled.

First Sergeant.
George P. Douglass, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
Samuel Hitchcock, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864, as sergeant.
Abner Field, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.
Charles W. Rhodes. Aurora ; promoted quartermaster sergeant.

Corporals.
William Wanner, Aurora; discharged February 7, 1862.
Ezra W. Parker, Aurora; killed at Chattanooga September 20, 1863.
Owen Hughes. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

William F. Blakeslee. Aurora; died at Cincinnati March 8, 1863; wounds.
John H. Gronberg, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Emery D. Hoselton. Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.
William H. Dugan. Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.
Thomas Flynn. Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.

Musicians.
George Brewer, Aurora; discharged August 18, 1862, to accept promotion.
Willard Pettingell. St. Charles; discharged May i. 1863; disability.

]Vagoner.
John F. Lilly, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.

Privates.
Henry Alcott, Aurora; died at Nashville June 10, 1864; wounds.
Ernest Ansorge, Aurora; killed at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862.
Charles G. Avers, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864, as corporal.
William H. Brandon, Aurora; left sick at Lebanon, Missouri, October 7,
1861.

228 KANE COUXTY HISTORY

Rudolph Brager, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Christ Brunnemeyer, xVurora; discharged June 2t,, 1864; disabihty.
George H. Bruns, Aurora; discharged Xo\ember 3, 1864.
Arba Camp, Aurora ; reenhsted as veteran.
Daniel Davis, Big Rock; reenlisted as \eteran.
Robert Drane, Aurora; discharged November 8, 1864.
Frank Dugan, Aurora; died at Chattantiuga October 3, 1863; wounds.
Carl Eckhart, Aurora; deserted Deceiriber 31, 1862.
John W. Edwards, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
James Eddy, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
John Eddy, Big Rock; discharged September 22. 1864.
Frederick Eniede, x-\urora; reenlisted as veteran.
John VV. Evans, Big Rock; discharged January 22, 1864.
John Fife, Aurora; discharged June 8, 1865; wounds.
William H. Hartless, x\urora; discharged August 20, 1864.
Charles M. Harvey, Elgin; transferred to Company K, Fifteenth Illinois
Cavalry.

Frederick Heine. Aurora ; died at Columbus. Ohio, February 19, 1864.

Charles G. Heinze, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Dow Hodges, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas E. Hornby, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

William E. Jackson, Aurora; discharged September 22. 1864.

John H. Karl, Aurora ; promoted hospital steward.

Sidney E. Kendall, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry B. Latham, Big Rock ; reenlisted as veteran.

Franklin Leet, Aurora; supposed discharged October — , 1863.

Henry Levoy, Aurora; mustered out June 15. 1865 ; was prisoner.

Robert Logan, Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.

Brarton Loyd, Aurora; died at Louisville January 6, 1864.

Elihu Mahew. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Joseph McGee, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

George W. Miller, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.

Nathaniel M. Moore, Aurora; discharged December 9. 1861 ; disability.

William Ott, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.

John Ott, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Peter Pelican, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran,

Edward Pierce, Big Rock ; reenlisted as veteran.

VanWyck Race, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Jefferson Reed, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1S64.

Henry Reitz. Aurora : killed at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862.

Adam Reitz. Aurora; discharged May i, 1863: disability.

George Reitz. Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.

Henry L. Ribby, Aurora; killed at Kenesaw Mountain, June 19, 1864.

Daniel B. Roberts, Big Rock; transferred to V. R. C. May I, 1864,

Charles W. Sears. Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

William Scheffer, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas W. Sedg^vick, Aurora: discharged September 22. 1864. *

Fritz Stevens. Aurora: missing in action October i, 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 229

Charles E. Strong. Aurora; discharged August i6, 1862; disabiHty.

William A. Tobey, Aurora; discharged August 16, 1862; disability.

Daniel Terry, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865.

Frank Thomson, Aurora; killed at Stone River December 31, 1862.

Robert N. Thompson, Aurora ; discharged for promotion as second
lieutenant.

Charles W. Travis, Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.

William VanOhlin, Aurora; discharged May 13, 1863; disability.

William S. Waterman, Big Rock ; discharged August 20, 1862 ; disability.

Alfred J. West, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1864.

Joel J. Wilder. Aurora; discharged August 11. 1863; disability.

Jacob Winn. Aurora; died at Andersonville September 26, 1864; grave
nine thousand seven hundred and eighty-five.

Elnathan S. Weeden. Aurora; transferred to \'. R. C. August 31, 1863.

James H. Woodard, Aurora; died at Louisville ^lay 8. 1863.

Fritz Wokersein, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Christian Zimmer. Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Veterans.

George Berger. Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865, as first sergeant.

Rudolph Brager, Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865, as sergeant.

Arda Camp, Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865.

Thomas Clark, Aurora; mustered' out October 8. 1865, as corporal.

William H. Dugan, Big Rock ; promoted first lieutenant.

Daniel Davis, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as corporal.

John W. Edwards, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865. as corporal.

Frederick Emde. Aurora ; detached at muster out of regiment.

John H. Gronberg, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as corporal.

Dow Hodges, Aurora; mustered out June 19. 1865.

Thomas E. Hornby, Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865.

Charles Heinze, Aurora; killed at Atlanta July 23, 1864.

Owen Hughes, Aurora ; promoted first lieutenant.

Sidney E. Kendall. Aurora; mustered out October 8. 1865, as corporal.

Henry B. Latham. Big Rock; first sergeant; died December 18, 1864,
while a prisoner; wounds.

Robert Logan, Aurora; wounded; transferred to V. R. C. May i, 1865.

Elihu Mayhew, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865.

John Ott, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as corporal.

Edward Pierce, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.

Peter Pelican, Aurora; deserted June 10, 1865.

VanWyck Race, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865.

Charles W. Sears, Aurora; discharged to date June 17, 1865.

William Schefter, Aurora ; transferred to first United States Engineer
August 14, 1864.

Charles W. Travis. Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865. as corporal.

Fritz Wokersein, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.

Christian Zimmer. Aurora ; mustered out October 8. 1865. as sergeant.

230 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Recruits.
John N. Tones. Big Rock; mustered out October 8. 1865.
Henry A. Snell. Aurora; mustered out June 5. 1865, as corporal.
Daniel Terry, Aurora; veteran recruit; mustered out October 8, 1865.
John P. Fyfe. Aurora ; veteran recruit ; discharged June 8, 1865 ; disability.
Joseph E. Way, Big Rock; mustered out October 4. 1865.

COMPANY C.

Privates.
Ethan Keck, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Ralph Miller, Aurora; died October 16, 1862; wounds.
Walter V. Reeder. Aurora; died December 13, 1863; wounds.
Carvasso Reeder. Aurora; discharged September 23, 1864.

Veteran.
Ethan Keck, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.

Recruit.
Harlan E. King, Aurora: mustered out June 22. 1863; disability.

COMPANY D.

Privates.
Miles Murray, Sugar Grove ; mustered out May 26, 1865 ; prisoner of war.
Phillip Stage, Sugar Grove; reenlisted as veteran.

Veteran.
Philip Stage, Kaneville; mustered out October 8, 1865.

COMPANY E.
Privates.
Mat Blu. Aurora; discharged September 22. 1864.

Henry Coleman, Aurora; died at Perryville. Kentucky, October 9, 1862;
wounds.

Edgar S. Case, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Peter Johnston, Aurora; discharged August 20, 1863; disability.

Stephen Winans, Aurora; discharged November 6, 1864.

Veteran.
James S. Hatch, Aurora; mustered out June 19. 1865, as sergeant.

Recruits.
James Allison, Big Rock; mustered out August 29, 1865.
James Hening, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.
Joseph Jenkinson, Aurora; mustered out September 30, 1865.

COMPANY F.

Second Lieutenant.
Lewis E. Belden, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.

Privates.
Lewis E, Belden, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
George W. Dessalet. Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864.
John Green. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
William G. Huggett. Aurora; died January 10, 1863; wounds.
James H. Hall. Aurora; corporal; killed in battle of Chickamauga.
Alfred Johnson. Aurora; discharged September 22. 1864.
William E. Jackson, Aurora; killed at Perryville October 8, 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 231

John Lamb, Aurora; discharged January i, 1863.

WiUiam McClary, Aurora; reenhsted as veteran.

Nels L. Nelson, Aurora; corporal; killed at Perryville, October 8, 1862.

James W. Olson, Aurora; discharged September 22, 1864; first sergeant.

Thomas Orstad, Aurora; discharged June 7, 1862; disability.

Severt A. Peterson, Aurora; discharged March 23, 1863; disability.

Peter Phillips, Aurora; died at Murfreesboro December i, 1863.

Walter E. Partridge, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Alfred Riggs, Aurora ; corporal ; killed at Stone River.

Frederick W. Sly, Aurora; discharged November 7, 1863; disability.

Charles F. Sweetland, Aurora; mustered out May 30, 1865; was prisoner.

James Sifleet, Aurora; died at Nashville January 8, 1863.

William Thompson, Aurora; killed in battle before Dallas, Georgia.

Augustus Vanorder, Aurora; killed in battle at Stone River.

COMPANY H.

Mtisician.
Elmore Day, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Private.
Julius H. Wilbur, Elgin; discharged July 12. 1862; disability.

COMPANY I.

Recruits.
John Roush, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865, as corporal.
John Shields, Aurora; mustered out October 8, 1865.
Isaac P. Smith, Aurora; mustered out August 2, 1865.

COMPANY K.

Captain.
Aaron C. Holden, Aurora; died December i, 1862.

First Lieutenant.
Aaron C. Holden, Aurora; promoted.

Second Lieutenant.
Aaron C. Holden, Aurora ; promoted.

Corporal.
Edward Reeder, Aurora; mustered out December 15, 1864, as private.

Privates.
Allen Burroughs, Aurora ; killed in battle of Chickamauga.
Peter Burnett. Aurora ; transferred to V. R. C. as corporal.
John Clark, Aurora; discharged April 6, 1863; disability.
James Downey, Aurora ; mustered out June 26, 1864.
Thomas Glove. Aurora; discharged December 10, 1862; disability.
George S. Hall, Aurora; killed in battle of Stone River.
Joseph Levican, Aurora: mustered out September 22, 1864.
George G. Lyon, Aurora; appointed chaplain August 20, 1861.
George B. Lenhart, Aurora ; killed in battle of Stone River.
John P. Lenhart, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles Mongerson, Aurora ; mustered out.

Thomas Moffett, Aurora; killed in battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862.
Edward H. Mayberry. Aurora; missing at battle of Chickamauga.

232 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Charles J. Alinor, Aurora; discharged April 9, 1863; wounds.

Edward J. Millay, Aurora; died at Springfield. Missouri, May 5, 1862.

Simeon Parsons. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

George W. Vail, Aurora; mustered out September 22, 1864.

Veterans.

John P. Lenhart, St. Charles; mustered out October 8, 1865, as sergeant.

John C. Minkler. St. Charles; transferred to First United States Veteran
Volunteer Engineers.

Simeon Parson, St. Charles; discharged June 19, 1864; wounds.

Recruits.

Hiram Bogardus, St. Charles; mustered out July 15, 1865; was prisoner.

James Guss, St. Charles; transferred to \'. R. C. ; mustered out Novem-
ber 16. 1865.

John McFarland, Aurora; deserted March 19, 1864.

Patrick O'Connor. St. Charles; discharged May 3, 1865; disabled.

Peter Paquette, St. Charles; mustered out July 15. 1865; was prisoner.

Harlow Slate. Aurora; missing in action at Chickamauga.

Hiram F. Watkins, St. Charles; mustered out October 8, 1865.

William Crocker, Sugar Grove; substitute; mustered out October 8, 1865.

Unassigned Recruits.

Henry Forbes, Aurora.

Lewis Kelsey, Aurora.

James B. Lowry, Aurora; mustered out May 11, 1865.

George Lown,% Aurora; mustered out May 11, 1865.

John Powell, St. Charles.

Elijah R. Winn, Aurora; died at Camp Yates. Illinois, April 16, 1864.
Unassigned, Drafted and Substitute Recruits.

John Welch, Aurora : substitute.

THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY K.

Private.
John W. Fallen, Rutland: mustered out October 4, 1864, as sergeant.

THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY D.

Veteran.
Samuel Gregory, Aurora; mustered out December 6, 1865, as sergeant.

COMPANY F.

Private.

Martin V. B. Peters, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

HISTORY OF FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
The Forty-second Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was organized at Chi-
cago, Illinois. July 22, 1861, by Colonel William A. Webb.

ST. MARY'S ACADEMY, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 235

Moved to St. Louis, September 21, 1861. Joined Major General Hunter
at Tipton, Missouri, October 18, 1861, and was assigned to Colonel Palmer's
Brigade. Arrived at \\'arsa\v October 25. Moved November i. at 10 o'clock
p. m., and reached Springfield, Missouri, a distance of 97 miles, at 4 o'clock
p. m., on the 4th. Moved from Springfield, 9th, and went into winter quarters
at Smithton, Missouri, December 13.

Marched from Smithton, February 3, 1862, to St. Charles, Missouri.
Arri\ed at Fort Holt, Kentucky, February 20. Occupied Columbus, March 4,
1862. Moved to Island Xo. 10, March 15, and was engaged until its sur-
render, on the nth April. Colonel Roberts, with fifty men of Company A,
spiked six guns of the enemy on the night of April i.

On the night of April 4, 1862, Captain John A. Hottenstein, with 20 men
of Company H, ran the blockade at Island Xo. 10, on the gunboat "Caron-
delet," commanded by Captain Walke.

Joined General Pope's Army, nth. Moved to Fort Pillow, 14th. Moved
to Hamburg, Tennessee, arriving April 22. Was engaged in the siege of
Corinth. Engaged in the battle of Farmington, May 9, 1862, losing two
killed, twelve wounded, and three missing. Led the advance in pursuit of
Beauregard's Army to Baldwin, Mississippi.

The Forty-second occupied Cortland, Alabama, from July 25, until Sep-
tember 3, 1862, when it left for Nashville, Tennessee, via Decatur, Alabama.
Had a battle at Columbia, Tennessee, September 9, 1862, and lost one man
killed. Enemy reported eighteen killed and forty-five wounded. Arrived
at Nashville, September 13.

Remained in XTashville during the siege. December 10. marched out
six miles on the Nolensville pike. December 26, engaged in the Murfreesboro
campaign. Skirmished with the enemy December 30, and was engaged in
the battle of Stone River. December 31, with a loss of twenty-two killed,
one hundred and sixteen wounded, and eighty-five prisoners.

March 5, 1863, engaged in the pursuit of Van Dorn to Columbia, return-
ing to camp at Murfreesboro, 14th. June 24, entered upon the Tullahoma
campaign. July 31, camped at Bridgeport, Alabama. September 2, engaged
in the Chattanooga campaign. Marched to Alpine, Georgia, thence to Tren-
ton, and crossed Lookout mountain. Engaged September 19 and 20, in the
battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, losing twenty-eight killed, one hundred and
twenty-eight wounded, and twenty-eight prisoners, and retreated to
Chattanooga.

November 28, engaged in the battle of j\Iission Ridge, losing five killed
and forty wounded, the Forty-second being on the skirmish line during the
whole engagement. Pursued the enemy to Chickamauga Creek, and returned.
November 28, entered east Tennessee campaign. December 27, camped at
Stone's Mill.

January i. 1864, regiment reenlisted as a veteran volunteer organization.
January 15, moved to Danbridge. 21st, started for Chattanooga, arriving
February 2. 21st, moved, by rail for Chicago. March 2. the men were fur-
loughed. Returned April 2. Arrived at Chattanooga April 27.

236 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Entered Atlanta campaign May 3. Was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge,
Resaca. Adairsville, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peacli Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro. and Lovejoy Station, encamping at
Atlanta. September 8. Total loss on the campaign, twenty killed, eighty-nine
wounded, and seven prisoners. September 25 moved to Bridgeport, Alabama,
by rail; October 19, by rail to Chattanooga, and thence marched to Alpine,
Georgia. Returned October 30. Moved, by rail, to Athens, Alabama, and
marched to Pulaski, Tennessee, arriving November 5. November 22 com-
menced retreat for Nashville, engaging with the enemy at Spring Hill and
Franklin, and losing twenty-four killed, ninety-five wounded, and thirty
prisoners. Arrived at Nashville December i.

December 15 and 16. 1864, engaged in the battle of Nashville, losing two
killed and eleven wounded. Pursued the enemy eighty-two miles, camping at
Lexington, Alabama, December 31. January i, 1865, marched, via Hunts-
ville, to Decatur, Alabama, arriving January 6. April i left Decatur, and
proceeded, by rail, to Bull's Gap, Tennessee, and thence marched to Blue
Springs, arriving April 6. Returned to Bull's Gap April 19, and proceeded,
by rail, to Nashville.

June 15, moved, by rail, to Johnsonville, Tennessee, and thence, by water,
to New Orleans, and camped at Chalmette June 23. July 18 proceeded to
Port Lavaca, Texas ; disembarked July 23, and proceeded to Camp Irwin.
August 17 returned to Lavaca, and went on post duty.

December 16, 1865, mustered out and left Indianola, 20th. Left New
Orleans 24th, and arrived at Camp Butler January 3. 1866.

January 12. 1866, received final payment and discharge.

FORTY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.'
(Three Years' Service.)

Colonel.
Edgar D. Swain, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865, as lieutenant
colonel.

Licntcmvit Colonel.
Edgar D. Swain, Batavia; promoted.

Major.
Henry K. W'alcott, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865.

Quarteniiaster Sergeant.
Joseph Vollor, Batavia ; promoted regimental quartermaster, but not
mustered: mustered out December 16, 1865,

Commissary Sergeant.
Albert C. Cleveland. Batavia ; promoted first lieutenant and adjutant.

COMPANY B.

Privates.
Marvin Dennis, Elgin; died at Smithton, Missouri, December 31, 1861.
Peter B. Lee, Elgin; mustered out September 16, 1864, as corporal.
Nicholas Matuse. Elgin; died at Smithton, Missouri. January 12. 1862.
William Schwader, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 237

COMPANY E.

Private.
Patrick Hasson, Elgin; died at Paducah May 6, 1862.

COMPANY G.

Corporal.
Daniel L. Edmund, Elgin; discharged May 17, 1862, as private; disability.

Recruit.
George Robbins, Elgin ; transferred to Eleventh Illinois Cavalry Sep-
tember 19, 1 86 1.

COMPANY H.

Captain.
Wesley P. Andrews, Batavia; discharged May 11, 1864.

COMPANY I.

Captains.
Edgar D. Swain, Batavia; promoted lieutenant colonel.
Ogden Lovell, Kaneville; resigned September 28, 1864.
Henry K. Wolcott, Batavia; promoted major.
John S. Hedges, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865. ,

First Lieutenants.
Wesley P. Andrews, Batavia; promoted to Company H.
Ogden Lovell, Kaneville; promoteid.
Henry K. Wolcott, Batavia; promoted.
John S. Hedges, Batavia; promoted.
Charles E. Smiley, Kaneville; mustered out December 16, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Ogden Lovell, Kaneville; promoted.
Henry K. Wolcott, Batavia; promoted.
Charles A. Linstrom. St. Charles; mustered out December 16, 1865, as

sergeant. „ •

ptrst Sergeant.

Henry K. Wolcott, Batavia; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.

James S. Wilson, Batavia; mustered out September 19, 1864, as first
sergeant.

Samuel E. Andrews, Batavia: deserted April 20, 1862.

William W. Brown, Batavia; discharged August 8, 1862, and mustered
in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-third New York.

Simeon A. Hitchcock. Batavia; transferred to Invalid Corps February

Corporals.
Edwin D. Campbell, Kaneville; died at Chattanooga, November i, 1863.
John S. Hedges, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles E. Smiley, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Joseph Vollor, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
James S. VanAllen, Batavia; deserted June 18, 1862.
George S. Blakely. Batavia; died at Tipton, Missouri, December 22, 1861.

238 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Musicians.

Chauncey H. Stackey, Batavia; mustered out September i6, 1864.

Edward N. Blakeslee, Aurora; mustered out September 16, 1864.

Privates.

Abner D. Brooks, Batavia; discharged July 9, 1862; disabled.

Charles A. Burnell, Batavia ; corporal ; killed at Chickamauga, September
20, 1863.

Sidney Barlacorn, Batavia; corporal; died November 22, 1863.

John Brislen, Kaneville; killed at Chickamauga September 20, 1863.

Albert C. Cleveland, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

Elin J. Canfield, Batavia ; transferred to Fifty-fifth Illinois September
20, 1861.

Stephen Drezzy, Aurora; deserted June 18, 1862.

Edmond Farren, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.

Silas Gray, Aurora; mustered out December 14, 1864.

Charles A. Linstrom, St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

Patrick Larrissey, St. Charles ; missing after battle of Chickamauga.

Peter LaPlant, Batavia; mustered out September 12, 1864.

Wallace W. Meade, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.

Samuel March, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

George Odell, Batavia; discharged November 25, 1862, to enlist in Fourth
United States Cavalry.

Harrison V. Osborn, Batavia; mustered out September 30, 1864.

Edgar Stephens, Batavia; mustered out September 16, 1864.

Aaron C. Smith, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

William Smith, Aurora; transferred to Invalid Corps August 18, 1863.

Charles Taylor, Batavia; died at Tipton, Missouri, December 6, 1861.
'Martin Wilbur, Batavia; corporal; deserted April 20, 1862.

Mark J. Whitney, St. Charles; discharged November 25, 1862, to enlist
in Fourth United States Cavalry.

Veterans.

Albert C. Cleveland, Batavia; reappointed commissary sergeant.

Edmund Farran, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865; wounded.

John S. Hedges, Batavia ; promoted sergeant, first sergeant, first
lieutenant.

Charles A. Linstrom, St. Charles; mustered out December 16, 1865, first
sergeant ; wounded,

Charles E. Smiley, Kaneville ; promoted sergeant, first sergeant, first
lieutenant.

Aaron C. Smith, Aurora; discharged December 16, 1865.

Joseph Valler. Batavia; reappointed quartermaster sergeant.

Recruits.

George D. Kenyon, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865.

Beall M. Kenyon, Batavia; mustered out December 16, 1865.

COMPANY K.

First Lieutenant.
Joseph Hudson, Dundee; promoted.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 239

Second Lieutenant.
Joseph Hudson, Dundee; promoted.

Priz'ates.
Edwin D. Clisbee, Big Rock; deserted August 22, 1861.
Stephen Dokey, Elgin; discharged November 25, 1862, to enlist in
Fourth United States Cavalr}'.

Joseph Hudson, Dundee; promoted corporal, sergeant and second
lieutenant.

FORTY-THIRD INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY H.

Privates.

Charles M. Bowman, St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

John Peter Johnson, St. Charles; discharged; disability; August 15,
1862"

Andrew Liens, Geneva; died or discharged for wounds. October 17, 1862.

Patrick McLane, St. Charles ; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry William Peterson, Geneva; discharged November 7, 1861;
disability.

FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)
Surgeon.
Emery A. Merrifield. Elgin; mustered out September 25, 1865.

FORTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY K.

Vete7-an.
Harrison Hines, Aurora; mustered out July 12, 1865, as sergeant.

Drafted and Substitute Recruits.
William H. Walters, Geneva; substitute; mustered out June 3, 1865.

FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY H.

Prii'ate.
Charles H. Stone, Batavia; discharged July 20, 1862.

Recruit.
Patrick Nugent, Geneva: transferred to V. R. C. November 11, 1863.

COMPANY I.

Second Lieutenant
William H. Howell. Geneva; killed in battle of Shiloh.

Sergeant.
John St. John, Aurora: discharged October 19, 1862: disability.

240 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Priz'ates.
John R. Hight. Geneva; discharged November 25, 1862.
Patrick Nugent. Geneva; transferred to Company H.

FORTY-S£:VENTH (CONSOLIDATED) INFANTRY.
(Three Years" Service.)

COMPANY A.

Recruit transferred from A'iuciity-/iftlt Illinois Infantry.
Emory J. Ladd, Aurora; mustered out January 21, 1866.

HISTORY OF FIFTY-SECOND INFANTRY.

The Fifty-second Infantry lUinois \'olunteers was organized at Geneva,
Kane county. Illinois, in November. 1861. by Colonel J. G. Wilson, and
mustered into United States service No\ember 19 by Lieutenant J.
Christopher.

November 28, moved with nine hundred and fortj'-tive men to St. Louis,
Missouri, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks. Here Colonel Wilson
resigned.

December 8 the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel J. S. \\'ilcox commanding,
moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. January 16, 1862, moved to Cairo via Pal-
myra, Quincy and Mississippi river. January 24 moved to Smithland.
February 7 T. W. Sweeny was commissioned colonel of the Fiftj^-second.

February 10. 1862. embarked for Fort Donelson and arrived 17th. i8th
was sent with prisoners to Chicago. March 7 arrived at St. Louis. March
13, left for Army of the Tennessee, and 20th, disembarked at Pittsburg
Landing, and was assigned to Third Brigade, Second Division, Colonel
Sweeney commanding brigade and General Smith the division.

The regiment took a prominent part in the battle of Shiloh April 6 and
7, losing one hundred and seventy killed, wounded and missing — Major
Stark commanding first day and Captain Bowen on the second. The regi-
ment was engaged in the siege of Corinth ]\Iay. 1862. Pursued the retreating
enemy to Booneville, Mississippi, and returned to Corinth where the regi-
ment remained until the battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4. Was heavily
engaged in this action. Colonel Sweeney commanding the regiment — the loss
being seventy killed and wounded. Pursued the retreating enemy as far as
Ruckerville. and returned 12th.

October 3 moved to Hatchie river and returned.

December 9. 1862. moved with an expedition to Alabama. ]\Iet the
enemy near Little Bear Creek, drove him fifteen miles and returned to Corinth,
arriving 14th. December 19, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcox,
left Corinth with the expedition of General G. M. Dodge to intercept Forrest.
Marched one hundred miles in four and one-half days, and returned weary
and foot-sore.

January 2, 1863. moved to Tennessee river to intercept Forrest, as he
had already crossed at Crump's Landing. Expedition returned.

January 26 moved to Hamburg. Tennessee: embarked on a little steamer,
and on the next day disembarked and returned to Corinth.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 241

February 25, 1863, moved, Major Erown commanding regiment, Colonel
Sweeney commanding expedition, to Jacinto, Mississippi. Arrived 2yth.
Remained until March 4, when it returned to Corinth.

On the 15th of April, Lieutenant Colonel Wilcox commanding regi-
ment, moved with an expedition of four brigades of infantry, one of cavalry,
and fourteen pieces of artillery, Brigadier General G. M. Dodge commanding,
to northern Alabama. Marched to Burnsville on the iSth; through luka on
the iC)th; crossed Bear creek on the 17th — Colonel Cornyn's cavalry skirmish-
ing with the enemy.

April 20 Colonel Sweeney was promoted to brigadier general. 23d the
whole force advanced, driving the enemy. That night lay in line of battle.
24th mo\-ed forward and entered Tuscumbia, Alabama.

April 27 moved toward Courtland. Met the enemy at Town creek and
skirmished till night. 28th gained possession of the railroad bridge, elYected
a crossing and dro\-e the enemy three miles. 29th returned, arriving in
Corinth May 2. 1863.

-Vugust 18 moved to Germantown. and regiment assigned to guarding
railroad.

October 29 moved to luka. 31st bivouacked three and a half miles
east of luka. November 6 the whole left wing of the Sixteenth Corps moved
eastward. Arrived at Eastport and crossed the Tennessee. No\ember 1 1
arrived at Pulaski, Tennessee. Remained, doing provost duty.

Jaiuiary 9, three-fourths of the ' regiment having reenlisted, it was
mustered as a veteran organization. Started for Illinois, and arrived at Chi-
cago January 17. Proceeded to Geneva. Kane county, and was furloughed
20th.

February 24 moved for Pulaski. Tennessee, under command of Lieu-
tenant Colonel- E. A. Brown, Colonel Wilcox having resigned. Arri\-ed at
Pulaski 29th. April 29, in Colonel E. W. Rice's Brigade (First Brigade),
General Sweeny's Division (Second), Left Wing, Major General G. M.
Dodge, Sixteenth Army Corps, moved southward, arri\-ing at Chattanooga
May 2.

May 3, 1864, commenced the Atlanta campaign. The regiment par-
ticipated in the battle of Snake Creek Gap. Resaca. Lay's Ferry, Rome Cross
Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Decatur, July 22 and 28,
before Atlanta and Jonesboro, and went into camp at East Point.

September 26, 1864, the Second Division, I.eft Wing, Sixteenth Army
Corps, was transferred to Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, moved to
Rome, and by rail to Cartersville, and from thence marched to Allatoona.
Arriving there too late for battle, it returned to Rome.

October 11, Lieutenant Colonel Bowen being mustered out. Major Boyd
took command.

The regiment marched with the division. Brevet Major General J. M.
Corse commanding, to Savannali, Georgia.

December 18 the non-veteran officers were mustered out, and J. D. Davis,
having received a commission as lieutenant colonel, took command of the
regiment.

colonel.

242 KANE COUNTY HLSTORY

December 21, marched into Savannah.

January 29, 1865, started on the Carolinas campaign. Was present at
the battle of Bentonville and arriv'^d at Goldsboro ^larch 24.

April 10, marched to Raleigh. Lay at Morrisville during Johnson's
surrender.

Marched via Richmond and Alexandria and was in the grand review at
Washington May 24, 1865. June 2, moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

July 5, mustered out of United States service. Gloved to Camp Douglas,
Chicago, Illinois, and received final payment and discharge July 12, 1865.

FIFTY-SECOXD INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)
Colonels.
John S. Wilcox. Elgin; resigned February 20, 1864.
Jerome D. Davis, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865, as lieutenant

Lieutenant Colonels.
John S. Wilcox, Elgin ; promoted.
Jerome D. Davis, Dundee; promoted.

Adjutants.
Ethan J. Allen, Hampshire; resigned September 12. 1862.
Edward S. Wilcox, Elgin; resigned June 29, 1864.

Quartermasters.
Charles B. \\'elis, Geneva; discharged November 30, 1862; captain and
commissary of subsistence. United States volunteers.

Fulton Gififord, Elgin; mustered out November 20, 1864.

Surgeons.
Leland H. Angel, Aurora; resigned March 7. 1862.
Edgar Winchester, Elgin; resigned April 23. 1864.

Chaplain.
Benjamin Thomas, Elgin; promoted to Ninth Louisiana Volunteer A.
D., November 6, 1863.

XOX-COM MISSIONED ST.\FF.

Sergeant Major.
Charles C. Brown, Dundee.

Quartermaster Sergeants.
Fulton Gififord, Elgin; promoted quartermaster.
James M. Thurston, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Commissary Sergeants.
Charles C. Stevens, Geneva.
George M. Peck, Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Principal Musicians.
William H. Young, Elgin.
Charles Tones, Elgin.

•' ^ VETERANS.

Contm issary Sergeant.
Charles H. Hill, Udina; promoted adjutant.

VIEAA^ OF EL(;iX. EAST SIDE, 1866.

IP^

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iii..

VIEW OF ELGIN, EAST SIDE, 1866.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 245

Principal Musician.
William C. Wells. Udina ; died at Nashville May 14, 1864.

COMPANY A.

Captains.
Smith G. Ward, Kaneville; discharged October 7, 1862; disability.
George E. Young. Kaneville: mustered out October 14. 1864.
Charles Barnett, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
George E. Young, Kaneville; promoted.
Charles R. White. Aurora; resigned December 26, 1863.
Thomas W. Mack, Kaneville; mustered out November i. 1864.
George L. Kinnear, Virgil; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Charles R. White, Aurora ; promoted.
Thomas W. Mack, Kaneville; promoted.
Harvey O. Perry, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

First Sergeant.
James P. Snell. Aurora: mustered out October 24. 1864.

Sergeants.
James Crandall, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.
Clinton P. Taft, Kaneville: mustered out December 3, 1864.
Walter H. Fifield. Kaneville.
Joseph Payro, Kaneville: mustered out October 26, 1864.

Corporals.
Jacob Snell, Kaneville.

Henry Ellithorpe. Blackberry; died October 30, 1861.
Harvey Perry. Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry Richardson. \'irgil; dropped from rolls September i, 1862.
John F. Strohecker, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.
George Haven, Kaneville; mustered out June 7, 1865; was prisoner.

JVagoner.
Benjamin Snow, St. Charles.

Privates.
Samuel Avard, Virgil.

Charles Barnett, Kane county; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles W. Barker. Blackberry ; reenlisted as veteran.
James Beechem. Virgil; reenlisted as veteran.
Peter Bushman, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.
George B. Barker, Blackberry; mustered out October 24, 1864.
David Blackman, ^'irgil ; transferred to Invalid Corps : transferred back
February 6, 1864.

Ezakiel Clark, Geneva.

Abram T. Cary. Kaneville: reenlisted as veteran.

Charles G. Chapel. \'irgil ; reenlisted as veteran.

Bradish Cadwell, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Seymour A. Crance, Big Rock ; reenlisted as veteran.

John Davis. Kaneville; discharged April 4, 1862; disability.

246 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Timothy Dooley, Kane county; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Doty, Kaneville; deserted October 26. 1861.

James Dooley, Sugar Grove; deserted October 26, 1861.

Lyman B. French, Kane county.

James D. Graves, Big Rock.

Henry Hamilton, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry Harman. Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

Andrews Hayden, Big Rock.

Charles H. Hoisted, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

John Jones, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

David Jones, Sugar Grove.

Walter Jones, Big Rock.

Hiram Jewett. Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Kelly, \'irgil; mustered out October 24. 1864.

John Kiernan, Kaneville.

Jesse Keene, Virgil.

Gustavus-King, Blackberry; mustered out October 24, 1864.

George L. Kinnear, Virgil ; reenlisted as veteran.

Daniel Koskle, Kaneville.

William W. Lindsay, Kaneville.

Charles Laartz, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Layman, Kaneville.

Wallace Miner, Kaneville.

Thomas Mack, Kaneville; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant.

^^'alter Ottaway, Blackberry.

John Owen. Kaneville.

Andrew Pooler. Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

David Pingrel. Blackberry ; reenlisted as veteran.

Emerson D. Piney. Aurora.

Edwin Rood. Blackberr}\

William Rice, Kane county: mustered out October 24, 1864.

Henry Swartz. Kane\ille; reenlisted as veteran.

Daniel Snell. Kaneville : reenlisted as veteran.

Eber Sheldron, Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

David Smith. Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Richard J. Smith, Aurora.

Augustus Schutt, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

John Scott. Elgin; deserted October 2f>. t86i.

Webster Smith. Virgil.

Levi Shambow, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

David Thompson. Kaneville.

Sherman Towle. Aurora.

Harvey Z. Tydeman. Blackberry.

Charles Wagner. Kane county.

Elias S. Ward, Kane county: mustered out October 24. 1864.

Julian L. Ward. Kane county.

John H. Whitnev. Kaneville.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 247

Oscar Whitcomb, Kaneville; mustered out October 24. 1864.
George Woodard, Virgil.
George A. W'allin. Kane county.

Veterans.
Alanson Baker. Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865. as corporal.
George H. Bellinger. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
James Beechem. Virgil; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Peter Bushman. Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.
James F. Crandall, Kaneville ; promoted second lieutenant Eighth United
States Colored Heavy Artillery September 15, 1864.

Abram T. Gary, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

Charles G. Chapel, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Bradish Cadwell. Airgil ; mustered out July 6. 1865.

George Coats, Kaneville; mustered out July 6. 1865, as sergeant.

Seymour A. Crance, Aurora; killed in railroad accident June 13, 1864.

Timothy Dooley, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865, as wagoner.

Alonzo J. Denny, Sugar Grove; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Henry Hamilton, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Henry Harmon. Kaneville; discharged May 26, 1865.

Charles H. Hoisted, Big Rock; mustered out July 6, 1865.

John Jones, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Hiram Jewett. Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Chas. Knickerbocker. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Charles Laartz, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Harvey O. Perry. Kaneville; mustered out July 6. 1865, as first sergeant.

Andrew Pooler, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

John F. Strohecker. Kaneville ; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Daniel Snell. Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Augustus Schutt, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Eber Sheldon, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.

David Smith. Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.

Levi Shambow, Aurora; mustered out July 6. 1865.

Freeman Woodman. \'irgil; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

Recruits.
Daniel C. Ames, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Daniel Abbott. Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
William Coats. Big Rock; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George Colling. \'irgil ; mustered out July 6, 1865.
WilHam Colling. \'irgil ; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George Coats, Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.
Alonzo J. Denney. Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.
John H. Dodds. Big Rock; mustered out October 24, 1864.
Elder Dacons, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Silas Empey, Big Rock.

Henry Elkins, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 24, 1864.
James Flynn, Blackberry ; mustered out October 24. 1 864.
Charles A. Gee. Kane county; discharged July 21, 1862; disability.

248 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

George Gooro, Gene\a ; deserted March i, 1865.
Joseph D. Hayes, Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George E. Hoyt, Kaneville; died at Chattanooga October 8, 1864.
Zoring Harding, Aurora.

John Lebkisher, Big Rock; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Eugene LeBaron, Geneva; died June 25, 1865.
Malcomb A. Miner, Kaneville; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Henry Hunger, Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Moore, Virgil; mustered out January 5, 1865.
Franklin Perry, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Peter Quinn, Blackberry; died at Andersonville Prison October 8, 1864;
grave No. 10,531.

Samuel Reeves, Blackberry; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Albert W. Swan, Big Rock; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Oscar Seeley, Blackberry.

Harvey Tydeman, Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865.
William Tydeman, Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Woodman, Virgil ; discharged May 26, 1865.

COMPANY c.

Private.
Chester E. Williams, Dundee.

Recruits.
William Dorman, Plato; mustered out July 6, 1865; wounds.
Edmund J. Graves, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Captairvs.
Jacob Grimes, Batavia; resigned December 14, 1861.
D. Carlos Newton, Batavia; mustered out December 18, 1864.

First Lieutenants.
D. Carlos Newton, Batavia; promoted.

Lewis H. Everts, Geneva ; promoted assistant adjutant-general.
Joseph J. Kelser, Batavia; mustered out December 18, 1864.
Lawrence W. Wolcott, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Lewis H. Everts, Geneva ; promoted.
Joseph J. Kelser, Batavia ; promoted.

First Sergeant.
Joseph J. Kelser, Batavia ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
George Spalding, Geneva.
James P. Prindle, Batavia.

Adolphus Datham, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Thomas W. Poor, Geneva.

Corporals.
James Kelly, Batavia.
Edmund R. Blanchard, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 249

Musicians.
Chauncy Burr, Batavia.
Henry W. Strong, Geneva.

Privates.
Thomas Andrews, Batavia.
Alfred K. Benedict, Batavia.
Benigh P. Barlow, Blackberry.
James L. Gary, Geneva.

James H. Gary, Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
Samuel W. Canfield, Batavia; died at Ghicago October 15, 1863.
Sevellon A. Gorwin, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.
Joseph H. Garver, Blackberry.
John Garl, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.
Albert E. Gurtis, Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
Joseph S. Dickerson, Batavia.
Edmund Derrick, Gampton.
David Davis, Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.
John Fletcher, Geneva.

John Hodkinson, Batavia; mustered out November 19, 1864.
Eli Hight, Geneva; reenlisted as veteran.
John Leeding, Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
William H. Lamb, Geneva; reenlisted as veteran.
Elijah Lyman, Geneva.
Edward G. Milgate, Aurora.
John Nailor, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Henry Osgood. Batavia; mustered out November 18, 1864.
Frederick Ott, Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
Jason R. Prindle, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Abijah L. Prindle, Batavia.
Lagore Prindle, Batavia.

Nels E. Peterson, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.
John Palmer, Batavia.
Richard Roberts, Big Rock.
Stephen J. Roots, Blackberry.
Charles Shields, Geneva.
Ward M. Scott, Geneva; reenlisted as veteran.
Ansell A. Smith, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.
Richard Smith, Geneva.
Joel G. Sheperdson, Blackberry.
Alfred Short, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.
Hosea Smith, Geneva.
Joseph Trumley, Blackberry.
Urial Titus, Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
Alexander Trumley, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Arthur Vandever. Batavia.
William H. Watson, Geneva.
Gustavus A. Wallin, Geneva: reenlisted as veteran.

250 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Frederick Wilson, Geneva.

Henry M. Willard, Aurora.

George L. Williams. Big Rock; reenlisted as veteran.

Lawrence W. W'olcott. Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.

J'cteraiis.
E. R. Blanchard, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
John Carl, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
James H. Gary, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865. as corporal.
Elbert E. Curtis, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865, as corporal.
Robert T. Curtis. Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865. as corporal.
Sevellon A. Corwin, Batavia; discharged June 24, 1865.
David Davis. Big Rock; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Safford E. Harlow, Elgin; mustered out July 6. 1865. as corporal.
Eli Hight, Geneva, mustered out July 6. 1865.
John Leeding. Geneva ; confined at Dry Tortugas.
Adolphus Latham. Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Samuel M. Laughlin, Batavia; deserted August 19. 1864.
John Nailor. Batavia ; transferred to \'. R. C.
Frederick Ott. Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865, as corporal.
Nels E. Peterson. Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Jason R. Prindle, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865. as sergeant.
Ward M. Scott, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Lewis Stanfer, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Ansell A. Smith, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Alfred Short, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865, as wagoner.
Urial Titus, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Alexander Trumley, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Gustavus A. Wallin, Geneva; mustered out July 6. 1865. as corporal.
George L. Williams, Big Rock; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Lawrence W. Wolcott, Batavia ; promoted sergeant, then first lieutenant.
Alexander M. Watson, Batavia; promoted sergeant, then captain.

Recruits.
Webster Burr, Batavia.
Stephen Blain, Geneva.

Henry Carl, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
James H. Carman. Geneva; mustered out May 23. 1865.
Robert T. Curtis. Geneva ; reenlisted as veteran.
William Gilbert. Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
William W. Griffin. Virgil; discharged June 8. 1863; disability.
William F. Hall, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Stephen Morey, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
John O'Brien, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Thomas W. Poor. Geneva ; mustered out May 29. 1865.
Frank Shoemake, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George W. Thatcher, Batavia ; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Charles E. Van Vlack, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Zimmerman, Batavia; mustered out July 6. 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 251

COMPANY E.

Privates.
Otto Gronberg, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas Ponsoby, Kane county : transferred from Company A, Cavalry.
Erastus Roberts, Kane count}-.
Charles VVoodworth, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Veterans.
John Fletcher, Geneva; mustered out July 7, 1865, as musician.
Otto H. Gronberg, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Charles Woodworth. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.

Recruit.
William Free, Batavia ; mustered out July 6, 1865.

COMPANY F.

Second Lieutenant.
Arthur P. Yaughan, Aurora; mustered out December 18, 1864.

Sergeant.
Arthur P. Vaughan. Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporal.
John M. Ferris, Geneva.

Privates.
Jeremiah Dodd, Batavia.

Robert Megison. Elgin; discharged December 12. 1862; disability.
Reuben \^n:eeler, Geneva.

Veterans.
Frederick Carter, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Frederick Hartwick, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Elijah Limond, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George Reed, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Reuben Wheeler, Geneva; mustered out May 31, 1865.

Recniits.
Francis H. Brown, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George Reed, Geneva; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY G.

Captains.
Francis H. Bowman, St. Charles; resigned April 19, 1862.
William H. Wilcox. Elgin; mustered out December 18, 1864.

First Lieutenants.
William H. Wilcox, Elgin ; promoted.
James Davidson, Elgin; mustered out December 18, 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
William Shattuck, Campton; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

Sergeant.
Oscar F. Lawrence, Elgin.

Corporals.
Jeremiah H. Burley, St. Charles.
Frank S. Rockwell. St. Charles.
John H. Andrus, St. Charles.

252 KA^'E COLWTY HISTORY

Prifates.
Mortimer Able, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.
Isaac Atkinson, Elgin.

Horace C. Brintnall, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.
William E. Bird, Campton; reenlisted as veteran.
William H. Brown, Campton; discharged May 21, 1864; disability.
Noble Cole, Campton ; reenlisted as veteran.
Henry H. Downey, Campton; reenlisted as veteran.
William Diamond, Geneva.

James Davidson, Elgin ; promoted sergeant and second lieutenant.
Edwin F. Furnald, St. Charles; mustered out November 18, 1864.
Moses H. Huntley, Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.
Daniel L. Holgate. Elgin.

Charles H. Hall, Campton; mustered out June i, 1865.
Oliver Kingsbury, St. Charles; mustered out November 25, 1864.
N. Bishop Lewis, Elgin; mustered out November 18, 1864.
George Mock, Geneva.
\Mlliam Mock. Elgin.
W'alter Phelps, Campton.
Stephen S. Pierce. St. Charles.

Seth Phillips, Geneva; discharged September 28, 1862; disability.
William H. Riggs, St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.
John Sperry, St. Charles.

William Shattuck. Campton; reenlisted as veteran.
James Sullivan. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.
Hiram N. Wheeler, St. Charles; mustered out November 18, 1864.
F. W. H. H. ^^'atkins, Campton; reenlisted as veteran.
Eugene Walker, Campton.
Eugene Whitesell. St. Charles.

J 'ctcraiis.
Mortimer Able, Kane county; mustered out July 6. 1865, as sergeant.
Horace C. Brintnail. Kane county; mustered out July 6. 1865.
William E. Bird, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Noble Cole, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Henry H. Downey, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Alcony P. Green, Kane count}'; promoted sergeant, then first lieutenant.
Moses H. Huntley, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865,
Peter Hawkins, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865.
James Justice, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Austin Mudge, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
William H. Riggs. Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
William Shattuck, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865, as first ser-
geant.

James Sullivan, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Tames M. Thurston. Elgin ; promoted to quartermaster sergeant.
F. W. H. H. W^atkins, Kane county; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Walter Able, Elgin ; died at Rome, Ga.

FOUNTAIN SQUARE. ELGIN, IN 1870.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 255

George H. Bishop, Geneva; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Thomas Hawkis, Elgin; discharged May 29, 1865.

Porter Johnson, Blackberry; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Patrick McMahon, Geneva; mustered out November 28, 1864.

Benjamin F. McMasters, St. Charles.

Jacob A. Sabins, St. Charles; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.

David Seeley, Blackberry; deserted April 29, 1864.

Charles M. Smith, Geneva: transferred to V. R. C, June, 1865.

Adolph Thiese, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Frank Whitney, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.

COMPANY H.

Captains.
Alvah P. Moffatt, Aurora; resigned April 8, 1862.
Luther C. Lee, Aurora; resigned November 7, 1862.
Maurice J. McGrath, Aurora; mustered out January 23, 1865.
Henry C. Williamson. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Luther C. Lee, Aurora; promoted.
Maurice J. McGrath, Aurora ; promoted.
Cornelius Snyder, Aurora; mustered out December 18, 1864.

Second Lieutenants.
Maurice J. McGrath, Aurora ; promoted.
Cornelius Snyder, Aurora; promoted.
Alfred Billing, Aurora; mustered out December 18, 1864.
Elijah Perrigo, Aurora; mustered out Jul}- 6. 1865, as sergeant.

First Sergeant.
Cornelius Snyder. Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
Alfred Billing. Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.
William Pruitt, Aurora; discharged April 22, 1862.
George Rogers, Aurora; discharged June 6, 1862.
James H. Snell. Aurora: reenlisted as veteran.

Corporals.
Trumans S. Chapel, Aurora: mustered out November 18, 1864.
Noyes B. Wood, Aurora; discharged July 8, 1863.
Washington J. Terry, Aurora: discharged April 22. 1862.
Elijah Perrigo, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Henry E. Perrin, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.
Clark Smith, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Ripha Warden, Aurora; mustered out December 31. 1864.
Charles T. Douglas, Aurora: discharged Julv 19, 1863.

Mitsician.
James P. Wightman. Aurora: died January 30, 1863.

Privates.
Samuel Armstrong. Aurora: discharged May 16. 1862.
George H. Bills, Aurora: reenlisted as veteran.

256 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

William H. Billing, Aurora; died Rome. Ga.. August 29. 1864.

James Bowers. Aurora; died Aurora. III. October i. 1863.

James C. Brooks. Aurora: mustered out June 6, 1865; was prisoner.

David Bronson. Aurora; discharged November 11. 1862.

Richard S. Breese. Aurora; discharged January 16. 1862.

Jacob Beecher. Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

George J. Cassalman, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

George Cassalman. Aurora; discharged Februarj^ 27, 1862.

Thomas Cuthburt. Aurora; discharged May 10. 1862.

Jesse Dawson. Batavia; killed in action October 3. 1862.

Adam Deal. Aurora; discharged May 22, 1862.

Lewis A. Duncan, Aurora; discharged April 19, 1862.

John Divine. Aurora; mustered out November 18. 1864.

Alanson A. Edwards, Aurora; mustered out November 18, 1864.

Thomas Fitzgerald. Aurora; discharged July — , 1863.

Horace J. Gusline. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

William Gibbons. Batavia; discharged September 19. 1862.

Frederick Gerber. Aurora; discharged June 9. 1862.

Patrick Kerns. Aurora; transferred to \'. R. C. April 10. 1864.

Thomas Kilborn. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Lawrence Lewis, Batavia; discharged January 16, 1862.

Alvin S. Martin. Batavia; mustered out November 18. 1864.

Amos Martin. Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

Nelson jNIiller. Batavia.

Richard D. Marlett. Aurora : transferred to Company A. Cavalry.

Alexander McLellen, Aurora; discharged November 8. 1862.

Hiram Miller. Aurora : reenlisted as veteran.

Amos Miller. Aurora; discharged September — . 1862.

Jacob Meisner. Batavia; discharged September — , 1862.

Dennis O'Hern. Aurora; discharged May — . 1862.

Thomas Pruett. Aurora: discharged May 2. 1862; disability.

Ransom Putnam. St. Charles; discharged July 25, 1863.

Jacob Price. Batavia.

James Raw. Batavia: died December 20. 1861.

David \\'. Ray, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

William Ray, Aurora; discharged September 10. 1862.

Flavius J. Randall. Batavia; transferred to Invalid Corps May r, 1864.

Alexander Raymo. Aurora; discharged May 25. 1S62.

Hiram Smith. Batavia; deserted November 16, 1861.

Nelson M. Satterfield. Aurora; discharged April 24. 1862; disability.

William Steinhauser, Aurora; died ]^Iay 27. 1862.

Nelson Stickles. Aurora; died ]\Iay i. 1862.

William Stevens. Aurora; discharged August 20, 1862.

Washington Stickler. Batavia; died ^larch i, 1862.

Justin Terry, Aurora; discharged July 3. 1862.

Amos Terry. Aurora; discharged May 27. 1862.

James Thompson. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 257

Peter Van Raalt, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.
Henry P. Williamson, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.
Thomas P. Young. St. Charles; discharged June 6, 1862.

P'cteraiis.
George H. Bills, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
George P. Brown, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Jacob Beecher, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.

George J. Cassalman. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865, as musician.
Eugene B. Eastman, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Horace J. Gusline, Aurora ; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Jacob Hoag, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Fred A. Hanover. Aurora: mustered out July 6, 1865, as musician.
Thomas Kilborn. Aurora; mustered out July 6. 1865, as sergeant.
Amos Alartin, Aurora: mustered out July 6, 1865. as sergeant.
Hiram ^liller, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865, as wagoner.
Charles P. Orr, Aurora ; promoted first lieutenant from sergeant.
Elijah Perrigo. Aurora; mustered out July 6. 1865. as first sergeant.
Henry E. Perrin. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Clark Smith. Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
James H. Snell. Aurora: mustered out July 6, 1863, as sergeant.
David \\\ Ray, Aurora: mustered out July 6, 1865.
James Thompson, Aurora; died July 21, 1864.
Peter Van Raalt, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Henry C. Williamson, Aurora; promoted sergeant, then captain.
Henry Williams, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Lud Wildrick, Aurora: mustered out July 6, 1865.

Recruits.
Marion Curry, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Loren Davis, Batavia; died May 10, 1864.
William Erkenbrack, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Eugene Eastman, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.
Francis Hecker, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hiram Kannady, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
William D. Newell, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John H. Orr, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Francis Orbin, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
William Rose, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Horatio Superman, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Christopher Steabold, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Alexander Sanders, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Jonathan Stickler. Batavia; discharged April 2, 1862.
Roswell Williams, Batavia; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Henry \\' ilHams. Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY I.

Capfains.
Joseph T. Brown. Dundee; discharged February 3, 1864.

258 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Thomas H. Thompson, Dundee; mustered out October 24. 1864.
Amos W. Welbern. Dundee; mustered out July 6. 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Charles B. Wells, Geneva ; promoted quartermaster.
Thomas H. Thompson. Dundee : promoted.
Jerome D. Davis. Dundee; promoted lieutenant colonel.
John \\'. Acker, Dundee; mustered out July 6. 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Thomas H. Thompson, Dundee; promoted.
Jerome D. Davis, Dundee ; promoted.
Amos W. \A'elbern, Dundee; promoted.
Leroy Powers, Dundee; mustered out July 6. 1865, as sergeant.

First Sergeant.
Samuel Anderson, Elgin.

Sergeants.
Thomas H. Thompson. Dundee; promoted second lieutenant.
Cyrus P. Bailey, Dundee.

Amos Welbern, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.
John W. Sharp. Dundee.

Corfjorals.
Jerome D. Davis, Dundee; promoted sergeant, then lieutenant.
William G. Stanford. Dundee.
Adelbert E. Rose, Dundee.
William J. Demster, Dundee.

James A. Rose. Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.
G. Rockwell V"n Dries'n. Drmdee.

Privates.
John W. Acker. Dundee: reenlisted as veteran.
Frank Abbott, Elgin : reenlisted as veteran.
Henry Batterman. Elgin.

John Binner, Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.
Edgar Bowen, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
John Bryan, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
W'illiam A. Carnaby, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles Campbell. Dundee; mustered out March 27, 1S63; disability.
John C. Cockerton, Dundee.

Andrew J. Davis. Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.
Humphrey \\'. Davenport, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
John Dempster. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
Hugh Durham. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
Henry C. Edwards. Dundee.

Elisha Egleston. Dundee; mustered out October 24. 1864.
Erasmus Fitts, Dundee.

David Gorom. Dundee; discharged June 20. 1S64; disabilit}'.
William H. Harlow. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.
Edward J. Hawley. Dundee.
Newton Heath. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 259

Joel N. Haven, Dundee.

Frederick Hilgenfield, Dundee; transferred to Invalid Corps April i8,
1864.

Henry S. Holden, Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

William S. Huntley, Dundee.

Frank J. Huntoon. Dundee.

James Jones, Dundee ; mustered out March 26, 1863 ; disability.

George S. Kendall. Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Holmes \\'. Kendall. Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Anson Lowe. Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.

John Lake. Dundee; mustered out November 2, 1864.

James Miller. Dundee.

Imogene Moore, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.

George W". More. Dundee.

Daniel Manning, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.

Joseph Mitchell, Dundee; discharged December 2, 1863; disability.

Robert Oates, Dundee: mustered out October 24. 1864.

J. Parker Perry, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Chauncey H. Parmely. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Leroy Powers. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

George Pounder, Dundee.

Jefferson Robinson, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Hiram P. Rose, Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Frederick Scholts, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Peter Scholts. Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Milo L. Sherman, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

John E. Shaw, Dundee; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Michael Shovelancl, Dundee.

Jcseph H. Simpsim. Dundee; mustered out November 2, 1864, as ser-
geant.

Caleb M. Smith, Dundee.

Solomon Spicer, Dundee.

Calvin W. Sprague. Dundee.

Henry W. Transue, Dundee.

Sidney L. W'anzer, Dundee; discharged October 20, 1863; disability.

Waldo Ward, Dundee.

Joseph Watts, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry F. Western, Dundee.

William E. Wisner, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran,

James Wolaver, Dundee.

Clark Wolaver, Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.

William Wolaver. Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Jacob Wolaver, Dundee.

Veterans.

Frank Abbott, Elgin : mustered out July 6, 1865, as musician.

Edgar Bowen, Dundee; mustered out July 6. 1865,

John Bryan, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.

260 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

William A. Carnaby, Dundee; discharged March 13, 1865, as sergeant;
disability.

H. W. Davenport, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.

John Dempster, Dundee ; promoted hospital steward.

William H. Harlow, Dundee; discharged July 6, 1865, as corporal.

Newton Heath, Dundee; nuistered out July 6, 1865.

William R. Hemenway, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Imogene Moore, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

J. Parker Perry, Dundee: mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

Milo L. Sherman, Duntlee; discharged May 23. 1865; disability,

Joseph Watts, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Amos W. Welbern, Dundee; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant.

William Wola\-er, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.

Recruits.
Ezra Aldrich, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Alanson M. Barnard, Dundee; absent without leave since June 20, 1865.
George W. Barter, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Aaron J. Buck, Dundee; mustered out May 28. 1865.
George W. Conrad, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Robert Duff, Rutland; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Charles Ehom, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Philemon Gaut, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865,
Lev.'is C. Guptill, Elgin; nuistered out July 6, 1865.
Nelson Hiltz, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Edgar E. Hoxie, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Frank C. Kendall, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
David Maear, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
^^'illiam ]\Iaear, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
J. Willard Merrill, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John S. Moore, Dunilee ; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Charles Ott, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Henry Perry, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Sanford J. Peck, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Ouinlam, Elgin; mustered out May 28, 1865.
Z. Taylor Russell, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Joseph Shuckneck, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Charles Scott, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Henry Sprague, Elgin; killed Atlanta August 13, 1864.
Frederick Wall, Dundee; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Hubbard Wells, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1863.
William Webb, Elgin; mustered out May 28, 1865.

COMP.\NY K.

Captains.
John S. Wilcox. Elgin ; promoted lieutenant colonel.
Alphonso Barto, Plato; mustered t)ut October 24, 1864,
Henry M. Patchin, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 261

First Lieutenants.
Ethan J. Allen, Hampshire; promoted adjutant.
Edward S. Wilcox, Elgin; promoted adjutant.
Henry S. Doty, Hampshire; mustered out October 24, 1864.
John M. Vote, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Alphonso Barto, Plato ; promoted.
Edward S. Wilcox, Elgin ; promoted.
Henry S. Doty, Hampshire ; promoted.
Charles Isbell, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.

First Sergeant.
Henry S. Doty, Hampshire ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
Thomas Clark, Elgin.
Jedediah S. Dormand, Plato.
Van Rensselear J. Lowe, Elgin.
David Curtis, Dundee; discharged April 6, 1863.

Corporals.
Henry N. Patchin, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.
George Ostrander, Elgin; mustererl nut October 24, 1864.
Robert C. Burns. Hampshire.
David Corsair, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Rodney W. Stone, Elgin. ;

Tinidthy Silver, Elgin; mustered out October 24, 1864.

Musicians.
Thomas E. Lawrence, Geneva.
William Wells, Aurora.

Prii'ates.
William Allen, St. Charles; never joined company after muster.
David Allen, Hampshire.

Charles Baldwin, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.
Charles Bennett, Plato.

William Barrett, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.
Larier Bennett, Plato, reenlisted as veteran.
Calvin AL Coon, Hampshire.

Dean Cutting, Elgin; discharged in 1862; disability.
Thomas Clute, Plato.
Gary M. Campbell, Plato.
John A. DeWolf, Hampshire.
Edward Doty, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.
James S. Ellis, Elgin.
David Edwards, Elgin.

Charles Gustafson, Elgin: discharged July 5, 1862.
Frank Garner, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.
John Haines, Hampshire.
Peter Hanover, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.
James B. Hoagland, Elgin.

262 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Charles Isbel, Hampshire ; reenhsted as veteran.

George Johnson, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Jeremiah Jones, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

William W. Kenned}-, Elgin.

Michael Ketsell, Elgin.

John Lightfoot, Elgin.

Joseph B. Lightfoot, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Leroy Morgan, Hampshire.

Samuel Morris, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Patrick Murry. Elgin; discharged August 21. 1862; disability.

John Murry, Elgin.

Lawrence McGowan. Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Andrew J. Pitcher. Burlington.

James Pierce, Elgin.

George M. Peck, Dundee ; promoted commissary sergeant.

Edward Patchin, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.

Edward F. Parker. Hampshire; discharged October — , 1861 ; writ of
habeas corpus.

George H. Peck, Elgin.

Franklin B. Reams, Hampshire: reenlisted as veteran.

Charles C. Robinson. Plato.

William P. Roberts. Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Samuel A. Reams, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Anson Reberger, Elgin.

John Swadling, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas Siddons, Elgin.

Edwin C. Sackett, Plato.

Merritt L. Sherman. Burlington; mustered out October 24. 1864.

Hugh Shannon, Elgin; mustered out October 24, 1864.

WilHam Tuck, Plato.

Samuel P. Tyler. Hampshire.

Orin W. Tyler, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.

Benjamin Thomas, Elgin; promoted chaplain.

Cummings Tyler, Hampshire.

George Underbill, Elgin; discharged December 22, 1862.

George W. Vale. Hampshire; discharged January 2, 1864. to enlist in
Company H. First Missouri Light Artillery.

John M. Vote, Hampshire ; reenlisted as veteran.

William Walters, Elgin.

Cuthbert Walters, Elgin; mustered out October 24, 1864.

George Whitcomb, Jr., Hampshire.

William A. Whitmire, Hampshire; mustered out October 24. 1864.

Thomas Williams, Plato.

David L. Young. Plato.

Veterans.

Charles Baldwin, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal

Larier Bennett. Plato; mustered out July 6. 1865. as sergeant.

lUiiiyi ^li

^--■'sr^^.^^i*-^

■1 ■ -«

■^'7 ^^-I; ;V,-'^'^^^

BELOW THE DAM, CARPENTERSVILLE, ABOUT 1875.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 265

William Barrett. Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
David Corsair, Plato: mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Edward Doty, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Henry W. Eastman. Elgin: promoted sergeant major from sergeant.
Francis Garner, Hampshire: mustered out July 6, 1865.
C. M. Getzelman, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Peter Hanover, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Charles Isbell, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865, as first sergeant.
George H. Johnson. Plato; mustered out July 6. 1865, as corporal.
Jeremiah Jones. Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Joseph B. Lightfoot, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Samuel Morris. Elgin: mustered out July 6. 1865.

Lawrence McGowan, St. Charles; mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
Henrv N. Patchin. Hampshire; promoted captain from first sergeant.
Edward O. Patchin, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Samuel A. Ream. Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Franklin B. Ream, Hampshire: mustered out July 6, 1865, as corporal.
William B. Roberts, Plato; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Owen W. Tyler, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John M. Vote, Hampshire: promoted corporal, sergeant and first
lieutenant.

Recndts.
Abraham Aurand, Elgin; discharged.
Henry Batterman, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Ambrose Brayman, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Madison B. Cole. Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Eaton, Burlington; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Josiah N. French, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Malachi Getzelman. Hampshire : reenlisted as veteran.
Jonathan Klick, Hampshire: mustered out July 6, 1865.
Daniel Kohler, Hampshire; died at Dallas, Georgia, June 4, 1864.
William H. Litner, Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Larkins, Elgin: mustered out July 6, 1865.
Michael McCarthy. Elgin; mustered out July 6. 1865.
Samuel McGahey, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Phillip Munch, Hampshire.
Antoine Mooth, Hampshire.

Sebastian Pfister, Elgin; mustered out July 6, 1865.
John Reinhart. Elgin; mustered out June 3, 1865.
Otis B. Skinner, Elgin; discharged.
Levi Ream. Hampshire; mustered out July 6, 1865.
Charles Schueese. Elgin: mustered out July 6, 1865.
Peter Tyson. Hampshire.
Harlow H. Tyler. Elgin; discharged.
Frederick W. Tyler, Elgin ; discharged.
Alphonso Vanocker, Plato; mustered out July 6, 1865.
William Vote, Hampshire; died at Marietta, Georgia, August 12, 1864.

266 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

John Van Meet, Elgin : discharged.

William Whitcomb, Hampshire.

Ernest Whitmire, Hampshire; mustered (Uit July 6, 1865.

UitassigiieJ Recruits.
Thomas J. Clark, Geneva.
Chauncey E. Doty, Elgin.

Delazon Ellithorp, Elgin; discharged January 28, 1863: wounds.
Robert Long, Geneva.
Sylvester Yeldham, Aurora; deserted.

HISTORY OF FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY.

The Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry \'ulunteers was organized at Camp
Douglas, Chicago, and mustered into service October 31, 1861.

It was one of the two regiments raised by David Stuart, its subsequent
colonel, under act of Congress, and called the "Douglas Brigade." The other
regiment was the one afterwards known as the famous "Forty-second Illi-
nois." The two regiments never served together. The Fifty-fifth Illinois was
principally made up from bodies of recruits raised in Fulton. jMcDonough.
La Salle, Grundy, DeKalb, Kane and Winnebago counties, and its members
were largely young men raised upon farms.

Left Camp Douglas November 9, 1861, over the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road for Alton, Illinois, thence by steamboat for St. Louis, and arrived at
Benton Barracks November 11. Remained at Benton Barracks under the
immediate command of General W. T. Sherman until January 12, 1862. wiien
it departed for Paducah, Kentucky, by steamer, which place was reached on
January 22. The voyage was a tedious and painful one owing to steamer
being frozen into ice and aground for many days.

The regiment participated in the expedition sent to Columbus. Kentucky. -
to test the question of its evacuation immediately after the capture of Fort
Donelson.

The contest at the latter place was avoided by the regiment in conse-
quence of the utter worthlessness of its arms before that time issued to it.

On March 8, 1862, the Fifty-fifth embarked on steamer to participate in
the movement up the Tennessee river, which resulted in the battle of Shiloh,
movement on Corinth, etc. On March. 15, it landed with other troops at a
point several miles above Pittsburg Laniling and attempted to cut the railroad
in the interior, but this object was defeated by high water.

From that point the expedition dropped down to Pittsburg Landing and
went into camp on the front line. It was here brigaded with the Fifty-fourth
and Seventy-first Ohio, and Colonel D. Stuart, of the Fifty-fifth, placed in
command of the brigade then known as the Second Brigade. Fifth ( Sherman's)
Division. Although belonging to Sherman's division, it was located about
two miles east of the other three brigades of its division, being in point of fact
the extreme left of the army, which met the rebel attack so soon to go into
historv as the battle of Shiloh.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 267

Prentiss' division was next to its right and front, though about one mile
away. The Fifty-fifth with its companion regiments was encamped upon the
road leading from Pittsburg Landing to Hamburgh Landing, and near a small
branch of Lick Creek.

On tlie morning of the battle of Shiloh, like all other troops upon the
field, it had no premonitions of the fearful cundict t(5 follow, until the report
of firearms further to the right gave evidence of that fact. The regiment,
under the immediate command of Lieutenant Colonel O. Alalmborg, formed
the center of the brigade, the Seventy-first Ohio being on its right, and the
Fiftv- fourth Ohio (Zouaves) upon its left. After forming line in several
localities contiguous to its camp, during which time it was not engaged except
in skirmishing, though under the fire of Gage's rebel battery, position was
taken to the left of its camp and about sixty rods in its rear along the south
edge of a preci])itous ravine. Inuring the evolutions resulting in this forma-
tion the Se\enty-first Ohio ( excepting eighteen men and its adjutant)
retreated.

The position of the regiment at this time was with its right resting at a
point precisely five hundred yards east of Colonel Stuart's headquarters, with
the Fifty- fourth Ohio upon its left. A full half mile of space unoccupied by
troops existed to its right. This dangerous interval had been in part caused
by the retreat of the Seventy-first Ohio. No artillery was upon this portion
of the field to assist the federal troops. The Fifty-fifth Illinois had exactly
five hundred and twelve men in line, and the Fifty-fourth Ohio from three
hundred and fifty to four hundred.

The first date given in the following is the one of rank or enlistment and
the last the date of muster :

George Johnson, Chicago; January 12, 1864; January 31, 1864.

John D. Johnson, Chicago; January 22, 1864; January 31, 1864.

John L. Lidburg, Chicago; January 25, 1864; January 31, 1864.

Patt Lynch, Chicago; February 5, 1864; February 29, 1864.

Walter Murry, Chicago; February 9, 1864; February 29, 1864.

Robert Parny. Chicago; February 29, 1864: February 29, 1864.

\\'illiam Potter, Chicago: February 9, 1864; February 29, 1864.

^\'illiam L. Quick. Harlem; Fel^ruary 12, 1864; February 29, 1864.

Michael Stanton, Groveland ; October 12, 1864; October 12, 1864.

Thomas Wilson, Chicago; January 12, 1864; January 31, 1864.

John Wells, Chicago: February 9, 1864; December 29, 1864.

RECRUITS TRANSFERRED FROM COMP.-kNY G, I27TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.

First Sergeant.
Charles R. Danisson; August i8, 1862; October 22, 1862.

Sergeants.
Dow Shebley: August 18, 1862; October 22. 1862.
Matthew Kuns; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.
Daniel Newcomb; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.
Albert ]\I. Clark; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.

Corporal.
John Rapp; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.

268 KANE COrXlY HISTORY

Privates.
Jacob Baker; August i8. 1862; October 22, 1862.
John Elliott; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.
John Fitzgerald; August 18, 1862; October 22. 1862.
James Fitch; August 18. 1862: October 22. 1862.
Hugh Fagan; August 18, 1862; October 22, 1862.
Edward Grinimeson ; August 18. 1862: October 22. 1862.
Joseph Kearney; August 18. 1862; October 22. 1862.
James Harris; August 18. 1862; October 22, 1862.
Thomas R. Powers. Nf>\ember 8, 1863; January 20. 1864.
William Toorner; August 18. 1862; October 22. 1862.
Robert S. Wood; August 18. 1862: October 22. 1862.

In this position it was finally attacked by Chalmers and Jackson's
Brigades of Bragg's Corps, who had been placed in positimi at this point
under the personal supervision of General Albert Sidne\ Johnston, the rebel
commander-in-chief.

The main attack commenced here about noon, and this position was held
until between two and three o'clock p. m. b}' the two isolated regiments above
named, and was of incalculable value to the ultimate success of the Union
Army, inasmuch as it defended the extreme left during a vital period from a
flank movement contemplated by the rebel order of battle and vigorously
attempted at the period spoken of.

After being nearly surrounded and suiTering terribly the regiment re-
treated from point to point and took its position with its organization still
complete in the last line formed in the evening near the Landing. It partici-
pated in the battle of Monday, acting on the right, and suffered some loss.
During this terrific conflict, the first in its history, the Fifty-fifth lost the
heaviest of any Federal regiment in that engagement except the Ninth Illi-
nois. The loss of the Fiftj'-fifth was one officer and fiftj'-one enlisted men
killed and nine officers and one hundred and ninety men wounded, being a
total of two hundred and fifty men. Twenty-six men were captured.

The regiment was engaged in the advance on Corinth and lost one killed
and eight wounded on May 17.

Entered Corinth May 30, and mo\ed thence westward with General
Sherman, stopping for a greater or less period at Chewalla. LaGrange. Lafay-
ette. ]\I(iscow and Hollv Springs. On Julv 21. 1862. the regiment reached
^Memphis with General Sherman's division and remained until November 26,
doing camp and picket duty, participating in several expeditions into the in-
terior, having one man wounded. Took part in what was known as the "Talla-
hatchie" campaign, leaving ]\Iemphis November 26. 1862. Returned to Mem-
phis and descended the Mississippi river to take part in the battle of Chickasaw
Bayou, where it lost two killed and four woimded.

Was at battle of Arkansas Post January to and 11. Rising three men
wounded.

Its first colonel, David Stuart, who had previously been appointed briga-
dier general bv the President, failed of confirmation and thereupon quit the

KANE COUNTY HLSTORY 209

service in the spring of 1863. Colonel O. Malmborg commanded the regi-
ment during the balance of its three years' term.

April 30, 1863. was with expedition making feint on Maine's Blufif.
Thence it proceeded after tlie army, then making the movement in rear of
\'icksburg, overtaking the same in time to be under fire at Champion's Hill,
sufYering no loss. Crossed the Big Black May 17 at Bridgeport and arrived
in front of the works at Vicksburg May 18. Participated in the assaults of
May 19 and 22. and bore its full share during the siege, losing fourteen killed
and thirty-two wounded.

It lost one man killed while scouting near the Big Black. After being
present at the surrender of Vicksburg July 4, the regiment proceeded with
Sherman's expedition to Jackson, wherein it lost one killed and two wounded.

Encamped in tiie vicinity of the Big Black until September zj. 1863,
when it embarked at \'ick,sburg for Memphis and moved thence through
Corinth to luka. Moved finally across the Tennessee and upon the laborious
march to Chattanooga, arriving at that point November 21, 1863. During
night of November 23. with rest of brigade, manned fleet of pontoon boats
in North Chickamauga creek and during intense darkness descended and
crossed the Tennessee and captured the enemy's pickets — one of the most
daring operations of the war. At the battle of Mission Ridge, which followed,
the regiment lost three wounded.

Marched with Sherman the round trip to the relief of Kncxville. En-
camped after retmn successively at Bridgeport, Bellefonte and Larkinsville
during the winter. While at the latter place, after exacting the right to elect
otificers, the regiment veteranized, at which time the existing field officers
all failed of election, and at the end of their term qviit the service. The vet-
erans were granted thirty days' furlough from this point. At the opening of
the Atlanta campaign the regiment took its place as usual in the Second Di-
vision of the Fifteenth Corps and shared in the manifold labors and dangers
of that famous campaign, including the movement on and battle of Jones-
boro, losing thirty-six killed and eighty-six wounded, being a total of one
hundred and twenty-two, or about one-half of its number engaged.

The heaviest loss was at the assault upon Kenesaw Mountain on June
27, 1864, viz. : Fourteen killed, including its gallant commander. Captain
Augustine, and thirty-three wounded.

Joined in the pursuit of Hood through northern Alabama and returned
to Atlanta, Georgia, where one hundred and sixty-two non-veterans were
discharged.

Marched the entire distance on the picnic excursion termed the "March
to the Sea." Thence north, and lost near Bentonville, N(.)rth Carolina, one
man killed, one wounded and six taken prisoners.

After surrender of Johnston, regiment marched to Washington via
Richmond and took part in the grand review.

The regiment was then ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where it
remained in camp a few weeks. Thence moved by steamer to Little Rock,
Arkansas, where it was mustered out August 14, 1865. Arrived at Chicago
August 22, where it receixed final payment and discharge.

5i70 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

During the entire periotl of its service it received less than fifty recruits,
hence all its casualties were from its original members.

This regiment was engaged in thirty-one battles and was one hundred
and twenty-eight days under fire. It marched three thousand two hundred
and forty miles, traveled by railroad two thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five miles and by water a further distance of five thousand eight hundred
and fifty miles, total eleven thousand nine hundred and si.xty-five miles.

It lost actually killed in battle one hundred and eight men, and its total
wounded were three hundred and thirty-nine, making an aggregate of four
hundred and seventeen struck with the missies of war. There are no data
to state the exact number of mortally wounded, though it is known that
thirty-five died from such cause within one year after "Shiloh." Of the
men who actually took the field in battle array more than two out of every
three were hit by bullets. About one-third of such men lost their lives from
the casualties of battle or disease. During the war this regiment had only
forty-nine men captured, which speaks volumes for its disciplne and cohesion.

It was extremely fortunate in its medical department, Dr. E. O. F.
Roler, of Chicago, being its surgeon in chief.

Its chaplain, the Rev. M. L. Haney, was all that could be desired, noted
as well for his great personal bravery as for his zealous performance of
professional duties.

It is not probable that any other regiment so closely followed the destiny
of General W. T. Sherman. It was first in his brigade at Benton barracks,
in December, 1861, and thereafter became a member of the Fifth Division,
commanded by that general. Subsequently it was always a member of the
Second Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and following all the footsteps
of that general except the Meridian raid. In its various marches it traversed
every southern state except Delaware, Te.xas and Florida.

Owing to its extraordinary losses at Shiloh and receiving no recruits it
was small in numbers at all subsequent periods and noted for its proficiency
in drill.

After reorganization at the end of its three years' term, it was com-
manded until nearly the close of its career by its senior captain, when Captain
C. A. Andress became lieutenant colonel. Its dead now lie buried in nine
different states.

FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY B.

Vctera}!s.
Hugh Kennedy, Aurora; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant.

COMPANY c.

Recruits.
James Timons, Rutland; mustered out July 22, 1865.

Unassigiicd Recruits.
Thomas O. Long, Rutland.
Peter J. Peterson, Rutland.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 271

FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY D.

Recruits Transferred from One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois

Infantry.
Henry Haeger, Elgin; mustered out August 14, 1865.

COMPANY E.

Captain.

Charles Tazewell, Elgin; resigned August 31, 1862.

Second Lieutenant.

William R. Halligan, Elgin; resigned March 5, 1862.

Corporals.

Joseph Lightfoot, Elgin; died at Young's Point, Louisiana, March 6,
1863.

William Short, Elgin; reported deserter, February, 1864.

Joseph Carley, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

Jacob Flatro, Elgin.

Prii'ates.

John F. Bauman, Elgin; mustered out April 21, 1865.

George W. Bangs, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Charles Cleaves. Elgin; deserted May 25, 1862.

Elan T. Canfield, Batavia.

William Downes, Elgin; discharged December 23, 1863; disability.

Timothy Donovan, Elgin.

Robert K. Florence, Elgin.

Michael Guilfoil. Elgin; promoted principal musician.

James D. Gubbins, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

John Guilfoil, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

John Hunter, Gilbert ; reported discharged ; died since.

Thomas Mann, Elgin; transferred to V. R. C. April 28, 1864; mustered
out October 31. 1864.

Horatio Nelson, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Nelson W. Pecar, Gilbert; reenlisted as veteran.

James Robinson, Elgin.

John Smith, Elgin; died at Walnut Hills, Missouri, June 22, 1863;
wounds.

Charles Sylva. Kane county.

William Thdmpson. Dundee; discharged January 28. 1863; wounds.

Veterans.

Joseph Corbey. Elgin; discharged June 25, 1864; disability.

Nelson W. Pecar, Dundee; mustered out .August 14, 1865, as corporal.

COMPANY F.

Private.
David Kreider, Virgil.

Veterati.
Edmund T. Tottman, \'irgil; discharged .April 28, 1865; disability.

272 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY H.

Recruit.
Charles Ingraliam, Batavia ; transferred to V. R. C. May i. 1864.

COMPANY K.

Private.
L. B. Mohler, Virgil ; reenlisted as veteran.

J'^eteraii.
L. B. Mohler, Virgil: mustered out August 14, 1865; prisoner of war.

FIFTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years" Service.)

COMPANY G.

Captain.
David Arnold, Elgin; mustered out July 7, 1865.

First Lieutenant.
David Arnold, Elgin ; promoted.

Sergeant.
George W. White. Elgin; deserted February 8. 1862, Chicago, Illinois.

Corporal.
David Arni)ld, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY G.

Veteran.
David Arnold, Elgin; promoted sergeant, then first lieutenant.

HISTORY OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.

The Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry Volunteers was recruited at Camp
Douglas, Chicago. Illinois, on the iith of February, 1862. The regiment left
Camp Douglas, eight hundred and eighty-seven strong, via the Illinois Central
Railroad for Cairo, Illinois, and reported to Brigadier General E. A. Paine on
the 1 2th. Was immediately furnished with arms and started from Cairo
about midnight, with orders to proceed up the Ohio to Smithland, Kentucky,
thence up the Cumberland to the vicinity of Fort Donelson, and report to the
officer in charge of United States forces. Arrived near Fort Donelson on
the night of the 13th and disembarked at daybreak, the 14th, having been
assigned to the Third Brigade. Third Division, Colonel J. M. Thayer, First
Nebraska, commanding.

Was temporarily assigned tu the Second Division, General C. F. Smith
commanding. On reporting to General Smith was assigned to the brigade of
Colonel Lauman, of the Seventh Iowa, and about 11 A. M. 14th was in
position, subject to considerable annoyance from the enemy's shell from the
fort. In the afternoon two cumpanies were deployed forward and were
briskly engaged for a short time. The men suffered exceedingly from the
intense cold, no fires being allowed. The men were poorly prepared for the
severe task imposed upon them — very few having seen service. The arms
furnished them had been condemned and thrown aside b\- other regiments
and there was. in short, no confidence in them whatever. .\ few casualties

FIRST IRON BRIDGE, ELGIN.

•iMdJL.

WEST EI.GIX FKO.M CHICAGO STKKK'I' I'.IIIDGE, ABOUT 1870.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 275

occurred during the evening and night. On the morning of the I5tli was
reassigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division. \\'as under fire a short
time in the morning and in the evening. While attempting to secure an
atlvanced and desirable position was considerably cut up and thrown into con-
fusion by a masked battery, upon which it approached to within two hundred
and fifty yards. For a few moments the ranks were considerably broken, the
fire being entirely une.x]5ected. By moving to the right, howexer, a short
distance, it was protected from the sweeping fire of grape and canister and
reformed, though then exposed to a murderous fire from the enemy's sharp-
shooters ( who swarmed every tree) and skirmishers. Threw out skirmishers
and drove back the enemv, and held the same. Xight now closed around.
When leaving the boats the commissary was directed to bring to the regiment
rations for three days, they being unprovided with ha\-ersacks. In the many
changes made the commissary sergeant was unable to find the regiment and
the men got no rations from Friday morning till Sunday morning, when they
were procured from the division commissary at daybreak. On the morning
of the 1 6th. Sunday, a white flag was seen waving over the fort, denoting its
surrender.

The conduct of the men on this occasion was remarkable; raw men, with-
out rations, and armed with the most worthless guns, they behaved as well as
veterans of a hundred battles. Remained at Fort Donelson till the afternoon
of Tuesday, the i8th, when it moved on about four miles en route for Fort
Henry. Camped for the night and at 7 A. M. the next day resumed the
march and arrived at Fort Henry about noon. The roads were almost
impassable and consequently the march was a most difficult one. Remaining
at Fort Henry till it embarked on the transport "Boston" and went up the
Tennessee with the troops commanded by Major General Smith. Arrived
at Crump's Landing, about four miles above Savannah, and disembarked.
Were at once moved out about eleven miles into the neighborhood of Purdy.
During the march it rained incessantly. Remained all night, returning to
transports about 9 P. M. Men very much exhausted. Made a capture of a
few rebel pickets. Remained on transport till morning, then disembarked and
went into camp about one-half mile from the landing. Remained in camp
for several days, drilling and completing organization df the regiment.

On the 2gth of March embarked on steamer and went up to Pittsburg
Landing. Having been reassigned to the division of General C. F. Smith,
was directed to report to Colonel Sweeney, of the Fifty-second Illinois, and
was assigned to his brigade. Went into camp (juite near the river, not over
one-third of a mile distant. Proceeded to change arms, secured transporta-
tion, and in every way completed the organization. On the morning of
Sunday, the 6th of April, was awakened by heavy firing from the front;
received orders to fall in and await further orders. About 8 :30 A. M. was
moved out one mile and a half, when orders were received from General
Grant, in person, to take position across a road and hold that position. Imme-
diately changed front and took the position as directed. With some slight
changes in position, mainly to the front and perpendicular to the front, it
occupied tlie same ground all day. From the time of going into the fight,

276 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

about 9 A. M.. it was almost continually under fire. About 4 P. ]\I. the right
and left were giving way, but orders were imperative to hold the position.
At length it became evident that unless some change was made the regiment
would be taken jirisoners. The regiment stood alone. Charge after charge
was made by the stubborn and determined foe. To prevent being flanked, the
order was given to fall back to the brow of a hill in the rear. Arrived thf^re,
found the enemy on our rear (now front) on all sides, and the regiment
exposed to a continuous fire. Disorganized portions of regiments were then
in the utmost confusion. Orders were gi\en to forward and cut its way out,
which could have been done with less loss than was suffered afterward in
Soutiiern prisons. About two thousand three hundred ofticers and men were
captured in this fight by the enemy. The surrender did not all take place the
same time. The surrender of the Fifty-eighth was made a few minutes
before 6. The loss in this engagement was frightful — amounting in killed,
wounded and prisoners to upwards of four hundred and fifty. More than
three-fourths of those taken prisoners were wounded, and only two hundred
and eighteen were taken prisoners. The fact of the regiment being taken
was undoubtedly in a great measure the salvation of the army. The right
and left were entirely turned, and the enemy, on one wing only, needed to
know of the success of the other to press on ; but \\hile the center held out
they could not know their success. And when at last this small band was
forced to succumb, night closed her mantle over the scene and the hauehtv
victors could pursue their advantage no further. Suffering all the privations
and hardships which the rebels knew so well how to inflict on their helpless
victims, for about seven months, the prisoners, or what was left of them, about
one hundred and thirty men. were paroled and allowed to go north. The few
men left in camp were strengthened by men returned from hospital and sent
from the state as recruits, and participated, with credit, in all the skirmishes
and 1 attles consequent on the siege of Corintli. Was engaged at the battle,
near luka and lost twenty-three out of thirty-one in killed, wounded and
prisoners.

In December. 1862, different detachments of the regiment were concen-
trated at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois. Remained at Camp Butler,
recruiting and guarding rebel prisoners, until June, 1863, when the regiment
was sent to Cairo to garrison that post. Remained at that place till January i,
1864 — in the meantime garrisoning Mound City, Illinois, and Paducah. Ken-
tucky, for the greater part of the time. Some of the companies had a skirnush
near Obion River. Kentucky, in October. Companies A and B garrisoned
Mayfield, Kentucky, and had several slight encounters with rebels at that
place.

On the 2ist of Jaimary embarked on transjiort and went to \'icksburg,
Mississippi. Was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Sixteenth
Army Corps, and on the 3d of February left Vicksburg, Mississippi, for Meri-
dian, Mississip])i. Was the first regiment to cross the Big- Black, the first to
engage the enemy at Oueen's Hill, and the first infantry regiment to enter
Meridian, Mississippi. During this expedition the men were seventy hours
with but one day's rations, with which they marched forty-seven miles and

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 277

destroyed seven miles of railroad. Returned to \'icksburg and was sent with
the troops of General A. J. Smith to participate in the Red River campaign.
Arrived at Simmsport on the evening of tlie 12th of March. Disembarked
to cook, etc.

On the morning of the 13th moved out from Simmsport about five miles
and took possession of two field works, which the rebels evacuated on the
approach of the regiment. Returned to the boats in the evening and at 8
o'clock the same night started for Fort De Russey. Arrived at the fort, which
it invested, about 4 P. M. on the 14th. A sanguinary struggle ensued, but
after a stubborn resistance the enemy surrendered. The colors of the Fifty-
eighth were the first planted on the works. The boats having come up, the
troops were embarked and proceeded to Alexandria. After great and unnec-
essary delay at Alexandria, moved up the river (by land about twenty miles,
the remainder by water) to Grand Ecore; there disembarked and remained
until the 7th of April, when the army of General Smith moved out on the
Shreveport road, preceded two days by the Army of the Gulf. During the
afternoon of the 8th heavy firing was heard in the advance and on arrival at
Pleasant Hill learned that a severe engagement had taken place, in which the
troops of General Banks had been signally defeated and were then falling
back. A council of war having been held, it was decided to give the enemy
battle and early on the following day the lines were formed. About 4 P. M.
the rebels, fluslied with the victory of the previous day and heavily reinforced
by fresh troops from Texas, threw themselves upon the line. A brigade of
Maine troops on the right was speedily driven from the ground. The Fifty-
eighth occupied the extreme left of the line, and as the brigade of eastern troops
gave way charged on the enemy and poured upon them an enfilading and near
fire, which at once turned their flank. Following up this advantage the regi-
ment captured over five hundred prisoners and recaptured from the enemy a
battery belonging to the First United States Artillery, which had been taken
from General Banks' troops. In this engagement the loss was very heavy.
The utmost gallantry was shown, both by officers and men, and to the Fifty-
eighth is due the credit of having given the first check to the foe and of taking
five-sixths of the prisoners captured during the engagement. Many of the
prisoners here taken were the same the regiment guarded in Camp Butler.
Though the enemy was most signally defeated, the command was ordered to
retreat, and at 3 o'clock A. M. on the loth the army fell back, leaving the dead
and wounded on the field, to be cared for by an enemy who was then some
sixteen miles distant, retreating as rapidly as possible. Reached Grand Ecore
on the 1 2th and went into camp.

Mustered out at Montgomery. Alabama, April i, 1866, and ordered to
Springfield, Illinois, for final payment and discharge.

FIFTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Colonel.
William F. Lynch. Elgin; mustered nut Feliruary 7. 1865.

'^78 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Major.
Thomas Newlaii, Aurora; resigned August 20, 1864.

Qiiartcrinaster.
Nicliolas T. Roche. St. Cliarles ; commission cancelled.

Surgeon.
Henry M. Crawford, St. Charles; mustered out February 7, 1865.

First Assistant Surgeon.
Emery A. Merrifield, Elgin; prumoteil sergeant Forty-fourth Regiment.

COMPANY .\.

Captain.
jLihn Muri)hy. Elgin; transferred as consolidated.

First l.icutciiants.
Eugene Lynch. Elgin; resigned October 2, 1862.
John Murphy, Elgin; promoted.

Second Lieutenant.
Jojm ]\rur])hy, Elgin; promoted.

First Sergeant.
John Murphy, Elgin; promoted second lieutenant.

Privates.
Daniel Di.xon. Elgin; killed at Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862.
Edward Fitzgibbons, Geneva; deserted April, 1862.
Patrick Hough. Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.
Alpheus Hannigan, Elgin; discharged June 16, 1862; disability.
Peter Hinds, Elgin; discharged July 18, 1862; disability.
John C. B. Hilbert, Elgin: killed at Fort Donelson, February 15. 1862.
Bartholomew Kelly, Elgin; killed at Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862.
Joseph Leonard, Aurora ; transferred to Company A as consolidated.
Daniel Murphy, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles A. Mallory, Aurora; promoted quartermaster sergeant October.
20, 1862.

Dennis Murran, Elgin; deserted February 18, 1862.

Francis Overton, Aurora; mustered out February 7, 1863.

John O'Brien, Elgin; reenlisted as veteran.

John O'Mara, Elgin; deserted February 11, 1862.

James O'Brien, Elgin: deserted February 11, 1862.

Frederick Rumble. Aurora; mustered out February 7. 1865.

Henry J. Rumble, Aurora; discharged August, 1862; disability.

Daniel M. Smith. Elgin; deserted February 11, 1862.

Richard Wright. Elgin; deserted February n. 1862. at Camp Douglas.

William \\'alsh. Elgin; deserted February 11. 1862. at Camp Douglas.

I'eteran.

Daniel Murphy. Elgin; transferred to Company .\ as consolidated.

Reeruils.
Barnev Carty, Aurora: transferred to Company -\ as consolidated.
William L. Gage, Elgin; transferred to Company A as consolidated.
Thomas Jones, Elgin: discharged June 16, 1862; disability.
James Kinnev. .Xurora; transferred to Companv .\ as consolidated.

KANE COUNTY IITSTORY 279

Benj. F. IMontgomery. Geneva; transferred to Company A as consoli-
tlated.

John Sayers, Aurora ; transferred to Company A as consolidated.
John B. Smith, Elgin ; promoted wagon master.

COMPANY B.

Captain.

David J. Lynch, Elgin; resigned November 3, 1864.

Recruits.

Michael Armon. Elgin; deserted March 15. 1863. at Camp Butler,
Illinois.

Lyman Burr, Aurora; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

Adam Deal (or Dale) , Aurora ; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

John Edwards, Elgin; deserted January 22, 1863, at Camp Butler, Illinois.

Tobias Hudson, Aurora; deserted March 29, 1863, at Camp Butler,
Illinois.

William Hamilton, Elgin ; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

John Price, Aurora; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

John Sheady, Elgin; died, Memphis. I\Iav 25, 1864.

James Sweet, Aurora; died at Memphis, May 24, 1864; wounds.

Robert Sommers, Elgin ; transferred to Company B as consolidated,

John Scanlan, Elgin ; transferred to Company A as consolidated,

John Terry, Aurora; discharged October i, 1863; disability.

Martin Tiernan, Aurora; deserted November 22, 1863, at Paducah,
Kentucky.

Thomas Taylor, Aurora ; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

COMPANY C.

Privates.

Nathaniel S. Abbott, Elgin; discharged December 31, 1861.

Merritt Fenton, Aurora; discharged March 20, 1862; disability.

Frederick Goble, Elgin; discharged for wounds received April 6, 1862,

Daniel Harris, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Edson R. Hitchcock, Aurora; transferred to V. R. C. November 15,
1864.

George Reed, Aurora; deserted June 15, 1862, at Cairo, Illinois.

J'ctcrait.

Daniel Harris, Aurora ; transferred to Company C as consolidated.

Rccinits.

Comfort H. Chapmaji, Dundee; deserted January 25, 1863, at Camp
Butler, Illinois.

James M. McNall, Plato; died June 3, 1862,

Joseph Plant, Aurora: accidentally killed May i, 1863.

Elisha Tarble, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Abijah Tarbell, Aurora; mustered out January 14, 1865.

COMP.\NY D.

Captain.
Gustar C. Kothe, Elgin; mustered out Felaruary 7, 1865; expired term.

280 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

First Lieutenant.
Gnstar C. Kothe, Elgin ; promoted.

Second Lieutenant.
Gustar C. Kothe. Elgin; iJi'omcjted.

Sergeant.
Frederick Schuiz, Elgin; killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.

Recruits.
John Benchler, Aurora; transferred to Company D as consolidated.
John Elchroth. Aurora; killed at Old Town, Mississippi, July 14. 1864.

COMPANY E.

Veteran.
John P. Ott, Geneva; deserted August i, 1864, while on furlough.

Recruits.
John P. Ott, Geneva; reenlisted as veteran.
Richard V. Smith, Aurora; deserted April 8, 1864.
Jesse Schafer, Elgin ; transferred to Company D as consolidated.

COMPANY F.

Recruit.
William Bronson, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company C as (.onsoli-

" COMPANY G.

First Lieutenant.
Robert H. Winslow, Sugar Grove; resigned January 26, 1863.

Second Lieutenant.
Robert H. W'inslow. Sugar Grove ; promoted.

Prii'ates.
Samuel B. Cole, Elgin; transferred to Com]:iany I January 5. 1862.
Cyrus Cole, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Edward Champlain, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, i862_.
Thomas Connery, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Richard Collins, Plato; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Solona Ellis, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Asa Fairbanks, Aurora; died at Hermann, Missouri, November q. 1864.
William Freeborn, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5. 1862.
David Gifford, St. Charles; discharged May 12, 1862; disability.
James Golden, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5. 1862.
Charles Gibbs, Dundee; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Thomas James, Plato; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
John Oness, Big Rock; transferred to Company I March 2, 1862.
William Oness, Big Rock; transferred to Company I March 2, 1S62.
Edward Parker, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
\\'illiam Painter, Plato: transferred to Cnmi^any I January 5. 1862.
Joe Rose, Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.
Alonzo B. Russell, Sug'ar Grove; reenlisted as veteran.
Duane Smith. Aurora; deserted February 8, 1862, at Camp Douglas,
Illinois.

William Sowles. Plato; transferred to Company T January 5. 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 281

George Tompkins, Plato; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.

Liul W'ildrick, Aurora; deserted February 8, 1862, at Camp Douglas,
Illinois.

Seldon S. \\'alkley, Plato; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.

John Wilson. Elgin; transferred to Company I January 5, 1862.

/ 'etci aiis.

Dennis Hamblin, St. Charles; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant.

Alonzo B. Russell, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company B as consoli-
dated, n

Kccrtiits.

William Clegg, Aurora; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

William Dunn, Aurora.

George Hodgden, Big Rock; deserted February 2, 1862, at Camp Douglas,
Illinois; transferred from Company I.

Sylvester M. Johnson, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company B as
consolidated.

Andonison J. Nichols, St. Charles; discharged June 22, 1862; disability;
transferred from Company I.

Henry Rodgers, Aurora; deserted August 24, 1863, at Cairo, Illinois.
Under Cook of A. D.

Bill Johnson, St. Charles; transferred to Company B as consolidated.

COMP'ANY H.

Privates.
Herman Burr, Elgin; discharged; served with Company I.
A. B. Foster, Elgin; died, Memphis, February 28, 1863.
George Shever, Aurora; discharged April 25, 1862; disability.

RecrJiits.
Hiermann Burr, Elgin; deserted.
Thomas Ryan, Elgin; discharged July 3, 1862.

COMPANY I.

Fii'st Lieutenant.
David J. Lynch, Elgin ; promoted to Company B.

Privates.
David Bradley, Elgin; accidentally killed December 29, 1865.
James Burns, Elgin; died at Macon, Georgia; prisoner of war
Thomas Betts, Aurora; discharged March 24, 1863; wounds
James Costello, Elgin; mustered out February 7, 1865.
Patrick Coleman, Elgin ; discharged for disability.
Joseph Copias, Elgin; discharged February 2, 1862; disability.
William Dunn, Aurora; transferred to Company G February 25, 1862.
Edward Galligher, Elgin; discharged August 28, 1862; disability.
Michael Gartland, Elgin; drowned at Fort Henry March — , 1862.
William Given, Elgin; died at Camp Douglas. Illinois, February 12, 1862.
James Heffernan, Elgin; First sergeant; killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.
Dennis Hamblin, St. Charles; transferred to Company G January 5, 1862.
Gregory Larkin, Rutland; deserted February — , 1863.
Anthony McBriarty, Elgin; transferred to Company G January 5, 1862.

282 KANE COINTY HISTORY

Thomas McKenna, Aurora; mustered out February 7. 1865.

J. Mahoney (or Moloney), Rutland: killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862.

Jesse Maybee, Elgin: discharged May 26. 1862: disability.

Jason H. Morris, Rutland: absent: sick at muster out of regiment.

Patrick McEvoy, Elgin ; deserted March — . 1 863.

Adonison J. Nichols, St. Charles ; transferred to Company G January 5,
1862.

George P. Nelson, Elgin; discharged by order of Colonel Lynch.

Albert Phillips. Aurora; deserted February — . 1863.

Jerome Phillips, Aurora; deserted February — , 1863.

John Ryan No. i, Rutland; deserted February — , 1863.

John Ryan No. 2, Rutland; discharged for disability.

Edward Scott, St. Charles; transferred to hospital April 6, 1862.

James Scanlon, Elgin ; transferred to V. R. C.

James Syron, Rutland: killed at Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, ]\Iay 18, 1864.

Joseph Tyrrell, Rutland; mustered out February 7, 1865, as sergeant.

William R. Willie, St. Charles.

Recruits.

Cyrus Coles, Elgin ; discharged for disability.

Alexander Cannon, Elgin; deserted February — , 1863.

Aaron Cribbs, Elgin; deserted May 11, 1862.

Edward Champlain, Elgin; discharged.

Thomas Connery, Elgin.

Patrick Downey, Aurora; transferred to Company D as consolidated.

Charles Dickenson, Plato; deserted January 20, 1862.

Egbert O. Dickinson, Elgin.

Solono Ellis, Elgin; deserted February i, 1862.

W'illiam Freeborn, Elgin: discharged May 27, 1862: disability.

Charles Gibbs, Dundee; discharged May 22. 1862; disability.

Patrick Graham, Aurora; deserted November — , 1864.

John Jones, Elgin; died December 4, 1862.

Thomas James, Kane county.

Edward Keating, Elgin; deserted May — , 1864.

Patrick Kinney, Dundee: transferred to Company D as consolidated.

Alfred Nicholson, Elgin; deserted February, 1863.

John O'Ness, Big Rock; discharged October 20, 1862; disaljility.

William O'Ness, Big Rock, reenlisted as veteran.

John Powell, Plato: discharged May 26. 1862: disability.

Warren Painter. Plato; deserted March — . 1862.

Edward Parker, Elgin; deserted February 26. 1862.

William Painter, Kane county; deserted February 26, 1862.

Joseph Rose, Elgin: deserted February — , 1863.

A\'illiam Sowles, Kane cour.ty; discharged October 20. 1862; disability.

John Wilson, Elgin.

Seldon S. Walkley, Kane county ; reenlisted as veteran.

Heiman Burr. Elgin; mustered out February 7, 1862, as a member of
Company H.

KANE COUNTY IILSTORY 283

FIFTY-EIGHTH (CONSOLIDATED) INFANTRY' REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)
Colonel.
William F. Lynch, Elgin; muster in revoked May 27, 1865.

First Licittcnaut.
John Murphy, Elgin; cashiered (as major) October 8, 1865; disability;
removed February 2, 1866.

Major.
John Murphy, Elgin; promoted.

COMPANY A.

Captain.
John Murphy, Elgui; promoted major.

Privates.
Barney Carty, Aurora; died at Greenville. Louisiana, September 17, 1865.
William L. Gage, Elgin; mustered out May 20, 1865.
Patrick Haugh, Elgin; mustered out April i. 1866, as first sergeant.
James Kinney, Aurora; discharged April 9, 1865, day he left service.
Joseph Leonard, Aurora; absent without leave since March 11, 1865.
Benj. F. Montgomery, Aurora; mustered out April i, 1866.
Daniel Murphy, Elgin; mustered out April i, 1866, as corporal.
John O'Brian, Elgin; mustered out April i, 1866.
John Savers, Aurora; mustered out May 24, 1865.
John Scanlnn. Dundee; mustered out April i, 1866.

COMPANY B.

First Sergeant.
Alonzo B. Russell. Sugar Grove; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporals.
John Price. Aurora; mustered out March 19. 1866.
William R. \\')lie, St. Charles; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.

Privates.
William Clegg, Aurora ; deserted.

Adam Deal, Aurora; discharged July 18, 1865; disability.
William Hamilton, Elgin; died at Montgomery, Alabama, July 21, 1865.
Sylvester M. Johnson, Sugar Grove; mustered out June 6, 1865.
Robert Love, Aurora; mustered out April i, 1866, as corporal.
Robert Sommers, Elgin; mustered out February 11, 1866.
Thomas Taylor, Aurora; mustered out April i, 1866.

COMPANY c.

Privates.
Daniel Harris, Aurora; died at Montgomery, Alabama, July 8, 1865.
Elisha Tarble, Aurora; mustered out April i, 1866.

COMPANY 1).

Privates.
John Benchler, Aurora; discharged September 13, 1865; disability.
Jesse Schafer, Elgin; mustered out April i, i8(S6.

John Thompson, Elgin ; killed at Nashville, Tennessee, December 30,
1864.

284 KAXK CorX'I'Y TTTSTORY

COMPANY E.

Prizxitcs.
Thomas Burke. Rutland; deserted April 6. 1865.
John Scott. Rutland; deserted April 6. 1865.

[ 'iiassigiu'd Recruits.
Laben Blair. Aurora.
John Williams. Elgin.

FIFTY-XIXTH IXFAXTRY REGHIEXT.
(Three Years" Service.)

COilTAXY B.

J'etera)i.
John E. Brown. Elgin : nuistered out December 8, 1865. as corporal.

Rccntits.
Thomas Hagan, Aurora ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.
Marcellus C. Hibbard. Aurora: mustered out December 8. 1865.
Hugh Patterson. Aurora: deserted June 18. 1865.

COMP.\NV D.

Recruit.
.\braham Zimmerle. Rutland: mustered rut December 8. 1865.

COMP.ANY F.

Recruit.
John L. Slawson. Aurora: missing after battle of Pickett's Mill. May

^7 1864. COMPANY G.

Recruits Transferred from Eiglity'Ui]ith Illinois Infantry.
Forgust Anderson. A.urora: mustered out December 8. 1865.
.Andrew Ducat. Aurora: discharged June 19. 1865.
William H. Xisley, .Aurora: mustered out December 8. 1865.

COMPANY H.

Recruits Transferred from Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
Alexander Burns, Aurora; mustered out December 8, 1865.
Frank ^I. Barry. Aurora; discharged August 11. 1865.
Lewis .A. Duncan. Kane county: mustered out September 5. 1865.
Andrew J. Hasley. Aurora : charge of desertion removed.
John S. \'. Jarstad. Aurora; absent; sick at muster out June 22, 1865.
George AI. Jenks. Aurora: mustered out December 8. 1865.
William Russ. Kane county: mustered out December 8. 1865.
Henrv C. Scott. Aurora: mustered out December 8. 1865.
\\'illiam Williams. Aurora: mustered out December 8. 1865.

COMP.\XV I.

Recruits Transferred from Eighty-uiutli Illinois Infantry.
John AI. Alurray. Aurora: deserted June 19. 1865.
Palmer Presher. Aurora; mustered out December 8. 1865.
George Strewer. Elgin: deserted June 19. 1865.

INTERIOR OF OLD DU BOIS OPERA HOUSE BURNED IN 1886.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 287

COMPANY K.

Recruits Transferred from Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
Patrick Hickey, Aurora; mustered out December 8, 1865.

Unassigncd Recruits.
Charles Griffin, Rutland.
Henry Harvey, Rutland.

STXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY c.

Corporal.

Daniel Murphy, Elgin.

Prii'otes.

Bartholomew Kelly, Elgin; discharged July 2, 1862; disability.

Davis M. Smith, Elgin ; transferred Sixteenth Missouri Infantry July
19. 1862.

Martin Tansev, Elgin; transferred Sixteenth Missouri Infantrv July 19,
1862.

\\'illiam Welch, Elgin; transferred Sixteenth Missouri Infantry July 19,
1862.

COMPANY E.

Corporal.
John C. Hibbert, Elgin; transferred Sixteenth Missouri Infantry July
19, 1862.

SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years" Service.)

COMPANY D.

Recruit.
Martin Herser, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

COMPANY E.

Veteran.
William Rose, Blackberry; transferred to Company K as consolidated.

COMPANY H.

Veterans.
John Gibbons, Aurora ; transferred to Company H as consolidated.
Kelvin Nichols, Aurora; transferred to Company H as consolidated.

COMPANY I.

Private.
Josiah \\*ilkinson. Blackberry; mustered out ^lay 15, 1865.

SIXTY-FIFTH (CONSOLIDATED) INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY G.

Private.
Abram Lansing, Aurora; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.

288 KANE COINTY HISTORY

SIXTY-SEVEXTH IXFAXTRY REGLMEXT.
(Three Months' Service.)
Quartermaster.
Isaac X. Buck, Aurora; mustered out September. 1862.

- COMP.\N'Y A.

Sergeants.
S. Byron Winfield, Geneva ; promoted commissary sergeant.
Alex. N. Davis, Geneva; mustered out October 6, 1862.

Prh'atcs.
Frank Bunker, Geneva; mustered out October 6, 1862.
Wilber F. Higgins, Geneva; deserted June 15, 1862.
Sheldon E. Whipple, Geneva; mustered out October 6, 1862.

COMPANY I.

Privates.
John Freeman. St. Charles; mustered out September 2"/, 1862.

SIXTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY REGIMEXT.

(Three ^lonths' Service.)

COMPAXY K.

Privates.
W'illard Algire. Sugar Grove: mustered out September 26. 1862.
James D. Hughes. Sugar Grove; mustered out September 26, 1862.
Thomas Hamilton, Sugar Grove; mustered out September 26. 1862.
Francis M. Meadows, Sugar Grove; mustered out September 26, 1862.
James Stewart, Sugar Grove; mustered out September 26, 1862.

HISTORY" OF SIXTY-XIXTH IXFAXTRY.

The Sixty-ninth Regiment was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago,

and was mustered into service June 14. 1862. It remained on duty at Camp'
Douglas, guarding the camp and rebel prisoners.

SIXTY-NINTH IXFAXTRY REGIMEXT.
(Three Months' Service.)

COMPANY B.

Captain.
Jonathan Kimball, Elgin; mustered out September 2y, 1862.

First Lieutenant.
Samuel H. Himter, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.

Second Lieutenant.
Thomas W. Tefft. Elgin; mustered out September 2~. 1862.

First Sergeant.
John Short, Elgin; mustered out September 2j, 1862.

Sergeants.
Michael J. Dunne. Dundee: mustered out September 2/. 1862.
John Cockerton, Elgin: mustered out September 2/. 1862.
John Megginson, Elgin; mustered out September 2~. 1862.
Calvin Loomis, Elgin; mustered out September 2-. 1862.

KANE COUNTY TTISTORY 289

Corpornls.
Henry T. Adams, Elgin; mustered out Septemljer 2/, 1862.
John C. Russell, Elgin; mustered out September 2j. 1S62.
Sibeus Sweet, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Henry W'ells, Elgin; mustered out Septcmljer 27. 1862.
Albert Kinney, Elgin; mustered out September 2/. 1862.
Edgar Hoxie, Dundee; mustered out September 2/, 1862.

Pri-iVfcs.
S. Nathaniel Abbott, Elgin; mustered out September 2/. 1862.
George Abbott, Elgin; mustered out September 2/. 1862.
George Adams, Elgin; mustered out September 2/, 1862.
Robert Adams, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
John Augustine, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Alexander Cannon, Elgin; mustered out September 2/, 1862.
Thomas Cannon, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Charles Crane. Dundee; mustered out September 2/, 1862.
John Cambell, Dundee; mustered out September 27, 1862.
George W. Clark, Elgin; mustered out September 2y. 1862.
D. B. Caffee, Campton; mustered out Septemljer 27, 1862.
George Dunlap, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Milton Earring, Elgin; mustered out September 27. 1862.
Robert K. Florence, Elgin; musteretl out September 2j. 1862.
Daniel Flynn, Elgin; mustered out September 2j, 1862.
Thomas Frazier, Plato; mustered out September 2y, 1862.
Joseph Flannery. St. Charles; mustered out 'September 27. 1862.
David Gifford, St. Charles; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Philander Gates, Campton; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Danford M. Jones, Elgin: mustered out September 27, 1862.
Aaron Kribbs, Elgin; mustered out September 2j, 1862.
Chester Kinney, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Richard Keough, Elgin; mustered out September 27. 1862.
John McConnell, Aurora; mustered out September 2j, 1862.
Peter Pocket, St. Charles: mustered out September 27. 1862.
Henry Plaunty, Hampshire; mustered out September 27, 1862.
Christopher Rose, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.
William H. Rowe, Plato; mustered out Septemljer 2j, 1862.
James Sheedy. Elgin: mustered out September 2y, 1862.
William F. Todd, Elgin; mustered out September 27. 1862.
George A. ^Vebster, Elgin: mustered out September 2/, 1862.
Benjamin Webster, Elgin: mustered out September 2y. 1862.
Albert Ward, Elgin; mustered out September 2j, 1862.
Peter Wolover, Dundee; mustered out September 27, 1862.

Recruits.
Phillip Brinnan. Dundee: deserted June 24, 1862.
James K. Elliott, St. Charles : discharged by the surgeon.
Stephen A. Houghton, Dundee: transferred to Miller's Battery.

2y0 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Heiinezaii Leverett, Elgin; transferred to Company E, Sixty-ninth
Regiment.

Patrick Alurreen. St. Cliarles ; discharged by the surgeon.

COMPANY c.

Prkvfcs.
Wilber F. Higgins, Geneva: mustered out September 2j, 1862.
William LeBarren, Geneva; mustered out September 27. 1862.
James C. Long. Geneva; mustered out September 27, 1862.
George Steurtr, St. Cliarles; mvstered out September 2~, 1862.

COMPANY D.

Sergeant.
Theodore F. Barnes, Aurora; mustered out October 6, 1862.

COMPANY E.

Musician:
Hannigan Loverett, Elgin; mustered out September 27, 1862.

COMP.\NY F.

Prizxites.
James E. Hollenback, Aurora; mustered out October 6, 1862.
Hiram Kenneday, Aurora; mustered out October 6, 1862.
Alexander Saunders, Aurora; mustered out October 6, 1862.
Peter Stuckey, Aurora; mustered out October 6. 1862.

SEVENTY-FIRST INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Months' Service.)

COMPANY F.

Privates.
Samuel Baxter, Aurora; died. Mound City. October 19, 1862.
Amasa Trask. Aurora; mustered out October 29. 1862.

HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-SECOND INFANTRY.

The Seventy-second Regiment Illinois Volunteers was organized at
Chicago as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board of Trade. Its first bills
were put out for one company, calling itself the "Hancock Guards." on July
23, 1862, and exactly one month afterwards (August 23, 1862) the entire
regiment was complete and mustered into the service of the United States
for three years, or during the war. The very day of their muster they were
started ofif for Cairo, where they arrived on the 24th. Their strength at that
time was thirty-seven (37) officers and nine hundred and thirty men.

On the 6th day of September they were ordered out to Paducah, Ken-
tucky, wliere they went on post duty until the 17th, when they were sent down
to Columbus, Kentucky, at which point they did guard and picket duty mainly,
until November 21. They were nut. however, idle in this time, but in addition
to the thorough and constant drilling, which has since made them one of the
finest organizations in th.e army, found time for two expeditions, one to
Clarkson, Missouri, on October 6. when they dispersed a rebel camp and cap-
tured a lumiber of prisoners, horses, etc.. and the other, on October 21. to

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 291

New Madrid, which was not so eventful. On November 21 they were ordered
to join General Ouimby's command, Seventh Division, Seventeentli Army
Corps, at Moscow, Tennessee, and with that command they arrived on
December i, 1862, at Lumpkin's Mills, Mississippi, whence they accompanied
(jrant's army as far as the Yaconapatafa river. Owing to the supplies being
rut off at Holly Springs, the army was forced to return, after penetrating
as far as the point mentioned, and the Seventy-second was sent as guard to
the wagon train to Memphis, Tennessee. There, at a distance of about eight
miles from the city, on the line of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, they
went into camp and remained until January 19, 1863, when they were sent
into the city and quartered at the navy yard to do provost guard duty. While
making Memphis their headquarters the regiment went out on an expedition
to Horn Lake Creek, where they dispersed a gang of Blythe's rebel guerrillas,
capturing quite a number of them.

On March i the division, of which the Seventy-second formed a part,
started down the Yazoo Pass, but finding Fort Pemberton in their way and
not being able to take it just then, went back. April 23 they landed at
Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, and from there marched up with Grant's army
to Yicksburg. On May 16 they arrived at Champion Hill, just in time to
turn the enemy's left, and by that movement decided the fate of the day.
That was their first battle and, fortunately for them, their share in it, although
a most important one, was not very severe. On May 17 they found themselves
at Big Black, in the rear of Vicksburg, and on the igth this regiment was the
first to open the attack on the rebel stronghold. In the desperate charge of
the 22d they participated with the highest honor to themselves, losing some
one hundred and thirty of their number killed, wounded and missing, but
fighting a.'; bravely as men could fight until the last. From that time until
July 4, when the rebels capitulated, the Seventy-second did its duty among
the foremost in the siege, and on the capitulation were among the first to
enter the city.

On July 12 the Seventy-second embarked for Natchez, Mississippi, where '
they landed the succeeding day, taking possession of the town, capturing a
large number of prisoners, pieces of artillery, confederate government stores,
and five thousand head of Texas cattle. Here they remained until October
17, doing provost duty, with the exception of a couple of skirmishes at St.
Catherine's Creek, Mississippi, September i, and at Cross Bayou, Louisiana,
on September 23.

October 18, 1863, they went on provost guard duty at Vicksburg, Missis-
sippi, where they remained until October 30, 1864. During this year of com-
parative inaction they only went on two expeditions. The first of these was to
Benton, Mississippi, on May 7, 1864, where they had a short but pretty severe
fight with a bodv of rebels ; and the second was to Grand Gulf, Mississippi, on
July 18.

October 30, 1864, they were ordered to report to Major General Howard,
commanding Army and Department of the Tennessee, then with Sherman's
army, and in pursuance of this order arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, on
November 13. They there found themselves too late to join Sherman in his

292 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

great "march to the sea," and were ordered to Cohuiibia, Tennessee, to join
Major General Schofield's command, which they did on November 21, when
Hood crossed the Tennessee river and seemed coming down "Hke a wolf on
the fold." Schofield's army found it convenient to retire towards Nashville.
On November 29 they evacuated Columbia, and the Seventy-second was in a
severe skirmish with the enemy at Spring Hill, on the road between Columbia
and Franklin. On the succeeding day they arrived at Franklin and hastily
threw up some light earth works. About 4 o'clock that afternoon Hood
attacked them and the battle raged from that hour until midnight with terrific
fury. In that fight the Seventy-second lost nine officers out of sixteen engaged
and one hundred and fifty-two men, who were either killed or severely
wounded. That night they left their works and retreated towards Nashville,
which they reached on December i, and here the Seventy-second was thrown
on the extreme right of the Federal lines inclosing- Nashville, under command
of General A. J. Smith. On December 1 5 the whole Union army was moved
outside its works to give battle to Hood, and on that and the succeeding day
the great battle of Nashville took place, resulting in the complete whipping of
the "Rebs." From that time until January 3, 1865, they were engaged in the
pursuit of Hood's army, following it up closely as far as Clifton, but Hood
managed to escape across the Tennessee river. From Clifton the regiment
went by boat up the Tennessee river to Eastport, Mississippi, arriving there
January 13, 1865, and there remaining in quarters until February 9, making
in that time but one expedition, and that a fruitless one, to luka and Corinth.
Mississippi.

February 9 they started for New Orleans, where they arrived February
21. Until Alarch 21 they remained in camp eight miles below the city and
then they were embarked and taken across the gulf to Dauphin Island,
Alabama, where they arrived on March 17. The ne.xt day the brigade, which
included the Seventv-second, crossed over to the main land on the western
shore of Mobile bay. Here they remained a few days, skirmishing with the
enemy, when, having accomplished the object of the e.xpedition, which was
merely a feint on Mobile from that direction, they rejoined the army at Fish
river, near Smith's Mills, Alabama.

On March 26 the corps to which they were attached moved, and on the
morning of the 27th appeared in front of Spanish Fort. From that time until
the night of April 8 the regiment was actively engaged in the siege. At 5
o'clock on the evening of the 8th the Union troops were ordered up into the
first line of their works. The attack began and at near midnight the First
Brigade (including the Seventy-second) and the Third Brigade, Sixteenth
.\rmy Corps, charged on the enemy's works and carried them, capturing the
fort. The next morning they moved out on the road to Blakely, when their
division was held in support of the other divisions charging the enemy's works
at that place. The place having been taken, the command went into camp
here until the 14th, on which date they moved forward on the road to Mont-
gomery, Alabama, marching over the two hundred miles tn that place in
exactly eleven days. At Montgomery they remained in camp until May 2^.
when they were ordered to Union Springs, Alaliama, forty-five miles from

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 293

Montgomery. There tliey remained, doing post duty, until July 19, when
they started on their homeward journey.

On August 6 they were mustered out of the service at Vicksburg and
thence marched directly home to Chicago.

During their term of service they received some four hundred and fifty
recruits, and when ordered home they transferred two hundred and seventy of
these to the Thirty-third Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteers at Meridian,
Mississippi. They brought home twenty-two officers and three hundred and
ten men.

In an attack upon some of the regiment by a gang of drunken rebels at
Yerger's Landing, on their way home, private Levi Derby, of Company E,
was killed, and Sergeant Major Blake was so seriously injured by a pistol
shot that his life was endangered.

The following little table of statistics is furnished by the adjutant of the
regiment and gives some idea of what their service has been :

Number of officers belonging to regiment at date of muster in 37

Number of enlisted men belonging to regiment at date of muster in ... . 930

Total 967

Number of officers returning with regiment 22

Number of enlisted men returning with regiment 310

Total 332

Number of officers killed in service 7

Number of men killed in service 78

Number of officers died of disease 3

Number of men died of disease 130

Number of officers wounded 10

Number of men wounded 120

Number of officers taken prisoners 3

Number of men taken prisoners y6

Total 427

Number of battles fought 7

Number of skirmishes II

Total 18

Number of miles traveled since entering service 9,280

Number of days under the enemy's fire 145

SEVENTY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

First Assistant Surgeon.
Charles A. Bucher, Batavia ; mustered out August 7, 1865.

294 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY A.

Prizvtcs.
Oscar S. Ingersoll. St. Charles; discharged January 20, 1863: disability.
Davi^ Lorrioux. Rutland; discharged December 3, 1864.

COMPANY B.

Private.
Isaac B. Dorr, Geneva; mustered out August 7, 1865. as corporal.

Recruits.
Paul E. Gros, Rutland ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinriis Infantry.
David Larreaux. Rutland ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

COMPANY E.

Privates.
Lewis O. Lyon, Geneva; mustered out August 7, 1865, as corporal.
Thomas S. Seacord. Geneva; died. ]\Iemphis. January 28. 1863.

COMPANY F.

Privates.
Alexander Archibald. Dundee; mustered out August 7. 1865.
Alfred Booth. Dundee; mustered out August 7, 1865.
Edward Oertell. Dundee; promoted first lieutenant from first sergeant.

COMPANY G.

Second Lieutenant.
Benjamin F. Leonartl. Aurora ; commission cancelled.

First Sergeant.
Benjamin F. Leonard, Aurora; severly wounded; discharged July 30,
1863; disability.

Privates.
Ebenezer Denny. Aurora; discharged August 30, 1863. for promotion
in Fiftieth U. S. C. I.

James; T. Fox, Aurora; discharged for promotion February 16, 1863.
Barnett Payne. Aurora; mustered out August 7, 1863, as corporal.
David Peabody, Aurora; mustered out August 7, 1863. as corporal.
Jacob H. Staley, Aurora; killed at Franklin, Tennessee. November 30,
1864.

James VanSickles. Sugar Grove; mustered out August 7, 1865.

COMPANY' H.

Private.
Charles Deiter, Aurora; died, Memphis. June 10, 1863.

COMPANY' K.

Corporal.
Edward G. Stevens. Aurora; mustered out August 7. 1865. as private.

Recruit.
John ]\Iurray. Aurora; deserted September 2/. .

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 295

SEVENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMP.'\NY B.

Privates.
Joseph B. Crawford, Sugar Grove; mustered out July 22, 1865.
John A. Crawford, Sugar Grove; discharged October 25, 1864; disabiUty.
Stephen Gibson, Sugar Grove; mustered out July 22, 1865, as corporal.
William I. Hayes, Sugar Grove; died, Memphis, July 6, 1863.

Unassigned Recruit.
George Nelson, Aurora; discharged July 2, 1864.

SEVENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY D.

Corporal.
James Scuun, Rutland; mustered out June 17, 1865.

Priz'ate.
John Scoon, Rutland; mustered out July 10, 1865.

EIGHTY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY H.

Sergeant.
Peter Steven, Aurora; mustered out June 9, 1865, as private.

Corporal.
Carl Schulze, Aurora; mustered out June 9. 1865, as sergeant.

Musician.
Joseph Diller, Aurora; mustered out June 9, 1865.

Privates.
Johann Beetenschlag, Aurora; died July 26, 1864; wounds.
Christian Holz, Aurora; died at Aurora, Illinois, March i, 1864, as
corporal.

Peter Schmidt. Aurora; mustered out June 9, 1865.

COMPANY I.

Priz'atc.
Bent Stevenson, Blackberry; mustered out June 9, 1865.

EIGHTY-SIXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Private.
James A. Allison, Montgomerv; transferred to V. R. C. September i,
T863.

HISTORY OF EIGHTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.

The Eighty-eighth Infantry Illinois \'(ilunteers was organized in Chicago,
Illinois, in September, 1862, by Colonel Francis T. Sherman, and was known

296 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

as the "Second Board of Trade Regiment." It was mustered in September 4,
1862.

Ordered to Louisville. Kentucky. September 4. and went into camp below
Jeffersonville. Received arms on the nth. Moved to Covington, Kentucky.
I2th. On the 15th was brigadeil with Twenty-fourth Wisconsin and Secona
and Fifteenth Missouri, Colonel Greasel's (First) Brigade, Granger's Division.
Army of the Ohio. On the 21st moved to Louisville and was brigaded with
Twenty-first ^Michigan. Twenty-fourth Wisconsin and Thirty-sixth Illinois,
Colonel Grease! commanding. Thirty-seventh Brigade, Eleventh Division,
Brigadier General P. H. Sheridan commanding.

October i. 1862, marched in pursuit of Bragg. Engaged in the battle of
Perryville, October 8, losing four killed, five mortally wounded, and thirty-six
wounded. Marched to Crab Orchard and thence to Lebanon and Bowling
Green, Kentucky, arri\ing October 30. 1862. Moved toward Xashville,
arriving at Edgefield Xo\ember 7. Moved November 17 six miles south of
Nashville, on Nolensville pike.

November 20, 1862, brigaded in First Brigade. Second Division, under
Major General P. H. Sheridan, of the right wing. Army of the Cumberland.
December 26, 1862. marched in the advance upon Murfreesboro.
December 31. 1862, to January 3, 1863, engaged in the battle of Stone
Iviver.

January, 1863, to June, 1863, encamped at Murfreesboro. with the excep-
tion of a scout to Columbia, Tennessee, in pursuit of \'an Horn.

June, 1863. to July. 1863 brigaded in First Brigade, Second Division,
Twentieth Army Corps. Engaged in the advance in movement against and
pursuit of Bragg from middle Tennessee.

August, 1863, encamped at Bridgeport, Alabama.

September, 1863. joined in the Chickamauga campaign and advanced to
Alpine, Georgia.

September 19 and 20. 1863. engaged in the battle of Chickamauga.
October. 1863, encamped at Chattanooga. Brigaded in First Brigade.
Second Division, Fourth Arm}- Corps.

November 23 to 25, 1863, engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge.

Formed part of the assaulting column upon the left center of the enemy's

position, and was among the first to place its colors upon the enemy's works.

December, 1863, to February, 1864, engaged in scouting through east

Tennessee, when it encamped at Loudon, where it remained until April. 1864.

April, 1864, moved to Cleveland, Tennessee.

May, 1864, joined in the advance upon the Atlanta campaign. It con-
tinued with the advance as part of the Fourth Corps, commanded by Major
General Howard, throughout the w-hole of that campaign, up to and including
the capture of Atlanta, participating in the following principal battles and
skirmishes : Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca. Adairsville. New Hope Church.
Pine Mountain. Mud Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground.
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. Its services in the advance
movements were continuous and constant from May to September, 1864.

FIRST M. E. CHURCH, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 299

September, 1864, was ordered to Chattanooga and was engaged during
the niontli in duty at that place and Whiteside and Bridgeport.

October, 1864, moved to Gaylesville, Alabama, and returned to
Ciiattanooga.

November, 1864, uKJved to Pulaski, Tennessee, and thence, upon the
advance of Hood, to Cokuubia, Franklin and Nashville. It was engaged in
skirmishes at Columbia and Spring Hill, and in tiie battle of Franklin, upon the
right center, the main point of attack of the enemy.

December 15 and 16, 1864, engaged in the battle of Nashville.

December 16, 1864, to January, 1865, joined in the pursuit of Hood from
Tennessee.

January, 1865, to March, 1865, encamped at Huntsville, Alabama.

March, 1865, moved to Bull's Gap, east Tennessee. May, 1865, moved
to Nashville, where it remained until its muster out.

During the period of its service the regiment was always in the front. It
was never upon garrison duty. Its losses in the engagements in which it
participated aggregate two-thirds of its number; and its conduct in every
battle w^as such as to merit and receive the commendation of its brigade,
division and corps commanders. For its conduct at Stone River, Mission
Ridge and Franklin it was made the subject of special mention.

The regiment was mustered out June 9, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee,
and arrived at Chicago June 13, 1865, where it received final pay and discharge
June 22, 1865.

EIGHTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Prk'ates.
William Dade, Kane county; deserted October 29, 1862.
William J. Russell, Geneva; mustered out June 9, 1865, as sergeant.
Otis B. Skinner, Elgin; deserted September 9, 1864.

COMPANY B. '

Private.
Frederick A. Shull, Rutland; mustered out June 9, 1865.

COMPANY c.

Privates.
William Buzzell, Hampshire; discharged May 13, 1865.
Israel Brooks, St. Charles; deserted Septemer 19, 1862.
Oscar Humphrey, Hampshire; corporal: dietl December 2, 1864; wounds.

COMPANY H.

Private.
Benjamin S. Cool, Elgin; killed at Perryville. Kentucky, October 8, 1863.

COMPANY I.

Private.
John Liddel, Aurora; deserted November 29, 1862.

300 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY K.

Prk'atcs.

Leonard D. Brisbane. Virgil ; captured at Franklin, Tennessee. November
30, 1864.

Phillip Flood, Virgil ; mustered out June 9, 1865, as corporal.

Michael Grady. Virgil,; transferred to V. R. C. September 30, 1864.
John Stockwell, Virgil; discharged December 18, 1862; disability.

John Wilcox, Virgil ; first sergeant ; killed at Chickamauga. Tennessee,

September 20, 1863.

HISTORY OF EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY.

The "Rail Road Regiment" was organized by the railroad companies
of Illinois, at Chicago, in August, 1862. Captain John Christopher. Sixteenth
United States Infantry, was appointed colonel, and Charles T. Hotchkiss.
lieutenant colonel. It was mustered into the United States service August 2y.

Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. Septeml:)er 4. and was assigned, by
Major General Wright, commanding Department of Ohio, to Third Brigade,
Colonel Woodruff; Second Division, General Cruft; Army of Kentucky,
General Nelson. Assigned October i to Sixth Brigade, General Willich;
Second Division, General Sill ; McCook"s Corps of Buell's Army.

The regiment, on leaving Loitisville, started in pursuit of the rebel forces
itnder General Bragg, and, after a fruitless and wearisome march of a month,
reached Bowling Green, Kentucky. At this point the tenth company, F.
joined the regiment. When in the service but about four months, it took an
active part in the memorable battle of Stone River, where, by its gallant con-
duct, the men soon became classified among the old, tried soldiers. It did
well, and among the heroes who that day died in liberty's cause was Captain
Henry S. Willett, of Company H.

On the -th of Januarv, 1863, Colonel Christopher, who had never joined
the regiment, resigned. The line of promotion then ensuing made Captain
William D. Williams, of Company F, major.

At Liberty Gap another loss was sustained : Captain Herbert M. Blake,
Company K, a truly brave and efticient otTicer, fell mortally wounded. Chicka-
mauga seemed to affix the seal of its devotion. There fell Lieutenant Colonel
Duncan J. Hall, Captains Rice, Spink and Whiting, and Lieutenant Ellis,
besides the scores of brave men who fought with noble heroism, and who
dared to "do and die" in defense of the "old flag."

LTpon the reorganization of the Army of the Cumberland the regiment
was transferred, with Willicb's command, to its new position in the First
Brigade, Third Division. Fourth Army Corps. At Missionary Ridge it again
encountered the foe. scaling the enemy's entrenchments and driving him from
them. In this charge fell those gallant officers, Lieutenant E. O. Young. Com-
pany A. and Captain Henry L. Rowell, Company C.

It then marched to the relief of Burnside. liesieged at Knoxville. This
accomplished, it moved on with the brigade, in the marches and counter
marches through East Tennessee.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 301

Early in April, 1864, it marclied with tiie command to southern Ten-
nessee, preparatory to General Sherman's glorious campaign through northern
Georgia, for the occupation of Atlanta.

With the brigade, it participated in the splendid victories of Rocky Face.
Resaca, Pickett's Mills. Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and the flank
movement of Atlanta, and pursued the routed enemy in his retreat to Jones-
boro and Lovejoy's Station.

On this campaign Lieutenant Nathaniel Street, of Companv D, and
Captain William Harkness. Company A, ofl^ered up their lives a sacrifice to
their country.

After the unsuccessful attempt of the rebel forces to destroy the railroad
communications of the army between Atlanta and Chattanooga, the regiment
rendered very important service, while on detached duty, in repairing the
damages on tlie railroad inflicted by the enemy.

On the 30th of October. 1864. the regiment was ordered to rejoin the
command at Pulaski. Tennessee. It participated in the brilliant achievements
of Spring Hill, Columbia. Franklin and Nashville, in the latter of which fell
Lieutenant P. G. Taite, of Company G. pierced by a cannon ball. Subse-
quently it pursued Hood's shattered forces in their flving retreat across
Tennessee.

It passed winter quarters at Huntsvillc, Alabama, in January, 1865. and
on the 1st of February traveled by railroad for Na.shville. and after Iving
there fi\-e days, returned to Camp Green. About the middle of March, the
coiumand embarked on the cars for East Tennessee, to reestablish communi-
cations through to Virginia, and prepare to repel rebel invasion.

On the surrender of Lee's army, further movements in that section were
abandoned, and the Fourth Corps returned by cars to Nashville, to muster
out of service its non-x-eterans.

On the loth of June, 1865. the regiment was mustered out of the LTnited
States service, in the field, near Nashville. Tennessee. Left there June 10, by
the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, and arrived in Chicago on
the night of June 12, 1865, and was discharged at Camp Douglas, on the 24th
of Juiie, 1865, making its term of service two years, nine months and twenty-
seven days.

CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF ENGAGEMENTS.

October 7, 1862, battle of Lawrenceburg.

October 8, 1862, battle of Perryville.

December 31, 1862. to January 4, 1863, battle of Stone River.

January 24 and 25, 1863, battle of Liberty Gap.

September 19 and 20, 1863, battle of Chickamauga.

November 23. 1863. occupied Orchard Knob.

November 24, 1863. battle of Lookout Mountain.

November 25, 1863, battle of Missionary Ridge.

Night of January 27, 1864, regiment retreated from Dandridge.

May 9 to 12, 1864, battle of Rocky Face.

Night of May 12. 1864. enemy evacuated Buzzard's Roost.

Mav 14 and 15. battle of Resaca.

302 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Night of Alay 15, enemy evacuated Resaca.

May 27, 1864, battle of Pickett's Mill.

Night of June 4th, enemy evacuated Dallas.

June nth to July 2, 1864, investment of Kenesaw Mountain.

Night of July 2. 1864, enemy evacuated Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta.

Night of July 20. 1864, enemy evacuated Peach Tree Creek.

July 22d to August 26. 1864, investment of Atlanta.

September i, 1864, battle of Jonesboro. Enemy evacuated at night.

September 3 and 4. 1864. action before Lovejoy's Station.

September 8, 1864, entered Atlanta.

November 24 and 2^. 1864, skirmish of Spring Hill.

November 30, 1864. battle of Franklin.

December 15 and 16, 1864, battle of Nashville.

CASUALTIES.

In 1864, four hundred and forty recruits were added to the regiment,
making a total borne on the rolls of one thousand four hundred and three.
The regiment left in the field two hundred and two recruits (transferred to
the Fifty-ninth Illinois \'eterari \'olunteers), and mustered out on its rolls
three hundred and eighty-one men, of the rank and file, leaving eight hundred
and twenty killed in action, died from wounds, or discharged on account of
disability contracted in the service. The principal losses were at the battles of

Stone River, killed, wounded and prisoners 142

Liberty Gap, killed, wounded and prisoners 13

Chickamauga, killed, wounded and prisoners 109

Missionary Ridge, killed, wounded and prisoners 35

Atlanta, killed, wounded and prisoners 211

Nashville, killetl. wounded and prisoners 39

EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

Major.
Bruce H. Kidder, Aurora; discharged ^larch 14. 1865.

Surgeon.
Samuel F. Hance, Aurora; resigned ]\Iarch 26, 1863.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Sergeant Major.
Jerry M. Grosh, Geneva; promoted adjutant.

COMPANY A.

Second Lieutenant.
Jacob N. Hopper, Aurora; resigned January 26, 1863.

Sergeant.
Jacob N. Hopper, Aurora; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporals.
George W. Videtto, Aurora; discharged February 13, 1863; disability.
Moses Plummer, Aurora; discharged December 26, 1862; disability.
J. K. Lowry, Aurora; mustered out June 10. 1865; prisoner of war.
Levi C. Way, Aurora; transferred to ^". R C. September 20, 1863.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 303

Priz-atcs.

William H. Chattle. Aurora; transferred to Engineer Corps July
30, —.

Richard Xorthan, Aurora; discharged October 31, 1862; disability.

Recruits.

George Bardes, x\urora; died, Andersonville prison, August 26, 1864;
grave five thousand four hundred and fifty-seven.

Charles Darans, Aurora; died July 4, 1864; wounds.

Lyman Farrar, Aurora; deserted May 14, 1864.

Marcellus C. Hibbard, Aurora ; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Ruell Ncwter, Aurora; discharged April 3, 1865; disability.

John Powers, Aurora; deserted October — , 1863.

John L. Slawson, Aurora; was prisoner; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illi-
nois Infantry; mustered out July 19, 1865.

Arthur O. Valentine, Aurora; died May 27. 1864; wounds.

COMPANY B.

Recruits.
Thomas Hagan, Aurora; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
John Johnson, Aurora; deserted about February i, 1864.
Hugh Patterson, Aurora; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
William M. Sullivan, Aurora; deserted, Indianapolis, Indiana.

COMPAN-i- c.

Recruits.
Robert M. Black. Aurora; killed at Kenesaw ^Mountain June 24. 1864.
John Burlingham, Aurora; deserted September 31, 1863.
William Gadbury, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
William H. Pearce, Aurora; deserted October i, 1862.
Peter B. Wade, Aurora; died at Chattanooga, June 30, 1864.
Richard Welch, Aurora ; corporal ; deserted October 2, 1862.

COMPANY D.

Recruits.
Mathew Hellixon, Aurora; died at Nashville January 31, 1864.
Henry Hottendorf, Aurora; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
James Lyons, Aurora; deserted December 6, 1864.

COMPANY E.

Captains.
Bruce H. Kidder, Aurora; promoted major.
John W. Warren, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
John B. Watking. Aurora; resigned January 2S. 1863.
John W. Warren, Aurora; promoted.
Ribert Miller, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
GeoKge W. White, Aurora; cashiered June 18, 1863.

304 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Robert Miller, Aurora; promoted.

Oscar C. Pease, Aurora; mustered out June lo. 1865.

First Scrgea)it.
Robert Miller, Aurora; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
y. W. Warren, Aurora; promoted first lieutenant, then captain.
Samuel Ebersol, Aurora; died at Chickamauga September 21, 1864;
wounds.

C. R. Taylor, Aurora; discharged December 28, 1862; disability.
O. C. Pease, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

Corporals.
George Shears, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865, as private.
Frank Mariett, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865, as sergeant.
Andrew Golden, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
Albert Marney, Aurora; discharged April 27, 1863, as private.

Privates.
Robert M. Black, Aurora; transferred to Company C.
William Blackie, Aurora; deserted December 16, 1862.
C. B. Brooks, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
C. M. Bryant, Aurora; discharged April 10, 1863.
J. C. Coggswell, Aurora; died at Nashville January i, 1863.
Thomas W. Clark, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
William Cousins, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865, as corporal.
George Carman, Aurora; corporal; died at Ackworth, Georgia, June 8,
1864; wounds.

H. L. Evens, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

Seth G. Eggleston, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865; wounds.

C. G. Evens, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
William Gadberry, Aurora; transferred to Company C.
O. B. Gates, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

Edwin Goodwin, .\urora; mustered out June 10, 1865, as sergeant.
Winfield Green, Aurora; transferred to V. R. C. October 22, 1861.
J. T. Huff. Aurora : transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade December
15, 1862.

Stephen Hiller, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865, as bugler.

D. M. Lacey. Aurora; discharged March 16, 1863; disability.

J. M. LaCoste, Aurora; died at Andersonville September 5, 1864; grave
seven thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven.

Peter Love, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865,

F. A. Lund, Aurora; mustered out June 10. 1865, as sergeant.

Thomas Mahoney. Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

John McKinley, Aurora; discharged December 28, 1862.

Alexander McKenzie. Aurora; sergeant; died September 3, 1864;
wounds.

S. K. McCullough. Aurora: corporal; transferred to Engineer Corps
July 27, 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 305

Frank Myers, Aurora; died at Chattanooga January 24, 1863; wounds.
Isaiah Michard, Aurora; died at Nashville December 12, 1864.
P. McGrath, Aurora; discharged JNIarch 25, 1863; wounds.
A. Paradise, Aurora; transferred to V. R. C. May 31, 1864.
William Pearce, Aurora ; transferred to Company C.
John Pinegar. Aurora: deserted June i, 1863.

George L. Richards, Aurora; discharged May 19. 1862, as corporal;
disability.

P. James Reedy, Aurora; corporal; died July 2, 1864; wounds.

F. Shugar, Aurora; discharged May 9, 1865; wounds.
A. E. Saterfield, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

__,^^Septa Slosson, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

J. P. Smith, Aurora; discharged April 7, 1863; disability.

Jubal Shaw, Aurora: died at Andersonville June 21. 1864; grave two
thousand si.x hundred and forty-seven.

L. W. Stop, Aurora; died at Andersonville August 4, 1864; grave four
thousand seven hundred and twenty-four.

Samuel Simms, .Aurora; transferred to Engineer Corps July 27. 1864.

Henry H. Willis, Aurora; discharged June i. 1863, to accept lieutenancy,
Fortieth New \'ork.

G. A. Wilder, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.
Durkee Whipple, Batavia; mustered out June 10, 1865.
James Wildrick, Aurora: mu.stered 'out June 10, 1865.

J. P. VVentworth, Aurora: discharged May 20, 1863: disability.

Richard Welch, Aurora : transferred to Company C.

Charles S. Welch, Aurora; discharged April 4. 1863; disability.

James Wade, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

Peter B. Wade, Aurora ; transferred to Company C.

Recruits.

George B. Bagg, Aurora; transferred to V. R. C. November i, 1864.

.\lexander Burns, Aurora ; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Frank M. Barry, Aurora ; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Daniel Conant, Aurora; discharged April 19, 1865; wounds.

Lewis &. Duncan, Kane county; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois
Infantry.

Charles H. Gibbeons, Aurora; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Andrew J. Hosley, Aurora; transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Henry Howard, Aurora; captured December 2, 1863; supposed killed.

Henry S. Hunter. Aurora : deserted.

James Hughes, Aurora; deserted September 30, 1864.

John S. Jorstad, Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

George M. Jenks, Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.'

William Russ, Kane county: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Henry C. Scott, Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

William C. Sweet, Aurora; died at .-\ndersonville prison April 12. 1864;
grave five hundred and five.

306 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

William Williams. Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

COM PAX Y F.

Recruit.
Anthony Ilandley. Kane county: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois
Infantry.

COMPANY II.

Recruits.
Forgust Anderson, .\urora : Yeteran volunteer: mustered out lune lo,
1865.

Andrew Ducat. Aurora: mustered out June 10. 1865.
W'illiam H. Xislev, Aurora: mustered out June 10. 1865.

COMP.\NY I.

Recruit.
George Staurer. Elgin : transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

COMPANY K.

Corporal.
Lennis Stewart. Geneva: discharged October 22. 1862; disabiHty.

Privates.
William Aikens. Blackberry: killed at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863.
Clement G. Bradley. Batavia: killed at Chickamauga. September 19, 1863.
James Dahy, Elgin: deserted May 15, 1865.
Milo Eastman. Elgin; discharged January 11, 1863; disability.
Jerry 'M. Grash. Geneva ; promoted sergeant major.
Andrew Hutchinson. Blackberry: discharged March 2j. 1863: disabiHty.
John J. Matherson. Blackberry: mustered out June 10. 1865. as sergeant.
William H. Reed. Geneva; mustered out June 10, 1865.
Thomas Rogers, Blackberry; died in rebel hospital at Atlanta, Georgia,
October 25, 1863; wounds.

Joseph \V. Reason, Aurora; mustered out June 10, 1865.

William Stewat. Geneva; transferred to Engineer Corps July 2y. 1864.

Holis A. Scott. Geneva; mustered out May 15. 1865.

Levi Sharp. Blackberry : transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.

John K. Wilder, Geneva: deserted December 12. 1862.

Recruits.
Xoah H. Howard. Aurora; died at Springfield, Illinois, March 11. 1864.
Ge<irge W. Hagedon. Big Rock: died at Loudon. Tennessee, March 12,
1864.

Patrick Hickey. Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
John M. Murry, Aurora: transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
Palmer Fresher. Aurora : transferred to Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
Thomas W. Snell. Aurora: deserted September 20, 1864.

L'liassigncd Recruits.
Andrew W. Baker. Aurora: discharged July 25, 1864.
Thomas H. Hughan. Aurora: discharged July 25. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 3CT

NINETIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)
COMP.ANV c.
Recruits.
James Bell, Rutland ; transferred to Forty-eighth Ilhnois Infantry.
David Demuse, Rutland: transferred to Forty-eighth Ilhnois Infantry.

COMP.\NY H.

Privates.
George Currie, Elgin; deserted August 15, 1862.

Patrick Hopkins, Virgil; mustered out June 15, 1865, as corporal;
wounded.

James Maguire, \'irgil; deserted June 26, 1863.

NINETY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

Unassigiied Recruit.
Timothy P. Pierson, Aurora ; deserted.

NINETY-FIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Recruits.
William Campbell, Aurora; deserted March i, 1864.

Emer_\- J. Ladd, Aurora ; transferred to Company A, Forty-seventh
Illinois Infantry.

Samuel Snyder, Aurora; killed at Fort DeRussey, March 16, 1864.

COMPANY E.

First Sergeant.
Thomas Gilkerson, Hampshire : promoted second lieutenant, then first
lieutenant.

Priz'ates.
Dexter S. Cowles, Hampshire; mustered out August 17, 1865.
Wesley J. Colgrove, Hampshire; died at ^Memphis January 24, 1863.
Andrew Farrell, Hampshire; mustered out August 17, 1865.
Woodburn Hardy, Hampshire; mustered out August 17, 1865.

COMPANY G.

Recruit.
Andrew DeWolf, Hampshire; died at St. Louis December 22, 1863.

COMPANY I.

Private.
Elijah B. Way, Dundee; died at Memphis, July 10, 1863.

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Tliree Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Privates.
Peirce Kinnelly, Rutland; deserted March 20, 1863.
David ^'arner. Rutland; discharged February 23, 1865; wounds.

308 KAXE COrXTY HISTORY

Recruit.
Amos T. Ferguson, Rutland; mustered out June 6, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Private.
Ora D. Wallbridge. Rutland; discharged May 5. 1864; wounds.

HISTORY OF OXE HUNDRED AND FIFTH INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers was
mustered into the service of the United States September 2. 1862.

On the 8th moved to Camp Douglas. On the 30th left Camp Douglas
for Louisville, Kentucky, arriving on the 2d of October, and, reporting to
General Dumont, was attached to his division. Brigadier General W. T. Ward's
brigade. On the 3d moved in the direction of Frankfort; arrived on the 9th,
after a severe march. Were engaged in guard and picket duty, with
occasional slight skirmishing with the enemy. \\'hile at Frankfort, made a
raid to Lawrenceburg and returned. On the 26th moved, en route to Bowling
Green, arriving on the 4th of November, and remaining one week, was ordered
to Scottsville. November 25, moved to Gallatin, Tennessee; December 11
moved to South Tunnel; February i. 1863. returned to Gallatin, remaining
till the 1st day of June, 1863, when it moved to Lavergne. From thence to
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, returning to Lavergne the last of July. Moved to
Nashville August 19. Was quartered in Fort Negley, doing guard duty in
it and the city of Nashville. Exchanged the Austrian musket, with which the
regiment had been armed, for the Spring rifle musket. Meanwhile it was
attached to the Eleventh Army Corps, ^ilajor General O. O. Howard
commanding.

On the 24th day of February, 1864, it took the line of march in the
direction of Chattanooga, Tennessee. On the — day of March it arrived at
Wauhatchie. at which place it remained until the 2d day of May, being,
brigaded with the One Hundred and Second and One Hundred and Twenty-
ninth Illin.ois, Seventieth Indiana and Seventy-ninth Ohio, with which it
remained during the war. In the meantime the Eleventh and Twelfth Army
Corps were consolidated under the name of the Twentieth Army Corps, Major
General Joseph Hooker commanding.

May 2 moved to Gordon's j\Iills. !May 6 marched to Leet's farm;
thence to Taylor's Ridge on the 7th. May 10 moved to Snake Creek Gap.
May 12 to Sugar Valley. May 13 moved in the direction of Resaca, Georgia,
skirmishing that evening and the next day. The morning of the 15th moved
with the corps to the extreme left of the lines, immediately upon its arrival
taking part in a charge upon the enemy's works, which were carried, losing
several men in the engagement. On the i6th pursued the retreating enemy,
arriving at Calhoun on the 17th. On the i8th moved to near Cassville. On
the 19th the One Hundred and Fifth being in advance, skirmished with the
rear guard of the enemy, driving them at every point. Remained near Kings-
ton until the 23d, when ordered forward, crossing the Etowah river. 24th
moved to Burnt Hickory. On the 25th, continuing its march towards Dallas,

VIEW OF EAST ELGIX STIOWING ACADEMY, 1866.

VIEW FROM BRIDGE NORTH— ELGIN— 1866.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 311

Georgia, encountering" the enemy, ha\'ing- a ijrisk engagement till dark, the
casualties nnmbering fifteen, including two commissioned officers.

From this time until the first of June the regiment was engaged in
advancing the line, building and strengthening the works and skirmishing,
losing sixteen men.

On the first of June moved to the extreme left with the Twentieth Corps.
On the 2d the One Hundred and Fifth w'as ordered out as flankers, in which
position it lost a most excellent officer, Surgeon Horace S. Potter, being
killed by a shell. On the 3d moved around and beyond the enemy's right,
encamping near Ackworth, Georgia. Here it remained until the 6th, when
it moved forward and took position near Golgotha Church, in line of battle,
throwing up entrenchments and remaining until the 15th, when it again
moved forward, encountering the enemy behind breastworks. A steady fire
W'as kept up until dark. That night and the next da}' (the i6th) was occu-
pied in strengthening the position, by erecting breastworks, being exposed to
the fire of the enemy. Lost nineteen men during the two days. The night
of the 1 6th the enemy retreated. On the 17th, i8th, 19th, and 20th, fol-
lowed the retreating enemy, with slight skirmishing, at intervals. 21st,
severe skirmish firing; 22d moved forward about a mile, in close proximity
to the enemy's works, exposed to their fire — losing eleven men. The enemy
evacuated his position during the night of July 2. On the 3d moved in the
direction of Marietta, Georgia. The brigade to which the One Hundred and
Fifth was attached being the advance, skirmished with the enemy — losing
one man killed and two wounded. Camped about four miles from Marietta,
Georgia, in plain view of a portion of the rebel army. On the evening of the
4th, continued the march in the direction of the Chattahoochee river, camp-
ing within two miles of that stream, on the north side, the night of the 6th.
Remained there until the 17th, when it crossed the river and encamped until
the afternoon of the i8th. Moved forward about five miles and rested till
the morning of the 20th. Crossed Peach Tree Creek and came upon the
enemy. A line of battle was formed — a charge of the enemy was repulsed
in the afternoon, and several prisoners captured; also, the colors of the
Twelfth Louisiana. 21st was occupied in hurrying the dead of both sides,
and collecting and turning over ordnance and other property. On the 22d
moved forward about three miles, where the enemy was again encountered,
posted behind the defenses of Atlanta. Litrenchments were immediately
thrown up. Remained in this position until the 26th, when relieved and placed
on reserve. 29th moved six miles to the right of the lines. Making the
position secure by throwing up works, remained until the 2d day of August.
Returned to the left and took position, which was fortified and strengthened.
Constant skirmishing and artillery firing was kept up until the night of the
25th of August, when ordered to fall back to the Chattahoochee river. Here
it remained until the 27th, when it took position on the north side of that
stream, doing picket and guard duty.

The 2d day of September the city of Atlanta surrendered. The regi-
ment remained in the vicinity of Atlanta until the 15th of November, when
the "grand march to the sea" was begun. The One Hundred and Fifth

312 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

accompanying the expedition, bore its fnll share of the trials and hardships
incident thereto. Passing en the route Decatur, Sithonia. Social Circle. Rut-
ledge and Madison, at which last named place it arri\ed on the 19th of
November. From thence, marching southward to the city of ^lilledgeville.
the capital of Georgia, arriving en the 22d, and remaining until the 24th.
Thence to the north of the Mississippi and Georgia Central Railroad. Passing
through Sandersville. Davisboro. and Louisville (the One Hundred and
Fifth and part of the One Hundred and Second routing a body of rebel
cavalry between the last two named places), reaching ^lilan on December 3.
Continuing the march towards Savannah, passing through Springfield on the
7th, having a slight skirmish with guerrillas, arriving in the vicinity of
Savannah on the loth. The One Hundred and Fifth, being the advance that
day, had a brisk skirmish with the enemy's pickets, driving them within the
defense of the city. Participated in the siege of Savannah. That city was
evacuated on the night of the 20th of December. On the 31st of December,
1864, and January i, 1865, was occupied in crossing the Savannah river —
losing one man by a musket shot from the enemy — mo\-ed five miles and
encamped until the 4th of January. Marched north to Hardee's farm, and
again encamped, remaining until the 17th with slight skirmishing at intervals.
Moved to Hardeeville, remaining there until the 29th. when it started on the
campaign of the Carolinas.

Moving northward, nothing of interest occurred until the 2d day of
February, when the One Hundred and Fifth, being in advance, encountered
the enemy near Lawtonville strongly posted behind barricades. It immediately
charged the enemy, driving them from their po.^ition. through the town —
losing eight men in the engagement.

Continued the march on the 3d, 4th. 5th. Ctli and 7th. when tlie One
Hundred and Fifth again had the advance; had some slight skirmishing with
\\'ade Hampton's cavalry: 8th, gth and loth was engaged in tearing up rail-
road between Graham Station and Williston. From thence, crossed the South
and North Edisto rivers, on the road to Columbia, arriving opposite that city
on the 1 6th, after a very disagreeable march through swamps and marshes.
Not being able to cross the Congaree at that point, moved up the river, and
crossed the Broad and Saluda rivers, which unite and form the Congaree.
Marching northward, arrived at \\'innsboro on the 21st. On the 22d, the
regiment, again in the ad\ance. had some skirmishing with Butler's rebel
cavalr}-, and crossed the W'ateree river. Reached Hanging Rock on the 27th.
rested one day; 29th. moved northward, arriving at Chesterfield iMarch 3;
at Cheraw' March 6. Crossed Great Pedee and Lumber rivers, and arrived at
Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the iith. Resting three days. 15th. moved
in the direction of Raleigh, North Carolina, some ten miles, where it encoun-
tered the enemy, heavily entrenched, near Averysboro. Then, on the i6th,
followed the battle of Averysboro — the enemy being driven from their posi-
tion. The One Hundred and Fifth lost six killed and sixteen wounded.

On the 19th. 20th and 21st, took part in the engagement near Bentonville.
The enemy evacuated that place on the night of the 21st. Arrived at Golds-
boro on the 24th. Thus ended the campaign of the Carolinas.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 313

Remained at Goldsboro until April lo, 1865. Continued the marcli
toward Raleigh, arriving at Smithfield on the nth, and at Raleigh on the
13th, encountering but little opposition from the enemy. Resting until the
25th, moved out some fourteen miles on the Holly Springs road, in the direc-
tion of General Johnston's army. Encamped during the 26th and 27th. In
the meantime, General Johnston surrendered. On the 28th, returned to
Raleigh and immediately began making preparations for the homeward march.

On the 30th left Raleigh en route to Washington City via Richmond,
passing through the latter city on the nth of May. Arrived in the vicinity of
Alexandria, Virginia, on the igth. Took part in the grand review at Wash-
ington, on the 24th, where the regiment received a compliment for their
mo\-ements in the manual of arms, and their military appearance.

Remained in the vicinity of Washington until the 7th of June, when
the regiment was mustered out of the service, and started, by rail, for Chicago,
Illinois, where it arrived on the loth.

Remained at Camp Fry, until the 17th. when paid ofT and disbanded.

Recruits.

George Roller, Rutland: transferred to Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry.

George E. Vermette, Rutland, transferred to Thirty-fourth Illinois
Infantry.

COMPANY E.

JVagoiicr.
John Parrott, Rutland; mustered out June 6, 1865.

Private.
George Hemenover, Rutland ; died at Hartville, Tennessee December 7,
1862: v-ounds.

COMPANY K.

Recruit.
Alfred G. Parker, Rutland; transferred to Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry.

ONE HUNDRED AND EIFTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Priz'atcs.
Benjamin Allen, Geneva; discharged July lO, 1863; disability.
Hiram W. Bowers, Batavia ; mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal.
William Kane, Geneva; discharged January 19, 1863; disability.
John Kesler, Geneva; discharged December 7, 1862; disability.
Thomas Spanton, Plato; mustered out June 7, 1865.
Sylvanus Waffles, Geneva; died at Chattanooga August 9, 1864.
Elias C. West, Geneva; mustered out June 7, 1865.

COMPANY c.

Privates.
Lemuel Jordan, Burlington; discharged January 16. 1863; disability.
William Jordan, Burlington; transferred to Company E, One Hundred
and Fifth Illinois Infantry.

Henry B. Thompson, Burlington; discharged January 11, 1863; disability.

314 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Hiram Wriglit, Burlington; died December 21, 1863.
John Wright, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Sergeant.
Henry V. Martin, Geneva; reduced to ranks at his own request; dis-
charged May 15, 1863.

COMPANY G.

Captain.

John M. Smith, Burlington; discharged December 24. 1864.

First Lieutenant.

John M. Smith, Burlington; promoted.

Sccoiui Lieutenants.

John M. Smith, Burlington ; promoted.

James S. Hasburgh, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865, as sergeant.

Corporal.

James Hasburg, Burlington ; commissioned second lieutenant ; not
mustered; mustered out June 7, 1865, as sergeant.

Musician.

Samuel C. Perrv, Burlington; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 28,
1862.

Privates.

Anson B. Barker, Burlington ; died at Bowling Green, Kentucky, Decem-
ber 4, 1862.

Nathan E. Bradburn, Burlington; transferred to Engineer Corps July
25, 1864.

William Bock, Burlington; died at Gallatin. Tennessee. March 27, 1S63.

John Barnard, Hampshire; mustered out June 7. 1865.

Allin S. Calkins, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865.

George W. Collins, Plato; mustered out June 7, 1865. as corporal.

Hiram Carlisle. Burlington; died at Bowling Green. Kentucky. December
6, 1862.

Charles W. Chapman. Burlington; discharged January 12. 1863;
disability.

William A. Congle, A^irgil; mustered out June 7, 1865.

Egbert V. Davis. Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865.

Linneaus Ellis, \'irgil; mustered out June 7, 1865; wounded.

William H. L. Eddy, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal.

Daniel W. Fish. Burlington; discharged December 14, 1862; disability.

Daniel Holdridge, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865. as corporal.

William X. Ingalls, Burlington ; died at Gallatin, Tennessee, December
13, 1862.

Hervey M. Morgan. Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865. as corporal.

W'illiam P. McLelland, Burlington; discharged March 11, 1863, to
enlist in Mississippi jNIarine Brigade.

George W. McLelland. Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865.

Charles A. Maltby, Burlington ; transferred to Invalid Corps October 20,
1864; wounded.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 315

Julius Planty, Hampshire; transferred to Engineer Corps July 25, 1864.

Myron C. Perry, Burlington; mustered out June 7, 1865.

Elijah Samis, Burlington; died at Gallatin, Tennessee, December 6, 1862.

William M. Smith, Burlington; discharged July 9, 1864, to accept pro-
motion as second lieutenant. One Hundred and Fourteenth United States
C. T.

Martin Young, Burlington; died at South Tunnel, Tennessee, July 11,
1863.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY E.

Captain.
John G. Day, Elgin; mustered out June 20, 1865.

First Liciitcjiaiit.
John G. Day, Elgin; promoted.

First Sergeant.
John G. Day, Elgin; promoted first lieutenant.

Recruit.
Jerome Otis, Aurora; mustered out May 30, 1865.

COMPANY G.

Privates.
Perry C. Hough, Geneva; mustered out June 20, 1865, as corporal.
Josiah Jackson, Blackberry; discharged April 25, 1863; disability.
Jacob C. Miller, Geneva; mustered out June 20. 1865, as sergeant.
Harris B. Osborn, Geneva; discharged October i, 1863, for promotion
to assistant surgeon, Second Mississippi Colored Infantry.

James B. Post, Blackberry; died at Corinth August 15. 1863.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)
Unassigncd Recruit.
Noah Murphy, Montgomery; mustered out i\Iay 2^, 1865.

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Second Assistant Surgeon.
Elmer Nicholas. Aurora; dismissed July 14, 1864.

COMPANY c.

Recruit.
Jefferson D. Ellis, Batavia ; mustered out October i, 1865.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Surgeon.
Phineas K. Guild, .\urora; resigned June 12. 1S63.

31(5 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH

INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and T\vent}-fuurth Illinois Infantr)- was a repre-
sentative, self-raised regiment, recruited from Henry, Kane, McDonough.
Sangamon, Jersey, Adams, Wayne, Cook, Putnam, Pike, Mercer and Chris-
tian counties. August 27, 1862, the first company went into camp at Camp
Butler, near Springfield. Six days later all were in camp, and the field
officers chosen. September 10 it was mustered into the United States service
for three years by Lieutenant F. E. DeCourcey.

October 6, left for the front, which was found at Jackson, Tennessee, at
3 a. m. the gth. Was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Seven-
teenth Army Corps, consisting of the Twentieth, Thirty-first, Forty-fifth and
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois and the Twenty-third Indiana,
cohimanded by Colonel C. C. Marsh, of the Twentieth Illinois, General John
A. Logan commanding the di\'ision. and General J. B. McPherson the corps.
With this organization the regiment remained till April 5, 1864. In the crisp
autumn air and lovely camp at Jackson the discipline and efficiency of the
regiment were rapidly developed and the foundations largely laid for all the
distinction it afterwards achieved.

Left Jackson November 2, to participate in the movement under General
Grant, via Bolivar and Lagrange, Tennessee, and Holly Springs, Abbeville
and Oxford, Mississippi, to the rear of \'icksburg. Returned from the Yacoma
upon the burning of the depot of supplies at Holly Springs, and after some
time spent in guarding the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, reached Memphis
January 21, 1863.

A month later was a part of the command w hich moved down the Mis-
sissippi to Lake Providence, Louisiana, General I. N. Haynie being then in
command of the Brigade. After two months of inactivity was a part of a
force moving from Milliken's Bend. .April 25, upon what proved to be the
final Vicksburg campaign, General Julin E. Smith having succeeded General
Haynie, who had gone home sick. April 30, crossed the Alississippi from
DeSchroon's plantation in Louisiana, to Bruinsburg in Mississippi, on the
gunboat Mound City.

May I, after a rapid and hot march of about twelve miles, the regi-
ment received its first baptism of fire in bearing a jiart of the battle of Thomp-
son's Hills, or Port Gibson. May 12 it bore an important part in the battle
of Raymond, May 14 it was at the capture of Jackson and May 16 it did noble
service at the battle of Champion Hills, capturing more men from the Forty-
third Georgia, after killing its colonel and major, than its own ranks num-
bered. It also killed most of the men and horses of a battery, really capturing
the guns. The loss of the regiment in this action was sixty-three killed and
wounded.

The morning of May 19 crossed the Big Black and moved on Vicksburg.
Was in the fearful charge of May 22, and occupied the extreme advance
position gained that day, during the whole of the siege. It was just to the
right of the Jackson road, upon which and the covered way subsequently dug,.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 817

the left of tlie regiment rested, and is said to have been the nearest camp to
the enemy's works. It was immediately in front of the fort, which was
mined — in large part by men of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth — and
blown up June 25 antl July i. At the first explosion the regiment lost forty-
nine men in killed and wounded in what was called the "Slaughter Pen,"
being ordered into the crater formed by the explosion, two companies at a
time for half an hour, all day of the 26th.

General Smith having been assigned to the command of a division.
General J\I. D. Leggett, formerly colonel of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, assumed
command of the First Brigade, June 2.

On the 4th of July the regiment shared with the First Brigade in the
iKjuor of first entering the captured city and helping to swell the slmut that
arose as the Forty-fifth Illinois ran out its colors from the cupola of the
court house.

From August 21 to September 2 was absent on an expediti(jn t(_) Munroe.
Liniisiana. under General J. D. Stevenson, General Logan being in comiuand
oi the post of Vicksburg.

From October 14 to 20 was absent on an expedition in force against
Loring, Wirt Adams and others to Brownsville and the Bogue Chittn creek.
Skirmished considerable, but the enemy retreated.

November 7 the brigade broke camp in Vicksburg, where its camp had
been since the siu-render, and removed to Big Black, 14 miles east. The 13th.
General Logan took his farewell of his old fighting Third Division, to the
regret of all, and was subsequently succeeded by General Leggett, the First
Brigade being commanded by General M. F. Force. In December, Colonel
Sloan was dismissed the service, and Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Howe subse-
(|uentlv commanded the regiment.

januarv. 1S64, was renc'ered memorable in the history of the regiment
by its winning an "Excels.'or " piize banner, which General Leggett signalized
his assuming command by tendering to the best drilled and finest regiment
in the division. The three brigades drilled separately, on the 20th of January
the First Brigade, the One Hundred and Twenty- fourth winning; on the 21st
the Second Brigade, the Seventy-eighth Ohio winning; on the 22d the Third
Brigade, the Seventeenth Illinois winning. On the 23d the three victorious
regiments drilled, and the One Hundred and Twentj'-fourth won handsomely,
the awartl being unanimous by the committee. General McPherson presented
the banner. The regiment bore the banner in triumph till the 5th of April
following, including the famous Meridian raid under General Sherman from
February 3 to March 4, or upwards of three hundred miles marching in the
face of the enemy, and much of the time under fire, pro\'ing bv its g"ood be-
ha\-ior and bravery in the field, as well as liy its bearing upon drill and parade,
its right to the proud distinction of being the "Excelsior" regiment of the noble
Third Di\-ision. April 5, through a reorganization effected in veteranizing, the
regiment found itself outside of tlie third division, to which the banner was
to belong, according to the terms understood in drilling for it, and so sur-
rendered the proud trophy to Colonel Scott, temporarily commanding the
di\-isinn. But the banner was never afterwards liorne bv anv command. The

318 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois was the only "Excelsior" regiment
of that famous old division.

The 5th of April. 1864, the regiment moved to Mcksburg again, where
its camp remained till February 25, 1865. Much of that time was passed
on provost duty, from which a little relief was found in an expedition of
eighteen days in ;May. under General McArthur. to Benton and Yazo<j) City,
and one of nine days in July, under General Slocum. to Jackson, in both of
which some considerable service was seen and loss sustained.

October 13 it went up the river, ultimately as far as Memphis. But
nothine noteworthv occurred, and the 26th found it back in camp and on
provost duty again.

Februar}' 25, 1865, after a stay in \'icksburg and vicinity of nearly two
3-ears, found the regiment on the steamer "Grey Eagle," bound for New
Orleans with orders to report to General Canby. This was done the 27th,
and followed by other orders to report to General A. J. Smith, below the
city, for duty in the field.

March 11 embarked on the steamship "Guiding Star," and 'Sla.rch 16
debarked at Fort Gaines, on Dauphine Island, Alabama.

Were assigned with the Eighty-first and One Hundred and Eighth Illi-
nois and the Eighth Iowa, to the Third Brigade, Colonel J. L. Geddes, of the
Eighth low-a, commanding, of the Third Division, commanded by General
E. A. Carr, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, under General A. J. Smith ; moving
with the Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by General Gordon Granger
and a force under General F. Steele, against the defenses of Mobile, all under
command of General E. R. S. Canby.

]\Iarch 21 crossed the bay, and on the 22d debarked on Fish river and
moved on Spanish Fort. Shared actively in the investment on the 27th and
the siege which followed, the Third Brigade constituting the extreme right
of the investing line, and being exposed not only to the direct fire from the
enemy's works in front, but to an enfilading fire from batteries Huger and
Tracy, and gimboats in the river above. Bore a conspicuous part in the
brilliant attack on the enemy's extreme left on the night of April 8. which
terminated the siege, was among the first to enter the works, captured several
guns and many prisoners, swept up the Old Fort in the darkness, reaching
it before midnight, and was shelled by the Union fleet before the change of
occupation was known.

Started for Montgomery, Alabama. April 13. reaching it on the 25th,
and going immediately upon provost duty. Colonel Geddes commanding post,
and Colonel Howe the brigade.

The 1 6th of July left for home via the Alabama river and railroad to
Vicksburg. passing through IMeridian, Jackson, the battle ground of Cham-
pion Hills, and the old camps on the Big Black. On the 28th of July left
Mcksburg on the good steamer "Ida Handy" and on the 3d of August
reached Chicago in company with the Seventy-sixth Illinois, Colonel Busey
commanding. On the i6th of August, eleven days less than three years since"
the first company went into camp at Springfield, the regiment was mustered
out at Camp Douglas.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 319

Colonel Howe's history of the battle flag of the regiment, stated that it
had been borne four thousand one hundred miles, in fourteen skirmishes, ten
battles and two sieges of forty-seven days and nights, and thirteen days and
nights respectively, and so had been under fire eighty-two days and sixty
nights; the distance not including that from Montgomery to Chicago.

The regiment was one of the most fortunate in the service. It always
obeyed orders, taking and holding every position to which it was assigned
unflinchingly. Regiments by its side sustained fearful losses in officers and
men while its numbers were comparatively intact. One officer alone was killed
in the service, and he was sitting in his tent, off duty, when struck, at the siege
of X'icksburg. Two others resigned from wounds, and two died. Twenty
men were killed in action, twenty-nine died from wounds, five were captured
when detailed on a scout, four of whom did not live to return, and one hun-
dred and thirty-seven men died of disease. Very many others, ofticers and
men, were wounded and some seriously, but they were not lost to the regi-
ment. The regiment never was repulsed, never retreated a step in the face
of a foe and never lost a prisoner in action.

The following from the pen of General M. D. Leggett. was written in
January, 1886, and is thought worthy of a place in closing this history:

"As to the Excelsior Banner, it is due to the members of the old Third
division that I should tell them all I know about it. When we went into the
Atlanta campaign we sent all our surplus and unnecessary baggage back to
Nashville for storage, in order to lighten our transportation. With such
baggage the Excelsior Banner went. At the time of the siege of Nashville,
in December, 1864, this baggage had its location changed and was lost, but
was not captured by the enemy. I caused an exhaustive search to be made
for it in the spring of 1865, but without success. If I could have found this
Excelsior Banner, I should have sent it to Colonel John H. Howe, of the One
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois. This was a splendid regiment and
splendidly officered, and deservedly earned the banner after a severe struggle.
To be the best drilled and best disciplined regiment in the old Third Division
of the Seventeenth Corps, was honor enough. This was Logan's division and
McFherson's corps up to the fall of Vicksburg, and no troops did more hard
marching and hard fighting. It may be truthfully said of them, they were
never driven from a position, and never attempted to take a position and
failed.

(Signed.) M. D. Leggett.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY

REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Lieutenant Colonel.
Adin Mann, Batavia ; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Majors.
Rufus P. Pattison, Aurora: discharged July 9, 1863.
Adin Mann, Batavia : promoted.

320 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Surgeon.
Leland H. Angell, Aurora; discharged June i, 1864.

Second Assistant Surgeon.
John Jassoj'. Aurora; dismissed November 17, 1864.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Hospital Stczvard.
Charles B. Allaire, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Principal Musician.
Joseph E. !\Ierrill, Aurora; Mustered out August 15. 1865.

COMPANY B.

Captains.
Adin Mann, Batavia; promoted major.
Edwin E. Stafford, Bata\ia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

First Lieutenant.
Edwin E. Stafford, Batavia ; promoted.

Second Lieutenant.
Christopher H. Keller, Blackberry; mustered out August 15, 1865.

First Sergeant.
H. Emory Abbott, Geneva; discharged March 2, 1863.

Sergeants.
Christopher H. Keller, Blackberry; promoted to second lieutenant.
Fred V. D. Vanliew, Batavia; discharged June 19. 1863; disability.
Julius G. Brown, Batavia; discharged May 24, 1865, as private.
James Bradley. Batavia; discharged May 24, 1865, as private.

Corporals.
Thomas W. AIcAuley, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865, as private.
Henry A. Lewis, Kaneville; private; discharged July 10, 1863.
Edward L. Hunt, Geneva; mustered out August 15, 1865, as private.
Salem B. Town, Batavia; discharged February 28, 1863; disability.

Musician.
John Bullard. Batavia; discharged February 22, 1863; disability.

Privates.
Cleavland Acox. Kaneville: died at Clinton, Mississippi, ;\Iarch 7, 1864;
wounds.

James D. Austin, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.
William A. Bingham, Batavia: discharged February 3, 1864, for pro-
motion in colored regiment.

Samuel Ball, Batavia; died at home February 22, 1863.
Theodore T. Ball, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.
John S. Ball, Batavia; discharged December 16, 1862; disability.
Charles E. Bassett, Batavia: mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.
Franklin Boyd, Batavia; died at Memphis June 23, 1863.
Ebenezer Bradley. Batavia; discharged August 20, 1864.
Joseph Barrett, Batavia; died on hospital boat, August 29, 1863.
Beverly \'irgil; died at Memphis, July 13, 1863.

LOOKING UP EIVER FEO.M ,ST0LP8

ABOUT 1860.

ISLAND, AURORA,

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 323

Charles A. Buecher, Batavia; discharged February 22, 1863; disabihty.

Charles W. Cook, Geneva; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Ransom Conley, Batavia ; reported transferred to \'. R. C. ; no ofificial
notice received.

Oscar F. Cooley. Batavia; killed before Vicksburg June 8, 1863.

Oliver B. Douglas, Batavia; discharged February 22, 1865; disability.

Louis A. Derosier, Batavia; discharged May 24, 1865.

Rasalva Fisk, Batavia; corporal; died at New Orleans April 21, 1865;
wounds.

Hicks Frydendall, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

Charles B. Grover, Batavia; discharged August 12, 1864; disability.

George W. Gregg, Batavia: mustered out August 15, 1865.

Harlow Helmer, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Isaac S. Hedges, Batavia; corporal; died at home August 15, 1863.

William J. Hollister, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Jackson Hovey, Kaneville; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

Albert Johnston, Blackberry: discharged June 14, 1865.

Hiram Jenkins, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Martin C. Jones, Batavia; died at St. Louis, August 3, 1863.

John \\'. Lumm, Batavia; discharged June 3, 1865.

Francis W. Mann, Batavia; discharged May 24, 1865.

Frederick Miller, Batavia; discharged October 10, 1863; wounds.

Frederick \'. L. Morris, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865, as
corporal.

Noah Monroe, Batavia; discharged May 24, 1865.

John H. Mole, Batavia; mustered out June 15, 1865, as corporal.

Walter M. McAuley. Batavia ; detached at muster out of regiment.

James Martin, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Isaiah Noakes, Batavia; died at home October 4, 1862.

William Noakes. Batavia : absent, sick, at muster out of regiment.

Thomas O'Connor, Geneva; discharged May 24, 1865.

W'illiam Reed, Virgil; discharged February 28, 1863; disability.

Elisha P. Stone, Batavia; discharged April 25, 1863; disability.

James K. Stephenson, Batavia; discharged September 11, 1863; disability.

]\Ienard L. Stone, Batavia; died at Memphis April 21, 1863.

Emanuel Sturgis, Batavia; discharged February 22, 1863; disability.

William Tulloch, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Samuel M. Updyke, Geneva; died on hospital boat May 15, 1863.

George Voorhees, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Kirby Waite, Batavia; died at St. Louis, March 2, 1863.

Orson Weaver, Batavia: mustered out August 15, 1865.

Theodore Wood, Batavia; discharged July 20, 1864, for promotion in
colored regiment.

Daniel Whipple, Batavia: discharged January 20, 1863; disability.
Patrick Welsh. Virgil: mustered nut August 15, 1865, as corporal.
William Walrod, Virgil; mustered out August 15, 1865.
Gilbert W. Young, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865, as sergeant.

324 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Recruits.

Andrew Anderson, Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third llHnois Infantry.

Henry P. Brown, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865, as first
sergeant.

Edwin M. Benedict. Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third lUinois Infantry.

Josiah S. Coolidge. Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Ilhnois Infantry.

John H. Cleveland. Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third IlHnois Infantry.

David E. Dean, Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third IlHnois Infantry.

Michael Davis, Batavia ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Edwin F. Fish, Batavia ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Francis F. Joy, Virgil; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Charles Lappin, Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Russell Massee, Batavia ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Frederick L. ^Manning, Batavia : transferred to Thirty-third Illinois
Infantry.

Charles H. flails, Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

James T. McMasters, Batavia; mustered out August 15. 1865, as corporal.

Valentine McDonald. Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois
Infantry.

William H. Price. Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

Nathaniel Radcliff. Batavia; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Cyrus R. Rofif, Batavia ; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

William J. Reynolds, Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois
Infantry.

Ferd. G. Stephenson, Batavia; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Peter Mctor, Batavia; Captured and murdered bv enemv. October 16,
1863.

Edwin A. Williams. Batavia; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Clark \\'ood, Batavia; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.

COMPANY D.

. ' First Lieutenant.
Henry J. Brockway. Dundee; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Sergeant.
Henry J. Brockway. Dundee; promoted first lieutenant.

Corporals.
Frank B. Reeves. Dundee; discharged September 18, 1863; wounds.
\\'illiam E. Tollhurst, Dundee; died at home October 21, 1862.

Privates.
Daniel Brown, Dundee; discharged September 18. 1863; disability.
Alliert M. Dunton. Dundee; discharged October 27, 1864; wounds.
Josiah \\'. Goodwin. Dundee ; died of wounds received at Champion Hills,
Mississippi. May 16, 1863.

Albert Gibbs, Dundee; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Milford G. Harris. Dundee; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Stephen A. Houghton. Dundee; discharged October 12, 1863; disability.

Lorenzo C. Kelly, Geneva; discharged July 7. 1865.

Joseph L. Satterlee, Aurora; discharged June 3, 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 325

Rccniit.
James D. Brower. Sugar Grove; transferred to Tliirty-third Illinois
Infantry.

^ COMPANY E.

Captains.
William B. Sigley. Aurora: resigned June 27, 1864.
Reese L. Merriman. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
James H. Blackmore, Aurora: resigned July 24. 1863.
Reese L. Merriman. Aurora; promoted.
William H. Anderson, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Second Lieutenant.
Osborn Willson, Aurora; resigned July 13. 1863.

First Sergeant.
Hiram J. Howland, Aurora; died May 3, 1863; wounds.

Sergeants.
William H. Anderson, Aurora ; promoted first lieutenant.
Reese L. Alerriman. Aurora; promoted first lieutenant.

Corporals.
Homer J. Elliott. Aurora; sergeant: discharged October 9, 1863, for
promotion in United States Colored Infantry.

Horace J. Hall, Aurora; sergeant; discharged January 5, 1864, for pro-
motion in United States Colored Infantry.

Robert B. Stephens, Aurora; died at Lagrange, Tennessee, December 5,
1862.

John Fairweather, Aurora; discharged August 14, 1863. for promotion
in First United States C. H. A.

Jonathan Crosby, Aurora; mustered out May 29, 1865, as private.

Musician.
Frank Pinney, Aurora; discharged July 26, 1864, for promotion as hos-
pital steward Third United States Colored Cavalry.

Wagoner.
Fowler Irwin, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Privates.
Nelson P. Atwood, Aurora; discharged October 21, 1862; disability.
Charles L. Cheeney. Aurora ; died at Jackson. Tennessee, October 24,
1862.

Thomas D. Cuthbert, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.
Henry Dickson, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.
Silas W. Dunning, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865; was prisoner.
Justus Dodge, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.
Marshall Dow. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.
Sylvester D. Elderkin. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.
Sebra Emerson, Aurora; deserted October 6, 1862.
Patrick M. Fitzgerald. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as ser-
geant.

John H. French, Aurora; died \'icksburg November 14, 1864.

326 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Arthur M. Gurnsey. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

William M. Hale, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Lanson Hinman, Aurora; discharged March 5, 1863: disability.

Charles Hartman, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Daniel Jenkins, Aurora; died \"icksburg January 11, 1864.

John Karney, Aurora: mustered out August 15, 1865.

James W. Lusk, Aurora: mustered out June i. 1865, as corporal.

Jacob L. Lantz. Aurora ; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps October
26, 1863.

Herbert Lane, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

John Martin, Aurora; killed at Raymond, ]\Iississippi, May 12, 1863.

Edward McGlvnn, Aurora: died at Camp Douglas. Illinois. August 15,
1865.

Michael Maloney, Aurora; mustered out Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

David S. Miller, Aurora: mustered out August 15. 1865.

Neil McGlaughlin, Aurora: mustered out August 15, 1865.

Amos B. Morey, Aurora: mustered out August 15, 1865.

William Mears, Aurora: discharged September 17, 1864; disability.

Horace McKay, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Joseph R. Miller. Aurora; died Mcksburg July 28. 1863.

Horace Miner, Aurora; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps June 30,
1864; mustered out July 5. 1865, as first sergeant.

Joseph D. Newman, Aurora; mustered out July 6, 1865.

Charles M. Plummer. Aurora; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps
April 2, 1864.

Harvey B. Powers. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as first
sergeant, commissioned second lieutenant : not mustered.

Peter Rackmeyer, Aunira; died IMemphis June 10, 1863.

Ezra D. Race. Aurora: corporal; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps
October 26, 1863.

Maurice C. Ryan, .\urora ; discharged December 30. 1863. for promo-
tion in Sixty-third L'nited States Colored Infantry.

John E. Roach, Aurora; discharged April 15, 1863; disability.

Adam N. Roach, Aurora: died at Lake Providence. Louisiana, April 22.
1863.

William Smith. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

David D. Speer, Aurora; discharged September 17, 1864; disability.

Martin L. Stage, Aurora; discharged October 29, 1864; disability.

Napoleon J. Smith. Aurora; discharged August i. 1863. for promotion
in First Louisiana Colored Infantrv.

John St. Martin. Aurora; absent; wounded at \'icksburg"; unofficially
reported transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps.

Joseph Thompson, Aurora: mustered out .\ugust 15, 1865.

Richard S. Thom])si)n, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865. as ser-
geant.

William Vinter, Aurora; discharged December 18, 1862: disability.

Daniel \'iiison, Aurora; mustered nut August 15. 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 327

Henry Weber, Aurora; deserted October 6, 1862.

John H. Ward, Aurora ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps October
26, 1863; mustered out June 25, 1865.

John Wilyne, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

David Weigler, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Job H. Yaggy, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

Recruits.

Nelson W. Hinkston, Aurora; musician; discharged April 15, 1863;
disability.

Alonzo V. Howard, Sugar Grove; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois
Infantry.

COMPANY F.

Recruits.
Henry Ankel. Sugar Grove; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.
Joseph Allbee. Sugar Grove; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois Infantry.
Adolph Nebring, Sugar Grove; transferred to Thirty-third Illinois In-
fantry.

COMP.ANY H.

Captain.
John W\ Kendall. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

First Licutowiits.
Justus D. Andrews, Aurora; resigned January 28, 1863.
Theodore Potter, Aurora; resigned January 26, 1864.
Greenville A. Spear, Aurora: died November 8. 1864.
Freeman L. Campbell, Aurora: mustered out August 15, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Theodore Potter, Aurora; promoted.
Joy Jay Tarble, Aurora ; declined commission.
Greenville A. Spear, Aurora; promoted.
George M. Cn^nk, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as sergeant.

First Sergeant.
George S. Prindle, Aurora; private; discharged May 12, 1863, for pro-
motion as hospital steward United States Army.

Sergeants.
Greenville A. Spear, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.
Joy Jay Tarble, Aurora; promoted second lieutenant; declined; mustered
out May 28, 1865. as private.

Melvin Tarble, Aurora; private: discharged August 31, 1863, for promo-
tion as hospital steward United States Army.

Freeman L. Campbell, Aurora: promoted first lieutenant.

Corporals.
George M. Cronk, Aurora; mu.stered out August 15, 1865, as first ser-
geant ; commissioned second lieutenant ; not mustered.

Levi Morgan. Aurora; discharged July 6, 1865, as sergeant.
Oliver D. Bonney, Aurora; sergeant: discharged January 13. 1864, for
promotion second lieutenant Sixty-sixth United States Colored Infantry.
Charles E. Otis, Aurora; mustered out June 2, 1865, as private.

32S KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Alvin A. Page, Aurora : died at Lagrange. Tennessee, November 23,
1862.

George R. Robinson. Aurora ; private : transferred to \'eteran Reserve
Corps January 15. 1864.

Russell Richardson, Aurora; mustered out May 28, 1865, as pri\ate.

Samuel Miner. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as sergeant.

Musicians.

Joseph E. IMerrill, Aurora ; promoted principal musician.

Xenophon Beher, Aurora; discharged January 19, 1864. for promotion
chief bugler Third United States Colored Cavalry.

JVago)tcr.

Albert B. Albee. Aurora: mustered out August 15. 1865.

Frifafcs.

Orrin C. Allison, Aurora: died Mcksburg August 16. 1863.

Merritt Allen. Aurora: mustered out August 15. 1865.

Charles B. Allaire. Aurora : promoted sergeant major.

Gustavus Alcott, Aurora: muste-ed out May 28. 1865.

Robert T. Anderson. Aurora; discharged November 21. 1863: disability.

Theodore Bammer. Aurora: mustered out August 15, 1865.

Wallace W. Baker, Aurora: mustered out May 31, 1865, as sergeant.

George H. Baker. Aurora; discharged March 29. 1863; disability.

Frank Bailey. Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865, as corporal.

Samuel A. Campbell. Aurora; discharged January 4, 1864, for promotion
as first sergeant Third United States Colored Cavalry.

John D. Church, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

William Cassalee, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

\\'illiam Carpenter. Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

William H. Crosby. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Florence M. Crosbh. Aurora; discharged January 10, 1864, for promotion
as first sergeant Third United States Colored Cavalry.

James R. Chidester, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Henry E. Daniels, Aurora; discharged December 11, 1863, to enlist as
hospital steward United States Army.

Horace I\I. Drake. Aurora; mustered out ]May 3. 1865.

Solomon S. Dennison, Aurora; discharged December 13, 1863, for pro-
motion as quartermaster sergeant Third United States Colored Cavalry.

Warren H. Ensign. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

James A. Egleston, Aurora; discharged August 26, 1863; disability.

Charles Edson, Aurora; discharged May 7, 1863; disability.

Henry H. Evans, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Henry Fransham, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as sergeant.

William Ferrin, Aurora ; detached at muster out of regiment.

Jacob F. Fisher, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Theophilus Gaines, Aurora; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps April
2. 1864.

Theodore Golden. Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Martin J. Gould. Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 329

James R. Gillett, Aurora; discharged January 3. 1863; disability.

\\'illis A. Gardner, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Jason Gregory. Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865, as corporal.

William Hurlbut, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Austin P. Hatch, Aurora; discharged August 7, 1863; disability.

James A. Hurd, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

Daniel Harris, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Ashael Judd, Aurora; discharged January 2, 1864, for promotion quarter-
master sergeant Fifth United States H. A. C.

Herman Kennedy, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Martin Lenox, Aurora; killed at Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16,
1863.

William T. Murra}-. Aurora; mustered out June 17, 1865.

Henry J. Morton, Aurora; mustered out Augvist 15, 1865.

John Miles, Aurora; died Chicago April 14, 1865.

John A. Miller, Aurora; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps October
28, 1863.

Orlando J. McCollum, Aurora ; transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps
January 15, 1865.

George Ormes, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Emerson Pinney, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

David H. Parsons, Aurora; corporal; died at home July 23, 1864.

John J. Potter, Aurora; died St. Louis August 12, 1863.

George ^\^ Rake, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as corporal.

Alphonzo Rice, Aurora; killed at Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16,
1863.

George \\'. Slate, Aurora; discharged October 8, 1864; disability.

Albert Stickles. Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

George A. Snow. Aurora; killed at Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16,
1863.

Charles H. Sneidecker, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as ser-
geant.

Byron Snow, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865, as sergeant.

Han-ey S. Seymore, Aurora; discharged April 2, 1864, for promotion
quartermaster sergeant Fifth United States H. A. C.

Wilford A. Seymore, Aurora; mustered out June 7, 1865, as corporal on
detached service.

Peter F. Shvler. Aurora; killed at Champion Hills, Mississippi, May 16.
1863.

Leroy J. Smith, Aurora; drowned September 29, 1863. while trying to
escape from burning steamer Campbell.

David Smith, Aurora; discharged April 25, 1864; wounds.

Joseph Sedgwick, Aurora; corporal; discharged December 15, 1863;
promoted first sergeant in Third United States Colored Cavalry.

Martin J. Tarble, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Charles Tittsworth. Aurora; died at Memphis June 23, 1863; wounds.

W^illiam Van Sickle, Aurora; discharged October 20, 1862; disability.

330 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

George A. \\'hite, Aurora; mustered out May 23, 1865.

John Waldvogel, Aurora; discharged November 18, 1862; disabihty.

Wilham A\'right, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Wallace Wilder, Aurora; died at Annapolis, Maryland, March 16, 1865.

John Woodward, Aurora; discharged August 26, 1863; disability.

Charles Woodward, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Evans 'M. Waterman, Aurora; discharged March 6, 1863; disability.

Albert A. Westever, Aurora; mustered out August 15, 1865.

Har\-ey Woodcock, Aurora; mustered out August 15. 1865.

Henry Young, Aurora; discharged December 3. 1863; disability.

Recruit.
Henry Loomis, Aurora; discharged February 26, 1863; disability.

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SE\ENTH

INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infantry was raised under the
call of President Lincoln for five hundred thousand volunteers in the summer
of 1862. Company A was recruited in Kendall county; Company B, in and
around Chicago; Company C, at Elgin; Company D, in Grundy county; Com-
pany E, at St. Charles; Company F, at Piano; Company G. in Chicago; Com-
pany H, about Lyons ; Company I, at Elgin, and Company K, at Aurora and
Big Rock. The regiment was mustered in this service at Camp Douglas
September 6, 1862.

The regiment performed a considerable amount of guard duty in Camp
Douglas, where the Harper's Ferry prisoners were sent in the fall of 1862.

The command drew a full complement of English Enfield rifles in the
beginning of November, 1862, and on the 9th of that month departed over the
Illinois Central railway for Cairo, where it went on board the steamer Emer-
ald, and landed at Memphis, Tennessee, on the 13th. Went into camp near the
city and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army
Corps, then a part of the right wing of the Army of the Tennessee.

On the 26th of Novemljer departed on the expedition under General W.
T. Sherman in pursuit of Generals Price and Van Dorn. Marched to the
neighborhood of Oxford, iMississippi, where the command was reviewed by
General Grant, and returned without encountering the enemy, to Memphis,
on the 13th of December.

On the 20th of that month embarked on the Mississippi river as a part
of the expedition under General Sherman, destined to operate against \'icks-
burg. Reached the Yazoo December 25 and was engaged in the operations on
the Chickasaw Bayou from December 26 to January i. during which its losses
were one man killed (William Elmy, of Company H) and seven wounded.
A number of men soon after died of malignant measles.

The regiment was with the expedition under General ]\IcClernand, which
captured Arkansas Post. January 11, 1863, and was one of the first to plant
its colors on the enemy's works. Its losses in the assault were two killed,
twenty wounded and nine missing.

Following this expedition the army encamped at Young's Point, and on
the peninsula opposite Vicksburg, where the One Hundred and Twenty-

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 331

seventli performed picket and fatigaie duty, working on the famous "canal"
begun by General Butler, and during the next three months having a great
amount of sickness in its ranks, and losing a large number of men by disease.
At times the regiment could report scarcely a hundred men for duty.

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh took part in the expeditiini to
Steele's and Black Bayous in March, liut. though suffering great hardships,
returned without loss.

It was engaged in the movements to Grand Gulf, and in the rear of
Vicksburg in May, and, when General Grant's army closed upon the doomed
city on the i8th of the month it formed a part of tlie line of battle of the
Fifteenth Corps, on the right of the army.

It was in the bloody assaults upon the Vicksburg lines, May 19 and 22,
on the first day planting its colors on the glacis of the rebel works, and main-
taining its position until nightfall, when the troops were withdrawn. The
losses of the regiment in the two engagements were about fifteen killed and
sixty wounded.

During the siege of Vicksburg the regiment was on detached duty at
the Chickasaw Bayou until within a few days of the surrender, when it re-
turned to the trenches, and was present at the surrender of the rebel stronghold
July 4, 1863.

On the night following the surrender all the men fit for duty, less than
fifty in number, under Major Curtiss, marched with General Sherman's com-
mand, which drove General Joe Johnston from Jackson a few days later. Dur-
ing these operations the remnant of the regiment was under the immediate
command of Lieutenant Richmond, of Company E.

Following the defeat of Johnston, the Fifteenth Corps went into camp
near Black river, about fifteen miles east of Vicksburg, where it remained
rmtil ordered, in September, to Chattanooga.

After the return of the Fifteenth Corps from Jackson, the One Hundred
and Twenty-seventh was granted about twenty-five furloughs and leaves of
absence. When the regiment went into camp at Black river it had less than
one hundred men fit for duty, about four hundred lieing in the hospital on
W'alnut Hills, in the rear of Vicksiourg.

On the 22(1 of September the Fifteenth Army Corps, under orders from
General Grant, broke camp on Black river, and, marching to Vicksburg, took
steamers for Memphis, from which point the troops marched overland, three
hundred miles, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they began to arrive about
the 15th of November. There was considerable fighting at Collierville, on the
line of the Memphis and Charleston Railway, and in the neighborhood of
Tuscumbia, Alaliama, but, in spite of all opposition, the corps arrived in splen-
did fighting trim in front of General Bragg's army at Chattanooga, and took
part in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, November 22
to 25, which ended in the total discomfiture of the rebel forces with heavy loss.
During the march through the mountains between Bridgeport and Chatta-
nooga the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh was on detached service guarding
trains. Following the defeat of Bragg it formed a part of General Sherman's
expedition for the relief of General Burnside, besieged in Knoxville. Tennes-

332 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

see, by the rebel General Longstreet. marcbing to witbin a few miles of tbat
place and returning to Bridgeport about tbe i8tb of December.

In Januar}-. 1864. tbe Fifteenth Corps was cantoned along the Memphis
and Charleston Railway, tbe divisions occupying Huntsville. W'oodville.
Larkinsville and Scottstero, in northern Alabama, tbe Second Division, to
which tbe One Hundred and Twenty-seventh belonged, being stationed at
Larkinsville.

During tbe latter part of January and tbe beginning of February, the
regiment took part in the forward moxement of the corps, which crossed the
Tennessee river near its soutliern bend, and made a demonstration in favor
of General W. T. Sherman, then engaged in bis famous raid from \'icksburg
toward Meridian. Mississippi, at the head of the Seventeenth Army Corps.

During tbe encampment at Larkinsville a number of the officers of the
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh sent for their wives, who visited them in
cam]) and remained several weeks.

A sad occurrence, and one which cast a gloom over the regiment greater
than tlie loss of twenty men in battle, was the murder of Joseph E. Corby, of
Company I, who was found dead in front of our camp on the morning of
January 24, 1864.

The regiment broke camp at Larkins\ille on the ist day of May, 1864.
and m(jved with its division toward Chattanooga, which place was reached
on the 5tb. and on tbe evening of the same day encamped on the Chickamauga
l)attlefield with tbe Armv of the Tennessee, then imder command of General
J. B. McPherson.

The One Hundred and Twenty-se\-enth took part in tbe series of battles
around Resaca, notably tbe one on the evening of May 14, when the brigade
to which it was attached carried the fortified line along the slope of Conasine
creek by a desperate assault with tbe bayonet, in which the regiment bore a
conspicuous part and captured a number of prisoners. Immediately following
this successful charge came the return assault of General Cleburne's rebel
division, which made three furious charges upon our lines only to be bloodily
repulsed. In the operations in front of Resaca the One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh lost one man killed and three wounded.

In tbe sharp fighting among tbe Dallas Hills from tbe 26tb of iNIay to
June I tbe One Hundred and Twenty-seventh was almost constantly under
fire, showing conspicuous gallantry in tbe actions of the 27tb and 2gtb. Daniel
T. Lane, of Company E, was seriously wounded on tbe 27th.

On tbe 4th of June the enemj- al)andoned his strong works at Dallas and
fell back behind the still stronger position on and around Kenesaw Mountain
and Pine Hill, where he maintained himself for nearly a month, during which
period it rained almost incessantly, making active operations nearlv impossible.

On tbe 27th of June occurretl tbe desperate assault of the Fifteenth Corps
upon Kenesaw Mountain, which frowned a thousand feet above tbe beads of
our men. ccnered with rifle pits, strong parapets, and death-dealing batteries.
In this marvelous affair tbe One Hundred and Twenty-seventh stood up
srrandlv under tbe most terrible fire it had ever encountered.

FOUNTAIN SQITARE— LOOKING NOrvTII— LSGO.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 335

On the 2d uf Jul)- the enemy aljandoned the defenses of Kenesaw and
fell hack to the Chattahoochee river. On the 6th our advance was in sight of
Atlanta, and on the 12th and i3tli the Army of the Tennessee was transferred
by a rapid movement from the extreme right to the extreme left, and, follow-
ing Garrard's cavalry column across the Chattahoochee near Rosswell, en-
trenched itself and compelled the rebel commander to retreat across the river
into his Atlanta lines. The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh took part in
all these movements.

The whole army now crossed the Chattahoochee, and the battle of Peach
Tree Creek followed on the 20th of July. General John B. Hood had been
placed in command of the rebel army on the 19th in place of General Joseph
E. Johnston, relieved by Jefiferson Davis, and fighting became desperate.

In the bloody engagement of the 22d of July, east of Atlanta, in which
the lamented McPherson fell, the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh was in
the thickest of the fray, the brigade to which it belonged being led into the
fight jjy General Logan in person.

A few days later the Fifteenth Corps was transferred to the extreme
right of the army, where, on the 28th of July, it was furiously assailed by a
corps of Hood's army, which was repulsed with terrible loss, leaving no less
than eight hundred and twenty-eight dead in front of our lines. The weight
of the attack fell upon the Second Division of our corps. The One Hundred
and Twenty-sexenth, forming the extreme right of the army, and, being
mostly on the skirmish line, came very near being captured. The timely arrival
of a brigade of the Fourteenth Corps, piloted upon the field by Robert Murphy,
a drummer bov of the One ?Iundred and Twenty-seventh, saved the day. The
losses (if the regiment on this day were Corporal John T. Bennett and William
Peterson, of Comiiany D, and Alfred X. Murdnck and William Pooley, of
Ciimpanv A. killed, and seventeen wounded and missing.

Aliout this date Comi)an)^ G, Captain Sewell, was detailed at corps head-
(|uarters as provost guard, a jiosition which it held for several months. On
the 31st of July the morning report of the One Flundred and Twenty-seventh
showed only ninety-two men fit for duty carrying guns.

On the 3d of August the regiment took part in an attack on the rebel
skirnnsh line to the west of Atlanta, in which it displayed its usual gallantry
and lost a number of men, among whom were Sergeant Ira B. Whitney, of
Company B, killed, and five men, including Captain A. C. Little, wounded.
Elias Smithers, of Company E, died a few days later of wounds received.

The regiment participated in the subsequent operations around Atlanta,
including the great flanking movement of August 27, by which General Sher-
man placed the hulk of his army in the rear of General Hood and compelled
him to evacuate Atlanta on the 2d of September. During the withdrawal of
the army from the lines on the night of August 26 Sergeant Major William
\\'. Lawton, of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh, was mortally wounded
and died the same night in the ambulance. This was the only casualty in the
Army of the Tennessee during the movement.

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh was hotly engaged in the battle
of joneslxiro. below .Atlanta, fought by Logan's corps on the 1st of September,

336 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

its officers and men displaying the greatest gallantry and inflicting some loss
upon the enemy. In this battle the killed were Sergeant J. R. Grassmire, of
Company I ; James Griffin, of Company H : Levi Mead, of Company F, and
Francis H. Chappell, of Company D, and a number wounded.

On the 9th of September the army encamped around the captured city,
the Second Division of the Fifteenth Corps occupying East Point, about six
miles southwest of Atlanta. About this date Captain Gillette received his
commission as major and Lieutenant Richmond was promoted captain of
Company E.

The army remained in its cantonments until the beginning of October,
during which period General Sherman exchanged two thousand prisoners with
General Hood at Rough-and-Ready Station, below Atlanta. Among those
exchanged were the boys of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh captured
on the 22d of July.

General Hood began his famous raid upon the communications of Sher-
man's anny about the ist of October, and on the 3d of the month Sherman's
army was in rapid pursuit of the rebel army, which consisted of twenty-five
thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry. During the pursuit of Hood and
the subsequent march through Georgia and South Carolina, the One Hundred
and Twenty-seventh was commanded by Captain Charles Schryver, of Com-
pany F, the senior officer then with the regiment. From August 14, 1864,
to April I, 1865, Colonel Curtiss was absent from the regiment. A portion
of this time he was in command of a provisional division under General Scho-
field, in North Carolina. Captain Little was also absent on furlough during
the same period and was in command of four hundred men under General
Schofield in North Carolina during a part of the time.

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh accompanied Sherman's army
on its grand march through Georgia and the Carolinas. From Atlanta to
Columbia, South Carolina, it was on detached service, during which time it
reported directly to the headquarters of the Army of the Tennessee. At Co-
lumbia it returned to the division, and took part in the operations, thence on
to Goldsboro, North Carolina. During the month of January, 1865, it was
encamped on the great rice plantations southwest of Savannah, Georgia. It
was present at the capture of Columbia, South Carolina, and in the advance
upon Fayetteville, North Carolina. A number of its men were engaged in a
severe skirmish, in which Francis B. Imhoff, of Company B, was killed, and
R. R. Parkin, of Company I, wounded. At the severe battle of Bentonville,
March 19 and 20, it was for twenty-four hours on the skirmish line, but es-
caped without loss. At Goldsboro, North Carolina, the army encamped for
about fifteen days, during which time it was furnished with a complete outfit
of new clothing. At Goldsboro, Colonel Curtiss, Captain Little and forty or
fifty furloughed men rejoined the regiment. Here also Sergeant James G.
Naid was mustered in as adjutant, assuming his duties on the ist of April, at
which time Colonel Curtiss assumed command of the regiment. Captain
Little was soon after detailed on detached duty.

The army left Goldsboro in pursuit of General Johnston on the loth
of April, and reached Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, on the 14th,

RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. MARSHALL.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 339

where it went into camp in and around the city. The Fifteenth Corps was
encamped during most of the time until the last of the month about one mile
north of the city.

General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the remaining armies of the
Confederacy on the 26th of April, and on the 29th the One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh, in company with the Fifteenth Corps, commenced the march
from Raleigh to Petersburg, Virginia, one hundred and sixty-eight miles dis-
tant, which point was made in just six days, ecjual to twenty-eight miles a
day. On the 13th of May the army passed through Richmond, and on the
2 1 St reached the vicinity of Washington, District of Columbia, and went into
temporary camp on the hills west of Alexandria. The march through Virginia
took the command through Petersburg, Richmond, Hanover Court House,
Fredericksburg, Stafford, Dumfries and Occoquan. A portion of the One
Hundred and Twenty-seventh visited Fort Darling, below Richmond, and
made a flying visit to Mount Vernon, the home of Washington.

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh took part in the grand review at
headquarters and was specially complimented for its fine discipline and mili-
tary bearing. During the next fourteen days the command was encamped
near Fort Slocum, north of the city, where it was mustered for discharge on
June 4 by Captain Potter, of the Seventieth Ohio Volunteers.

On the 7th of June the regiment left Washington for Chicago. It was
finally mustered out on the 17th of June, 1865, after an arduous service of
almost three years. The actual number of men finally discharged was about
two hundred and forty, all that remained of the nine hundred with which the
regiment left Camp Douglas in November, 1862.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY

REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Major.
Frank C. Gillette, St. Charles; mustered nut July 11, 1865.

Adjutant.
Addison A. Keys, Elgin ; promoted captain Company H.

Quartcnuastcr.
Samuel W. Durant, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

First Assistant Surgeon:
Anson L. Clark, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Quartermaster Sergeants.
Samuel W, Durant, St. Charles ; promoted regimental quartermaster.
Ozias J. Lent, St. Charles ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.

Commissary Sergeant.
Ozias J. Lent. St. Charles ; promoted quartermaster sergeant.

Hospital Sfe7i'ards.
Charles Hill Duck, Elgin; discharged November i, 1863.
Salem E. Weld, Elgin; mustered nut June 5, 1865.

340 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Principal Mitsicians.

Henry C. Elliott, St. Charles; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Joseph Smith, Aurora; died at Oswego. Illinois, June 16, 1863.

COMPAXY c.
Captains.

John S. Riddle, Elgin; died July 22. 1863.

William ^^'arner. Hampshire; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

First Liciitoiants.

Thomas Clarck, Elgin; resigned March 2. 1863.

William Warner, Hampshire ; promoted.

Lucius B. Patchin. Hampshire; resigned June 8. 1865.

Scconit Licufrnants.

William \\"arner. Hampshire: promoted.

Lucius B. Patchin, Hampshire : promoted.

First Sergeant.

Lucius B. Patchin. Hampshire : promoted second lieutenant, then first
lieutenant.

Sergeants.

Edwin Wheedon, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Amos S. Patton. Hampshire; transferred to Invalid Corps December 2,
1863.

Charles \\'. Guptill, Elgin; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Theophilus Renwick, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Corporals.

Cullen Allen. Hampshire; mustered out June 8, 1865, as first sergeant.

James L. Sheehan, Elgin; wounded; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Clark Bradon, Elgin; discharged December — , iS6j.

Romulus F. Boreman. Elgin; private; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Benjamin Hewitt, Elgin; discharged August 29. 1863.

Lorenzo Patchin, Hampshire ; private ; wounded ; mustered out to date
June 5, 1865.

David \\'. Chapman, Elgin; discharged February 14, 1863.

Henry Hadlock. Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Privates.

Thomas Bennett, Hampshire; discharged December 29, 1863.

James H. Bartlett, Elgin ; died at Walnut Hill, Mississippi, lulv 2j.
1863.

John Battinger. Hampshire; mustered out June 5, 1865; wounded.

Emmer Bowen, Hampshire; transferred to Invalid Corps [anuarv 10,
1865,

Friend F. Church, Hampshire; died at Milliken's Bend June 11. 1863.

James W, Cox, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Patrick H. Dooley, Plato ; deserted ; furnished a substitute in George H.
Burnside. who refused to act but mustered in on own hook.

William D. Daggett, Jr., Elgin ; died at A\'alnut Hill, Mississippi, June
29, 1863.

Edmund Dogherty. Hampshire; mustered out June 5, 1865. as corporal.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 341

Alexander Dennis, Elgin; color sergeant; wounded; died July 28, 1864.
Henry Darville, Hampshire; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.
Philander S. Earl, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.
Byron G. Eaton, Hampshire; deserted; furnished substitute until July,
1863; substitute deserted.

William Fogg. Elgin; discharged February 14, 1863.

Cyruel Gage. Hampshire; deserted; date unknown.

Charles Gustason, Elgin; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

John Gable. Elgin; transferred to Invalid Corps September 18, 1863.

Joseph Gould. Elgin; mustered out to date June 5. 1865.

Jonathan L. Haines, Hampshire ; sergeant ; mustered out to date June

5, 1865.

Malachi Hanslin. Hampshire; mustered out June 9. 1865.

Michael Hemrick. Hampshire; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Edwin Hammond. Elgin; died at Milliken's Bend June 13. 1863.

George H. Himes, Elgin; deserted; furnished substitute; deserted soon
as paid.

Theodore Hougland, Elgin; died at Keokuk June 21. 1863.

Albert Inglesby, Elgin; died at Marietta, Georgia, September 15, 1864.

Alfred Johnson, Elgin; died at Milliken's Bend April 8, 1863.

John Keller. Hampshire; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

George Kirkpatrick, Elgin; wounded; transferred to Invalid Corps De-
cember I, 1863.

George H. Knott, Elgin; mustered out June 19, 1865.

Lewis F. Kurtz. Hampshire; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Lew'is Little, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Jesse Mabee, Elgin ; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

John Maher, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Nicholas j\Iiller, Hampshire; died January 16, 1863; wounds.

James Murray, Elgin; discharged January 9, 1863.

Michael Murray, Plato; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

John ^McCartney, Elgin; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

William Nicholson. Elgin; died at Camp Sherman, Mississippi, Septem-
ber 22, 1863."

Patrick O'Flaherty, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Thomas Parkin, Elgin; died at Elgin August 30. 1863.

Hercules P. Rice. Elgin; died at Young's Point February 22. 1863.

John Saunders, Elgin ; died at Camp Sherman, ^lississippi. September
I, 1863.

John Smithing, Hampshire; discharged June 15, 1863.

John Senift, Hampshire; died at Vicksburg May 19, 1863; wounds.

Joseph Smithing, Hampshire; died St. Louis February 8, 1863.

John R. Sutter, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

James Schoonhoven, Elgin; discharged No\'ember 21, 1863.

John Taylor, Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Oscar T. Thompson. Hampshire; corporal; died at Walnut Hill, Missis-
sippi, July 2, 1863.

342 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY

Joliii Taylor ( j), Elgin; died Wvatt. Mississippi. December 4, 1862.

Monroe Underhill, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Luman H. Westover, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Ruel R. Welch. Elgin; discharged June 20, 1863; wounds.

Henry Whelpley, Hampshire; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Patrick Wallace, Hampshire; mustered out June 5. 1865, as sergeant.

John \\"allace. Hampshire; died July 29, 1864; wounds.

Recruit.
Edmund C. Ball. Hampshire; mustered out June 21, 1865; wounds.

COMPANY E.

Captains.

Frank C. Gillette. St. Charles; promoted major.

James F. Richmond, St. Charles; mustered out June 5. 1865.

First Lieutenants.

James F. Richmond. St. Charles; promoted.

Frederick Knight, St. Charles; resigned September 20. 1864; second
lieutenant.

Ira F. Hall. St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Second Lieutenant.

Frederick Knight. St. Charles; promoted.

First Sergeant.

James G. Nind. St. Charles; promoted adjutant.

Sergeants.

Samuel \\". Durant. St. Charles; private; promoted quartermaster ser-
geant.

Jesse Curren, St. Charles; killed A'icksburg May 19. 1863.

Henry M. Sill, St. Charles; mustered out January 13. 1863, as private.

John M. Metcalf. St. Charles; transferred to A'eteran Resen-e Corps
Alarch 15. 1865.

Corporals.

Ozias J. Lent, St. Charles; private; promoted commissary sergeant.

Henry J. Parker, St. Charles; mustered out May 31. 1865, as private.

Henry Person. St. Charles; discharged February 10, 1863, as private.

Ira F. Hall, St. Charles; promoted sergeant, then first lieutenant.

Wallace M. Peirce, St. Charles; deserted January 18. 1863.

George A. Dunham. St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1S65, as private.

Eugene A. McWayne, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865. as
sergeant.

Privates.

George H. Aldrich. St. Charles; died Memphis January 12, 1863.

Frank Avert. St. Charles; mustered out June 29. 1865.

Charles H. Beach, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as sergeant

John Z. Belyea, St. Charles; corporal; died at home November 23, 1863.

Michael Bolf, St. Charles; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Charles Bowman. St. Charles; discharged February 5, 1863.

Jeremiah Becker, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865; wounded.

Philip Brisbin, St. Charles; mustered out June 3, 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 343

Edgar U. Benedict, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

James Blomly, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Joseph Clark, St. Charles; discharged July 2"]. 1863: disability.

John S. De\\'olf, St. Charles; discharged for promotion May 2-j, 1864.

William Dickenson, St. Charles; mustered out June 5. 1865.

James Doyle, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Dennis Doyle, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

James Earnshaw, St. Charles; transferred to Invalid Corps December i,
1863.

Thomas Evison, St. Charles; discharged February 7, 1865.

George C. Elliott, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as first
eant.

Henry C. Elliott, St. Charles ; promoted principal musician.

Charles Ferson, St. Charles; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Eugene Fowler, St. Charles; discharged April 18, 1864; wounds.

Andrew Goldsbury, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

\"alentine O. Gilbert, St. Charles ; transferred to Invalid Corps November
7. 1863; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Julius A. Green. St. Charles; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

lohn M. Green, St. Charles; died at Young's Point, Louisiana, March 7,
1863:

Hav Guthrie, St. Charles; died at ^lilliken's Bend, Louisiana, April 15,
1863. _' ,

Alfred T. Hart, Geneva: discharged February 17. 1864; disability.

John Hight, Geneva; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Nathaniel A. Haile, St. Charles; mustered out June 5. 1865, as corporal.

W'ashington Hammon, St. Charles; discharged March 11, 1863.

John J. Hand, St. Charles: mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Charles J. Kolson, Geneva; mustered out June 5, 1865.

]\Iichael Kelly, St. Charles; discharged March 4, 1863.

Francis Kirk, St. Charles; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.

Daniel T. Lane, St. Charles: mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Michael Lincoln, St. Charles; died at Arkansas Post January 11, 1863.

Frank W. Lynde, St. Charles; mustered out ^lay 12. 1865.

Michael Murphy, St. Charles; mustered out May 22, 1865.

Isaac P. IMichael, St. Charles; discharged April g, 1863.

Charles M. Alichael, St. Charles; discharged February 22, 1863.

Robert ^larsden. St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Felix McFarlane, St. Charles: mustered out June 5, 1865.

Franklin Newman, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as sergeant.

Ozro B. Pratt, St. Charles ; corporal ; killed at Atlanta, Georgia, Julv 22,
1864.

Michael Ronon. St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Thomas Ryan. St. Charles: died at Rome. Georgia. August 5. 1864:
wounds.

Luther B. Swarthout, St. Charles; corporal; died at home December 21,
1863.

344 KAXE COl'XTY HISTORY.

Isaac Swarthout, St. Charles; mustered out June 5, 1865, as musician.

Elias Smithers. St. Charles; died at Marietta, Georgia. August 18, 1864;
wounds.

William Switzer, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

James Stricklin, Elgin; discharged February 3. 1864, as corporal;
disability.

John Smith (i). Geneva; discharged April 14, 1863: disability.

Charles Switzers, Elgin ; deserted.

John Smith (2), Geneva; mustered out June 5. 1865, as corporal.

George Tyler, St. Charles; died at \'icksburg July 9. 1863; wounds.

John P. Trumbull. St. Charles; discharged August 29. 1863. as corporal.

Charles Trumbull, St. Charles; transferred to Invalid Corps December i,
1863.

Charles O. Thompson, St. Charles: mustered out June 5, 1865.

Judson Thompson, Kane county; died at ]\Iilliken"s Bend. Louisiana.
April 16. 1863.

Deid'rich H. Tangem'n. St. Charles: sergeant: transferred to Invalid
Corps February 15. 1864.

Brainerd T. \Mieeler, St. Charles; mustered out June 5. 1865. as sergeant.

August Winder, Elgin; deserted November 5, 1862.

Recruit.

Harley Beach, Virgil; mustered out to date June 5. 1865.

COMPANY F.

Captain.
Charles Schryver. Aurora: mustered out June 5. 1865.

Corporal.
Daviil D. Schryver. Big Rock: mustered out June 5. 1865, as sergeant.

Musician.
Joseph E. Smith. Aurora: died at Oswego. Illinois. June 16. 1863.

Priz'atcs.
William D. Coulson. Big Rock; mustered out June 5. 1865; wounded.
Warren Dick, Big Rock: mustered out June 5, 1865. as corporal.
Harrison Horton, Big Rock: died at Camp Sherman. Mississippi, Sep-
tember 10, 1863.

Henry Houghtaylen. Big Rock: died ^Memphis September 4. 1863.
David \'aughn. Big Rock; mustered out ]^Iay 25. 1865.
Alonzo \'oris. Big Rock; died at Young's Point, Louisiana. January
31, 1863.

COMP.\NY H.

Prii-atcs.
Harley Beach. St. Charles; transferred to Company E.
William Bushey. St. Charles; transferred to Company E.
Adam Widner, Rutland: transferred to Companj" C.

COMPANY I.

Captains.
Frederick A. Raymond, Elgin; dishonorably discharged July 6. 1864.
Nelson H. Merrill, Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

KANE COrXTY HISTORY 345

first Liciitciianfs.

Horace Perry, St. Charles; resigned July 5, 1863.

Nelson H. Merrill, Elgin: promoted.

Benjamin C. W'ilkins, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Second Liciitciiaiits.

Addison A. Keys, Elgin; promoted adjutant.

James S. Loper, Elgin; discharged March 31, 1864.

First Sergeant.

Marcellus B. Joslyn. Elgin; discharged February 4, 1863.

Sergeants.

James S. Loper, Elgin ; promoted tirst sergeant, then second lieutenant.

Benjamin C. Wilkins, Elgin; promoted first lieutenant.

George Preston. Elgin; discharged July 11, 1863, as private.

William V. Adams, Elgin; died in Andersonville Prison September 11,
1865 ; grave No. 8,402.

Corporals.

William H. Holden. Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as first sergeant.

Nicholas Hareth, Elgin; mustered out June 19, 1865, as private.

Ora B. Douglass, Elgin; first sergeant; died at St. Louis July 28, 1863;
wounds.

Calvin Shurtlifi^, \'irgil ; discharged April 10, 1863.

Robert Scott, Virgil; discharged July i, 1863.

Charles E. Hunter, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as private.

Julius C. Pratt, Elgin; sergeant; died at Memphis July 19, 1863.

Mnsieians.

Ralph S. Hunn. Elgin; transferred to Invalid Corps May 15, 1864.

Joseph B. Corbey, Elgin; died at Larkinsville, Alabama, June 25, 1864.

Prizvtes.

Charles Malls, Batavia ; transferred to Company B.

James T. I\Ic]\Iasters, Batavia ; transferred to Company B.

Nathaniel Ratcliff. Batavia ; transferred to Company B.

Edwin A. Williams, Batavia ; transferred to Company B.

Beman W. Adams. Plato; deserted January 29, 1863.

James Bowman, Elgin; discharged; date unknown.

Peter Bartleine, Elgin; died St. Louis October 16, 1863.

William F. Becker, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal; was
prisoner.

Lafayette Boutwell, \'irgil ; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Norman Billington, Plato; discharged February 5. 1863.

Thomas Caton, Plato; mustered out June 5, 1865.

John W. Carr, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

John Collins, Plato; mustered out June 5. 1865, as sergeant.

John S. Cox. Elgin; mustered out May 15, 1865; wounded.

Edward A. Cummings. Elgin; mustered out June 20, 1865.

George Colie, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Moses Cherry, Kane county; deserted September 10, 1862.

346 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

George A. Culbertson. Elgin ; died at Bridgejiort. Alabama, November
19, 1863.

Charles H. Duck, Elgin; promoted hospital steward.

John J. Dougherty, Plato; mustered out June 5, 1865. as corporal.

George R. Eastman, Plato; mustered out June 5, 1865, as sergeant; was
prisoner.

James Ellis. Plato; reported deserter August 23, 1864.

John H. Eraser, Plato; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Alexander Eraser, Plato; discharged July 29. 1863.

William H. Eraser, Rutland; corporal; died at Elgin. Illinois. December
12, 1863.

Henry Eolnier, Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865, as corporal.

Erederick S. Grav. Elgin ; died at Young's Point. Louisiana. Tune 23,
1863.

Horatio Gray, Elgin; deserted January 29, 1863.

Joseph R. Grassmire. Elgin; sergeant; died at East Point. Georgia,
September 4, 1864; wounds.

Franklin Howard. Virgil : mustered out June 5. 1865.

Peter Hines. Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Edward \'. Jackson, Burlington; mustered out June 5. 1865.

John P. Konaka, Elgin; transferred to Invalid Corps June 13, 1864.

Mark P. Ladd, Plato; died St. Louis January 5, 1863.

George W. Loudon, Plato; deserted September 10, 1862.

John J. McClear, Elgin; discharged February — , 1863.

Albert Messenger, Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Nelson C. ]\Iorey, Plato; killed Vicksburg ]\Iay 19. 1863.

Ezra W. Morehouse. Plato; died at Napoleon, Arkansas. Tanuarv 18,
1863.

William AIcNicle, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as sergeant.

Andrew McCornack. Rutland; mustered out June 5, 1865. as sergeant.

Andrew W. McCornack, Rutland; mustered out June 5, 1865.

William F. McCornack, Rutland; mustered out June 5. 1865; was
prisoner.

Nelson H. ^lerrill, Elgin; promoted first sergeant, first lieutenant and
captain.

Hiram O. Perry, Elgin; discharged February 6, 1863; disability.

Erederick G. Peasley, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Richard Parkins. Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

John Plant. Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1S65. as corporal; was prisoner.

Joseph Priller. Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Frank Plantey. Hampshire; died jMemphis August 22, 1863.

John Peters, Elgin; mustered out June 5. 1865.

Isaiah Ross, Elgin; discharged February 5. 1863.

Alfred F. Roberts. Elgin; corporal; died at ^lemphis June 7. 1863;
wounds.

Charles Schroeder. Elgin; corporal; died at ^lemphis Septemlier 25.
1.863 ; wounds.

FIRST IRON BRIDGE, ELGIN, BUILT IX 18(36.

VIEW SHOWING FIRST BUILDING OF ELGIN WATCH WORKS

TAKEN IN 1866.

KANE (X)rNTY HISTORY 349

Theodore Schroeder. Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Charles Seidle. Elgin ; died Elgin ; date unknown.

Fred Sother, Elgin; died at Young's Point February 22, 1863.

William G. Scott, Elgin; died at Walnut Hills, Mississippi, July 28,
1863.

Joseph A. Spaulding, Elgm; mustered out June 5, 1865.

George W. Schoonhoven, Elgin; mustered out June 5, 1865.

Roswell W. Turner, Elgin; discharged March — , 1863.

Alex. Thompson. Elgin; deserted September 10, 1862.

Salem E. W'eld, Elgin ; promoted hospital steward.

George Wilcox, Plato; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.

Recruits.

Henry Hager, Elgin; transferred to Company D, Fifty-iifth Illinois
Infantry.

Robert L. Todd, Elgin: died at Allatoona, Georgia, June 15, 1864.

I'liassigncd Rcxniits.

William Hosier, Batavia ; discharged May 14, 1864.

John Moore, Sugar Grove.

Charles ^I. Tompkins, Batavia.

William Tompkins, Batavia; died Camp Butler April 9, 1864.

Frederick Terwilliger, Aurora.

COMPANY K.

Captain.
Alexander C. Little, Big Rock; mustered out June 5, 1865.

First Sergeant.
Alexander C. Little. Big Rock; wounded August 3. 1864; promoted

captain.

Corp(n-al.
George S. Foster, Big Rock; discharged April 19, 1863; disability.

Priz'ates.
George S. Armstrong. Big Rock; mustered out to date June 5, 1865.
Edward S. Bateman, Big Rock; mustered out June 5, 1865, as corporal.
Samuel G. Bateman, Big Rock; discharged June 19. 1863; disability.
Edwin A. Fountain, Big Rock ; corporal ; died at Walnut Hill, Mississippi,
June 17, 1863; wounds.

George Hoagland, Big Rock ; mustered out June 5, 1865. as corporal.
John Leader. Big Rock; transferred to Invalid Corps December 15, 1863.

Unassigncd Recruit.
Joseph Crosson. Kane county.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

COMP..\NY G.

Prifatr.
Jacob D. Wigton. Geneva.

350 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND

INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and Thirty-second Infantry Illinois Volunteers was
organized at Camp Fry, Chicago, Illinois, by Colonel Thomas J. Pickett, and
was mustered in for one hundred days from June i, 1864.

Moved, June 6, for Columbus, Kentucky, and arrived on the 8th, report-
ing to Brigadier General Henry Prince. On the 15th of June moved to
Paducah, Kentucky, and reported to Colonel S. G. Hicks.

The regiment remained on duty at Paducah until expiration of service,
when it moved to Chicago, and was mustered out October 17, 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY

REGIMENT.
(One Hundred Days' Service.)

COMPANY C.

Cap fain.
Charles Barker, Aurora; mustered nut October 17, 1864.

Second Licittcnant.
H. A. Hinckley, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

First Sergeant.
R. B. Campbell, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Sergeants.
L. B. Persons, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
John Bevier, Aurora; mustered out October 17. 1864.

Corporals.
George Hackney, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Sylvester H. Schuyler, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Walter W. Bostwick, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
J. H. Damon, Blackberry Station; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Wagoner.
John Saltsgiver, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Privates.
John Bailey. Aurora; mustered out Oct(iber 17, 1864.
George C. Baird, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Frank Breese, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
George Betts, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Green Bennett, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Charles Clute. Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Rollin Connell, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
James Cavenaugh, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
D. S. Darling, Aurora; absent; not mustered in.
Levi Dunbar, Aurora; mustered out October 17. 1864.
Robert C. Fetch, Aiu'ora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
J. R. Flanders, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
F. B. Foster, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
Fred Groch, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.
George Hollenb,eck. .\urora ; absent ; not mustered in.

KANE COIXTY HISTORY 351

George Hopler, Aurora ; absent ; not mustered in.

Charles F. Harrall, Aurora ; absent ; not mustered in.

James Judson, Aurora ; absent ; not mustered in.

Mark W. Kendall, Blackberry Station; mustered out October 17, 1864.

George Latham, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

William Martin, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

J. J. Miller, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Reuben E. Perkins, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 17, 1864.

William Robinson, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Charles W. Scarlett, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

William F. Spaulding, Aurora ; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Joseph Sinister, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Henry P. Starr, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Edward P. Wells, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

Wm. H. Woodward, Aurora; mustered out October 17. 1864.

William Wade, Aurora; mustered out October 17, 1864.

COMPANY I.

Private.
James Scupham, Blackberry; mustered out October 17, 1864.

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOURTH

INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was
organized at Camp Fry, Chicago. Illinois, by Colonel Waters W. McChesney,
and was mustered in May 31, 1864. for one hundred days.

Left camp June 3 for Columbus, Kentucky, where it was assigned to
garrison duty.

Mustered out of service October 25, 1864, at Chicago, Illinois, by
Lieutenant Joseph Horr, Thirteenth United States Infantry.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY

REGIMENT.

(One Hundred Days' Service.)

COMPANY c.

Priz'atc.
William M. Gregory, Elgin; mustered out October 25, 1864.

COMPANY E.

Private.
Stephen Keck, Elgin; mustered out October 25, 1864.

COMPANY F.

Private.
John G. Hitchcock, Elgin; mustered out October 25, 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY

REGIMENT.

(One Hundred Days' Service.)

352 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY E.

Private.
Jeremiah Sands, Montgomery: mustered out September 24, 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY

REGIAIENT.

( One Hundred Days' Service. )

COMPANY I.

Corporal.
Clarke Howe, Rutland: mustered out October 14. 1864. as private.

Private.
William Carson, Rutland: mustered out October 14. 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(One Hundred Days' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Private.
William H. Harrison, Sugar Grove: mustered out October 29. 1864.

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY.
The One Hundred and Forty-first Infantry was mustered into the
United States service at Elgin, June 16. 1864. Strength, eight hundred and
forty-two. Departed for the field June 2j. 1864. Was mustered out at
Chicago, October 10. 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(One Hundred Days' Service.)

Lieutenant Colonel.
Thomas Clark, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Adjutant.
Edward C. Lovell, Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.

Qnarterniaster.
Alonzo H. Barry, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Assista)it Snrgeon.
Francis C. Hagemann, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Cliahlain.
Samuel S. Kimball, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Sergeant Major.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Pearl De Hoyt. Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
Nehemiah J. Wheeler, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Principal Musicians.
Leveritt Hannegan, Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Russell Dickerson, Elgin ; mustered out October 10, 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 353

COMPANY A.

Captai)i.
Phillip H. Carr, Dundee; mustered out October lo, 1864.

First Lieutenant.
Thomas W. Teft, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Edward W. King. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Sergeant.
Charles W. Bennett, Plato; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Sergeants.
Frank Reeves, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864. ■
James Benthuysen, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
Daniel Metcalf, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Clute, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George W. Salisbury, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Abner Wight, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.
George Smith, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Tames Mellon, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1S64.
Henry Gillett, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Nicholson, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Musicians.
William S. Moffatt, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Horace Smith, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Wagoner.
Charles Fowler, Hampshire; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Privates.
John A. Andrews, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles F. Benthuysen. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Howard Bartlett, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Alfred Baker. Eigin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
\Mlliam H. Bigelow, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edward Burnidge, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Curtis A. Codv, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Clearman, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Christoph, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Coheld, Dundee: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Nelson Cart, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John F. Critchton, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edwin Campbell, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles W. Cole. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph Daak, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert Duff, Dundee: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Alexander Duft. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George A. Doolittle, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Dennis Dickson. Hampshire ; transferred to Company H before muster in.
Frank E. Eaton, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

354 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

John Evans, Elgin; mnstered out October lo. 1864.

William C. Fox, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John C. Griffith. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John Gierheim, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Joachim Gaistor, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Charles Gustason. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John Henning, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Oliver A. Hinsdell, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

William H. Hintze. Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Heed. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George T. King, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

George S. Kelly, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Wicliffe S. Long. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William B. Long, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles R. McClure, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Amos Perry, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Henry Pruss, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George Plumleigh. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Austin Roberts, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864,

William Rankin, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Alanson Reser, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George \Y. Rineheinier, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Henry Rose, Elgin; died at Columbus. Kentucky, September 25, 1864.

Rollin Renwick, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George Smith (2), Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William E. Smith. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Joseph Smith, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Shuckney. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Henry W. Salisbury, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Henry Shannon. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Francis Van Aken. Plato: mustered out October 10, 1864.

Lawrence Welch. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John Woller. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Charles Woller, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Moses W. Wilson, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Wellington W'ilcox, Plato; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Milton Young. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John Zimmerman. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

COMPANY B.

Captain.
Alexander Grimes, Batavia ; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Lieutenant.
Charles D. F. Smith, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Charles S. Gregg. Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.

First Sergeant.
David W. Starkey, Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 355

Sergeants.
David A. Martin, Batavia; mustered out October lo, 1864.
William A. Moore, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edgar H. Killmore, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert M. Town, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
Charles C. Auble, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Myron D. Palmer, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George Burton, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Loomis H. Grimes, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Winfield S. White, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Arthur D. Wilson, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Dow, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Priz'ates.
Romulus Andrews, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Montgomery Auble, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Ira M. Bly, Virgil; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Amos Burton, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph Burton, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry J. Callaghan, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Chambers, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas M. Clapp, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Lucius L. Clark. Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James A. Clure. Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Garrett Cotters, Blackberry; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Alverado Dickerson. Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Adolphus Eyando, Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.
William W. Fowler, Elgin; drowned in Mississippi river at Columbus,
Kentucky. September 3. 1864.

Eben Fuller, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William P. Genge, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William W. Golden, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Isaac F. Grimes, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Darwin C. Grow, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John A. Hadank, Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.

David N. Hall, Virgil; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Martin H. Hampton. Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Hedland, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Philip Helmer, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Wilbur F. Higgins, Geneva : mustered out October 10, 1864.

Jasper Hilbert, Elgin; died at Columbus, Kentucky, September 10, 1864.

Oscar D. Hill, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Janes, Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Samuel S. Kimball. Geneva: promoted chaplain.

Mark F. Kernan, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Chauncey L. King. Virgil: mustered out October 10, 1864.

John F. Lakins. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

356 KA^E COUNTY HISTORY

George W. ^lann, Batavia; mustered out October lo, 1864.
Sedate P. Martin, Bataxia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Jason McCann. Blackberr}- ; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Benj. F. McLellan, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.
X'^alentine McXitt, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Adolphus Mead, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph Monk, Batavia; mustered cut October 10, 1864.
Philip Murtaugh. Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Lewis Noahr. Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Cornelius O'Laughlin, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Jerome Otis, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Alonzo Putnam, St. Charles; deserted June 17, 1864.
Albert W. Pease, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Pettenger, Burlington: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles A. Price. Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.
James H. Payne, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Ira E. Robertson, \'irgil; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Edward L. Rockwell, Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.
James Row, Batavia: mustered out October 10. 1864.
George W. Russell, Virgil; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph W. Smith, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Steer. Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Charles Stephens. Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Parley R. Sweet, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Clark W. Sweet. Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.
David H. Sawyer, Burlington: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles G. Thomas, Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas S. Tapley, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.
David Twigg. Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Levi L. \\'atrons, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Whitle, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George C. ^^'illiams, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Walter S. \\'ilson. Batavia: mustered out October 10. 1864.
Fred A. Wood, Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Wallace W. Woodruff. Batavia; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Seymour A. Wolcott, Batavia: mustered out October 10, 1864.

COMPANY c.

Capfain.
Samuel H. Hunter. Elgin: mustered out October 10. 1864.

First Lieutenant.
Michael J. Dunne. Elgin: mustered out October 10. 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
James B. Robinson. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

First Sergeant.
Henry Phillips. Elgin: mustered out October 10. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 357

Sergeants.
William F. Todd, Elgin; mustered out October lo, 1864.
James W. Cook, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Clark Stewart, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Danford M. Jones, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
Christopher Batterman, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864
Jerome G. Blackman, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles F. Gifford, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Tibbots, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1S64.
George Standage, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Christopher Ross, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edwin S. Burdick, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edwin Gifford, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Privates.
George W. Adams, Hampshire; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Able, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Oscar Babcock, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.
John Batterman, Elgin: died at Columbus, Kentucky, September 18, 1864.
James Barker, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles D. Baker, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Frederick W. Barrick, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Ziba S. Beardsley, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Brown, Virgil; died at Columbus, Kentucky, September 4, 1864.
William Christoph, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James W. Cooke, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William W. Dike, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Gustavus Davis, Hampshire; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Albert W. Eaton, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edmond Feehan, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert B. Gardner, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Amos Gilman, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Groff, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Goodman, Rutland; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Patrick Goodman, Rutland; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John A. Gale, Elgin ; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Harper, Hampshire; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Eli Henderson, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Leveret Hennegan. Hampshire; promoted principal musician.
Ralph Hubble, Elgin; died at Columbus, Kentucky, August 30, 1864.
William Knox, Rutland; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph L. Lakins, Virgil; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edwin Lester, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John A. Mallory, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles D. Matthews, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John McMahon, Rutland; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William McDonald, Elgin; mustered nut October 10. 1864.

358 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Henry McLean. Burlington; mustered out October lo, 1864.

Christian Meierhoff, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Earnest ]Meierhoff, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Neale, Campton; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Daniel Paddock, Hampshire; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Nathan B. Peterson, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George Perry, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Thomas Powers, Rutland; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Pettit, Dimdee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Ryan. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Lucius B. Rice. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

James K. Rice, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Willard Stoddard. Elgin; died at Columbus. Kentucky. August 18, 1864.

Thomas Smith, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Arthur Spaulding. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Fred Smith, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Peter Smith. Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Salisbury, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George W. Short. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

William T. Strain, Hampshire; maistered out October 10, 1864.

Albert Tuffelmire. Hampshire; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Leman S. Tanner. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

George P. Terril. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

DeWitt Torrence, Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Jacob \'ogle, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Carl \"oss. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Waite, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Mathias Webber, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William S. Weeks, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Benjamin Webster. Elgin; died at Columbus. Kentucky, July 20, 1864.

Frederick Westfahl. Dundee; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Jay Wilbur, Dundee; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William H. Wilson, Elgin ; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Walters, Hampshire; deserted June 29, 1864.

Orestas W. Young, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

COMPANY D.

Captain.
Bryant D. Beach, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

First Lieutenant.
Hiram Sargent. St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Henry A. Person, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

First Sergeant.
Charles A. Miller, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Sergeants.
John Johnston. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Orrin Lane. St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 359

Richard A. Sargent, St. Charles; mustered out October lo. 1864.
WilHam Pahner, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
Charles Hyde, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Peter M. Kilron, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles H. Wallace, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Terrence Ryan, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Allen D. Matteson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph W. Whipple, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Allen Freeman, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Waldo Beach, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Musicians.
Rhoderick- Parker, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
George Barnum, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Privates.
Eugene Barnett. Blackberry; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Bowman, St. Charles; died at Columbus, Kentucky, July 2, 1864.
Horatio Blanchard, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Boyle, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Hiram Brown ; St. Charles ; deserted.

Benjamin Burchell, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Conley, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Adelbert Conlon, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Cook, Elgin ; died near Marion, Kentucky, of accidental wounds,
August 21, 1864.

John Cronon, St. Charles ; deserted.

Edward Delaney, St. Charles ; deserted.

Michael Donon, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Anthony Duffy, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Homer Eddy, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

James Elliott, St. Charles ; deserted.

James Ellis, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Frank Fowler, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Michael Gebel, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Toney Gebel, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Golley, St. Charles ; deserted.

Ezra Graham, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles A. Graves, Burlington; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George Goodier, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George H. Hall, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Herbert Hammond, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Washington Hammond, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Haveland, St. Charles ; deserted.

Jeffrey Huggins, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.

William Hines, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Malcomb Howe, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Thomas Hudley, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

360 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Alvin Hyde, St. Charles; mustered out October lo, 1864.
Willie O. Hyde, St. Charles; died at Columbus, Kentucky, September 15,
1864.

James Jarvis, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Juckett, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Michael Kaysier, St. Charles ; deserted.
Jeremiah Lane, St. Charles ; deserted.

William B. Lloyd, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Patrick O'Malley, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Hosmer Mark, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James ^larshall, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Marshall, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Almon Miller. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Miller, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Arthur Millington, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Murray, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Peter Oleson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Pender, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James F. Partlow, Burlington; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Charles Sargent, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Lyman Sawyer, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Horace E. Smith, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Albert Stevens, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John E. Swarthout, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Harvey Tefft, Campton; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George Thompson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Tomlinson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Adam F. VanVorst, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Washburn W. Vinton, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Francis \\". Watson, Elgin : promoted assistant surgeon.
Lee Weed, St. Charles: mustered out October 10. 1864.
Franklin Wilson, St. Charles : deserted.

William B. Wilson, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Clarence Wodell,- St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Franklin Young. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
William J. Young, Burlington; mustered out October 10. 1864.

COMPANY E.

first Sergeant.
Ambrose Stearns, Elgin; mustered out to date October 10, 1864.

Sergeants.
Marshall S. Pritcbard, Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Oscar J. Twogood, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert C. Rowland, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles B. Detrick, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Corpo7-aIs.
Solomon Stevens, Elgin: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Patrick Ford. Elgin: mustered out October 10. 1864.

SNOW BANKS ON DOI'GLAS A\ENrE IN THE '80S.

fl^B

■ ^^ """ f

^g^

DOUGLAS A\-ENUE, ELGIN. L\ THE '90S.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 363

Amos Cook, Elgin; mustered out October lo, 1864.
John M. Mowatt, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
West C. W. Post, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
John Dillon, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William H. Upston, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry W. Lyon, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

COMPANY G.

Captain.
Charles Herrington, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Chester Stuart, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Sergeant.
William S. Watrous, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

.Sergeants.
William Outhouse, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Richard Southgate, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Rial Botsford. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Felix Mayer, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
George P. Cook. Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George German, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Charles Heal, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Fidel Rudizer, Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Newton J. Kendall, Gene\a ; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William McFadden, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Peter G. Miller, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Emery A. Matthevvson, Elgin; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.

Privates.
John Ahles, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Emel Blackmere, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George Boynreif, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Brennen, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Mark Brown, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Bacon, Elgin; deserted June 17. 1864.
Eugene B. Brown, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Eugene J. Casey, Elgin; deserted June 18, 1864.
Eli E. Curtis, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Cottrell. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Jasper Cook, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Carter, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Carroll, Elgin ; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Lawrence Condon, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Cfindon, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Samuel Chenney, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Winfield S. DeWolf, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Samuel Donelson, Geneva; mustered out October to, 1864.
Thomas Donor, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

364 KiVNE COUNTY HISTORY

Daniel Ellis, Elgin; mustered out October lo, 1864.

Martin Fink, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Albert Gilford. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Charles Hendrickson. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Timothy Hay, Elgin; drowned in Mississippi river June 30, 1864.

Wilson Kelly. Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Samuel Kelly, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Kimball, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Walter B. Kendall, Blackberry; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Albert Kendall, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Henry Loveland, Geneva; mustered out November 14 to date October 10,
1864.

Frederick Mayar, Geneva, mustered out November 14 to date October
10, 1864.

Edward McMellon, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles McBrairty, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Patrick Murphy; deserted June 25, 1864.

John Nelson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Levi W. Olmstead. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George H. Oakley, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Wesley J. Powers, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Pride, Geneva: mustered out October 10, 1864.

Ezekiel Pratt, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Roseel Peck, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Robert F. Pouley, Blackberry; mustered out October 10. 1864.

George C. Pulver. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

George W. Rowell, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

\Mlliam Renwick. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

David Reed, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Marcus Reed. Geneva; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John Rogers, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Judson Stewart, Elgin; deserted June 20, 1864.

Freeman Stinchfield, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

David Silver. Blackberry; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Jackson Switzer, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Albert Seaton, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Ira D. Seaton. Geneva: mustered out October 10. 1864.

Frank Seely, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Thomas Smith, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Albert Town, Winfield; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Sanford H. Townsend, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Wilkerson, Blackberry; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Jacob Wilder, Geneva; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Frank Wilcox, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Frank Webb, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Samuel Wise, Elgin; deserted June 17, 1864.

George Wallize, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTOEY 365

Peter Wise, Elgin; mustered out October lo, 1864.
James Wilson, Geneva; deserted June 26, 1864.
James Young, Elgin; deserted June 17, 1864.

COMPANY H.

Privates.
August J. Burback, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George Doherty, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Dennis Dickson, Hampshire; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George W. Eldridge, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William H. Grant, Batavia; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Ginter, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John J. Gibbons, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Peters, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William J. Robinson. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Benjamin F. Warnock, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Peter Welsh, Elgin; deserted June 22, 1864.

COMPANY I.

Captaiti.
Robert H. Winslow, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Liciitcimiit.
Daniel W. Coan, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Scamd Lieutenant.
Henry C. Dodge, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Sergeant.
John W. Blake, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Sergeants.
Robert B. Edwards, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John M. Hughes, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1S64.
William Jewell, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Fayette S. Hatch, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1S64.

Corporals.
Charles H. Rice, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John M. Hamilton, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph M. Denning, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James C. Law, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph La wry, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Horace Hinkley, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Marian G. Traugh, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Edwin W. L. Rice, .Aurora ; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Privates.
Nathaniel C. Austin. Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George H. Austin. Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Bruce, Aurora; deserted June 24, 1864.
George Betts. Aurora; deserted June 24. 1864.
Eugene E. Beaver, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Henry Bews. Sugar Grove; mustered out October 20, 1864.
John H. Bathrick, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

366 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Carlotto Colson, Aurora ; mustered out October lo, 1864.

John D. Clarke, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Hiram Clarke, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

James Cossalman, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Colburn, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864,

Duane Darling. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Elijah Dunne, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John \V. Edwards, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Perkins, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Thomas Fyfe. Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

James X. Gillett, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Jacob Goodrow, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Charles Guy, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Andrew J. Gilbert, Aurora; died at Columbus, Kentucky, July 28, 1864.

Herbert W. Gilbert, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Frank Hamilton, Aurora; deserted June 20, 1864.

W. Philip Hilpish, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Hoat, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Lathrop P. Hubble, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Rufus P. Johnson, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John W. Johnson, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Delos Kearns, Big Rock; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Samuel W. Laury, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

George Lappen, Kaneville; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Theron B. Lucky, Aurora: mustered out October 10, 1864.

James E. Lomax, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Parsons Mix, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Prank ^lyer. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William McMullen, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Joseph IMar, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

John jMunroe, Aurora; deserted June 24, 1864.

Maiden C. Newman, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Oats, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Walter Reed, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

William Roberts, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

William Ray, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1S64.

James Rumble, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William K. Sullivan, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Napoleon Sloan. Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Horace Satterlee. Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Nelson M. Satterfield. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

William Stewart. Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.

George Severance. Aurora: mustered out October 10, 1864.

John Stanard, Aurora: deserted June 24. 1864.

Thomas B. Smith, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Justus Terry, Aurora: nuistered out October 10. 1864.

Orren Thatcher. Aurora; mustered nut October 10. 1864.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 367

Washington J. Terry, Aurora; mustered out October lo, 1864.
Louis Thon. Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.
John M. A'an Nortrick. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Van Devier, Aurora; deserted June 24, 1864.
WilHam I\I. \\'illiams, Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Winters. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Quinc}' Wimple. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John M. Weese, Aurora; mustered out October 10. 1864.
William H. ^^'ells. Aurora; nuistered out October 10. 1864.
Sylvester W'ildrick. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Gerard E. Wagner, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Nicholas \\'alker, Aurora; mustered out October iQ, 1864.
George Yeldam. Aurora; mustered out October 10, 1864.

COMPANY K.

Captain.
John Gilman. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Second Lieutenant.
Charles Person. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

First Sergeant.
Frank Gilman, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Sergeants.
James Fennerty, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Charles Conklin. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Belyea. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles H. Merchant. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Corporals.
John Ferson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Jesse Blank, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
William K. Reed, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Nathan Conner, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Edward R. Hazleton. St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Evelyn E. Rich, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Zack Burchell, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Kirk Ferson. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Musicians.
Horace Brigham. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Charles Fay, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

Wagoner.
Hamilton Lillas, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Privates.
Simson C. Aldrich. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John August, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Anson Adams, St. Charles; died at Columbus, Kentucky, July 26, 1864.
William Ballow. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert Beckington. Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.

368 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Lewis Babbitt, Elgin; mustered out October lo. 1864.
Mark Burton, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Cooley, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Ichabod Casey, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
Lyman Conner. St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Henry Clark, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Andrew J. Dunham, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph Flannery, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Abraham Freeland, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Goakey, St. Charles: mustered out October 10, 1864.
Frank B. Hassans, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Albert Haskins, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Inman, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Robert Lovedale, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Charles Lake, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William H. Lake, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Patrick Merreen, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Mostow, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John McCoy. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Mitchell, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
George Menard, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Alfred Peterson, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Ransom Putnam, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William L. Pease, Elgin; mustered out October 10. 1864.
James Powell, Elgin; deserted June 20, 1864.
Lewis C. Ray. Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Ray, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
William Russell, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
John Sullivan, Elgin; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Joseph P. Smith, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Thomas Standidge, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Albert E. Smith, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
James Teft, St. Charles; mustered out October 10. 1864.
William Whitney, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
David Welch, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Wentworth Wheeler, St. Charles; mustered out October 10, 1864.
Morgan Wilcott. St. Charles; discharged June 16, 1864.

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SLXTH INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(One Year's Service.)
COMPANY c.

Privates.
Amos Cook, Aurora; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Henry Ebert, Aurora; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Walter James, Aurora; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Edward C. Millgate. Aurora: mustered out July 8. 1865, as corporal.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 369

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY

REGIMENT.
(One Year's Service.)

COMPANY E.

Private.
Solomon Lohr, Dundee; mustered out January 20, 1866.

COMPANY F.

Second Lieutenant.

George Gilman, Blackberry; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Sergeant.

Simon E. Chaffee, St. Charles; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Corporals.

Wesley J. Powers, Blackberry; mustered out January 20, 1866, as
musician.

Alexander A. McEwen, Blackberry; died at Albany, Georgia, September
24, 1865.

Albert Kinnear, Blackberry; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Privates.

Robert C. Berry, Virgil; mustered out January 20, 1866, as corporal.

Therone A. Chaffe, St. Charles; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Edwin Eddy, St. Charles; mustered out January 20. 1866.

William Gaunt, Virgil; mustered out January 20, 1866.

George E. Gilman. Blackberry ;• promoted second lieutenant.

Paseal Hitchcock, Virgil; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Joseph E. Kendall, Virgil; mustered out January 20, 1866.

William H. McNair, Blackberry; mustered out January 20, 1866.

Thaddeus A. Watson, Blackberry; mustered out January 20. 1866.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND INFANTRY REGIMENT,

(One Years' Service.)

COMPANY A.

Corporal.
William Wood, Montgomery; mustered out September 11, 1865.

HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY.

The One Hundred and Fifty-third Infantry Illinois Volunteers was
organized at Camp Fry, Illinois, by Colonel Stephen Bronson, and was mus-
tered in February 27, 1865, for one year. On March 4 moved by rail, via
Louisville and Nashville, to Tullahoma, reporting to Major General Millroy.
The regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Defenses of Nashville &
Chattanooga Railroad, Brevet Brigadier General Dudley commanding brigade.
In the latter part of March Major Wilson, with three companies, went on a
campaign into Alabama and returned. On July i moved, via Nashville and
Louisville, to Memphis, Tennessee, and was assigned to the command of
Brevet Major General A. L. Chetlain. Was mustered out September 15,
1865, and moved to Springfield, Illinois, and September 24 received final pay
and discharge.

370 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

ONE HUNDRED AXD FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY REGIMENT.

(One Year's Service.)
Adjutant.
John Gilman. St. Charles; mustered out September 21, 1865.

Quartermaster.
N. J. Wheeler. St. Charles; mustered out September 21, 1865.

COMPANY c.

Captain.
Edward C. Lovell, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.

First Sergeant.
Henry Phillips, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.

Sergeants.
Henry C. Padelford, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
William F. Todd. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Dunford M. Jones. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.

Corporals.
Julius H. Wilbur, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Henry Squire. Elgin ; private ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.
Jerome Wiltsie. Dundee; mustered out September 21, 1865.

Musician.
Thomas Dougherty, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.

Privates.
F. B. Bardett. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Nelson Cart, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Henry Derks. Dundee; absent; sick; unofficially reported dead.
John Dougherty. Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
John Flynn. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
S. Judson Gifford. Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
John Griffith, Dundee; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Sylvester Holbrook. Elgin; mustered out May 25. 1865.
John Hesse, Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
William Holden. Elgin; deserted March i, 1865.
Richard A. Horton. Dundee; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Jeremiah Jeffries. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
John A. Johnson. Dundee; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Ludwig Leutz. Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Albert Mallery, Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
James Mitchell, Dundee; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Henry Michel, Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Augustus C. Perry, Dundee; died, Memphis, September i. 1865.
Elliott D. Perry. Dundee; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Henry Pittenger, Burlington; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Joseph Smith. Elgin; mustered out September 21. 1865.
Alfred O. Van Akin. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Eben K. W^ard, Burlington; mustered out September 21. 1865.
George J. Walsh, Dundee; mustered out September 21, 1865.
Lawrence Walch. Dundee; mustered out September 21, 1865.

KANE COUXTY HISTORY 371

John Weiting, Rutland: mustered out September 21, 1865.
Frank Young. Elgin; mustered out September 21, 1865.

COMPANY E.

Privates.
George Hoffman, \'irgil ; deserted February 14, 1865.
Patrick Smith, \'irgil ; mustered out Septemlier 21, 1865.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIXTH INFANTRA^ REGIMENT.

( One Year's Service.)

COMPANY A.

Corporal.
David W. Carson, Stigar Grove; mustered out September 20, 1865.

COMPANY B.

Captains.
Thomas L. Johnson, Aurora; resigned June 13, 1865.
Washington I. Terry, Aurora; mustered out September 20. 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Washington I. Terry, Aurora ; promoted.
John W. Blake, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
John W. Blake, Aurora ; promoted.
Richard F. McCabe, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

First Sergeant.
Joel J. Wilder. Aurora; died. Nashville, April 12. 1865.

Sergeants.
Stephen R. Wilcox, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as private.
Andrew Lamb. Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Michael Flinn, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865. as private.
Arthur Briggs, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as first
sergeant.

Corporals.
Frederick H. Hotz, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as
sergeant.

Michael Hass. Aurora; musteretl nut September 20. 1865.
Richard F. McCabe. Aurora ; promoted first sergeant, then second
lieutenant.

Peter S. Lossing, Aurora; mustered out August 5, 1865.

Joseph Shuster, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as sergeant.

Lewis Wilder, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Charles E. Moulton, Aurora ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.

Duane S. Darling, Aurora; mustered out September 5, 1865.

Musicians.
Elijah Dunn, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865,
George L. Ross. Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

JVagoncr.
Alexander W. Bowman, Aurora; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.

372 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Privates.
George C. Allen, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Llewellyn Baker, Aurora; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.
John Burns, Aurora; deserted March 10, 1S65.
Hiram G. Barlow, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Mathias Beltgen, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Zacheus Disotele, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Thom.as Cole, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Felix Caffery, Aurora; mustered out May 17, 1865.
Peter Coldwater, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
William W. Coleman, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Rolin T. Cornell, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as corporal.
Frank Dana, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Jacob S. Drake, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Zacheus Disotele, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John G. Ferris, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Charles Flint, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
James Fitzgerald, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as corporal.
William H. Fikes, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Albert G. Felton, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as corporal.
Abner Fields, Avirora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Stephen Goodrich, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Herbert W. Gilbert, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John Greely, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Abraham Gauslain, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Bruce R. Gates, Aurora ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.
Philip Hilpish, Aurora; mustered out September 20. 1865.
Frederick Haschel, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Christopher Hetz, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John Hatch, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Charles L. Johnson, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Charles Knapp, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Michael Kelly, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Delos Kearns, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Peter Karp, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Peter W. Kieron, Aurora; deserted June 29, 1865.
Patrick Lowry, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John Lane, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Dennis Murray, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John Murray, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Gierhardt Mercus, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Mathias Millen, Aurora; mustered out August 25. 1865.
Melvin McClure, Aurora; mustered out June 8, 1865.
James Manahan (i) . Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
James Alanahan (2), Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John McPherson, Aurora; deserted March 10. 1865.
Adam Mills, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 373

Hiram Miller, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Philip Midland, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
George Nichols, Aurora; mustered out August 22, 1865.
Elmer Nichols, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1865.
Malchom J. Palmer, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Miles Powers, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Freeman Pierson, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Mathias Poule, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
James G. Pierce, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Robert Peoples, Aurora; discharged June 7, 1865.

William H. Pierce, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as
corporal.

Joseph Pondsom, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Frank Rausch, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Alanson Race, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Walter Reed, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

John Rost, Aurora ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.

Robert Smith, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

George Smith, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Hoel Smith, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Charles Simpson, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

John H. Smith, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Frank Tuber, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

John M. Van Nortwick, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Edward R. Verning, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865, as

sergeant.

Charles W. Vanvelsor, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

William C. Van Osdel, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

William Woods, Aurora; deserted March 10, 1865.

John Woodard, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Thomas Whaley, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Joseph Wenkler, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

John H. Wrigley, Aurora; mustered out Seotember 20, 1865.

Frederick Westover, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Alfred Williams, Aurora; died at Chattanooga, Tennessee, May 5, 1865.

Paulus Zipprich, Aurora; mustered out September 20, 1865.

COMPANY c.
Privates.
John S. Giley, Rutland; deserted March 12, 1865.
John Kelly, Aurora; deserted March 14, 1865.
John Worth, Rutland; deserted March 14. 1865.

COMPANY F.

Sergeants.
John Dailey, Batavia; mustered out May 15, 1865.
Robert C. Lindsay, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Louis Noahs, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865, as private.

374 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Corporals.
Charles Janes. Batavia ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.
Edwin Platts, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Robert R. Hunt, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
William J- Knox, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865, as sergeant.
John P. ]\Iabon, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.

Privates.
George D. Chapel, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
James Clure, Batavia; mustered out September 20. 1865.
Charles E. Cooley. Batavia: mustered out July 19. 1865.
John Donoven, Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Homer Dailey, Batavia; mustered out ]\Iay 15, 1865.
John Hoban. Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Frederick Johnson, Batavia; mustered out September 20. 1865.
Huntoon Johnson, Batavia ; rejected and discharged.
George H. Kessler, Burlington; mustered out September 22. 1865.
Horace C. Kessler, Burlington; discharged to date August 18. 1865.
Edgar H. Mix, Batavia; mustered out May 15. 1865.
Wesley E. Platts. Batavia; mustered out September 20, 1865.
Dodson \^andevener. Batavia ; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John Young, Batavia; mustered out September 20. 1865.

COMPANY G.

Privates.
John Baley. Aurora: deserted March 12, 1865.
Jacob Holmes. Aurora ; mustered out September 20, 1865.
John McWilliams. Aurora; deserted March 12. 1865.

COMPANY K.

Private.
Charles L. McKinzie. Aurora: mustered out September 20, 1865.

SECOND CAVALRY REGIMENT.
f Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY C.

Recruit.
William H. Hill. Sugar Grove: veteran: transferred to Company B as
consolidated.

COMPANY I.

Recruit.
Henry S. Hicks. Sugar Grove: transferred to Company A.

THIRD CAVALRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years" Service.)

Unassigned Recruit.
Alonzo Turner. Aurora.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH. ELGIX.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH. ELCilX.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 377

HISTORY OF EIGHTH CAVALRY.

The Eighth Cavah-y Regiment was organized at St. Charles, Illinois,
in September, 1861, by Colonel J. F. Farnsworth, and was mustered in Sep-
tember 18, 1 86 1.

On October 13, the regiment moved to Washington City, and camped
at Meridian Hill on the 17th. On December 17 moved to camp near Alex-
andria. Virginia. March 10. 1862. the regiment joined the general advance
on ]\Ianassas, in General Sumner's division. The Eighth Cavalry remained at
Warrenton until April u — at four different times driving the enemv across
the Rappahannock. Embarked at Alexandria on April 23, and landed at
Shipping Point, May i. May 4 moved to Williamsburg, and was assigned
to the Light Brigade, General Stoneman commanding. The regiment was
engaged during the advance of the army up the Peninsula.

On June 26th six companies of the regiment met the advance of the
enemy, under Jackson, at Mechanicsville, and held it in check until three
o'clock in the afternoon, when their line was driven back to the infantrv lines.

The regiment did important duty, in the charge of base which followed
this action, at Gains' Hill, Dispatch Station and Malvern Hill, and, covering
the extreme rear of the army, continually skirmished with the enemy's cav-
alry. Remained on picket, on the James river, while the army lay at Harri-
son's Landing. Led the advance to the second occupation of Malvern Hills,
and, with Benson's Battery ( LTnited States Artillery), bore the brunt of the
fight — Lieutenant Colonel Gamble being severely wounded. Brought up the
rear of our retreating army to Barrett's Ford, on the Chickahominy.

On August 30, 1862, embarked at Yorktown, and landed at Alexandria
on September i, and moved immediately to the front. On the 4th, crossed
into Maryland, and was engaged at Poolsville. Captured the colors of the
Twelfth Virginia (rebel) Cavalry at Monocacy Church. Captured twenty
prisoners at Barnesville. Engaged at Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middletown and
South Mountain, and, at Boonesboro, captured two guns, killed and wounded
sixty-seven, and taking two hundred prisoners.

The Eighth Cavalry was engaged at the battle of Antietam.

On October i had a severe fight with the enemy, during a reconnoissance
to Martinsburg.

Moved in ad\'ance of the Army of the Potomac, and was engaged with
the enemy's cavalry at Philemonte, Uniontown, Upperville, Barbee's Cross
Roads, Little Washington and Amesville, arriving at Falmouth, November
23, 1862. During the battle of Fredericksburg. December 13, two squadrons
were in the city till its evacuation. The Eighth was on picket until February
17, 1863, on the left flank of the army, across the Peninsula and up the Rappa-
hannock, to Port Conway, when it was moved to the right flank, near Dum-
phries. Loss, up to this time, twenty-se\-en killed, seventy-one wounded and
twenty missing.

During the campaign of 1863. the regiment was engaged in the following
actions: Sulphur Springs. April 14: near Warrenton, April 17; Rapidan Sta-
tion, May I : Northern Neck, May 14: Borstly Ford, June 9; Upjierville. 21 ;

378 ~ KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Fairville, Pennsylvania. June 30 ; Gettysburg-. July 8 ; Williamsburg. Mary-
land, July 6; Boonsboro. July 8; Funktown, July 10; Falling Water, July 14;
Chester Gap, July 21; Sandy Hook, July 22; near Culpepper, August i;
Brandy Station, August 4; Raid from Dumphries to Falmouth, August 30;
Culpepper and Pony Mountain, September 13; Raccoon Ford, September
13; Liberty Mills, September 21; Raccoon Ford to Brandy Station, October
11; Manassas, October 15; Warrenton Junction. October 30; Rexleysville,
November 8; iMitchell's Station, November 12; Elv's Ford, November 30,
1863.

Loss, during the campaign, twenty-three killed, one hundred and sixteen
wounded, and thirty-seven missing.

The regiment was mustered out of 5er\ice at Benton Barrack's. ^Missouri,
July 17, 1865, and ordered to Chicago. Illinois, where it received final pay-
ment and discharge.

EIGHT CAVALRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)

Colonel.
John F. Farnsworth. St. Charles; promoted brigadier general December
5, 1862.

Major.
William G. Conklin, St. Charles: resigned January 8, 1862.

Battalion A J jit fonts.
Edmund Gifford, Elgin: resigned August i. 1862.
John Fifield, Blackberry: resigned January i, 1862.

Qiuirferinastcrs.
George G. Stevens, St. Charles; resigned January 25, 1862.
James F. Berry, St. Charles: resigned June 17, 1864.

Surgeon.
Abner Hard, Aurora; mustered out July 17. 1865.

First Assistant Surgeon.
Samuel K. Crawford, St. Charles; resigned June 6, 1863.

Second Assistant Surgeon.
Eugene Nelson, St. Charles; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Coinniissary.
Bradley L. Chamberlain. St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Battalion Oiiartertnasters.
James S. ^'anPatten, St. Charles: ]M"omoted regimental quartermaster.
Elon J . Farnsworth, St. Charles : transferred to Company K, as captain,
December 24. 1861.

Bradley L. Chamberlain, St. Charles : promoted regimental commissary.
Henry V. T. Huls. St. Charles: mustered out July 31. 1862.
Mark H. Bisby, St. Charles: mustered cut July 8, 1862.

NON-COMMISSIOXEn ST.\FF.

Qnarfennaster Sergeants.
Mark H. Bisby, St. Charles ; promoted battalion quartermaster.
Richard VanVlack, St. Ciiarles : promoted second lieutenant Company A.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 379

Henry V. T. Huls. St. Charles ; promoted battalion quartermaster.

CoDiiiiissary Sergeants.
Joseph B. Hull, St. Charles; discharged September lo, 1862.
George J. Johnson, Blackberry; discharged July i, 1862; disability.

Hospital Stcivards.
George A. Nichols, St. Charles; discharged March 9, 1862; disability.
Robert Sill, St. Charles; promoted adjutant.
Andrew J. Willing, St. Charles; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Veterinary Surgeons.
Lucius S. Kemp, St. Charles; discharged October 14, 1862.
George Corwin, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Color Sergeant.
John Ryan, St. Charles; transferred to Company A, as sergeant.

COMPANY A.

Captains.
William C. Conklin, St. Charles; promoted major.
Patrick G. Jennings, St. Charles; resigned January 10, 1862.

first Lieutenants.
Bryant Beach, St. Charles; resigned June 8, 1863.
Leonard Y. Smith, Kane county; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
Nelson L. Blanchard, St. Charles; resigned January 2y, 1862.
Leonard Y. Smith, Kane county ; promoted.
Benton Van Dyke, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

First Sergeant.
Charles Hoag, St. Charles; mustered out September 28, 1864, as private.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
Frank D. Beach, St. Charles; discharged August 16, 1862.

Sergeant.
Homer P. Haskins, St. Charles; died at New York May 16, 1862.

Corporals.
Henry ^IcKindly, St. Charles; deserted September 4, 1862.
Frank Woodruff, St. Charles ; died at ^Vashington, District of Columbia,
January 13. 1863.

Bugler.
Woodb'ry Underwood, St. Charles; discharged December 6, 1862;
disability.

Farrier.
John S. Johnson, Aurora; discharged November 13, 1862; disability.

Blacksmith.
John Lewis, St. Charles; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Wagoner.
Andrew Brown, St. Charles; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Privates.
Nelson P. Atwood, Kane county; discharged November 8. i8fii ;
disability.

380 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Mark H. Bisby, St. Charles; promoted battalion quartermaster sergeant.

Marble H. Baird, St. Charles; discharged March 6, 1862; disability.

Lorenzo Burges, St. Charles; discharged April 29, 1863; disability.

Joseph Boonville, St. Charles; Died at Alexandria, Virginia. February
22, 1862.

Thomas J. Brown, St. Charles; mustered out September 28. 1864, as
sergeant.

Albert Crandle, St. Charles; deserted July 16, 1863; second desertion.

John Carlin, St. Charles; discharged September 23, 1862.

Sylvester Cavanaugh, Virgil; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Michael Conley, St. Charles; died at Alexandria. \^irginia, February 6,
1862.

John Durant, St. Charles; discharged September 17. 1862; disability.

George Downey, Hampshire; discharged January 18, 1862.

Stephen Evens. St. Charles ; died at Washington, District of Columbia,
January i, 1863.

Peter Forrest, St. Charles; deserted June ■ — , 1862.

David H. Fillmore, Virgil; mustered out September 17, 1864.

Webster Fuller, St. Charles; discharged December 28, 1862.

Robert M. Gardner, Kane county; discharged March — , 1864.

H. V. T. Huls, St. Charles ; promoted battalion quartermaster sergeant.

Alonzo Hall. Batavia; reenlisted as veteran.

Alichael Hopkins, St. Charles; discharged December — . 1862; disability.

John Hathaway, Dundee; discharged April — , 1863; disability.

Edward Hilly, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry Hauxladen, St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

William R. Monroe, St. Charles; mustered out June 16. 1865.

Owen Monroe. St. Charles: discharged November 10, 1863.

Samuel McGonnel, St. Charles; killed at Upperville, Virginia; November
5, 1862.

Thomas O. !McCracken, St. Charles: discharged December 31, 1862;
disability.

Peter G. Miller, St. Charles: discharged August 15, 1862; disability.

Bernard Martin. St. Charles; mustered out September 28, 1864, as
corporal.

Charles H. Parks. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Plopper, Virgil; killed at Middletown, !Marvland. September 13,
1862.

Thomas Pindar, St. Charles; discharged March 3. 1863; disability.

Samuel Peterson. St. Charles : reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas Paine. St. Charles; discharged November 10, 1862; disability,

John Ryan, St. Charles; discharged in 1863. as sergeant; disabilitv.

William Riley. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

William W. Roberts, Aurora; discharged April 27, 1864; wounds.

Robert W. Sill, St. Charles ; promoted hospital steward.

James Shields, Hampshire; discharged June 23, 1863; disability.

David G. Smith, Virgil; mustered out September 28. 1864. as corporal.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 381

Peter C. Simmons, St. Charles; discharged Februar}- 5, 1863.

Frank P. Smith. \''irgil; discharged August 15. 1862.

Hanson M. Town, St. Charles : killed at Upperville, \^irginia, January
21, 1863.'

Charles W'anzer. Dundee ; died at Washington, District of Columbia,
January 10. 1863.

Arnold B. Wallace, A'irgil ; reenlisted as veteran.

Zirma Willard. St. Charles: discharged August 15, 1862; disability.

Vetera)is.

Peter Casper. St. Charles; mustered out July i/. 1865, as sergeant.

Nicholas Cossman. St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

John Durant, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

Alonzo Hall, Batavia ; commissioned commissary sergeant; absent; sick
at muster out of regiment.

Edward Hilly, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

Henry Hauxladen. St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Samuel Peterson, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

Charles H. Parks. St. Charles; mustered out June 2, 1805.

William Riley, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Joseph R. Shields, St. Charles; mustered out July 17. 1865, as sergeant.

Recruits.

John Carlin, St. Charles; veteran; mustered out July 17, 1865.

John Durand, Jr., St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

Andrew J. Ta3-lor. Dundee; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Henry C. Young. St. Charles: mustered out July 17. 1865. as corporal.

COMPANY B.

First Lieutenant.
H. Spencer Carr. Geneva; dismissed October 5. 1864.

Second Lieutenants.
S. Spencer Carr. Geneva ; promoted.
John Weed, Burlington: mustered out July 17, 1865.

Sergeant.
J. William Moody. Burlington; discharged January 16. 1862: disability.

Blacksmith.
George INIcGregor. Dundee ; reenlisted as veteran.

Wagoner.
O. D. Patten. St. Charles: discharged October 10. 1862.

Privates.
Ebenezer Bassett. Hampshire: mustered out September 28. 1864.
George H. Bell. Hampshire: reenlisted as veteran.
Benjamin F. Cutshaw. Burlington : reenlisted as veteran.
O. Chris Crawford. Dundee; discharged January 18, 1862; disability.
Hiram S. Dewitt. Hampshire: reenlisted as veteran.
C. A. Fassett. Hampshire : reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Ingols. Burlington ; died on the road to New York. ^lay 10. 1862.
James M. Maynanl. Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.
James F. Partlow. Burlington: discharged April 17. 1862: disability.

382 - KANE COUNTY HISTORY

George \V. Perry, Burlington; mustered out September 28, 1864.

John Pouge, Plato; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Reuben S. Pittenger, Burlington; discharged May 2, 1862; disability.

Alfred C. Patterson, Dundee; deserted August 20, 1862.

Robert L. Reeves, Burlington; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Dennis H. Remington, Hampshire ; reenlisted as veteran.

Veterans.

George P. Banner, Burlington; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

John Weed, Burlington; mustered out July 17, 1865. as first sergeant.

Recruits.

Frank B. Brown, Hampshire; transferred to \'. R. C. September i, 1863.

James C. Brown, Hampshire, mustered out September 28, 1864.

Cyrus H. Cronk, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.

John Congle, Hampshire; discharged April 17, 1862; disability.

Edward A. Douglas, Geneva; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Reed Davis, Burlington; mustered out June 22, 1865.

Aranthus Everetts, Burlington; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Martin A. Graves, Hampshire ; reenlisted as veteran.

Simeon P. Hatch, Burlington; mustered out July 17, 1865.

John McGregor, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran.

Calvin M. Partlow, Burlington; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Andrew H. Reynolds, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran. •

John W. Reeves, Burlington; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Joseph J. Reed, Burlington ; died at Washington, District of Columbia,
May 5, 1864.

Frederick Sheldon, St. Charles; deserted October 14. 1861.

John J. Weed, Burlington; reenlisted as veteran.

\Mlliam Weed. Burlington; luustered out September 28, 1864, as
corporal.

John D. Williams, St. Charles; nuistered out July 17, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Corporal.
George Voges, Geneva; discharged August 15, 1862; wounds.

Privates.
John George Dusold. Geneva; died January 10, 1863, of wounds received
at Funkstown, Maryland.

Conrad Gilg, Geneva; died at Alexandria. Mrginia, February — , 1862.
John Paul, St. Charles; transferred to Company M.
Antoine Plank. St. Charles ; reenlisted as veteran.
John Smidt, Batavia; deserted from hospital.
Jacob Wagner, Batavia ; deserted from hospital .

Recruit.
William Meyer, Elgin; mustered out July 17, 1865.

COMPANY E.

Privates.
Thomas Bently. Virgil ; discharged.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 383

John L. Brown, Batavia ; killed at Barber's Cross Roads. \'irginia,
November 5, 1862.

Frank Gooder, \'irgil ; mustered out September 28, 1864.

James H. McConnell, St. Charles; discharged December 22, 1862;
disability.

William F. Yeoman, \^irgil; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Recruits.

James Kellum, Geneva; mustered (mt July 17, 1865.

Georgre A. \Miitaker, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY G.

Private.
B. L. Chamberlain, St. Charles; promoted battalion quartermaster.

COMPANY H.

Captains.
Rufus M. Hooker, St. Charles; died August i, 1862.
John M. Southworth, St. Charles: resigned August 18, 1862.

First Lieutenant.
Charles Harrison, St. Charles; resigned May 22, 1862.

Second Lieutenant.
John M. Southworth. St. Charles ; promoted.

Recruits.
Justus M. Neal, Geneva; mustered out July 17, 1865.
Walter L. Sprague. Geneva ; died at Andersonville prison August 2, 1864 ;
^ave four thousand five hundred arid ninety-eight.

COMPANY I.

Captains.
Hiram L. Rapelge. Kaneville; resigned August 29, 1862.
A. Levi Wells. Kaneville: mustered out September 18, 1864.
Francis M. Gregory, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865.

first Lieutenants.
A. Levi Wells, Kaneville: promoted.
Azer W. Howard, Kaneville: resigned April 11, 1864.
Francis M. Gregory. Kaneville, promoted.
Aaron W. Chase. Blackberry: mustered out July 17. 1865.

Second Lieutenants.
John Cool, Hampshire; resigned September i, 1862.
Francis M. Gregory. Kaneville, promoted.
Aaron W. Chase. Blackberry, promoted.

First Sergeant.
John C. Fifield. Blackberry: promoted adjutant Third Battalion.

Sergeants.
Noble D. Frary, Blackberry; private; discharged for disability April 17,
1862.

Azer W. Howard, Kaneville: promoted first lieutenant.
George Cook, Campton ; reenlisted as veteran.

Lawrence J. Wheeler, Elgin; mustered out September 28, 1864, as
private.

384 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Corporals.

John W. Swain, Blackberry; discharged August i6, 1862; disability.

A. L. Wells, Kaneville ; promoted first sergeant, then first lieutenant.

Hiram D. Rudd, Kaneville: discharged October 27, 1862; disability.

Earlon G. Edgar, Batavia: discharged April 2t,. 1862: disability.

Thomas H. Tracy, Blackberry: discharged August 12, 1862; disability.

Zaccheus Hays. Blackberry: mustered out September 28, 1864, as first
sergeant.

William G. Miner. Kaneville; discharged February 28. 1863. as sergeant;
disability.

Privates.

Andrew Anderson, Blackberry: discharged January 2, 1864; disability.

Zopher H. Adams, Elgin; discharged August 12. 1862; disability.

John R. Akers, Blackberry; discharged November 13. 1862; disability.

John Akin, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Oscar Bowdish, Blackberry: mustered out September 28, 1864, as
corporal.

Charles Brash, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Philander W. Bemis, Blackberry: promoted sergeant major.

Porter S. Bowdish, Blackberry; discharged March 7, 1863; disability

James A. Bell, Kaneville ; sergeant ; died at Washington, District of
Columbia, October 6, 1862.

William Boots, Hampshire; reenlisted as veteran.

Sydney Bradford, Elgin ; reenlisted as \eteran.

Aaron W. Chase, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Lemuel M. Chase, Blackberry: reenlisted as veteran.

James Cossleman, Aurora; discharged April 17, 1862, as bugler;
disability.

Albert Cool, Hampshire; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Dwight E. Cornwall, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Doren Carver, Burlington; reenlisted as veteran.

Alexander Frazer, Burlington; transferred to Company B.

Reuben Fellows, Blackberry: mustered out September 28, 1864, as
sergeant.

Appollos S. Fuller, Blackberry: mustered out September 28, 1864, as
corporal.

■ Martin A. Graves, Burlington ; transferred to Company B.

Oscar L. Gardner, Blackberry; mustered out September 28, 1864.

Francis M. Gregory, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

John J. Gosper, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Davis Gillott. Batavia; discharged April 17, 1862; disability.

Jacob Hepyle, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Roswell Humphrey, Hampshire: reenlisted as veteran.

Alfred Johnson, Blackberry; discharged March 9, 1862; disability.

Augustus Johnson, Blackberry: reenlisted as veteran.

John W, Johnson, Blackberry; died at Alexandria. \'irginia, February
23, 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 385

George J. Johnson, Blackberry ; promoted regimental commissary sergeant.

Charles H. Kidder, Batavia ; reenlisted as veteran.

George Kimball, Hampsliire; discharged April 5, 1863; disability.

Charles B. Kendall, Blackberry ; promoted hospital steward.

John G. Kribbs. Elgin; discharged November 18, 1803. for promotion in
colored regiment.

Morris Law, Blackberry; discharged January 14, 1863; disability.

David McGuire, Batavia; mustered out September 28, 1864.

William McNair, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Alexander JNIcMillan, Campton; discharged February 18, 1863; disability.

George C. Mathuzen, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

William ]\Iarshall, Hampshire; mustered out September 28, 1864.

William ^Moulding, Blackberry; transferred to Company K.

Joseph Pifer, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

George W. Page, Blackberry; discharged for disability.

Charles E. Ross, Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

David M. Rogers, Blackberry; died at Harrison's Landing, Virginia,
August 4, 1862.

Thomas S. Rich, Hampshire ; transferred to invalid corps.

Melvin E. Robinson, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

James Sherburn, Rutland; discharged March 8, 1862; disability.

Francis R. Stanton, Dundee; mustered out July 21, 1865; prisoner of
war.

James A. Soule, Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

N. F. Tinkham, Kaneville; discharged May 25, 1862; disability.

John AL Williams, Blackberry; mustered out September 28, 1864, as
sergeant.

Harvey S. White, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry H. Walker, Kaneville; reenlisted as veteran.

Hiram M. Woodard, Kaneville; discharged August 12, 1862; disability.

Isaac Witherick. Blackberry; discharged October 13, 1863; disability.

Veterans.

John Akin, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Charles Brash, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

Sidney Bradford, Elgin; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

William Boots, Hampshire; mustered out July 17, 1865.

George Cook, Campton; mustered out February 9, 1866, to date August
3, 1864, for promotion in colored regiment.

Loren Carver, Burlington; mustered out July 17, 1865, as tirst sergeant.

Aaron Chase, Blackberry; promoted sergeant, then second lieutenant.

Lemuel Chase, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

Dwight E. Cornwell, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

Norris A. Fink, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

Francis M. Gregory, Kaneville ; promoted sergeant then second lieutenant.

John J. Gosper. Kaneville ; discharged for promotion in colored regiment.

Roswell Humphrey, Hampshire; mustered out July 17, 1865, as sergeant.

Jacob Helpyle, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865.

386 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Augustus Jol:ns(jn. Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 18(15.
Charles H. Kidder. Batavia; mustered out July 17, 1865.
George C. Mathewson, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865. as
sergeant.

Arterus AlcCollum, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

William McXair, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Joseph Pifer. Blackberry; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Melvin E. Robinson, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.

Charles E. Ross, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865.

James Soule, Kaneville'; promoted regimental commissary sergeant.

Harvey S. White, Blackberry; discharged Alay 27, 1865, as first sergeant.

Henry H. \\'alker, Kaneville; mustered out July 17. 1865. as sergeant.

Recruits.
George Corwin, Batavia : promoted regimental commissary sergeant.
William Duff, Rutland; mustered out July 17, 1865.
Robert Duff, Rutland; discharged August 8, 1864: disability.
Xorris A. Fink, Kaneville ; reenlisted as veteran.

Benjamin Garfield, Blackberry; mustered out July 17, 1865, as corporal.
Thomas Lovell, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865.
Frank E. Ross. Kaneville; discharged July 29, 1862.
James Sherburne, St. Charles; veteran; mustered out July 17, 1865.
Hiram M. Woodward, Kaneville; mustered out July 17, 1865. as corporal.
Lowell ^I. W'oodard, Kaneville: mustered out July 17, 1865, as bugler.

COMPANY K.

Capfaifi.
Eben J. Farnsworth, St. Charles ; promoted brigadier general June 28,
1863; killed July 3, 1863.

Privates.
Andrew Ducat. Aurora; discharged March 8. 1862; disability.
William R. Moulding. Blackberry; discharged March 9. 1862; disability.

Recruit.
Frank Mighell. Sugar Grove; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY L.

First Lieutenant.
Judson A. Stevens, Geneva; mustered out September 18. 1864. as second
lieutenant.

Second Lieutenant.
Judson A. Stevens, Geneva ; promoted.

Veterans.
William Xourse, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.
Henry Sheldon. St. Charles; mustered out July 17. 1865.

Recruit.
Edward Murphy. St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY M.

Second Lieutenant.
Ralph B. Swarthout, St. Charles: mustered out July 17. 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 387

Private.
Ralph B. Swarthout, St. Charles; reenlisted as veteran.

Recruits.
John Paul, St. Charles; discharged November 24, 1862; disability.
Danfred D. Searls, St. Charles; mustered out July 17, 1865.

Uiiassigiicd Recruits.
John B. Duff, Rutland.
Boyd A. Wadhams, St. Charles.

NINTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

NON-COM MISSIONED STAFF.

Commissary Sergeant.
William E. Walker, Dundee; reenlisted as veteran, and mustered out
October 31, 1865.

COMPANY G.

Recruits.
William H. H. Russell, Sugar Grove; mustered out October 31, 1865.
John R. Renwick, Elgin: mustered out August 28, 1865.

COMPANY H.

Recruits.
Herman Casteal, Aurora; deserted Julv 24, 1865.
Alfred R. Stolp, Aurora; discharged February i, 1862; disability.

COMPANY I.

Recruit.
William Chrystal, Virgil; mustered out October 31, 1865.

COMPANY L.

Recruits.
Edw^ard Brown, Virgil; mustered out October 31, 1865.
Henry Hoyt, Virgil; mustered out October 31, 1865.

TENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY D.

Corporal.
Charles L. King, St. Charles ; reenlisted as veteran.

TENTH ( REORGANIZED) CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

Major.
George A. Willis, Aurora; mustered out November 22, 1865.

COMPANY K.

Captain.
William Duncan. Plato; mustered out July 15, 1865.

First Lieutenants.
Charles M. Harvey, Elgin; mustered out December 16, 1864.
John A. McQueen, Plato: resigned June 20, 1865: second lieutenant.

388 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Second Lieutenant.
John A. McQueen, Plato; promoted major. ^

COMPANY L.

Captain.
Albert Collins, Aurora; resigned June 28, 1865.

COMPANY M.

Captain.
Daniel Dynan, Aurora; mustered out November 22, 1865.

First Lieutenant.
Jerome B. Marlett, Aurora; mustered out November 22, 1865.

Second Lieutetiant.
George Gunter, Sugar Grove; mustered out November 22, 1865.

ELEVENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY K.

Corporal.
Ebenezer F. Weeman, Burlington ; reenlisted as veteran.

TWELFTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY E.

Recruit.
Melbourn Kipp, Clintonville. ^^

^^ COMPANY H^.

Captain.
Franklin T. Gilbert, Clintonville; transferred to Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry.

First Licuteimnt.
Charles O. Connell, Clintonville; transferred to Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry.

Second Lieutenant.
Theodore G. Knox, Elgin; transferred to Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry.

Unassigncd Recruits.
John Banks, Blackberry.

Timothy Donovan, Elgin; transferred to Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry.
Jacob Miller, Rutland.
Marshall B. Shenvin, Batavia ; transferred to Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry.

THIRTEENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY H.

Captain.
Robert H. Fleming. Aurora; resigned January 10, 1863.

•This company was originally attached to the Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. Assig:ned to Company H, Twelfth
Illiaols Cavalry, and subsequently assigned to Company G, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry.

WEST ELGIN ABOUT 1860, LOOKING NORTHWARD FRO:\I THE

BRIDGE.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 391

Sergeant.
Irving B. Fleming, Aurora; died, Aurora, Illinois, January 7, 1862.

Corporals.
Thomas B. Whitford, Aurora; discharged.
Calvin Hubbard, Aurora.
Timothy Maloney, Aurora; deserted June 20, 1862.

Privates.
John R. Adair, Aurora; discharged June 22, 1862; disability.
James Brennan, Aurora ; discharged.

William Bird, Aurora ; appears on original roll of Company G.
John Burns, Aurora; died at Reeves Station, Missouri, April 24, 1862.
James Conway, Aurora; transferred to Twenty-third Illinois Infantry.
John Coats, Aurora ; discharged for disability.

George Kennedy, Aurora ; transferred to Company A, as consolidated.
James Caliill, Aurora; transferred to Company A, as consolidated.
Alexander Kinkade, Aurora.

Martin Myers, Aurora ; transferred to Company A, as consolidated.
William B. Mattock, Aurora.

Orrin Mimner, Aurora; discharged March 9, 1862; disability.
Adam Putnam, Aurora.
Charles Phillips, Aurora.

Thomas H. Ruby, Aurora; discharged March 9, 1862; disability.
Peter Shields, Aurora; deserted September — , 1862.

Recrttits.
Charles Bailey, Aurora.
William Coan, Aurora.
William Eddlegeorge, Aurora; discharged in 1862; disability.

FOURTEENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY B.

Recruits.
Joseph Kemp, Aurora; mustered out July 31, 1865.
Henry Luck, Aurora; mustered out July 31, 1865.
Michael Peters, Aurora; mustered out July 31, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Privates.
Charles Austin, Elgin ; reclaimed by Ninth Vermont Infantry.
Charles B. George, Elgin ; reclaimed by Ninth Vermont Infantry.
Thomas E. Steady, Elgin ; reclaimed by Ninth Vermont Infantry.

COMPANY I.

Private.
-Alexander Carmichael. Elgin; mustered out May 20, 1865.

HISTORY OF FIFTEENTH CAVALRY.

The companies that composed the Fifteenth Cavalry Regiment were
independent companies attached to infantry regiments, and acted as such.

392 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Aloved with the army from Cairo in the spring of 1S62, up the Tennessee
river to Fort Henry. Disembarked and was moving to the rear, when the
Fort was evacuated by the rebels; took possession, but remained there a few
days only.

Moved, under command of General Grant, to Fort Donelson. Fort
surrendered after a siege of three days. Moved with the fleet up Tennessee
river to Pittsburg Landing. Participated in the Shiloh battle, April 6 and 7,
1862.

Moved with the army in the siege of Corinth. Fort evacuated about
May I, 1862. Ordered from there to Jackson, Tennessee. There and then
oreanized into Stewart's Battalion, commanded bv Colonel Conrine.

Moved in the month of November to Corinth, Miss.

In the spring of 1863, organized the Fifteenth Regiment. George A.
Bacon was appointed colonel. F. T. Gilbert, lieutenant colonel. We were
under command of General G. 'M. Dodge. Scouted through the states of
Mississippi. Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, till October, 1863; moved
by way of Memphis. Remained three weeks under command of General Hurl-
but, thence to Helena, Arkansas, arriving about the month of November, 1863.

Then, under command of General Buford of Illinois, did post duty and
long service scouting through Arkansas and Mississippi.

August 10, 1864, ordered to Springfield, Illinois, to be discharged. By
expiration of term of service, mustered out August 25, 1864.

The reciTjits who were enlisted in 1862, were consolidated with the
Tenth Illinois Cavalry. Gloved to San Antonio, Texas, and mustered out of
service.

HISTORY OF COMPANY I, FIFTEENTH CAVALRY.

This company was organized at Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, Aug^ist 2.
1861, by Captain Albert Jenks, and was mustered in September 23 as cavalry,
attached to Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers.

On September 24 moved from camp, and reported to the regiment at
Rolla, ^Missouri. On December 31 reported to Colonel Carr. commanding
Third Illinois Cavalry, and moved to Bennett's Mills. On February 10, 1862,
moved to Osage Springs, Missouri, arriving there on the 20th. March 2
moved, with Sigel's division, to near Bentonville, losing four men. taken
prisoners. A\^as engaged March 7 and 8 at Pea Ridge.

Moved, with the army to Salem. May i ordered to White river.
Returned to Batesville on the 9th. A\'as engaged in the movements of
Asboth's division, and arrived at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, ilay 24. Moved
to Hamburg Landing, Tennessee, ^^'as escort for General Rosecrans at battle
of Corinth, October 3 and 4.

December 25, 1862, was assigned to the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. On
June 9. 1863, moved to ^Memphis, May 20 landed at Chickasaw Bayou, and
was engaged in the operations against ^'icksburg, with the regiment. August
17 moved to Carrollton, Louisiana. September 3 moved with Fourth
Division. Thirteenth Army Corps, to ^lorganzia, Louisiana, and was engaged

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 393

in the campaign, General Herron commanding. October lo returned to Car-
rollton. 15th moved to Brasher, Louisiana, and on the 17th to Xew Iberia,
Louisiana. Was engaged in scouting, and various expeditions, reporting to
Brigadier General A. L. Lee, as escort, January 5, 1864.

On February 11 the company moved for IlHnois, for veteran furlough,
and on the 26th, the men were furloughed at Chicago, Illinois.

COMPANY K.

First Lieutenant.
Llewellyn B. Brown, Elgin; resigned March 7, 1865.

Farrier.
Alonzo H. Sanborn, St. Charles; promoted veterinary surgeon.

COMPANY L.

Privates.
James Bancroft. St. Charles; discharged June 7, 1865, as sergeant;
disability.

Sidney R. Powers, Elgin; deserted January 12, 1863.
James H. Sterling, St. Charles; mustered out July 31, 1865.

FIFTEENTH CA\ALRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years" Service.)

Majcr.
Samuel B. Sherer, Aurora; mustered uut August 25, 1864.

COMPANY E.

Private.
Walter R. Carr, Elgin.

COMPANY F.

Captain.

Albert Collins, Aurora; see regiment, as consolidated.

Privates.

Charles Beck. Aurora; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

John W. Byers; died at Helena, Arkansas, October 3, 1864.

William Johnson, Aurora; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles A. Moffit. Aurora; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William J. Prentice, Aurora; discharged, October 28, 1864; disability.

COMPANY G.*

Captains.
Franklin T. Gilbert, Clintonville; promoted major.
Charles O. Connell, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

First Lieutenants.
Charles O. Connell, Clintonville; promoted.
Theodore G. Knox, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

T u'.u Q'''>^'"=>"y attached to Fifty-second Resiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Assigned as Comoany H
T^yelftll Cavalry, and subsequently assigned as Company G. Fifteenth Cavalry. December 25. 1862

394 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Second Licitfciuiiits.
V Theodore G. Knox, Elgin; promoted.

Nelson Dedrick, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Sergeants.

Nelson Dedrick, Clintonville; promoted first sergeant, then second
lieutenant.

Morris J. Corron, Clintonville; discharged March 4. 1862, as private.

Corporals.

John Murdock, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864, as sergeant.

Charles R. Brown, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Jasper Baker, Clintonville; discharged June 7, 1862.

Elias C. Howard, St. Charles; discharged June 27, 1862.

Priz'afcs.

William B. Buck, Clintonville; discharged June 23, 1862.

Abram Barden, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864, as blacksmith.

Benjamin F. Brown, Clintonville; discharged April 9, 1862.

Llewellyn D. Brown, Clintonville ; captured and paroled ; promoted first
lieutenant, Company K, Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry.

Sereno Bridge, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864.

John B. Conklin, Hampshire; died at St. Louis February 18, 1862.

Darwin Davis, Clintonville; discharged ^lay 3, 1862.

James Dewell, Clintonville; discharged June 23, 1862.

William Dewell, Clintonville; discharged June 7, 1862.

Freeman Elliott, Campton ; mustered out October 31, 1864, as sergeant.

Clement Gearhart, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Francis Glenn. Diuidee; died at Helena, Arkansas, October 24, 1863.

Ole Hanson, Batavia ; mustered out October 31, 1864, as corporal.

William E. Hill, Elgin; mustered out October 31, 1864, as corporal.

Orson Hotchkiss, Aurora; discharged October 14, 1862, as corporal.

Elijah B. Ketchum, Aurora; discharged June 7, 1862, as corporal.

Noah Kipp, Chntonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

John E. Lowe, Clintonville; discharged May 3, 1862.

Richard H. Lampson. Campton; discharged June 23, 1864, as corporal.

John Morley, Elgin; wounded July 7, 1863; left in hospital at Corinth,
Mississippi, July 8, 1863.

Norman D. Perry, Clinton\-ille; discharged June 23, 1862.

Charles B. Prindle. Clintonville ; corpora! ; died at Helena. Arkansas,
December 3, 1863.

Hiram Peterson, Clintonville; discharged March 4, 1862.

Kitridge Putnam, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Grove Rose, Clintonville; mustered out October 31, 1864.

Alonzo H. Sanborn, St. Charles; discharged May 3, 1862, as farrier.

Frederick Sheldon. St. Charles ; bugler ; discharged.

Daniel Townsend, Elgin; saddler; transferred to Company L

William TuUock, Geneva; discharged April 8, 1862.

Oren C. Webster, St. Charles; deserted November 10, 1861.

Wallace W. Young. Elgin ; discharged December 10. 1862.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 395

Recruits.

Richard D. Alarlett, Aurora ; transferred from Company H, Fifty-second
Illinois Infantry; discharged June lo, 1864.

Thomas Ponsley, St. Charles; transferred to Company G, Fifty-second
Illinois Infantry.

COMPANY H*.

Captains.
Christian B. Dodson, Geneva; resigned, August 10, 1862.
William C. Wilder, Geneva; resigned February 13, 1863.
Thomas J. Beebe, Geneva; mustered out August 13, 1864.

First Lieutenants.
William C. Wilder, Geneva; promoted.
Thomas J. Beebe, Geneva ; promoted.
Ebenezer C. Litherland, Burlington ; mustered out at consolidation.

Second Lieutenants.
John C. Bundy, St. Charles; promoted lieutenant colonel in Arkansas
regiment.

Ebenezer C. Litherland. Burlington; promoted.

First Sergeant.
Horatio G. Lumbard. St. Charles; discharged February 17, 1862, for
promotion as adjutant in Eighth Illinois Cavalry.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
Charles Herrington, Geneva; deserted October 5, 1862.

Sergeants.
Thomas Beebe, Geneva ; promoted first lieutenant.
William Burman. Geneva; discharged January 10, 1862; disability.
Thomas C. Brown, Burlington ; promoted first sergeant.

Corporals.
Charles M. Green, Gene\'a; discharged No\-ember 26, 1863, for promotion
to first lieutenant. Thirteenth Arkansas Cavalry.

Henry B. Hazlehurst, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.
John Fisher, Campton; mustered out August 31, 1864.
John Fox. Blackberry; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Privates.
John Akin, Blackberry; deserted August 10, 1861.
John Beebe, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.
Ephraim Blockman, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.
Charles H. Bunker, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.
Rudolph C. Bowers, St. Charles; discharged April 13. 1862.
Abial S. Brown, Batavia; discharged August 30, 1861 ; disability.
James Beebe. Geneva; discharged Feliruary 19, 1863; disability.
F. B. Beach. St. Charles; discharged August 24, 1861 ; wounds.
Thomas Calleghan, Blackberry; discharged May 18, 1863; disability.
Frank A. Clark, Geneva; discharged September 4, 1863, for promotion
to Lieutenant First Mississippi Colored Infantry.

* This Company was formerly known as Kniie County Cavalry Subsequently assigned as Company H
Fifteenth Cayalry \'oliinteers.

396 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Marshall Clark, Geneva; discharged January lo, 1862; old age.

Hollis Clark. Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Robert G. Curtis, Geneva; discharged May 4, 1864, for promotion as
lieutenant. First Mississippi Colored Infantry.

David Caruthers, Kane county; mustered out August 31, 1864.

William B. Gary, Blackberry; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Edward Durant, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.

John W. Edwards, Blackberry; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Barney F. Freeman, Blackberry; corporal; died at Benton Barracks,
October 18, 1861.

Richard Flower, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

George E. Gilman, Campton; discharged February 23, 1864; disability.

Chester German, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Augustus Gustoson, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864, as corporal.

Alfred Herrington, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Thaddeus Herrington, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

John B. Herndon, A'irgil; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Wallace Hickox, Virgil; discharged April 10, 1864, for promotion as
second lieutenant, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry.

Frank H. Harris, Virgil; discharged November 16, 1861 ; disability.

George H. Hall, Blackberry; mustered out August 31, 1864.

J. M. Haskins, Blackberry; discharged February 13, 1863; disability.

William Hinch, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Allen Hickerson, Burlington; reenlisted as veteran.

James O. Haile, St. Charles; corporal; died at Young's Point, Louisiana,
March 24, 1863.

William K. Kennear, Campton ; died at Benton Barracks December 4.
1861.

Dennis Lucy, Geneva; discharged May 18, 1863; disability.

F. J. Minneum. St. Charles; discharged August 19, 1861 ; disability.

John Noble. St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864, as sergeant.

Charles R. Palmer, Burlington; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Andrew J. Pease, Burlington ; drowned at Batesville, Arkansas, May 29,
1862.

Thomas B. Reeves, Burlington; discharged July 3, 1862.

Jamed Rodley, Blackberry: discharged October 7, 1861 ; disability.

Charles Stewart, Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

William F. Stewart, Batavia; discharged January 14, 1863.

W'illiam Story. Geneva; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Fayette Smith, Burlington; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Albert B. Town, Blackberr\-; discharged October 12, 1861 ; disability.

James E. Tracy. Blackberry; discharged November 17, 1861 ; disability.

William H. H. Thompson, St. Charles; deserted at St. Louis, Missouri,
March 15, 1862.

Fayette Thompson. St. Charles.

William H. Tilton. Geneva; mustered out August 31. 1861.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 397

Jerome Wilson, Geneva; deserted October i6, 1862.

Thomas G. Wills, Virgil; discharged November 11, 1862; disability.

Thomas W. West, Geneva; mustered out August 29, 1864.

E. F. Wicks, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Andrew Wallan, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

Orlando W'ood, Blackberry; discharged November 11, 1862; disability.

Benjamin Wells, St. Charles; mustered out August 31, 1864.

Thomas P. Young, St. Charles; discharged November 8, 1861.

Veterans.

Allen B. . Hickerson, Geneva ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles C. Rinehart, Geneva; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Andrew Wallen, Geneva ; corporal ; transferred to Company L, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Recruits.

Willard B. Allen, Hampshire; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illi-
nois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Henry J. Allen, Hampshire; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Frank Broadbent, Geneva ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

James E. Beebe, Geneva ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William S. Coon, Hampshire; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

John Haynes, Hampshire ; \-eteran recruit ; transferred to Company L,
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

John R. Hight, Hampshire; veteran recruit; transferred to Company L,
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

John H. Haley, Hampshire ; veteran recruit ; transferred to Company L,
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Joseph R. Jarvis, Hampshire ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William Mackey, Hampshire ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles W. Maude, Hampshire ; corporal ; veteran recruit ; transferred
to Company L, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Julius H. Norton, Elgin : transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

George A. Thompson, Geneva ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illi-
nois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Abraham Updike. Geneva ; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Albert Wattenpaugh. Plato; transferred to Company L, Tenth Illinois
Cavalrv, as consolidated.

398 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY I.*

Captaiu^-.
Albert Jenks, Aurora; promoted lieutenant colonel. Thirty-sixth Illinois
ment.
George A. Wills, Aurora; see regiment, as consolidated.

First Lieutenants.
Samuel B. Sherer, Aurora; promoted to Company K.
George A. Willis, Aurora ; promoted.
Azariah C. Ferrie, Aurora; resigned October ii, 1864.
Daniel Dynan, Aurora; see regiment, as consolidated.

Second Lieutenants.
Azariah C. Ferrie, Aurora; promoted.
George A. Willis, Aurora; promoted.
Albert Collins, Aurora; promoted captain. Company F.
Daniel Dynan, Aurora; promoted.
Jerome B. Marlett, Aurora; see regiment, as consolidated.

Company Quartcrnwster Sergeant.
Francis E. Reynolds, Aurora; promoted first lieutenant. Company K.

Sergeants.
Fletcher J. Snow, Aurora ; detached at muster out of regiment.
James J. Johnson, Aurora; promoted major. First Arkansas Cavalry.
Fred Otis W'hite, Sugar Grove; discharged November 4, 1863.

Corporals.
George Stewart, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864, as private.
Jerome B. Marlett, Aurora; paroled prisoner; reenlisted as veteran.
Henra B. Douglas, Aurora ; captured at Holly Springs ; paroled.
David Hill, Jr., Aurora: died March 19, 1864. while prisoner of war.
Isaac Rice, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Farrier.
George A. Carson, Aurora; deserted April 10. 1863.

Saddler.
James J. Hume, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Privates.
James Allen, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864.
Charles Angell, Aurora; sent to hospital October 26, 1862; supposed
discharged; reported deserter.

Smith D. Avery, Aurora; died at Rolla, Missouri, January i, 1862.

Henry Beebe, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864.

John Beebe, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Irwin M. Benton, Aurora ; reenlisted as \eteran.

Joseph Burley, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864; was prisoner.

Hope S. Chapin, Aurora; discharged December 10, 1861 ; disability.

Joseph Carle. Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

* This Company was formerlj' attached to the Thirty-sixth KeBinient, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
known as Company ".A" Drasroans. subsequentlv a^isiirned as Conipanv '"I," Fifteenth Regiment, Illinois Volun-
teer Cavalry.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 399

Samuel W. Clark, Aurora; discharged February 7, 1862; disability.
Charles O. Dorr, Sugar Grove ; reenlisted as veteran.
Edward F. Dorr, Sugar Grove ; died at Sugar Grove, Illinois, September
29, 1861.

George L. Dorr, Sugar Grove ; reenlisted as veteran.

Henry C. Davis, Aurora; died.

John W. Everts, Aurora.

George Gunter, Sugar Grove ; reenlisted as veteran.

Martin Glen, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran,

Robert Haschel, Aurora; died at New Orleans November 13, 1863.

Gilbert Heath, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Chancey Hollenback, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864, as corporal.

Jesse Hollenback, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Nicholas Hittinger, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran; paroled prisoner.

Joseph Ingham, Ain"ora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Ira Jacobs, Sugar Grove ; reenlisted as veteran.

Oliver H. Judd, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

James j\I. Kennedy, Aurora; mustered out August 24, 1864.

Richard Larkin, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran ; paroled prisoner.

Truman Lillie, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Christian Logan, Aurora; died at Rolla, Missouri, October 7, 1861.

Joseph R. Loomis, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

George H. McCabe. Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Joseph F. McCrosky, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

James McMulIen, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

George W. Moon, Aurora; discharged December 10, 1861 ; disability,

Andrew Nortrip, Aurora; discharged January 26, 1863.

Elias Nortrip, Aurora; discharged January 21, 1862.

Eugene Newell, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles H. Oderkirke, Aurora; discharged November 28, 1862; disability.

John A. Radley, Aurora; discharged August 14, 1862.

Caleb B. Bears, Montgomery; deserted May 19, 1863.

Thomas B. Robinson, Montgomery ; reenlisted as veteran.

Orrin Squires, Montgomery; discharged April 9, 1863; wounds.

Thomas J. Slosson, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Cassius P. Snook, Batavia; discharged July 24, 1862; disability.

Abijah Tarble, Aurora; discharged December 10, 1861 ; disability.

Eleazer Todd, Sugar Grove ; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Weaver, Aurora ; reenlisted as veteran.

Orrin Z. Whitford, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Darius D. Williams, Sugar Grove; reenlisted as veteran.

VETER.^NS.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
Joseph Ingham. Aurora; discharged October 15, 1864.

Sergeant.
Jerome B. Marlett, Aurora ; promoted second lieutenant.

400 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Corporals.

Isaac Rice, Aurora; first sergeant; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

George Gunter, Sugar Grove; quartermaster sergeant; transferred to
Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles O. Dorr, Sugar Grove ; commissary sergeant ; transferred to
Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Privates.

Erwin H. Benton, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

John Beebe, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

John Carl, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Joseph Carl, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

George L. Dorr, Sugar Grove ; corporal ; transferred to Company M,
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Martin Glen, Aurora; corporal; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Gilbert Heath, Aurora : transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Nicholas Hettenger, Aurora; transferred to Company ^I, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Jesse Hollenbrock, Aurora; corporal; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Ira Jacobs, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Oliver H. Judd. Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Truman Lillie, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Joseph R, Loomis, Aurora.

Richard Larkin, Elgin; corporal; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

James McMullen, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

George H. McCabe, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalr}-, as consolidated.

Joseph F. McCrosky, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Eugene Newell, Aurora; sergeant; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Thomas B. Robinson. Montgomery; transferred to Company M. Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Thomas J. Slossen, Aurora : transferred to Company M. Tenth Illinois
Cavalrv, as consolidated.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 401

Eleazer Todd, Sugar Grove; sergeant; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles Weaver, Sugar Grove ; transferred to Company AI, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Orrin Z. Whitford, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Darius D. Williams, Sugar Grove; transferred to Company M, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Recruits.

John Carl, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

John Cooper, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

O. Burdette Dewey, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Stephen V. or C. Estee, Aurora; corporal; transferred to Company M,
Tenth Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

William Ellis, Aurora ; deserted.

Mark D. Flowers, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles T. Finley, Aurora; transferred to Company M. Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Frankley Fox, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Frank H. Goodwin, Aurora; died Memphis March 14, 1863.

John C. Goodwin, Aurora; paroled prisoner; died at New Orleans April
23, 1864; wounds.

James R. Gillette. Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William D. Kawkins, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William M. Howell, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Horace A. Miller, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Richard M. Northam, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Isaac S. Oliver. Aurora; never joined; died at Camp Butler April i, 1864.

Benjamin F. Persons, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Thomas Robinson, Aurora ; transferred to Company IM. Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

John Schoolcraft, Aurora ; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Edwin Scrafford, Aurora ; transferred to Company M. Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Lucien F. Town, Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Illinois
Cavalrv, as consolidated.

402 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Thomas F. W'liite. Aurora; transferred to Company M, Tenth Ilhnois
Cavalry, as consoHdated.

James S. \\'ood, Aurora; transferred to Company M. Tentli Ilhnois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Andrew Yeldham, Aurora; died at Memphis September 25, 1864.

COMPANY K.*

Captains.
Henry A. Smith. Burlington : cashiered.
Samuel B. Sherer, Aurora ; promoted major.
Francis E. Reynolds, Aurora; resigned February 28. 1864.
William Duncan, Plato; see regiment as consolidated.

First Lieutenants.
Samuel Chapman, Plato; resigned April i, 1862.
Francis E. Reynolds, Aurora; promoted.
Charles '\l. Har\-ey, Elgin; see regiment as consolidated.

Second Lieutenants.
John S. Durand, Plato; resigned March 28, 1862.
Henry C. Padelford, Elgin; resigned July 14, 1862.
Edward M. Barnard, Elgin; resigned January 23, 1863.
Charles M. Harvey, Elgin; promoted.
John A. McQueen, Plato; see regiment as consolidated.

First Sergeant.
Edward M. Barnard. Elgin ; promoted second lieutenant.

Sergeants.
Henry C. Padelford, Elgin ; promoted second lieutenant.
Vernon O. Wilcox, Plato : transferred to A'eteran Reserve Corps April
— 1863.

George W. Archer, Plato; discharged September 23. 1864.
John W. Davis, Burlington; discharged April ig, 1863; wounds.

Corporals.
John McQueen. Plato: reenlisted as veteran.

Henry \\'eightman. Burlington; discharged July — , 1862; disability.
Henry C. Scott. Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.
William Duncan, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.
Eugene M. Griggs, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.
John Baker, Plato; killed near Atlanta, Georgia. July 24. 1864.
Rue Schuyler. Jr.. Plato; sergeant: discharged September 23. 1864.

Bugler.
Wallace S. Clark. St. Charles : reenlisted as veteran.

Farrier.
John M. Padelford, Elgin; discharged February 6, 1862; disability.

Blacksmith.
William Donovan, Elgin ; detailed by Pay Department by order of General
Grant.

• This company was formerly attached to the Thirty-sixth Beglment Illinois Volunteer Infan-
try, and known as "Company "B" Dragoons, subsequently assigned as Company "K," Fifteenth
Illinois Cavalry Volunteers.

HOLY TRINITY E\'AXGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. ELGIN.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 405

Saddler.

Russell C. Fowler, Elgin; discharged January 17, 1862; disability.

IVagoner.

Julius C. Pratt, Elgin; discharged December 18, 1861 ; disability.

Privates.

John Archer, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Henry Ball, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Nathaniel Brown, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Mortimer C. Briggs, St. Charles; discharged September 23, 1864, as
corporal.

Ephraim M. Gardner, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Robert Collins, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

William J. Christy, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

George Cox, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Robert N. Chrysler, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Isaiah B. Curtis, Plato; discharged July 18, 1862; disability.

Charles Collins. Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

George W. Campbell, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles Cooley, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Harrison Eaton, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Edwin F. Everts. Aurora; discharged June — , 1862; disability.

John Eraser, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

William H. Fletcher, Rutland ; discharged September 23, 1864.

Patrick Glennon, Plato; in hospital at Jacinto, Mississippi, August 14,
t862.

Robert Gallagher, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

John Gilbert, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Norton N. Harger, Plato ; discharged September 23, 1864.

Oliver Hanagan, Plato; deserted September 25, 1862.

Jerry Hickey, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Charles F. Holmes, Plato; discharged September 20, 1862; disability.

Charles P. Kennedy, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

John M. Kingsley, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

James Knox, Plato; discharged April 19, 1863; wounds.

Christopher Kingsley, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Abijah A. Lee, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Eben Lowder, Plato; died at St. Louis November 2, 1861.

Lloyd T. Lathrop, Plato; discharged September 23. 1864. as corporal.

William M. Love, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

William Mehan, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

John Muldoon, Plato; discharged September 23. 1864.

Eugene Mann, Batavia; discharged September 23, 1864.

Henry Nelson, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Thomas C. Pennington, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Peter D. Porchet, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Marquis L. Perry, Plato; discharged September 23. 1864, as sergeant.

David Peterson. Plato; discharged July 18, 1862; disability.

406 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Isaac Peterson, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

William H. Pease, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Abner A. Pease, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

George Perkins, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Jeremiah Phelan, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

John D. Pringle, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

George Pettingill, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Daniel Rettis, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864, as sergeant.

Daniel Reynolds, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Earl Robinson, Plato; reenlisted as veteran.

Abraham Rumsey, Plato ; wounded ; transferred to Veteran Reserve
Corps January — , 1864.

Henry J. Rogers, Plato; deserted October 17, 1861.

William E. Satterfield, Plato; mustered out October 10, 1864.

Justice J. Stringer, Plato; discharged July 18, 1862; disability.

Amos D. Scott, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Abijah L. Strang, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Charles L. Seward, Plato; discharged April — , 1862; disability.

Henry M. Sawyer, Plato; discharged January — , 1862; disability.

James Sheddon, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Clark Tucker, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

John B. Thompson, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

George M. Winchester, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Wallace W. W^attenpaugh, Plato; discharged April — , 1863; disability.

Martin F. Wattenpaugh, Plato; discharged September 23, 1864.

Noah Wallice, Plato; discharged June 26, 1862; disability.

John Wagoner, Plato ; reenlisted as veteran.

Benjamin Weaver, Aurora; discharged September 23, 1864.

Veterans.

Myron J. Amich, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Edwin E. Balch, Plato ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Nathaniel Brown, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Henry Ball, Elgin; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

George W. Campbell, Udina ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charles Cooley, Plato Center; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Robert Collins, Plato ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalrj',
as consolidated.

Robert N. Crysler, Plato; deserted January 27, 1864.

William Duncan, Plato; promoted captain.

Eugene H. Griggs, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY _407

John Gilbert, Plato ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Robert Gallagher, Elgin ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Jerry Hickey, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Nathan H. Larkin, Plato; mustered out July 24, 1865; was prisoner.

Abijah A. Lee, Elgin ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

John A. McQueen, Elgin ; promoted second lieutenant.

William Meehan, Plato ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Henry Nelson, Elgin ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

George J. or D. Pettingill, St. Charles; transferred to Company K, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Jeremiah Phelan, Plato Center; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

William H. Pease, Plato Center; transferred to Company K, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

George Perkins, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Peter D. Porchet, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Abner A. Pease, Plato ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Daniel Reynolds, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cav-
alry, as consolidated.

Earl Robinson, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

John Wagner, Plato; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Recruits.

Rob. J. Eakin, or Aiken, Aurora ; transferred to Company K, Tenth
Illinois Cavalry, as consolidated.

Henry L. Forbes, Aurora; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Charley M. Harvey, Elgin ; transferred from Company B, Thirty-sixth
Infantry, December i, 1861 ; promoted second lieutenant.

Henry Irish, Aurora ; transferred to Company K. Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

James Moore, Aurora ; transferred to Company K. Tenth Illinois Cavalry,
as consolidated.

Willett Richardson, Campton ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

Willis Richardon, Campton ; transferred to Company K, Tenth Illinois
Cavalry, as consolidated.

408 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

COMPANY L.

Corporal.
Phiranda A. Butterfield, Rutland; discharged June 27, 1862; disability.

COMPANY M.

Unassigncd Recruits.
James Snowball, Aurora; rejected April 26. 1864.
George \\". Hurlbut. Plato; never naustered.
William Seymour. Hampshire; mustered out ^lay 21, 1865.
Orlando \anekin, Plato; rejected.

HISTORY OF SIXTEENTH CA\-ALRY.

The Sixteenth Cavalry was composed principally of Chicago men. Thiele-
man's and Schambeck's cavalry companies, raised at the outset of the war.
formed the nucleus of the regiment. The former company served as General
Sherman's body guard for some time. Captain Thieleman was made a major
and authorized to raise a battalion. Thieleman and Schambeck's companies
were thenceforth known as Thieleman's Battalion.

In September. 1862. the \\'ar Department authorized the extension of
the battalion to a regiment, and on the nth of June, 1863, the regimental
organization was completed. In October. 1863. the Sixteenth Cavalry was
ordered to Knoxville. Tennessee, and a portion of it participated in the mem-
orable defense of that place in November and Decem'oer. A detachment
under Colonel Thieleman constituted the garrison at Cumberland Gap. and
one battalion, under Major Beers, was sent up Powell's Valley in the direction
of Jonesville, ^"irginia. On the 3d of January. 1864. this battalion was at-
tacked by three brigades of Longstreet's command, and after maintaininj;
its ground for ten hours against five times its own number and losing heavily
in killed and wounded, its ammunition having become exhausted, it was com-
pelled to surrender. The loss of the regiment upon this occasion was three
hundred and fiftj'-six men and fifty-six ofiicers. Long afterward the rebels
exchanged less than one-third of these prisoners, sent them back in the most
wretched condition from the horrors of the prison pen at Andersonville. The
others were victims of the frightful tortures to which they were there subjected
and now lie buried in the National cemetery at that place.

After the conclusion of the east Tennessee campaign, the regiment was.
in February, 1864, ordered to report at Camp Nelson, at Mount Sterling,
Kentucky, where it was remounted, and in the latter part of April it left that
place for Georgia. It then constituted a part of the cavalry corps under
General Stoneman.

It arrived at Red Clay, Georgia, May 10, and on the 12th was engaged
in the battle of Vornell Station, where it lost one officer, Lieutenant Kerfurth,
wounded and captured, and twelve men. It was there on dutj- almost every
day from that time imtil after the fall of Atlanta — a period of nearly four
months — during which it participated in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge.
Buzzard's Roost, Reseca. Kingston, Cassville, Carterville, Allatoona, Kene-
saw. Lost Mountain, Mine's Ridge, Powder Springs, Chattahoochee and

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 409

various engagements in front of Atlanta and Jonesboro. Returning to De-
catur, Georgia, it remained there until September 14, and was then ordered to
Nicholasville, Kentucky, to again remount. On the 22d of October it left
that place for Nashville, and was ordered thence to Pulaski, thence to Fayette-
ville and back, and then, after a few days, to Waynesboro, near the Tennessee
river. It had been there but three days when Hood crossed the river at
Florence and below, and the brigade in which the Sixteenth was then serving
was ordered to fall back. On this retreat it kept up a running fight with the
enemy for three days and nights, until it reached Columbia. While the main
army remained here, the Sixteenth was sent up Duck river to defend some
fords at which it was supposed the enemy would attempt to cross. The expec-
tation was realized, and in the six hours' engagement which followed the
regiment held its position triumphantly against a vastly superior force of the
rebels until dusk, when it learned that a large body of the enemy had crossed
the Duck river and got completely in its rear. The only support the regiment
then had was part of a company from the Eighth Michigan, and one company
from the Eighth Iowa. The enemy had two brigades in line of battle across
the pike and directly in the rear.

The night was dark and our boys approached quietly until within one
hundred yards of the enemy, when the charge was sounded, and the lines of
the enemy were broken.

The Sixteenth next participated in the battle of Franklin and in various
skirmishes between there and Nashville.

It engaged in the two days' battles at the latter place and in the pursuit
of the enemy to the Tennessee river. It then returned to Pulaski and there
went into camp, but most of the regiment was kept on scouting duty from that
time until March, 1865. It then moved to Springfield, and in May returned
to Pulaski, whence most of it was sent to Holton, Courtland and Decatur,
Alabama.

On the 1 8th of June it returned to Pulaski, and on the 2d of July it was
ordered to Franklin, where it remained, scouring the country in all directions,
until ordered to Nashville for muster out. It arrived in Chicago on the 23d
of August, 1865, for final payment and discharge.

During its term of service the Sixteenth marched about five thousand
miles and engaged in thirty-one general battles and numerous skirmishes.
At its muster out the only members left of the original field and staff officers
were Colonel Smith, Captain Ford and Lieutenant Finger. The original
force of the regiment was twelve hundred men. It received one hundred
recruits, and at its discharge could muster only two hundred and eighty-five
men, showing a casualty list of nearly one thousand.

In January, 1865. Captain Hiram S. Hanchett, of this regiment, was
captured at Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, and taken to the rebel prison at
Cahaba, Alabama. There he organized the sixty men he found in prison,
systematized a plan of escape, and this band of braves overpowered the guard,
broke out and marched for two days, fighting all the while, hoping to reach
the river and capture a steamboat on which they might escape. After that
struggle, however, they were overpowered and then taken back. A number

410 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

of the fugitives were killed; but for Captain Hanchett a worse fate was re-
served. He was enclosed in a wooden box eight feet square with one aperture,
through which his food was passed.

Here he remained until the rebels heard General Wilson was coming
and deemed it was best to shift their quarters.

Poor Hanchett was, by over a month of this confinement, reduced to too
feeble a state to move and they blew out his brains when they left.

SIXTEENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.

(Three Years' Service.)
Chaplain.
Cornelius R. Ford, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

COMPANY F.

Sergeant.
James B. Benedict, Aurora; deserted May 26, 1865.

Wagoner.
Thomas McEnta, Aurora; deserted February 23, 1863.

Privates.
Walter Bratt, Aurora; captured November 24, 1864.
Patrick Flemming, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.
John Hieronymus, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.
John Hughes, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865, as blacksmith.
Truman U. Phillips, Aurora ; captured and exchanged ; died at St. Louis
May 28, 1865.

Charles Strong, Aurora; absent; sick at muster out of regiment.

Hans Temm, Aurora; deserted July 22, 1863.

Edward Trumbull, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

COMPANY H.

Captains.
William P. Gibbs, Aurora; discharged June 8, 1864.
John Q. Hattery, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

First Lieutenant.
John O. Hattery, Aurora ; promoted.

Second Lieutenant.
John Q. Hattery, Aurora; promoted.

Quarlerniasfcr Sergeant.
Nicholas G. Shelman. Aurora; deserted I\Iay 9. 1863.

Commissary Sergeant.
Thomas G. Calkins, Aurora ; detached at muster out of regiment.

Sergeant.^.
Calvin E. Breed, Kane county; mustered out August 19. 1865, as cor-
poral.

Byron T. Whitford, Aurora; discharged June 30. 1865, as private;
disability.

Eli McDaniel, Aurora; deserted May 25, 1863.

Corporals.
William Bronson. Aurora : deserted May 20. 1863.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 411

Charles E. Pierce, Aurora; died at Andersonville Prison August 6, 1864;
grave No. 4,887.

Melancth'n B. Fletcher, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865, as
sergeant.

Charles R. Vaughan, Aurora; private; sentenced to make good time lost
by desertion.

Farrier.

William B. Maddock, Aurora; discharged February 16, 1864.

IVagoncr.
Nelson M. Saterfield, Aurora; deserted April 25, 1863.

Privates.

William Bailey, Kane county; deserted May 21, 1863.

Joseph Chaffin, Kane county; deserted October 22, 1863.

Charles Clyde, Kane county; discharged June 14, 1865.

Samuel H. Drew, Kane county; transferred by sentence of courtmartial
to Company D, Ninety-fifth Infantry, March 11, 1865.

John Haley, Aurora; deserted April 25, 1863.

John Hunter, Kane county; prisoner of war; mustered out to date May
30, 1865.

Charles A. W. Hayes, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

Charles H. Harder, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

Samuel O. Hart, Kane county.

John Krohl, Aurora; died at Andersonville Prison August 4, 1S64; grave
No. 4,700.

John Kolly, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

William H. Lott, Aurora; paroled prisoner; died at Annapolis, Mary-
land, November 29, 1864.

Albert Miller, Kane county; paroled prisoner; mustered out to date May
30, 1865.

Charles Ohswald, Kane county, discharged February 2, 1865 ; disability.

Joseph Rupert, Aurora; mustered out August 19, 1865.

John Rothenback, Kane county; deserted March i, 1863.

William H. Sanders, Aurora ; deserted ; arrested and sentenced to forti-
fications during enlistment.

William J. Sanders, Aurora; discharged July 2j, 1865; disability.

Augustus Stevens, Kane county; mustered out August 19, 1865, as
sergeant; was prisoner.

George W. Thayer, Kane county; transferred to Thirty-ninth Illinois
Infantry.

Julius Vocker, Kane county; deserted May 20, 1863.

Walter A. Warren, Kane county; missing in action near Columbia, Ten-
nessee, since November 25, 1864.

COMPANY M.

Private.
Thomas E. Brown, Aurora: discharged to date May 29, 1865.

412 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

HISTORY OF SEVENTEENTH CAVALRY.

The Seventeenth Cavalry Regiment, Uhnois \*ohinteers, was organized
under special authority from the War Department, issued September 1 1 ,
1863, to Hon. John F. Farnsworth. The rendezvous was established at St.
Charles, Kane county. Illinois. By the approval of the governor of the state
the colonelcy of the regiment was offered to John L. Beveridge, then major
in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who assumed the work of recruitment and
organization and opened the rendezvous November 15, 1863. Eight com-
panies were mustered in January 22, 1864. Four other companies were
mustered in and the organization of the regiment completed February 12,
1864.

By the close of April next six hundred and fifty horses had been brought
in by the men, under instruction from the cavalry bureau, and sold to the
government.

May 3, 1864. the regiment moved, under orders from the general-in-
chief, to report to Major General Rosecrans, commanding the Department of
Missouri at St. Louis. Missouri.

The regiment was sent to Jefferson Barracks. Missouri, where one thou-
sand one hundred sets of horse equipments were received. From there it
moved to Alton, Illinois, and relieved the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry in guard-
ing the military prison at that place. For this purpose five hundred muskets
were drawn from the arsenal.

Early in June following the First Battalion was ordered to St. Louis, and
the Second Battalion followed immediately. Both being fully mounted, they
were ordered at once to the north Missouri district.

The First Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis J. Hynes commanding,
proceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri, where the commanding officer reported
in person to General Fisk, commanding the District of North ^Missouri.

The Second Battalion, Major Lucius C. IMatlack commanding, was
assigned by General C. B. Fisk to the post of Glasgow, Missouri.

From this period for four months the three battalions were separate and
remote from each other. Their history will be fitly given in separate narra-
tives, extending over the time intervening and up to the time of reunion with
the regimental headquarters.

OF THE FIRST B.\TTALION.

Lieutenant Colonel Hynes, being detailed as chief of cavalry, and at-
tached to General Fisk's staff, the first squadron (Companies A and B), under
Major H. Hillard, was ordered to Weston, Missouri. The second squadron
(Companies C and D) was ordered to remain at St. Joseph, Alissouri,
Captain J. D. Butts in command.

The duties of the battalions were mainly escort and provost guard duty
for three months; not ahvays at the same localities, 3'et always within the
District of North Missouri.

In September, 1864, the invasion of Missouri by Price's army of rebels
increased the responsibility of their work by the increased restlessness of the

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 413

rebel sympathizers around them ; but no actual conflict with the enemy occurred
in that district.

Late in September the second squadron (Companies C and D), com-
manded by Captain Jones, was moved over the country to Jefferson City,
Missouri, and here, rejoining the regiment, took part in the defense of the
city, October 6 and 7, 1864.

The first squadron (Companies A and B) remained in north Missouri
during the winter and joined the regiment in June, 1865. Lieutenant Colonel
Hynes and Major Hillard had been ordered to the regiment in February and
March preceding while the headquarters was at Pilot Knob, Missouri.

OF THE SECOND BATTALION.

From July, 1864, for three months Major Matlack, with the battalion
(Companies E, F, G and H) occupied the post of Glasgow. This was ad-
jacent to the strongholds of numerous guerrilla bands, whose influence with
rebel sympathizers and their inroads upon the loyal inhabitants and interrup-
tions of United States telegraph lines required scouting parties constantly
on the road for a distance of from thirty to sixty miles. Threatened attacks
upon the post and actual assaults upon. the outposts kept the entire detachment
busy day and night.

Parties were sent out under orders from General Douglas, commanding
Eighth Sub-District, District of North Missouri, to remote points, and fre-
quent fights ensued. In every instance but one — when a score of the Seven-
teenth men fottght five times their number — their success in punishing the
enemy was decided, yet not without the loss of a few killed and wounded.
Among these fights may be named one near Allen, on the North Missouri
Railroad, in July, 1864; one near the Porsche Hills, and a third near Roche-
port. None of these demand a more extended notice.

The reported presence of the rebel Colonel Thornton, with one thousand,
five hundred men, induced an order from General Rosecrans, through General
Fisk, for a movement from Glasgow, northward and westward, in search of
Thornton. Pursuant thereto Major Matlack moved with all his mounted
force and a squadron of the Ninth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, to Chilli-
cothe, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. Here, reinforced by five
hundred militia, the column w-as divided into three detachments and thor-
oughly scoured the whole country from the railroad southward and westward
to the river. No enemy was found, but the presence of the troops reassured
the Union men of that country, and held their enemies in check. The distance
traveled was three hundred miles.

In September, 1864, the Second Battalion was ordered to move over the
country and report to General McNeil, commanding the district of Rolla, at
Rolla, Missouri. It rejoined the regiment at Jefferson City, with which its
movements are thenceforward identified.

OF THE THIRD BATTALION.

From July, 1864, until late in August of the same year this battalion,
with regimental headquarters, remained at Alton, Illinois. Being removed
to Benton Barracks, and fully mounted, it was ordered, early in September,
to Glasgow. Missouri, but at Jefferson City its destination was changed, and.

414 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

joined by the Second Battalion, Colonel John L. Beveridge commanding, re-
ported to General John McNeil at Rolla September 19, 1864, with the two
battalions. Here commenced an active and vigorous campaign, in which the
movements of the regiment were a unit.

When all communications between Rolla and St. Louis were interrupted
by Price's army, and General Ewing's small force had retired from Pilot
Knob, after a brave resistance. Colonel Beveridge. with the Seventeenth, by
order of General McNeil, moved out at noon, September 28, and, driving a
cavalry force which appeared near Cuba, reached Leesburg the day following
— thirty-three miles distant — and saved General Ewing, with Colonel Fletcher
(since governor of Missouri) and their seven hundred men, from imminent
peril of capture and covered their return to Rolla, ^Missouri.

Early in October the regiment moved from Rolla — a part of McNeil's
brigade — towards Jefferson City, reaching there in time to aid in constructing
defenses and in repelling the attack of Price, October 6 and 7, where Com-
panies C and D rejoined the regiment.

The day following General Pleasanton arrived from St. Louis and or-
ganized the entire force — four thousand — as a cavalry division, under General
Sanborn. Colonel Beveridge was placed in command of the Second Brigade,
which included the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry and the Third, Fifth and
Ninth Missouri Cavalry.

]\Iajor Matlack commanded the Seventeenth, which took part in the
attack made on Price at Boonville, October 11, and which induced an early
evacuation of that point by the rebels.

At Independence the Seventeenth dismounted, was deployed on the left,
and in support of the Thirteenth Alissouri Cavalry, when the rear guard of
the enemy was attacked and their artillery captured. This was October 22,
1864. Same day, at midnight, the brigade left Independence in the direction
of Hickman's Mills, twelve miles distant, where the enemy was intercepted
the next day about noon. \\'hile the main column of the brigade, under
General McNeil, who had assumed command, attacked near the head of the
rebel column, the Seventeenth, Colonel Beveridge commanding, was ordered
to form a separate column and strike the enemy on the flank, one mile or
more in the rear. By a rapid movement their flank was reached, but at a
moment preceding an attack, which must have been a success, peremptory
orders were received to return and support the battery in front. Two days
after this the division, now under General Pleasanton's immediate orders,
captured Major General Marmaduke, Brigadier General Cabel, ten rebel
cannon and more than a thousand prisoners, with their arms, at Mine Creek,
Kansas, having moved seventy miles within twenty-four hours.

The Seventeenth", with McNeil's brigade, was hurried forward in pursuit
of the retreating foe. Three times the pursuers formed in line of battle, but
only in the last case did the enemy maintain his ground. Then the rebels had
chosen their ground on an open prairie, and were quietly waiting the approach
of the Union forces — a brigade, now thinned down to fifteen hundred men,
moving up to attack fifteen thousand. Every man of this little band could
see and w-as seen bv everv man of the rebel armv. The Seventeenth was made

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 415

the guide for the whole line, of which it was the left. After a short, sharp
engagement and an attempt by the rebels to overwhelm its right, which was
prevented by the arrival of two guns, which checked the rebels, an order came
from General Pleasanton to charge along the whole line. After some delay
the command "forward" was given, and away went the Seventeenth boys.
With only three hundred men they pushed up in the face of the enemy, who
moved ofif at their approach, while the center and right were fully half a mile
in the rear. This was October 25, 1864, and occurred in the vicinity of Fort
Scott. The lack of forage and the rapid marching caused the loss of more
than half their horses, and hundreds of miles were traversed by some of the
Seventeenth on foot.

The escape of the rebels over the Arkansas line was followed by the
march of the brigade to Springfield, Missouri. Here orders from headquar-
ters directed it to proceed southwest to Cassville, Missouri, thence back to
Rolla, Missouri, which w^as reached by November 15, 1864. During the
forty-three days intervening the regiment had marched over one thousand
miles and suffered the loss of six hundred horses.

In January, 1865, the Seventeenth was ordered to Pilot Knob, Missouri.
After being remounted it was ordered to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in April.

Colonel Beveridge was now breveted brigadier general, and in command
of Sub-District No. 2, of St. Louis District, headquarters at Cape Girardeau,
Missouri. Lieutenant Colonel Hynes commanded the regiment.

A threatened attack on the Union lines was rumored abroad. An expedi-
tion was sent out, comprising the Seventeenth and some Missouri artillery,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hynes, late in April, but no enemy was
found.

The week following the Seventeenth accompanied commissioners from
department headquarters with a flag of truce, who reached General Jeff
Thompson and arranged terms and places for the capitulation of his forces.

From Cape Girardeau the regiment was ordered to Kansas, and occupied
detached posts along the plains ; whence they returned to be mustered out in
November and December, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kansas.

Their last important work was that of a detachment, accompanying the
commissioners, who went to Fort Smith to treat with the Indians at the great
council held in September, 1865.

The service of the regiment has been wholly within the Department of
the Missouri, commanded, respectively, by Generals Rosecrans, Dodge and
Pope.

While the regiment was stationed at Pilot Knob Major Matlack was
ordered to St. Louis and assigned to duty as provost marshal.

From Cape Girardeau Colonel Beveridge was ordered to Warrensburg,
thence to Kansas City, and thence to Rolla, Missouri. He closed out all the
military in Missouri south of the Missouri river outside of St. Louis county,
mustering out the Missouri troops, supervising the removal of military' stores,
and subjecting the military to the civil authorities when the regiment was
mustered out. Colonel Beveridge, by order of the secretary of war, was de-
tained in the service and presided over a military commission in St. Louis for

416 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

the trial qf rebel offenders against property and persons of the United States.
He was finally mustered out of the service February 6, 1866, having served
over four years.

The Seventeenth was the last cavalry regiment organized in this state.
Its services were confined chiefly to the Department of the ^lissouri.

While the regiment did not experience any severe engagements, it per-
formed hard and valuable services in frequent skirmishes with the enemy, in
routing guerrilla parties and in long and weary marches.

As the youngest of the cavalry regiments it is entitled to the respect of
the older regiments and the gratitude of the state and nation.

SEVENTEENTH CA\^\LRY REGIMENT.
(Three Years' Service.)

Surgeon.
Samuel K. Crawford, St. Charles; mustered out December 5, 1865.

Chaplain.
Edward O. Brien, St. Charles; mustered out November 28, 1865.

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.

Hospital Stczvard.
Thomas C. Fuller, Blackberry; mustered out December 5, 1865.

COMPANY A.

Sergeant.

David Peterson, Elgin; private; deserted July 3, 1864.

Bugler.

Rudolph C. Bowers, St. Charles; discharged March 14. 1865; disability.

IVagoner.

Barton Clark, Elgin; discharged September 15, 1865, as private; dis-
ability.

Privates.

Hiram J. Brown, Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865, as cor-
poral.

Truman Brown, Campton; discharged January 26, 1866, to date Decem-
ber 15, 1865.

Wallace Daily, Batavia; deserted July 14, 1865.

George M. Hayes, Elgin; discharged September 12, 1865.

George Panton, Elgin; discharged April 8, 1864; minor.

Seth Phillips. Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

Albert Sharpless, St. Charles; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

Joseph S. Smith, Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

Abram P. Taylor. Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

Charles L. Treest, Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

William H. Treest, Elgin; deserted July 5, 1864.

Leonard N. Underbill. Elgin; bugler: discharged to date December 15,
1865.

Recruit.

Alonzo Treest, Elgin; discharged to date December 15, 1865.

FIRST UNIVERSALLST CHURCH. ELGIN, ERECTED IN 1865.

WASHINGTON SCHOOL, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 419

COMPANY B.

Sergeant.

Charles E. Yerrington. St. Charles; mustered out December 15, 1865,
as corporal.

Corporals.

L^-man D. Murgau. Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865, as
private.

John German. Geneva; mustered out December 15. 1865, as sergeant.

Privates.

David Beebe. Gene\a ; mustered out December 15, 1865, as sergeant.

George Baker. Hampshire ; corporal ; absent ; wounded at muster out of
regiment.

John Burns. Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

James Clark, Geneva; mustered out December 15, 1865, as sergeant.

Ransom Dewolf, Hampshire; mustered out December 15. 1865.

James Field, Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

Jasper Garner, Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

Allen Holmon, Aurora; died at Alton, Illinois, August 2, 1864.

Sevan Hall. Campton; discharged March 16, 1865.

Samuel Johnson, St. Charles; deserted September 10, 1865.

Toseph Keller. Rutland; dishonorablv discharged to date December 15,
1865:

George Miller, St. Charles; mustered out December 15. 1865.

George March, St. Charles; discharged September 10, 1865.

John Patchin, Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865, as corporal.

Edward Pay, Blackberry; mustered out May 15, 1865.

Samuel P. Root, Blackberry; mustered out December 15, 1865, as
corporal.

Arthur N. Root, Blackberry; mustered out December 15, 1865.

John H. Ream, Hampshire ; in confinement at Fort Leavenworth, Kan-
sas, on charge of mutiny.

Nathaniel Roath, Rutland; mustered out December 15, 1865.

John Shannon, Geneva; deserted September 14, 1865.

INIorris Stewart, Geneva; discharged September 22, 1864.

Jacob G. Yote. Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

Recruits.

William P. Aikens. St. Charles; died at St. Charles, Illinois, March 30,
1864.

George Daville, Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

George E. Hadsall, Hampshire; mustered out December 15, 1865.

Charles W. Sisson, St. Charles; mustered out December 15, 1865.

Franklin Stanton, St. Charles: discharged April 5. 1865.

Linus Simons, St. Charles; died at Alton, Illinois, July 10, 1864.

COMPANY c.

Sergeant.
Fergus Bentley, Blackberry; private; deserted June 18, 1865.

420 KANE COUNTY IlL^TORY

Corpora!.
Christopher McGough, Blackberry; discharged October 23, 1865.

Privates.
Samuel Brisbin, \'irgil : mustered out November 23. 1865.
Charles B. Burns, Blackberry; mustered out November 23, 1865.
John W. Bell, Hampshire; mustered out May 24, 1865.
Abram L. Babcock, Hampshire; mustered out November 23, 1865.
George H. Fuller, Virgil; mustered out November 23, 1865, as bugler.
Thomas Fuller, Blackberry; promoted hospital steward.
Phineas B. Gurnsey, Virgil; mustered out November 23, 1865.
Charles H. March, Blackberry; mustered out November 23, 1865.
William M. Miner, Blackberry; mustered out November 23, 1865.

Recruits.
George Maynard, St. Charles; mustered out November 22,, 1865.
Richard A. Roberts, St. Charles ; detached at muster out of regiment.

COMPAXY D.

Second Lieutenant.
James B. Reed, St. Charles; mustered out December 20, 1865.

First Sergeant.
James B. Reed, St. Charles : promoted second lieutenant.

Corporal.
Invin Beach, Virgil; mustered out December 20. 1865, as private.

Farrier.
Norman D. Perry, Clintonville; mustered out December 20, 1865.

Priz'ates.
John Duncan, \'irgil ; mustered out December 20. 1865.
Byron McMasters. St. Charles; mustered out December 20, 1865.
Charles Scranton. St. Charles; mustered out December 20, 1865,

Recruits.
Fayette Robinson, St. Charles; deserted June 27, 1864.
James Tompkins, St. Charles; died at Chicago !May 15, 1864.

COMPANY E.

Privates.

Frederick F. Farson, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

George W. Warner, Batavia : mustered out ^lay 15. 1865.

Recruits.

Nathan B. Brown, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865, as
corporal.

Byron Brown, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

William L. Cook, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

Edward Darby. St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

Joshua Getz, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

Leo Grollment, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

John N. Hill, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

Natlian Kernell, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865, as ser-
geant.

Addison Low. St. Charles: nuistered out November 22,. 1865.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 421

Thomas Price. St. Charles; deserted September 19, 1865.
Simeon Shaver, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.
John W. Snelling, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.
Charles Van Sickle, St. Charles; deserted July 16, 1864.
Henry Wilson, St. Charles ; dishonorably discharged to date November
22>, 1865.

COMPANY F.

Privates.
Dewitt C. ]\Iyers, Burlington; mustered out December 18, 1865.
Horatio N. Peavy, Hampshire; mustered out December 18, 1865.
Horace F. Kinkaid, Aurora; mustered out December 18, 1865.
Alexander H. Kinkaid. Aurora; discharged September 24, 1865.
Ramson McClellan, Burlington; died at Alton, Illinois, June 30, 1864.

COMPANY G.

Recruit.
Marshall B. Sherwin, Batavia : discharged January 26, 1866.

COMPANY H.

First Lieutenant.
Charles D. Larribee, Geneva; resigned June 30, 1865.

Recruit.
Timothy Donnova, Elgin; mustered out December 15, 1865.

COMPANY M.

Private.
John Phillips, Blackberry; deserted April 19, 1864.

Recruits.
Edmund Phillips, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.
Walter M. Parker, St. Charles ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.
William R. White, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.
George W^illiamson, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.
Andrew J. Webb, St. Charles; mustered out November 23, 1865.

EIRST REGIMENT LIGHT ARTILLERY.
(Three Years' Service.)

COMPANY B.

Veteran.
Samuel Hadlock. Elgin ; assigned to new Company A.

Recruit.
Samuel Hadlock, Elgin ; reenlisted as veteran.

COMPANY c.

Recruits.
Nicholas Clancy. Rutland; mustered out June 12. 1865.
Joseph Mattelle, Rutland; mustered out June 12, 1865.
William H. Warner, Rutland; mustered out June 12, 1865.

COMPANY D.

Recruits.
John Doner, Blackberry; mustered out July 28, 1865.
James Dooley, Blackberry; mustered nut July 28, 1865.

422 KANE COUXTY HISTORY

George L. Seeley. Blackberry; mustered out July 28, 1865.
Lewis Whitmarsh. Virgil; died at \'icksburg June 4. 1863.

COMPANY H.

Recruits.
Peter Nelson. Geneva; deserted April 6, 1862.
John Tucker, St. Charles; deserted April 30, 1862.

COMPANY M.

Private.
Frank W. Alead (Elgin). ]\lcHenry; mustered out July 24, 1865.

SECOND REGIMENT LIGHT ARTILLERY.
(Three Years' Service.)

BATTERY G.

Priz'Qtc.
Martin O'Connell, Blackberry; reenlisted as veteran.

BATTERY I.

Corporal.
Hiram W. Hill. Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Private.
Stilman Stolp, Aurora; reenlisted as veteran.

Veterans.
Hiram \V. Hill. Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865, as sergeant.
Stillman Stolp, Aurora; mustered out June 14. 1865, as corporal.

Recruits.
Gordon J. Beverly, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
William Ellis. Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
William G. Hall, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
Oron ^Manchester, Aurora; mustered out June 14. 1865.
William McAllister, Aurora ; transferred to Invalid Corps.
Judson Parks, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
John H. Phelps, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
George A. Stolp, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
Thomas Saunders, Aurora; mustered out June 14. 1865.
Perry G. Tripp, Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
William G. Tabor. Aurora; mustered out June 14, 1865.
William Usher, Aurora; mustered out June 14. 1865.

BATTERY L.

Jabez H. Moore. Geneva; discharged February 20, 1865.

BATTERY M.

Unnssigned Recruit.
George E. Beuerman. Rutland.

COGSWELL BATTERY LIGHT ARTILLERY.
(Three Years" Service.)
Recruits.
Henry Babcock. Rutland; died. Nashville, February 19, 1865.
George R. Cox, Rutland.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 423

RENWICK'S ELGIN BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY.
(Three Years' Service.)

Captains.

George W. Renwick, Elgin; resigned May 27, 1863.

Andrew M. Wood, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

First Lieutenants.

Andrew M. Wood, Elgin; promoted captain.

Caleb Rich, Elgin; mustered out x\pril 27, 1865.

John Short, Elgin; discharged March 7, 1864.

Lorin G. Jeffers, Elgin; resigned March 5, 1864.

Joel H. Wicker, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Henry E. Tower, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.

Lorin G. Jeffers, Elgin; promoted senior first lieutenant.

Waldo W. Paine, Elgin; mustered out April 23, 1863.

Henry E. Tower, Elgin ; promoted senior second lieutenant.

Joel H. Wicker, Elgin ; promoted senior first lieutenant.

Henry E. Tower, Elgin; promoted junior first lieutenant.

James N. Boutwell, Elgin; mustered out July iS, 1865.

William \\'. Clift, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Sergeant Ahijor.

John Short, Elgin ; promoted first lieutenant.

First Lieutenant.

Thomas H. Elliott, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865, as private.
Quartermaster Sergeant.

Joel H. Wicker, Elgin ; promoted first sergeant, then second lieutenant.

Sergeants.

George Daniels, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Henry Tower, Elgin ; promoted cjuartermaster sergeant, then second
lieutenant.

George F. Renwick, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as private.

Corporals.

Orange B. Kent, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as saddler.

James N. Boutwell, Elgin ; promoted first sergeant, then second lieutenant.

Charles Dunlap, Elgin; deserted January 15, 1863.

John W. Davis, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as first sergeant.

William \\'. Clift, Elgin; promoted quartermaster sergeant, then second
lieutenant.

Patrick Roland, Elgin; deserted June 12, 1863.

Michael J. Linch, Elgin; deserted November ig, 1862.

John Penman, Sr., Elgin; mustered out June 10, 1865.

Adney B. Strong, Elgin ; in confinement at muster out of battalion.

Patrick H. Flynn, Elgin; deserted November 17, 1862.

Nicholas Evans, Elgin ; sergeant ; died at Knoxville. Tennessee, February
6, 1864.

Abraham Kaplin, Elgin; deserted Januari- 9, 1863.

424 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Privates.
John Ailanis. Elgin; deserted January lo, 1863.
Henry Allen, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
William Anderson, Elgin; deserted January 10, 1863.
James Allen, Elgin; deserted January 10, 1863.
Horace Albee, Elgin; deserted Jamiary 10, 1863.
James \V. Brockway, Elgin; discharged for promotion May 20, 1864.
James Blowers, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Elias Bennett, Elgin; died at Knoxville, Tennessee, February 28, 1864.
Daniel Brooks, Elgin; deserted November 30, 1862.
Peter Berdean, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Henry H. Blair, Elgin; discharged September 12, 1862; disability.
Alex Bailey. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
John Burmaster, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Nathan Benham, Elgin; deserted October 15, 1862.
Eugene Bradford, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
John D. Burg, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Stephen Bell, Elgin; mustered out June 24, 1865, as corporal.
Charles P. Burns, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Charles H. Burns. Elgin; deserted January 4, 1863.
Augustus W. Bunnell, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Charles Bockleman, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as sergeant-
\\'illiam Cumming. Elgin ; transferred to Mississippi ^larine Brigade.
James Collins, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1863.
Edward D. Clark, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Joseph Crane, Elgin; died at Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 21.
1863.

James Creen, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

John C. Crew, Elgin : mustered out July 18, 1865, as corporal.

Duncan Crawford, Elgin ; died, Knoxville, Tennessee, December 25, 1863.

Richard F. Crawford, Elgin; discharged for promotion October 31. 1863.

Julius Clark. Elgin: mustered out July 18. 1865.

Orson H. Crandall. Elgin: discharged for promotion April 2, 1863.

Frank B. Chadwick, Elgin: deserted September 20, 1862.

Matthew Corrigan. Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865.

Daniel Cullin. Elgin: deserted January 10, 1863.

Amos Cribbs. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865,

Patrick Corbett. Elgin; deserted January 9, 1863.

Augustus A. Clark, Elgin.

Thomas Crapo, Elgin; discharged May 2^. 1865,

Isaac Campbell, Elgin; deserted August 29, 1864.

James W. Davis, Elgin; deserted November 20, 1862.

Richard Dovle, Elgin; deserted October 20, 1862.

Frederick Dowd. Elgin: deserted January 9, 1863.

James Deane, Elgin: deserted November 20, 1862.

John Dailey, Elgin; died at Beaufort, South Carolina, April 25. 1865.

John Dolan, Elgin: mustered out June 2. 1S65.

KA^E COUNTY HISTORY 425

Tarvis Dean, Elgin; mustered uiit July 18, 1865, as corporal.

Andrew Dignan, Elgin; died at Madison, Indiana. May 24, 1864.

Bela Darrell, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

John Darrell, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as bugler.

Thomas Dwyer, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

James Dignam, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

James Dunlap, Elgin; deserted November 11, 1862.

James \V. English, Elgin; deserted January 4, 1863.

William Elmy, Elgin; deserted August 17, 1862.

John Foley, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Wellington M. Friend, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as sergeant.

John Forrest, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Joseph Frangen. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Michael Gooden. Elgin; deserted December 17, 1862.

James E. Green, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

James Grady, Elgin; died at Hartland, Illinois, November 26, 1862.

Robert B. Graves, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as company quar-
termaster sergeant.

Daniel Green, Elgin; deserted December 17, 1862.

Amos Gillette, Elgin; discharged February 19, 1865; disability.

Charles Heaton, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Bartholomew Higgins, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865

Adelbert L. Hooker, Elgin ; transferred to Volunteer Reserve Corps
April 1 1, 1864.

John Hessler, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

George Hawkins, Elgin ; in confinement at muster out of battery.

George Helt, Elgin; deserted November 20, 1862.

John Harvey, Elgin; deserted December 17, 1862.

George A. Hanaford, Elgin; discharged January 7. 1864, for promotion.

John Hughes, Elgin; deserted January 15, 1863.

George W. Hyde, Elgin ; transferred to Mississippi Marine Brigade.

[Merrill C. Johnson, Elgin; dropped from rolls January i, 1863.

William Jones, Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.

Thomas Johnson, Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.

Levi B. Knapp, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Michael Kennedy, Elgin ; transferred to \'olunteer Reserve Corps Jan-
uary. 1863; mustered out July 8, 1865.

Lewis A. Linda, Elgin ; transferred to Sixth Illinois Battery.

William Lee. Elgin ; drowned at Knoxville, Tennessee, September 24,
1864.

Jerome B. Lick, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Edward B. Leona, Elgin; deserted October 20, 1862.

Henry Lange, Elgin; deserted January 9. 1863.

James McDonald, Elgin: mustered out July 18, 1865.

Thomas McGuire. Elgin; dropped from rolls November 20, 1862.

Henry Myer, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865, as corporal.

Lewis Merritt. Elgin; deserted November iq. 1862.

42(1 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Henry Miller, Elgin'; deserted November 19, 1862.
Charles Mitchell, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
George L. Metzig. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
John McNish, Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.
Daniel McNichol, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
John W. Mchoney, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865, as bugler.
Edmund Nugent, Elgin; deserted October 20, 1862.
Alexander Ney, Elgin; mustered out May 27, 1865.
James Ness, Elgin; deserted November 19. 1862.
Joseph O'Conner, Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.
John O'Brien, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865. as sergeant.
John Powers, Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.
Chas. H. Phetteplace, Elgin; discharged August 2, 1864; disabilitv.
Robert Penman, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
William Penman, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865.
Thomas S. Peck, Elgin; deserted January 9, 1863.
Patrick Ouinn, Elgin; absent; sick at mustei out of battalion.
Joseph Roab. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.
Charles Reardon, Elgin; died, Chicago, December 13, 1862.
Frank Robinson, Elgin ; mustered out July 18. 1865.
James Roche. Elgin; deserted November 15. 1862.
James Riley, Elgin; deserted November 15, 1862. ""

George W. Sherwood, Elgin: deserted September 30. 1862.
Harvey J. Sherwood, Elgin ; absent ; sick at muster out of battalion.
Russell M. Skeels. Elgin; discharged April 3, 1863; disability.
Frederick Stone, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as corporal.
Robert Stafford, Elgin: deserted November 19. 1862.
Robert N. Stephens. Elgin; deserted December 20, 1862.
Albert Sherman, Elgin; dropped from rolls January i, 1863.
Hein-y Smith. Elgin: mustered nut July 18, 1865.
Samuel Smith. Elgin; deserted November 19, 1862.
Charles H. Shrader. Elgin; absent; sick at muster out of battalion.
Erasmus R. Taylor, Elgin: discharged September 25, 1863; disability.
Robert R. Thompson, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1863.
Frederick Thompson, Elgin; deserted December 20. 1862.
lames Thompson, Elgin; transferred to Ninth Illinois Infantry January .
1863".

Raymond O. Usher, Elgin; dropped from rolls January 9. 1863.

Chas. Van Landschoot, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865.

John Walsh, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1865, as corporal.

Samuel S. Wytey, Elgin; mustered nut June 21, 1865.

Albert C. Ward, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as corporal.

George R. Wells, Elgin: mustered out July 18, 1863.

John Zarr, Elgin; mustered out July 18. 1863.

Recruits.
Samuel Armstrong. Elgin; deserted January 12, 1863.
James Bradley, Elgin: discharged June 18. 1863 : disability.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 427

Kellogg C. Bartlett, Elgin: mustered out July i8, 1S65.

George H. Darrow, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as sergeant.

Alanson F. Darrow, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Joseph L. Dodd, Elgin; mustered out July 20. 1865.

Samuel Dashway, Elgin; deserted June i, 1863.

Milton Earing, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as corporal.

E. J. Farnam, Elgin.

John Graham, Elgin ; died at Loudon Station, Tennessee, September 27,
1863.

F. B. Hemmingway, Elgin; deserted November 20, 1862.
William Hanlon, Elgin; deserted January 9, 1863.
Patrick Hughes, Elgin; deserted December 17, 1862.

D. W. Hewitt, Elgin.

Eugene Kennedy. Elgin ; died at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, February 8,
1864.

Henry H. Lewis, Elgin ; mustered out July 18, 1865, as sergeant.

George A. Lowe, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Michael McGown. Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Amos Mead, Elgin.

Alexander H. Ni.xon, Elgin.

Joseph C. Otwell, Elgin; transferred to \'olunteer Reserve Corps; mus-
tered out July 15. 1865.

Nicholas Oswell. Elgin; deserted January 9, 1863.

John Peters, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Charles Reed.

Loren Ramsdell.

John Sweeny, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865, as corporal.

John Turney, Elgin; mustered out July 8, 1865.

Eldridge H. Thompson, Elgin; absent; sick at muster-out of battalion.

Nathan Taylor, Elgin; discharged September 25. 1863; disability.

John Ward, Elgin; mustered out July 18, 1865.

Asa W'est. Elgin; deserted May 22. 18G3.

HENSHAWS B.\TTERY.

( Three Years' Service. )

Privates.

John Christian, Aurora; discharged August 9. 1864.

Alden R. Seaman, Rutland; died. Ottawa. Illinois. March i. 1863.

Oscar Savory, Rutland; mustered out July 18. 1865.

Recruit.
Ole Mickelson. Rutland; mustered out July 18. 1865.

TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT UNITED STATES COLORED

INFANTRY.
(Three Years' Service.)

Unassigned Recruit.
Jordan Stewart, Batavia.

428 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

UNITED STATES COLORED RECRUIT.

FIFTY-NINTH UNITED STATES COLORED INFANTRY.

Henry ]\Iason, Kane county.

FIRST ARMY CORPS.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY NO. 3.

Assigned to Company H, Second Regiment, United States Veteran Volunteers.
Joseph Rivers, ^Montgomery ; mustered out February i8, 1866.
Alexander Thompson, Montgomery; mustered out February 21, 1866.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY NO. 4.

Assigned to Company B, Fourth United States Veteran Volunteers.
Benjamin N. Alartin, Rutland; mustered out March 2, 1866.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY NO. 7.

Assigned to Company B, Fiftli Regiment, United States Veteran Volunteers.
John H. Fleming, Geneva; mustered out March 15, 1866, as sergeant.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY' NO. 9.

Assigned to Company D, Sixth Regiment, United States Veteran Volunteers.
Grove Arnold, Aurora; mustered out April 3, 1866.
Thomas Bexan. Aurora; mustered out April 3, 1866.
John Jordan. Aurora; mustered out April 3, 1866.
Charles Peland, Aurora; mustered out April 3. 1866, as corporal.

ENLISTED MEN OF COMPANY NO. ID.

Assigned to Company K. Eighth Regiment. United States Veteran Volunteers.
William Brown. ^Montgomery; mustered out April 11, 1866.
Frederick H. Duve, Montgomery; mustered out April 11, 1866.
Jeremiah Felix, ^lontgomery; mustered out April 18, 1865.
James M. Gardner, Alontgomery ; mustered out April 12, 1866.
Lewis N. S. Truck, Montgomery; mustered out April 11, 1866.
William Tappen. Montgomery: mustered out April 11, 1866.

RECRUITS FOR THE REGULAR ARMY.

THIRTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY.

John Almon, Kane county.
Walter Aitkins, Kane county.
Isaac Bogarth, Sugar Grove.
W'illiam Blubois, Kane county.
Henry Brown. Kane county.
Alexander Brown, Kane county.
Frederick Carlson, Kane county.
Henry Carr, Kane county.
Peter Cress. Kane county.
Asa J. Cook. Kane county.
George W. Deiler. Kane county.
Timothy Dwyer, Kane county.
Donald Fisher. Kane county.
John E. Gainey, Kane county.
John Greeley. Kane county.

KANE COUXTY HISTOEY 429

Charles Henry, Kane county.
Jay W. Hyatt, Kane county.
Asa T. Howland, Kane county.
William Hughes, Aurora.
David W. Johnson, Kane county.
Samuel Johnson, Kane county.
Charles D. Kelley, Kane county.
John H. Logan, Kane county.
Ferdinand Long, Kane county.
John Laux, Kane county.
Michael Murphy, Kane county.
Charles ^Marshall, Kane county.
John O'Farrell, Kane county.
William Owler, Kane county.
Cornelius Olson, Kane county.
Charles A. Porter, Kane county.
Owen Poulson. Kane county.
John Peterson, Kane county.
James H. Russell, Kane county.
Albert G. Riley. Sugar Grove.
John T. Rogers. Kane county.
Henry J. Rugg, Aurora.
James Sweeney, Montgomery.
Oliver F. Shead, Kane county.
Olof Silverord, Kane county.
Xavier Schmidt, Sugar Grove.
John Sanders, Kane county.
John E. Seeley, Kane county.
Frank \\'illiamson, Kane county.
\\'illiam W'alls, Kane county.
Anders Wetters, Kane county.
LeRo}' Waller, Kane county.

Rcgiiiuiit Not Designated.
Henry Morris Deal, Plato.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

HISTORY OF THE THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY, ILLINOIS

VOLUNTEERS.

Regiment was enrolled April 26, 1898, and mustered into the service for
two years. May 7, 1898. at Camp Tanner, Springfield, Illinois. Left Camp
Tanner and arrived at Chickamauga Park May 16, 1898; arrived at Newport
News July 24, 1898: sailed on St. Louis for Porto Rico July 25, 1898:
arrived Ponce. P. R.. July 31. 1898; landed at Arroyo August 2, 1898, under
slight resistance by Spanish. Participated in engagement at Guayama, August
5, 1898; north of Guayama August 8 and 13, 1898: outpost duty north of
Guayama till October i, 1898; in camp east of Guayama until November 2,

430 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

1898; embarked on Roumania for New York November 2, 1898, and sailed
November 3, 1898, arriving November 9. 1898. Ordered to home stations
via railroad, arriving November 11. 1898. The regiment was mustered out
at JoHet, IlUntjis. January J4. 1899.

THIRD REGIMENT INFANTRY.
(Two Years' Service.)
Major.
Joseph B. Caughey, Elgin; mustered out January 24. 1899.

Assistant Surgeon.
Carlton E. Starrett, Elgin; mustered out Januarv 24. 1899.

Battalion Adjutant.
George E. Houck, Elgin; mustered out Januarv 24. 1899.

Band.
Albert Hagopean, Elgin; transferred from Company E; mustered out
January 24, 1899.

Winfield S. Leidig, Elgin ; transferred from Company E ; mustered out
January 24, 1899.

Etinne Noiret, Elgin ; transferred from Company E ; mustered out
January 24, 1899.

Alfred J. Scarisbrick, Elgin; transferred from Company E; mustered out
January 24, 1899.

Leonard Schoeberlein, Aurora ; transferred from Company A ; mustered
out January 24. 1899.

COMPANY A.

Priz-ates.

Joseph Farrell, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.

Roy Fisk, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11. 1898.

Fred H. Fricke, Aurora ; transferred from Company C ; transferred to
Reserve Corps Ambulance.

Joseph Howard, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.

Thomas F. McCarthy, Elgin; transferred to Company E ]May 11, 1898.

William H. Snyder. Aurora; transferred to Companv D May 11, 1898.

Jacob Schrepfer, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.

Leonard Schoeberlein, Aurora ; transferred from Company F ; transferred
to Regiment Band May ir. 1898.

COMPANY c.

Privates.
Adolph R. Bergeman, Aurora: transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
Robert M. Dyer. Aurora: transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
William E. Ferriere, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, i8g8.
Fred H. Fricke, Aurora: transferred to Company A ^lay 13, 1898.
Charles O. Miller, Aurora; transferred to Company I ^lay 11, 1898.
Adolph Martin, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
John Paulus, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
Mont L. Robinson, Aurora: transferred to Company I ^lay 11, 1898.
Sam F. Stiilson, Aurora: transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

FOUXTAIX SQUARE SHOWING FOUXTAIN.

NOON AT WATCH FACTORY, ELGIN.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 433

COMPANY D.

Captai>i.
John L. Graves, Aurora: mustered out January i8, 1899.

First Licntenmit.
Fred L. Thatcher, Aurora ; absent ; sick at muster out of regiment.

Second Lieutenant.
Charles F. Spicer, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

First Sergeant.
John H. Simmons, Aurora ; mustered out January 18, 1899, as sergeant.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
WiUiam H. Snyder, Aurora; transferred from Company A; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Sergeants.
Warren O. Lintner, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
George R. Pulford, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899, as private.

Corporals.
Frank Davis, Aurora; promoted sergeant May 7, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Ellis Ames, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Walter T. Grant, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899, as private.
Arthur C. Russell, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Dale E. Lanigan, Aurora; promoted first sergeant June 17, 1898; mus-
tered out January 18, 1899.

John F. Helslag, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Archie G. Sylvester, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Musician.
Harry Marvin, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Priz'ates.
Stephen A. Boone, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.
W. H. Branson, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
John Burkel. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
Charles E. Brown, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Grover W. Breese, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Thomas Blair. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
LaFontaine Cooley, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
James M. Cornell, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Frank L. Drew. Elgin ; transferred from Company I ; promoted corporal
June 17, 1898; mustered out January 18, 1899.

James W. Dunlap, Aurora; promoted corporal June 17. 1898; mustered
out January 18. 1899.

Fred Dano. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.
George Dunn, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.
Jesse C. Eatinger. Geneva: mustered out January 18. 1899.
George Fanble; Aurora; promoted corporal May 7. 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Ray R. Fisk, Elgin : transferred from Company E ; mustered out January
18, 1899.

434 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY

John A. Farrell. Elgin; transferred to Company E May 12, 1898.

Joseph Farrell, Elgin; transferred from Company E; mustered out Jan-
uary 18. 1899.

John Gabrielson. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Ralph Gharet. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

George Gharet. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Charles O. Hendricker, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Albert \\'. Hendricker. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

George Hamell. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.

Charles J. Johnson, Aurora ; transferred to Company I May 1 1. 1898.

Peter Johnson. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.

John Jackson, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.

Clarence B. Knight, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

John N. Kramer, Aurora; mustered out Januan,- 18, 1899.

Edward G. Karl, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Roy E. Knight, Aurora; transferred to Company I ilay 11. 1898.

Lawrence Krantz, Aurora; transferred to Company I ^lay 11, 1898.

Charles F. Kuehn. Aurora; transferred to Company I ilay 11, 1898.

Anthony J. Love, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles Leidberg, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Emil Larson. Batavia; mustered out January 18. 1899.

George Law, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1899.

George H. Lippold, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1899.

Claude LaSure, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

John Maher, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Alex Menz. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Edward McGinnis, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Fred Martin, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Fred A. Martin, Aurora; transfered to Company I May 11, 1898.

Lester K. Oakley. Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Robert H. Ostrander. St. Charles; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles Pfister, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1899.

Edward Pfister, Aurora; transferred to Company I !May 11. 1899.

Elmer Phillips, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1899.

Charles F. Phillips, Aurora; promoted corporal June 17, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Frank E. Pagel. Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Eugene A. Pierce, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

James Robinson, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Frank Resetter, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Edmund Russ, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11. 1898.

James A. Sherwood, Aurora; promoted corporal May 7, 1S98; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

William Stratton, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.
Emil Stegmann. Aurora; promoted artificer May 20, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 435

Jacob Schrepfer, Elgin; transferred from Company E; mustered out
January i8, 1899.

Charles Swahn, Batavia; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Arthur Streed, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Edward G. Schairer, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Louis E. Shoger, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Frank Seigmund, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

Ernest J. Thill, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Raymond White, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Clare Weaver, Batavia; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

John C. Weiland, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Transferred from Company I.

Joseph Apple, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 12, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Frank Burns, Batavia; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Martin Bickler, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Claude C. Colie, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Clare E. Coburn, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 12, 1898.

Harry W. Dean, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 12, 1898.

Albert H. Drew, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Lewis A. Drake, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Harry F. Dyer, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Henry B. Damon, Elgin; died November 25, 1898, Chicago.

Harry H. Elmore, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank M. Gillis, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 12, 1898.

Chester S. Goddard, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Claude C. Hayford. Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Rudolph Hansen, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Harry Howard, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles Jefferies, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Bert Kiser, Elgin: mustered out January 18, 1899.

Gustave Krueger, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Emil Mattson, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Otto Messner, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Wm. McCarthy, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank McQueeny. Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Richard E. Nass, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John J. Nepomuck, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Herman C. Niss, Elgin ; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Edward Runge, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Henry C. Rahn, Elgin; deserted July 5, 1898, Chickamauga Park,
Georgia.

John Schrepfer, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John W. S. Soost, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William A. Thompson, transferred to Company E May 12, 1898.

Hugh G. Taylor, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Chas. C. Zimmerman, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

436 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Recruits.

Lester S. Allen, Elgin; mustered out January i8, 1899.

Bert C. Drake, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William C. Flaherty, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William T. Gleason, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William A. Haywood, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Dennis Hennessey, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Oscar H. Hamilton, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Gustave Johnson, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Nelson W. Johnson, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Maurice Kundert, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Alfonso Lapoint, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Fred Lackey, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

George P. McKee, Aurora; promoted corporal July 5, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.
/ Eugene P. Morean, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John J. Murphy, Geneva; mustered out January 18, 1899.

James E. Moore, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles H. Pruett, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Fred W. Pruett, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Michael Rausch, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles M. Smith. Aurora; promoted musician October i, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Charles F. Soules, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Adam Thiel, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Otis E. Walbaum, Elgin; mustered out January 18, 1899.

COMPANY E.

Captain.
Benjamin E. Gould. Elgin: mustered out January 13, 1899.

First Lieutenant.
Jacob Bodee, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Second Lieutenant.
Frederick J. Smailes. Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

First Sergeant.
James E. King, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Quartermaster Sergeant.
Burton R. Dodge, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Sergeants.
Charles F. Krueger, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
William E. Gieske, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Walter Hanchet, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Ralph Hawthorne, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Corporals.
William C. Marvyne, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Charles D. Fuller, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1869.
Edward C. Joslyn. Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Roy Slocum, Elgin: mustered out January 13, 1899, as private.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 437

Jesse L. Prime, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Charles A. Bode, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Guy W. E. Graham, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John W. Dame, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Frank Zorno, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

James W. Rodgers, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Wagoner.

Joseph E. Edwards, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Musicians.

Oscar L. Adams, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Clarence H. Eames, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Privates.

Arthur E. Arvedson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Albert W. Anderson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Henry W. Batterman, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

George W. Brown, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Arthur S. Butler, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Carl C. Bonner, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

George E. Breidster, Elgin; discharged September 29, 1898; O. W. D.

John D. Bruce, Elgin; transferred to Company A May 11, 1898.

Justus A. Carpenter, Elgin; died November i, 1898, Elgin, Illinois.

Ervie W. Colton, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

M. W. Cloudman, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Clarence E. Cash, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Ira A. Carswell, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Walter E. Dewis, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Theo. S. Erickson, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

William J. Eyre, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Charles Edwards, Elgin; transferred to Company A May 11, 1B98.

Frank B. Foote, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1898.

George E. Fleming, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1898.

Donald Gaylord, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1898.

Joseph Howard, Elgin; transferred from Company A; mustered out
January 13, 1898.

Lester D. Hardiman, Elgin; promoted corporal July 14, 1898; mustered
out January 13, 1899.

James S. Hippie, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

William A. Hawley, Dundee; promoted corporal July 14, 1898; mustered
out January 13, 1899.

Max Heineman, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Albert Hagopean, Elgin; transferred to Regiment Band May 20, 1898.

George R. Knott, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

August E. Krogsrud, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Winfield S. Leidig, Dundee; transferred to Regiment Band June 7, 1898.

Charles T. Lincoln, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John A. Moore, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Clarence T. Manville, Elgin: mustered dut January 13. 1899.

438 KANE COUNTY HISTOKY

Arthur C. INlann, Dundee; mustered rjut January 13, 1899.

Patrick F. Moore, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Edwin M. McDowell, Elgin; promoted corporal July 14, 1898; mustered
out January 13. 1899.

Albert C. Marcellus, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Thomas F. McCarthy, Elgin; transferred from Company A; mustered
out January 13, 1899.

Nels Nelson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Ivan A. Olson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Joseph Patt, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Robert Pumleigh, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Carl E. Peterson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Benjamin H. Rendell, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Albert A. Sederstram, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Stephen A. Stuart, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John W. Sponholtz, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Fred Schoeberlein, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John Scheflow, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Alfred J. Scarisbrick, Elgin; transferred to Regiment Band May 20,
^898.

Henry F. Volstorft", Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

William H. Welsby, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John G. Westveer. Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Edward A. York, Elgin; transferred to United States Hospital Corps
June 4, 1898; S. O. No. 26.

Transferred from Co)iipany I.

Alfred S. Bennorth, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Stuart Barlow, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Edward G. Daugherty. Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Chas. E. Hunt, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Clair E. Colburn, Elgin; died September 23, 1898, Guayama, P. R.

Carleton C. Taylor. Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Marceus Veure, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1S99.
Transferred from Company D.

Joseph Apple, Elgin: mustered out January 13, 1899.

Harry W. Dean, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

John Farrel, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Frank N. Gilles, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Wm. A. Thompson, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Recruits.

George O. Apple. Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Fred E. Barnes, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

Walter H. Brown, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

Albert H. Chapman, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

August E. Frank. Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

William E. Foster. Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

James C. Humphrey, Elgin; mustered out January 13. 1899.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 439

James F. Hennessey, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Fred H. Meister, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Etienne Noiret, Elgin; transferred to band July 20, 1898.
Frank D. Newton, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Edward Paul, Elgin ; mustered out January 13,1 899.
Harry A. Quackenbush, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Guy D. Reid, Hampshire; mustered out January 13, 1899.
John D. Smith, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Fred E. Seymour, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Ray W. Shultz, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Frank W. Sawyer, Dundee; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Adolph C. Stover, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Fred S. Smith, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Harry Wendell, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Ulysses J. Wanemaker, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.
Park J. Whipple, Elgin; mustered out January 13, 1899.

COMPANY F.

Private.
Leonard P. Schoeberlein, Aurora; transferred to Company A May II,
1898.

COMPANY G.

Corporal.
Laverne I. Dolph, Elgin; mustered out January 14, 1899.

Privates.
Edgar D. Beebe, Elgin; died May 16, 1898, at Springfield, Illinois.
Mark Conley, Elgin ; transferred from Company I ; mustered out January
14, 1899.

Carey A. Dolph, Elgin; transferred from Company I; mustered out
January 14, 1899.

Lee J. Laurie, Aurora; transferred to Company I May 11, 1898.

COMPANY I.

Captain.
Charles N. Greene, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

First Lieutenant.
William Kline, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Second Lieutenant.
Albert Lindsey, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1898.

Privates.
Robert L. Angell, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Joseph F. Apple, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.
John W. Althen, Elgin; transferred to Company D May li, 1898.
Louis Andrews, St. Charles; mustered out January 18, 1899.
James A. Bedford, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Alfred Bedfard, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Frank Burns, North Aurora; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.
Alfred S. Bennorth, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.
Stuart Barlow. Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.

440 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Martin Bickler, Elgin; transferred to Company D May ii, 1898.

Charles Coon, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William Calahan, Aurora; promoted corporal July 19, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Harry Cowan, Aurora; transferred to Company B June 8, 1898.

Mark Conley, Elgin; transferred to Company G May 11, 1898.

Clare E. Coburn. Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Glen F. Collins, St. Charles; discharged May 17, 1898; S. O. No. 115.

Claud C. Colie, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Louis A. Drake. Aurora: transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Seth Dyer, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank Drew, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Edward G. Dougherty. Elgin; transferred to Company E July 19, 1898.

Albert H. Drew, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Henry B. Damon. Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Harry W. Dean. Elgin: transferred to Company D ^lay 11, 1898.

Harry F. Dyer, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Carey Dolph, Elgin: transferred to Company G May 11, 1898.

Fred Eardley, Aurora; promoted corporal July 19. 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Harry H. Elmore, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11. 1898.

Henry Greiner. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Chester S. Goddard, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11. 1898.

Frank M. Gillis. Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

J. L. Gulig, St. Charles; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Henry Hedin, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Cornelius Holdren. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Albert Hippe. Aurora: discharged August 3, 1898; S. O. No. 181.

William F. Herlehy, Aurora; transferred to Hospital Corps September i,
1898.

Rudolph Hanson, Elgin; transferred to Company D Islay 11, 1898.

Harry Howard, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Oscar Hegland. St. Charles; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Charles E. Hunt, Elgin; transferred to Company E May 11, 1898.

Claude A. Hayford. Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

William A. Jerl, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles Joslyn, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Joseph Johnson, Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Charles Jeffries, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

John Kolf. Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Gus A. Krueger. Elgin: transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Burt Kaiser. Elgin; transferred to Company D Maj' 11, 1898.

Charles Kingburg. Batavia; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Fred E. Landburg. Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

John Lorang. Aurora; mustered out January 18. 1899.

Lee J. Loria. Aurora: transferred from Company G; mustered out Jan-
uary 18. 1899.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY .444

William C. Alunson, Aurora; mustered out January i8, 1899.

Charles Monroe, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John McCarthy, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Waldo Mills, Aurora; transferred to Hospital Corps June 13, 1898.

Otto Messner, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Emil Mattson, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

William McCarthy. Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Frank M. McOueeny, Elgin; transferred to Company D May II, 1898.

Herman C. Niss, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Richard Nass, Elgin; transferred to Company D May il, 1898.

John J. Nepomick, Aurora; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Fred Parks, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Alexander Plant, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Lee Ryan, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Henry C. Rhan, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Edward Runge, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Henry Rowcliff, Batavia; mustered out January 18, 1898.

John W. S. Soost, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

John Schrepfer, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Hugh C, Taylor, Elgin; transferred to Company D May il, 1898.

William A. Thompson, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

Carlton C. Taylor, Elgin; transferred to Company E May li, 1898.

Marcus Veuve, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.

John Wantz, Aurora ; mustered out January 1 8, 1 899.

Chas. Zimmerman, Elgin; transferred to Company D May 11, 1898.
Transferred from Company D.

Jolm Burkel, Aurora ; promoted corporal, then sergeant, then quarter-
master sergeant, November 3, 1898; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William H. Branson, Aurora; promoted sergeant May 11, 1898; mus-
tered out January 18, 1899.

Stephen Boone, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John Custer, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

George Dunn, Aurora; promoted corporal August 16, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

George Gharet, Aurora; promoted corporal July 19, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Ralph Gharet, Aurora; promoted corporal June 17, 1898; mustered out
Januan,' 18, 1899.

George Harnell, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Albert W. Hendricker, Aurora; promoted sergeant, then first sergeant,
May II, 1898; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Fred Dano, Aurora; promoted corporal May 20, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Lawrence Krantz, Aurora; promoted corporal August 11, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

George A. Law, Aurora; promoted sergeant May 11, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

442 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Peter Johnston, Batavia; mustered out January i8, 1899.

Charles Johnston, Batavia; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John Jackson, Geneva; mustered out January iS, 1899.

Chas. F. Kuehn, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Roy E. Knight, Aurora; mustered cut January 18, 1899.

George H. Lippold, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Thomas Manion, Aurora; promoted corporal May 26, 1898; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Fred A. Martin, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Fred Martin, Aui:ora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Lester K. Oakley, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Elmer Phillips, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Charles Pfister, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

A. Eugene Pierce, North Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Edmond Russ, Aurora; promoted corporal July 19, 189S; mustered out
January 18, 1S99.

Henry Russ, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Edward Pfister, Aurora; promoted sergeant May 11, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Clare Weaver, Batavia; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank Wellman, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank Seigmund, Aurora; discharged September 15, 1898; disability,
out January 18, 1899.

Louis E. Shoyer, Aurora; promoted musician May 11, 1898; mustered
Transferred from Company C

Adolph R. Bergeman, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Robert M. Dyer, Aurora; died June 8, 1898, at Ch'cakamauga Park,
Georgia.

Chas. O. Miller, Aurora; promoted corporal May 11, iSg6; mustered
out January 18, 1899.

Adolph Martin, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

John Paulus, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Mont L. Robinson, Aurora; promoted corporal May 26, 1898.

Sam F. Stilson, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

W. E. Ferriere, Aurora; promoted artificer June 11, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Recruits.

John Dehn, Aurora; promoted corporal August 11, 1898; mustered out
January 18, 1899.

Alexander Dissell, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

William Edwards, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Arthur H. Fuller, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Chrib Hennes, Aurora; died September 22, 1898, at Guayama, P. R.

Rufus Lincoln. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Wm. McNally, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

James McCullom, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

Frank H. Michaels, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

HIGHLAND AVENUE BRETHREN CHURCH, ELGIN,

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 445

John Rousell, Aurora; mustered out January i8, 1899.
Byron Rogers, Aurora: mustered out January 18, 1899.
Walter S. Shackley. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
George Schneider. Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Frank G. Sperry, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Mathew Schmit, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Jacob C. Trumbull, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Edward Whitmore, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.
Fred Young, Aurora; mustered out January 18, 1899.

CHAPTER XVHI.

POLITICAL.

The political complexion of the county of Kane for many years from the
date of its organization was democratic. At the first presidential election, in
1836, the county polled 334 votes, of which the democrats cast 235 and the
whigs 93. At the general election of August 6, 1838, Thomas Cralin, demo-
crat, received 511 votes for governor, and Cyrus Edwards, whig, 323. B. F.
Fridley was elected sheriff on the same ticket by a clear majority of 301 over
both his whig opponents, Leonard Howard and William L. Church, and two
out of the three commissioners were also democrats. The tide was turned in
1840. when the exciting Harrison campaign brought out a vote of 1,584, the
whigs carrying the county by a majority of 36. The lead was reversed in
August, 1842, when out of a total vote of 1,240 Thomas Ford, democratic
candidate for governor, received 750; Joseph Duncan, whig, 457, and Charles
W. Hunter, the first candidate of the liberty party, 32. Of the liberty votes
13 were cast in St. Charles and 6 in Elgin. This was the beginning of the
wonderful action against slavery and its ills, which was brought to full fruition
by the ever memorable Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. To be an aboli-
tionist in those days meant far more than a casual glance at the printed word
today could possibly reveal, an abolitionist then being considered no more
favorably than is a socialist now.

In August, 1843, John Wentworth, democrat, beat Giles Spring, whig,
247 votes for congress in Kane county. In 1844, at the presidential election,
the fight was hot, and resulted in the democrats polling 1,046 votes, the whigs
748. and the liberal party 299. In March, 1848, the county cast 1,108 votes
for the new constitution and 348 against; and upon the question of a two-mills
tax, for the support of schools, the 221 persons who in their blindness voted
against it were overwhelmed by the 1,176 who were wiser and voted for it.
At the general election in August following, B. C. Yates, whig, was elected
sheriff, but John F. Farnsworth, liberty candidate for state senator, was
defeated by William B. Plato, democrat. John Wentworth was reelected to
congress, his competitors being J. Young Scammon, whig, and Owen Lovejov,
liberty candidate. The latter received 418 votes, which showed that the little

440 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

seed sown in 1S42 was growing. Aside from the three regular tickets there
were two others in the I'leld, a "people's" ticket and the "barn-burners" or
Van Buren nominations. Mr. Yates was elected upon the people's ticket, as
was also Charles B. Wells, for circuit clerk. Wentworth's majority for con-
gress in the county was 368, which was only exceeded by Lake, LaSalle and
DeKalb. The district (fourth) was then composed of the counties of Cook,
Lake, McHenry, Boone, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, Will, Grundy,
LaSalle, Bureau, Livingston, Champaign, McLean, Vermilion and Iroquois —
seventeen in all. Among the candidates for circuit judge were Theophilus L.
Dickey of Ottawa, and Onslow Peters, of Peoria. The latter withdrew and
Mr. Dickey was elected. The death of this estimable gentleman and able
judge occurred July 22, 1885. At the presidential election in 1848 the heaviest
vote was polled which up to that time the county had given — 2,858.

In 1849 the democratic ticket was again successful in the county. By
1850 the whig party had gained such strength that it began to make itself
heard and felt. At a whig meeting held at Geneva, August 10, 1850, Leonard
Howard was chairman and T. C. Moore, secretary. Other prominent whigs,
whose names appear in the record of this meeting, were B. C. Yates, M. V.
Hall, Ira H. Fitch, Wm. Debit, Charles Clark, Thomas H. Thompson, C. F.
Buck, A. C. Gibson, Peter Sears, L. A. Norton and Dr. Tyler. Resolutions
were adopted opposing the extension of slavery in any manner; endorsing
Daniel Webster's remarks on the subject of slavery; approving Senator
Seward's course on the slave question; lauding the dead president, Zachary
Taylor (died July 9, 1850), for his manly and judicious course; and expressing
confidence in the then president, Millard Fillmore ; also favoring a free bank-
ing system in Illinois, "in which the interests of the bill holder shall be under
all circumstances fully and completely secured."

The people of Kane county condemned in strong language the fugitive
slave act, passed by congress in 1850. Mass meetings were held and resolu-
tions adopted opposing the act, and asserting that "the doctrine of property in
man is directly opposed to the principles of our government, at war with
Christianity, and repugnant to the common sense of mankind." The previous
heavy democratic majorities in the county were so reduced in 1850 that the
greatest was but no, which William B. Plato received for state senator over
T. C. Moore. A portion of the whig ticket was elected. For the legislature,
Augustus Adams, whig, and B. F. Hall, democrat, were chosen. B. C. Yates
had ninety-six votes majority over James Hotchkiss, for sheriff, and J. P.
Bartlett, for coroner, defeated Seth Marvin by 100. For congressman the Kane
county vote stood : Richard S. Molony, democrat, 978 ; Churchill Coffing,
whig, 938; James H. Collins, free soil, 237. The district elected Molony.

The intense feeling upon the slavery question brought out the warmest
advocates for either side of the controversy, and on more than one occasion
serious trouble was threatened. The pro-slavery men were bitter in their
denunciation of the action of their anti-slavery opponents, but the latter man-
fully stood their ground through all the stormy years, until the terrible war
of the Rebellion forever settled the question and saw the star of their hope
arise and lead all the world to the contemplation of a land whose people were

KANE COUNTY HISTORY Ul

free — where the fetters were stricken from four milHon human beings, whose
days had been previously passed in !)ondagc. At one time a series of aboHtion
lectures was delivered at the courthouse in Geneva, by Ichabod Codding, and
the bitter pro-slavery men threatened to mob the speaker. John F. Farns-
worth, of St. Charles, and Isaac Preston, of Aurora, paroled the ante-room of
the courthouse with slugshots in their sleeves, made of chunks of lead encased
in old stockings, ready to give the rioters a warm reception should they
attempt to carry out their threats and interrupt Mr. Codding's speeches. Such
episodes as these led to the tremendous revulsion of feeling which finally over-
threw the old order of things, and established a new one from which the
county has never since departed. It is true that in certain years, and on purely
home issues, the question of politics has scarcely entered into the fight, but on
all matters of national importance the voice of Kane county has been distinctly
heard upon the platform where it became anchored in the great presidential
campaign of 1856 — that of the republican party. The men who so zealously
advocated the abolition of slavery went out in the dark years of 1861-65 and
fought for the principles in which they believed. The political struggle
through which the nation passed during the decade preceding the Civil war
was shared in most earnestly by the people of this county; and none were
readier than they to advance to the country's aid in time of trouble.

The assertion has been made by more than one person that the repub-
lican party was organized in Kane county, but a few dates will dispel that
illusion :

On the 22d of February, 1854, a free-soil or free-tlemocratic convention
was held at Jackson, Michigan, a mass convention at Kalamazoo, on the 21st
of June following, and a grand mass convention at Jackson on the 6th of July.
All of these were prior to anything held in Kane county, or, so far as know n,
in any other part of this or any state. A republican platform was adopted. At
Madison, Wisconsin, a republican state convention met and adopted a sterling
platform on the 18th of July, 1854. August 4, of the same year, a call
was circulated in Kane county for a republican county convention, to be
held at Geneva, on the 19th of the same month. This call was signed by
George S. Bangs, William McMicken, William A. Tanner, William McMicken,
Jr., I. W. Phillips, A. Woodworth, A. Huntington, P. A. Allaire, A. R. Bart-
lett, F. A. Munson, R. G. Montony, I. A. W. Buck, I. T. Bevier, J. H.
Thompson, A. D. Warner, Holmes Miller, Ira Fox, A. Hard, C. Osborn, Rev.
Lewis Benedict. Austin Mann. E. K. Isbell, C. S. Roe, Burr Winton, L. D.
Brady, S. Hoyles, Z. Church, and many other well-known citizens of the
county. The convention was temporarily presided over by Hon. A. C. Gibson,
of Aurora, and Rev. A. J. Joslyn, of Elgin, was secretary. The permanent
organization had E. W. Brewster, as president; L. A. Winslow, A. H. Baird,
J. P. Bartlett, and T. H. Thompson, vice presidents; H. T. Kingsbury, of
Aurora, and E. W. Vining, of Elgin, secretaries. Prominent delegates made
rousing speeches, and emphatic resolutions were adopted.

The republican congressional convention was held September 20, 1854,
in the Congregational church at Aurora. The first republican ticket contained
the names of the following candidates: For congress, J. H. Woodworth,

448 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

of Chicago; for senator, Augustus Adams; for members of assembly, Benjamin
Hackney, of Aurora, and William Patten, of Sandwich; for sheriff, Edward
Alexander, of Geneva; for coroner, J. P. Bartlett, of Campton. The entire
ticket was elected with the exception of Alexander, who was beaten for sheriff
by L. P. Barker, democrat, of Batavia.

A claim made that the party was organized in LaSalle county must be
set aside in the light of the foregoing facts, for the first republican county
convention in that county was held in Ottawa, on the 30th of August, 1854,
eleven days after the one at Geneva. But it cannot be denied that the great
movement was stirring the entire region at one and the same time, and the
stupendous republican party was finally fully organized and united at the
national convention held at Philadelphia in 1856.

In 1873 the farmers' movement gained footing in Kane county, and
numerous local organizations of the Patrons of Husbandry, known as Grang-
ers, were formed; the first of these was at St. Charles. Mark H. Bisby, of
the township, was county deputy and organizer, and most of the prominent
farmers in the county were engaged in the movement. Several candidates
upon the county ticket were elected by the Grangers in 1873, but as a political
card the order did not continue long in importance, and the star of the insti-
tution finally set.

From the days of the early settlements a strong temperance feeling has
existed among the people, and we find that, in Aurora at least, a temperance
organization existed as early as 1837, presided over by Elias D. Terry. Var-
ious societies have been formed in the different towns and villages, most of
which are now out of existence. Their places have been largely filled by
the Woman's Christian Temperance Unions, the Young Woman's Christian
Temperance Unions, the Young Men's Christian Association and prohibition
party. The work these bodies are doing is of almost incalculable magnitude,
and its influence for the good of the race is undisputed.

In 1884 there were four presidential candidates, viz.: Blaine, republican;
Cleveland, democratic; St. John, prohibition, and Butler, independent green-
back. At the election this year( 1908) the candidates of seven different parties
will have a place on the ticket, which will be nearly three feet wide and two
feet in length.

The most important political change in the past fifty years has been the
passing of the new primary election law. which practically destroys the
influence of the county convention in the nomination of candidates for office.
Two primary laws were declared unconstitutional. The present one is yet to
be tested. Its pnictical effect has been on its first trial, to aft'ord the \oter a
choice of from three to six candidates for each, where under the old system the
voters elected the delegates and they chose the candidates. On tlje first trial
for direct nominations the voters apparently used good judgment, for the list
of nominees is made up of men apparently capable of filling the positions for
which they seek election.

Since the convention of 1854 Kane county has continued republican by
a large majority, the present plurality being six to one. Democrats have,
however, been elected to tlie cminty judgeship three times, owing to local con-

KANE COUNTY HISTOKY 44y

ditions. The modern tendency is the development of two contending repub-
Hcan factions.

Names of county ol^cers, from organization of the county in 1836 to
7.871 :

County Clerk— 1836 to 1847, Mark W. Fletcher; 1847 to 1849, J- L.
Warner; 1849 to 1857, James Harrington; 1857 to 1861, John Green; 1861
to 1869, H. B. Pierce; 1869 to 1872, Frank P. Crandon.

Circuit Court Officers: Recorder — 1836 to 1843, David Dunham; 1843
to 1847, George W. Gorton; 1847 to 1849, E. H. Swarthout. Clerk — 1836
to 1837, Allen P. Hubbard; 1837 to September, 1848, M. W. Fletcher; Sep-
tember, 1848 to 1849, Charles B. Wells. Clerk and Recorder — 1849 to 1852,
Charles B. Wells; 1852 to 1856, Luther Dearborn; 1856 to i860, Paul R.
Wright; i860 to 1864, Thomas C. Moore; 1864 to 1868, Pindar F. Ward;
1868 to 1872, J. W. Parrington.

Treasurer — 1837 to 1840, John Griggs; 1840, H. A. Miller; 1841 to
1843, B- T. Hunt; 1843, E. R. Allen; 1844, Charles Metcalf; 1845 to 1847,
James Hotchkiss; 1847 to March, 1850, Thomas A. Scott; from March, 1850,
to November, 1850, S. K. Whiting; from November, 1850, to November,
1851, John Clark; from November, 1851 to 1853, A. W. Glass; 1853 to 1855,
George P. Harvey; 1855 to 1857, George W. Waite; 1857 to 1859, William
R. West; 185910 1861, Adin Mann; 1 861 to 1865, R. W. Hoyt; 1865 to 1867,
W. H. Miller; 1867 to 1869, A. Barto; 1869 to 1872, W. P. West.

Sherifif — 1836 to 1840, B. F. Fridley ; 1840 to 1842, James Risk; 1842
to 1848, Noah B. Spaulding; 1848 to January, 1851; B. C. Yates;
January, 1851 to 1852, Luther Dearborn; 1852 to 1854, Noah

B. Spaulding; 1854 to 1856 L. P. Barker; 1856, to 1858, George E. Corwin;
1858 to i860, E. J. Allen; i860 to 1862, Demarcus Clark; 1862 to 1864, J. H.
Whipple; 1864 to 1866, H. L. Perry; 1866 to 1868, D. Smith; 1868 to 1870,
L. M. Kelly; 1870 to 1872, J. C. Brown.

County Judge — 1836, Mark Daniels; 1837 to 1839, Isaac Wilson; 1839
to 1842, H. N. Chapman; 1842, L. Howard; 1843 to 1847, S. S. Jones; 1847
to 1849, Alexander V. Sill; 1849 to June, 1851, J. G. Wilson; June, 1851, to
1857, W. D. Barry; 1857 to 1861, Daniel Eastman; 1861 to 1865, R. N.
Botsford; 1865 to 1867, J. T. Brown; 1867 to 1869, C. D. F. Smith; 1869
to 1872, W. D. Barry.

School Commissioner— 1 84 1 to 1843, Ira Minard; 1843 to 1845, Wyatt
Carr; 1845 to 1847, A. W. Churchill; 1847 to 1849, John W. Hapgood;
1849, Joseph Kimball; 1850 to 1853, E. W. Brewster; 1853 to 1855, D. D.
Waite; 1855 to 1857, Mervin Tabor; 1857 to 1861, David Higgins; 1861
to 1863, N. T. Nichols; 1863 to 1865, Clark Braden; 1865 to 1869, C. E.
Smith ; 1869 to 1872, George B. Charles.

County Clerk — 1873, J. C. Sherwin; 1880, Thomas Meredith; 1887,
A. M. Beaupre; 1894, Charles W. Raymond; 1898, John McKellar; 1892,
William F. Lynch; 1906, William F. Lynch.

Clerk of Circuit Court— 1872, H. f. Rockwell : 1876, C. P. Dutton; 1884,

C. A. Miller; 1888, John Dewey; 1898, T. J. Rushton; 1900, B. E. Gould;
1904, E. F. Rogers.

450 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Recorder — 1892, Joseph Ingham; 1896. Frank E. George; 1900, Frank E.
George; 1904, Frank E. George.

Treasurer— 1873, H. C. Paddock; 1876. T. F. Tohnan; 1878, T. B.
Coulter; 1880, F. L. Young; 1886, C. E. Smiley; 1890, J. ]\I. Innis; 1894,
Robert J. McCormack; 1898, Henry McGough; 1900, Samuel Shedden;
1904, George A. James.

Sheriff — 1872, J. C. Brown; 1874, L. M. Kelley; 1876, C. S. Mixer;
1880, N. S. Carlisle; "1886, John Kelley; 1890, William H. Reed; 1894, Robert
E. Burke; 1898, H. S. Demmer; 1900, Robert E. Burke; 1904, B. E.
Richardson.

County Judge — 1872, W. D. Barry; 1874, John W. Ranstead; 1882,
E. C. Lovell; 1892, D. B. Sherwood; 1894, M. O. Southworth; 1904, Frank
G. Plain.

Probate Judge — 1902, J. H. \Mlliams; 1906, D. B. Sherwood.

(This court was established in 1902.)

Probate Clerk — 1902, Peter Klein; 1906, M. J. Beverly.

States Attorney — 1836, B. F. Fridley; 1846 to 1852, Burton C. Cook;
1876, Henry B. Willis; 1880, T. E. Ryan; 1884, John A.' Russell; 1888, F. G.
Hanchett; 1892, Frank W. Joslyn; 1896. Frank W. Joslyn ; 1900, W. J.
Tyers; 1904, Frank R. Reid.

CHAPTER XIX.

COURTS BENCH AND BAR.

The county commissioners at their meeting held in September, 1836,
selected grand and petit jurors for the first term of the Kane county circuit
court, who were as follows: Grand jurors — Isaac Wilson (made foreman of
the jury), Sidney Kimball, Allen Ware, James T. Wheeler, William Van
Nortwick, Samuel jMcCarty, X^icholas Gray, Edwin Knight. James Squares,
Benjamin F. Phillips. Otho W. Perkins, Ansel Kimball, Walter Hotchkiss,
John Van Fleet, William T. Elliott, John Ross, Friend Marks, Solomon
Dunham, Marshall Starks, George Johnson, Lyman Barber. Petit jurors —
Calvin Ward, Read Ferson, B. H. Smith, E. R. Mann, Solomon H. Hamilton,
James H. Latham, Carlos Lattin. John V. King, James Ferson, John Douglas,
Ira ]Merrick and Gideon Young.

The first term of the circuit court was held at Geneva, in James Herring-
ton's log house, on June 19, 1837, Judge John Pearson presiding. A. B.
Hubbard acted as clerk pro tem and B. F. Fridley as sheriff. The first jury
trial at this court was that of John Wilson et al. vs. Thomas Wilson, for
trespass. The jury found the defendant guilty and assessed the plaintiff's
damages at $4,160.66, probably an amount equal to all the money in circula-
tion in the county at that time. The calendar at that term was large, most
of the actions being for trespass. The grand jury presented five indictments,

EARLY KANE COUNTY JUDGES AND LAWYERS.

E. G. MOXTOXY.

J. F. FAKXSWORTH.

E. S. JOSLYN.

A. H. BARKY.

P.. N. BOTSFOKD.
I. G. WILSON.
A. M. HEERIXGTON.
F. G. GARFIELD.

B. F. PARKS.

B. F. FRIDLEY.

J. H. MAYBORNE.

SYLA-AXrS WILCOX.

KANE COUNTY IIISTOEY 453

two for riot and three for larceny. The rioters were fined $5 and costs each
at the following September term. Much of the business of this grand jury
and of the first term of court w-as with claim jumpers and house burners.
A couple of these worthies were in examination before the jury and one of
its members, Mr. Van Nortwick, became so disgusted with the testimony that
he impatiently blurted out, "Gentlemen, you can think what you please, but
I believe these fellows swear to a d — d lie, both of them!" It was a favorite
scheme with some of these claim jumpers to come from somewhere down the
river, engage to do a job of plowing for a settler, and after having plowed
two or three acres drive off and sell the claim to another party. These rascally
proceedings did not always result healthfully for the perpetrators. The fol-
lowing from the diary of Captain Thomas H. Thompson, of Dundee, is an
illustration of the above subject, and good evidence of what the settlers were
forced to go to law about :

"Fence put up Friday, September 15, 1836; commenced drawing logs
to build house i6th; i8th, finished drawing logs and put up body of the
house; the same day Benjamin Bell came on the premises and swore that
Sutfin should not build, for he (Bell) was going to build and both of them
could not stay on the claim; at night the logs were taken down, put in a pile
and set fire to; 20th, more logs drawn, the house raised, the roof boards put
on; 2ist, 22d, 23d, work putting in gable ends, making door, chinking, hewing
down the walls and mudding; evening of 23d, roof torn off; 24th, at daylight.
Benjamin Bell and James Robinson came to the house; 25th, at night, house
set on fire."

At this term of court Mark W. Fletcher was appointed clerk in place of
Hubbard, who resigned after the first day. It is said that not a single lawyer
was then living within the limits of Kane county. Alonzo Huntington was
the state's attorney in attendance on the court. Selden M. Church had been
appointed clerk originally, but removed to Rockford before court was held,
and ]\Ir. Hubbard received his appointment from Judge Ford September 21.
1836. This first term of court lasted three days, during which time there
were five jury trials, four changes of venue granted, fourteen judgments ren-
dered amounting to $5,400, twenty suits continued and five dismissed. There-
fore it seems the pioneers dabbled quite extensively in legal proceedings, and
usually for cause. It is recorded that Jacob B. Mills and H. N. Chapman
were at this term granted the privilege of practicing as attorneys in the court.
On the second day John Douglass, by birth a Scotchman, renounced his
allegiance to the British government and swore fealty to that of the United
States.

In September, 1837, the second term of the court was held by Judge
Thomas. Most of the settlers attended the terms of court, it is said, either
as jurors, parties to suits or witnesses, or merely as spectators. Beside the
suits brought on account of conflicting claims to lands there was much trouble
and litigation over prairie fires carelessly kindled. These were, in the lan-
guage of an eminent member of the bar and formerly a practitioner of the
Kane county courts, "an annual terror," and caused great destruction of
property. When Mark W. Fletcher w'as clerk of the courts he had a Bible

454 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

upon which to swear witnesses and on one side of it was a cross, while a
dollar embellished the other side, the witness having his choice of objects to
swear upon.

The first judge of the circuit court for the district which included Kane
county was John Pearson and the second Thomas Ford, who was in 1842
elected governor of the state. Hon. B. C. Cook has said of him : "He was
one of the best circuit judges I ever knew." He was succeeded by Judge
Caton and the latter by Judge T. Lyle Dickey. Previous to 1852 the prose-
cuting attorneys of the district were Nonnan H. Purple, afterward a judge
of the supreme court and one of the ablest attorneys in the state; Seth B.
Farwell, B. F. Fridley and Burton C. Cook, the latter holding from 1846 to
1852 and attending every term of the court held in the county. He succeeded
Mr. Fridley, during whose term the courts were called upon to take in hand
the work of suppressing a class of criminals such as are found at some period
troubling the settlers in all new countries.

\'ery comical incidents sometimes occurred in the court, human nature
then being very much the same as at the present day. During the December
term, in 1858, a couple of rival horse doctors on the witness stand made
considerable sport for the spectators. One of them solemnly swore to his
positive knowledge of a disease among horses called the red belly-ache, while
the other as solemnly and earnestly swore that there was no such thing, and
both adhered tenaciously to their belief, defending their positions with much
loud talk and many emphatic gestures.

PROBATE COURT.

The probate court, originally, was simply a probate justice of the peace,
who was his own clerk, and conducted the business of his office without the
presence of the sherifif or his bailiff. Archibald Moody, of St. Charles, died
Jul)' 2^, 1836, and the first recorded act of the probate court was the
granting of letters of administration to his widow, Lydia C. Moody, by
Mark Daniels, probate justice, on the 6th of June, 1837. The bonds of the
administratrix were S2.000. with Gideon Young as surety. The first will
probated was that of Warren Tyler, also of St. Charles. It was dated
September 10, 1837. and proved and admitted to record November 6, 1837,
by Isaac Wilson, who had succeeded Daniels as probate justice. The first
letters of guardianship were issued to Closes Selby, as guardian of Rebecca
Gillespie, November 5, 1838. The seal of this probate court is described as a
"copper block, with a weeping willow and tombstone, emblematic, in those
days, of grief for the dead."

In 1849. under the new constitution, the probate justices gave place to
the county court, of which Isaac G. \\"ilson, afterward circuit judge, was
elected first judge, with James Herrington as county clerk. They were elected
in November. 1849, commissioned in December, and held the term of the
county court in January, 1850. beginning on the loth of the month. Of
this court, Andrew J, Waldron and Marcus White w^ere associate justices.
Among other business transacted was the granting of grocers' licenses —

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 455

i. e. licenses for the sale of liquors — to John D. Wygant, of Batavia, and
William G. Webster, of Geneva, the charge for the same being $25 each.

CITY COURT OF AURORA AND ELGIN.

When the original charter of the city of Aurora was granted by the
legislature in 1857, it was given an addendum providing for a city court at
that place, the idea emanating from the brains of B. F. Parks and O. D.
Day. A. C. Gibson was chosen the first judge. Elgin copied and adopted
the Aurora charter, and a city court was also created at that place, of which
C. H. Morgan was the first judge. By the terms of these charters, the
expenses of the courts were to be met by their respective cities. An act was
passed in 1859 providing that the same judge should preside over both courts,
and the two were consolidated under the title of the court of common pleas
of the cities of Aurora and Elgin. The bulk of business was transacted in
the Aurora branch. In 1870, when the new constitution was framed and
adopted, a clause was inserted similar to that in the constitution of 1848, by
which Kane county is entitled to have a superior court, with terms held at
Elgin and Aurora. The present judge of this court is Hon. Mangan, of
Aurora. Prior to tiie term of Judge Mangan, Judge John L. Healy and Judge
R. P. Goodwin, of Aurora, and Judge A. H. Barry, of Elgin, held the office.
Several attempts have been made to abolish the court, but the efforts have
proved unfruitful, owing to lack of interest. This year an attempt to awaken
interest to abolish the justice court and give the city court their work, so
far has resulted in nothing practical.

BENCH AND BAR.

The judicial district embracing Kane county has been remarkably for-
tunate in its choice of men to occupy the bench. Judge Ford, in his subsequent
career as governor of Illinois, won an enviable reputation by his upright
and straightforward administration of the affairs of the commonwealth.
Judge John D. Caton was for many years an honored resident of Cook and
LaSalle counties, and Judge Dickey, who was from the same county, died
July 22, 1885. His duties as circuit judge were admirably discharged,
and his marked ability was evident in his career as a judge of the supreme
court of Illinois. Judge Pearson was judge of the Seventh judicial circuit,
Kane county being in the Sixth, and held court several times in said county.
Judge Jesse B. Thomas belonged in what was then the First circuit, and
Judge Caton was a justice of the supreme court at the same time his services
were rendered in the Kane circuit. Supreme court then held court in their
districts as appellate justices now do. His first term here began August 25,
1842. Hon. Isaac G. Wilson's first term of the Kane county circuit court
began August 11, 1851, Phineas W. Piatt being, at the time, state's attorney.
He held the office until 18 — , being succeeded by Judge Henry B. Willis, the
present judge.

Judge Wilson was a native of Middlebury (now Wyoming) county,
New York, and the son of an eminent lawyer and judge. He was graduated
from Brown university, at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1838, and removed

456 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

at once to Chicago, whitlier his father had shortly before preceded him. He
began the study of law under Butterfield & Collins, then prominent Illinois
practitioner.'^. About a year later he entered the law school at Cambridge,
Massachusetts, and in 1841 was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, returned
to Illinois and began practice at Elgin, in August of that year. He was ele-
vated to the bench in 185 1, holding through subsequent elections for about
seventeen j-ears. In 1867 he removed to Chicago, remaining until 1871, when
he lost his valuable law library in the great fire. He finally returned to Kane
county, locating at Geneva, and w^as elected one of the judges of the Twelfth

judicial circuit. He held the office continuously from 1879 to . The

characteristics of Judge Wilson were remarkable industry, strict integrity,
and opposition to needless litigation and the delays which are so vexatious
in most courts. He is regarded as one of the ablest lawyers of Illinois, and
during his years upon the bench was several times chosen to represent his
district in the appellate court.

Hon. Silvanus Wilcox, who succeeded Judge Wilson in 1867, is a native
of Montgomer}- county, Xew York. He was a cadet at West Point for two
years, beginning in April. 1836, but was obliged to resign on account of
ill health, standing fifth in general merit, in a class of fifty. He spent five
months in the \\'est. in 1840, and finally located, in 1844. at Elgin, where
he was the next year appointed postmaster by President Polk, holding the
office during the latter's administration. He was admitted to the bar in 1846,
and in 1867 elected judge of the Twentj^-eighth judicial circuit, comprising
the counties of Kane. DuPage and Kendall. He was reelected in 1873. but
resigned in 1874, because of poor health, his resignation being received with
regret by the judiciar}- of the state.

Judges Wilson and \\'ilcox and Judge Willis are the only citizens fur-
nished by Kane county for the circuit bench of the district, but those from
other counties, who have performed its duties have been men of marked
ability and high standing in the profession. Judge Hiram H. Cody, of
DuPage, was no exception to the rule, and Judges Charles Kellum and Clark
W. Upton, stand also in the front rank. George W. Brown and L. J. Ruth,
of DuPage, and Charles A. Bishop, of DeKalb county, all three of whom
have died within three years, were each able lawyers and capable judges,
whose loss to the district can hardly be estimated.

Judge Henry B. Willis, present circuit judge, was born May 8, 1849,
in A^ermont, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1852, they locating at
Genoa, DeKalb county. In 1870 he graduated from Albany Law School.
Albany. New Y^'ork, and began practice in Elgin in 1872. He was state's
attorney. 1876 to 1880. and mayor of Elgin, 1885-7. He was elected cir-
cuit judge in 1891. succeeding Judge Isaac G. \\'ilson, and has since held that
office, conducting its business with dignity and ability. In 1906 he was
appointed one of the justices of the appellate court for the Second district.

NOT.^BLE CASES.

Although numerous murders have been committed in Kane county,
and some of them of the most diabolical character, but two men have been

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 457

legally executed for this crime within the limits of the county. At the
February term of the circuit court, in 1855, John Collins was convicted of
murder for having, while intoxicated, killed his wife. He was sentenced
to be hanged, and the penalty was inflicted upon him by Sheriff Spaulding,
April 21, 1855. N. S. Young, Esq., of Batavia, thus describes the incident:

"The sheriff and prisoner were escorted from the jail, in the old stone
court house, by an armed military company from Ciiicago, procured for the
purpose, to a spot southwest from the court house, in a hollow or ravine
just north of the present Chicago & Northwestern Railroad track, and in
sight of the present depot grounds. The scaffold was made with a platform
some three feet from the ground, with two upright posts eight or ten feet
apart, and a cross-beam on top. The rope hanging down from the center
of the cross-beam, passed over a pulley and along the beam to the post, over
another pulley and down to a large, heavy iron weight, to which it was fast-
ened. The prisoner was dressed in a nankeen suit of clothes : a white cotton
cap was drawn over his head and face : his arms were tied to his body, the rope
was placed around his neck, and, standing west, the sheriff, with a hatchet,,
cut a rope which held the heavy weight. Falling quickly and heavily, it gave
the culprit a sudden jerk upward about one foot. A slight contraction of
the legs was all there was to be seen of struggling, and soon they relaxed, and,
after hanging thirty minutes the doctor pronounced him dead. A large con-
course of people was present on the rising grounds near, and all through
the proceedings quiet and order prevailed, with no disturbance."

In 1897 an Italian named Romano was executed for killing

a companion.

There have been several noted murder cases in the county, among them
the following: April 3, 1868, Mrs. Mary Widner, second wife of Adam
Widner, was found to have been murdered. The crime was laid to John
Ferris and wife, who rented part of the Widner house, and with whom there
had been a dispute and one or two lawsuits. The trial was held at Wood-
stock, McHenry county, and ended early in April. 1869, with a verdict of
acquittal for Mrs. Ferris and a sentence of fourteen years in tlie penitentiary
for the husband, who was proved to be undoubtedly guilty.

Rev. Isaac B. Smith was tried in the fall of 1869 for the alleged drown-
ing of his wife in a creek near Elgin and Turner Junction. The trial was
long, and excited great interest, but a verdict of not guilty was reached in
November.

The Kimball case, tried in the circuit court in the fore part of May, 1881,
was for the fatal wounding of Billings \\^right by William Kimball, in the
car shops at Aurora, October 22. 1880, while the latter was intoxicated.
Wright died of his wounds in November following. The jury found Kimball
not guilty, on the plea of emotional insanity.

On Sunday, June i, 1884, Otto John Hope, a German farmer, residing
in Sugar Grove township, was killed, and his hired man, Ed. Steinburn,
dangerously wounded during a dispute over the feeding of some of Hope's
cattle on the highway. Ozias W. Fletcher and his son Merritt W.. were the
guilty parties, the shooting being done with a revolver. The trial, which

458 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY

ensued, was intensely bitter, and resulted in sending the senior Fletcher for
three years to Joliet, and sentencing the young man to death. Steinburn, the
principal witness, recovered and went to Europe, and, finally, after Merritt
Fletcher had been confined in jail three years, he succeeded in having his
sentence commuted to three years in the penitentiary, making an incarceration
of six years.

A fiendish murder was committed at Elgin, March 3. 1883, when George
Panton shot and killed his tenant, William Smith, in consequence of a dispute
over the occupation of a house belonging to Panton. It was shown that the
murder was deliberate, cold-blooded and unprovoked. Panton was arrested
and tried on a change of venue in the Boone circuit court, the jury finding
him guilty of murder in the first degree, and the judge sentencing him to
be hanged. He was granted a new trial and a second time sentenced, but
Governor Oglesby commuted his sentence to imprisonment for life in the
penitentiary. He was accordingly sent to Joliet. where he eventually became
violently insane, and in the spring of 1887 he was removed to the asylum
at Elgin, from which he subsequently escaped and has been unheard of since
Many other cases have been tried, but no convictions have been secured.

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR.

The following reminiscences are from the book of Judge John Dean
Caton, who tried the first law suit in Kane county, and for many years was
a judge of the district:

It happened also that I tried the case which was submitted to the first
petit jur}" ever impaneled in Kane county. It was Wilson vs. Wilson.

One day while at work in my office a man and his wife, way-worn and
dusty, entered, and sought my professional services for the redress of a
grievance which they had suffered. Both were rather undersized, under thirty
years of age, very poorly clad, and were what may be justly termed simple
people, without force of will or energ)'. Their story was that they had come
from Buffalo on a schooner, which a week before had been wrecked about
two miles south of this city; they and the crew had been all landed safely,
after a hard night's experience on the wreck, but they had lost everything
except what was on their persons. After a day or two's stay in the town,
they had started on foot for the country, and when in the prairie about two
miles beyond Laughton's Crossing, where Riverside now is, they had met a
drove of horses from Schuyler county, in this state, belonging to one Wilson,
who was in charge, with several men with him. Wilson pretended to be a
sheriff, and to have a warrant for their arrest, and did arrest them and detained
them about half an hour in the prairie, but finally left them, nearly frightened
to death.

After they had somewhat recovered from their fright, they turned back,
and stopped at Laughton's house at the ford, and told their pitiable story.

Laughton had been a client of mine, and they were strenuously advised
to come back to Chicago and state their case to me, with the confident assur-
ance that I would see that justice was done for the outrage. This they did.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 45<J

and hence their appearance in my office as above stated. I immediately took
means in a quiet way to obtain the name of the owner of the horses, and leader
of the gang, who was yet in town, and before night he was under bail to
appear at the next term of the circuit court to answer to an action of trespass
and false imprisonment. My clients' names were Wilson, and that was the
name of the defendant.

McScammon was retained for the defense. He succeeded in getting
the case continued for one or two terms, and then took a change of venue to
Kane county, on an affidavit showing that the people of Cook county were
prejudiced against his client so that he could not have a fair trial here.

The records of the court show the following as to this case :
John Wilson j

P..RMLICE Wilson ! rj,^,^^^^_

vs. I

Thom.\s Wilson J

This day came the parties upon a plea of not guilty; it is, thereupon,
ordered that a jury come, and thereupon came the jurors of a jury of good
and lawful men, to-wit :

Calvin Ward. Carlos Lattice.

Reed Person. John V. King.

Benjamin H. Smith. John Douglass.

E. K. Mann. Ira ]\Ierril.

Solomon H. Hamilton. James Person.

James Latham. Gideon Young,

who were severally elected, tried and sworn well and truly to try the issues
joined between the plaintiffs and the defendant, who upon their oaths do say :
"We, the jury, find the defendant guilty, and assess the plaintiffs'
damages at four thousand one hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six
cents."

John Pearson had been elected judge of this circuit at the session of
the legislature (1836-37), and he opened his first court at Geneva, on June
ig, 1S37, and the first case on the docket was that of Wilson vs. Wilson,
change of venue from Cook county. I had found a witness, who from a
distance of half a mile or more had seen the plaintiffs walking on the road in
the prairie, when they were met by the defendant with a drove of horses;
that the defendant with several other men stopped and dismounted from
their horses and seemed to surround the plaintiffs, and that after half an
hour had elapsed they remounted their horses, gathered up the drove, and
proceeded with them toward Chicago, and that after the expiration of
another half hour the plaintiffs had returned along the road to Laughton's
house, when they appeared to be in a much demoralized and frightened
condition. At that time the parties to a suit, or those who had even a
remote interest in the result, could not be allowed, or forced to testify, so
that what actually took place at the time of the stoppage in the prairie could
not be explained to the jury, but I had an undoubted right to draw the most
unfavorable inferences against the defendants, which could be justified from
the facts proved, and I made the most of this right.

m) KANE COUNTY HISTORY

The jury was out but a little while, when they returned with a verdict
of "guilty," and assessing the plaintiffs' damages at four thousand one hun-
dred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents, which amount at that time was
considered simply enormous, at least in this part of the state, for a trespass
to the person.

In the olden time in Illinois, say prior to 1850, the circuit system of
practice was in vogue in legal life, and presented incidents and peculiarities
which are entirely wanting since the country has become more populous.
\Mth the growth of the cities and towns, resident lawyers of ability and
learning are found in every county seat at least, who require no assistance in
the conduct of the most important cases. It was not so in the early days.
Then the few local lawyers who had settled in the county towns were gen-
erally newcomers, without experience and self-confidence, and both they and
their clients depended largely on the assistance from abroad, especially at
the trials of causes. This state of things necessitated a class of itinerant
lawvers whose ability and experience had secured to them reputations coex-
tensive with their judicial circuits, and. in many cases, throughout the state.
These were few at first, but with the increase of population and business
their nuinbers increased, while their theaters of action became more
circumscribed.

At first they, with the judge, traveled on horseback in a cavalcade across
the prairies from one county seat to auother. over stretches from fifty to
one hundred miles, swimming the streams when necessary. At night they
would put up at log cabins in the borders of the groves, where they fre-
quently made a jolly night of it. This was a perfect school for ston.- telling,
in which Mr. Lincoln became so proficient. It was, indeed, a jolly life on the
border, the tendency of which was to soften the asperities and to quicken
the sensibility of human nature. Here was unselfishness cultivated, and
kindliness promoted, as in no other school of which I have knowledge.

This circuit practice required a quickness of thought and a rapidity
of action nowhere else requisite in professional practice. The lawyer would,
perhaps, scarcely alight from his horse when he would be surrounded by two
or three clients requiring his services. Each would state his case in turn.
One would require a bill in chancery to be drawn. Another an
answer to be prepared. .\ third a string of special pleas, and
for a fourth a demurrer must be interposed, and so on, and all of this
must be done before the opening of the court the next morning. Then per-
haps he would be called on to assist in or to conduct a trial of which he had
never heard before, just as the jury was about to be called, when he must
learn his case as the trial progressed. This requires one to think quickly and
to make no mistakes, and to act promptly to take advantage of the mistakes
of the adversary, who was probably similary situated. It is surprising how
rapidly such practice qualifies one to meet such emergencies.

Those early settlers had not much money to pay lawyer's fees, but they
would generally pay something and give notes for the balance, or, perhaps,
turn out a horse or a colt in payment. These would probably ser\'e to pay
tavern bills, and a horse or two might be led home or sold on the wav. Fee

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 461

notes formed a sort of currency at a county seat about court time, and could
frequently be sold to a merchant or the landlord at a moderate discount.
A town lot or an eighty of land would sometimes be taken for a fee, espe-
cially when it had been part of the subject-matter of the litigation.

The southern part of this state was first settled, and so legal tribunals
were there first established. The first settlers were mostly immigrants from
Kentucky and Tennessee, with some from Virginia and the Carolinas,
though many were from the eastern states. The lawyers from tlie southern
states were in the majority, while the eastern states furnished many able
lawyers as well.

All of these men would ha\e ranked high at any bar, and were thor-
oughly read in the fundamental principles of the law. Later came Lincoln;
Davis. Treat, Douglas and Trumbull, all able men. It may be remembered
that all were young men then, and fond of amusements and pastimes and
practical jokes, and after the pressure of the first few days of the court was
over, they spent their evenings, and I may say night, in hilarity, which was
at times, no doubt, boisterous. For instance. Benedict, who had a fog-horn
of a voice, which he used most recklessly when excited, and who had been
roaring to a jury at an evening session, was met, when he came to the tavern,
by the sheriff, with a bench warrant on an indictment "for making loud and
unusual noises in the night time," and soon a court was organized and he
was put upon his trial, and before midnight he was convicted and sentenced
to repeat the offense in arguing a motion for a new trial, or to pay a heavy
fine, upon the ground that two aiTirmati\-es would make a negati\-e, or that
the hair of the same dog would cure the bite. It was said that he fairly
outdid himself in that effort, so that he aroused the whole town from their
slumbers, and he came near being fined for overdoing it.

Judge Young was a good performer on the fiddle and thus contributed
much to the hilarity of circuit life. As the settlements extended into the
northern part of the state, this circuit system of practice came with them,
and for a time prevailed in all of its pristine beauty, except in Chicago alone.
where the visits from foreign lawyers were only made upon special retainers
and in important cases. I saw I\Ir. Lincoln here several times engaged in
important cases.

Under the old circuit system, when the state was divided into fi\-e cir-
cuits, and a circuit judge was elected for each, John York Sawyer was judge
of the Vandalia circuit. He was not a tall, nor a very stout man, but carried
in front about the largest bay-window for his size I ever saw. He presided
in a very suave way, but with a fixed determination to do ample justice and
without a very scrupulous regard to forms, especially if those forms did
not suit him at the time. It was related to me that on one occasion Hubbard,
who had a considerable practice, argued some question before him at great
length and with great confidence, and concluded with an air of assurance
which declared that he knew he could not be beaten this time. The judge
in his decision praised Hubbard's argument and followed it all the way
through, especially emphasizing the weakest parts of it, as if he was greatly
impressed with them, and then decided against him without stating a single

462 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

reason for the decision. This enraged Hubbard terribly, and he could hardly
wait till court adjourned and the judge had retired before he gave vent to his
indignation to the members of the bar and other by-standers. in terms forcible
if not elegant, and in conclusion "he said : 'T tell you, gentlemen, what I am
going to do about it, and so you may prepare yourselves with smelling bottles
or cover these streets with quick lime; I am going right now to hunt up that
offensive mass of bloated humanity, and I will relieve his corpus of a peck
of tadpoles the first slash."' But he did not do it, and I was told that the
facetious judge, when told of it, laughed heartily at Hubbard's rage, regard-
ing it as an excellent joke.

Another circuit scene, in which we may see how Judge Sawyer admin-
istered the law, may be given as it was told to me by Judge Ford, soon after
I made his acquaintance, in 1834.

At the time of which he spoke, horse thieves were punished at the whip-
ping post, and Ford always insisted that it was the most deterrent punishment
ever inflicted for the punishment of crime. He said he had often seen
criminals receive a sentence of ten years or more in the penitentiary with
apparent indifference, but he had never seen a man sentenced to be whipped
who did not perceptibly wince, and that the most 'nardened would turn pale
and shudder.

A man who had been indicted for horse stealing, had retained General
Turney to defend him. The general struggled hard for his client, but the
proof was so clear that the task was hopeless, and the jury, after a short
absence, returned a verdict of guilty. The general immediately entered a
motion for a new trial, and was about to proceed to argue it, when the dinner
bell at the tavern hard by, where they all boarded, was heard loudly calling
all to dinner. Judge Sawyer, as I have said, was a man with a very pro-
trudent stomach, and he especially prized his dinner. The judge interrupted
the counsel, saying: "General Turney, I hear the dinner bell now ring, so
the court will adjourn till one o'clock, when I shall take pleasure to hear you
on your motion for a new trial." So the court was adjourned till one o'clock,
but before the judge left the bench he motioned the sheriff up to him, and
in a determined whisper, said :

"While I am gone to dinner take that rascal out behind the court house
and give him forty lashes, and mind you, lay them on well, and tell him if
he is ever caught in this count)' again you will give him twice as much."

After the whipping the culprit was turned loose and was taken charge
of by some of his friends, who washed him oft' and bathed his lacerated back
with whiskey, and dressed him, and when he had taken some dinner he
hobbled down the street, and as he passed the court house he heard the
general's loud voice and crossed over, and soon discovered he was earnestly
pleading for a new trial in his case. This horrified him. and he rushed into
the house and cried out, "For God's sake don't get a new trial. If they try
me again they will convict me again, and then they will whip me to death."

The general stood aghast for a moment and said, "What does all this
mean?" With the utmost composure the judge replied: "Well. General

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 463

Turney, I thought we would make sure of what we had got, so I ordered
the sheriff to whip that rascal while we were at dinner, and I trust he has
done so. But go on, general, with your argument, for I am inclined to be
with you. I think another whipping would do him good."

A year later I was retained in the most important case, nominally at
least, in which I was ever engaged. That was to defend one hundred and
twelve men charged with the crime of murder. For some years before there
was a sort of an organized band of criminals, principally engaged in horse
stealing and counterfeiting, but who on occasions did not hesitate to commit
murder. They became bold and defiant. They were well known throughout
the community, and had many sympathizers, who, in order to turn sus-
picion from themselves, roundly denounced them when in certain circles;
indeed, they were so well organized and bold, and had so many sympathizers,
who did not profess to be of them, that it was impossible to punish them,
even upon the clearest proof of guilt. The jail was broken open and burned
to liberate some of the gang who were confined in it, and some of their
sympathizers would always manage to get on the jury, so that a conviction
became impossible.

But the evil-doers consisted of but a small percentage of the population
of the county, a great majority of whom were as excellent men as could
be found in any other community. They, seeing that the arm of the law was
too short to afford them protection for either life or property, formed them-
selves into a sort of association or club, the declared object of which was to
rid the community of the criminal class; one Campbell was elected captain
of this club, which also elected several subordinate ofiicers. This was done
on Saturday, and, as its proceedings were open and public, they were known
immediately throughout the county. The desperadoes saw at once that they
must strike such a terror throughout the community as to disintegrate the
members of this club by the force of fear, or they must go themselves. They
saw it was an issue of blood, and did not hesitate to accept it at once. By
arrangement three of the gang were to commence operations by assassinating,
in the most public manner, Campbell, the leader of the association, and accord-
ingly, on Sunday, rode up to his cabin in broad daylight, called him to the
door and riddled him with bullets.

The news of this terrible tragedy was known throughout the county by
Monday morning, and without call or notice, the members of the club assem-
bled at their appointed rendezvous, and details were sent out to arrest and
bring in the murderers. This was finally accomplished, and they were brought
before the assembled club in a grove a few miles south of the county seat.
There a court was organized, consisting of a judge and jury, all of whom
were sworn by a justice of the peace, to impartially try the case, and a true
verdict to render. Witnesses were sworn before this tribunal, who saw the
murder committed, and who positively identified the prisoners as the murder-
ers. Lawyers had been appointed to prosecute and defend the prisoners, and
every formality was observed which was characteristic of a regularly consti-
tuted court of justice established by law. A verdict of giiilty was returned,
and a sentence passed that all should be shot on the spot. A company was

4Gi KANE COUNTY HISTORY

detailed to carry the sentence into execution, wiiicii was done at the word of
their commanding officer.

This prompt proceeding struck such a terror into the criminal class, that
tlie most notorious of them fled at once, without standing on the order of
their going, and their sympathizers were dumb with terror.

Accordingly an indictment was presented against one hundred and twelve
who were present at the trial and execution of the culprits. Of course, my
consultations had been with only a few of the leaders, but now it was neces-
sary to have them all together, and accordingly we marched out onto a
little isolated peak in the prairie, and I had them formed in a circle around
me, while I called over a list of the defendants, when all answered to their
names except four, who were unavoidably absent. Even the sherifif, in whose
nominal custody they were, was conveniently absent, and no one but the
prisoners and myself were within two hundred yards of us. I was assured
that no one of them had boasted of the transaction, or in an\- way admitted
that he was present at the time, and I saw no difficulty in the way, except as
to the four defendants that were not present, in whose favor a judgment of
acquittal was as necessary as to the others ; but this was got over by selecting
four of the party, each of whom was to answer for one of the absentees when
his name should be called in court to plead to the indictment. When all of the
many details were arranged for the conduct of the case, we marched back to
the court house, which was cleared of all others, as supposed, and when my
numerous clients filed in they filled the little court room quite up to the table
around which the lawyers sat. While the court was waiting for our appear-
ance it had been occupied with some unimportant business, so that all was
ready to proceed with the case when we arrived. The case was at once
called, and the clerk proceeded to call the prisoners, who promptly answered
to their names. I confess I felt a little anxious whenever the name of an
absentee was called, but the proxies all answered promptly and without
another word, until the last answer was made, when some one near the door
hallooed out in a rather tremulous voice, "That ain't him."

This caused a flutter of excitement for a moment, and the judge directed
that name to be called again, when the proxy, who was standing away back
in the crowd, again responded for his principal, and no one could tell who
had interrupted the proceedings in the manner stated.

I called no witnesses, no argmnent was made to the jury on either side,
and I asked the court to instruct the jury that mere rumors were not evidence,
which, of course, he did, and explained the law in his own way as to what
evidence was necessary to authorize a con\iction. The jury were absent but
a short time, when they returned with a verdict of acquittal, upon which
judgment was entered, and thus ended that celebrated case.

There were great discrepancies in the statements made by the brothers
and the third witness, and as the science of jurisprudence had not so far
progressed as to offer a high premium for perjury by allowing tiie prisoner
to swear in his own exculpation, the evidence closed with two witnesses
against one. Mr. Dickey, who was defending the prisoner, to overcome
this advantage, in summing up to the jury pointed out many inconsistencies

EARLY KANE COUNTY JUDGES AND LAWYERS.

S. D. LOCK WOOD.
O. D. DAY.
JAMES COLEMAN.

.J. G. BAKE.

K. M. IRELAND.

S. S. JONES.

CHARLES WHEATON. J. W. KANPTEAD.

A. S. BABCOCK. L. R. WAGNER.

LUTHER DEARBORN. W. F. LYNCH.

A. G. m'dOLE. T. E. RYAN.

E. C. LOVELL. J. S. AVILCOX.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 467

in the statements of the witnesses for the people, and insisted that the story
told by his witness was the most probable and natural for the occurrences
of such a fight, and said that if Scott or Bulwer or Cooper, or any other
great novelist, were going to describe such a fight in a novel they would
describe it just as his witness had testified to this one, simply because it was
most probable and natural — most consistent with human action under such
conditions.

In reply to this Fridley in his closing speech said that Mr. Dickey had
told them that if a novelist was going to put in his novel an account of such
a fight as this was, he would put it down just as his witness had stated it
here. "Well," said Mr. Fridley, "I agree with Mr. Dickey in this. Now
what does a novelist do, when he's going to write a novel? He just sits
down and invents the infernalest lie he can think of. Then he tells the story
in his book, and that's just the way with Mr. Dickey's witness. He just
invented this big lie, and then came here and told it to you, but he didn't
expect you to believe it any more than you would a novel. Mr. Dickey was
right in what he said and he don't believe it either."

Benjamin F. Fridley was certainly a man of some remarkable char-
acteristics. His mind was clear and penetrating, his observations exception-
ally acute; his study of mankind was much more profound than his study of
law. He was witty without knowing it, and his sense of the ludicrous was
really brilliant without his appearing to appreciate it. I scarcely ever knew
him to laugh, while his quaint suggestions would sometimes provoke laugh-
ter in others, though generally these were made in so solemn and matter-of-
fact a way as not to provoke boisterous laughter, but rather a quiet internal
satisfaction.

He readily perceived the vital points of a case, though when his interest
could be subserved thereby he could appear to be as stolid as a block about
them. His primary education was very limited, and his orthography was
nearly as remarkable as that of Chief Justice Wilson, who always assumed
that the proper way to spell any word was to use as many letters as could
possibly be appropriated for the purpose. I observed once, when sitting
beside him on the bench, and Stephen T. Logan was arguing a case and
quoted from Dana's reports, that in making a note of it he wrote it down
"Dainey" ; and yet any one who will read over his opinions will observe that
he was really a fine scholar, and a clear and perspicuous writer.

His opinions will compare favorably with those of any other judge to
be found in our reports. With this example before us we are not at liberty
to condemn Mr. Fridley for his bad spelling. He, too, was a very poor reader,
but by pauses, repetitions and emphasis, he could cover this up most ingen-
iously, and would manage to give what he read a meaning to suit himself.
I never saw evidence that he had ever read a literary work in his life and
I doubt if he ever read a law book through, but he knew a great deal of law,
and what he did know he was able to turn to the very best account. He
learned his law from his observations in courts or in conversations with
other lawyers. When he heard a proposition of law stated for the first
time he could tell intuitively wliether it was good law, by determining in his

•468 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

own mind if it ought to be law. When it suited his purpose he would pretend
to be ignorant of a principle which he well understood, and would pretend
to be unable to understand a ruling which he perfectly comprehended.

He was the originator of many aphorisms, which I often hear repeated,
the author of which is not generally known ; for instance : Fridley and I were
appointed by Judge Ford at the DeKalb circuit court to defend an impecunious
horse-thief. When we were congratulating ourselves that the evidence was
quite insufHcient to convict him, as a last resort, the officer who arrested
him was put upon the stand, who testified that the prisoner had confessed to
him that he had stolen the horse. At this point the court adjourned for
dinner. When walking up to the hotel together, I remarked to Fridley that
a very good case had been badly spoiled by that last witness. "Yes," answered
he, "in this country, if a man is amind to be a darn fool, there is no law
agin it."

Fridley was state's attorney for two years during my administration on
the circuit bench, and he was certainly a most proticent prosecutor; in the
main he was just and fair, but when fully convinced that the prisoner was
guilty, he was sure to convict him in one way or another. When the
emergency required it, he exceeded all men I ever knew to worm in illegal
testimony, and he would contrive to make it tell, when it was ruled out, but
he would do it in such a way as to avoid censure, and yet to make the very
ruling out of the evidence tell against his opponent, sometimes by an ati'ecta-
tion of illiteracy. The first time he went round the circuit as prosecutor, many
of the lawyers evidently thought they would have a good time, and sought
to expose his want of education in various ways, and particularly by moving
to quash his indictments for bad spelling and bad grammar, which they would
parade to the amusement of the audience ; but these were generally overruled,
as they expected they would be, but this was invariably followed by a suc-
cessful prosecution, whether the prisoner was guilty or innocent, so that it
was not long before this amusement was found to be too expensive to be
indulged in, unless the defense was deemed too clear that conviction was
thought to be impossible.

When I was holding the Kane circuit, the grand jury came into court,
and complained that they had found an indictment against a man for larceny,
but that the state's attorney refused to draw the indictment; whereupon Mr.
Fridley stated that he had heard all the evidence before the grand jury, and
was certain that no conviction could be had ; that the man complained of had,
found an old plowshare in the weeds by the side of the road, and supposing
that it had been lost or thrown away, had thrown it into his wagon and taken
it home, without any felonious intent; and that he did not deem it his duty to
put the county to the expense of a useless trial. I told him that he had better
draw the indictment, and when it should be returned into court he could do
with it as he thought best.

Mark Fletcher was clerk of the circuit court of Kane county, and a
most excellent clerk he was, too. He had a vein of quiet humor about him
in which he frequently indulged. He had taken an American silver dollar
and placed it on the outside of his Bible, on which he administered official

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 469

oaths. He then placed it in liis press and made a deep and distinct impres-
sion of the coin on the cover of the book, on the opposite cover of which
there was a cross. When asked why he had the impression of the dollar
on the book, he replied that when he swore a Catholic he presented that side
on which the cross was shown, but when he swore a Yankee, he presented
that side of the book on which the dollar was shown.

At one term of the court a case of divorce was tried in which a Presby-
terian minister from Elgin was the complainant. He proved a pretty strong
case of the misconduct of the defendant by several witnesses brought from
Quincy, Illinois, but not being entirely satisfied, I held the case over for
further consideration. A day or two after I called the case up, reviewing the
evidence, and expressing my doubts about its sufficiency and the hope that
some further evidence might be produced which would remove my doubts.'
Some bystander from Elgin, having misunderstood what I had said, rushed
away in hot haste and informed the clergyman that I had granted his divorce.
Whereupon, the same evening he was married to a sister of his flock, but after
two days of wedded bliss he learned, to his consternation, that I had not
decided the case at all.

He immediately started for Geneva, and rushed into the court in breath-
less haste just as I was about to adjourn it for the term, and made known the
plight in which he found himself. His despair was unmistakable. I allowed
him to be sworn. His testimony removed all doubt and I granted the decree.
I was told that he hastened back to Elgin with as much speed as he had
shown in his way down, and was married over again as quickly as some one
could be found to perform the ceremony.

In the olden time judges, lawyers, jurors and witnesses all had to be
accommodated at some little hostelry at the county seat, where it would take
two or three tablefuls to feed all the guests; then when the bell rang for a
meal there would be a rush for the dining room, when none stood upon the
order of their going. A table was usually placed near the door, upon which
the guests as they passed in threw their hats or wraps in a promiscuous pile.
Mr. Helm, a resident lawyer of Yorkville, a man of full habit and pretty
large proportions, in going out had some difficulty in finding his own hat, and
in his efforts tried on several which would not fit him; all were too small, for
his hat was nearly as big as a bee-hive. He had just laid down a small hat,
which would barely sit upon the top of his head, and picked up his own,
when Mr. Butterfield came along, and claimed the little one which he was
about to lay down, when Mr. Helm remarked : "Brother Butterfield, it seems
to me you have a very small head. My hat would cover your face as well as
your head." "Yes, yes, Brother Helm," said Butterfield, "you have a very
thick head, but mine is a good deal the longest."

Right on this point I may refer to another instance in illustration. When
going to open the first term of the fall circuit in 1844, in Kendall county, I
found the roads in a most horrible condition, showing that no road labor had
been bestowed upon them. That was the wettest summer that I ever knew in
this country. All the sloughs were full of water, and had been tramped up
until they seemed to have no bottom, and I myself, with a light carriage and

470 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

two horses, got stalled in a slough not two miles from the court house, and
had to pack my wife and children out to dry ground, and then to hitch the
horses to the end of a pole, and draw out the carriage. If to be covered
literally with mud constitutes an element of beauty, then, indeed, was I
beautiful for once in my life.

The result was that before night the grand jury brought in indictments
against every road-supervisor in the county, and before I adjourned court
that week I had the satisfaction of fining every one for neglect of duty.
Indeed, all came in and pleaded guilty but one. Fridley had seconded my
efforts with the greatest zeal.

When I adjourned that court and went on my way to Geneva, I found
the road fairly lined with men repairing it. not only in Kendall county, but in
Kane also, which was my next county. This convinced both Fridley and me
that the fame of our work had gone before us. I charged all the grand juries
in my circuit that fall, in substantially the same way, with equally good
results. The influence of that campaign on the roads of that circuit was
plainly observable, so long as I held the courts there at least.

Most lawyers who have practiced in the country will remember that it
has frequently occurred that controversies about the identity of domestic
animals have been maintained on both sides, at first with confidence, and
then with bitterness, and that many witnesses will be brought who testify
to the identity of an animal with the same confidence that they would to the
identitv of their own children, but directly opposite to each other. Such a
case was once tried before me either in Kane or Kendall county (I do not
remember which), in which the identity of a calf was involved. The usual
number of witnesses testified on each side, and with equal confidence, until
it was impossible to fomi any satisfactory conclusion as to which was right,
when finally the owner of the cow and of the calf introduced them both to
maintain his claim to the latter. He showed that when he brought the calf
home and turned it in with the cow, it at once rushed up to her and com-
menced sucking, which she not only suffered it to do, but caressed and licked
it in the meantime, as if greatly satisfied to see it again.

Now I thought we had something tangible, upon which some reliance
might be placed, but the other party brought up witnesses, and several of
them, who testified that that particular cow would allow any calf to suck her,
and always manifested an equally maternal affection for every calf she met,
and licked and fondled all with great impartiality, and that that calf had
been suffered to suck several different cows and would claim that privilege
of any cow that it met. All of these witnesses testified with equal confidence,
and it was manifest with equal integrity and sincerity.

Which way that jury guessed in making up their verdict I do not
remember, but of course, whichever way it was that verdict had to stand.

There were no railroads then to help us on the waj', and Mount Vernon,
as things then existed, would now be considered in a remote and secluded
part of the country. I went from Ottawa in a double buggy, with my wife
and child, and drove through the country to Springfield, which occupied four
days. On the way I stopped at ^^'ashingto^, in Tazewell county, and held

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 471

my last circuit court at a special term, which had been appointed by Judge
Treat to try a criminal case, which I had sent over by change of venue from
Peoria county. At Springfield I left my wife and child at quarters which I
had secured for them, and took in Judge Treat, whom I had invited to ride
with me on to Mount Vernon.

We started from Springfield on a dark, cloudy morning, and before we
had proceeded half a mile a heavy snow storm set in, which proved to be
the most severe that had been known there for many years. I drove a good
team, and we pressed forward through the blinding storm without stopping
until we reached Macoupin Point, twenty-eight or thirty miles, by which
time the snow was about ten inches deep, when we were glad to take shelter,
though the weather was not cold. The next day we pushed on toward Green-
ville, in Bond county, which we reached the second night after, and the next
day we reached Carlyle, in Clinton county. Here one of my horses was taken
ill, when I left him and procured another in his place. The snow was still
deep and the roads very heavy. Indeed, for more than three-quarters of the
way since we left Springfield, not a single track was seen from the road.

The unusual fall of snow seemed to shut everybody up, and we passed
many log cabins in the timber which bordered the prairies, and in the forest
through which the road passed, where we could see families shivering around
large fires in their cabins, with both doors and windows wide open, and pigs
squealing around on the outside as if they, too, would be glad to get near
that fire.

Indeed, the people there hardly seemed to know what snow meant or
how to protect themselves from the cold, and this caused constant remark
between us.

We had expected when we left Springfield to reach Mount Vernon on
Saturday, but here we were only at Carlyle on Saturday night with a sick
horse and a still unbroken road before us. We got our new horse and made
an early start Sunday morning and pushed forward at the best speed we
could ; but a considerable coat of snow was still on the ground and it was
already getting dusk when we reached, in the edge of the timber, the brick
farmhouse of a well-to-do farmer, who, we learned at Carlyle, was in the
habit of entertaining travelers, and where we could get excellent quarters
unless the good lady of the house should happen to be out of humor, and then
we would have to stay out all night, if necessary, in a storm, before she
would let us into the house. For many years I remembered the name of this
farmer and the distance from Carlyle to his house and from there to Mount
Vernon, but I cannot state them now with certainty. I am very confident
we were still from fourteen to eighteen miles from the latter place. It was
raining hard and a cold wind was blowing, and it was getting dark when we
drove up to the fence in front of the house, where the landlord came out and
met us, who, upon our application for entertainment, with evident embarrass-
ment, frankly told us that his wife was in a tantrum and that he could not
afiford us shelter. He told us that the nearest house was about two miles
ahead, where lived a widow in a log cabin, and that this was our only chance
for the night.

472 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

Neither of us had ever been there before, but entieaty was of no avail;
we started on. Even the snow which would have afforded some light, had
disappeared in the course of the afternoon. We found the road to be narrow
and winding, deeply gullied, up and down steep hills, and across creeks, now
swollen with the rain, over some of which were narrow, corduroy bridges,
and through others we had to ford. We had not gone half a mile before pitch
darkness set in, so we could not see a vestige of the road, or even the forest
trees, which bordered on either side. Then one of us had to get out and wade
through the mud in front of the horses, and with our feet feel where the
road was, and see if there were gullies en either side, and so we plodded on
for more than three hours, copious rain falling all the time, and the coid
wind increasing in violence. We had to look sharp all the latter part of the
way. lest we should pass the widow's cabin without observing it. At last
we did find it along toward midnight, and succeeded in arousing the widow
and her little family of children, and the brave woman, as she was, admitted
us without knowing whether we were tramps or honest men. Treat went
in and helped to get up a good fire, while I unhitched the horses and took
them to a shed across the road, which partly protected them from the storm.
I found some corn for them in a crib near by, and then went to the house,
where I found a good fire and some corn bread and cold meat set on the table
with a pot of coffee. Humble and plain as it was. this was a luxurious repast;
we were nearly famished. There was but one room in the house, in which
there was a bed and under it a trundle bed, where a part of the children slept.

Covered as we were with mud and rain, we must have presented any-
thing but a charming sight; but after drying ourselves as well as we could
by the grate fire, w^e managed to get into the bed, while the good woman
nestled into the trundle bed with her little ones.

W'ith the break of day we were astir, when I went out to feed and harness
the horses, while the landlady fried some meat, with which, and some more
corn bread, we made our breakfast. The rain had stopped, but the cold had
increased very considerably, and the horses, having been but partially pro-
tected from the storm and still wet and shivering, were evidently in bad
humor. However, I managed to hitch them to the vehicle, into which we
climbed, having compensated the woman liberally for her kind entertain-
ment, reflecting sharplj' upon the contrast between her kindly hospitality,
and the conduct of the rich farmer's wife, who had refused us shelter under
such forbidding circumstances.

W^ell, there are many good women in this world, while there are some
who are not so good ; and we really thought that her husband was more to
be pitied in the long run than we were.

When we started up to pursue our journey, the new horse, which had
evidently been used to better treatment, laid back his ears and refused to
budge an inch. I did not thrash him, and whip him, as one might have
been inclined to do, but got out and got to his head and petted him and
coaxed him till he seemed to have attained a better humor, when I got in
and he started up and went along very cheerfully: indeed, he acted as if he
would like to have taken a run for awhile. We pursued our way slowly but

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 47H

diligently through tlie muddy forest road, and reached Mount Vernon soon
after noon, where we found Judge Trumbull, who had arrived before us.

When Judge Breese took liis seat upon the bench of the supreme court
for the second time, the court consisted of Breese, Skinner and myself. In
the course of conversation we discovered that we all three came from Oneida
county, New York, and this remarkable incident soon became known to the
bar, and was the subject of comment among them.

At that time, what may be called the circuit practice necessarily pre-
vailed, and in each circuit in the state there was a class of lawyers who
attended most of the courts in their own circuits, and very frequently attended
the courts in the other circuits, mostly to try important cases, where their
special reputations had caused them to be retained. This circuit practice was
a special school, unequaled in its way, and in it these circuit lawyers acquired
qualifications which could be learned in no other school.

They had but few books to study, but these they studied to a purpose.
Blackstone and Coke upon Littleton, were their favorite books, and from them
they learned the fundamental principles of the law, and the reasons why the
law was so.

As in traveling the circuit few books could be carried, and but rarely
were books to be found at the county seats, excepting the statutes, this sort
of legal qualification was indispensable for both judges and lawyers, and
the character of their work was such as to train them to think quickly and
accurately, and to change the thoughts rapidly from one subject to another.

In passing from one county seat to another, the judges and lawyers
always rode on horseback, with saddlebags, very frequently traversing unin-
habited prairies of from ten to twenty miles or more across. Indeed, at
that early time all the settlers lived in cabins along the skirts of the timber,
with inclosures in the adjoining prairies in which were cultivated fields, their
stock ranging in the groves or grazing on the prairies. Nearly every cabin
entertained travelers, who stopped for meals or to stay over night. Ham
and eggs, fried chicken and warm biscuit, with good coffee, constituted the
menu at nearly every cabin. If the position was such that the approach of
the traveler could be seen some distance away, and it was about meal time,
it did not require very attentive listening for him to distinguish the outcry
of the chickens from the hen-coop as one or more were being immolated,
which he knew was to satisfy the cravings of his inner man.

If a boy was about to take his horse, he might go into the house at
once; if not, he would have to stable and feed his own horse, which many
preferred to do, to make sure that they were well cared for. If he went into
the house soon, he might see the good lady pull from under the bed a bread-
tray, which was kept constantly supplied with dough, and in a trice the
biscuits would be molded and placed in the bake-pan; chickens were placed
in the frying pan; the coffee-pot was set to brewing; the table was set; and
in an incredibly short time he was seated at the table with a meal before him
as inviting as was ever set before a guest in the most fashionable hotel, with
the most modern conveniences. The food was plain but substantial, and was
always cooked to a turn. It was not smothered up in rich condiments, but

474 KANE COUNTY HISTORY

its flavor was most appetizing. Even now, 1 fondly remember the feasts
which I have enjoyed in those log cabins.

In riding from one county seat to another, the judges and lawyers gen-
erally traveled in a band together, although not always in a compact body.
Usually the gait was a fast walk or a slow trot, and frequently the band
would be separated into little squads of from two to four, when the monotony
of the ride was relieved by conversation and the relation of anecdotes or story-
telling, as it was called, though ordinarily these last were reserved for the
evening, when the whole party would be assembled. Then it was that the
delights of circuit riding were most appreciated. All were good story-tellers,
and with rare exceptions each one added somewhat to his store since the last
meeting, either from having heard a good story from somebody else or
invented one; and a new story, if it were only a good one, was always received
in the way that showed that it was fully appreciated. Frequently a quite
ordinary incident would be dressed up and so embellished as to be exceedingly
ludicrous and amusing.

The early circuit riders, for the purpose of illustrating certain char-
acteristics of the human mind, used to tell a story of Judge Harlan (a name
suggestive of the ermine) when he was circuit judge. They stated that
when he had closed his court at a little town in the southern part of the
state, and nearl}' all were ready to mount their horses and proceed to the next
county, and just as he was putting his foot in the stirrup, a lawyer rushed
up with a paper in his hand, and asked him to sign a bill of exceptions. With
evident marks of impatience, he dropped the reins of his bridle, and hastened
back into the log tavern and called for pen and ink, which were shown him
on the little counter in the bar-room. Goose quills, then, only were used
for pens. He seized one and jammed it into the inkstand with such force
as to spoil it. He only appreciated this when he attempted to sign his name.
And this crushing process he repeated several times before he succeeded in
writing his name, and then it was hardly legible, when he threw down the
pen and paper, evidently in bad humor, and bolted from the house, mounted
his horse, applied the whip, and took the lead upon the trail which led across a
ten-mile prairie to a cabin in a grove of timber.

The rest followed as best they could ; but none could succeed in eliciting
from him even a word of recognition during a ride. When he reached the
cabin, he accosted a woman who stood at the front of the house, and asked
her for a drink of water. This she brought him in a gourd, from the well,
of which he drank heartily, and when he returned the gourd to the good
lady, he remarked, "That is good water, and I tell you, madam, they do keep
the infernallest pens back in this little onery town that we just left, that you
ever saw," and he again took the lead, apparently still brooding over those

pens.

Euchre parties were frequently formed, and so time was pleasantly passed ;
and sometimes a dance was gotten up, when an old fiddle could be found, and
some one was capable of using it. Judge Young himself was deemed the best
fiddler on the circuit, and so contributed much to the hilarity of such occasions.

KANE COUNTY HISTORY 475

Sometimes a mock trial was instituted, when an indictment was pre-
sented against some member of the bar, accusing him of most ridiculous
crimes, embellished with laughable incidents. On such occasions, the judge,
the lawyers and the witnesses fairly overflowed with wit; and boisterous
laughter was not considered a breach of decorum in that court, and the
verdict of the jury partook of the character of the previous doings. A
verdict of "guilty" was almost a foregone conclusion, and the penalties
inflicted were frequently the most ludicrous and amusing of all the proceed-
ings. If the wit was keen, it was frequently deeply penetrating, but the sub-
ject of it must bea