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HISTORY 



OF 



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 




fflMd 




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. 




*%*:--• 






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y 



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 



63 



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 

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 

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 

Day Aurora 

De'Wolf St. Charles . . . . 

Doherty St. Charles .... 

Downing Virgil 

Downing 

Dunton Aurora 

Durant St. Charles .... 

Durant St. Charles . . . . 

Dwyer Rutland 

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 


1 


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 . 

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 .... 

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. 

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. 

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. 


7 


Dec. 16 


Stewart Christy 


40 


$ .25 No. I 


42. R. 


7 


Dec. 16 


Robert Eakin 


40 


■37^ 9 


41. R. 


6 


Oct. 31 


Joel Root 


40 


1-25 15 


41. R. 


r, 


Oct. 31 


Th. Robinson 


40 


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 


40 


1.25 


2 




41, R. 6 


Oct. 31 
1845 


Jos. Robinson 


40 


1.25 


3 




39, R- 6 


Oct. 13 


Israel Seaton 


20 


1.25 


23 




39, R. 6 


Oct 13 


Israel Seaton 


20 


■50 


25 




39. R- 6 


Oct. 31 


Jno. Bunker 


20 


1.25 


31 




39, R- 6 


Oct. 31 


Jno. Bunker 


20 


1.62^ 


32 




39, R- 6 


Nov. 8 


Aaron Phelps 


20 




16 




39, R- 6 


Nov. 8 


Aaron Phelps 


20 


(33) 


$65 


.00 


39, R- 6 


Jan. 3 
1846 


Patk. Markey 


60 


(26-27-28) 


55 


.00 


39, R- 6 


Jan. 3 


Jas. Donough 


60 


( 5- 6- 7) 


85 


.00 


39. R- 6 


Jan. 3 


Jas. Donough 


80 


( 8-11-12-1 


2) 67, 


50 


38. R. 6 


Feb. 2 


Jas. Dundas 


39-60/ IOC 


• 1.25 


9 




■38, R. 6 


Feb. 2 


Justus E. Ament 


40 


■50 


7 




39, R- 6 


Oct. 13 


Israel Seaton 


20 


■50 


24 




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 BAPTIST SCHOOLHOUSE. 




'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-. 



s> 



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. 



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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. 



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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. 













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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 bear it good naturedly and console his irritated feelings with 
the reflection that he would get his revenge on some future occasion. To 
show irritation at hard rubs was the worst thing a man could do, but to turn 
them oH in some witty way enhanced his popularity for the time. 

But the first few days of the term could not be given up to amusement; 
all thoughts must be bent on business. Before the cavalcade of judges and 
lawyers had arrived, suitors and their friends, witnesses and sightseers, had 
already appeared, and were awaiting this important arrival ; and scarcely 
had the advocates dismounted, generally covered with dust or mud, when 
they were surrounded by clients, eagerly seeking to engage their favorite 
counsel, and as soon as their leggings and dusters or overcoats could be dis- 
carded, they gave ear to those who sought their services, and listened to brief 
accounts of the cases in which their services were sought. One man wanted 
a suit defended; another wanted a case tried; another a suit commenced, and 
soon everything was bustle and excitement. Special pleas must be prepared 
in one case ; in another, a demurrer must be filed ; in a third, a bill in chancery 
must be drawn, or an answer prepared; and in another, preparations for 
a trial which might come off immediately; and finally, some poor fellow was 
in jail for horse-stealing, or counterfeiting, or perhaps for murder, who 
wanted a lawyer to defend him; and all this heterogeneous mass of business 
was rushed in upon them in a manner which would have confused any mind 
not well trained to that mode of practicing law. Not infrequently, men were 
called in to take part in a trial when the jury was already being called, and 
they must learn the case during the trial itself, and it was astonishing to see 
how rapidly they could see the salient points of the case, and methodically 
arrange and present them. 

As an instance of some of the means resorted to by the early courts 
to relieve the country of the presence of desperadoes and law-breakers of 
various kinds, B. F. Fridley is reported to have related the following: At 
one time, while horse stealing and all sorts of kindred mischief were going 
on, a gang of counterfeiters was discovered, and it was necessary that decisive 
action should be taken. Accordingly, a subpoena duces tecum was issued, 
commanding the counterfeiters to appear before the court at a designated 
place, on such a date, and bring with them all the counterfeit bills in their 
possession. This was issued because it was deemed necessary that the bills 
should be used in evidence. Of course, the defendants were not obliged to 
pay any attention to the command, but of that fact they were not aware; 
and as the best way out of the difficulty they left for pastures new, and were 



476 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

not again Iieard of. The end sought was, therefore, attained without much 
trouble, and the region was rid of the counterfeiting gang. 

Few books upon legal matters existed in the early circuit, and Hon. B. C. 
Cook describes the lawyers who "rode the circuit" as "strong men, dependent 
more upon their own intellectual strength than upon books." And be it 
remarked that their intellectual strength proved a solid rock upon which they 
based a successful career. The bulk of business in the early courts was 
transacted by lawyers outside of the county, among whom were J. J. Brown, 
of Danville, Leslie Smith and J. D. Butterfield, of Chicago ; Jonathan K. 
Cooper, Onslow Peters and Lincoln B. Knowlton, of Peoria; Judge Dickey, 
of Ottawa, and others. B. C. Cook was also from Ottawa, although he 
practiced to a great extent in the Kane county courts. When first known in 
the profession here he was a young man just entering upon his public career. 
From 1846 to 1852, as stated, he was prosecuting attorney of the district, and 
it has been said of him that he was a terror to all criminals, who, in their 
own language, "would rather have the devil after them than that young, 
pleasant, smiling, white-headed Cook." Mr. Cook was elected afterward to 
the state senate, and later served several terms in congress. He was a dele- 
gate from Illinois to the peace congress, to arrange a settlement with the 
southern states, when they were about going out of the Union, and took a 
bold and decisive stand in favor of upholding the constitution, and pre- 
serving the Union at all hazards. He subsequently served many years as 
chief attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, with headquarters 
at Chicago. 

LIST OF L.\WYERS WHO HAVE PRACTICED IN KANE COUNTY. 

Among the first lawyers to locate in Kane county w-ere Caleb A. Buck- 
ingham and H. N. Chapman, at Geneva, about 1837, and S. S. Jones, at St. 
Charles. Buckingham was a 3'oung lawyer of fine promise, who acquired 
some prominence in his profession and in other directions, but was cut ofi 
b}' death about 1841 at Chicago. Chapman married and removed, it is 
thought, to Racine, Wisconsin. Jones had visited the region in 1837, and 
in 1838 located with his family at St. Charles, coming by way of Naperville. 
He had been admitted to the bar at Montpelier, Vermont, about 1835, and 
opened an office upon his arrival at St. Charles. He became a prominent 
attorney, but finally relinquished the profession to engage in newspaper pub- 
lishing, his death occurring some years since in Chicago. He was the first 
lawyer to locate at St. Charles. 

A. R. Dodge is said to have hung out his shingle at Aurora as early as 
1837. He was a good speaker and a man of considerable ability, and at a 
later date was sent to the legislature from Kendall county. 

Orsamus D. Day settled at Aurora in 1839. and in the following year 
published his professional card in the nearest newspaper — the Joliet Courier, 
He died in the fall of 1861, having been elected mayor in i860. 

Among the early lawyers and well-known residents of Geneva were Will- 
iam B. Plato, who removed there from Aurora ; Joel D. Harvev, who subse- 
quently became a prominent citizen of Chicago, and Charles B. \^^el]s, who 
won fame not onlv as a lawvcr but as a soldier. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 477 

Edward E. Harvey was an honored pioneer lawyer of Elgin, who volun- 
teered at the breaking out of the war with Mexico and gave his life for the 
country during that struggle. 

Paul R. Wright, a native of Oneida county. New York, moved to Illi- 
nois in 1837, when eighteen years of age. He taught school five years, and 
during that time studied law. In 1844 he entered the office of E. E. Harvey, 
at Elgin, was admitted to the bar a year later, and opened an office in that 
place. In 1856 he was chosen circuit clerk on the Fremont ticket and removed 
to Geneva. At the expiration of his term he resumed practice, but moved 
in 1862 to a farm in Union county, and thence in 1874 to Jonesboro, where 
he again entered practice. 

Charles H. Morgan, the first judge of the Elgin court of common pleas, 
became subsequently a United States judge in one of the territories, and was 
a very able lawyer. His residence was also at Elgin. 

Edmund Gififord, one of the early lawyers of Elgin, was well and favor- 
ably known for his legal ability, and became in after years a judge at New- 
Orleans, Louisiana. 

William D. Barry, who had been admitted to the bar in Henry county, 
Ohio, in 1836, located at St. Charles in the spring of 1840, and is now the 
oldest practicing lawyer in Kane county. Although nearly eighty years of 
age he continues in the field, the weight of years, however, rendering it im- 
possible for him to transact the amount of business he was accustomed to in 
the palmy days of his practice. He was long judge of the Kane county court. 
During the early days of his residence here he conducted many hard criminal 
trials, among them being the defense of Taylor Driscoll, of Ogle county, for 
the alleged murder of one Campbell during the dark days of horse stealing 
and kindred crimes. Driscoll was tried at Woodstock, McHenry county, on 
a change of venue, and through Judge Barry's efforts acquitted. 

Joseph W. Churchill, a young resident of Batavia, was one of the first 
lawyers in the county. In 1837 he was chosen to a position on the board of 
county commissioners, and was otherwise prominent. 

A good story of practice in the early days was related a number of years 
since by Henry B. Peirce, now deceased. It seems that Churchill's estimate 
of his own ability was very great. A. M. Herrington, whom everybody knew 
most familiarly as "Gus," was then a law student in the office of Ralph 
Haskins, Esq., at Geneva, and had access to the latter's fine library. He had 
picked up many points in law, and was especially familiar with the decisions 
and opinions in "Coleman on Contracts." He had been engaged to try his 
first case before Squire McNair, in Blackberry precinct, one in which suit had 
been brought for breach of contract. He took along his book, but hid it under 
a fence before entering the judicial presence. He had walked from Geneva, 
carrying his brogans over his shoulder until he had nearly reached his desti- 
nation, when he stopped and put them on. The aforesaid Churchill was 
opposed to "Gus" in the case. After the evidence was heard Herrington 
claimed a verdict by virtue of the law, which he quoted after bringing his 
authority into court. Churchill claimed the case for the plaintiff, stating that 
the law as read by the defense was not applicable to the case at all, and that 



478 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

the mere boy who had offered it had no educational advantages and could not 
be expected to know the law or its application. Churchill sounded his own 
trumpet after the following manner: "May it please the court, my father 
spent a thousand dollars to give me a collegiate education and fit me for the 
bar, and, of course, I ought to and I do know the law in this case." 

After Churchill had finished his plea and taken his seat, young Herring- 
ton arose and said : "May it please the court, the counsel for the plaintiff 
has stated to you that his father spent one thousand dollars to give him an 
education. Now I submit to the court and the jury that, in view of the facts 
proven in this case, the bearing of the law thereon, it was a mighty poor in- 
vestment and would have paid better if he had put it into wild land at one 
dollar and a half an acre." The jury rewarded the young counsel by decid- 
ing the case in favor of the defense, and his first legal fee was paid him — 
two new five franc pieces — which he coolly placed in the pocket of his tow 
trousers and proceeded homeward. When he was out of sight of the scene 
of triumph he took out the coins, looked at them with a smile, and clinked 
them together in true boyish satisfaction, and it is safe to say that he never 
afterward earned a fee which gave him so much genuine pleasure. 

Augustus M. Herrington, the hero of the foregoing incident, came to 
Kane county with his father, James Herrington, in 1835, the family locating 
at Geneva. He studied law during his leisure moments, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1844. In 1856 he was an elector on the democratic ticket and iu 
1857 was appointed United States district attorney, a position he held until 
removed by President Buchanan for being a friend to Stephen A. Douglas. 
In i860 he was a delegate to the national democratic convention, and to simi- 
lar bodies in 1864 and 1868. For many years he was attorney for the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railway. Mr. Herrington was a man of positive likes and 
dislikes, and, while he would go to almost any length to favor a friend, his 
enemies knew they could expect nothing from him. He was a fine lawyer 
and an impressive speaker, and was possessed of purely original character- 
istics. He died August 14, 1883. Many stories are related of the tilts between 
himself and John F. Farnsworth. Herrington's cutting remarks were often 
met by an exercise of physical force on the part of Farnsworth, though never 
with any damaging result to either party. 

John F. Farnsworth, a native of Eaton, Canada East, was born of New 
England parentage, and removed with the family to Livingston county, Michi- 
gan, in 1834. There he assisted his father in surveying, studied law and was 
admitted to practice. He read in the office of Judge Josiah Turner at Howell 
in 1842-43 and was admitted to practice in 1843. He pushed at once for a 
new field in which to begin his professional labors, locating in the same year 
at St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois. The stage upon which he was journey- 
ing from Chicago stuck in a slough, and he being, in his own language, unable 
to wait and without money, friends or library, took his trunk on his back, 
waded out and made his way to his new home. Previous to 1846 Mr. Farns- 
worth was a democrat in politics, but in that year left the party and assisted 
in the nomination of Owen Lovejoy for congress. In 1856 and 1858 he was 
elected to congress by large majorities on the republican ticket from what 




SWEDISH LUTHERAN BETHLEHEM CHURCH, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 4S1 

was then called the Chicago district. His speeches were widely copied by 
the newspapers and he swept all opposition before him. In iS6o, at the Chi- 
cago convention, he assisted in nominating Abraham Lincoln for president. 
In October, 1861, he left St. Charles in command of the Eighth Illinois Cav- 
alry, a regiment of twelve hundred strong, which he had raised and rendez- 
voused at St. Charles. It was one of the finest regiments which entered the 
service during the war of the rebellion. In November, 1862, Colonel Farns- 
worth was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and commanded the 
First Cavalry Brigade until after the battle of Fredericksburg in December 
following. By being almost constantly in the saddle he had contracted a 
severe lameness and was obliged to obtain leave of absence for medical treat- 
ment. Having been again elected to congress in the fall of 1862, he resigned 
his commission in the army March 4, 1863, and took his seat once more at 
Washington. In the fall of 1863 he was authorized to raise the Seventeenth 
Illinois Cavalry, with officers from his old regiment, the Eighth, and carried 
out the plan. By successful elections he was returned to congress term after 
term until 1872, when he was defeated in the convention after a large num- 
ber of ballots by General Stephen A. Hurlbut, of Belvidere, who also had an 
enviable war record. In congress, where he served for fourteen years. Gen- 
eral Farnsworth was active and prominent and held numerous important 
committee chairmanships and positions. After his defeat in the republican 
district convention, in 1872, he espoused the Greeley cause, and about 1879 
removed from St. Charles to Chicago. He was several times a candidate for 
office after 1872. In 1876 he was defeated for congress in his old district 
by Hon. William Lathrop, and met defeat subsequently at Chicago as a 
democratic candidate for congressional honors. He later removed to 
Washington, District of Columbia. 

Benjamin F. Fridley is really entitled to the honor of being the first 
lawyer to locate within the present limits of Kane county. He had studied 
law in the east. Coming west in the fall of 1834 he joined his friends, the 
Cartons and Wormleys, near Oswego, November i, making his home with 
them for some time. He subsequently located a claim on the east side of the 
river in Aurora township, next north of that taken by William T. Elliott, 
afterward selling out to Charles Wagner. Mr. Fridley came to Aurora in 
1835. I" 1836 he was elected sheriff of Kane county, being the first to serve 
in that capacity. It is said of him that his experience while sheriff assisted 
him greatly in obtaining a knowledge of legal matters, which, combined with 
his native wit and judgment, enabled him to stand so high among the pioneers 
of the bar in this region. His term as sheriff closed in 1839, ^"d he immedi- 
ately entered upon the practice of his profession. From 1840 to 1846 he was 
prosecuting attorney of the district, which included twelve counties, extend- 
ing from Ogle to Peoria, in each of which two and in some of which three 
terms of court had to be held annually, making the officer's work very labori- 
ous. Mr. Fridley was located at Geneva during his official career, and had an 
office with Mark W. Fletcher. In his travels over the circuit he used his own 
conveyance, and was usually accompanied l)y the judge or some member of 
the bar. He subsequently lived for a shcrt time at Oswego, but returned to 



482 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Aurora in 1857. Besides the business which naturally came to him as a resi- 
dent lawyer a large amount was placed in his hands by attorneys at Chicago 
who did not desire to travel the circuit and who were aware that their mat- 
ters would be faithfully attended to by him. In short, he had one side of 
pretty much all the good cases in the twelve counties composing the district. 
He stated that at the first term of the circuit court (June, 1837) there were 
no practicing lawyers in Kane county, although both he and Mr. Fletcher, 
who still resides in St. Charles township, were members of the profession. 
He died at Aurora in 1898. 

Mark W. Fletcher, who, previous to coming to this region, had practiced 
law in the east, never engaged in practice here because of being elected to 
ofifice and continued therein for years. He is a native of Orange county, 
Vermont, and read law in Genesee, Livingston and Ontario counties. New 
York. He located a claim in the township of St. Charles in May, 1835, and 
resided upon it for many years after his official duties at the county seat were 
ended. He was the first county surveyor, first clerk of the commissioner's 
court and the second circuit clerk of Kane county. He died at Geneva in 

Aside from the lawyers mentioned as having been in practice at Geneva 
we find that C. H. jMcCubbin located quite early at that point, probably about 
1841-42; but after remaining a short time he removed to Kendall county. 
Joseph W. Helm, of Yorkville. was also an early practitioner in the courts 
of Kane county. 

Major J. H. Mayborne, who studied law in the state of New York, lo- 
cated at Chicago in 1846, and in 1848 removed to Geneva, where he practiced 
many years. During the war of the rebellion he occupied the position of 
paymaster from 1863 to 1866, with headquarters at St. Louis, and has since 
served in the Illinois state senate, having been elected in 1876. He also 
served a number of years as supervisor of Geneva township and was prominent 
in politics after the formation of the republican part}- in 1854. 

William J. Brown, who first practiced in the western part of the county, 
afterward located at Geneva. He was for some time master in chancery and 
a popular lawyer. He removed farther west a few years since, but returned 
to Geneva, where he still resides at the age of 

A. P. West, the well-known Geneva justice of the peace, practiced in 
Kane county. 

William Augustus Smith, a graduate of Wesleyan University, at Mid- 
dletown. Connecticut, opened a law office in Geneva about 1857 and practiced 
nearly two years. He then abandoned the law and took up theology, becom- 
ing a noted Methodist minister. He was for sixteen years secretary of the 
Rock River Conference, and died suddenly at his home in Rockford during a 
session of the conference, September 30, 1887. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 483 

At St. Cliarles the number of lawyers who have been residents at various 
periods is considerable. S. S. Jones, the first one, has already been mentioned, 
also Hon. W. D. Barry and Hon. F. J. Farnsworth. William J. Miller 
located at the place in 1841, but removed subsequently to Carroll county, Illi- 
nois, and later to Chicago. Ralph V. M. Croes, virho was at first engaged in 
mercantile business, afterward studied law and was admitted to practice; 
he was an early resident of the place. S. G. D. Howard practiced at St. 
Charles previous to 1846, in which year he removed from the place. Van H. 
Higgins was also a resident attorney previous to 1845. An attorney named 
Van Wormer, from Genes.ee county. New York, located at the same place 
with his family about 1846 and opened an ofiice. His dealings were not looked 
upon with favor by the people, he having stirred up enmity among them in 
about the same manner a boy would disturb a hornet's nest. Finally Van 
Wormer was employed in a suit which brought matters to a focus and re- 
sulted in his obtaining a not very sleek coat of tar and feathers. The offenders 
in the case were brought before the grand jury at its next session, but that 
body refused to consider the matter, and Van Wormer, recognizing at last 
that the prejudices of the community were decidedly not in his favor, soon 
after left the place. He removed to Algonquin. McHenry county, abandoned 
his family, and added still further to his record as an unprincipled villain. 

James P. Vance located at St. Charles about 1845 ^"d practiced law for 
several years in Kane county. He afterward changed his profession for the 
clerical and removed from that place. In 1871 he was residing in Batavia. 

H. F. Smith, from Wyoming county. New York, opened a law office in 
St. Charles in 1846. hut, finding business dull, engaged for a time in peddling 
maps and canvassing for a life of John Quincy Adams. In the course of his 
journeyings he reached Elkhorn, the seat of justice for Walworth county, 
Wisconsin, where he formed a partnership with a local attorney and where 
he afterward practiced. 

John H. Ferguson, one of the ablest of the many able members of the 
Kane county bar. located at St. Charles about 1850-51, coming from the state 
of New York. He was for a time in partnership with J. F. Farnsworth, and 
"it was often remarked," says the editor of the St. Charles Valley Chronicle, 
in a brief mention, "that the two constituted the strongest legal team in the 
county. Ferguson was perhaps the best informed in legal authorities of any 
practicing attorney in the county, and his knowledge, reinforced by Farns- 
worth's oratorical powers before a jury, constituted a combination of talent 
which was well nigh irresistible." Mr. Ferguson opened an office in Chicago 
in 1855 or 1856 and died in that city suddenly of a malignant throat disease 
December 3, 1857. 

David L. Eastman, a native of Washington county, Vermont, settled at 
St. Charles about the fall of 1848. He formed a law partnership with S. S. 
Jones, and later, in Chicago, with the present General and ex-Governor John 
L. Beveridge. He rose very rapidly in his profession, and had he lived w'ould 
undoubtedlv have won name and fame; but he fell a victim to consumption in 



484 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

i860. During the few years of his residence in Kane county he became one 
of its brightest legal lights, and those who knew him yet do honor to his 
memory. 

Lewis A. Norton, WilHam and Warren Brown all studied law in the 
office of Judge Barry at St. Charles and were admitted to the bar. Norton 
removed subsequently to California, of which state he is still a resident and 
in which he has risen to prominence in his profession. 

Alonzo H. Barry, brother of Hon. W. D. Barry, studied in the office of 
the latter and was admitted to practice in Kane county in 1853. Until 1870 
he continued to reside at St. Charles, but in that year removed to Elgin and 
formed a law partnership with Judge R. N. Botsford and Joseph Healy. The 
latter gentleman died, and E. C. Lovell, the present county judge, was a 
member of the firm for two years. John G. Kribs and John A. Russell were 
afterward law partners at different times with Messrs. Barry and Botsford. 
In the spring of 1883 Mr. Barry was elected judge of the city court of Aurora 
and Elgin, a position he filled with such great ability that he was reelected 
at the end of his term in 1887. Judge Barry opened an office in W. J. 
Meehan's block at Elgin in 1885. He has also an enviable military record, 
having been elected major of the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry in 1861, with 
which command he served over two years. Previous to the war he had served 
as captain of the St. Charles ca^■alry, to succeed P. J. Burchell. elected major 
of the battalion. Judge Barry was one of the ablest criminal lawyers in the 
west, and on the bench administers justice in an impartial manner. He died 
at Elgin in 

A. S. Babcock, who had previously practiced a few years at Blackberry 
Station (now Elburn), was located at St. Charles from 1868 to 1872 in the 
law and insurance business. He subsec|uently practiced at Sycamore, and in 
1876 removed to Oregon, Illinois, from whence he journeyed, a year or two 
later, to California. He died at San Jose, in the latter state, Septemlier 11, 
1887. 

John McGuire and John J. Flannery studied in Mr. Babcock's uffice at 
St. Charles and both were admitted to the bar. Mr. Flannery also studied in 
the law department of the University of Alichigan, and with A. M. Herring- 
ton at Geneva, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1873. He removed 
subsequently to Sycamore. 

T. E. R)'an studied law in Judge Barry's office, and was admitted tu the 
bar in 1870. He opened an office of his own in 1876. In 1880 he was elected 
state's attorney for Kane county, serving four years, and he has also been 
prominently engaged as attorney for several railway companies. He still 
resides and practices in St. Charles, to which city he returned in 1905 after a 
sojourn for many months in the west. 

Wilbur C. Hunt, George F. Ross and Edward H. Bowman are later 
attorneys. Mr. Plunt ser\ed several years as city attorney for St. Charles, 
as did also 'Mv. Ross, who removed to Omaha, Nebraska, in the autumn of 
1887. Mr. Bowman graduated from the University of Michigan and the 
Harvard Law school. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 485 

Richard Nichols Botsford, a native of Connecticut, located at St. Charles 
in 1 85 1 and taught in a select school. He taught later in Missouri and else- 
where, and in 1856 began the study of law with C. C. Pope at Black River 
Falls, Wisconsin, being admitted to the bar in 1857. Returning to St. 
Charles, he was for a time engaged in the publication of the Argus at that 
place, but disposed of it and opened a law office in partnership with D. L. 
Eastman. After the latter's death in i860 Mr. Botsford associated himself 
with S. S. Jones, thus continuing until 1865. In 1861 he was elected judge 
of the county court, a position he filled with great credit for four years. He 
removed to Elgin in 1867, and made that his home until his death this year 
(1908). Judge Botsford was recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in the 
district. It has been said of him that he was always ready for trial when his 
cases were called, and that in every matter his word was as good as his bond. 

Captain J. E. Richmond, who served during the war of the rebellion in 
the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, studied law subse- 
quent to the close of his term of service. About 1870 he removed to Chicago. 

J. L. Ward, also of St. Charles, studied law at an early day and was 
admitted to the bar, but never regularly practiced the profession. 

In Elgin the first representative of the legal profession was Edward E. 
Harvey, who has been already mentioned. He located in the place in 1840, 
having been previously a student in the ofifice of Joseph W. Churchill at 
Batavia. He is remembered as an able and eloquent lawyer. 

Isaac G. Wilson, for many years judge of the circuit court, was the next 
to hang out his professional shingle in the aspiring young city, becoming a 
resident in 1841 and removing a few years later to Geneva upon his election 
to the bench in the county court. Erom 1846 to 1850 he was a law partner 
with Silvanus Wilcox, who has already been mentioned. A former writer 
says : "The practice thus ably commenced was continued by Edmund Gif- 
ford from 1845 to 1861 ; Paul R. Wright, A. J. Waldron and Charles H. 
Morgan from 1847 to 1863; E. S. Joslyn from 1852 to the outbreak of the 
rebellion; John S. Riddle from 1857 to 1862; Thomas W. Grosvenor from 
1858 to 1861 ; Joseph Healy, E. W. Vining, A. H. Barry, R. N. Botsford, 
J. W. Ranstead, William H. Wing, W. F. Lynch, Eugene Clifford, Henry 
B. Willis, Cyrus K. Wilbur, John McBride and others. Many of the above 
left their professions to serve their country in the late war and some died from 
wounds received upon the battlefield." 

Eugene Clifford, now practicing in Chicago, studied in Elgin law offices 
and was admitted to practice by the Illinois supreme crairt in March, 1871 ; 
was town clerk of Elgin in 1872; city attorney, 1873 to 1877, inclusive; mas- 
ter in chancery of the Elgin city court, and in 1882 revised the Elgin city 
ordinances. He at present practices in Chicago, but resides in Elgin. 

Oliver P. Chisholm, from Grant county, Wisconsin, came to Illinois in 
October, 1862, and was a member of Company C, One Hundred and Fifty- 
third Illinois Infantry, in the war of the rebellion. He represented his town- 
ship on the board of supervisors and was otherwise prominent fnr many years. 
He removed to Manitoba in the eighties. 



486 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Colonel Edward S. Joslyn, father of Frank and R. Waite, was one of the 
ablest lawyers and readiest and most eloquent speakers who ever practiced in 
the courts of Kane county. Before the war he was active as a progressive citi- 
zen of Elgin, where he was mayor in i86i and alderman from 1855 to 1878, 
member of the board of education and city attornev. He was one of the early 
state's attorneys of Kane county. In 1861, on the call for volunteers, he was 
mustered in as captain of Company A of the Seventh Regiment, which com- 
pany was the first in Illinois to answer the call for troops. On the organiza- 
tion of the Thirty-sixth Illinois he was elected its lieutenant colonel. Of 
upright honor and integrity, he did much to establish the standard of legal 
ethics and practice among lawyers that today makes the word of a Kane county 
lawyer trustworthy. ]\Iany who strayed from the path of professional 
rightness felt the sharp sting of his sarcasm and w"it. 

The years 1871-73 he spent in the state of Utah in the gathering of evi- 
dence for the trial of one of the most celebrated mining cases ever tried in 
the west, the famous "Emma Mine" case. Colonel Joslyn secured a verdict 
and judgment for his client, R. B. Chisholm, and gained for him a sum said 
to be in excess of one million dollars. At the final trial Colonel Joslyn made 
a speech still spoken of in Salt Lake City which occupied days, during which 
time friends of both stood in the courthouse with pistols ready for instant 
service. That the case won w^as due to the work of Colonel Joslyn, who 
went among the miners as a miner and gathered evidence, made speeches to 
the people to become acquainted with them and gain their sympathy. This 
was doubtless the most important case ever handled by a Kane county lawyer. 
Upon his death. October 5. 1885. resolutions were ofifered by the Kane County 
Bar Association, and a splendid monument was erected in the cemetery at 
Elgin by that association. 

Before the war Colonel Joslyn was a democrat, and during the war 
fought for the Union, but owing, it is said, to the influence of Stephen A. 
Douglas, whose close friend he was, he remained a democrat after the war, 
not becoming a republican as did so many who had been his political asso- 
ciates. It is said that had he become republican at that time he might subse- 
quently have held any office within the district, so great was his general 
popularity and the power of his eloquence as a speaker. 

Frank W. Joslyn, of Elgin, studied law in the office of his father. Colonel 
E. S. Joslyn, and w^as admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois, May 23, 1883. 
He served two terms as Elgin's city attorney and two terms as state's attor- 
ney. He has for many years been supervisor from Elgin, and at present holds 
the position of assistant attorney general of Illinois. He has made an enviable 
reputation as a criminal lawyer — few large cases that he is not on one side or 
the other. As an orator he follows his father, and has been in continual 
demand in every part of the county. 

R. Waite Joslyn studied law at Michigan University, graduating from 
that institution in 1891 with the degree of blaster of Laws (LL.M.). He 
then went to Chicago, where he practiced with success for ten years. Return- 
ing to Elgin, he became associated with his brother. Frank \\'. Joslyn, where 
they enjoy one of the largest practices of the city. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 487 

Mr. Joslyn is the authur of a law book entitled "Joslyn on Personal 
Injuries," which was published this year (1908) by T. H. Flood & Company, 
of Chicago, and has a large sale. This work is highly commended by attor- 
neys and will doubtless require many editions. Mr. Joslyn is now engaged 
in compiling another law book on "Corporation Law in Illinois," which 
promises to be as successful as his first venture. 

Charles H. Wayne studied law with A. B. Coon at Marengo, Illinois, 
and was admitted to the bar before the appellate court at Ottawa, Illinois, in 
December, 1882. He at once began practice in Elgin and succeeded so well 
by virtue of his native ability as a lawyer that he enjoys a very large practice 
and the reputation of being one of the ablest of Kane county attorneys. He 
is now senior member of the firm of Botsford, Wayne & Botsford, Judge 
Botsford dying this year. In 1895-6 he was mayor of Elgin, but has since 
sought no public otlTice. 

Robert S. Egan, now one of the leading trial lawyers of the county, was 
born in 1857 at Sycamore. He studied law with Judge H. B. Willis and was 
admitted to practice in 1882. In 1883 he became a member of the firm of 
Irwin & Egan. In 1883 ^''^ "^^'^s city attorney and from 1903 to 1907. 

Charles R. Hopson studied law and graduated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
and was admitted to the bar both in that state and Illinois in June, 1877. He 
has since been in practice at Elgin. 

John H, Becker studied law at Elgin, where he now resides, graduated 
at Union College in 1861, and was admitted to practice by the supreme court 
of Illinois, Chicago, examination. May 11, 1886. He has been a justice of 
the peace in the town of Elgin since 1877, and at present is police magistrate. 

James Coleman studied law for his profession at Elgin with Colonel E. 
S. Joslyn, and was there admitted to the bar by the superior court in 1863. 
He was city attorney from 1863 to 1865, and in April, 1886, was elected 
police magistrate. Mr. Coleman also dabbled to some extent in newspaper 
work. He was an able lawyer. His death occurred in 

Robert M. Ireland studied law at Chicago and was admitted to the bar 
on diploma of the Union ( ollege of Law of Chicago at the June, 1876, term 
of the supreme court at Mo' mt Vernon. He was elected to the state legislature. 
Died in 1897. 

Judge Clinton F. Irwin, now of Elgin, studied law in the office of W. H. 
H. Kennedy, at Maple Park, and was admitted to the bar at Chicago in April, 
1879. He first practiced at Maple Park, and in 1881-82 was supervisor of 
Virgil township. Subsequently removing to Elgin, he w-as assistant super- 
visor of that township in 1885-86. In 18 — he was appointed a federal judge 
to Oklahoma, where he sat with great success for some years, returning 
to Elgin in 1907. He is now the head of the firm of Irwin & Egan. 

Oscar Jones prepared himself for his profession at Sycamore, Illinois, 
and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa May 16, 1883. He had previously 
been successfully engaged as a teacher at St. Charles and elsewhere. Since 
September, 1883, he has been master in chancery of the city court of Elgin. 



488 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

John P. ^lann is a graduate of the University of Michigan, class of 1882. 
He was admitted to the Michigan bar April 11, 1882, and to the Illinois bar 
at Ottawa, upon motion, September 17, 1885. He resides at Elgin. 

Thomas J. Rushton studied law with Judge Smith at Woodstock and 
graduated from the law school of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City 
in June, 1880. He took the degree of LL.B., was admitted to the Iowa bar in 
1880, to the Illinois bar in 1881 and located at Elgin in June, 1882, where 
he is a law partner with C. A. Van Home. The latter is also a graduate of 
the Iowa State University (June. 1880) ; took the degree of LL.B.; admitted 
in Iowa in 1880, in Minnesota in 1881, and in Illinois in 1884. He came to 
Elgin in June, 1887, and still practices there. 

Hon. John W. Ranstead, who is a native of Kane county, was graduated 
from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1866, and in the 
same year was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois. He is a lawyer of 
marked abilitj-, and from 1873 to 1882 served as county judge of Kane county. 
As the county is overwhelmingly republican and Judge Ranstead is a democrat 
the compliment can be readily appreciated. 

Charles Stephen Reeves, of Elgin, is a graduate of the University of 
Michigan and has been admitted to the bars of both Michigan and Illinois. 

Ezra Rue, a native of Steuben county, New York, came to Elgin in 1858 
when a boy. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. 

David B. Sherwood, one of the most prominent members of the Elgin 
bar. studied law at Galveston, Texas, where he was admitted to practice in 
November, 1870. 

John H. Williams, a graduate of the Iowa State University, was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois, in 1881, and in 1882 located at Elgin, 
where he still resides. 

William H. Wing studied law with Hon. S. Wilcox at Elgin in 1865-66; 
was admitted to the bar for Illinois at Elgin in the spring of 1867 and later 
at Chicago for the United States courts. He was city attorney of Elgin in 
1871-72; treasurer of the Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane for five 
years from April i, 1880, and for four years was director of the First National 
Bank of Elgin, over which he had his office. Mr. Wing came to Elgin in 
1846. For four years he was a law partner with Colonel E. S. Joslyn. Died 
in 1902. 

William H. Wilcox, a native of Montgomery county. New York, came 
to Elgin with his father. General Elijah Wilcox, in 1842. He ser\'ed with 
distinction in the U^nion armj' during the war of the rebellion. His connection 
with the legal profession dates from 1871, when he was admitted to the bar. 

Hon. Henry B. Willis is a native of Bennington, Vermont. He located 
at Sycamore, Illinois, in 1852, when a child, and in July, 1872, came to Elgin. 
He had graduated in the previous year at Albany, New York, and was, the 
same year, admitted to the bar of that state. His admission to the Illinois bar 
occurred in 1872. He has been several times elected to responsible and honor- 
able official positions, among them supervisor of Elgin township, and city 
attorney and mayor of the city of Elgin. He was succeeded as mayor by the 
present incumbent. V. S. Lovell, in the spring of 1887. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 489 

Judges R. N. Botsford and A. H. Barry have been previously noted 
among the lawyers of St. Charles, where they were for many years engaged 
in practice. 

Colonel John S. Wilcox, a native of the state of New York, came to 
Elgin with the family of his father, General Elijah Wilcox, in 1842, when 
nine years of age. He began the study of law about 1852 with his brother. 
Judge Silvanus Wilcox; was admitted to the bar in 1854 and entered upon 
the practice of his profession. Colonel T. W. Grosvenor (afterward killed 
in Chicago), Judge E. C. Lovell and Justice A. T. Lewis, of Elgin, were 
among the students in his office, and Mr. Lewis was for a time in partnership 
with him. In the fall of 1861 Mr. ^^'ilcox entered the United States service, 
enlisting in the Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. He went into camp as cap- 
tain and was promoted successively to lieutenant colonel (g'oing to the field 
with that rank) and colonel. He resigned in 1864 to take the stump in behalf 
of President Lincoln's reelection, and made able speeches in numerous por- 
tions of the state. He held a brevet brigadier general's commission at the 
close of his service. In the spring of 1864, after his resignation, he took 
command of the camp of organization of the One Hundred and Forty-first 
Illinois Infantry, a three months' regiment, and continued until the command 
was ready for the field. This service was gratuitous to the state. He was 
elected mayor of Elgin in 1865, and also resumed the practice of his profes- 
sion, being in partnership one year with his brother. Judge Wilcox. In the fall 
of 187 1 he became a director in and general solicitor for the Chicago & Pacific 
Railroad Company, continuing in that position over six years, since when he 
has not been in practice. He is now living retired in Elgin. In 1904 he 
completed a history of Kane county, and is in constant demand as a public 
speaker. 

Hon. Edward C. Lovell, present county judge, read law in the office of 
Colonel J. S. Wilcox, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He 
was admitted to the bar at Detroit in April, 1870. He was a fine scholar, an 
able lawyer and an honored citizen, and was long identified with the educa- 
tional interests of Elgin and with the upbuilding of her splendid free public 
library, of which he was a director during the first six years of its existence. 
He served two terms as judge of the county court of Kane county, having 
first been elected in 1882. He was also mayor of Elgin in 1877, member of 
the Illinois legislature in 1879 and city attorney of Elgin in 1879-80. He died 
in Elgin in 1902. 

John A. Russell is one of the successful trial lawyers of Elgin. He 
studied with Messrs. Botsford & Barry, and, after his admission to the bar, 
became a partner with them — thus continuing several years. In the fall of 
1884 he was elected state's attorney for Kane county, on the republican ticket 
and proved an energetic and efficient officer. He was appointed solicitor 
general of Porto Rico in 1900, but owing to ill health returned to Elgin, where 
he has since practiced with large success. 

Carl E. Botsford, son of Judge R. N. Botsford, studied under the guid- 
ance of his father, and is a graduate of Harvard University. He turned his 
attention in the early part of 1887 to newspaper editorial work in the office of 



490 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

the Elgin Democrat, but later became a member of the firm of Botsford, 
Wayne & Botsford, where he still continues, enjoying a large practice. Though 
a democrat, he was elected mayor in 1905 by a large majority and served 
one term. 

Albert T. Lewis read law in the office of Colonel J. S. Wilcox and was 
admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois, January 31, 1868. He was a justice 
of the peace over six years. Died in . 

Hon. Samuel Drake Lockwood, who located at Batavia in 1853 ^"d died 
there April 23, 1874, was licensed to practice law in February, 181 1, and 
opened an office at Batavia, New York. In the fall of 1818 he settled at 
Carmi, Illinois, entered there upon the practice of his profession, and in 1821 
was elected attorney general of the state. In 1823 he became secretary of the 
state upon Governor Cole's nomination, but resigned soon afterward to accept 
a commission from President Monroe as receiver of public moneys at the land 
office in Edwardsville, Illinois, both positions being unsought and a surprise 
to him. In 1824-25 he was elected by the legislature as a judge of the su- 
preme court, holding until 1848, when the new constitution placed the election 
of supreme judges in the power of the people. Besides other important posi- 
tions which he filled he was, in 1851, appointed by the legislature trustee of 
the land department of the Illinois Central Railroad, which position he held 
until his death. He was one of the founders of the republican party, and 
during his early term as state's attorney succeeded in bringing to punishment 
the survivor of a fatal duel — the only one ever fought in the state. He 
assisted in revising the state laws in 1826-27. 

W. H. H. Kennedy, now deceased, was a promising lawyer, who for- 
merly resided at Maple Park (then Lodi), where he located in 1857. He 
was admitted to the bar in i860, and for several years represented his township 
on the board of supervisors. 

James O. McClellan, a graduate of the Columbian College Law School, 
at Washington, District of Columbia, was admitted to the bar in Illinois 
September 13, 1869. He is a well known lawyer, of recognized ability and 
has held the position of master in chancery of the circuit court of Kane county 
since 1875. He resides at Batavia. 

Thomas Cincinnatus Moore, also of Batavia, is an old and respected 
member of the bar. He studied law at Marshall, Illinois, where he was ad- 
mitted to practice in May, 1843. He has been a well known figure in the 
courts of Kane county for many years. His practice has been extensive. 

Charles T. Barney, now attorney for the United States Wind Engine 
and Pump Company, located at Batavia, studied law at Burlington, Vermont, 
and Albany, New York, and graduated at the Albany Law School in the 
class of 1883. He was admitted to the Vermont bar at Burlington at the 
September term, 1883, and to the New York bar at Albany at the November 
term in the same year. Was city attorney of Hoosick Falls, New York, in 
1884-85. 

F. G. Garfield, of Campton, who came to KaLe county in 1841, com- 
menced the practice of law about 1857, although he was not regularly 
admitted to the bar until 1865. There is scarcely a man in the county who 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 491 

has become a more familiar visitant in the court rooms at Geneva, and his 
native shrewdness has assisted more than once in the discomtiture of an oppo- 
nent. Though "Green" by name, he is scarcely so by nature, and in his 
advancing age he enjoys a fine competence. 

Ebenezer Barry, of Burlington township, brother of Judges W. D. and 
A. H. Barry, has been for many years a resident of the county, and, while his 
principal pursuit has been farming, he has found time to practice law to a 
considerable extent. Perhaps no man in Kane county enjoyed a racy suit 
before a justice of the peace better than ^Ir. Barry, although there are 
numerous others who are not far in the rear. He has retired from practice. 
W. R. S. Hunter, of Elburn, studied law under the direction of Hon. 
W. D. Barry. W. J. Brown and W. H. H. Kennedy, and was admitted to the 
bar at Chicago March 24, 1880. He was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Ethan 
J. Allen; postmaster at Blackberry Station under President Lincoln; local 
attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway; corporation attorney of 
Elburn, and once ran for justice of the peace. He still practices and is one 
of the oldest practitioners in the county. 

At Aurora there has Ijeen a long list of attorneys and many of them have 
been very prominent not alone at home but in state and national affairs. A 
few of them have been already named. 

Leander R. Wagner came to the place with his parents in 1837, when a 
small child. He studied law in the state of New York with his uncle, Peter J. 
Wagner, also with W. B. Plato at Geneva and with A. B. Fuller, being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1857. He was a brilliant and gifted lawyer, and was 
district attorney for the district including Kane county from 1864 to 1868. 
He died of consumption March 29, 1869. 

John M. Little, a practitioner residing at Aurora, died of consumption 
August 21, 1868, and was taken to his father's home in DeKalb for burial. 

Hon. William B. Plato, now deceased, was an exceedingly able lawyer, 
an eloquent speaker and possessed a reputation second to that of no lawyer in 
the state. He was a tailor by trade and settled at Aurora in 1839. He soon 
after took up the study of law and subsequently removed to Geneva, where 
he was for a time in partnership with Judge Wilson. 

Tames G. Barr, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Aurora when seventeen 
years old, in 1844, with the family of his father, Oliver Barr. He studied 
law with W. B. Plato in 1846 and was subsequently admitted to practice. He 
was superintendent of schools in Kendall county in 1849, but located perma- 
nently in Aurora in 1851. He was the first justice of the peace elected from 
Aurora under the township organization ; was town clerk two years ; first city 
clerk, holding six years; four years clerk of the Aurora court of common 
pleas, etc. He died January 27, 1872, and was at that time and had been 
for seven years assistant United States assessor for southern Kane county. 

Charles J. Metzner, a fine lawyer and a thorough gentleman, was a 
native of Saxony and came to Erie, Pennsylvania, when three years old. He 
afterward removed to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, thence to Naperville, Illinois, 
and in 1856-57 to Aurora. He first worked at blacksmithing, but was forced 
to gi\e up the trade because of an injury to his eye from a flying spark from 



402 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

tiie anvil. He studied law with B. F. Parks and was admitted in 1859. He 
was state's attDrney four years, and died at Aurcira August 8, 1874, aged 
forty years. 

Sewell W. Brown, a native of Jetiferson county, New York, was educated 
at Watertown, its seat of justice, studied law and practiced several years in 
the south. He came to Aurora in 1858 and practiced until his death, which 
occurred Marcli 13, 1878. 

Hon. Alexander C. Gibson had been a prominent practitioner and citizen 
in Washington county. New York, before coming to Aurora in 1847. After 
one and a half years in town he located on a farm in the vicinity of North 
Aurora. He was interested in railroad and agricultural society matters; 
edited the Daily Beacon during the Fremont campaign in 1856, and in 1857 
was chosen the first judge of the Aurora court of common pleas, holding the 
position two years. He then retired to his farm, where he died fifteen years 
later, August 14, 1874, aged eighty years. He was a man very greatly 
respected. He had come west originally to look for some property interests 
he had in the region, having furnished at an early date the funds with which 
his brother Hugh purchased a quantity of land for him and stocked and 
carried on stores at Clybournville (Mill Creek) and other places. 

Hon. John C. Sherwin, a native of St. Lawrence county. New York, 
came to Kendall county, Illinois, in 1856, and during the war of the rebellion 
served in the ranks of the Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He located at 
Aurora in 1865 and studied law with \\'agner & Canfield. After being ad- 
mitted to the bar he continued in practice until 1873, when he was elected 
county clerk, a position to which he was reelected in 1871. In 1878 he was 
the successful candidate of the republicans of the then fourth district for 
congress, resigning as county clerk. He was again elected to congress in 
1880, serving altogether four years. He removed to Nebraska in the fall of 
1883. 

Hon. Benjamin Franklin Parks is a native of Oakland county, Michigan, 
and was graduated from the Uni\-ersity of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1848. 
He studied law with Ferry & Searles at W'aukegan, Illinois, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1850, coming to Aurora the same year. Mr. Parks was for 
many years regarded as one of tlie ablest lawyers in the Fox river valley. 
He was the first city attorney of Aurora; was elected judge of the city court 
in 1859, and served four years; and was mayor of the city in 1869. He also 
represented his district in the Illinois legislature. Judge Parks met with a 
severe accident upon a winter day, falling upon an icy sidewalk in Aurora and 
sustaining injuries of a permanent character. 

B. F. Herrington, now of Kendall county, was located in Aurora for 
some time, dating from June, 1876. He had an office with Eugene Canfield, 
and had studied l.".w and begun practice in the state of New York. 

Hon. Charles Wheaton is a native of Rhode Island and a graduate of 
Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1849. He read law with Hon. 
Benjamin F. Thomas at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was admitted to 
the bar September 7, 1851. Removing to Illinois in the fall of 1854, he was 
located five years at Batavia and removed to Aurora in the spring of 1859, 




^ssK^BBB^smmam^^i^ 



GROVE AVENUE, ELGIN, LOOKING NORTH, ABOUT 1870. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 495 

opening an office and engaging in what has proved a very successful practice. 
In 1873 he established an office also in Chicago. Mr. Wheaton was elected 
mayor of Aurora on the prohibition ticket in 1864, but resigned after one 
month, as his views and those of the council did not coincide upon the question 
of license. He was long prominent. Died 1906 at Aurora. 

Captain Alexander C. Little, of Aurora, is a native of Rome, New York, 
and a thorough student in both law and medicine. He studied medicine in 
Joliet, Illinois, with Doctors Harwood and Danforth, commencing in the 
"fall of 1855; read the next year with Doctors Young and Hard in Aurora; 
matriculated in the fall of 1856 in the medical department of the Iowa Uni- 
versity at Keokuk, and attended one course of lectures. He returned to Joliet 
in 1857, and while still continuing his studies began practice with his first 
preceptor, Dr. Willis Danforth. He graduated from the Iowa University 
in the spring of 1858, receiving his diploma and the degree of doctor of medi- ■ 
cine. The study of law was commenced by him at Aurora with Hon. Charles 
Wheaton in 1866, and after attending the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
he was admitted to the bar of Kane county in August, 1867. He was elected 
city attorney of Aurora in 1873 and mayor in 1874. He won an honorable 
record in the war of the rebellion as an officer in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry. 

Hon. Eugene Canfield, another Vermonter, and one of the best educated 
lawyers in the west, located at Aurora in i860. In 1861 and again in 1872 
he served as city attorney, and was subsequently chosen from this district to 
the state senate. For a number of years he has been much of the time in 
the state of Washington, where he has considerable property and has become 
prominent in connection with state affairs. 

Among the earlier lawyers in Aurora we find H. C. Kelly occupying the 
field in July, 1848, and he had probably been here for some time at that date. 
W. C. Taylor and R. G. Montony had their cards in the local papers in 1850, 
the former on the west side and the latter on the east side of the river. 

Judge Richard G. Montony, one of the most careful and painstaking 
lawyers who ever made Kane county his home, has resided in Aurora since 
1846 and been engaged in practice since 1849. Mr. Montony is a native of 
New Jersey. He came to Chicago September i, 1845; taught school at 
Newark the following winter, and located at Aurora in May, 1846. He read 
law with O. D. Day and was admitted to the bar in June, 1849. I'"' 1858 he 
was city attorney of Aurora. From 1873 to 1886 he had an office in Chicago. 
He has now retired from practice and lives in Chicago, over eighty years of 
age. 

D. W. Poindexter was practicing in Aurora in the beginning of 1855, 
as was also N. J. Smith, who had but lately arrived from Worcester county, 
Massachusetts. A. B. Fuller was practicing in the place in the spring of the 
same year. In the summer of 1858 we find William R. Parker and Daniel 
Eastman on the list. The latter had temporarily relinquished the medical 
profession and turned his attention in a successful manner to the law. Mr. 
Parker was a gifted lawyer and somewhat of a politician, becoming a promi- 



496 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

nent and greatly esteemed citizen, and at one time representing the district in 
the state legislature. He died January 5, 1859, aged about forty years. 

In 1859 the newspaper files show additional attorneys in Aurora in the 
persons of C. J. Metzner, John W. Ray, L. R. Wagner and E. A. Prichard. 
George W. Grow came some time previous to i860. 

In December, 1847, Messrs. Champlin and Dodge (John C. Champlin, of 
Ottawa, and A. R. Dodge, of Aurora) announced through the columns of the 
Beacon that they were ready to practice law in the counties of Kane, Kendall, 
DeKalb and McHenry. Mr. Dodge has been previously mentioned. 

Senator Albert J. Hopkins is a native of DeKalb county, Illinois, and a 
graduate (1870) of Hillsdale (Michigan) College. In August, 1870, he 
came to Aurora and began the study of law with C. J. ]\Ietzner, at that time 
one of the leading members of the Kane county bar. In September, 1871, Mr. 
Hopkins was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Illinois, and a 
year later in all the United States courts. He was elected state's attorney for 
Kane county in 1872 and made a splendid record, the beginning of the career 
which has placed him at the head of the criminal lawyers in the county. He 
enjoys an extensive and increasing practice, and the well known firm of 
Hopkins, Aldrich & Thatcher are acknowledged leaders among the professional 
firms of northern Illinois. In 1885 Mr. Hopkins was elected to congress 
from the fifth district of Illinois to fill out the unexpired term of Hon. Reuben 
Ellwood (deceased), of Sycamore. He was reelected continuously for twenty 
years, and in 1902 was promoted to the senate, being the first citizen of Kane 
county to enjoy that distinction. In 1908 he was renominated by the popular 
vote at the primary election in August, and will doubtless succeed himself. 

N. J. Aldrich studied law at Aurora with M. O. Southworth. and took 
a two years' course at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating in 1876. He was 
admitted to the bar the same year at Mount Vernon, Illinois, before the 
supreme court, and commenced practice at Aurora wdth A. J. Hopkins in 
1878. He has made an enviable reputation and now stands among the leaders 
at the bar. 

Frank A. Thatcher was graduated from the East Aurora High School in 
1877, and from the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in the class 
of 1881. receiving the degree of Ph.M. Mr. Thatcher studied law for two 
years with Hopkins and Aldrich, was admitted to the bar in 1883 upon ex- 
amination by Judge Upton, and of the appellate court. He became a member 
of the firm of Hopkins, Aldrich &: Thatcher in 1884, where he continued until 
he formed his present partnership with N. J. Aldrich. 

William George was graduated from the West Aurora High School in 
1879 and took a collegiate course in the University of Iowa. He studied law 
with W. H. and J. H. I\Ioore in Chicago and at the same time took a full 
course in the Union College of Law in that city, receiving the degree of LL.B. 
He was graduated from that institution and admitted to the bar at Ottawa in 
June, 1885, and is now practicing in Aurora. For two years he was associated 
with the firm of Hopkins, Aldrich & Thatcher. 

Fayette W. Winslow, a native of Kane county, and a graduate of the 
West Aurora High School, is also a graduate of Sterling College at Beloit, 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 497 

Wisconsin, ami the Columbia Law School at New York city. He was ad- 
mitted to practice upon examination before the appellate court at Ottawa, 
Illinois, in December, 1883, and in June, 1884, opened an office in Aurora 
in company with Frank G. Hanchett. 

Frank G. Hanchett is also a graduate from the West /\urora High School. 
In 1882 he was graduated with high honors from the University of Chicago 
and took a thoruugh law course at Iowa City, Iowa, graduating in 1883. He 
was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1884 and has since been engaged in practice 
at Aurora. 

Charles L. Allen, now of Sterling. Colorado, where he is engaged in 
lucrative business, was formerly a resident of Aurora, and numbered among 
the able young lawyers of that city. He was at one time city attorney. 

J. P. Cass, John C. Murphy and A. J. King were all examined and 
admitted to the bar in September, 1S82, before the appellate court. Mr. 
Cass, who was graduated from the East Aurora High School in 1879, and 
subsequently a teacher for two years, studied law with Judge Parks and A. G. 
McDole. He opened an office in October, 1882, since when he has been en- 
gaged in practice. In 1884-85 he served as alderman from what was then the 
Fifth ward of Aurora. He was in partnership with Judge Parks for a short 
time; is now a member of the public library board and second lieutenant of 
Company D, Third Regiment, Illinois National Guard. Early in 1888 Mr. 
Cass removed to the Pacific coast. Mr. Murphy has been for over two years 
assistant United States attorney for Dakota territory, and Mr. King, who was 
for a time in company with M. O. Southworth, is now prosjiering in the law. 
loan and real estate business at Overlin, Kansas. 

Russell P. Goodwin studied law with Judge Cody at Naperville and 
M. O. Southworth at Aurora, and was admitted to the bar January 17, 1879, 
by examination before the appellate court at Ottawa, Illinois, since when he 
has been engaged in practice at Aurora. He has been public administrator 
for Kane county, city attorney of Aurora, judge of the city courts, and is now 
United States customs agent at Chicago. 

Thomas B. Swan studied law at Indiana, Pennsylvania, and was there 
admitted to practice in the fall of 1878. He had been previously graduated 
from Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. He practiced a few 
months at Blairsville, in that state, and in 1879 came to Aurora. 

A. E. Searles studied law with Judge A. O. Aldis at St. Albans, Vermont, 
where he was admitted to the bar in 1842. After practicing about twelve 
years at Sheldon, in the same county (Franklin) he was located in practice 
at St. Albans until the spring of 1858, when he removed to Aurora. He was 
several times city attorney of Aurora, and was in partnership with R. G. 
Montony until the latter was elected judge of the city court. They had an 
office in Chicago in 1873-74. 

Osborn A. Holcomb read law over two years with A. E. Searles and was 
admitted to practice at Ottawa in December, 1885, after which he located at 
Aurora. 

N. F. Nichols came to Aurora in September. 1857, fresh from the 
Wesleyan University at Middletown. Connecticut, where he had just been 



498 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

graduated, lie taught school sexeral years at Kaneville, Gene\-a and Aurora; 
read law with J. H. Alayborne at Geneva and S. W. Brown at Aurora; was 
admitted to the bar in 1865 ui)on examination at Chicago; began practice at 
Aurora in partnership with 5. W. Br^wn about 1867. Mr. Nichols was sev- 
eral times city attorney of Aurora and previously superintendent of schools in 
Kane county. 

D. M. Clapsaddle, who died at Huron, South Dakota, in 1886, was in 
practice in Aurora for a few years and for a time in partnership with N. F. 
Nichols. 

Randall Cassem, an able lawyer, for some years in practice at Yorkville, 
Illinois, removed to Aurora in the fall of 1887. 

Frederick Brown was admitted to the bar in 1853 at Ravenna, Ohio, 
having studied with Judge Ezra B. Taylor (member of congress and successor 
to Garfield) and Juhn L. Ranney. After practicing a year and a half he came 
west and located at Pecatonica, W'iiuiebago county, Illinois, where he prac- 
ticed five years. He was appointed postmaster there in April, 1861, upon the 
recommendation of Hon. E. B. Washburne, and held the position over twelve 
years. During the time he ser^■ed four years in the army, lea^■ing the office 
in charge of his wife. Resigning the postmastership in 1873. he came to 
Aurora. He was once a justice of the peace at Pecatonica, but resigned. He 
has held a similar otiice at Aurora 1881 ; has been school trustee, etc. 

Samuel Alschuler, who studied law at Aurora with Captain A. C. Little, 
was admitted to the bar before the appellate court at Ottawa in December, 
1880. and has been in practice since the latter part of 1881. Mr. Alschuler 
has made an enviable reputation as an attorney, and is now of the firm of 
Kraus, Alschuler & Holden, of Chicago, one of the important firms of that 
city. In 1898 he was nominated for governor on the democratic ticket and 
made a strong run against Richard Yates. He still resides at Aurora. 

Charles I. AIcNett read law at Ottawa, Illinois, and was admitted before 
the appellate court in December, 1881. Since December, 1882, he has been 
a resident in Aurora, wliere he has an office. He was master in chancery 
several years. 

Asa G. McDole, born in Sugar Grove township, Kane county, Illinois;- 
was the first white male child whose birth occurred within that township, the 
date being June 12. 1836. Beginning in 1858, he studied law a year with 
Judge Parks at Aurora, and in 1859-60 attended for six months the first 
term of the law school at Ann Arbor. Michigan. He was examined for ad- 
mission to the bar in the fall of i860 at Chicago by Ebenezer Peck and was 
duly admitted in January, 1861. He was city attorney of Aurora from April. 
1862, to April, 1864. and again from April, 1879, to April, 1882. He revised 
the ordinances of the city in 1863 and was for a time master in chancery of 
the Aurora city court. 

George \\'. Grove was a practicing attorney at Aurora when Air. McDole 
entered the professional field, but subsequently removed from the city and is 
now deceased. 

M. O. Southworth studied law in 1864-65 with De\\'olf & Pinckney at 
Dixon, Illinois, and in 1869-70 at the University of Alichigan, from which he 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 499 

was graduated in the spring of 1871. He began business at Aurora the same 
spring, and in 1873 entered into partnership with Sewell W. Brown, who is 
universally mentioned as one of the most upright citizens Aurora ever pos- 
sessed. Since Mr. Brown's death Mr. Southworth has practiced mostly 
alone. He was city attorney of Aurora several terms and was county judge 
from 1902 to 1906. He still is in practice at Aurora. 

Hon. C. D. F. Smith is in all respects an excellent lawyer. He has held 
the position of judge of the Aurora city court and also that of county judge of 
Kane county. 

J. D. Fox came to Kane county in 1857 and soon after commenced the 
study of law with C. J. Metzner, continuing same until 1863, when he enlisted 
in the army. After his return he resumed his studies in the office of his old 
preceptor, and was admitted to the bar in 1865. 

The "old school" of lawyers are fast disappearing in Kane county, and 
but for a few exceptions such as W. R. S. Hunter, of Elburn; Captain Brown, 
of Geneva; John W. Ranstead, of Elgin; Judge Montony, of Aurora; T. E. 
Ryan, of St. Charles, and a few others, have answered the final call or retired 
from practice. That they were an able body of men none can gainsay. That 
they lived like men and practiced like lawyers knowing the dignity and honor 
of their profession none will deny. Wilson, Fridley, Parks, Joslyn, Barry, 
Dearborn, Herrington, Botsford, Montony, Garfield, Lockwood, Wilcox, 
Wheaton and Farnsworth are names that will live long in the annals of the 
Kane county bench and bar. The practices of the later day, now becoming 
well dominant, are as different from the methods of that early day as the 
conditions now existing differ from those of the '50s. The multiplication of 
reports and statutes covering quite every point of experience and setting a 
rule for quite every case has compelled lawyers to become students of the law 
rather than orators on the facts. The jury, once more or less supreme, has 
become more subservient to the judge, and the attorney who formerly en- 
joyed unlimited time in which to address the jury is now confined to such 
time as the court may judge sufficient. Rules of practice have become more 
particular, and the court and the lawyer more circumscribed by precedents 
that did not exist in the earlier time. Few matters are now heard of outside 
the court room except criminal cases of importance. While the jury is still 
of value, the upper courts are more and more in view to the attorney in the 
trial of cases, for where one case formerly went to a higher court ten are now 
taken up. A new class of lawyers educated to the newer practices now prevails 
in the conduct of the courts. 

Among the younger members of the profession who have come into 
prominence the past ten years might be named Charles L. Abbott, at present 
assistant United States district attorney at Chicago ; Frank E. Shopen, T. S. 
Huntley, referee in bankruptcy; Frank W. Shepherd, John R. Powers, Walter 
E. Healy and Roy R. Phillips, of Elgin; Frank G. Plain, county judge; Frank 
R. Reid, state's attorney ; W. J. Tyers. state's attorney-elect, and Judge 
Mangan, of the city court of Aurora and Elgin. 

A list of lawyers in Kane count}- in 1858 shows the following to have been 
then in practice : 



500 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



At Aurora — James G. Barr, O. M. Bates (law student), S. W. Brown, 
O. D. Day, S. N. Dickinson, B. F. Fridley, A. C. Gibson, John Little (law 
student), Charles J. Metzner, R. G. Montony, William R. Parker, Samuel 
Parker (law student), B. F. Parks, E. A. Prichard, A. E. Searles, N. J, 
Smith, James Van Allen (law student), L. R. Wagner. 

At Batavia — ^Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, Thomas C. Moore, Charles 
Wheaton. 

At Elgin — John Calvert, F. Colby, Edmund Gifford, A. B. Phiney. 

At Geneva^Judge Isaac G. Wilson, Augustus M. Herrington, J. H. 
Mayborne, W. B. Plato. 

At Lodi Station (now Maple Park) — William J. Brown, who was also 
postmaster. 

At St. Charles — Alonzo H. Barry, Judge William D. Barry, D. L. East- 
man, John F. Farnsworth, J. H. Ferguson, S. S. Jones. 

KANE COUNTY BAR IX 1908. 

AURORA. 



O. A. Holcomb 

F. W. Hartsburg 
J. K. Newhall 
H. D. Cheney 
Randall Cassem 
Irvin Crego 

T. J. IMerrill 
William F. Fowler 
J. C. James 
J. P. Callan 
Robert Wing 

G. C. \^in Osdel 
R. B. Scott 
Frank R. Reid 
Lee Mighell 
Fred A. Dolph 
W. J. Tyers 

J. S. Sears 
A. M. Beaupre 
W. M. Mercer 
Thomas B. Swan 
C A. Love 
Charles Clyne 

E. B. Ouackenbush 

F. M. Outhouse 
Ralph C. Putnam 
Fred B. Silsbee 



R. G. Montony 
A. C. Little 
A. J. Hopkins 
F. ^I. Annis 
M. O. Southworth 
Frederick Brown 
R. P. Goodwin 
X. J. Aldrich 
.A. H. Switzer 
Samuel Alschuler 
Theo. Worcester 
F. G. Hanchett 
Frank G. Plain 
Ben P. Alschuler 
Morris E. Yager 
J. C. Murphy 
Ray Salfisberg 
Harvey Gunsel 
Charles I. McNett 
F. D. \\'inslow 
William George 
J. M. Raymond 
S. N. Hoover 
P. Y. Smith 
J. I. Montgomery. 
James F. Galvin 
Eben Beaupre 



KA^E COUNTY HISTORY 



501 



H. N. Jones 



BATAVIA. 

William Lesemann 



Maurice Weigle 



W. G. Sutfin 



DUNDEE. 



ELGIN. 



Elwood E. Kenyon 
J. M. Manley 
Ernest C. Luther 
Fred B. Raymond 
J. F. C. Krahn 
Lawrence M. McNerney 
Frank C. iMcCarthy 
R. H. Kramer 
W. E. Healy 
J. P. Mann 
Frank W. Joslyn 
Charles H. Wayne 
James J. Kirby 
Charles L. Abbott 
James F. Flynn 
John S. Wilcox 
Charles W. Lehmann 
Roy R. Phillips 
Richard Lowrie 
Pierce Tyrrell 
L M. Western 
J. W. McQueen 
William Perce 
G. R. Beverly 
W. H. Wilcox 



|. W. Ranstead 
T. S. Huntley 
T. J. Rushton 
Ezra Rue 
Isaac H. Warren 
Charles Hopson 
John A. Russell 
C. E. Botsford 
J. H. WilHams 
John Powers, Jr. 
Robert G. Farley 
Charles Hazlehurst 
R. Waite Joslyn 
John B. Newman 
Mark Hart 
C. F. Irwin 
F. W^ Shepherd 
Eugene Clifford 
Robert S. Egan 
J. H. Becker 

C. H. Fisher 
J. G. Spillard 

R. D. Hollembeak 

D. B. Ellis 
Frank E. Shopen 



W. R. S. Hunter 



ELBURN. 



Marie Glidden-Hunter 



Edward F. Gorton 
William J. Brown 
Urville Peckham 



GENEVA. 



T. D. Harvey 
A. P. West 
W'ells M. Cook 



Charles A. Miller 

T. E. Ryan 

H. G. Hempstead 



ST. CHARLES. 



Ernest McGaffey 
J. Frank Richmond 
Charles L. Hunt 



502 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE PRESS. 

St. Charles has tlie honor of being tlie place at which the first paper in 
Kane county and the first in the Fox River valley, above Ottawa, was pub- 
lished. About December 15, 1841, Rev. William Rounseville, a Universalist 
minister, well known throughout this section of the country, in company with 
Rev. Seth Barnes, also a Universalist minister, established in the interests of 
that denomination a paper called The Better Covenant. The office was in the 
basement of Mr. Rounseville's stone dwelling in East St. Charles. After a 
few months the paper was removed to Chicago, where it was subsequently 
merged in The New Covenant. Mr. Rounseville was afterward connected 
with other newspaper enterprises in the county. 

It was fitting that the first newspaper as well as the first religious paper 
should be published at St. Charles, then the most important place in Kane 
county; and consecjuently we find that on February 5, 1842, Rev. John 
Thomas, D.D., issued the first numljer of the St. Charles Patriot and the Fox 
River Advocate. The ofiice was in the second story of a building which stood 
on the east side of the river, near the northeast corner of Main and First 
streets. It was a small sheet, but exceedingly well conducted. Before the 
third issue the building was destroyed by fire. Another outfit was procured — • 
Ira Minard going to Hennepin, on the Illinois river, to procure a press — and 
the paper was revived as the St. Charles Patriot, Fox River Advocate and 
Kane County Herald. Dr. Daniel D. Waite succeeded Dr. Thomas about 
1843 ''ir'f' continued the paper as the Fox River Advocate in a little brick office 
built by Dr. Collins, and later occupied by T. E. Ryan as part of a stable. In 
the latter part of 1845 Dr. Waite sold out, and in the spring of 1846 Messrs. 
Smith and Kelsey, school teachers, began the publication of the Prairie Mes- 
senger, the best of the early papers. It had not continued very long when 
Messrs. Cockroft and Wilson purchased the establishment and continued it 
under a new name at Geneva. 

In October, 1848, Isaac Marlett established at Aurora a democratic paper 
called The People's Platf(irm, with Rev. Rounseville as editor. This paper 
was continued through the presidential campaign of 1848 in the interest of 
Martin Van Buren and the free-soil party, and on March 8, 1849, ^"^''is removed 
to St. Charles, where its name was soon afterward changed to the Democratic 
Platform. S. S. Jones purchased Marlett's interest about June i, 1850, and 
in August of the same year the name of the paper was changed to Kane County 
Democrat, George C. Hul)l)ard becoming associated with Mr. Jones in its 
publication. On the morning of January 22, 1851, Mr. Hubbard was found 
dead near the railroad track, about midw-ay between St. Charles and the junc- 
tion with the G. & G. U. Railroad. It was supposed he had perished from 
cold on the night of the 17th while attempting to walk home from the junction 
(now West Chicago). It was also surmised by a few that he might have been 
the victim of foul play. The Democrat office was moved to Geneva in Janu- 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 503 

ary, 1855, James Herrington bec(imiiig editor of the paper. In August 
following it was moved to Batavia. 

The Weekly Argus, the publication of which was begun at Batavia, was 
removed to St. Charles in the early part of the year 1857, where it was pub- 
lished by Stitt & Matteson at the corner of Main and Second streets, east side. 
In the fall of that year the St. Charles Argus, as it was called, was purchased 
by R. N. Botsford and Ed Furnald, who continued its publication. About 
March i, 1858, Mr. Botsford purchased the interest of his partner, and after 
the November election in that year sold the establishment to John J. Mould- 
ing and a man by the name of Horton. The paper was merged finally in The 
Fox River Independent, established by John J. Moulding in January, 1861. 
The publication of the Independent ceased about September i, 1861, Mr. 
Moulding having enlisted for the war in the band attached to the Thirty-sixth 
Illinois Infantry. During the Douglas and Lincoln campaign of 1858 Rev. 
William Rounseville published a campaign paper called The Observer. It 
was printed on the Argus press, and was discontinued after the November 
election of that year. After a lapse of several years, in which St. Charles 
was without a paper, S. L. Taylor, afterward of the Elgin Advocate, estab- 
lished the St. Charles Transcript in March, 1871. In July of the same year he 
sold out to Messrs. D. W. Tyrrell and Charles Archer, and removed to Elgin. 
In June, 1873, the office was sold to Frank McMaster and Hiram N. Wheeler, 
and in the fall of that year the name of the paper was changed to The Northern 
Granger, Mr. Wheeler became interested in the Grange movement. In 
December, 1874, the name was again changed to the St. Charles Leader and 
the paper enlarged from a seven-column folio to a six-column quarto. Its 
politics took another swing and became democratic. Early in 1878 the Leader 
was removed to Elgin and continued as the Elgin Leader. Mr. Wheeler, who 
had purchased Mr. McMaster's interest in 1876, finally entered the journalistic 
field at Quincy, Illinois. In September, 1874, D. W. Tyrrell began the publi- 
cation at St. Charles of the St. Charles Independent, a weekly sheet, which 
was continued but a few months. Mr. Tyrrell afterward engaged in news- 
paper work at DeKalb, Illinois. 

The St. Charles Review took the place of the Leader in May, 1878, and 
was published by D. L. Zabriskie and John F. Dewey, the latter having been 
formerly connected with the Leader. The Review was an able and exceedingly 
newsy paper, and during the latter part of its existence was published by Mr. 
Dewey alone. It was continued nearly two years, when the subscription list 
was sold to the Elgin Advocate, and its publication ceased. Mr. Dewey later 
becaine proprietor of the Aurora Daily News. The latest newspaper to be 
established in St. Charles was The Valley Chronicle, the publication of which 
was begun May 27, 1881, by Samuel W. Durant. It was a six-column quarto 
sheet, republican in politics, and did manful duty in battling for the interests 
of the place. It had a good circulation and its influence for the best interests 
of its abiding place can not be disputed. For a little over two years, in 1883- 
84-85, when its proprietor was temporarily engaged in other business, the 
Chronicle was managed a short time by Mr. Durant's two sons, P. A. and 
S. W. Durant, Jr.. and then by P. A. Durant alone. The latter removed to 



504 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Aurora in August, 1885.' For a short period in 1877 Rev. D. Matlock pub- 
lished a small four-column folio sheet called The Quivering Leaf, which was 
mostly religious in tone and full of the ideas of its publishers. It existed but 
a short time. 

At Geneva the first newspaper was printed in the winter of 1845-46 by 
Robert I. Thomas and H. Hough, and called the Fox River Advocate. It 
was continued only for a few months, when it was temporarily suspended, and 
then passed into the hands of H. Hough, who revived it under the caption of 
the Star of the West, which, after the issuing of two numbers, set in darkness. 
In the spring of 1847 Messrs. Wilson and Cockroft (Benjamin Wilson and 
Joseph Cockroft) bought the material of the Fox River Advocate office and 
commenced a paper April i, called the Western Mercury. In about three 
months the material of the Prairie Messenger, printed at St. Charles, also fell 
into their hands. The Mercury was continued four years, through the hardest 
times up to that period experienced by the farmers of the state, for bad crops 
and low prices, and finally, when the publisher could no longer "work for 
nothing and find himself," as a contemporary expressed it, the publication of 
the sheet was discontinued April 24, 1851. Mr. Wilson had also published 
for St. Charles a small paper, called the Temperance Messenger, which expired 
two weeks before the death of the Mercury. The job printing department 
was successfully continued and for many years the old sign, "Book and Job 
Printing," was suspended before the gaze of passing people. In January, 
1856, Messrs. Wilson and Cockroft revived their newspaper, calling it the Kane 
County Advertiser, the firm at the same time increasing their job printing 
outfit and commencing a stereotype foundry. About 1867 the name was 
changed to Kane County Republican, and later to Geneva Republican. 
About 1S70 the ofiice passed into the possession of S. L. Taylor, who in 1871 
sold it to D. \\'. Tyrrell and Charles Archer. In 1873 McMaster, Archer & 
Wheeler became proprietors, and in 1875 the oflice became the property of 
Charles Archer, who continued its publication until the present proprietor, 
Arthur D. Haynes, purchased it August 12, 1884. The Patrol, a four-column 
quarto temperance paper, was established in 1884 by J. N. Wheeler, who had 
associated with him at different times S. D. Tillotson and Forest Crissey. 
the latter having since made a national reputation as a journalist. The Patrol 
is still published at Geneva by C. \\'. Bailey, chiefly as the organ of prohibi- 
tion; also the Twice a \\'eek Republican, by E. A. Mead. 

At Batavia the first newspaper was a democratic sheet, called the Expositor, 
started about 1852 by James Risk and others. Although Mr. Risk may have 
been great, the risk he took in essaying the publication of a paper in Batavia 
was greater, for before becoming firmly established the sheet died a natural 
death. An old directory, issued in 1857, publishes in the Batavia department 
the advertisement of the Batavia Weekly Argus. The proprietors. Messrs. 
T. \\'. Stitt. 'M. D. and Elijah H. Eyer, announced that they had fitted up an 
entirely new office and were prepared to do all work in their line in a first-class 
manner. This attempt to supply the people of Batavia with a paper proved 
no more successful than the first one. and the office was soon moved to St. 
Charles. In May. 1869, Messrs. Roof & Lewis commenced the publication 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY uOi> 

of the Batavia News. In ]\Iay, 1870. O. B. IMerrill purchased Ruofs interest 
and the latter has since heen located in the West. Mr. Lewis became sole 
proprietor in October, 1870, and continued the publication of the paper. The 
Fox River Times was a very neat eight-column folio paper, published about 
three months in the summer of 1876 by Roof, Gates & Fox. The Young 
Advocate was an amateur paper published for a short time, the first number 
being issued about September i, 1871, by John F, Dewey. In 1886 Messrs. 
Bunnell & Ward, of Aurora, began the publication of a paper called The 
Gleaner, having for a time associated with them Mr. C. H. Starkey. They 
sold to Shemian Bros., who, on the 30th of July, 1887, issued the first number 
of a well-filled eight-column folio called The Rock City Review, which still 
flourishes. 

Newspapers at Aurora have been numerous. Cyrus B. Ingham, who 
came to Kane county in 1835, and located in Sugar Grove township, went to 
Chicago in 1844 and was engaged until 1846 in the publication of the Better 
Covenant, or New Covenant. In 1846 he removed a printing office to Aurora 
and commenced the publication of the Aurora Democrat, the first paper printed 
in the place. Aurora then had but two hundred and fifty inhabitants. Mr. 
Ingham, in relating the history of his paper, in 1868 wrote of the circum- 
stances as follows : "The Democrat, however, was short-lived, owing' prob- 
ably to its own weakness and the inability of the sparsely settled country to 
sustain a local newspaper." 

In December, 1846, Messrs. M. \'. and B. F. Hall began the publication 
of a six-column folio sheet called The Aurora Beacon. The publishers appre- 
ciated the condition of affairs about them, and not being proud, they offered 
to take wood and most kinds of produce in payment for their paper. The 
Beacon was the first permanent newspaper enterprise in the place and was at 
first conducted on neutral grounds as regarded politics, M. V. Hall being a 
whig and his brother B. F. a democrat. Finally it passed into the hands of 
M. V. Hall, who continued it as a whig organ and did valiant work in the 
political field. B. F. Hall became prominent in public affairs. The original 
publication office of the Beacon was on the west side of the river. In the 
winter of 1853-54 the paper was sold to James W. and Dudley Randall, who 
soon after removed the office to the east side of the river. Mr. J. H. Hodder, 
the present publisher, became connected with the office at that time as job 
printer. Here commenced a very rapid series of changes in proprietorship. 
William Goldy, a very excellent job printer; N. S. Greenwood, a literary 
farmer, of DeKalb county; George Brewster, an erratic Chicago editor; his 
son, a printer, sold and resold and formed partnerships of various kinds with 
the original proprietors. On Saturday, September 6, 1856, the Aurora Daily 
Beacon appeared, with Hon. A. C. Gibson as editor. It was a five-column 
four-page sheet and continued until April 30, 1857. The two issues were in 
1857 published by Randall, Greenwood & Company, "at Concert Hall, Main 
Street." Mr. Brewster, Mr. Day and Augustus Harman succeeded Mr. 
Gibson as editors of the daily, Mr. Harman continuing until the consolidation 
of the Beacon and Guardian in July. 1857. The consolidated sheet was called 
the Republican Union. James ^^^ Randall and Simeon Whiteley publishers 



506 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

and proprietors. Mr. Whiteley had in 1852 established in East Aurora a 
democratic paper called the Aurora Guardian, which became a prosperous 
sheet and espoused the cause of the republican party at its birth. Its con- 
solidation with the Beacon in 1857 was in the interests of harmony between 
the eastern and western sections of the city. One month after the consolida- 
tion Mr. Whiteley took the material of the old Guardian and reestablished a 
separate office, commencing the publication of the Republican, an eight-column 
folio paper. The publication of the Beacon was revived in September. 1857, 
by O. B. Knickerbocker & Company (Augustus Harman, former editor, and 
O. B. Knickerbocker, foreman for J. W. Randall, who had come in possession 
of the Beacon material). J. H. Hodder succeeded Mr. Harman in the firm in 
June, 1859. The Republican was sold to George S. Bangs, December 6, 
1858, and that paper was soon consolidated with the Beacon, the latter name 
being retained, and the firm of Bangs & Knickerbocker established. The first 
issue under the new partnership was December 30, 1858, at w-hich time the 
Beacon had a circulation of one thousand five hundred copies. Its politics 
remained republican. Mr. Bangs was appointed postmaster at Aurora in the 
spring of 1861 and at the time of his death, a number of years later, he was 
superintendent of railway mail service of the United States. April 19. 1866. 
the Beacon was enlarged, and in October following Mr. Bangs sold his interest 
to J. H. Hodder, having virtually retired from the firm in the preceding 
spring. The firm of Knickerbocker & Hodder continued for almost nineteen 
years, or until the death of Mr. Knickerbocker, w^hich occurred ilay 8, 1885. 
He had been a short time before appointed postmaster. Mr. Knickerbocker 
was a capable, energetic and wide-awake gentleman, greatly esteemed in the 
community. The firm of Knickerbocker & Hodder built up a fine business, 
and to Mr. Hodder is due the credit of having done more to advance the 
standard of the printer's art than perhaps any other man in Aurora and to 
preserve it in its improved state. The accounts of the old firm were continued 
in the usual form until October i, 1885, when the title was changed to J. H. 
Hodder & Company. The Beacon is steadfastly republican in politics and is 
the oldest paper in the Fox River valley. The office was removed in 1882 
to the fine new building on Stolp's Island, erected for the purpose by J. H. 
Hodder. and today is one of the most complete newspaper, book and job 
printing, binding, blank book and stationery establishments in the state outside 
of Chicago. It is published by the Aurora Beacon Publishing Company. Albert 
M. Snook president and general manager. 

In March, 1858, James B. Snell commenced the publication at Aurora of 
a neat temperance sheet, called The Temperance Monitor. It continued in 
existence but about a year. ]Mr. Snell served meritoriously in the Fifty- 
second Illinois Infantry during the war, was aftenvard editor of the }iIendota 
(Illinois) Bulletin, and for a number of years w-as connected with the map and 
historical publi-^^hing house of L. H. Everts & Company, Philadelphia. He is 
now deceased. 

The Reformer, published in the interests of prohibition, dress reform, etc., 
was started by Augustus Harman and Ellen Beard in July. 1858, and was a 
fine paper of sixteen pages. The proprietors soon united their fortunes as 




BIRDSEYE ymw OF THE SOUTIIERX PART OF WEST AURORA. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 509 

husband and wife, Mrs. Harnian maintaining her active membership and 
assisting in every way in her power. In April, i860, Mr. Harman began pub- 
Hshing the Temperance Tocsin, a paper half the size of the Reformer, designed 
for local circulation. The labor of managing the two papers was too great for 
Mr. Harman's constitution, and in June, i860, the publication of the Reformer 
was discontinued. Mr. Harman died in the fall of the same year and his wife 
continued to publish the Tocsin but a short time after his death. 

February 8, 1861, John H. Hodder. who had for some months been 
proprietor of a job office, established the Auruora Chronicle, which succumbed 
to the hard times about six months later. Mr. Hodder removed the outfit to 
Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, where for two years he published the 
McHenry County Union. 

The Aurora Herald, established by Thomas E. Hill, was first issued 
Saturday, June 2, 1866. He was succeeded in its publication by the firm of 
Hill & Gale, Gale & Shaw, Shaw & Bangs, Bangs, Owen & Ford, and Bangs & 
Owen, all within a couple of years. Finally, in December, 1871, the estab- 
lishment was purchased by Pierce Burton, who had been prominently engaged 
in both the newspaper and political fields in Alabama. In 1883 the Daily 
Express was established by Pierce, Burton & Company. The weekly edition 
was known as the Herald Express. 

In June, 1867, Dudley Randall, afterward of Elgin, established the Aurora 
\\'eekly, which was soon afterward changed to the Aurora Argus. He was 
assisted in the editorial work by \V. H. H. Brainard. The paper did not long 
continue. Mr. Randall afterward published for a time the Illustrated City 
Life, a humorous paper, which made spicy reading for the people of the 
vicinity. 

In February, 1874, Jacob Sieginund and C. M. Faye issued the first 
number of the Aurora Daily News, Mr. Siegmund as publisher and Mr. Faye 
as editor. September 11, 1875, Mr. Faye was succeeded by O. B. Merrill. 
About February i, 1876, a half-interest in the paper was purchased by Willis 
B. Hawkins, a native of Aurora and a gentleman of extensive newspaper 
experience. The paper was enlarged in December of that year and steam 
power was added at the same time. A year later the publication of a weekly 
edition was begun. Richard W. Corbett was for a number of years local 
editor of the News. Messrs. E. D. Northam and E. F. Beaupre at length 
became proprietors and so continued until 1887, when John F. Dewey secured 
an interest. In the fall of the same year the establishment passed into the 
hands of Mr. Dewey and Arthur Evans. In November of same year John 
F. Dewey became sole proprietor. The weekly edition was some time pre- 
viously discontinued. The paper is a clean, well printed sheet, contains a large 
amount of local news, and is evidently prospering. It is republican in politics. 

The Aurora Volksfreund, a weekly paper, printed in the German lan- 
guage, was established in the winter of 1868 by Peter Klein and Jacob 
Siegmund. 

The Aurora Blade, a humorous weekly paper, was established in i88r 
bv Clarence W. Putnam. 



510 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

The Aurora Evening Post was founded in 1877 by David Welch and 
soon after purchased by L. A. Constantine, the present pubHsher. In July, 
1883, John F. Dewey secured a position on the editorial staff and was later 
associated with Mr. Constantine in the publication of the paper under the firm 
name of Constantine & Dewey. This relation ceased in the summer of 1887, 
when j\Ir. Dewey secured an interest in the Daily News. 

The Aurora Sun, a small weekly paper, was established by Jacob Siegmund 
& Company in 1886. 

Besides the papers named, others have been published for short periods at 
various times, among them being the Aurora Sunday Tribune, by S. D. Tillot- 
son, which was, after a short existence, absorbed by the Geneva Patrol. 

The people of Elgin have witnessed the rise and fall of numerous news- 
paper publications in their midst. The first was the Western Christian, estab- 
lished in 1845 by a joint stock company, and edited by Spencer Carr. Rev. 
A. J. Joslyn and Rev. Wareham Walker. It was a Baptist and anti-slavery 
paper and in a short time was removed to the state of New York. It was 
succeeded in July, 1850. by the Elgin Gazette, published weekly by E. Owen, 
editor and proprietor. It was an excellent paper, according to the testimony 
of contemporary publications in the county. The Gazette was continued under 
its original name until 1874, when it was consolidated with the Advocate, 
which was established in 1871 by S. L. Taylor, of Geneva and St. Charles. 
After the consolidation the Advocate, under which name the new paper sailed, 
began an era of prosperity such as had never been experienced by any Elgin 
publication. Book-binding, blank book manufacturing and job printing 
departments were added and the business grew to handsome proportions. ^Ir. 
Taylor died suddenly at Leadville, Colorado, in 1882, and some time later the 
office passed into the hands of A. H. Lowrie, who was afterward associated 
with J. K. Le Baron, now publisher of Every Saturday, and later with W. L. 
Black, the proprietors now being Lowrie & Black. Mr. Tomlinson, of Detroit, 
Michigan, purchased a half interest in the spring of 1886 and continued until 
the fall of 1887, when he was succeeded by Mr. Willis L. Black. The Advo- 
cate's circulation was increased by the purchase of the subscription list of the 
semi-weekly Envoy, published by Mr. Le Baron, and was also consolidated 
with the Daily News, which is still published from the office and enjoys the 
largest circulation of the Elgin papers. It is republican in politics. 

The Fox River Courier, a. whig paper, was published for a short time, 
commencing in 1851. The Elgin Palladium was first issued in 1853, edited by 
Mr. Hough, and about three years later became the Kane County Journal, 
published by Lyman & Smith. Grosvenor & Willis established a democratic 
paper in 1858. which was in 1865 succeeded by the Second District Democrat. 
The Elgin Chronicle succeeded it, published by Ed. Keogh, and this, after 
being purchased by E. C. Kincaid, now of Cleveland. Ohio, was finally merged 
in the Elgin Watchman. All these passed out of existence previous to 187 1. 
The Lady Elgin, a monthly publication, issued under the control of the watch 
factory operatives, was begun in 1872 and continued until 1878. In the fall 
of 1874 the Elgin Republic was first published by the proprietors of the Dundee 
Citizen, and continued until 1877. when it became the Elgin Free Press, with 



KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 511 

C. Stoddard Smith editor and proprietor. It attained a good circulation. In 
1874 the Elgin Times was estabhshed by Ed. Keogh and flourished for several 
years as an organ of the greenback party. Dudley Randall, from Aurora, 
removed to Elgin in December, 1874. and began the publication of the Daily 
Blufif City. W. J. Christie purchased a half interest in it in August, 1875. 
Randall in the same year started another daily, which only lasted a few weeks. 
Both these papers are now defunct. 

The Elgin Daily News was first issued June 17, 1876, by the Elgin 
Printing Company, with F. H. Taylor as manager. J. K. Le Baron after- 
ward became its publisher, and in 1880 published the Weekly Envoy, formerly 
the Dollar Weekly News. This was principally intended for a campaign 
sheet. It was later changed to a semi-weekly and at length its subscription 
list was sold to the Advocate, with which the Daily News was also consolidated, 
the publishers being Lowrie & Le Baron. From Januarj- 8, 1882, to Feb- 
ruary, 23, 1884, Mr. Le Baron was postmaster at Elgin. April 12, 1884, he 
established a tine six-column quarto paper, devoted to general news and to 
social and literary matters, which he named Every Saturday. In August, 
1884, J. R. Lane became a partner in the establishment and so continues, the 
firm at present being Le Baron &: Lane. The paper was independent in poli- 
1887) of 1,920. Two monthly publications, the Informer and the Gospel 
Trumpet, were both established at Elgin in 1874. 

In the spring of 1878 H. N. Wheeler removed the Leader from St. 
tics and published weekly, as its name indicates. It had a circulation (October, 
Charles to Elgin, where he continued its publication for a time, when he 
entered similar business at Quincy, Illinois. The Leader was then published 
by his brother, J. N. Wheeler, together with a daily edition. The name was 
changed to The Elgin Frank upon the latter assuming control, and in February 
or March. 1884, the establishment passed into the hands of W. S. Doherty 
and H. D. Hemmens, who took the remains of the once prosperous paper, 
changed the name to The Elgin Courier, and succeeded in building up a pros- 
perous and widely influential publication, which today enjoys the confidence 
and patronage of the people. It is republican and has a large circulation. 
A. L. Hall is the present editor. 

Mr. Doherty began the newspaper business at the bottom round in the 
oiifice of the old Kane County Republican when a boy, in 1869, and in March, 
1871, removed to his home, St. Charles, with Mr. Taylor, assisting him in the 
chemical work upon the Transcript. Later he went with the proprietor to 
Elgin and was connected with the Advocate in various capacities until after 
the death of Mr. Taylor. By dint of hard work, perseverance and the aid of 
a naturally bright mind, he placed himself in the very front rank of newspaper 
writers in northern Illinois. He had an acquaintance extending over a large 
territory and was acknowledged to be a leader in his profession. When the 
Courier had been placed upon a firm foundation — a result which required 
much hard labor on the part of its proprietors — Mr. Doherty, who was in a 
fair way to political advancement, suddenly sickened, and on May 8, 1886. 
his death occurred at Elgin. The people of the city united in doing honor to 
his memory and large numbers were present from various portions of the 



512 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

county at the funeral, which was held at St. Charles, where he was buried. 
The Courier has since progressed along the way mapped out and Mr. Doherty's 
interest has been purchased by his partner, H. D. Heinmens. The business 
was later incorporated. 

The Deutsche Zeitung, a democratic paper, published in German, at 
Elgin, was established in 1880 by Frank Kramer. It has a good circulation. 

The Elgin Democrat was established October 16, 1886, by the Elgin 
Democrat Publishing Company and built up on the ruins of the Elgin Sittings, 
formerly published at irregular intervals by Alex. Carline, and its successor, 
the Temperance Reformer, which, under the guidance of James Coleman, 
Esq., floated its banner for a short time. As its name indicates, the Democrat 
is published in the interests of the democratic party in this section. R. P. 
McGHncy was for a time its editor, a position afterward occupied by Carl E. 
Botsford. It later became the Elgin Dial and now survives as the Daily 
Press, an independent sheet. 

The newspapers which have at different times been published at Dundee, 
although in the main able and well conducted, have been rather unfortunate. 
The first attempt was made by E. J. Farnum, who established a four-column 
paper called The Dundee Advocate in the latter part of October, 1859. The 
village then, the paper stated, had over thirty business firms and four secret 
societies. About 1866 the Dundee Weekly was commenced by P. Swick 
and was in existence until 1871 or later. C. P. Thew and R. B. Brickley 
were proprietors, succeeding ]Mr. Swick. The Dundee Citizen, formerly the 
Algonquin Citizen, was published by George Earlie for a year, commencing 
in 1875, being removed from Dundee to Elgin and later published as the 
Elgin Free Press. ]\Iarch 29, 1877, the first number of the Dundee Record 
was issued by S. L. Taylor, publisher of the Elgin Advocate. Its editor was 
Dr. E. F. Cleveland, who later in the year purchased the paper, the puljlication 
of which was continued by him for several years. Dr. Cleveland made of the 
Record one of the best family papers in the region, but because of lack of 
adequate support it was finally discontinued, and the place has been without a 
newspaper for many years. The Dundee Hawkeye, a four-page weekly, was 
later established and is still published with success. 

Hampshire has also had its newspapers. About November i, 1877, C. E. 
Howe established the Hampshire Gazette, a live local paper, which flourished 
for a time and finally succumbed to the pressure of circumstances. March 5, 
1885, the first number of the Hampshire Register was issued by L. A. & G. E. 
Sisley. A few months afterward L. A. Sisley retired and entered the law. 
loan and real estate business at O'Neill, Nebraska. After his departure the 
paper was conducted by his brother. George E. Sisley, and had a good average 
country circulation. In form it was a seven-column folio and in political 
matters independent. It was succedeed by the Hampshire Register, still 
published by A. B. Brill. 

At Blackberry Station (now Elburn) W. R. Pooley established a small 
paper about 18S0, called the Blackberry Blade, which was subsequently 
enlarged a column to a page. The subscription list was, after about three 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 513 

years, sold to The Elgin Frank, and Mr. Pooley moved to Dakota and con- 
tinued his newspaper work in a newer and perhaps more prosperous field. 
Elburn now supports the Elburn Record, a weekly republican sheet of value. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

Pioneer physicians of Kane county were men of ability and determination, 
both necessary qualifications in a region whose diseases were peculiar to it and 
whose inhabitants were widely scattered and far from medical men or estab- 
lishments where medicines could be procured. The doctor who rode — or as 
often walked — over the broad prairies and forded the streams in the early 
days, did not write a prescription which could in a few minutes or even hours 
be filled at a neighboring druggist's but, by force of necessity, carried a supply 
of medicines suited to the wants of the people in their saddle-bags. He was in 
truth a benefactor, and like the people whom he served he must share the 
hardships and struggles of life in a new country, away from conveniences of 
all kinds, where his lonely rides often carried him for many miles without 
seeing a solitary habitation of a fellow man. The medicines which he carried 
were very often exceedingly costly, yet they were dealt out without stint 
whenever his professional services were in demand. His fees were small and, 
as money was an article not possessed in abundance by many of the settlers, 
he was obliged to take his pay in such products as the afflicted person could 
provide. Often, indeed, the doctor's ministrations were then, as they are now, 
a labor of charity, for his fees were not always forthcoming. Yet he lived and 
toiled on in his work of relieving the sick and distressed and shared with the 
people their prosperity and adversity. 

It is not quite easy to determine who was the first physician to locate 
within the present boundaries of the county of Kane, but from the information 
at hand the honor appears to belong to Dr. N. H. Palmer, who located in 
Sugar Grove township at a very early day. Settlers who came to that town- 
ship in the spring of 1836 found that he had come some time before them, and 
Dr. Eastman, who located at Aurora in the early summer of 1835, stated 
some years later, at a pioneer meeting, that he did not come as early as Dr. 
Palmer. The latter, after the death of his wife, which occurred April 8, 
1848. removed to Winnebago county. 

Dr. Daniel Eastman, the first physician to settle at Aurora, took up his 
residence at that place in June, 1835, and for years was a skillful and suc- 
cessful physician and surgeon, always maintaining a high standing in his 
profession. He at length relinquished the practice of medicine and took up 
that of the law, in which he also won distinction. He was one of the early 
probate judges of Kane county. In the summer of 1862, after the expiration 
of his judicial term, he resumed the practice of medicine at Aurora. Dr. 
Eastman had been at one time a Universalist clergyman. He died at Aurora, 
February -33, 1863. 



514 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Says a former writer who interviewed Dr. Tefft : 

"Without doubt the next physicians to seek a home in this countv were 
Drs. Josepli Tefft and Nathan ColHns, who came together in a wagon from 
Medina county. New York, reaching wdiat is now Elgin township on the 7th 
or 8th of November, 1835. Dr. Tefft stopped first for a few days at the 
'Yankee Settlement,' near Des Plaines river. He took up a claim on the east 
side of Fox river, at South Elgin, while Dr. Collins took another on the west 
side. Dr. Tefft made the first professional call, the patient being a young 
lady, who afterward became Mrs. Ladd, and lived with her husband several 
miles west of Elgin, where both died. From this circumstance Dr. Tefft was 
led to believe that be was the first physician in Kane county to deal out medi- 
cine, but unless there is some mistake in dates Drs. Palmer and Eastman, 
before mentioned, must have been in the county before him. The young lady 
mentioned was at the time of her illness residing with the family of Mr. Abbott, 
near South Elgin. 

Dr. Tefft was one of the oldest practitioners in the state of Illinois, 
having been more than fifty years in the profession, although for some years 
before his death in 1888 practiced v6ry little, except as a consulting physician. 
He was graduated at Woodstock, Vermont, from the College of Medicine, 
June 5, 1833, and practiced a short time in the East before coming to Illinois. 
He moved to what is now the city of Elgin in 1838. When Dr. Tefft was 
preparing to remove from South Elgin to Elgin he sold all his property at the 
former place and rented a small log house which stood where the Lord home- 
stead now stands, on the southeast corner of \^illa court and Chicago street. 
Before he could occupy it, howcA-er, it was purchased by Dr. Elmore, who 
moved in, and thus became the first physician to locate at Elgin proper. Dr. 
Tefft, nothing daunted, went to his farm a mile east of Elgin, procured the 
necessary material, and built and occupied the first frame dwelling in the place 
on the land now occupied by the city hall. He was living in it within a few 
days from the time it was commenced. The building was, as may be imagined, 
not very large. The city afterward purchased the lot. Drs. Tefft and Elmore 
had plenty of business during the year 1838. In 1839 Dr. Elmore relin- 
quished practice and entered the hotel business, keeping public house in a log 
and frame structure on the corner of Chicago and Villa streets. He did not 
long remain in the town. 

The practice of Dr. Tefft extended from the south line of the township 
northward for a distance of twenty miles or more, and a similar distance east 
and west. His journeys were made upon an old gray horse, which was well 
known to the early settlers of the region. After Dr. Elmore came, and all 
subsequent to 1839, the physicians to locate in Elgin included Drs. Treat, 
Fairie (or Frary), R. S. Brown, Erastus Tefft, C. Torry (who had been a 
student of Dr. Richards at St. Charles, and who subsequently died in Cali- 
fornia), J. Daggett, E. Sanford, V. C. McClure, O. Harvey, T. Kerr, Paoli, 
E. Winchester, Peebles, P. B. Hubbard, E. A. Merrifield, B. E. Dodson, 
Wetherel, Dr. O. B. Adams, N. F. Burdick, Fred Bartels, Berkhauser, George 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 5.15 

Wilbur. Cutts and Pulaski, and others. Of those named Drs. Torry and 
McClure were here pre\-ious to 1847, '^"d Dr. Sanford probably about the 
same time. 

Dr. Nathan Collins, who was a brother-in-law of Dr. Tefft, and came 
with him as stated from the East, removed to St. Charles in (836 and was the 
first physician to locate in that town. He built the house afterward occupied 
by T. E. Ryan, on West Second street, a block south of Main, and had his 
office in the small brick building which at one time formed part of Mr. Ryan's 
stable. He died in St. Charles about September 20, 1841. 

Dr. Thomas P. Whipple purchased a claim in the northeast part of St. 
Charles township, also in 1836, and in 1840 built the first brick house in the 
then village^now city — of St. Charles. He was a member of the old school 
of medicine and noted for his practice of what medical men term "heroic 
treatment." He died about 1842, or possibly a little later. 

Dr. Abel Millington, a native of Vermont, located, with his father's 
family, in an early day at Watertown, New York. He studied for the medical 
profession and after w'orking his way through college located, about 181 7, at 
Ypsilanti. Michigan, where he married, raised a family, and became wealthy. 
In 1837 he came west on a prospecting tour in search of a good location for 
his son Darwin. The west side water power at St. Charles suited him and he 
purchased it. He commenced the erection of a flouring mill in the spring of 
1838, but died in November of the same year, before his improvements were 
completed. It is not stated that Dr. Millington practiced his profession during 
the short duration of his residence in St. Charles. 

Dr. A. B. DeWolf, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, studied medicine 
with Dr. H. D. La Cossit at Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and in 
1837-39 attended Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which institution 
he was graduated. He practiced medicine for two or three years at Sharon, 
Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1841 settled at St. Charles, Illinois, arriving 
about September 22, or the day on which Dr. Collins (before mentioned) was 
buried. About 1843 he was in partnership a short time with Dr. Whipple and 
purchased the latter's brick residence, in which he resided for many years. For 
forty years he had an extensive practice in Kane and DuPage counties, making 
his journeys on horseback during the first ten years. He had his hands full 
during the prevalence of the cholera in 1854. three members of his wife's 
family dying. Among the various students whom the doctor had at various 
times in his office were John Rood, a young man who died in consequence of 
a wound received in the Richards riot of 1849, which is elsewhere mentioned; 
Drs. Burritt, Youngs and Nash. T. Herbert Whipple also read medicine for a 
short time in Dr. De Wolf's office; and several others of note. 

Dr. Waldo arrived in St. Charles shortly after Dr. DeWolf came. He 
is now deceased, his remains having rested for many years in the old cemetery 
in East St. Charles. 

Dr. Daniel D. Waite. from Tompkins C( unity. New York, settled in West 
St. Charles in 1842, and although he never practiced his profession there to a 
great extent, he was for many years a prominent and respected citizen. The 
doctor died in Chicago after the war of the Rebellion. 



516 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Dr. John Thomas, who located suljsequent to 1840 at St. Charles, took 
to journalism and in Fehruary. 1842. liegan the pubhcation of a newspaper at 
that point. 

Dr. Nicholas Hard became a resident of St. Charles in or previous to 
1844, in which year his brother, Chester Hard, began the study of medicine in 
his office. The two removed to Aurora in 1845. 

One of the best educated and most widely known physicians in the entire 
Northwest was Dr. Henry M. Crawford, of St. Charles. He was born in 
Belfast, Ireland, and was graduated from the Royal Belfast College, an 
affiliated college of the London University, in 1848. He held a surgeon's 
diploma of prior date and prosecuted his studies at other places, notably 
Dublin and Edinburgh. He came to America as surgeon on an emigrant 
ship in the spring of 1848. Being strongly urged to visit the A\'est, he did so, 
and arrived at St. Charles in September, 1848. He pushed farther west, but 
on account of the early setting in of winter he returned late in October, by 
way of St. Charles, where he became snowbound, and where he finally con- 
cluded to remain. During the terrible visitations by the Asiatic cholera, from 
1849 to 1854, Dr. Crawford took a most conspicuous part in ministering to the 
afflicted. In 1854 he was commissioned surgeon of the St. Charles Grenadier 
Guards, a local military company. A\'hen the great war of the Rebellion 
came he accepted the surgeoncy of the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
and served with unswerving fidelity to the Union and his duty, to the end 
of the conquest, as regimental, brigade, division and army corps surgeon, 
chief of hospitals, etc. At the end of the war he returned to his home and 
resumed practice. Previous to the great Chicago fire of 1871 he opened an 
office in that city and was a prominent lecturer in a well-known medical insti- 
tution, but the fire destroyed his office and his valuable library, and he relocated 
at St. Charles. 

Dr. \\'illiam R. ^liller. a somewhat eccentric and peculiar man. was a 
resident of St. Charles for a number of years previous to 1855 and removed 
to some point in Wisconsin. 

Dr. French practiced a few years in St. Charles and died there. 

Dr. M. Daniel Coe. a liomceopathist, settled in St. Charles about 1850 
and became a popular and well-known citizen. He was also a faithful watch- 
man beside the sick during the cholera epidemic. He removed six)n after the 
war ; now deceased. 

Dr. James K. Lewis, of St. Charles, began practice in Illinois in 1853. 
He was the first mayor of St. Charles upon its incorporation as a city in 1874. 

Dr. B. F. Dodson was located at St. Charles for a short time during the 
war and acted as examining surgeon for volunteers. He was a regularly 
educated and very competent physician and surgeon and subsequently had 
charge of a hospital for colored troops at Memphis, Tennessee. 

Dr. Norton was a promising young physician, who practiced in tlie place 
about 1S54-35. He died before he had time to develop his capabilities. 

Dr. Samuel K. Crawford, a native of Ireland, and nephew of Dr. H. M. 
Crawford, came to St. Charles about 1850, studied medicine with his uncle 
at Ann Arbor. Michigan, and engageil in practice several years before the 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 517 

war. In 1861 lie entered the United States service as assistant surgeon of 
the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was subsequently surgeon of the Seventeenth 
Illinois Cavalry. At the close of the war he settled in Warsaw, Missouri. 

Dr. B. F. Bussey practiced several years in St. Charles subsequent to the 
war. 

Dr. George W. Rumsey, homoeopathist, succeeded Dr. Coe at St. Charles 
after the war and engaged in successful practice for several years. He 
removed West about 1877 and soon after died. 

Dr. Charles E. Hogeboom, whose ancestors were from Holland, located 
at St. Charles in 1872, being first introduced to the people by Dr. Crawford. 
He was a thorough student and a successful physician. After some years he 
removed to Wisconsin. 

Dr. A. W. Hinman, homoeopathist, located at St. Charles about 1878. 
He was graduated from the Chicago Homceopathic College April 4, 1875. 
In 1883 he removed to Dundee and was succeeded by Dr. L. B. Lane, a grad- 
uate from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1877. Dr. Lane 
was for several years physician to the missionaries at Bangkok, Siam, and 
previous to locating at St. Charles had been for some time a resident of 
Geneva. 

James Sprague Wilkin, a graduate of the University of Buffalo, New 
York, February 22, 1862, became a resident of St. Charles about 1877-78, but 
after a short time removed to Chicago. 

O. A. Goodhue, homoeopathist, and a native of New Hampshire, also 
practiced a few years at St. Charles. 

Dr. William H. Bishop was graduated from the Bennett Eclectic Medical 
College, Chicago, June 20, 1877. He formerly resided in the township of 
Elgin. 

Dr. Salem E. Weld, who during tlie war was hospital steward of the 
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and afterward commander 
of the division hospital (Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps), is a native 
of Elgin. He finished his medical course at the Eclectic [Medical College, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1866. After practicing six 
months at Elgin he opened an office at St. Charles, where he remained until 
December 15, 1868, and acquired prominence for his skill both as a physician 
and surgeon. At the latter date he entered the drug business at Elgin with 
his cousin, Russell Weld, now deceased. 

Dr. David P. Kayner, who was a graduate from Castleton Medical Col- 
lege at Castleton. Vermont, November 29, 1849, ^^^s subsequently engaged 
in a fine practice in Ohio, northern Indiana and southern Michigan. He came 
to St. Charles some time after the close of the war. 

Dr. G. W. Richards, from Manlius. Onondaga county. New York, set- 
tled at St. Charles about 1842. He is described as a "man of fine physique, 
well educated and possessed of undoubted ability, but perhaps inclined to be a 
little too independent and haughty toward people generally. He had a large 
practice and was the most proininent physician in this region." It is said that 
in 1846 he had the names of three- fourths of the people of St. Charles on his 
books, treating them for chills and fever. He was the leader, in February, 



518 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

1843. in the organization of a medical school in St. Charles, which was regu- 
larly chartered and known as Franklin Medical College. The trustees for 
St. Charles were Horace Bancroft, William Rounseville, Lucius Foote, J. S. 
Christian, Alexander H. Baird, Leonard Howard and Stevens S. Jones. The 
chairs of the various professorships were filled by Drs. G. W. Richards, 
Nicholas Hard, John Thomas and Edward INIeade. This faculty gave a single 
course of lectures to a class of fifteen or twenty students in 1843-44. Among 
the students were Orpheus Everts, who married a daughter of Dr. Richards; 
Addison Danforth; R. L Thomas, another of Dr. Richards' sons-in-law; 
Jerome F. Weeks, Dr. Bunker, who died a few years since in Oregon, Illinois; 
Torrey ; King ; Har\ey ; two Hopkins brothers, who settled at DeKalb and 
Oswego, Illinois, and John Rood. It is thought Dr. Daniel D. Waite may 
have been also connected with the school. 

In April, 1849, t^^^ remains of Mrs. George M. Kenyon, daughter of 
David Churchill, of Sycamore, who had died a short time after her marriage, 
were disinterred by John Rood, then studying medicine with Dr. DeWolf at 
St. Charles and another young man generally supposed to have been George W. 
Richards, a son of the doctor. The body was brought to St. Charles and 
placed in Dr. Richards' stone barn. It is also supposed a relative of Rood's 
had a hand in the affair. The alarm spread among the friends of the deceased 
lady and intense excitement prevailed when it became known that her remains 
had been disturbed. As there was a strong prejudice against Dr. Richards 
among the St. Charles people, probably most of them were in sympathy with 
the Sycamore people. The doctor's friends very prudently remained quiet. 
Failing in all attempts to arrange the matter peaceably, the crowd finally 
resolved to force its way into the doctor's house and make a thorough search 
of the premises. Then followed the sally upon the house, an exchange of 
shots, the mortal wounding of Rood, who died a few weeks later, and the 
infliction of a sever wound upon Dr. Richards, from the supposed effects of 
which he died at Dubuque, Iowa, April 22, 1833, almost exactly four years 
from the day he was injured. Dr. O. Everts states, however, that his death 
occurred from inflammation of the lungs and that while his wound may have 
predisposed him to the disease it was not the cause of his death. Had Dr. 
Richards' students possessed equal courage with himself the memorable riot 
would have been far more bloody than it was. The dwelling then occupied 
by him is still standing and was for several years occupied by Professor D. B. 
Hazen, afterward of Batavia, while principal of the East St. Charles High 
School. The remains of the woman were afterward disinterred and delivered 
to relatives at Sycamore. 

Of the students and physicians connected with the Richards school. Dr. 
O. Everts and Dr. R. I. Thomas both removed to La Porte, Indiana. 

Dr. Jerome F. W^eeks, who was a native of Cattaraugus county, New 
York, came to Illinois in 1836. He attended lectures at Franklin Medical 
College, St. Charles, in 1846, also attended the Indiana University, and was 
graduated from Rush Medical College. Chicago, February 22, 1849. He soon 
after located at Marseilles, Illinois, and was not in St. Charles at the time of 
the Richards riot. He practiced thirteen vears at Peru. Illinois: was surgeon 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 519 

of the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry during the war, besides filling other impor- 
tant positions. After the war he opened an office in Chicago, but returned to 
St. Charles in 1882, still continuing his practice at Chicago, however. He 
died very suddenly November 12, 1886, aged sixty-six years. 

George King Tillotson, a graduate from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
February 15, 1876, was located in ijractice at St. Charles for a few years 
subsequently, finally removing to McHenry county. 

H. Y. Longacre, who was graduated from the University of Michigan, 
March 29, 1876, located at St. Charles about 1885. 

Dr. Louis Van Patten, of St. Charles, was graduated from the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, in 1884, and for about two years was 
located at Elburn. He had formerly been engaged in the drug business with 
his father at St. Charles and in the practice of dental surgery at that place 
and Elgin. 

ELGIN PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

Among the physicians who have been and are now in practice at Elgin, 
who have not already been mentioned, are the following: 

Dr. Anson Root came from Genesee county, New York, to Illinois in 
1838, and after a stay of a year or so at Batavia became a resident of Elgin. 
He had practiced medicine many years in New York and continued to some 
extent after coming to Illinois. He died at Elgin in 1866, aged eighty years. 
His son, Anson Root, still resides at Elgin, over eighty years of age. 

Dr. Anson L. Clark was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, 
Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1861, and began practice at Elgin in 1862. He was assist- 
ant surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry during 
the war. He has been professor of obstetrics and diseases of women in Ben- 
nett Medical College, Chicago, since 1869, and was president of that institu- 
tion. He is the author of a standard work on "Diseases of Women and Chil- 
dren ;'' was elected a member of the State Board of Health in 1877, also a 
member of the State and National Eclectic Medical Associations, and of the 
National Public Health Association. He has been dean of the faculty in 
Bennett Medical College and gynecologist in Bennett Medical Hospital. He 
still resides at Elgin. 

Dr. N. A. Weld was a graduate from Bennett Medical College, Chicago, 
1870. 

Dr. Simon P. Brown stepped forth a full-fledged physician from Rush 
Medical College in 1869, and after practicing some years at Palatine, Cook 
county, removed to Elgin. His specialty was gynecology. He was for years 
one of the leading men of the profession. 

Dr. Robert F. Bennett, who was graduated from Rush Medical College 
in 1853, was for five years attending physician at Mercy Hospital, Chicago, 
and practiced a number of years at Richmond, Illinois. He located at Elgin 
in 1870, where he practiced successfully until his death. The doctor had an 
honorable war record. 

Dr. Ora Levant Pelton, now of Elgin, but formerly of Elburn, where 
he was for several years in practice, was graduated from the University of 



520 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Michigan, March 27. 1872. and from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New 
York City, March i, 1874. He is one of the leading surgeons of northern 
Illinois. 

Dr. N. P. Collins, of South Elgin, was a graduate from the Eclectic 
Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio. February 11, 1868. 

Dr. Dwight E. Burlingame, a graduate from Chicago Medical College. 
IMarch 23. 1869, had entered that institution in the fall of 1866. He had 
located at Elgin in 1864 and in 1870 he entered practice with Dr. E. Win- 
chester, to whose practice he succeeded upon the latter's removal to California 
in 1872. Dr. Burlingame is still a resident of Elgin and until disabled by a 
recent paralytic stroke, enjoyed a large practice. 

Dr. E. A. Kilbourne. for many years superintendent of the Illinois 
Northern Hospital for the Insane, was graduated from the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons. New York City, in the spring of 1868. He retired 
from the insane hospital in the "gos. 

Dr. Charles A. Stone, who was graduated from Chicago Homoeopathic 
Medical College in 1877. located at once in Elgin, where he engaged in the 
drug business for many years, subsequently removing to Belvidere. 

Dr. Richard S. Dewey, of Elgin, was a graduate from the medical depart- 
ment of the University of IMichigan, March 28, 1869. 

Dr. Pierce Tyrrell, considered one of the ablest microscopical examiners 
in Kane county, was graduated in 1866 from the Eclectic Medical Institute. 
Cincinnati. Ohio. His home is at Elgin. 

Dr. John Zahn is a native of Prussia and came to America in i860. He 
was graduated from Rush Medical College. Chicago, January 21. 1863. and 
afterward spent a year and a half at Vienna, pursuing his studies. He was 
back and forth between the United States and Prussia until 1878, when he 
located at Elgin. 

Dr. Orson B. Adams, who for many years practiced at Elgin, received 
his diploma from Rush ^ledical College February 15, i860. 

Amelia A. Piatt, of Elgin, is a graduate of the Woman's Hospital Medical 
College. Chicago, receiving her degrees March 2, 1880. 

Dr. \\'illiam G. Stone, who practiced at the same place, was graduated 
from Bellevue Hospital IMedical College, New York City, March i. 1878. 

Dr. H. K. Whitford. a prominent Elgin physician, was graduated from 
the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in i860, having read medicine 
and practiced extensively in early years, coming to Elgin in 1856. He occu- 
pies the chair of professor of principles and practice of medicine and pathology 
and clinic medicine in Bennett Aledical College. Chicago, a position he has 
filled since 1868. 

Dr. Susan K. \\'hitford. of Elgin ; attended Bennett Eclectic College, 
Chicago, from which she received her diploma as physician and surgeon. 

Dr. John Lee Mills, of Elgin, was licensed to practice by the Illinois 
State Board September 14. 1880.. ..Dr. E. B. Plumb was graduated from 
the Chicago Medical College, March 28, 1882.... Dr. Aban L. Mann was 
graduated from Bennett Medical College. Chicago. March 22, 1883.... Dr. 
James Mills was equally honored by the Chicago Medical College. March 2~, 



n 



>? 



% -: 




RUINS OF T)V B0I8 OPERA HOUSE, ELGIN, BURNED SEP- 
TEMBER, ISSG. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 523 

1883. . . .Dr. P. M. W'hitten entered practice a number of years previously, 
having been graduated Ntnember 22, 1864, from Berksliire Medical College, 
Massachusetts. . . .Dr. William C. Reeves is a later arrival in the field, having 
been graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, February 17, 1885. . . . 
Carrie W. Lovell was graduated June 28, 1883, from the Homceopathic Medi- 
cal College of Michigan. . . .Dr. Leslie Eugene Tefft, son of Dr. Joseph Tefft, 
follows in the footsteps of his parent by choosing the same profession. He 
was graduated from Rush Medical College, February 15, 1887. . . .Dr. Archi- 
bald Church was a graduate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
New York, February 11, 1884.... Mrs. Annie W. Martin was graduated 
from the Hygeio-Therapeutic College, New York, in May, 1867. . . .Dr. Wil- 
liam Winchester began practice in 1859 and became a leading physician. 

GENEVA PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

At Geneva there have been numerous physicians of more or less promi- 
nence. In fact, the place is said to owe its name to one Dr. Dyer, who was 
formerly from Geneva, New York. He afterward became a resident of Chi- 
cago. The first resident physician in the village was Dr. Henry A. Miller, a 
brother-in-law of Judge Isaac G. Wilson, who enjoyed a wide practice in the 
county. Dr. Henry Madden was also an early arrival, and became well known 
in the county and state. 

Dr. William Le Baron, a native of North Andover, Massachusetts, was 
graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1839, and settled at Geneva in 
October, 1844. There he practiced medicine most of the time until 1876, in 
October of which year his death occurred. He was appointed state entomolo- 
gist by Governor Palmer in 1870, holding the position four years. 

Dr. Francis H. Blackman, an able and well-known physician, was grad- 
uated from Chicago Medical College in 1870 and won a well-earned reputation 
for skill in his profession. 

Mrs. Julia A. Cole Blackman became a graduate from the Woman's 
Hospital Medical College, Chicago, February 23, 1871. 

Dr. N. P. Eddy, a graduate from Geneva Medical College, January 25, 
1840, came to Illinois about 1857 and located at Geneva. 

Dr. John B. Gully, of Geneva, is a native of England and studied medi- 
cine in Bristol, London and other cities. Coming to America in 1847, he 
placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Nichols and in 1850 was graduated 
from the American Hydropathic Institute at New York. In 1865 he was also 
graduated from the Hygeio-Therapeutic Medical College, New York. He 
came to Illinois about 1856. He at various times conducted successfully 
water-cures in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, but finally changed 
his practice to homccopathy. He matriculated at Hahnemann Medical College, 
Chicago; became a member of the Illinois State Homoeopathic Medical Asso- 
ciation about 1866-67, and held office tlierein. 

Dr. N. J. Lund, Geneva, a native of Denmark, was graduated from the 
American University of Philadelphia, January i, 1872. He came to Illinois 
in 1867. 



524 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

BATAVIA PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

In Batavia the first resident physician was Dr. D. K. Town, a native of 
Granville, New York, who settled in the place in 1839 and engaged in practice 
until about 1862, when he retired and entered the real estate business. He 
attended medical lectures at New Haven, Connecticut, and began practice at 
Pludson, Ohio, remaining there a few years before coming to Batavia. From 
the time of his locating in the latter place he was always interested in all public 
enterjirises which promised to be of benefit to the place and was one of the 
founders of the Batavia Institute. 

Dr. E. K. Phillips was a resident of Batavia in and previous to 1848. 

Dr. Charles A. Bucher, a native of Steuben county. New York, came to 
Aurora, Illinois, in 1850, and in 1855 located at Batavia and subsequently 
studied medicine under Drs. Thompson and Mead. He was graduated from 
Rush Medical College. Chicago, made an honorable record in the army as 
acting assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth and first 
assistant surgeon of the Seventy-second Infantry, and relocated at Batavia in 
1865. He was elected coroner of Kane county in 1868. 

Dr. Charles N. Cooper, of Batavia, is a native of Ohio. In 1867 he was 
graduated from the Iowa College and took his degree in medicine at the Chi- 
cago Medical College. March 18, 1869. He practiced at Keosauqua, Iowa, 
until 1875. when he came to Batavia. where he enjoyed a fine practice. 

Dr. R. J. Patterson, physician in charge of the private asylum for the 
insane at Batavia, known as Bellevue Place, was graduated from Berkshire 
Medical College in 1842. He was formerly medical superintendent of the 
Indiana State Hospital for the Insane and later of the Iowa State Hospital 
for the Insane, and was once professor of medical jurisprudence in Chicago 
Medical College. 

Dr. J. C. Augustine, of Batavia, a popular member of the profession, was 
graduated from the Bennett Eclectic Medical College, Chicago. March 2, 1876. 
and practiced both at Blackberry and Batavia .... Dr. Samuel C. Buchan 
became a graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, 
March i, 1877. . . .Dr. John C. Patterson was similarly honored by the Chi- 
cago Medical College. IMarch 12, 1872. . . .Dr. Lyman E. Currier, homoeopa- 
thist, was graduated from the Chicago Homoeopathic College. March 5, 
1877.... Dr. Albert A. Fitts graduated from the medical department of 
Howard University. Washington. D. C. in 1878. . . .Dr. Sina Johnson, a lady 
who had practiced medicine since 1864, was licensed to continue by the Illinois 
State Board, April 22. 1879. . . .Dr. Elmore S. Pettyjohn became a graduate 
from Rush Medical College, Chicago. February 21. 1882.. ..Dr. Edward E. 
Whitehorne graduated from Albany Medical College. New York. February 3, 
1878.... Dr. L. ]\I. Burroughs began practice in 1848.... Dr. C. Alex. 
Garnsey. homoeopathist, studied with a private practitioner and commenced 
practice in 1854.... Dr. John F. Lockwood. one of Batavia's popular and 
successful physicians, has been in practice since 1881 . . . .Dr. George Messner 
began practice in Illinois in 184^1. . . .Dr. H. \Y Williams, formerly coroner 
of Kane countv, practiced medicine in Illinois as early as 1848. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 525- 

AURORA PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

The first physician at Aurora has been mentioned on a preceding page. 
Many others have hung out their shingles and engaged in practice at the place 
since and most of them will be found included in the following list : 

Dr. W. E. Cole was an early comer to the place, locating in 1848 in the 
office previously occupied by Dr. Hubbard. He use'l the water-cure treatment 
in chronic diseases. 

Dr. S. Mclntyre, German botanic physician and surgeon, had an office 
and botanic store in March, 1848, on Main street, east side, "one door east of 
Nathan Williams' grocery." 

Dr. Silas Long announced April 12, 1848, through the columns of the 
Beacon, that he had removed from Jefferson ( Big Rockj to Aurora, and had 
his residence and office the first door north of the old postoffice. He had 
practiced eight years in Jefferson and \icinity before coming to Aurora, and 
his son, Dr. S. O. Long, was for many years a ijrominent physician of Rig 
Rock. 

Dr. S. G. Hubbard, who was in practice in Aurora in April. 1848, had 
then been for some time located in the place .... Dr. P. D. H. Goff was a resi- 
dent July I, 1848, and possibly before, as he had been here then long enough 
to have bills to present before the board of county commissioners .... Dr. 
Huntoon and Dr. A. R. Gilman were represented in a similar manner in 1849. 

Dr. Nicholas Hard, who settled at St. Charles in or previous to 1884, and 
afterward filled a professorship in Franklin Medical College at that place, 
removed to Aurora in 1845. ^^^ ^^'S'' ^'^'J ^ professor in the Medical School at 
La Porte. Indiana, and earned popularity as a lecturer on anatomy in Aurora 
and elsewhere. He was a fine and well educated physician and an excellent 
surgeon. One of his successful operations in Aurora was that of tracheotomy 
(cutting an opening in the windpipe) in the case of a child of Marcus Lathrop, 
which had been nearly drowned in a cistern and was attacked in consequence 
by acute inflammation of the larynx, threatening death. The child was at 
once relieved after the operation and eventually recovered. 

Dr. Chester Hard located at St. Charles in 1844 and studied medicine 
with his brother. Dr. Nicholas Hard, removing with the latter to Aurora in 
1845. In 1848 he was graduated from the Indiana Medical College with the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine. Entering at once into practice with his brother, 
he so continued until April 12, 1850. when the firm was dissolved and Chester 
removed to Ottawa, Illinois, where he continued in practice and won a fine 
reputation. While in Aurora he resided on the east side, next north of the 
home of Samuel McCarty. He was a native of Livingston county, New York. 

Dr. Abner Hard, a native of Geneva, New York, removed to Liv^ingston 
county, Michigan, when thirteen years old — about 1833. He took up the study 
of medicine and spent some of his winters teaching school near Detroit. In 
1 85 1 he came to Aurora, where he continued to stud}' with his brother. Dr. 
Nicholas Hard. In 1852 he went to Keokuk. Iowa, and was graduated from 
the medical department of the Iowa State University. February 9. 1854. He 
practiced a couple of years at Ottawa, then returning to Aurora. During the 



526 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

war of the Rebellion he was surgeon of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and was 
brevetted lieutenant colonel for meritorious services. After the war he wrote 
a full and very interesting history of the regiment. February 5, 1868, he was 
graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago. He served in the Aurora 
City Council, was postmaster from 1869 to 1873, and a prominent member of 
the Fox River valley, the State and the American Medical Associations. His 
death occurred from pneumonia at Aurora, March 21. 1885. 

Dr. O. D. Howell, who was a native of Tompkins county. New York, 
was a graduate from the Albany Medical College, New York, in 1840, and in 
his earlier years was a successful teacher. He came to Aurora in 1855 and 
entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he became a leader. 
Among the public positions which he held were those of surgeon of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and United States examining 
surgeon for pensions. He was also one of the founders of the Aurora 
National Bank and served as its president and one of its directors until his 
death. It is also related that he delivered the first temperance lecture in 
Aurora. He served in the army as surgeon during the Rebellion. Dr. Howell 
died at Aurora, April 20, 1887, in the seventieth year of his age. 

Dr. Edwin B. Howell, son of the above, was graduated from the Chicago 
Medical College June 30, 1874; was one of the best educated physicians who 
ever resided in Aurora, having studied extensively in the best schools of 
Europe. Finally, breaking down in health, he went to California, in the hope 
of building up his shattered constitution. The trip proved unavailing and he 
died in the Golden state in the early part of 1887, the remains being brought 
to Aurora for interment. 

Dr. Ira A. \V. Buck, a graduate of the Physio-Medical College, Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, located in practice at Aurora early in April, 1850, and resided on 
the east side of Fox river. In July of the same year Dr. H. Johnson, Jr., 
homceopathist, physician and surgeon, became a resident of the place. 

Dr. L. H. Angell, who was located in practice at Aurora in the beginning 
of 1855. and had probably been some time in the place, entered the United 
States service in 1861 as surgeon of the Fifty-second Illinois Infantry, and 
died at Camp Chase, Ohio, March 28, 1865. 

Dr. Bateman, eclectic physician and oculist, was practicing in West 

Aurora as early as April, 1855 Dr. O. A. Lovejoy also located there about 

the same time Dr. Alfred L. Steen, "late from Massachusetts," was prac- 
ticing in Aurora in 1858, as were also Drs. G. Higgins and S. F. Hance. 
from Buflfalo, New York. Dr. George Higgins came to Aurora with his 
parents in 1835 when a young lad; he was a graduate of Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago, in 1850, and commenced practice immediately. F. H. \^an 
Liew was for many years a successful and highly respected homoeopathic 
physician. Dr. \'an Liew, who was a native of New York, settled in Aurora 
in 1852 and for two years taught in the public schools. He then studied 
medicine and was graduated from the \\'estern Homeopathic College, Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and commenced practice at Aurora in 1858. He Ijecame very 
prominent in his profession and taught a large number of voung men in the 
study of medicine. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 527 

Dr. L. A. Winslow was in practice in Aurora at the same time, having 
been graduated February 26, 1857, from the Keokuk Medical College, Keokuk. 
Iowa. He enjoyed an extensive practice. 

Dr. Pierre A. Allaire, who was born in New York City, November 24, 
1815, commenced the study of medicine at the age of seventeen years with Dr. 
Stephen C. Roe, of Bellevue Hospital, and during the six months he was with 
him supported himself on sixpence a day. He engaged in the drug business 
and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York 
City, in March, 1837. For a time he was assistant surgeon at Bellevue Hos- 
pital, but coming west in 1838 or 1839, located at Bristol, Kendall county. 
He was there engaged in practice with Dr. Wheeler until 1841, when he 
removed to Aurora, and had his office and residence on the west side of River 
street, between Downer place and Galena street. His fame as physician and 
surgeon became widespread, extending throughout the entire northern portion 
of the state. He was active in promoting school affairs and was several times 
city physician of Aurora. As a surgeon he was especially noted. Dr. Allaire 
died from an attack of apoplexy at Aurora, June 17, 1885, aged nearly seventy 
years. He was said at the time to be the oldest practicing physician in the 
Fox River valley. 

Dr. Delos W. Young, a native of Montgomery county. New York, 
removed with his parents to Kendall county, Illinois, in June, 1841, and in 
1847, when eighteen years old, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. 
Nicholas Hard at Aurora. He received his medical diploma from the medical 
department of the Iowa University at Keokuk in 185 1 and entered upon the 
practice of his profession. He won a splendid reputation as a physician and 
surgeon, few in the state surpassing him. He located in Aurora previous to 
1855 and was in partnership with Dr. Abner Hard. He was surgeon of the 
Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry during the war of the Rebellion, resigning in 
1864. He was several times elected to the Aurora city council, was mayor 
from 1864 to 1866, served on the board of supervisors three years, etc. He 
was identified with all movements looking to the advancement of the city's 
interests and was particularly interested in school matters. The "Young 
School" building was named in his honor. The struggles of his earlier years 
were- rewarded by the success of his after life, and when he died, September 
8, 1874, his death was sincerely mourned. 

Dr. Mason M. Miles, now of Aurora, was graduated from the Reformed 
Medical College. New York. June 25. 1846, and came to Aurora about 1854. 
In 1886 he formed a partnership with Dr. George E. Bass, a native of Ver- 
mont, and a graduate of the University of \^ermont. The latter had practiced 
at Lowell, Massacliusetts, and at South Chicago. He returned to Chicago in 
1887. 

Drs. D. Hurlbut and P. S. Blackman settled in Aurora in the fall of 
1858, for a stay of several months. . . .Dr. W. Krymer appeared as a prac- 
titioner in 1859; also J. L. Prieto, a graduate of the University of Havana, 
Cuba. . . .Dr. H. Knapp was a monthly visitor. . . .Dr. I. S. P. Lord, homeo- 
pathic physician, was practicing in the county before 1848, and continued 
manv vears. 



S28 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Dr. Leonard R. Brigham, of Aurora, began the study of medicine in 
1839, and was graduated from the Eclectic 3iledical College of Cincinnati, 
Ohio. He came to Aurora in i860. 

Dr. Abner R. Bartlett, homeopathist, a native of Whitestown, New York, 
became a Universalist minister in 1839. He came to Aurora in 1847 to preach 
as a supply. In 1848 he entered upon the study of medicine, and was gradu- 
ated from the Homeopathic Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio. He practiced 
his profession at Aurora from that time to within a few months of his death, 
which occurred December 26, 1880. He was a very successful physician, and 
held the chairs of physiology and general pathology in the college of which 
he was a graduate and the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, at St. 
Louis. 

Dr. F. L. Bartlett, son of the above, came to Aurora in 1852. He received 
a thorough education, both in law and medicine, being a graduate from the 
law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1866. and 
from the Homeopathic Medical College, at St. Louis, in 1868. 

Dr. M. A. Cushing. formerly of Aurora, first came to the place in 1837. 
Three years later he commenced the study of medicine, and was graduated 
from Castleton Medical College, Vermont, in 1847. After practicing twenty 
years in the East, he returned to Kane county in 1867. 

Dr. Francis M. Elliott, a native of Kane county, studied medicine with 
Dr. S. F. Hance, entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1866, and was 
graduated from that institution February 3, 1869. He practiced three years 
at Blairstown. Iowa. and. returning to Aurora in 1872, succeeded to the 
practice of Dr. Hance. 

Dr. F. L. Pond, proprietor of the Aurora Cancer Hospital, is a native 
of Vermont, and attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College. In 1869 he 
removed to Chicago, and finally, in 1872, located at Aurora, and established 
the hospital which became so famous. Dr. Pond was also graduated in 1872 
from the United States Medical College, New York. 

Dr. Abiram Spaulding, a native of Washington county, New York, 
attended medical lectures at Brooklyn. New York, and began practice at Jersey 
City in 1845. In 1847 he came west and located at Aurora, engaging in the 
jeweln,- business, but subsequently retired from this and resumed practice as an 
electropathic physician, in which he continued many years. 

Dr. John A. Cook studied medicine at Yorkville; was graduated from 
Rush IMedical College in 1859. and commenced practice in Kendall county. 
He removed to Aurora in 1868. 

Dr. O. T. Palmer, homeopathist, was for a number of years in practice 
at Aurora. In 1864 he removed to Iowa, and died at Oskaloosa, in that state, 
June 6, 1874. 

Dr. Theodore Canisius resided for a number of 3'ears in Aurora. About 
1868, after a trip to the old country, he originated a scheme to establish a 
beet-sugar factory at Aurora, but his hopes were never realized. The fine farm 
he purchased for the cultivation of the sugar-beet, he sold in 1874. and in 
the fall of that vear removed to Chicasro. 



KANE i'OU^'TY HISTORY 529 

Dr. Henry G. Gabel, who studied with Dr. L. R. Brigham at Aurora, was 
graduated from the Eclectic jMedical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 28. 

1875- 

Dr. Z. T. Slater studied medicine with Dr. N. Hard, at Aurora, and was 

gradauted at La Porte, Indiana, in about 1848. He began practice at Shab- 
bona, DeKalb county, Illinois, but about 1851 removed to Battle Creek, Michi- 
gan, where he practiced until his death, in January, 1876. He was never a 
resident practitioner of Kane county. 

Dr. John Jassoy was a graduate of an institution at Berne, Switzerland, in 
1846, and for a time surgeon in the Austrian army. In 1850 he located at 
Xaperville, Illinois, removing to Aurora in 1861. He was for two years 
surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry during the 
war of the Rebellion, and died at Aurora, November 21, 1876. 

Dr. S. B. Hawley studied medicine with his brother at Fairfax, Vermont, 
and previous to the war practiced several years in Georgia and Alabama. He 
settled at Aurora in 1861. He served in the army one year as assistant surgeon 
of the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, then as surgeon of the Thirty-fifth, and 
was subsequently made a division surgeon in the Army of the Cumberland. 
He was a prisoner for several months in Libby. Richmond, Virginia. Return- 
ing to Aurora after the war, he resumed practice, an died there November 
26. 1877, aged forty-six years. 

Mrs. Charlotte F. Stringer, M. D., uf Aurora, studied two years in New 
York city as early as 1839-40, and about 1848-49 located in Aurora. February 
24, 1874, she was graduated from the Woman's Hospital Medical College, 
Chicago, after a three years' course. 

Mrs. Lida E. Green. M. D.. after the death of her husband. Dr. John 
Green, in Kendall county, in accordance with his desire, studied medicine, and 
February 28, 1878, was graduated from the \\'oman's Hospital Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago. She located at Aurora the same year, but removed to near 
Mitchell, Dakota, in 1882. 

Mrs. Catherine B. Slater. M. D., was for three years a successful teacher 
in the West Aurora High School, and during the time studied medicine with 
Mrs. Dr. Brown. She was graduated from the Woman's College and Hos- 
pital, Chicago, in 1879. 

Dr. Mary C. Knight, who was graduated from the Woman's Hospital 
Medical College, Chicago, February 28, 1882, located in Aurora in the fall 
of the same year, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Lida E. Green, removed 
to Dakota. She had much experience in the Chicago hospitals. 

Dr. J. W. Groat came to Aurora from Fremont, Ohio, in 1876 or 1877, 
upon the death of his sister, Mrs. Dr. Brown, and practiced there about six 
years. He died suddenly in Chicago, January 12, 1883, aged fifty years. He 
was a graduate from the Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, February 
24, 1863. 

Dr. Bernard Tribelhorn. a native of Switzerland, and a graduate of the 
Universit}' of Berne, October i, 1869, came to Aurora from Mendota, in 1877, 
and enjoyed a good practice. He died July 6. 1879. 



530 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Dr. Isaac M. ^'orhees was graduated from W'ooster Medical College, 
Cleveland, Ohio, February 28, 1877. He practiced at Detroit, ^Michigan, until 
December, 1879, when he came to Aurora. 

Dr. H. Milbacher was graduated from the University of Munich, Bavaria, 
August 2, 1 88 1, and in February. 1883. arrived at Aurora, where he has built 
up an excellent practice. 

Dr. W. T. Patterson, who read medicine with Dr. Prichard, at Aurora, 
was graduated from Rush ^Medical College. Chicago. February 19. 1884. 

Dr. T. M. Triplett. specialist in treating diseases of the throat and chest, 
also scrofulous difficulties, located in Aurora in March, 1884. He was gradu- 
ated from the Homeopathic College of ]\Iissouri, February 28. 1878, and had 
been in practice for years before coming to Aurora. 

Dr. Penn W . Ransom, who was graduated from the Chicago Medical 
College. March 4. 1879. practiced in Aurora until April, 1887, when he and 
other physicians opened a fine sanitarium at Rockford for the board and treat- 
ment of patients. Dr. Ransom was especially skilled in surgery, and was the 
first to introduce in Aurora, the antiseptic treatment of wounds, which proved 
very successful. 

One Dr. Palmer, who was located on the west side of the river very early, 
is said to have come in 1836. and to have been the second physician in the 
place. 

Other Aurora physicians have been and are the following : Dr. Almon K. 
Ives, graduate of the St. Louis Medical College, March 15. 1872. . . .Monroe 
M. Robbins, graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, 
March i, 1865, and a well-known practitioner. . . .5. C. Gillett. graduate of 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1853, and for many years a successful' 
member of the profession, still continuing in practice.. . .Sumner J. Ricker, 
homeopathist, graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, February 
22, 1871 ... .Lemuel McAlpine, graduate of Yale Medical College, New 
Haven. Connecticut, March 4. 1830. . . . \\'illiam T. Murphy, graduate of Rush 
Medical College, Chicago. February 26, 1878. . . .Mary A. Morris, practiced 
midwifery from 1838, and was licensed to continue same by Illinois state 
board, March 29, 1878. . . .Mar\-in S. Rice, homeopathist, graduate of Hahne- 
mann Medical College, Chicago. February 10, 1876. . . .George D. Woods, in 
practice, 1856, and licensed to continue by the Illinois state board. August 
19, 1878. . . .Richard R. Hall, graduate of Eclectic Medical Institute. Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, February 12, 1848; formerly resided in Jersey county, Illinois, and 
for several years in Aurora: removed to Wichita. Kansas, in 1886.... I. 
VVatson Prichard. graduate of the University of ilichigan. ^larch 25,1868. . . . 
Henrv Reder. graduate of the medical department of the University of New 
York. Februar)- 17, 1880. . . .Lewis C. Rice, graduate of Philadelphia Medical 
College. February 28, 1856. . . .John E. Hurlbut. graduate of Wooster Uni- 
versity. Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861 A. \\'. Avery, graduate of Long Island 

College Hospital. Xew York, June 15. 1882. . . .Christopher D. Mowry, gradu- 
ate of Rush Medical College, Chicago. February 15, 1876. .. .Charles E. 
Winslow. admitted to practice upon a thorough examination by the Illinois 
state board. April 13, 1880. . . .Harvey S. Seymour, graduate Chicago Homeo- 





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OLD C. B. & Q. R. R. BRIDGE, AURORA. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY [.33 

pathic Medical College, March i, 1883. . . .Simeon P. Ives, graduate St. Louis 
Medical College, March 3, 1866. .. .George L. Perry, graduate Dartmouth 
Medical College, Hanover, New Hampshire, October 29, 1878. .. .Courtney 
Smith, graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, February 25, 1879.... E. 
Karoly, licensed by state board, October 13, 1883 ... .George Frank Allen, 
graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, February 24, 1880. . . .James Sel- 
kirk, graduate Albany Medical College, New York, March 5, 1884. . . .Thomas 
A. Elder, graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, February 5, 1868.... 
George H. Carr, homeopathist, graduate Hahnemann Medical College, Chi- 
cago, February 28, 1870. . . .Priscilla G. Myers, same institution, February 26, 
1885. . . .James M. Postle, medical department University of Michigan, June 
25, 1885. ■ • -Charles E. Cohvell, homeopathist, graduate Flahnemann Medical 
College, Chicago, February 26, 1885. . . .Lydia Flowed La Baume, graduate 
Woman's Hospital Medical College, Chicago, April 21, 1885 .... Frank 
Herbert Jenks, graduate Chicago Medical College, March 23, 1886. . . .Amelia 
Nielson, from Copenhagen, Denmark, licensed by state board, June 14, 1886, 
to practice midwifery .... W. F. Bundy, graduate Bennett Medical College, 
Chicago, March 28, 1881 . . . .J. N. Morse, homeopathist, graduate Hahnemann 
Medical College, Chicago, February 26, 1886. . . .Charles Woodward, graduate 
Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 3, 1879. . . .E. H. LeDuc, 
graduate Chicago Medical College, in March, 1863, and for a number of years 
in practice in DuPage county before locating in Aurora .... Robert A. Windett, 
graduate Rush Medical College, February 15, 1887. . . .James Franklin Ford, 
graduate at same time with Dr. Windett, removed to Wisconsin in 1887. . . . 
Aaron J. Redding, graduate Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 
23, 1871 . . . .Morgan A. Bently, certificate of examination January 15, 1878. 
. . . .Mark A. Gushing, began practice about 1847. ^nd came to Aurora about 
1867. . . .E. H. Gale came from Vermont to Illinois about 1866. . . .William E. 
Jurden, in practice in 1877.... S. Karoly, Hungarian physician, graduate 
Medical Institute, Zilah, November 6, 1883. . . .J. H. Owen, in practice since 
1857, came to Aurora about 1865. . . .Angeline Swift, Eclectic, began practice 
in 1855. . . .Clinton G. Cool^, graduate Albany Medical College, New York, 
March 5, 1884. 

DUNDEE PHYSICI.VNS AND SURGEONS. 

At Dundee the first resident physician was Dr. John R. Goodnow, from 
New Hampshire, who purchased a claim of about eight hundred acres from 
Thomas Deweese, in 1837. A Mr. Burbank. who came with him, afterward 
became a physician and located in Chicago. Dr. Goodnow became one of the 
early justices of the peace, and was long well known in the northern part of 
the county. 

Dr. E. F. Cleveland, for many years a respected citizen of Dundee, and a 
very able physician, is a native of Northern New York, and was educated at 
St. Mary's High School, Canada. During the war of the Rebellion he made a 
fine record in the army, and in 1865 commenced the study of medicine in Can- 
ada. He attended lectures at McGill College, Montreal, and was graduated 



534 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

from the medical department of the University of Michigan, in 1868, when 
he settled at Dundee, and entered upon the practice of his profession. 

Dr. Levi A. Crabtree, a native of New York state, located at Dundee in 
1856-57, having practiced medicine a number of years previously, in Cali- 
fornia and elsewhere. He was graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1849. 

Dr. Russell T. Goodwin was graduated at Castleton Medical College, 
Vermont, June 6, 1842, and came to Illinois previous to 1848. 

Dr. \V. A. Shepard. homeopathist. Dundee, was graduated from Hahne- 
mann Medical College, Chicago, March 15, 1887.... Dr. Frank M. Brown 
became a graduate of Bennett Medical College, Chicago, in 1883. . . .Harry 
W. Merrill, a graduate of Rush Medical College. February 20, 1883. 

BLACKBERRY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

In Blackberry, the first settled physician is said to have been Dr. Smith, 
who came in 1856. Dr. Samuel IMcNair following in i860, having been 
graduated from Rush Medical College, Cliicago. in 1859. His native state was 
Pennsylvania, and he came to Kane county in 1844. He studied medicine at 
Aurora, Cincinnati and Chicago, and to him was granted the first certificate 
awarded by the Illinois State Board of Health. 

Dr. O. L. Pelton, a \ery successful young physician, practiced at Elburn 
for several years. remo\-ing to Elgin in 1882. . . .Dr. J. S. Watson, who was 
graduated from the University of Michigan in 1881, succeeded Dr. Pelton in 
1882, and has built up a fine practice. He was associated for two years with 
Dr. Louis Van Patten, who removed to St. Charles in 1886. . . .Dr. Paschal 
P. Gray, homeopathist, w'as graduated from Hahnemann IMedical College, Chi- 
cago, February 27, 1880, and Dr. Horace P. Holmes, from the same institution, 
February 24, 1881. 

HAMPSHIRE PHY'SICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

The first representative of the medical profession in Hampshire was Dr. 
Thomas E. Fowler, who came to the township from Ohio in 1850. After 
practicing in the community about twenty years he removed to Iowa, where 
he subsequently died. Later physicians in the township have been the follow- 
ing: Charles P. Reid. graduate of Bennett Medical College, Chicago, May 20, 
1872. .. .Ralph R. DeWitt, graduate of Rush IMedical College. Chicago, 
February i, 1871 . . . .Andrew J. Willing, graduate of same institution, Febru- 
ary, 1866, was located for a time at Burlington before coming to Hampshire, 
and had a fine practice in the vicinity ; is now residing at Wheeler, Indiana .... 
Charles B. Reed, of Holstein, graduate of Rush IMedical College, Chicago. Feb- 
ruary, 1865. .. .William E. Treadwell matriculated at Bennett Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago. 

KANEVILLE PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

In Kaneville we find that Dr. Stephen R. Hyslop was practicing as early 
as 1848. for on the loth o^ October, in that year, he was married to Miss 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 535 

Almira Burt, a Kane county lady. . . .Dr. Merritt F. Potter, a graduate of 
Harvard Medical College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 12, 1846, was 
practicing at Kaneville in and probably previous to 1854, and afterward located 
at Hinckley, DeKalb county. .. .Dr. Hiram T. Hardy was graduated from 
Dartmouth Medical College, Hanover, N. H., October 31, 1866, having begun 
the study of medicine at Thetford. Vermont. He served in the cavalry and 
artillery arms of the service during the war of the Rebellion, located at Elgin, 
Illinois, in 1872, and in 1873 removed to Kaneville. 

VIRGIL PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

In the township of Virgil, Dr. Strong, who came in 1856, is said to have 
been the first resident physician. . . .Dr. William Kennedy, who came in 1857, 
was a finely educated practitioner, and continued in practice until the fall of 
1862, when he died.... Dr. Robert McNair, who came to Kane county in 
1837, from Pennsylvania, returned to that state ten years later, studied medi- 
cine and practiced seven years, removing thence to Wisconsin. In 1862 he 
returned to Kane county, and settled in practice at Lodi (now Maple Park) 

Dr. J. W. Thompson, a graduate of the Chicago Medical College, located 

also in the village in 1875. He had come with his parents from Ireland to 
DeKalb county in 1856, and was graduated from the institution named, March 
16, 1875. . . .br. David L. Kenyon, of the same place, was graduated from 
the same college March 5, 1878. . . .Dr. George Steurnagel became a graduate 
of Michigan College of Medicine March 5, 1883. 

BIG ROCK PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 

Dr. J. T. H. Brady was the first doctor to locate in the township of Big 
Rock, coming in tiie spring of 1838, although he did not commence regular 
practice until eight years later. He soon afterward removed to Little Rock .... 
Dr. S. O. Long, from Massachusetts, lived and practiced thirty years in the 
township, and was universally respected. He died of consumption July 3, 
1874, aged sixty years. . . .Dr. B. Harris was graduated from Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, February 16, 1859. . . .Dr. Henry C. Sedgwick, from Ben- 
nett Eclectic Medical College, Chicago, March 27. 1869. . . .Dr. L. J. Lamson 
commenced practice about 1861-62. 

SUGAR GROVE. 

The first physician in Sugar Grove has already been mentioned. Dr. 
Nelson H. Norris, a very successful practitioner, was graduated from Dart- 
mouth Medical College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in October, 1867. 

RUTLAND. 

In Rutland township the first settled physician was Dr. McKay, a native 
of Ireland, who came about 1847 ^"^ practiced many years. 



536 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

PLATO. ' 

Dr. Daniel Pingree came to Kane county, from New Hampshire, in 1838, 
and purchased a large claim in Plato township. He studied medicine and w-as 
graduated March 22, 1849, fi"om the Indiana Medical College at La Porte. 
Indiana. He practiced a number of years in California, but returned to Kane 
county in i860, and had an extended ride in the region around his home, for 
many years .... Dr. L. S. Tyler was, however, the first regular physician in 
Plato, having come to Udina early in 1836, from \"ermont. He came here 
because of finding no opening at Chicago, and was engaged in practice at 
Udina for eight years. 

CAMPTOX. 

Campton township's first representative of the medical profession was Dr. 
John King, who came very early, and was a prominent citizen. He was also 
a preacher, and built a sawmill, which was never used much, owing to insuf- 
ficiencv of power. The locality in which he lived was until recent years known 
as ''King's Mill." 

BURLINGTON. 

In Burlington township. Dr. I. W. Garvin was the first doctor to locate. 
After practicing a number of years he went to California in 1849. ^"^ some 
time later returned to Illinois and settled at Sycamore. . . .Dr. A. J. Willing 
practiced a few years in Burlington village, but removed to Hampshire about 

1875. and later to Wheeler, Indiana. Dr. Carl E. J. Christiansen, a native of 
Germany, and an assistant surgeon in the Ninth Artillery during the Franco- 
Prussian war, was graduated from the University of Giesses February 13. 
1872. He came to the United States in 1873, upon the steamer "Atlantic," 
and was one of the survivors of the wreck of that ill-fated vessel. He came 
to Burlington township in August, 1877. . . .Dr. Carl M. Maxfield was gradu- 
ated from the Eclectic ^Medical Institution, Cincinnati, Ohio. February 8. 1870. 

Dr. J. W. Stone, formerly from Michigan, was located in Burlington for 
a short time, beginning about 1880. He finall)^ removed from the township. 

Other physicians who have at various times practiced in the county, Avhere 
some of them are still located, are included in the following list, w'hich names 
also the schools from \\hich they were graduated, in most instances : 

Dr. E. A\\ Nash was in the county in and previous to 1847. '^s was also 
Dr. A. Gardner — the latter at Blackberry .... Dr. C. A. Jaeger. Elgin, gradu- 
ate of Cleveland Homeopathic jNIedical College, March i. 1854. . . .Dr. John 
Joseph Crane. College Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. March i. 

1876. . . .Finla McClure. Geneva, Rush Aledical College. Chicago. February 
15. 1876.... Emma F. Wells, medical department University of Michigan. 
June 26. 1879. . . .James E. Bumstead. graduate of Chicago Medical College, 
in 1880. . . .\\'illiam T. Putt (Oswego) Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati. 
Ohio. May 12. 1874. . . .John S. Nitterauer (Sycamore), Hahnemann Medical 
College. Chicago. February 26, 1880. . . .Alfred Schmidt. University of Tub- 
ingen, Germany. November 8, i860. . . .Lorin A. Kelly. Bennett College of 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 537 

Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, Chicago, March 15. 1869. . . .L. G. Hemen- 
way, same institution. February 21, 1877. . . .Samuel R. JMiliard, graduate of 
Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery ... .James Bradley, Chicago 
Medical College. March 4, 1868. . . .Hiram Hopkins, Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, February 17, 1885. . . . Margarite Weber, Medical College of Grand 
Duchy of Luxembourg, August 2. 1881 . . . . Alvin Piatt Dewey, Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, February 19. 1884. . . .Royal McTaggart, Syracuse Medical 
College, New York, February 22, 1855. . ..Charles W. Ray, Bennett Eclectic 
Medical College, Chicago, ^ilarch 31, 1885. . . .Augustus James Thibodo, Uni- 
versity of Trinity College. Toronto. Ontario, April 6. 1854. . . .Carleton E. 
Starrett, Bennett Medical College, Chicago, in 1884. Died at Elgin in 1907. 
. . . .C. H. Waldschmidt, Rush Medical College. Chicago, March 20, 1877. . . . 
Fred A. Larkin. Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, Chicago, 
March 23. 1886. ... Marian Elizabeth Strain, department of medicine and 
surgery of University of Michigan, July i. 1886. . . .Charles V. Jenkins, Uni- 
versity of Buffalo, New York, in i860. . . .Howard L. Pratt, Rush Medical 
College. Chicago. February 26, 1878. ... David Charles Thomas Watkins, 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1887.... 
Theodore D. \\'illiams. Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, 1871 .... 
George Green (Bristol Station). Rush Medical College, Chicago. March 2, 
1870. . . .Josephine Dickes, midwifery, Le Conseil de Gouvermente du Grand 
Duche de Luxembourg, January 6, 1846. 

Li 1858 the following physicians were engaged in practice in Kane county: 

At Aurora — P. A. Allaire. F. H. Van Liew, A. R. Bartlett, Stephen 
Bateman, George Higgins, O. D. Howell, Wesley Krymer. Mason M. Miles, 
Charles Naeher, Salisbury & Humphrey, L. A. Winslow and D. W. Young. 
J. A. Hatch. Jerome Van Allen, Otis \\'inslow, W. C. Winslow and Martin 
Woodruff were medical students. 

At Batavia — C. Geisler, homeopathist ; L S. P. Lord, homeopathist ; 
Isaac W. Lord, medical student; Thompson Mead, T. W. Stitts, D. K. Town, 
H. W. Williams. 

At Big Rock — Erasmus (S. Orasmus?) Long. 

At Blackberry — Hendrick Acers, L. M. Barrows and E. M. Smith. 

At Dundee — Levi A. Crabtree, R. T. Goodwin, H. Gough, R. L. Hale 
and Luke Hale. 

At Elgin— S. Guilber, B. P. Hubbard, C. A. Jaeger, Thomas Kerr, V. C. 
McClure, Almerin Turner, L. S. Tyler and Dr. Winchester. 

At Geneva — A. T. Dusenbur)^, Wesley Humphrey and William Le 
Baron. 

At Hampshire — Thomas E. Fowler. 

At Kaneville — Samuel McNair and M. F. Potter. 

At Lodi Station — J. B. Strong. 

At Rutland — Joseph Randall and William Wiley. 

At St. Charles— M. D. Coe, H. M. Crawford, O. Kinbsbury (hygeo- 
pathic), J. K. Lewis, William R. Miller and D. D. Waite. 

At Sugar Grove — L. A. W'inslow. 



538 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS IN PRACTICE IN 1908. 



E. U. Banker. 

F. A. Bartlett. 

E. E, Bouslough. 
H. A. Brennecke. 

C. E. Colwell. 

F. J. Coughlin. 

D. D. Culver. 
C. H. Cutter. 
A. E. Field. 

C. H. Franz. 
H. G. Gabel. 

E. H. Gale. 
J. E. Garrey. 

E. H. Abbott. 
J. Forest Bell. 
W. C. Bridge. 
S. P. Brown. 
W. S. Brown. 
Frank M. Brown. 

D. E. Burlingame. 
James M. Campbell. 
Ora A. Chappell. 
Anson L. Clark. 
George S. Dobbins. 
Lewis W. Dudley. 
H. W. Dueringer. 
Henry J. Gahagan. 
Philip F. Gillette. 
Jonathan M. Larson. 

J. C. Augustine. 

F. Wylie Nash. 

F. M. Brown. 
J. E. Bumpstead. 

C. D. Calhoun. 
O. M. Blood. 

J. H. Cory. 

F. M. Marstellar. 



AURORA. 

C. W. Geyer. 
George W. Haan. 
C. H. Hitchcock. 
W. S. Johnson. 
R. L. Kendall. 
W. C. Langhorst. 
J. W. MacDonald. 
A. H. McLaughlin. 
H. Milbacher. 
J. S. Miller. 
Margaret D. Mitchell. 
C. D. Mowry. 
W. L. Murphy. 

ELGIN. 

T. Simpson McCall. 
E. A. McCornack. 
Thomas E. McCauley. 
Alban L. Mann. 
R. W. Markley. 
J. Will Murphy. 
Charles H. Murray. 
Ora L. Pelton. 
Alfred E. Pleavin. 
Mrs. Katherine Pleavin. 
J. M. Pestle. 
Howard L. Pratt. 
James A. Rutledge. 
George J. Schneider. 
Frederick Schurmeier. 
C. E. Sharp. 

BATAVIA. 

O. P. McNair. 

BIG ROCK. 

W. O. Sheller. 

DUNDEE. 

H. H. Hagerty. 
A. W. Hinman. 

ELBURN. 

W. T. Oake. 
R. C. Taylor. 

GENEVA. 

C. F. Read. 



0. S. Parker. 

1. W. Pritchard. 
B. J. Pulfer. 
Henry Reder. 
M. S. Rice. 

J. S. Ricker. 

James Selkirk. 

William P. Sherman. 

E. W. Stubbs. 

J. S. Watson. 

A. White. 

R. A. Windett. 



Mrs. Katherine Simpson. 
Charles E. Sisson. 
Arthur B. Sturm. 
John G. Tapper. 
John R. Tobin. 
Clara L. Todson. 
Jane C. Trull. 
Pierce Tyrrell. 
S. H. Van Doren. 
Herbert C. Waddle. 
Harriett Ward. 
Hugh H. West. 
Henry K. Whitford. 
Susan K. Whitford. 



Annie M. Spencer. 



H. E. Kerch. 



R. G. Scott. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 539 

HAMPSHIRE. 

R. R. DeWitt. C. P. Reid. D. J. Roach. 

E. Kirkpatrick. 

H. J. Hardy. 
C. H. Doty. 

F. M. McNair. 



KANEVILLE. 



PLATO. 



SUGAR GROVE. 



Dentistry has made great strides the past twenty years, the American 
dentist being recognized the world over as the leader in this branch of medi- 
cine. Nearly every hamlet in the county supports a dentist, while Aurora 
and Elgin maintain about twenty of this profession. Osteopathy has become 
a regular practice, there being many osteopaths practicing in Aurora and 
Elgin. 



CHAPTER XXn. 

HISTORY OF AURORA, KANE COUNTY. 

The township of Aurora occupies the southeast corner of Kane county 
and borders on DuPage county on the east, Kendall county on the south, and 
corners on the northwest corner of Will county. Its unwritten history reaches 
back unnumbered centuries into the unknown past, when it was the favorite 
home of several tribes of Indians, who lived comfortably on the wooded banks 
of the Fox river, whose placid waters furnished them an abundance of fish, 
and where the buffalo fattened on the prairies to the west, could be driven 
almost to their homes. Here W'aubonsie, chief of the Pottawatomies, lived 
most of the time, particularly in the summer months, but in winter would 
migrate with his family to the south — as far south as the Illinois river, but 
returning again on the approach of spring. Shabbona, known as "the white 
man's friend," spent much time near Aurora, and is kindly remembered by 
old settlers as warning them of the approach of Black Hawk's warriors. The 
Winnebagoes, Sacs, Foxes and other tribes have at times made their homes 
in or near Aurora and it is claimed by some that the Fox river derived its 
name from the tribe of Indians of that name. But the Indians are all gone. 
They did not improve their opportunities by cultivating the soil, and, like the 
man with one talent told about in the Bible, who did not use what he had, it 
was taken away from him. So the land which the red man failed to use was 
taken from him and given to those who would utilize it. But they left the 
graves of their ancestors behind, and several mounds in Aurora and vicinity 
are known as Indian burying grounds. Bones and arrow heads are all that 
remain as evidence that the country was once inhabited by another race. The 
present inhabitants of the country boast of a superior civilization, yet, if for 
any cause this country should nut be inhabited for a thousand years, northern 



540 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Illinois might not show any nmre evidences of a past civilization than now 
exist of the extinct Indian races, certainly not as nuich as exists at present in 
Egypt after five thousand years have passed since the inhabitants then exist- 
ing attempted to perpetuate the memories of their deeds to the end of time. 
The future antiquarian might find here an occasional knoll containing a few 
bricks indicating that the country had once been inhabited, but nothing else 
would stand the rigors of this climate for a thousand years. We cannot hope 
that the paper on which this history is printed can last as long as the buried 
papyrus in the dry. mild climate of Egypt; so the occurrences here related will 
be of interest and use for only a few generations, and it is probable that after 
two hundred years from now it will be difficult for any then living to trace 
their ancestry back to those now taking part in making the history of these 
times whose names are herein recorded. The tendenc}' to "race suicide'' will 
soon render many family names extinct ; and blot their race and memory from 
the face of the earth. The population of this section of the country is con- 
stantly changing, many of the early settlers have migrated to other sections 
and thousands are moving in, coming from every part of the world. Will 
they form a new race by the intermarriage of the newcomers, which will 
crowd out the old? Will they change the laws, customs and civilization now 
existing? Time alone will tell. But let it be recorded that at the beginning 
of the twentieth century the inhabitants of Kane county, Illinois, believe they 
have the best known system of government for establishing justice, the preser- 
vation of liberty, and the promotion of the general welfare; that they have 
the best known system of schools for the development of the individual to 
his greatest capacity ; that they have perfect freedom in religious beliefs, and 
that, virtuallv, no prejudice exists against any class or sect on account of 
religious views or creeds; and that they actually have the highest form of 
civilization ever known in this world since the dawn of history. They may 
have no monuments to perpetuate their memory, but they have the more 
enduring, unseen principles of civil and political liberty, of religious tolerance 
and freedom, of justice and equal rights to all, well established in the hearts 
and minds of the people, with the hope that these principles will never perish 
as long as man inhabits the earth. 

The story of the early settlement has been often told and will be only 
briefly repeated here. A complete history of Aurora with all its institutions, 
industries, churches, schools, and all that goes to make the city would require 
a volume. Space and time are limited in the compilation of this little sketch, 
and errors and omissions must be pardoned. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The first white settler in Aurora was Joseph McCarty, a millwright by 
trade, from Elmira, New York, who in April, 1834, at the age of twenty-four 
years "squatted" on a claim of one hundred acres on the west side 
of the river, just north of the island where he saw possibilities of 
water poper and a sawmill. He also laid claim to three hundred and 
sixty acres on the east side of the river and bought from another squat- 









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ill 51 ^ !! 




CITY HALL. AURORA. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 543 

ter his claim of four hundred acres adjoining his own, paying therefor 
sixty dollars. This was for his brother Samuel, who was expected, and soon 
appeared on the scene. A log cabin 14x16 feet was soon built on the east side, 
and preparations were made to build a dam, which was completed in the sum- 
mer and autumn of 1834. Then a sawmill was erected, the "raising" of which 
required the services of a dozen men, which exhausted the supply for twenty 
miles around, and it took them three days to "raise" the frame. The first 
lumber sawed was for Mr. W'ormley, of Oswego, and the process afiforded the 
Indians much surprise and pleasure. They would watch the saw for hours 
at a time with great delight. 

Before the arrival of the McCartys the Indian name of the place was 
"Waubonsie," in honor of the chief of that name, whose home was north 
of the mill, on the west side of the river — a pretty name, which ought to be 
perpetuated in some way. In 1835 the place became known among the whites 
as McCarty's Mills, and in that year the immigration to this section was 
quite extensive. Among the newcomers were Stephen A. Aldrich and family, 
R. C. Horr, who was afterwards elected justice of the peace, the first justice 
in town; Dr. and Mrs. Eastman. Joseph Hamilton and family, Wilson Higgins 
and family, Seth Read, Theodore Lake, Zaphna Lake, R. M. Watkins and 
wife, Charles Bates, B. L. Philips, E. Squires, J. M. Leonard, William L. 
Elliot, Peter Mills, E. D. Terry, besides hosts of others. Samuel McCarty. 
like a thrifty manager, which he was, laid out his land into streets and town 
lots, leaving one block for a public park (now Lincoln park), and selling 
many lots to the new residents. He always insisted on calling himself "The 
founder of Aurora," and is entitled to the honor, in as far as laying out the 
"original plat of Aurora" can give it. It extended from Flagg street, on 
the north, to Benton street, on the south, and ran back from the river to Root 
street, on the east. Most of the business section of East Aurora is now 
included in this plat. 

The early settlers formed themselves into a "Mutual Squatters' Protec- 
tion Society," which served to protect their rights and but little "Claim jump- 
ing" was known. One case is related by Augustus Harman in his little his- 
tory of Aurora in 1858. He says "Theodore Lake had quite a large claim 
west of his brother Zaphna. extending westward to the creek. A "claim 
jumper" — a sort of land pirate — who went about jumping claims and extort- 
ing money from the "squatters" to induce them to evacuate their claims, by the 
name of Atwater. undertook to build a frame house nor far from the creek 
(since named Turkey creek). Mr. Lake questioned him as to his intention, 
and was answered sullenly that he intended to build himself a house. Mr. 
Lake then called in several of the neighbors; they assembled; Mr. Lake told 
him he might have fifteen minutes to move his frame in; one of his friends 
held the watch and when the fifteen minutes were up they tore the frame 
down. Atwater was then asked what he wanted to do with the lumber, and 
he answered he had nothing to say; whereupon they loaded it on a wagon 
and took it down near the river, not far from Wilder's tavern, where they 
contemplated building a schoolhouse, and used it for finishing the inside." 



544 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

It was lianllv necessary to add that there was "very Httle trouble with 
claim jumping" after that. 

In 1836 Samuel ]\icCarty staked out a road between this place and Naper- 
ville, and persuaded the mail contractor to use this road in going from Chi- 
cago to Galena instead of the original state road, which crossed the river 
at Gray's, now Montgomery. The compensation was, McCarty kept the stage 
driver and his horses free of charge for one month. McCarty acted as a 
sort of sub-postmaster and handled the mails for all the neighbors. But a 
postoffice was needed and several consultations were held to find a suitable 
name for it. Several Indian names were suggested, but finally E. D. Terry 
suggested the classic name Aurora, which was adopted. 

Burr Winton, a democrat, was the first postmaster, being appointed by 
Martin VanBuren, and held the office two years, and had the postoffice on 
the east side. ^Vhen General Taylor was elected president, Mr. Winton 
resigned and M. V. Hall was appointed, holding the place during the Taylor 
administration and moved the office to the west side. When Pierce, a demo- 
cratic president, was elected the office was turned over to E. R. Allen, who 
moved it back to the east side. He turned republican and Senator Douglas 
had him removed and R. C. Mix appointed in his place. Mr. Mix promptly 
had the office removed to the west side, locating it in the Plum block, corner 
of Downer place and River street. This created such a storm of indignation 
that Mr. Mix finally built a little frame building on Stolp's island and moved 
the postoffice there, and thus settled for all time the que.stion of the location 
of the postoffice. It has remained on the island ever since, occupymg the city 
building until the government building was erected expressly for its use. 

After 1835 t'le fame of the fertility of the soil spread throughout New 
York and New England and sturdy pioneers flocked to this land of promise 
by hundreds, and soon thereafter by thousands, who not only secured some 
of the. finest farms in the world, but who transplanted to this soil the civil 
and religious institutions they had enjoyed in their former homes. 

Among the early pioneers who arrived in this vicinity in 1835-6-7 the 
following names are prominent : Isaac Van Fleet, John Peter Schneider, Tohn 
Nicholas Schneider, George K. Slater, Chester P. Trask, Ashbel Culver, 
William Hall, Levi Leach, Joseph Means, Elihu Wright, Thompson Paxton, 
Fredick Stolp, Captain Slater, Addison Albee, Walter Selvy, John Barker, 
David Crane, Robert Hopkins, E. Squires, Sr., Hiram Hopkins," Benjamin F. 
Smith, John Douglas, Daniel S. Gray, William Willson, Charles McNamara, 
Seth Reed, Lyman Isbell, P. Y. Bliss, Joseph Stolp, John Wormley, John 
Lilley, Harrison Albee, -George Slater, William J. Storng, Henry Stolp, John 
Stolp. Charles Stolp, John Warne, Wyatt Carr, Daniel Bloss, Joseph Stolp, 
Sr., Epaphras Clark, Charles \\'agner, John VanSickle and many others. 

Many interesting stories are told of the early settlers, which ought to be 
put in some permanent form, but fur which room for only a few can be given 
in this volume. 

Joseph McCarty. the (lisco\erer of Aurora, did not live to see the town 
grow up, but being in poor health, went to Alabama for his health, where 
he died in the spring of 1840, aged about thirtv vears. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 545 

The first wedding in Aurora was a runaway match, the story of which 
has been often told, but never twice ahke. A brief authentic version is this: 
William F. Elliot, a blacksmith, aged twenty-four, from [Middlesex county, 
Connecticut, located a quarter section of land on the east side of the Fox 
river about half way between Aurora and Montgomery in 1834. He boarded 
at Elijah Pierce's tavern, in Montgomery, and fell in love with Mr. Pierce's 
daughter. His affection was reciprocated, but Mr. Pierce strenuously objected 
to the match. At that time the law required that the bans of marriage he 
announced publicly by a minister of the Gospel two weeks before the con- 
templated event, and Mr. Elliot saw to it that this was properly done by Elder 
Clark, at Naperville, Mr. Pierce was still relentless, but he had to go to 
Chicago for supplies for his tavern, expecting, he said, to be back before the 
two weeks' notice expired, but, instead, the time was up the day he started 
for the city. Mr. Elliot and Miss Pierce improved the opportunity by going 
to a neighbor's house, sending to Oswego for a justice of the peace, and had 
the ceremony performed in a rail pen adjoining the settler's cabin. This 
happened August 3, 1835, and the couple lived to a good old age on the claim 
on which Mr. Elliot originally located. They had many sons and daughters, 
some of whom are still with us, who, with their children, are highly respected 
citizens. It is further related that when Mr. Pierce found that he had been 
outwitted by I\Ir. Elliot, he attributed it to too much whiskey, which was 
among the supplies brought from Chicago, and, therefore, he rolled a barrel 
of the liquor outside the house, knocked in the head, letting it spill upon the 
ground and decided that no more whiskey should be used inside his house — 
a resolution which was thereafter sacredly kept. 

Theodore Lake laid out the village of West Aurora in 1842 and estab- 
lished the first store in town. The original plat was bounded on the north 
by Galena street, and on the west by Lake street, and on the south by Hol- 
brook's addition. In a few years the plat was sold out and the proceeds laid 
the foundation for quite a fortune for the enterprising farmer. 

In 1845 the first attempt was made to suppress the liquor traffic by law, 
and in 1849 t'''*^ effort was quite successful. A. A. Dexter was corporation 
constable and zealously prosecuted oft'enders and collected fines. 

In 1848 the first division of the Sons of Temperance was organized, and 
included many prominent men, among them being Ben Hackney, W'. H. 
Hawkins, B. F. Hall, Rev. O. Barr, Rev. L. Jenks, and others. It flourished 
three years, and then expired. 

Rev. D. R. Miller, who was the pastor of the First Congregational 
church from 1849 to 1852, wrote a letter to the semi-centennial anniversary 
celebration, in 1888, giving some interesting reminiscences, from which the 
following are selected : "The town had commenced to run down. Elgin 
had a railroad, and St. Charles a branch road, and they were building up. 
In Aurora the frame of a public house was up and partly covered, and there 
it stood, a perfect scare-crow; persons coming into the place would see that 
there and leave. Everything looked dilapidated, and all were feeling that 
nothing could be done, and no one seemed willing to make a move." After 
detailing how his first effort was to secure a bell for his church, he continued : 



546 KA^'E COUNTY HISTORY 

"I told them we wanted a branch raih'oad. One man said he only wanted 
to live until a railroad was built to Aurora, for he would then be an old man. 
I could find but two men who felt it possible to hope for such a thing. Mr. 
Benjamin Hackney and Colonel Lyon, who afterwards moved to Batavia, 
said, 'W'e can try." I knew a good engineer who could be hired by the day 
to make the survey, and I agreed to board him, his wife and child, and they 
agreed to pay him for his work. Before snow fell in the fall the cars w'ere 
running into Aurora. The town then begim to build up." (A detailed 
account of the construction of this branch, which was the beginning of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system, is given under the head "Railroads.'") 

HISTORICAL EVENTS. 

A lumiber of Aurora citizens being asked in 1908 w hat were the principal 

events in the history of Aurora, gave different answers. Among them were: 
"The most important event was the settlement and planting of Aurora 

by Samuel McCarty." 

"The getting of the postoffice at Aurora away from Montgomery." 
"The locating of the Chicagu, Burlington & Quincy repair shops in 

Aurora." 

"The construction of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad." 
"Tlie flood of 1857, which swept away all the bridges, about twenty 

houses, and did immense damage." 

"The cholera epidemic of 1849 and 1854, which carried off a large 

number of people, including many prominent citizens." 

"The camping of the Thirty-sixth Illinois regiment in i86i.'" 

"The soldiers' reunion here in 1870. when more people were in the city 

than ever before or since. 

"The location of Clark Seminary here in 1855." 

"The establishment of the electric street railway system." 

"The adoption of the city charter, which united the two towns of East 

and West Aurora into one flourishing city, was by far the most important 

event in the history of Aurora." 

VILLAGE OF -MOXTGOMERV. 

The village of Montgomery is located in sections 32 and 33, lying 
principally on the west side of the Fox river. According to Pliny Durant 
the first settler was Elijah Pierce, who came in the spring of 1834. "He 
erected a shanty, which contained but one room, answering all the purposes 
required of it, and his house, being a station on the stage road between Chi- 
cago and Galena, became a noted tavern and popular place, as manv as forty 
persons bunking at a time on its fioor over night, men women and children 
huddled together like a flock of sheep." 

Daniel Gray, from Montgomery county. New York, came out in the 
fall of 1835 and brought his family in 1836, and built the first frame house 
in the village. The place became known as "Graytown, ' but Mr. Grav named 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 547 

it Montgomery. Tlie large stone grist mill was begun by Gray & Watkins in 
185 1, and finished in 1853. Mr. Gray died in 1854. The grist mill, start- 
ing afterwards became the property of Herd, Brodhead & Company, who still 
own it, alth< lugh it is used fur grinding mica instead of wheat. The Burlington 
sheep pens were located in Montgomery about 1890, and have a capacity of 
seventy-five thousand sheep. There has been some discussion about the old 
covered bridge at Montgomery, some claiming that it floated down bodily from 
Aurora in the flood of 1857, and was picked up and put on the present founda- 
tion, but eye witnesses say that the bridge went down in pieces and was not 
stopped at Montgomery, but the bridge now there was an old bridge at 
Aurora, which was taken down and hauled to Montgomery when the new 
bridges were built in Aurora in 1868. 

RECORD OF THE INCORPORATION OF AURORA. 

At a meeting of the legal voters of the village of Aurora, in the county 
of Kane, and state of Illinois, convened at the sclioolhouse, in said village, on 
the 6th day of March, 1845, pursuant to legal notice for the purpose of 
incorporating said village, according to the revised statutes in such cases made 
and provifled. Daniel Gushing was elected president, and Myron Whipple, 
clerk. Then the following votes were polled, to-wit : For incorporation — 
O. D. Day, Isaac Marlett, Jerome Brown, John M. Merrit, Edward Starr, 
Arthur Thornton. Thomas Hamilton, Daniel Eastman, E. R. Allen, John 
Gilson, Richard Terry, Charles E. Goodwin, J. T. Bevier, Andrew F. Wagner, 
C. H. Goodwin, Isaac Gilson, Wyatt Carr, Winslow Higgins, P. J. Wagner, 
P. Brown, F. G. Campbell, A. D. Sargeant, R. D. Marlett, B. F. Phillip, M. S. 
Noble, A. A. Dexter, W. H. Hawkins, Wm. Blanchard, Joseph Huntoon, 
David Banks, William A Titton, Ezra Drew, James King, A. P. Farnsworth, 
G. G. Waterman, Charles C. Culver, Daniel McCarty, Samuel McCarty, J. W. 
Tripp, Enoch Terry, Edward Cuthbert, H. N. Goodrich, H. C. Cross, J. H. 
Montgomery, Daniel Gushing. Myron Whipple, J. S. Marlett, Daniel McKay, 
Rossoe Granger, John M. Goodwin, George Higgins, A. G. Chauncey — 
fifty-two. 

We hereby certify that the above is a true statement of the proceedings 
of a public meeting held for the purpose therein mentioned. Fifty-two votes 
were polled for incorporation, and none against it. 

Daniel Gushing, President. 
MvRON Whipple. Clerk. 
Recorded 14th March, A. D. 1845. 

M. W. Fletcher, Clerk of Kane County Court. 

TOWN AND CITY GOVERNMENTS. 

From the first settlements of Aurora, in 1834, up to 1845, the only form 
of civil government in use was the county commissioners' court ( described 
elsewhere). In 1845 the town took advantage of the new state law, allowing 
towns to elect their trustees to provide for better police regulations. The fol- 



548 KiVNE COUNTY HISTORY 

lowing named trustees were elected under this law and governed the town in 
a satisfactory manner : 



TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF AURORA. 

1845-6-7. Daniel Eastman, president; Daniel IMcCarty. Persis Brown, 
Luke Wheelock, P. J. \\'agner. 

1847-8. Daniel Eastman, president; Daniel McCarty, Luke Wheelock, 
William A. Tilton. Arthur Thornton, *WiIliam H. Hawkins. ^Samuel 
McCarty. 

1848-9. Luke Gates, president; D. Gushing. A. Thornton. :\I. B. Miller, 
E. R. Allen. 

1849-50. Luke Gates, president; Benjamin Hackney, E. W. Allen, 
George D. Waterman, L. D. Brady, *Burr Winton. 

1850-1. L. D. Brady, president; G. D. Waterman, E. W. Allen, B. 
Hackney, B. W'inton, *Nelson Barrell. 

1851-2. William H. Hawkins, president; R. C. Anderson, N. Barrell, 
Arthur Thornton, E. W. Allen. 

1852-3. William H. Hawkins, president; E. R. Allen, O. A. Long, 
E. W. Allen, A. Thornton. 

1853-4. William PI. Hawkins, president; E. R. Allen, E. W. Allen, 
O. A. Long. 

1854-5. Benjamin Hackney, president; Daniel McCarty, John Flem- 
ming, A. A. Dexter, H. F. Kingsbury. 

1855-6. Ephraim Buck, president; M. B. :\Iiller, Holmes :Miller, John 
H. Thompson, A. A. Dexter. 

1856-7. Holmes Glider, president; Charles Gill. Newton Otis. Edwin 
Lilley, DeLos W. Young. 

"town of west aurora." 

In 1854 the "triwn of West Aurora" was incorporated as a separate gov- 
ernment under the same law. and the following named trustees were elected : 

1854-5. Myron V. Hall, president: D. B. Waterman, B. Street, George 
McCollum, Anor Richardson. 

1855-6. U. V. Hall, president; E. D. Huntoon, J. G. Stolp, W. V. Plum, 
R. C. Mix. 

1856-7. B. Street, president; George Squires, N. O. Winans. Myron 
Blakely, H. S. Chandler, J. A. Hinds. 

There was some rivalry between the two towns, as well as some jealousy, 
and hard feelings, but both boards served the people faithfully until the year 
1857, when the people of both towns agreed to bury the hatchet and unite 
to become the city of Aurora, and the town trustees were superseded by 
the mayor and the board of aldermen, styled the "common council." 



Electe to till vacancy. 









BROADWAY, LOOKING NORTH, IN AN EARLY DAY, AURORA. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 551 

By mutual agreement it was arranged that a mayor should be elected 
from one side of the river one year and from the other side the next, in order 
to promote harmony between the two towns, and this practice has been kept 
up ever since, until it has become an "unwritten law." The city was divided 
into eight wards, four on the east side and four on the west side. Each 
ward was entitled to one alderman, whose term lasted only one year. The 
number of wards in the east division was soon increased to seven, owing to 
the increased population, but the "unwritten law" still held good. 

Following is a list of the mayors and aldermen since the organization of 
the city government until the present time (1908) : 

CITY OF AUR0R.\, INC0RP0R.A.TED FEBRUARY II, 1857. 

1857-58. ]\Iayor, B. F. Hall; aldermen, east division, J. D. Clark, 
Holmes Miller, William Gardner, L. Cottrell ; west division, W. V. Plum, 
J. B. Stolp, R. C. Mix, S. L. Jackson: attorney, B. F. Parks; clerk, J. G. Barr. 

1858-9. Mayor, William B. Allen; aldermen, east division, J. D. Clark, 
Holmes Miller, George Suydam, *E. D. Terry; west division, W. V. Plum, 
J. Goodwin, R. C. Mix, S. L. Jackson; attorney. R. G. Montony; clerk, 
J. G. Barr. 

1859-60. Mayor. W. V. Plum; aldermen, east division, J. D. Clark, 
C. H. Goodwin, George Suydam, *E. R. Allen, George H. Gardner; west 
division, B. F. Hall, J. Goodwin, M. M. Ravlin, L. \V. Gray; attorney, C. J. 
Metzner; clerk. J. G. Barr. 

1860-1. Mayor, O. D. Day; aldermen, east division, O. N. Shedd, C. H. 
Goodwin, E. R. Allen, George H. Gardner; west division, *Edward Mclnhill, 
W. W. Walker, R. W. Gates, M. M. Ravlin, L. W. Gray; attorney, C. J. 
Metzner, *]. D. Harvey; clerk, J. G. Barr. 

1861-2. Mayor, M. M. Ravlin; aldermen, east division, O. N. Shedd, 
C. C. Earle, E. R. Allen, E. Birney; west division, Edward Mclnhill, R. W. 
Gates, W. B. Sigley, L. W. Gray ; attorney, E. Canfield ; clerk, J. G. Barr. 

1862-3. Mayor, W. H. Hawkins; aldermen, east division, John Reising, 
C. C. Earle, William Gardner, I. M. Howell; west division, Edward Mclnhill', 
R. W. Gates, W. B. Sigley, Edward Gillette, L. W. Gray; attorney, A. G. 
McDole; clerk, J. G. Barr. 

1863-4. Mayor, Edward Gillette; aldermen, east division, John Reising, 
C. C. Earle, W. Gardner, Samuel Hoyles; west division, D. B. Waterman, 
R. W. Gates, P. A. Allaire, L. W. Gray; attorney, A. G. McDole; clerk, 
H. F. VanNortwick. 

Charles Wheaton was elected mayor in 1864 on the prohibition issue, 
but the council passed an ordinance granting licenses for the sale of liquor for 
a fee of one hundred dollars, and at the following meeting, April 18, 1864, Mr. 
Wheaton resigned at the opening of the session, saying he "had been elected 
on the prohibition issue, and as prohibition had failed, he considered it his 
duty to resign, the resignation to take effect immediately." He, thereupon 
passed his written resignation to the clerk and "took his hat and walked out 

* Elected to fill vacancy. 



552 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

of the hall," as the records show. Public report has it that he resigned rather 
than to sign a license for the sale of liquor. This is not only a credit to Mr. 
Wheaton's conscientiousness, but it is also a credit to the city of Aurora 
to have a citizen with such a fine sense of honor as Hon. Charles Wheaton. 

D. W. Young was elected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation 
of Mr. Wheaton at a special election held for this purpose. 

1865. Mayor, Deles W. Young; aldermen, E. D. Terry. Blasius Bert- 
hold, P. A. Allaire, M. Tabor, S. A. Emerson, L. D. Brady, D. B. Waterman, 
L. W. Gray, — . — . Anderson, C. J. Metzner. J. Reising, *C. H. Reeves, 
*G. W. Quereau ; clerk, H. F. VanNortwick ; treasurer, J. S. Hawley ; 
attorney, A. E. Searles ; marshal, William \'inter ; surveyor, George Wilder. 
1866. Mayor, D. W. Young; aldermen. C. J. Metzner, L. W. Gray, 
Samuel Pullman, William Urie, W. H. McLallen. A. M. Brown, S. A. Emer- 
son, L. D. Brady, B. Berthold, D. B. Waterman. P. A. Allaire, *S. C. Gillett, 
*J. M. Fish; treasurer, A. F. Shedd; city clerk, H. F. VanNortwick; attor- 
ney, F. M. Annis; marshal, G. O. Fish; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1867. Mayor R. L. Carter; aldermen, D. B. Waterman, \\'. S. 
McMicken, J. Plain, J. H. Thompson, j. M. Fish, C. J. Metzner, L. W. Gray, 
S. Pullman, A. ]\I. Brown, William Urie, B. Burns, *R. C. Mix, *John P. 
Farrell; city clerk, H. F. VanNortwick; attorney, O. C. Lathrnp: marshal, 
G. O. Fish; surveyor, George W'ilder; treasurer, W. H. Miller. 

1868. Mayor, A. T. Hall : aldermen, C. L. Hoyt, L. W. Gray, John A. 
Cook, Thomas Thayer, W. \\'. Bishop, A. Hard, B. Burns. J. Plain, D. B. 
Waterman, R. C. Mix, J. M. Fish; clerk, H. F. \'anNnrtwick; attorney, O. C. 
Lathrop; marshal, George O. Fish: surveyor, John E. Swain; treasurer, Roger 
Brown. 

1869. Mayor, B. F. Parks; aldermen, D. B. Waterman, W. F. Dickin- 
son, B. Burns, W. W. Wilcox, L Leins, L. W. Gray, W. W. Bishop, Thomas 
Thayer, A. Hard, C. L. Hoyt, J. A. Cook, *A. C. Little; clerk, R. W. Gates; 
attorney, John C. Sherwin ; marshal, G. O. Fish; surveyor, George Wilder; 
treasurer, F. O. White. 

1870. Mayor, James Walker; aldermen, C. L. Hoyt, L. W. Gra)', J. 
A. Cook, Thomas Thayer, E. R. Allen, D. W. Young, W. F. Dickinson, B. 
Burns, W. W. Wilcox. W. W. Bishop, I. Leins, *W. Holmes, *D. B. Water- 
man; clerk, R. W. Gates; attorney, N. F. Nichols; marshal, G. O. Fish; sur- 
veyor, George Wilder; treasurer, John Plain. 

1871. Mayor, D. B. Waterman; aldermen, W. W. Bishop, W. F. Dick- 
mson, O. N. Shedd, W. \\'. Wilcox, L. B. Winton, C. L. Hoyt, L. W. Gray, 
John A. Cook. Thomas Thayer. D. W. Young, E. R. Allen ; clerk, R. W. 
Gates; attorney, N. F. Nichols; marshal. A. C. Graves; treasurer, John Plain; 
surveyor, George W'ilder. 

1872. Mayor, W. H. Hawkins; aldermen. S. B. Hawley, L. W. Gray. 
P. G. Benson. Thomas Thayer. E. R. Allen, M. R. Bruce. W. F. Dickinson. 
W. W. Wilcox. B. Winton,' W. W. Bishop, O. N. Shedd, =^J. F. Thorwarth. 



* Elected to fill vacancy. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 55S 

clerk, W. J. Polluck; attorney, E. Cantield ; treasurer. John Plain; marshal, 
A. C. Graves; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1873. Mayor, A. George; aldermen, W. Egermann, D. \\". Hurd, J. 
Billings, J. F. fhorwarth, W. Holmes, A. K. Perry, E. R. Allen, S. B. Haw- 
ley, P. G. Benson, L. W. Gray, Thomas Thayer; clerk, W. J. Pollock; attor- 
ney, A. C. Little; treasurer, J. Plain; marshal, A. C. Graves; surveyor, George 
Wilder. 

1S74. Mayor. A. C. Little; aldermen, N. R. Hobbs, W. Meagher, James 
Templeman, James Murphy, J. N. Titsworth, D. W. Young, J. F. Thorvvarth, 
William Egermann, D. W. Hurd, J. S. Holmes, P. Welter, *L. O. Hill; clerk, 
J. J. McLallen; attorney, M. O. Southworth; treasurer, J. Plain; marshal, A. 
C. Graves ; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1875. Mayor, D. Volintine; aldermen, W. W. Bishop, D. W. Hurd, P. 
Welter, J. S. Holmes, J. N. Hurd, J. N. Titsworth, N. R. Hobbs, L. O. Hill, 
James Murphy, William Meagher, James Templeman; clerk, J. J. McLallen; 
attorney, M. O. Southworth; marshal, L W. Rice; treasurer, John Plain; 
surveyor, George Wilder. 

1876. Mayor, Thomas E. Hill; aldermen, S. B. Hawley, William 
Meagher, P. G. Benson, J. Murphy, H. H. Evans, L. O. Hill, J. N. Hurd, 
J. S. Holmes, W. W. Bishop, P. Welter, D. W. Hurd ; clerk, J. J. McLallen ; 
attorney, N. F. Nichols ; treasurer, John Plain : marshal. Isaac W. Rice : sur- 
veyor, George Wilder. 

1877. Mayor, F. L. Bartlett; aldermen, W. W. Bishop, T. Phillips, P. 
Welter, J. F. Thorwarth, I. Leins, S. B. Hawley, H. H. Evans, L. O. Hill, 
James Murphy, P. G. Benson, William Meagher, =''N. R. Hnbbs; clerk, J. J. 
McLallen; attorney, A. E. Searles; treasurer, S. W. Thatcher: marshal, I. W. 
Rice ; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1878. Mayor, C. C. Earle; aldermen, N. R. Hobbs, John Diveky, P. G. 
Benson, J. W. Battle, T. H. Day, L. O. Hill, W. W. Bishop, J. F. Thor- 
warth. I. Leins, P. Welter, T. Phillips; clerk, J. J. McLallen; attorney, A. C. 
Little; treasurer, John Reising; marshal, R. B. Gates; surveyor, George 
Wilder. 

1879. Mayor, W. W. Bishop; aldermen, George Wilder, T. Phillips, C. 
Solfisburg, J. F. Thorwarth, I. Leins, N. R. Hobbs, T. H. Day, James W. 
Battle, P. G. Benson, L. O. Hill, John Diveky; clerk, J. J. McLallen; attorney, 
A. G. McDole; treasurer, John H. Pease; marshal, R. B. Gates; surveyor, 

1880. Mayor, L. D. Brady; aldermen, E. Case, W. P. West, J. D. Race, 
J. Dickes, J. W. Battle, T. H. Day, E. Denney, T. Phillips, C. Solfisburg, I. 
Leins, J. F. Thorwarth ; clerk, J. J. McLallen ; attorney, A. G. McDole ; treas- 
urer, Lauren F. Otis; marshal, R. B. Gates; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1881. Mayor, T. Phillips; aldermen, W. W. Bishop, G. S. McCollum. 
C. Solfisburg, J. F. Thorwarth, H. G. Gabel, W. P. West, J. Dickes, J. W. 
Battle, E. Denney, J. D. Race, T. H. Day; clerk, J. J. McLallen; attorney, 
A. G. McDole; treasurer, J. B. Chase; marshal, R. B. Gates; surveyor, . 

1882. Mayor, J. W. Battle; aldermen, George Hanna, C. Haggerty, J. 
Dickes, G. F. Schoeberlein, T. H. Day. C. T. Douglas, W. W. Bishop. H. G. 

* Elected to fill vacancy. 



554 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Gabel, George S. :\IcCollum, J. F. Thorwarth, C. Solfisburg; clerk, J. J. Mc- 
Lallen; attorney, D. ]\I. Clapsaddle : treasurer, J. B. Chase; marshal, C. Zim- 
mer; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1883. Mayor, \Y. MclNIicken; aldermen, George Meredith. George S. 
McCollum, J. T. Corbett, J. F. Thorwarth. H. G. Gabel, T. H. Day, C. T. 
Douglas, J. Dickes, George Hanna, G. Fred Schoeberlein, J. Haggerty, *R. R. 
Ferriss; clerk, J. J. McLallen ; attorney, D. M. Clapsaddle; treasurer, J. B. 
Chase; marshal, C. Zimmer; surveyor, George Wilder. 

1884. Mayor, J. F. Thorwarth; aldermen, R. R. Ferriss, C. J. Pfrangle, 
J. P. Cass. James Skinner, W. Tyler, H. Rang, A. H. Cleaves, George S. Mc- 
Collum, George Meredith. J. T. Corbett, J. M. Holt; clerk, J. M. Kennedy; 
attorney, C. L. Allen; treasurer. W. S. Beaupre; marshal. C. Zimmer; sur- 
veyor, J. E. Minott. 

1885. Mayor, F. O. White; aldermen. G. Meredith, R. W. Gates, J'. T. 
Corbett, J. M. Holt, H. Rang. J. P. Cass, James S. Skinner, R. R. Ferriss, 
Warren Tyler, C. J. Pfrangle, A. H. Cleaves; clerk, J. M. Kennedy; attorney, 
C. L. Allen; treasurer, W. S. Beaupre; marshal, C. Zimmer; surveyor, G. 
Wilder. 

1886. Mayor, H. j\Iiller; aldermen, S. L. Charles, W. Meagher, M. 
Dillon, G. F. Schoeberlein, W. Tyler, A. K. Perry, R. W. Gates, J. T. Cor- 
bett, J. M. Holt, H. Rang, George Meredidi; clerk. J. M. Kennedy; attorney, 
R. P. Goodwin; treasurer, W. S. Beaupre; marshal, J. L. Walker; surveyor, 
G. Wilder. 

In the year 1887 the city was organized under the general law governing 
cities and villages, which extended the term of mayor and aldermen to two 
years, decreased the number of wards to seven and gave two aldermen to each 
ward. Since then the mayors and aldermen elected are as follows : 

1887. Mayor, G. Meredith: aldermen, W. Zimmer, L. P. Hoyt, C. J. 
Pfrangle. R. W. Gates. F. Fasmer, A. H. Cleaves. J. M. Fish, J. P. Callan. 
J. F. Thorwarth. G. F. Schoeberlein, J. M. Holt, M. Dillon, F. Dillenburg, 
J. T. Corbett; clerk. J. M. Kennedy; attorney, R. P. Goodwin; treasurer. W. 
S. Beaupre; marshal, John L. Walker; surveyor, G. Wilder. 

1888. Mayor. G. Meredith; aldermen. W. Zimmer, L. K. Scott, C. J. 
Pfrangle, R. W. Gates. F. Fasmer. A. H. Cleaves, J. M. Fish, J. P. Callan, 
J. F. Thorwarth, J. Marx, J. M. Holt. M. Dillon, F. Dillenburg, P. F. Jungles; 
clerk. J. M. Kennedy; attorney, R. P. Goodwin; treasurer, W. S. Beaupre; 
marsiial, J. L. Walker; surveyor. George W'ilder. 

1889. Mayor. John Jameson; city clerk, J. M. Kennedy; city attorney, 
C. I. McNett: city treasurer, A. C. Solfisburg; clerk of the city court, James 
Shaw; aldermen, elected for two years. W. Zimmer. U. P. Hord. Frank Fas- 
mer, Robert Burke, Fred Fauth. John Couglilin. Frank Dillenburg. 

1890. Aldermen, elected for two years. D. B. Lincoln, R. W. Gates. 
A. J. Ives, J. A. Kinley. J. F. Thorwarth. M. Dillon, N. Caas; police magis- 
trate. J. Murphy. 

1891. Mayor, W. S. Frazier; city clerk. J. ^I. Kennedy; city attorney. 
C. I. McNett; city treasurer. Peter Klein; police magistrate. L. Baldwin; 

• Elected to fill vacancy. 



KANE COIWTY HISTORY .^555 

aldermen, elected for two j-ears, W. Zinmier, W. Messenger, H. G. Conerus, 
J. Meredith, J. W. Battle, J. Coughlin, J. \\'. Linden. 

1892. Aldermen, elected for two years, D. B. Lincoln, K. \V. Gates, 
W. R. Rees, Eb. Denney, J. S. Holmes, L. Hayward, N. Caas. 

1893. Mayor, J. C. Murphy ( I\lr. Murphy's election was contested by 
J. W. Battle, the decision of the supreme court being given in the latter's 
favor about four weeks before the expiration of the term ; thereupon Mr. Bat- 
tle assumed the duties of the office) ; city clerk, J. M. Kennedy; city attorney, 
F. G. Plain; city treasurer, Lysander Hord; clerk uf the city court, James 
Shaw (four years) ; aldermen, elected for two years, George James, William 
Messenger, H. G. Conerus, J. JNIeredith, H. A. Racknieyer. J. Coughlin, J. W. 
Linden. 

1894. Police magistrate, James Murphy; aldermen, elected for two 
years, F. L. Hinckley, Theodore Howard, ^^'. R. Rees, F. H. Jenks, J. S. 
Holmes, B. Olinger, P. J. Kartheiser. 

1895. Mayor, L. K. Scott; city clerk, William Pfrangle; city attorney, 
F. G. Plain ; city treasurer, F. B. W' atson ; aldermen, elected for two years, 
George James, J. P. Johnson, H. G. Conerus, G. ^^^ Alschuler, H. A. Rack- 
meyer, John Coughlin, J. W". Linden. 

1896. Aldermen, elected for two years, J. A. Freeman, Theodore How- 
ard, William Rees, E. W. Trask, C. Riddle, Barney Olinger, P. J. Kartheiser. 

1897. Mayor, T. N. Holden; city clerk, William Pfrangle; city attorney, 
W. J. Tyers ; city treasurer. Christian Abel ; clerk of the city court, James 
Shaw, elected for four years ; aldei'men, elected for two years, G. A. James, 
R.- H. Taylor, J. E. Doetschman, George W. Alschuler, H. A. Rackmeyer, 
George C. Howe, J. W. Linden. 

1898. Police magistrate, E. M. Mangan; aldermen, elected for two 
years, J. A. Freeman, Tiieodore Howard, W. R. Rees, C. D. Treman, Fred 
Fauth, Leon Baltazor. Adam Komes. 

1899. Mayor, Theodore Howard; city clerk. William Pfrangle; city 
attorney. W. J. Tyers ; city treasurer, John L. Dickes ; clerk of the city court, 
W. J. Fowder; aldermen, elected for two years, J. W. Curry, R. H. Taylor — 
J. H. Tolman, E. J. Doetschman, G. W. Alscluder, H. A. Rackmeyer, Louis 
A. Stoll, J. W. Linden. 

1900. Aldermen, elected for two years, J. A. Freeman, E. C. Pufifer, 
W. G. Eitelgeorge, C. D. Treman, Fred Fauth, Leon Baltazor, Adam Komes. 

1901. Mayor, G. W. Alschuler; city clerk, William Pfrangle; city attor- 
ney, E. M. Mangan; city treasurer, Eb. Denney; police magistrate, A. Halver- 
son; clerk of the city court. F. W. Greenway; aldermen, elected for two years, 
Periam Thompson, R. H. Taylor, E. J. Doetschman, Williaiu Budlong, H. A. 
Rackmeyer, L. A. Stoll, J. \Y. Linden. 

1902. Police magistrate, John G. Badry; aldermen, elected for two 
years, J. W. Curry. William Rich. William Eitelgeorge. F. W. Worst, Fred 
Fauth, William Oueenan. Adam Komes. 

1903. Mayor, John M. Raymond; city clerk, E. J. Raymond; city treas- 
urer, J. O. Mason; city attorney, E. M. Mangan; aldermen, elected for two 



55(5 KA^sE COUNTY HISTORY 

years. A. M. Anderson. D. ^i. Corbin. J. T. Downs, Eb. Denney, H. A. Rack- 
meyer, L. A. Stoll, J. \A'. Linden. 

1904. Aldermen, elected for two years, J. W. Curry, A\'. M. Rich, Wil- 
liam Eitelgeorge, William H. Knuth, Fred Fauth, William Queenan, John P. 
Kartheiser. 

1905. Mayor, H. B. Douglas; city clerk, E. J. Raymond; city attorney, 

E. M. Mangan; city treasurer, Joe Reising; clerk of the city courts, Frank W. 
Greenway; aldermen, elected for two years, A. M. Anderson, D. M. Corbin, 
J. T. Downs. Eb. Denney, H. A. Rackmeyer. L. A. Stoll, J. W. Linden, John 
Fenton.* 

1906. Police magistrate, Peter Klees (a peculiarit}' about this police 
magistrate was that he weighed 350 pounds) ; aldermen, elected for two years. 
J. W. Curry, J. H. Pompa, William Eitelgeorge. A. C. Ryburn, Fred Fauth. 
John Fenton, John P. Kartheiser. 

1907. ^Ia3"or, E. C. Finch; city clerk, E. J. Raymond; cit}- attorney, C. 

F. Clyne; city treasurer, L Ochsenslager ; aldermen, elected for two years, 
A. M. Anderson, Charles R. Taylor, Otto May. \\'. H. Knuth. H. A. Rack- 
meyer, L. A. Stoll, N. J. Knur. 

1908. Aldermen, elected for two years, \\'illiam H. Fitch, J. H. Pompa, 
H. E. Trumper, Fred H. Budde, Fred Fauth. John Fenton, J. P. Kartheiser. 

SUPERVISORS. 

In the year 1849 t'^^ Illinois legislature passed a law allowing the people 
of the different counties to vote on the question of organizing a township 
government in each town in the county and giving a name to each township 
thus organized. The law provided for a supervisor, who should have general 
control of the town's business, be overseer of the poor, etc., an assessor, col- 
lector, three highway commissioners, school trustees, etc., for each township, 
with a provision for a "town meeting" on election day at which various minor 
matters maj' be considered, discussed and voted on "vive voce." This is 
similar to the New England system of town organizations, which probably 
comes nearer a true democracy than any other system in this country, if not 
in the world. 

Unfortunately the law made the supervisors in the several towns to con- 
stitute a county board for the transaction of all county business. This gave 
Kane county alone a little legislature of sixteen members. This system con- 
tinued in vogue until 1887, when the state legislature discovered some discon- 
tent in some of the counties in the state where large cities of 25.000 or more 
population found that they had no more influence in the county board than a 
farming town of only a few hundred population, for each township had one 
member on the board. It was suspected that the farmers, being in the 
majority, might object to paying some of the big pauper bills from the cities 
and to try to throw upon the cities more than their just share of taxation. 
So the legislature passed an amendment to the law concerning supervisors, 
providing that all cities should have one "assistant supervisor' for everv two 
thousand five hundred inhabitants over four thousand. This gave Aurora 



* Elected to fill vacancy. 










STOLPS ISLAND. LOOKING EAST. 1866 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



559 



seven assistant supervisors and increased the entire board to twenty-eight 
men to do the httle county business that could better be done by three men. 
Following is a list of supervisors elected in Aurora for the years men- 
tioned. The names of the numerous "assistants," together with the assessors, 
collectors, justices of the peace, constables, etc., "too numerous to mention," 
elected at the same time are omitted : 



1850 Russell C. Mix. 

1 85 1 Russell C. Mix. 

1852 Russell C. Mix. 

1853 Russell C. Mix. 

1854 Russell C. Mix. 

1855 Russell C. Mix. 

1856 Edward R. Allen. 
1S57 \Vm. B. Allen. 

1858 Myron V. Hall. 

1859 George S. Bangs. 
i860 George S. Bangs. 

1861 Isaac M. Howell. 

1862 Isaac M. Howell. 

1863 R. L. Carter. 

1864 R. L. Carter. 

1865 R. L. Carter. 

1866 D. M. Young. 

1867 I. M. Howell. 

1868 Charles Wheaton. 

1869 Charles Wheaton. 

1870 Charles Wheaton. 

1871 Charles Wheaton. 

1872 Charles Wheaton. 

1873 Charles L. Hovt. 

1874 O. N. Shedd. 

1875 O. N. Shedd. 



1876 Joseph Reising. 

1877 Joseph Reising. 

1878 Joseph Reising. 

1879 Joseph Reising. 

1880 Joseph Reising. 

1 88 1 Joseph Reising. 

1882 John B. Chase. 

1883 Thomas O'Donnell. 

1884 Thomas O'Donnell. 

1885 T. N. Holden. 

1886 T. N. Holden. 

1887 T. N. Holden. 

1888 T. N. Holden. 

1889 T. N. Holden. 

1890 T. N. Holden 

(term extended to two years). 
1892 T. N. Holden. 
1894 T. N. Holden. 
1896 T. N. Holden. 
1898 James W. Battle. 
1900 John Jameson. 
1902 John Jameson. 
1904 John Jameson. 
1906 John Jameson. 
1908 John Jameson. 



POLICE DEPARTMENT. 



The peace and good order of any city is best preserved by the prompt and 
sure punishment of all offenses against peace and good order. Riots and mob 
rule never occur in places where all disorders of a minor character are 
promptly and quickly punished. Aurora has been particularly fortunate in 
having competent and conscientious officers whose highest ambitions ha^■e been 
to do their duty. As a consequence Aurora has never had any public 
disturbance and all breaches of the peace have been summarily punished. 

City marshals appear to have been first appointed or elected in 1862, 
when Wm. Dexter was appointed and served to 1864. Wm. Vinter was 
marshal in 1865, serving one year; George A. Fish served from 1866 to 1870; 
A. C. Graves, 1871 to 1874; J. W. Rice, from 1875 to 1877; R. B. Gates, 
1878 to 1881; Chris Zimmer, 1882 to 1886; John L.' Walker, 1877 to 1888; 
Frank Demnier, 1889 to 1898, and he resigned October i, 1898, to become 



560 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

sheriff, to which office he was elected. Frank Michels was appointed in 
1899 and served up to the time of the present writing, making a most efficient 
officer. During his administration he kept minutes of the most important 
-cases, two of wdiich have become historic and are given herewith : 

"On October 8, 1903, at 9:30 P. M., the Riverview Park street car 
was held up by three masked men, who robbed the conductor and motorman 
of their watches and wliat money they had. and made them get off the car 
near the Montgomery schoolhouse. They then operated the car and ran it 
about a quarter of a mile, stopped and threw off the trolley and abandoned 
the car. They walked across the E. J. & E. railroad bridge, came to the 
city of Aurora and boarded a street car on the Elgin, Aurora & Chicago line. 
About 10:10 P. M. Officers Grass and Gibson, of the Aurora police depart- 
ment, having been notified about the holdup, boarded the 10:10 P. M. car 
-on the same line at Spring street to go to Aurora avenue to see if any 
suspicious characters would be getting on the car at that point. About two 
blocks north of Spring street they saw three men come out of the dark and 
flag the car to stop and got on the car. When the conductor came around to 
them for their fare they did not seem to know where they wanted to go. 
This made the officers suspicious of them and thinking that they must be the 
holdup men, they made up their minds to place them under arrest, but as the 
thieves were sitting in different parts of the car it was impossible to capture 
the three men without using their revolvers in the car. 

"There were other passengers in the car at the time, but as the men had 
paid their fares to Aurora avenue they thought they would wait until the. 
men got off the car and then make the arrest. While the men were coming 
out of the car door they were placed under arrest. Officer Grass descending 
first and Gibson following the three prisoners. \\'hile descending two of the 
robbers turned on Officer Gibson and the three fell off the car together, they 
making an effort to pull their guns from their pockets. However, they were 
not quick enough for Gibson, who pulled his gim from his pocket and while 
lying on the ground shot one of the men dead, the other man making his 
escape. In the meantime Officer Grass had his hands full in having a gun 
light with the third man. who later made his escape with the other robber. 
The dead robber was later identified as Clate Taylor, a tough character of 
Nodoway, Missouri. On October 24, 1903, two suspicious characters were 
arrested by the Chicago police department and in searching them guns of the 
same pattern were found on them as those used by Clate Taylor, the dead 
robber. Chief Michels was notified of the same and detailed Officers Grass 
and Gibson to Chicago to see if they were the men wanted here. They 
were placed among several other prisoners and were at once picked out by 
the Aurora officers and brought to Aurora, where they were identified by a 
good many people who had seen them in Aurora the day of the holdup. 
They were identified as being the three men hanging around the Montgomery 
schoolhouse the same day the holdup occurred. Their names were Thomas 
and James Conway, brothers, living in Chicago. Their trial was held in 
Geneva and they pleaded guilty and were sentenced to Joliet state prison 
March 3, 1904. on an indeterminate sentence." 



KANE COUNTY IILSTURY 561 

"One of the most brutal murders occurred in the E. J. & E. raih-oad 
yards in West Aurora, February 28, 1903, when Antonio Romano, an Itahan, 
murdered his companion, Nicholas Tomaso, in a box car by striking him 
with a hatchet in the head. In this case Chief Michels and his assistants 
deserve great credit in ferreting- out and capturing said Romano. The cause 
of the murder was an old grudge from Italy before they came to America. 
In looking over the grounds after the murder was committed a hatchet was 
found in the snow covered with blood, and from this Romano was suspected 
of being the murderer. The dragnet was put in all the Italian quarters in 
Chicago and Chief Michels, with the assistance of the Chicago police depart- 
ment, captured Romano at 121 West Polk street, Chicago, Illinois. The 
arrest was made by Detectives Murray and Shaunessy, of the Chicago police 
department. He was brought to Aurora, bound over to the grand jury, and 
at his trial was found guilty and was sentenced to be hanged November 20, 
1903. The execution was carried out by Sheriff Burke on said date at 
12:30 P. M., the hanging being perfect." 

"One of the greatest catches made was when Chief Michels arrested 
Emory Hartsig and five of his bogus collectors February 25, 1908, who were 
collecting for advertising space in several bogus directories. These men have 
operated all over the United States and have defrauded business houses of 
hundreds of thousands of dollars. They are known the world wide and all 
large detective agencies had been trying to capture them, liut without a\'ail 
until Chief Michels and his assistants made good in capturing five of these 
men so long sought for. These five men are now doing time in the Joliet 
state prison and several more are listed to keep companv with their companions 
in Joliet." 

First Patrol H'agoii. S. L. Charles, alderman of the second ward under 
the old charter, has the honor of being the man who bought the first patrol 
wagon and team for the city of Aurora in the year 1886. Also the first team 
for the present fire and police system. The horses were named Sam and 
Charlie by Alderman Sam Charles, he being the chairman of the police com- 
mittee. They had to answer every fire call, pulling the hook and ladders, 
besides doing all the police work. In the year 1898 the patrol wagon was 
done away and an ambulance was bought to do police work and take care of 
the sick and injured, taking them to either their homes or hospitals as requested. 

The old jail in the city building has been torn out and a modern jail, 
well \entilated and electric lighted, second to none in the state, having cost the 
city $7,000, taken its place. 

The "red light system" has been adopted in the business district and is 
indispensable to the police department. By throwing a switch in the chief's 
office a red light appears on most of the down town corners, telling the police- 
men that someone is wanted at headquarters or to be spoken to by the office. 
In three minutes' time all the men will have answered the signal and through 
this means many suspects have been caught and quick service rendered 

The police department in 1908 consisted of: 

1 chief of police, i assistant chief of police. 1 captain of ])olice. 3 detectives. 

2 patrol drivers. 2 desk sergcmts. i jailor, ij patmlmen. 3 merchants police. 



562 KAXI-: COUNTY Ills'JOEY 

aurora's fire department. 

Aurora has for many years boasted of its efficient fire department and it 
has certainly had capable and efficient firemen, who as a rule have nipped 
incipient fires in the bud and prevented their growing into conflagrations. 
Only three or four times since its organization and the installation of the high 
pressure water works system have fires got beyond the control of the fire 
departnient. Fire Chief Rang has recently compiled a brief and concise 
history of the fire department, from which liberal extracts are given : 

After several large fires in the year of 1S53-54. which nearly wiped out 
the business portion of the village. Trustee Holmes Miller on July 16, 1855, 
made a motion that if the citizens of Aurora will raise S500 by subscription 
for the purchase of a fire engine, the trustees will appropriate the balance 
from the treasury, the engine not to exceed in cost $1,000. 

On May 13 Charles Gill was appointed by the president of the board to 
go to Chicago and examine fire engines with a view of purchase. 

3ilay 17 the board considered the report of Charles Gill and resolved 
that if practicable the sum of $4,000 be borrowed for the purchase of a fire 
engine, hook and ladders and for a company to extinguish fires and for a 
building of two stories. 

June 26 an ordinance was passed to enable the president and board to 
purchase a fire engine when a sufficient sum shall be subscribed, said sub- 
scribers shall receive 10 per cent interest thereon, one-half to be paid from 
the taxes of 1856 and one-half from the taxes of 1857, provided that enough 
money is subscribed. 

July 22 Charles Gill was sent to Chicago to purchase the engine. 

July 31, 1856, a contract with Wright Brothers, of Rochester, New York, 
for a hand engine, hose cart and hose ; also for a building to be erected for an 
engine house and calaboose and for the storing of the cannon was let. The 
engine cost $1,600 and the house $600. 

The first fire company organized was the Young America, with Jesse 
Brady as foreman, and for many years our leading citizens and business men 
ran with the machine and manned the brakes. 

February 11, 1857. the two villages were incorporated and all apparatus 
was turned over to the cit)'. 

In 1863 J. H. Thompson was appointed chief engineer, L. D. Brady first 
assistant, and J. S. Hawley second assistant. These were all prominent 
business men located on Main street and Broadway. 

In 1872 the Young America engine was sold to Benton Harbor for S750. 

In the year 1869, when B. F. Parks was mayor and Ben. Bisbie chief 
engineer, the first steam fire engine (Amoskeag) was purchased by the city, 
Sam Edgerly was its first engineer. 

No. I companj' was then organized ( \olunteers) and did excellent service 
under the various officers and men for many years. No. i was the champion 
team of the state and won the Buckhorns at three state tournaments. In 
1871 the steaiuer and company were sent to help at the great Chicago fire and 
came home with much credit. 



KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 563 

In i8q8 the steamer was sold for old junk for v$6o, and with the money 
frnm the sale Chief Schoeberlein had hose wagons built for Nos. i and 2. 

Under the administration of John C. Murphy new quarters were built 
in North Broadway for $ij,ooo to house No. i hook and ladder truck and 
patrol wagon. 

In 1891-92 W. S. Frazier, mayor; William Messenger, James Battle and 
John Meredith, fire and water committee, purchased an aerial truck and a 
chemical engine for this house. 

In 1905, H. B. Douglas, mayor; Louis Stoll, J. W. Linden and Jesse 
Curry, fire and water committee; the chemical engine was replaced by an 
up-to-date combination hose wagon and a company of five full paid men 
organized, with George Rang as chief. 

The second steamer purchased was in 1875, from A. Button & Son, 
Waterford, New York (D. Volintine mayor). Its first engineer was Hugh 
Doran and W. E. Reed was chief. The steainer w^as stationed on Anderson 
street, in a house built in 1870. A company of twenty men was organized 
and named Excelsior No. 2. The engine was in regular service until the 
establishment of the city water works system (1886) and is at the present 
time in good condition and held in reserve (1908). 1881 (T. Phillips, 
mayor), William Egermann chief, a horse w-as purchased for the No. 2 hose 
cart, then rebuilt. The first driver was George Rang, now chief. In 1882 
a team of horses were purchased for the steamer and a company of thirteen 
men organized, with Adam Schoeberlein, captain ; Emil Frauenhofif, lieuten- 
ant: John Hubbard, engineer of steamer and Harvey Rackmyer stoker; M. 
Keil, driver. In 1898 the one-horse cart was replaced by a two-horse hose 
wagon and a company of five call men and a regular driver organized. 

In 1869 the Holly pumps were established on both sides of the river, a 
hose house built and a company organized and located in River and Galena 
streets. A Holly pump was put into Hoyt's shop to pump water into the 
West Side mains and into the city mills for the East Side. The old Eagle 
mill site at the north end of the island was first tried, for the city owned one 
hundred and forty-four cubic inches of water then, but this power was insuf- 
ficient to work the pump. After many years a hose house was built in South 
Lake street. 

In 1881 a horse was purchased for the hose cart, then rebuilt. The com- 
pany was organized under Chief Egermann and called No. 3 company. In 
1886 a two-story brick house was built in South Lake street and a team of 
horses and a four-wheeled carriage purchased. In 1895 company of five 
paid men organized with Captain R. Tabor. 

In 1892 the horse and cart at No. 3 was transferred to a two-story brick 
house, built at L^nion and Columbia streets. A company of six call men was 
organized, with R. Nixon as captain. In 1894 a team of horses was pur- 
chased and the No. 3 hose carriage transferred to this company. Later built 
into a hose wagon with a company of four paid men: organized under Chief 
Rang. January. 1907, with B. Weiler captain. 

In 1894 old hook and ladder house in Broadway was moved to Fifth 
aveinie and Imrse and cart transferred frc ni Ni >. 4 and a cimipanv of six call 



564 K.\_NE COUNTY HISTORY 

men organized, with Captain L. Reese. It was called No. 5. In 1908 this 
house was rebuilt and company of four paid men organized, with Captain \V. 
Jacobs. 

The first ladders used in the department were a few ladders carried on a 
two-wheeled cart. 

In 1 871 a hook and ladder house was built in North Broadway and the 
Eureka hook and ladder company organized, wath a fair-sized village truck, 
which was in service until 1892, when an empty truck was purchased and 
equipped with the ladders taken from the Aerial truck (also purchased the 
same year) by the fire and water committete— Messenger, Batttle and Mere- 
dith. The aerial truck is held in reserve. January i, 1907. the company 
(now called No. 6) were put on full pay, with five men. 

In 1875 W. E. Reed and other members of the department established 
the first electric call fire alarm system. While stringing wires Tom Bexon, 
a member of No. 2 company, fell from a pole at the corner of River street 
and Downer place and was killed. 

In 1886 an electric fire and police alarm system was installed with fifty 
signal boxes and gongs and printers in all hose houses, city hall and pumping 
station. The system has been improved and added to and at the present time 
there are about one hundred fire alarm boxes in the city. 

The source of water supply up to 1886 was either direct from the river, 
from the Holly system in the business district of the east and west side, or 
from large cisterns located through the residence district, as follows : 

Main and Root streets. Main and State streets. New York and Fourth 
streets, Clark and Fourth streets. Fifth and Clark streets. North avenue and 
Jackson street. Fourth street and North avenue, Union and Liberty streets, 
and Walnut and Locust streets. 

In 1886 a high pressure water works system was installed, with miles of 
mains and hydrants, w"hich system has been greatly extended and enlarged. 

Chief officers and their titles under which they served were as follows : 

1853. George Suydam. fire warden. 

1856. Jesse Brady, foreman; J. Hattery, foreman. 

1863. J. H. Thompson, chief engineer. 

1869. Ben Bisbie, fire engineer. 

1870. W. H. Hawkins, chief engineer. 
1871-73. W. E. Reed, chief engineer. 
1874. J. Eddy, chief engineer. 
1875-79. W. E. Reed, chief engineer. 
1880-81. \\'. Egermann. chief engineer. 
1882-83. W. E. Reed, chief engineer. 
1884. Joseph Boyle, chief engineer. 
1885-90. George Siler. chief engineer. 
1891. Adam Sanders, chief engineer. 
1892-93. Adam Schoeberlein. fire marshal. 
1894-96. W. Zimmers. fire marshal. 
1897-05. A. Schoeberlein. fire marshal. 
1906-08. George Rang, chief. 















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EAST BRIDGE, AURORA. ERECTED 1885. 




AURORA, NORTH EROM HOTEL ARTHUR. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 567 

As before stated, there have been but few hres since 1886, when the new 
water works were installed. Among the more prominent fires in the city 
since its settlement are the following : 

1854. August 4, Mackenhill's distillery. 

1854. Volintine's general store, in Main street. 

1856. Eight stores on east side Broadway. 

1858. Seven or eight stores west side of Broadway, from corner of 
Main south of Alschuler's. 

1861. May 3, stores in River street from Galena to Kurd's store. 

1867. Wilder House. 

1869. Huntoon House. 

1 87 1. Old silver plate factory. 

1873. ^I^y 20, C, B. & Q. shops; over $50,000 damage. 

1888. C, B. & Q. paint shop, Oak street schoolhouse. Mercantile block, 
Fox and Broadway. 

1903. June 18, Sencenbaugh store, Broadway. 

1906. February 11, Stolp's woolen mills building. 

1906. March 18, Jennings seminary. 

1906. August 10, Knickerbocker Ice Company, North Broadway. 

1906. November 7, Oak street school. 

CITY WATER WORKS. 

Under the head "Fire Department" is mentioned the installation of the 
high pressure water system, but the circumstances which led up to it deserve 
a more extended mention. There had been considerable agitation of the 
question of water supply for fire purposes, and for a few years a supply of 
water for domestic purposes was discussed. An analysis of numerous wells 
in different parts of the city was made and they were all found to be contami- 
nated with organic matter, decidedly dangerous to life and health of the 
people. The council engaged the services of an engineer, Chester B. Davis, to 
ascertain where a suitable water supply could be obtained. He discovered 
there was plenty of water in the river and advanced the theory that impure 
river water would purify itself by falling over a dam and becoming "aerated," 
therefore the river water, after falling over the North Aurora dam, would 
become pure and suitable for domestic purposes. He also found a large 
underground supply of pure water on the Douglas farm, south of town, 
which he thought might possibly furnish a sufficient supply. But being sure 
of a sufficient supply in the river, he recommended that it be taken from the 
river above the city. The council adopted this plan June 5, 1885, and bor- 
rowed one hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollars to complete the work. 
Alderman George Meredith championed the work of the council, and it is to 
his eff'orts, more than to those of any other one man, that Aurora secured water 
works at that time. The pumping station was put north of the city, and 
conduits were laid to an island opposite the pumps, through which the water 
ran to get into the big well, from which it was pumped into the stand pipe 
and into the water mains. But the quality of the water was not suitable for 



568 KAXK COrXTY HISTORY 

domestic purposes, for tlie air failed tn purif_\- the sewage from tlie up river 
towns. When the work was completed the city owned over twenty miles of 
mains, a steel stand pipe une hundred and tifty two feet high and eighteen 
feet in diameter, two steam pumps, with a cajjacity of three million gallons 
daily, and two hundred and forty-five hydrants. Water takers used the water 
for watering lawns, etc. There was an abundant supply for fire purposes, but 
it was not much used for domestic purposes. After a few years the city 
determined to experiment with artesian wells, and sunk one well to a depth 
of two thousand or more feet into the St. Peter's sandstone, which underlies 
all this part of the countiy. The first five thousand feet supplied pure soft 
water, but not in sufficient quantity. The deeper the well went the more 
mineral matter appeared in the water, and in the last five hundred feet the 
quantity was so great that the water was undesirable, therefore the lower end 
of the well was plugged up. Three other wells have been sunk, until now 
(1908), with the aid of an '"air lift,'" supply the needs of the city, about three 
million gallons daily. Extensions of the water mains have been made every 
year, until now (1908). the city has over fifty-eight miles of mains, while 
the quality and quantity is very satisfactory. In fact it analyses better than 
any other city water in the state. The city had in 1908, four hundred and 
eighty-four hydrants for fire protection. It keeps a constant supply of fresh 
water in fourteen watering troughs and two drinking fountains. Water is 
supplied to private parties through meters, of which there were four thousand 
five hundred in use in igp8. and the annual revenues were about forty thousand 
dollars. The surplus over the expenses was used to extend the mains and 
pay the interest on the bonds. The actual amount of w'ater consumed was 
two million gallons daily. Thus, in 1908, it appeared that with fifty-eight 
miles of water mains and five hundred hydrants for fire protection, free water 
supplied to the city buildings, fire department buildings, schools, hospitals, 
drinking fountains, watering troughs, the entire expense, including interest 
on the bonds, was paid by the private water consumers and the water tax was 
not large, compared with that of other places. This w-as considered by the 
advocates of municipal ownership of public vuilities to be an unanswerable 
argument in their favor. 

SEWERS. 

Since the water works have been installed tlie citv has from time to time 
put in a sewer system until, at the present writing (1908) the city has over 
fifty miles of sewers paid for by the property owners under the special 
assessment plan. 

ELECTRIC STREET LIGHTING. 

Aurora claims to lie the first city in the world to have its streets lighted 
by electricity. In the spring of 1881 the city made a contract with the Aurora 
Electric Light and Power Company for sixteen two thousand-candle power 
lamps at six thousand dollars a year for five years. The lamps were placed 
on elevated towers about one hundred and sixty feet high, made of gas pipe. 
At the expiration r^f this contract, in 1886, the city installed an electric lighting 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 569 

plant of its own, securing power from the city pumping station, up the river, 
and so far as is known has the record of having the first municipally owned 
electric street lighting plant in the world. After twenty-two years of service 
it is at this writing pronounced very satisfactory. The lamps have been lowered 
to fifteen or twenty feet above the street crossings, which gives better service 
than on high towers. 

In 1907, after being in use twenty-six years, the city electrician describes 
the system as follows : 

"The municipal electric light system is composed of eight independent 
fifty-nine-arc light circuits, all controlled from a central switch board and 
energized by a three hundred and fifty kilowatt generator direct connected to 
a four hundred and fifty horsepower cross compound condensing Ball engine, 
l(x-ated at the city water station. The steam for this plant is supplied from 
the same battery of boilers wdiich supply the ptmiping engines and the plant is 
operated jointly with the water works, a division of total plant expense 
exclusive of labor being made on a basis of one-third cost to the lighting depart- 
ment, and two-thirds cost to the water department. 

"The above system is practically new, having been in satisfactory opera- 
tion since the latter part of 1906. and as it now stands will compare favorably 
with any municipal lighting plant in the country. 

"Equipment — The lighting system is equipped as follows : Four hundred 
long burning arc lamps (of which three hundred and eighty-four are now in 
operation), one fifty-light transformer and five multiple arc lamps in Lincoln 
jjark, one four hundred and fifty horsepower cross compound condensing Ball 
engine with Dean condenser direct, connected to a Westinghouse Electric 
Companv three hundred and fifty-kilowatt generator, one exacting generator, 
one Westinghouse ten-horsepower engine driving a ten-kilowatt generator for 
lighting the pumping plant, one hundred and one miles number six weather 
proof wire, nine thousand feet number six single conductor and nine hundred 
feet of number six double conductor, lead covered, high tension cables, in 
Chicago Telephone Company conduits, four one hundred-light Westinghouse 
Electric Company transformers, eight fifty-light regulators and one fully 
equipped five-panel switch board. 

"The operating cost for the year was fifteen thousand, eighty-eight dol- 
lars and seventy-six cents, or thirty-nine dollars and thirty cents per lamp." 

The same report thus describes the fire alarm and police telegraph 
system : 

"The fire and police telegraph system consists of two independent police 
circuits operating respectively on the east and west sides of the river, three 
fire circuits (two of which are on the east side and one on the west side) 
and one house circuit operating the tower bell, all of which are energized by a 
three hundred and twenty-five cell storage battery and controlled by a Game- 
well automatic switch board. 

"The transmitter enables the police desk sergeant to send in an alarm 
from his desk upon receipt of a telephone message. The repeater automatically 
transmits alarms from one circtiit to the, other." 



570 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



PARKS. 



Lincoln Park. — When the original plat of Aurora was laid out, in 1835, 
by Samuel AlcCarty, he set aside one block for a public park. This is now 
known as Lincoln park. It is located between Main and New York streets, 
East Park place and West Park place. 

McKinley Park. — Located on North Lake street, and extending to River 
street, between Vine street and West Park avenue, was donated to the city 
for park purposes by Roswell Wilder, about 1839. It was christened McKinley 
park after the death of President ]\IcKinley. An effort has been made to 
change the name to "Wilder park." in honor of the doner, which may be done 
hereafter. 

Phillips Park. — When Travis Phillips, former mayor of Aurora, died, 
in 1897, he left a will making several bequests and instructing his executor, 
Eugene B. Mix, to use the remainder of his estate in the purchase of soine 
land and to donate the same to the city for park purposes. In 1899 Mr. Mix 
presented to the city council a deed for sixty acres of land in the southeast 
part of the city for a park. This land he bought of H. H. Evans at four 
hundred dollars an acre, and the purchase carried with it a proviso that the 
street railway, in which Mr. Evans was then interested, should continue to 
run to the park for a term of years. The place had been previously used for 
park purposes in hopes of inducing travel on that line of the street railway. 
The city accepted the donation and made some improvements on the park. 
In 1905 park commissioners were appointed, under the state law, who built a 
house for the custodian and made other improvements, as fast as the funds 
at their disposal would permit. In 1908 the park commissioners were J. R. 
Schmahl, E. C. Beaupre. and N. ]\I. Hutchison. 

GENERAL SUMMARY. 

To sum up the public improvements of the city in the year 1908: It had 
a water works system valued at over two hundred thousand dollars, with over 
fifty-eight miles of water mains, furnishing the purest water to four thousand 
five hundred water takers, five hundred fire hydrants, all without any tax on 
the city. It also had over fifty miles of sewers, ninety-two miles of streets, 
twenty-three and one-half miles of street paving, eighty-five miles of brick 
or cement sidewalk, mostly cement; an excellent paid fire department, with 
five hose houses and a high water pressure in all parts of the city ; a fine police 
department, a good municipal street lighting system, an electric fire alarm 
system, all this the work of the city government. These, taken in connection 
with an excellent public school system with ample school buildings, it was 
claimed, made .\urora a good place for residence — one hard to be equaled for 
its size and age. the world over. 

HOSPITALS. 

Aurora City Hospital was opened in 1886. It received its first financial 
boost from a bazar given in the old skating rink at the corner of Lincoln 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 571 

avenue and Alain street, in whicli nearly all churches and societies in the city 
joined, and several thousand dollars were raised. A "benefit" was again given 
the institution in 1888 in the reconstructed city mills. The Woman's Club 
gave another bazar in 1905 in the coHseum on the island, realizing a profit of 
over ten thousand dollars. Several legacies have also been received. The 
hospital has been enlarged and improved as fast as its finances would permit. 
It received one thousand, five hundred dollars a year from the city until the 
St. Charles Hospital was opened in 1900, when that sum was divided between 
the two institutions. 

St. Charles' Hospital was opened by the Catholic denomination in 1900. 
The large brick house, on North Fourth street, built by Philo Carpenter, and 
afterwards occupied by Mrs. Coulter, was bought in 1900, and at once trans- 
formed into a hospital. In 1902 a large annex was built at a cost of about 
fifty thousand dollars, a large portion of which remained as a debt on the 
institution in 1908. Several bazars have been given for its benefit. 

EXCITEMENT 0\'ER THE SL.WERY QUESTION. 

Charles T. Douglas, writing frLim San Diego. California, to the semi-cen- 
tennial celebration of the First Congregational church, in 1888, gives some 
interesting reminiscences, from which we quote : 

"It was in that old church that Salmon P. Chase made one of his famous 
republican speeches, while Douglas and Lincoln were running for the senate. 
Frederick Douglass twice pleaded the cause of the oppressed within its walls. 
John P. Hale, Rev. John Grass, Ichabod Goodwin and other noted anti-slavery 
speakers found its doors open to them. Many will remember the exciting day 
when Stephen A. and Frederick Douglass were both advertised to address the 
citizens of Aurora — the one in reply to the other. It was after the passage 
of the "Missouri Compromise Act." and Stephen A. was attempting to justify 
himself before his enraged and outraged constituency for introducing and 
advocating the passage of that infamous law. Frederick had heard that he 
was to address the citizens of Aurora and determined to follow in reply. 
The train from the south brought Stephen A., but his condition was such that 
it required the assistance of two strong men to walk into the Aurora — 
now Tremont house. Frederick had arrived earlier on the eastern train, and 
was so unwell that the physicians, the late Dr. Hard and some one else — 
positively forbade him to speak at all. When it was announced that neither 
was able to speak, the vast throng, including some from distant states, who 
had gathered to hear Frederick's reply to Stephen A., were greatly disap- 
pointed. . . . The turbulent mass insisted that Frederick should at least 
show himself. Soon the cry went up 'to the church! to the church!' The 
doctors had consented that Frederick might speak in the churcli a few 
moments. Away rushed the crowd up the hill, and in less time than I have 
taken to write it, the church was filled to overflowing, and crowds gathered 
at the windows. Frederick was brought in and laid down on the pulpit 
sofa to rest a minute. Little hump-back Beeman, son of Dr. Beeman, of 
New York, sat in a chair at the end of the sofa behind the pulpit. It was 



r.72 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

suggested tliat while Frederick was resting someone on the opposite side 
should address the people in Stephen A.'s place. A law-yer by the name of 
Poindexter introduced an orator from Ohio by the name of Chapman, better 
known as 'Crow, Chapman, crow.' AMien Chapman attempted to justify 
and defend the Missouri compromise, the excitement became so great that 
cries of 'Put him out,' 'Lynch him,' etc., were heard from all parts of the house. 
Judge Parks, who, w^ith Poindexter, had assisted Stephen A. into the hotel, 
was sitting about half way down the north aisle. He sprang to his feet, and, 
striding down to the front shouted, "By the gods you shall hear him," and 
turning he pointed his finger at Beeman, and said in tones of withering scorn, 
'That little pickaninu}-' — but he got no further; for like lightning, Beeman 
sprang over the pulpit and clutched Parks by the throat. Everybody was on 
their feet, women screamed in terror; — a rush, and Parks went out of the 
windtiw head foremost. Strong arms stood Beeman on the communion table 
in front of the altar, and there with hands on his hips, chest heaving with 
intense excitement, and eyes gleaming with fire, he stood until he could get 
his breath, and then burst forth in such a flood of liurning eloquence in 
denunciation of the slave power and its truculent followers, as only a naturally 
eloquent man, speaking under the stimulant of such an epithet and in such a 
cause, could give utterance to. He was followed by Frederick in a half hour's 
speech, which those who heard can never forget."' 

HOW GENERAL F.\RNSWORTH BECAME AN .•\BOLITIONIST. 

In the same letter from which the foregoing is quoted, Mr. Charles L. 
Douglas says : "It is related that some years previous to this. General Farns- 
worth objected to these anti-slavery meetings being held in our church. At 
one of them he undertook to create a disturbance while Frederick Douglass 
was speaking, asking, 'What of it?' etc. Frederick at length turned upon him, 
saying, 'What of it? Suppose they should take your wife — she is white, to be 
sure- — and sell her to be the mistress of some treacherous villain ?' The general 
replied that he would not stand that. 'But that is just what they do,' said 
Frederick, and put some other questions to him touching family ties, etc. At 
the close of the meeting General Farnsworth apologized, saying that he had 
done wrong in interrupting him. and was wrong. From that time forward 
he was an abolitionist." The general was afterwards a gallant soldier in the 
war, which resulted in abolishing slavery, and still later he championed the 
cause of freedom in many a contest in the halls of congress. 

THE FIRST CITY ELECTION. 

The first city election in Aurora was held March 4, 1857, when B. F. Hall, 
democrat, was elected over E. R. Allen, republican. The victorious democracy 
celebrated their victory with fireworks and a big parade. Owing to the bridges 
being swept away by the flood, the celebration must have been a one-sided 
affair. 



KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 573" 

RIVALRIES. 

\\'henever a stream passes tlirough a village or small city there is gen- 
erally a rivalry of some sort between the inhabitants of the two sides of the 
stream. This rivalry, for some reason, was particularly intense at an early 
day in Aurora. This was primarily due to the location of the postoffice, which 
would change its location from one side of the river to the other with every 
presidential election. Samuel McCarty acted as postmaster for "McCarty's 
Mills,"" as the place was called, from 1834 to 1837, when Burr Winton was 
appointed regular postmaster of Aurora, at which time he moved the postoffice 
to the east side. This change in location continued regularly every four years 
until it was settled in by Russel C. Mix, who first moved it to the west side 
and later built a small frame building on the land belonging to J. G. Stolp 
on the island which bears his name. And there it has remained ever since, to 
the apparent satisfaction of every one. 

This rivalry was intensified shortly after the railroad was built from 
Aurora to Turner's Junction. A charter had been granted by the legislature 
for an extension of the Aurora branch from Aurora to Mendota. Boston 
capitalists had bought up some of the railroad stock and were to furnish the 
money to extend tlie road toward the west. Then came up the question, 
"Where should the depot be located?" Charles Hoyt, Silas Reynolds and 
several other residents west of the river, who had subscribed for quite a large 
quantity of stock for those days, thought they were entitled to some consid- 
eration on that account, and planned to have tlie track cross the ri\"er above 
the dam, have the depot on the west side, and thereby make West Aurora 
the big town. The eastsiders heard about this, and took steps t(j change the 
program. Ben Hackney went to Boston, then headquarters for the road, and 
bought a number of shares of stock as O. T. Shedd tells the story, and coming 
back persuaded the engineer to place the grade of the roadbed so low that it 
could not cross the river above the dam, and it therefore became necessary to 
have the track go down on the east side and cross the river below the town. 
This raised such a storm of protest that the managers of the road promised to 
build as good a depot on the west side as there was on the east side, which was 
done, and for many years the depots on each side of the river were alike, but 
west side people never forgave the eastsiders for outwitting them in this way. 
It is said that "Charles Hoyt was so mad that he sold all his railroad stock."' 

The rivalry continued, and Stolp's island became neutral ground, where 
all the public buildings w'ere located, including the city buildings, the old 
Young Men's Christian Association, Memorial hall, postoffice building, the old 
public library, at the rear of Memorial hall, and finally the Carnegie public 
library, after more than a year's effort on the part of the librarv board to find 
a satisfactory location on either side of the river. 

To avoid strife over political matters, it had become an unwritten law that 
mayors of the city should be selected first from one side of the river and then 
from the other side. This has been the practice ever since the city was 
organized, with one exception. In 1865 Dr. Young was elected to succeed 
himself. Even the Woman's Club selects its president from alternate sides of 
the river annuallv. 



574 > KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

THE GREAT FLOOD. 

On February 7, 1857, occurred the great tiood, from which many local 
events are dated. A local paper, published that week, says the ground had 
been covered with snow over a foot deep for sixty days, with the ground 
frozen hard. On the 5th it began to rain and continued to do so most of the 
time until Saturday, the 7th. That morning, people living on the flats awoke 
to find their houses surrounded by water. They escaped to places of safety 
as fast as possible. The railroad bridge blocked the ice, and the water set 
back all over Stolp's island. Suddenly a gorge two miles up the river gave 
way and w'ater and ice came down in irresistible foaming fury, sweeping 
everything before it. "Crash, crash, crash, went the three bridges within 
a minute of each other.'" Twenty small houses w-ere swept down the stream, 
one containing a woman and her babe, who passed safely over the Mont- 
gomery dam and were rescued some distance below. A child, which floated 
down the river on a cake of ice w-as rescued at Aurora. Among the other 
losses in Aurora were Stolp's barn with three hundred bushels of grain, 
machinery, etc., dye house, one hundred cords of wood, bulk head, etc. His 
loss was estimated at over four thousand dollars. Fyfe's Eagle mills, on the 
island, Hyde's sawmiill, Reedy & Merrill's sash factory, Woodworth brothers' 
addition to the factory, bridges, dams, etc. The "Guardian" placed the loss 
at thirty thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars, and the "Beacon" at 
one hundred thousand dollars. 

Pictures of the flood, taken l)y D. C. Pratt, are given elsewhere. 

WHEN J. M. WALKER W'AS IIAYOR. 

A well authenticated story is told that when James Walker was elected 
mayor, he was disgusted with a number of the aldermen, who had lieen 
elected at the same time, and when he took his seat and made the list of stand- 
ing committees he said : "Gentlemen of the council, here is a list of the standing 
committees for the ensuing year. They are \ery poor committees, but it is 
the best I could do zi'it/i the material at hand!" 

In 1907 Mr. Walker celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of his connection 
with the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy, nearly all of which time he spent as 
foreman of the great blacksmith shop, better known as "Walker's shop." 
On the date of the celebration the manager of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Ouincy presented Mr. Walker with a fine gold watch and chain. 

ONE OF HOPKINS' EARLY LAW CASES. 

It is not now an easy matter for a young lawyer to establish a profitable 
practice in his chosen profession, and in old times, it is claimed, the old lawyers 
looked with less favor upon an aspiring young attorney than in later years. 

One of the first cases w-hich the writer hereof was called upon to report 
for a newspaper in Aurora illustrates this proposition, as well as the fighting 
qualities which made A. J. Hopkins a success in both law and politics. 




BIEDSEYE VIEW OF AURORA FROM THE STEEPLE OF THE 
FIRST M. E. CHURCH. 




FLOOD, AURORA, 1857. 



KA^"E COUNTY HISTORY o77 

A boy who had worked for a wagonmaker on Downer place and was 
unable to collect his pay. employed Hopkins to collect the amount due him, 
which was fourteen dollars. It was one of Hopkins' first cases. A. E. 
Searles, an old lawyer, was on the other side, and was disposed to treat the 
young attorney rather contemptuously. The trial came before Esquire C. H. 
Adams, whose office was in the little old frame postoffice building on the 
island. A jury of six men was agreed upon and the trial began. Searles was 
unusually severe, and when the trial was adjourned for dinner Hopkins told 
Searles that he must stop treating him in the way he had been doing or he 
would give him a thrashing. It appears that during the noon hour Searles 
armed himself with a pistol, and when the case was again called, so far forgot 
himself as to repeat his contemptuous language about his opponent. He had 
not proceeded far when Hopkins struck him on the side of the head with his 
bare fist and knocked him half way across the building. Searles picked him- 
self up and pulled a pistol from his pocket and was proceeding tremblingly 
toward his opponent, when W. P. West, one of the jurymen seized his hand 
and took the pistol away. Thereupon the plaintiff in the case struck Searles 
twice on the head, inflicting wounds from which the blood flowed freely. 
After quiet was restored Esquire Adams said. "Take that man out and wash 
him up." Someone sponged the blood from ]\Ir. Searles' face and the esquire 
said, "Now let the case proceed." Mr. Searles was not in condition to make an 
effective plea, and Hopkins asked the jury for a \-erdict of fourteen dollars 
for his client, which was given. 

RAILROAD HISTORY. 

CHIC.A.GO, BURLINGTON & QUINCV R.AlILRO.VD. 

Aurora is essentially a railroad town, and is now something of a railroad 
center. It may not be generally known that the great Chicago, Burlington & 
Ouincy Railroad received its start in Aurora. Such, however, is the case, and 
this is the way it happened. 

The Galena & Chicago Union Railroad was chartered in 1836, which had 
been built and was in operation in 1848, when Hon. L. D. Brady was a 
member of the legislature. In that year he secured a charter for the "Aurora 
Branch Railroad Company." to run from Aurora and connect with the Galena 
(S: Chicago Railroad at the most desirable point, which happened to be Turner 
Tunction, now West Chicago. The Aurora Branch Railroad was commenced 
in 1850 and was finished in 1851. thirteen miles. A. C. Gibson and Benjamin 
Hacknev. with others, were named in the charter as directors for the new road, 
and Stephen F. Gale, of Chicago, was the first president. Mr. Harmon, in 
his history of .Aurora says : "Considerable difficulty was experienced in nego- 
tiatine the bonds, which iob was undertaken bv B. Hacknev. who was then 
acting superintendent and princii)al stockholder. Frink & Gale, of Chicago, 
and Bradv. Hacknev and others, of Aurora, had to endorse them, tints becom- 
ing personallv responsible before they were taken. . . . John Arnat of 
Elmira. New York, took the first ten thousand dollars worth of bonds, and 



578 KANE COUNTY IlLSTORY 

Rufus H. King, of All)any, took forty thousand dollars worth. Bonds were 
taken at par by the Buffalo & Niagara Railroad for a quantity of second hand 
flat rails, thought to be sufficient to finish the road. The road cost in all, with 
an engine, two passenger and twelve freight cars, about one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

"The flat rail'^ thus purchased were just enough t<i complete the line 
without anv allowance for switches, sidetracks, and turning around, so addi- 
tional iron was liought of the Michigan Central Railroad. 

"On June 22, 1852, the charter of the Aurora Branch Railroad was 
amended and the road was empowered to build to Mendota, forty-six miles, 
while the name of the road was changed to the 'Chicago & Aurora Railroad 
Company,' and it began to operate this extension in the fall of 1853. In 1855 
the name of the road was again changed to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
and on Jri'y 9. 185^. the latter company was consolidated with the Central 
Military Tract Company, chartered February 15. 185 1. which had built the 
road from Mendota to Galesburg, eighty miles, and opened it for traffic 
in 1855. 

"In the meantime some far seeing gentleman from Boston came here 
to buy up the original stock of the Aurora Branch Railroad. Some was 
bought at par, some at a slight advance, but two or three held on to their 
stock until the system was purchased by J. J. Hill, about 1900, and realized not 
less than forty times the original outlay. This increase was made from time 
to time as new roads were purchased in the form of 'stock dividends,' some- 
times called 'watered stock.' The profits of the Bostonians, who bought most 
of this stock, can only be imagined. In i860 the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy became the owner, by purchase under a foreclosure sale, of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad from Galesburg to Quincy, which had been opened in 

1856, the name of which was changed to the 'Quincy & Chicago Railroad' in 

1857. In 1863 it also bought the Peoria & Oquaka Road from Peoria through 
Galesburg to Burlington. This road had been operated since 1855. and made 
a direct line from Chicago to Burlington as early as ]\Iarch i of that year, 
and to Quincy the year following. 

"During all these years the through trains ran from Burlington through 
Aurora by way of Turner Junction to Chicago over the Galena & Chicago 
Road. Amos T. Hail, of Aurora, who was treasurer for the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy, attended the annual meetings of stockholders in Boston year 
after year and urged the construction of a direct line from Aurora to Chicago, 
owing to the excessive charges made by the Galena & Chicago line, but not 
until 1864 did he get the consent of the company to construct a new direct 
line. The history of the great Burlington system, (lutside its immediate con- 
nection with Aurora, does not properly belong in a history of Aurora, but the 
road, having its earliest inception here, will always be looked upon by Aurora 
people as the offspring of the town. 

"There are. however, two branches of this road from .\urora. which 
must now recei\-e consideration. The Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley 
Railroad and the Chicago & Iowa Railroad." 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 579 

THE FOX RIVER LINE. 

In i8')8 the legislation passed a bill authorizing towns along the Fox 
river to vote to take stock in the new Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley- 
Railroad, extending frf>m Streator to Geneva. Aurora held a special town 
meeting February 26, 1869, to vote on taking this stock to the extent of sixty 
thousand dollars, and issuing town bonds therefor bearing ten per cent 
interest. The vote was 1,050 for, and 561 against the bonds. The 
bonds were issued and sold and the stock was received by the super- 
visor. For two years taxes were levied and money collected to pay the 
interest and ten per cent of the principal of the bonds, making the sum of 
twelve thousand dollars, which was paid on the bonds. At this juncture the 
supreme court decided that the law under which the bonds were issued was 
unconstitutional. Some one in one of the small towns down the river, who 
had a grudge against the railroad, discovered that this law was read only 
on t-ico separate days in the lower house, whereas the constitution required 
it to be read on three separate days in both the house and senate. He, there- 
fore, went into court and secured an injunction against the town authorities 
of his town forbidding them from levying any tax in that town for the pay- 
ment of either interest or principal of these bonds. The case was taken to 
the supreme court and the injunction was sustained. A similar injunction 
was secured against the authorities of Aurora. This brought on a peculiar 
state of afifairs. The town owned sixty thousand dollars worth of railroad 
stock, on which it had paid only twelve thousand dollars. It had outstanding 
forty-eight thousand dollars in bonds, which a large majority of the people 
of the town wanted to pay, but they were prohibited from paying them by an 
injunction from the supreme court. The innocent holders of these bonds, who 
paid full value for them in good money, were unintentionally swindled out 
of their money. Many years afterwards, a town meeting authorized the super- 
visor to exchange this railroad stock for an equal amount of town bonds, for 
which the stock was issued. The bonds wei-e held in different parts of the 
country, many of them in Aurora. They were gradually exchanged for stock 
until 1899, when only two hundred and thirty shares remained in the town 
treasury, including the one hundred and twenty shares owned by the town. 
At the annual town meeting that year the supervisor was instructed to sell 
them to the highest bidder, which was done May 15, 1899. and they were sold 
to the firm of which Senator Hopkins was the head, for seven dollars and fifty 
cents a share. 

The road was turned over to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in 1870 
and was completed by tliat company and has since been continually operated by 
it and has become one of the most profitable branches of the great Burlington 
system. 

CHUAGO & IOWA R.VTLROAl). 

This road appears to have been projected by Mr. Hinckley in 1865 or 
about that time, and was known as the Hinckley Road. The town records 
show that at the town meeting in 1866 a proposition to vote town bonds 



580 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

for one hundred thousand dollars in aid of this road was voted down l)y a 
vote of three hundred and sixty-nine for, to nine hundred and twenty-five 
against the bond issue. But the question came up again in the furm of issuing 
bonds to buy stock in the road to tiie extent of one hundred tliousand doHars. 
A special town election was held August 5, 1869, to determine whether the 
town of Aurora should subscribe for one hundred thousand dollars worth of 
stock in this road and issue bonds bearing ten per cent interest to pay for it. 
At this election the town by a light vote ( eight hundred and thirteen for, 
to three Iiundred and ninety- four against) saddled upon itself a debt of one 
hundred thou-^and dnllars at ten per cent interest t(j pay for stock in a railroad 
to run through a very rich section of farming land, whose products were 
brought to Aurora by teams. The construction (jf the road was a direct and 
serious damage to the business interests of Aurora, for on its completion the 
farm products, which were formerly brought to Aurora for sale and exchange, 
were taken to the stations of Sugar Grove, Big Rock, Hinckley, Waterman 
and other places along the line, and were shipped directly to Chicago. From 
this time dates the beginning of the decline of business in River street. West 
Aurora, and to the date of the present writing the street has never recovered 
from the backset thus gi\-en it. The town. howe\-er, paid its ten per cent inter- 
est and finally wiped out the bonds and owned one hundred thousand dollars 
worth of stock in the new road. The company issued bonds which were taken 
by the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad, which company went on and 
completed the road to St. Paul, and, of course, controlled its operation. Then 
a queer state of affairs was developed. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
wanted the stock in the Chicago & Iowa held by the town of Aurora, and as 
the company had built most of the road and had been operating it for several 
years it was taken for granted by most people that the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy was entitled to the stock. But Judge R. G. Montony, who had been 
employed by former Supervisor O. N. Shedd to look up the rights of the town 
and had spent a great deal of time in investigating tins case, declared that the, 
Aurora stock was the only stock in the road that had ever been paid for, and 
that the town of Aurora virtually owned the road, subject to the bonded 
indebtedness. He failed, however, to arouse any interest in the matter, even 
Supervisor Reising, who was also a large stockholder in the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy, thought it was not worth while to oppose the wishes of the 
railroad. The editor of the Aurora Herald, however, thought differently and 
called a public meeting, to be held in the editorial rooms of the Herald to 
consider the matter. This meeting was attended by A. Somarindyck, T. H. 
Day and Pierce Burton. The subject was explained and the "meeting" 
adjourned to the next night, and an effort was made during the ne.xt day 
to interest others. The adjourned meeting was attended by three or four 
others, and it was decided to issue a little "dodger" explaining the condition 
of affairs and tn-ging all voters to lie on hand at tlie appointed hour on the 
approaching town meeting day to vote on disposing of the stock. It was also 
decided to try to adopt a resolution at this meeting to take the stock out of 
the bonds of the super\-isor and put it in charge of a committee with instruc- 
tions to sell it to the liio-hest bidder. A somewhat vigorous "dodger" was 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 581 

printed and circulated throughout the town, resulting in the biggest town 
meeting in the history of the town. The island in front of the town hall was 
literally packed with voters, who by a large majority adopted the resolutions, 
only a few stepped to one side, showing they favored giving the stock to the 
Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy. The town meeting was held April 5, 1881, 
and the resolution adopted named as a committee, A. Somarindyck, Alonzo 
George. Holmes Miller, C. S. Hoyt, John Reising, T. H. Day, Allen W. Stolp, 
together with the supervisor and town clerk, to sell the stock. 

In due course of time the committee advertised the stock for sale and tried 
to interest some Wall street parties, as no one in Aurora wanted to buy a 
railroad w-ith such a big debt. The result was that on the day of sale there 
were two bidders, who gradually run up the price to one hundred and thirty 
thousand dollars, and it was bid in at that price by Mr. Head, of Chicago, 
who paid that sum in cash. Just how much he made the Chicago, Burlington 
& Ouincy pay him has never been made public, but it is surmised that he 
secured a good profit on his purchase, as that road has since held undisputed 
possession. These circumstances are given here in detail to illustrate the 
historic fact that three or four determined citizens can, by united and well 
directed, active effort, overcome the inertia of regular officials and accomplish 
almost any desired result for the good of the community. First let the result 
aimed at be right for "thrice armed is he whose cause is just," and there is 
but little danger of failure. 

The town of Aurora had now (1881) nne hundred and thirty thousand 
dollars cash in the treasury, and didn't kn(jw what to do with it. Some sug- 
gested building a township high school, as the law provides, others a fine new 
town hall, others investing the money so the interest would pay the town 
taxes. Other schemes were mentioned, but after deliberating a year or more 
it was finally decided to use five thousand dollars for the annual expenses of 
the town, so no town taxes were levied that year, and to appropriate twenty- 
five tliousand dollars to gravel the public highways outside the city limits, and 
to appropriate one hundred thousand dollars for new iron or steel bridges, 
which were afterward constructed across the river at North avenue to River 
street. Fox street to Downer place across the island and from New York 
street to Walnut street, above the dam. These bridges, at this writing ( IQ08) 
nre in fair condition, although heavy street cars have been running oxer the 
Fox street bridge for many years, and it is claimed weakened them, for they 
were designed for the use of only horses, wagons, etc. An effort is now 
being made to have cement bridges constructed at the island crossing. 



NORTH-WESTERN RAILROAD. 

What is now the North-Western Railroad was the first railroad in Kane 
county, and got as far as Fox river at Geneva in 1850. It built a branch to 
Batavia in 1873 and to Aurora in 1883, coming down the west side of the 
river. The Aurora branch has done a remarkably good business ever since 
it was completed. 



582 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

ELGIN, JOLIET & EASTERN. 

What is now the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern was constructed in 1886 between 
Aurora and Joliet, and was called the Joliet, Aurora & Northern. It changed 
its name and management in 1887, built a bridge across the Fox river and a 
depot on the west side at the corner of South street and Garfield avenue. It 
has done a good freight business,, but has made no effort to carry many 
passengers, except to run one train a day each way. 

THE ILLINOIS, IOWA & MINNESOTA RAILROAD. 

The Illinois, Iowa & Minnesota Railroad was constructed between Aurora 
and Rockford in 1904-5-6, and is said to be the property of the United States 
Steel Company, and its chief business is the transportation of the products 
of the steel mills received over the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern. 

MANUFACTURING IN AURORA. 

Every inland town which has ambitions to grow turns its attention to 
manufacturing, or, to speak more correctly, tries to induce others to do manu- 
facturing in their locality. Owners of land argue that the location of an 
institution near them which employs laborers might enable them to sell lots to 
the workmen. These workmen would create a demand for groceries, meat 
markets and the like, which would require lots to build stores on, and so the 
town w-ould grow and the land owners reap the liarvest. The early settlers 
of Aurora were quick to perceive these advantages and made such successful 
efifnrts in this direction that the town has grown to be quite a manufacturing 
center. 

THE C, B. & O. SHOPS. 

Among the first of these institutions to be located here were the repair 
shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The Aurora projectors 
of the road had influence enough to locate the shops here, which was done in 
1855, shortly after the road was in running order, with the aid of private 
su]:)Scriptions amounting to $6,705.75. These shops were destroyed by fire on 
Christmas night. 1863. but were partially rebuilt. The officials of the road 
soon discovered that they did not have room enough in Aurora for their shops 
and proposed to move them to some place wdiere more land could be obtained. 
This met with a protest of Aurora business men, who labored long with the 
officials to retain the shops here, but they had no land and the land in the 
immediate vicinity of the shops was owned by numerous individuals and was 
occupied by buildings of various kinds. Finally as an ultimatum J. M. Walker, 
president of the C. B. & O., submitted a proposition to the people of Aurora 
early in 1867 to the effect that the company would pay $500 an acre for thirty 
acres, e.xclusive of the buildings, altliough the property was worth more than 
four times that sum. .At the regular annual town meeting, April 2, 1867, of 
which R. C. Mix was moderator. Judge Parks introduced a resolution to the 




STOLPS ISLAND, AURORA. LOOKING FROM THE FOX STREET 

HILL. 18S7. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 585 

effect that the sum ut $50,000 be raised by a IkjikI issue, the niouey to be used 
for the purchase of land for the C, B. & O. shups, his claim lieing that the 
law authorized the raising of any amount of muney for "the good of the 
town," and this project came under that head. 

J. D. Dunning moved to amend the resolution by adding that the whole 
amount should be raised by taxation in three years. This was promptly laid 
on the table on motion of Judge Parks. The motion was then "carried by a 
large majority," the record says, and afterwards gives the vote as 1,524 for, to 
79 against the proposition. After much difficulty with the owners the neces- 
sarv land was purchased and turned over to the C., B. & Q. at a cost of about 
$88,000. The deficit after selling the buildings was $12,000, which was made 
up by the city issuing bonds to that amount. So the shops were [)ermanently 
located here and ha\-e aided more than any one other thing in building up the 
town. The wages of the employes have gone into the construction and 
maintenance of the town, while the profits of the work, if any, have gone into 
the capacious maw of the "Burlington System." The number of employes 
varies with the work on hand, sometimes running up to fifteen hundred. 

Hoyt Brothers Manufacturing Company. Among the other earlier fac- 
tories was that of the Hoyt Brothers Manufacturing Company, originally 
started in 1855 by Carter & Reeves for the manufacture of reapers. These 
were succeeded about 1858 by Pinney & Stevens, then by Carter & Pinney, and 
in iSAS ])y R. S. Carter & Company, who conducted a general jobbing and 
Cdustrncting business, and in i8Cx) by. the Hoyts. These continued the busi- 
ness (jf making wood-WDrking machinery until the death of Charles L. and 
Lucius Hoyt, when the shops were bought by the .\merican ^Vood Working 
Machinery Company, which now operates them. 

The Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company was organized in 
1869-70 and was burnt out the first year after commencing work. It was 
rebuilt at once and has made a large amount of silver-plated ware, which has 
been sold in all parts of the West, Although they have a fine building to 
show, the original stockholders have not grown wealthy from their investment. 

The Aurora Watch Company was organized in 1883 and erected a fine 
factory on South LaSalle street. It made excellent watches, but after most 
of the original stockholders lost all or nearly all they invested, the plant was 
sold to a company manufacturing watches in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who 
moved the machinery there. The building was afterward leased by the Aurora 
Corset Company, who are now successfully operating. 

The Frazier Road Cart Factory, established in 1881 by W. S. Frazier, 
continues to be one of the flourishing institutions of the city, conducted now 
by his sons, W, S. and E. S. Frazier. 

The American Well Works is another of Aurora's successful institutions, 
which has grown to large proportions and ships its products, well sinking 
machines, to all parts of the world. 

The Chicago & Aurora Smelting &■ Refining Company was the name of 
one of the companies which was induced to come to Aurora through a cash 
donation. Subscriptions were made chiefly by Aurora business men, amount- 
ing to $12,000 or $15,000, and paid over to the company, who bought land on 



586 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

the east side of Fox ri\er near North Aurora in 1882 and erected elaborate 
smelting works, bringing bullion from western mines and separating the gold 
and silver from the lead and other metals. Thej- did a profitable business for 
twelve or fifteen years and then sold out to the "Trust" (The American 
Smelting & Refining Company), which closed up the works here. The build- 
ings remained idle until 1907, when they were purchased by Love Brothers 
and are now used as a portion of their iron works. The location has been 
named "Lovedale." 

LOVE brothers' IROX WORKS. 

This is one of Aurora's very own successful institutions, it having grown 
up here from almost nothing to one of the great iron industries of the West. 
In 1878 John P. Love and Joy Love, brothers, established a small foundry on 
Pierce street. In 1882 they moved to the corner of Clark and Water streets, 
where, besides doing general foundry work, they made a specialty of archi- 
tectural iron. This work has grown to such an extent that they acquired a 
controlling interest in the Aurora Iron \\'orks, at the corner of Spruce street 
and Highland avenue, and in 1907 purchased the old Smelting Works property, 
renamed it "Lovedale," built a suspension bridge across the river to reach the 
Batavia street car line, and are doing a flourishing business there. 

RATHBOXE, S.\RD & CO. STOVE WORKS. 

This is one of the successful institutions which was located in Aurora by 
means of a subsidy or bonus. In September, 1889, a meeting of citizens 
appointed a committee to negotiate with Rathbone, Sard & Company, of 
Albany, New York, who had determined to locate a branch of their stove 
works somewhere in the West. This committee consisted of C. L. Hoyt, 
T. N. Holden and J. B. Arnold. That they succeeded in accomplishing the 
purpose for whicii they were appointed indicates the al)ility of the committee. 
After numerous interviews with the proprietors of the stove works and several 
visits by them to Aurora, the committee offered them fifteen acres of land 
free, $60,000 in cash, switches, sidetracks, etc., which took about ten acres 
more, agreed to extend the water mains, gas mains and street railway to the 
works, secure equal freight rates with Joliet, which was also after the works. 
The company accepted the proposition as a little better than offered by either 
Joliet or Elgin. "In return," says a report of the committee published in the 
Daily Express of October i, 1883. "the stove company agree to expend 
$350,000 in buildings in Aurora by the first of next June to this fall, com- 
mence the foundation of the shops and warehouses enough to give employment 
to five hundred men, and to increase the works until the whole plant was 
located here." The manner in which the money was raised was unique and 
became known throughout the country as "The Aurora Plan." It was this: 
The committee secured options on about one hundred and fifty acres of land 
on the line of the C, B. & O. near the "Y," crossing south of the city. Of 
this fifteen acres were to be given to the stove works, ten were reserved for 
other possible manufacturers, ten more were to be appropriated for sidetracks. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 587 

and the remainder to be cut up into five hundred city lots of about one-sixth of 
an acre each. These it was proposed to sell at the uniform price of $200, 
although they would soon be worth from $200 to $600, according to location. 
"These five hundred lots would bring $100,000, which would pay for the 
land, about $30,000, pay the bonus of $60,000, pay for the sidetracks, and the 
lots themselves would within a year be worth to the purchaser more than he 
pays for them now." Such was the rosy picture painted by the committee, 
and it is not strange that at a pulilic meeting held to hear the report half of 
the lots were sold in thirty minutes and the other half the next day by a 
canvass of the city, the purchasers numbering nearly three hundred. The 
lots were apportioned by chance, the number of a lot and the name of a pur- 
chaser being drawn from different boxes at the same time until all the lots 
were disposed of. 

The works were constructed and have been in operation since, but most of 
those who subscribed for lots still have them on hand. 

Aurora Woolen Mills. In 1837 J. G. Stolp came to Aurora from Onon- 
daga county. New York, with $300 in his pocket, which he had earned by 
working six years in an old woolen mill in Marcellus, New York. His uncle, 
Frederick Stolp, had preceded him and laid claim to all the land on Stolp's 
Island for Joseph G. in 1835. Joseph G. arrived here in 1837 and erected a 
woolen mill on the north end of the island and put in machinery for wool 
carding and cloth dressing. He continued business in this location until 
1849, when he erected a large brick woolen factory, 103x35 feet, five stories 
high, and put in four looms. In 1858 he erected an addition, 75x35 feet, also 
five stories high. In these buildings he continued the manufacture of woolen 
cloth until 1887, when the machinery was sold and the building rented to 
several small manufactories of various kinds. The Imilding was destroyed by 
fire February 11, 1906. 

The original carding mill at the north end 'of the island was sold to Mr. 
Fyfe, who converted it into a grist mill, which was greatly damaged by the flood 
of 1857 and was afterward removed to make room for the Holly pumps for 
the city. 

The City Mills occupy the site of the first mill erected by the McCarty's 
in 1834. In 1854 the mill was purchased by Charles Gill. It has since been 
owned by several proprietors, including Jameson & Russell, Jameson & Sheets 
and C. C. Sheets. It was seriotisly damaged by the flood of February 8, 
1887, and by fire June 29, 1887, but was afterwards rebuilt in first-class shape 
and has done a good business ever since. 

Blackhaii'k Mills were erected in 1842 by R. C. Mix for Charles Hoyt 
and were capable of making one hundred and fifty barrels of flour a day. 
For a long time this mill supplied flour for a large portion of the Northwest 
and sometimes made shipments to New York. The mill was idle for many 
years after 1870, as the Hoyt Brothers used the water power in their machine 
works. Later the site was covered by the buildings of the American Wood 
Working Machinery Company, the successors of Hoyt Brothers. 

The Aurora Corset Com pan y was organized in 1895 with a capital stock 
of $50,000. It occupied the building erected by the Aurora Watch Company, 



588 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

at the south end of LaSalle street, wliere exckisive attention was given to tlie 
manufacture of corsets, "The Henderson" and "La Princess" being the leading 
])atterns. In 1908 the factory employed three hundred hands and manufac- 
tured about $500,000 worth of goods annually. The officers of the company at 
that time were : S. D. Seamons, president ; E. W. Trask, secretary ; J. O. 
Mason, treasurer; L. J. ?^Iead, manager; F. A. Hollister, superintendent. The 
stock is owned entirely by residents of Aurora. 

The Wilcox Manufacturing Company was originally incorporated in 1880 
with a capital stock of $6,000. for the purpose of making carpet sweepers. It 
was reincorporated in 1894 and the capital increased to $24,000. The carpet 
sweeper w-as manufactured for several years. Later it commenced the manu- 
facture of the original Richards Door Hanger. The first were made to attach 
to the top of parlor doors. Later it developed all varieties of door hangers 
and largely increased its works, adding the making of the overhead carrj'ing 
system, roller store ladders, mounted grindstones, wire stretchers, elevator 
gates, fire door equipments and a large number of hardware specialties, employ- 
ing one hundred and fifty hands. The officers in 1908 were: D. W. Simpson, 
president and treasurer ; L. R. Simpson, vice president and secretary. 

The Richards Manufacturing Company was incorporated and erected a 
factory in 1903. Enlarged in 1905 with a capital stock of $100,000, employing 
one hundred and fifty hands in the manufacture of hardware specialties, such 
as door hangers of every kind, mounted grindstones, wagon jacks, door hinges, 
etc. The shops are located on six acres nf ground near the main line of the 
C, B. & O. R. R. west of the river, and their salesmen cover the entire United 
States. Canada and parts of Europe. In 1908 the officials of the company 
were: John H. Pease, president; O. N. Staley. vice president; H. O. Spencer, 
treasurer; and W. H. Fitch, secretary and manager. 

Western Wheeled Scraper Jl'orks. This institution was moved from 
j\It. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1890. and the expense paid in about the same manner 
as pursued in raising money for the stove works. Land was bought in the 
northeast part of town, south of the Burlington tracks, cut up into lots and 
sold. The surplus of about $30,000 after paying for the land was presented 
to the Scraper Works Company, which went toward the expense of moving 
from Mt. Pleasant and erecting the factory buildings. The institution has 
grown to be the second largest in the city, the C. B. & O. shops being the 
largest. It manufactures w'heeled scrapers, dump cars, wheelbarrows and such 
tools as are used in grading roads, railroads, etc. It furnished much of the 
machinery used in digging the Panama canal, which was supplied in the face 
of competition with the entire world. The number of employes varies with 
the amount of contracts on hand, running sometimes as high as seven hundred. 
Captain C. H. Smith is the president and principal stockholder. 

The Aurora Cotton Mills were projected in 1883 and started manufac- 
turing in October, 1884. The promoters of this company desired a location 
near Chicago, which was and still is the central market in the United States 
for the distribution of cotton goods, but did not want to be located in the city 
because of the troubles and consequent interruptions of operation due to labor 
agitation and the resulting unrest which alwavs exists in large cities. All 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 589 

available locations within uiie hundred miles of Chicago were considered and 
Aurora was finally decided upon as the most advantageous site for the require- 
ments of the business. The success of this industry has proved the wisdom 
of the choice of location. The promoters of the Aurora Cotton Mills were 
Messrs. R. M., S. F. and N. R. Hobbs, brothers, the latter having been a 
resident of Aurora for a number of years. The capital stock was $300,000. 
llie capacity of the mills was fifteen thousand spindles and four hundred 
looms. The goods manufactured were fine brown sheetings. The first board 
of directors were: S. F. Hobbs, N. R. Hobbs, \V. W. Bishop, Joseph Reising. 
Alonzo George, J. O. Curry, John VanNortwick, John Stewart, C. C. Earle, 
A. J. Hopkins, J. J. Davis. The first officers were: W. W. Bishop, president ; 
Alonzo George, vice president; J. J. Davis, secretary; and S. F. Hobbs, 
treasurer. Under this management the mills were operated until 1886, when 
S. F. Hobbs resigned and Alonzo George was made treasurer. Mr. George 
held this office until 1888, when R. M. Hobbs was made treasurer. Mr. Hobbs 
filled this office until his death in October, 1890, when E. S. Hobbs was made 
the treasurer and manager. In 1892 the capital stock was increased from 
$300,000 to $500,000 and tlie capacity of mills doubled, making thirty-two 
thousand spindles and eight hundred looms. There were about four hundred 
hands employed in igo8. the annual pay roll in the same year was about 
$120,000, and the annual output about six million yards. The goods are 
made under the name of "Aurora Sheetings" and are furnished in all widths 
from a yard to eleven quarters wide, in both bleached and lirown. In 1908 
the officers were: E. \V. Trask, president; N. C. Simmons, vice president; 
J. J. Davis, board secretary; E, F. Beaupre, company secretary; E. S. Hobbs, 
treasurer. The entire Ixiard of directdrs in 1908 were: E. W. Trask, N. C. 
Simmons, J. J. IXavis, E. S. Hobbs, A. J. Hopkins, H. L. McWethy, A. J. 
Hobbs, H. R. Tanner, ]\Iilo Pierce, William George, C. W. Marshall. 

The New Haven JVire Goods Factory & Cooperage. In the year 1890 
some Chicago men wanted to come to Aurora to establish a manufactory of gas 
engines and other things. They bargained for the Smedlv farm, then owned 
by Dr. Gillette, in the northwest comer of the city, and laid out an addition 
called the Baker & Morton addition, for these were the men who were to erect 
the proposed factory. For some reason they failed to pay for the property 
and it reverted back to Dr. Gillette. His friends thereupon organized a svndi- 
cate, bought the addition, sold ofif the lots, took the surplus and built a very 
nice factory at a cost of about $30,000, which was presented to the New 
Haven Wire Goods Company, then looking for a location, w-hich ran a year or 
so and failed. The factory and machinery were sold at an assignee's sale 
and bought in by the company organized by E. W. Hall for about $10,000. 
They ran it for a few months, making the same goods, wire fencing, door 
mats and a few kitchen utensils, when a fire destroyed a portion of the building 
and machinery. The manufacturing was suspended and never resumed. Tlie 
Aurora Cooperage Company was then organized, with C. E. Mann, of Geneva, 
as manager, which bought the factory, and Mr. Mann moved some cooper's 
machinery from Geneva into it and continued the manufacture of barrels and 
butter tubs in large quantities. This factory lost money continuallv until 



590 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

1896, when W. E. Gillette was made manager, since which time the factory 
has been doing prosperous business, and ]\Ir. Gillette has become owner of 
nearly all capital stock. 

The Stevens-Adamson Manufacturing Company was organized in Aurora 
in 1 901 for the manufacture of machinery and special appliances for the 
mechanical handling of material of all kinds in bulk or packages, such as 
belt conveyors, steel and cast iron pan conveyors, pivotal bucket carriers, 
bucket elevators, screening machinery, and power transmission appliances, 
mining cars and complete coal handling equipments. Soon after organization 
their machinery was used by all the large mines of this country, Mexico and 
Canada, as well as in many cement plants, sand and gravel handling plants, 
quarries and crushed stone plants, fertilizer works, grain elevators, and in fact 
all plants where the handling of material is a large item. The maximum 
number of employes is two hundred, the capital stock $200,000, fully paid up, 
the annual output $500,000. When first started the plant occupied three 
acres, but the number is increased to about seventeen acres. The officials in 
1908: W. \V. Stevens, president; F. G. Adamson, vice president and treas- 
urer ; D. B. Pierson, secretary ; R. W. Dull, chief engineer. 

The Pictorial Printing Company was incorporated April 17. 1878. at 
which time the company commenced business in Chicago. In 1903 it erected 
and moved into a large building on Middle avenue, Aurora, giving 125.000 
square feet of flooring especially adapted to their business, which is chietly 
special printing for the drug trade, and it claims to be the largest exclusive 
drug printing house in the world. Since moving to Aurora the plant has been 
greatly enlarged and more modern appliances added, so that in addition to 
printing the works did electrotyping, lithographing, embossing, metal stamp- 
ing, and manufactured paper boxes of all kinds and shapes, giving employment 
to about three hundred people and doing a half million dollars' worth of 
business annually. The officers of the company in 1908 were : O. P. Bassett, 
of Hinsdale, president: C. B. Philips, vice president and manager: and [. \V. 
Hunt, secretary. 

The Big Stone Shop. Everybody who has been in Aurora has seen the 
Big Stone Shop at the corner of River street and Downer place, or as the old 
histories put it, "at the corner of Mill street and River street." It was built 
by E. & A. Woodworth, who first located a small blacksmith shop on the same 
site in 1843 ''"'^ continued a prosperous business until May, 1856, when work 
on the big shop was begim. It is 100x68 feet and four stories high. It was 
completed in September, 1857, and dedicated with a grand ball, "which was 
attended by all the elite within fifty miles," says one historian. That event 
is remembered now by some of the old settlers. George M. Hollenback being 
one of the dancers. The factory employed as high as two hundred and fifty 
men and kept on through the panic of 1857 with one hundred men. But in 
1859 the strain became too great and the firm failed with a tremendous crash. 
Alix & Plum were the assignees. In i860 the property was sold to Taylor, 
Butterworth Company, who carried on the business until 1865, when it passed 
into the hands of Keith. Snell & Company, and it was idle most of the time 




OLD HTOXK sriTOOT/ TIOT'SE, WE.'^T AT'RORA. 



KANE COUXTY HISTORY 593 

until 1881, when it went into the control of W. S. Frazier & Company, who 
have conducted a successful husiness there ever since. 

The Fox Rk'cr Butter Company. This company was organized in 1885 
and moved its business to Aurora in 1891, occupying a brick building near the 
Burlington freight house on North Broadway. In 1905 it erected a large 
building on the Burlington track between Main and New York streets. It 
controls hundreds of butter factories in this state and throughout the North- 
west and is said to be the largest producer of butter in the world, its product 
amounting to several million dollars' worth annualh'. In 1908 the officers 
were: C. S. Kilbourne. president; \V. H. Holmes, vice president; N. M. 
Hutchison, treasurer ; and Judd Chapman, secretary. 

Aurora Automatic Machinery Company, Manufacturers of Gasoline 
Motors and Pneumatic Tools. This business was organized in September, 
1893, by A. Levedahl and C. E. Erickson. under the firm name of Automatic 
Machinery Company. They started with two men and in the spring of 1894 
Messrs. Ball and Florsheim w^ere admitted as partners, the number of employes 
being increased to twenty-two. In ^larch, 1895. the company was incor- 
porated under the name of "Aurora Automatic Machinery Company," with a 
capital stock of $30,000, the pay roll showing fifty-three employes. In May, 
1895, the capitalization was increased to $50,000 and a three-story factory 
building, 52x150 feet, erected. The business steadily increased and in 1902 
two additional stories were added to the building and the capital stock 
increased to $100,000. In July. 1904. the capital stock was increased to 
$250,000. In May. 1905, the capital stock was increased to $500,000, and 
in December. 1906. the adjoining large plant of the Chicago Corset Companv 
w-as purchased antl three hundred and fifty skillful mechanics employed. 

THE .\UR0RA GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. 

This company, which has grown to be the second largest of its kind in 
Illinois, had a very modest beginning. The "Aurora Gas-Light Company" 
was incorporated February. 1861, with the following named Aurora men as 
incorporators : Wm. H. Hawkins, Lorenzo D. Brady, Wm. B. Allen, Albert 
Jenks, Ira A. W. Buck, O. D. Howell. John S. Hawley. Wm. V. Plum. Chas. 
L. Hoyt and Edward Huntoon. "their successors, associates, etc., in perpetual 
sticcession." They were given power "tn lay pipes for the purpose of con- 
ducting the gas in any of the streets, avenues, public grounds or other places 
in said city or else-where." For the period of twenty years thev were to have 
the exclusive right of supplying the city w'ith gas. None of the gentlemen 
named knew anything about the manufacture of gas. but all had the welfare 
of the city at heart. Notwithstanding the favorable terms of the franchise, 
they were unable to find anyone willing to undertake to put in the gas works. 
owing, doubtless, to the war, until the latter part of 1867, w'hen the franchise 
was sold to R. H. Whiting, of Galesburg. who had successfully constructed 
gas works there. Mr. Whiting made a contrrxt with the city whereby the 
city agreed to erect lamp posts "on all the streets, at the usual distances apart, 
w-here ever the company lay their ma'n pipes" and to pay therefor at the 



5y4 KANE COUNTY lIlSTOIfY 

"yearly average paid for gas in Rock Island, Rockford, Bloomington, Jack- 
sonville and Galesburg." This contract was signed November 20, 1867, and 
the works were in operation the next year. Mr. I. B. Copley was put in charge 
of the works here as manager. The price of gas to private consumers was 
$4.50 per thousand cubic feet. In 1881 the contract for street lighting 
expired and a coi^tract was made vvith the Aurora Electric Light & Power 
Company for lighting the streets with sixteen two thousand candle power 
electric lamps for five years at $6,000 a year. When that contract expired the 
city put in an electric lighting plant of its own, a detail of account of which is 
given elsewhere. 

Shortly after this event Mr. WHiiting. who owned the controlling interest 
in the gas works, placed his nephew in charge as manager here. He under- 
took some new experiments in the manufacture of gas, which resulted in 
furnishing a very poor quality of gas to consumers. The dissatisfaction was 
so great that a new company was organized, which made arrangements with a 
Mr. English to manufacture water gas. On the i6th of January, 1888, a 
franchise was given by the city council to the Excelsior Gas Company, giving 
it "permission and authority to construct, maintain and operate gas works in 
the city of Aurora," giving all the rights previously given to the Aurora Gas 
Company. The incorporators were : Mr. English. E. W. Trask, T. H. Day, 
T. H. Pease, S. D. Seamons, W. S. Beaupre, J. O. Mason, E. A. Bradley, 
J. O. Curry, O. D. Powell, C. C. Smith, E. S. Hobbs, H. H. Evans and 
others, all except Mr. English being Aurora business men. A very fair 
quality of water gas was furnished at $1.50 per thousand feet. Mains were 
rapidly laid in many of the streets and many old customers were making con- 
tracts with the new company. The old company, consisting of Whiting & 
Copley, became discouraged and wanted to sell out, and it is reported on good 
authority that Mr. Copley offered to give the stock to anybody who would 
release him from his obligations incurred frr the gas company. 

At this point a new figure a]ipearcd upon the scene. Ira Clifton Copley, 
son of Ira B., had just graduated from Yale College and Law School and 
came to Aurora to open a law office. He said to his father. "Don't give your 
stock away; let me use it." He then wrote to Mr. Whiting, offering to "give 
or take" a certain price for the stock. Mr. Whiting "took," so- young Copley 
bought the Whiting stock and deposited it in the First National Bank, together 
with his father's stock, for seciu'ity, and borrowed money enough to pav off 
Whiting. He then (1891) proposed to the Excelsior Gas Company to con- 
solidate, whicli was done on terms agreeable to both parties, and the jirice of 
gas was reduceti to $1.25. Meanwhile he, having been made manager, was 
learning by practical experience how to make and distribute gas, until he 
became not only an expert Init a \-eritable Napoleon in the manufacture and 
distribution of gas. He adojited all the latest improved methods in the manu- 
facture of gas, extended the mains liberally in all streets where customers 
were likely, used every efi'nrt to increase the use of gas for cooking and light- 
ing, created a home market for coke and made the best quality of gas possible. 
His company took over the Aurora Electric Light & Power Company in 1891 
and conducted it in connection with the gas business. In 1901 it extended the 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 595 

gas mains to North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles, and furnished 
the gas from Aurora to supply them, thus giving these places all the advan- 
tages of having gas plants of their own. The name of the company was then 
changed to the Fox River Light, Heat & Power Company. In 1900 Mr. 
Copley constructed a gas plant in LaGrange, issuing bonds to pay a part of 
the expense. He in connection with Mr. W. W. Tracy and Colonel F. W. 
Bennitt in 1895 had bought the Joliet gas plant and afterwards extended its 
usefulness in that city and laid mains to Aurora through Plainfield; then 
extended the Aurora mains to Elgin, acquired that gas plant, and finally, in 
1905, consolidated all four companies into the "Western United Gas & Electric 
Company," and its mains were extended so as to supply gas to thirty 
different cities and villages in northern Illinois, representing an investment of 
$7,000,000. 

At the present writing (1908) plans are being made to construct a 
million-dollar gas plant at Jiiliet to supply gas for the whole system. 

TELEPHONES. 

Chicago Telephone Company. A franchise was granted the company by 
the Aurora city council September 6, 1881, giving permission to set poles, 
string wires, etc., on the streets of the city under certain limitations and "to 
perpetually maintain the same in good order." Under this provision the 
company claims a perpetual franchise for the use of the streets. 

Interstate Telephone Company. On August 7, 1899, the council granted 
a franchise to the Northwestern Telephone Company for the same purposes 
as that granted the Chicago Telephone Company, but the franchise is limited 
to twenty years and provides that the company must pay the city $1 per year 
for each phone in use in the city. The number of phones paid for runs from 
fourteen to sixteen hundred a year. 

STREET RAILWAYS. 

Horse Railroad. A franchise was granted June 19, 1882, to H. H. 
Evans. W. H. Watson, E. W. Trask, Adoniram Riddle and John H. Loucks 
for the construction and operation of a horse railroad on certain streets in the 
city. The road was completed and mules furnished the power patiently until 
September, 1890, when the road and all its appurtenances was sold to the 
Aurora Street Railway Company, which rebuilt the road as soon as possible 
and put in a well equipped electric railway. 

As soon as the line was in good running order it was extended to Geneva 
to connect with the line running south from Elgin. 

In 1897 a franchise was granted the Aurora, Yorkville and Morris Rail- 
way Company to construct and operate its road on certain streets in Aurora. 
This line was soon running to Yorkville. 

The Aurora. Wheaton & Chicago was gi\en a franchise in 1899 and 
shortly afterwards changed its name to the .\urora, Elgin & Chicago Railway 
Company, and all the street railways in town were consolidated under one 
management with that name and sold to a -syndicate of capitalists from Cleve- 



59G KAXP] COUX'J^Y HISTORY 

land, Ohio, whicli at present writing ( igo8) is operating the system very 
successfully. 

Aurora, DcKalb & Rockfurd Ruih<vy. On May 29. 1902, an ordinance 
was passed granting permission to this company to buy its tracks on certain 
streets in Aurora. The franchise was granted to V. A. Watkins, Wm. George, 
R. S. Vivian and Wm. P. Kapf on certain conditions, one of which was that 
they were to pay into the city treasury the sum of $10,000, which was done 
within a year. The roadbed was graded and the track laid to the city limits 
early in 1907 and some work done in the city streets. Then came a series of 
injunctions, instigated, it was claimed, by the old company, prohibiting the 
road from being built on Walnut street, then on Galena street, and at present 
writing the suits are still undecided, although the material has been on the 
ground for over a year. The road from DeKalb to Aurora is run daily, the 
power used being gasoline motors, with an occasiorial steam locomotive to haul 
freight trains. 

Early Electric Road and Tclcplioncs. U. P. Hord tells some interesting 
stories about his early experience with street railways and telephones. He was 
interested in getting the franchise for the proposed street railway in Aurora 
in place of the old mule lines and found some opposition which is amusing in 
these days. One old settler said : "Electricity may do to run cars where the 
street is level, but you can never climb Downer place hill with it. You must 
have a horse or a mule to pull the car up the hill." Mr. Hord was elected 
alderman about this time and was so enthusiastic over the new power that he 
pushed an ordinance through the council giving the electric cars the right to 
run over the bridges at the rate of fifteen miles per hour, while at the same 
time it prohibited horses from being driven across the bridges faster than a 
walk under a penal fine of five dollars. 

John Jameson, who was then mayor, pointed out the inconsistency of the 
new ordinance and had the council correct it before be would sign it. 

When the telephone first came into use Mr. Hord was anxious to have the 
line extended to ^lontgomery Mills, in which he was then interested, and 
volunteered to go around with the young solicitor from Chicago to help get 
subscribers for phones in Aurora. He says it took ten days to get ten sub- 
scribers. "What use would this be to us?" said the president of one of the 
banks. I can't imagine what good one of them things could do a bank." 
Lyman Baldwin, of the firm of Laurence & Baldwin, dealers in dry goods, 
groceries, etc., said : "I wouldn't have one of them things in the store if you 
would put it in for nothing. The clerks would neglect their business and be 
fooling with the thing all the time tr\ing to call up their friends around town." 
In view of the fact that there are about four thousand telephones now in 
Aurora, there appears to have been a change of views on the subject. 

SCHOOLS. 

EAST SIDE. 

.•\ Frenchman writing on the causes of superiority of the Anglo-Saxon 
race comes to the conclusion that it is due to the gcr.eral education of the 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 597 

people. Education makes not only better soldiers but better farmers, better 
mechanics, and fits men and women better for all the duties of life. The 
fine school buildings of the present day and the immense amount of money 
expended for the support of schools makes old settlers wonder what kind of 
people will result when children educated in our present public schools become 
leaders of society, church and state. The Aurora schools, which of late years 
have absorbed about forty per cent of the taxes raised, were not always at the 
top grade. 

History differs as to where, when and by whom the first school in Aurora 
was taught. Samuel AlcCarty's recollection was that the first school was 
taught by a lady on North Broadway in the year 1836, for a month or so, and 
the next one in a slab building on the southwest corner of Main street and 
Broadway, in the latter part of the same year. Burr Winton stated in 1884, 
we are informed by Pliney Durant, that the first school was taught on the east 
side "in a slab shanty near the river banks by a man named Livings, from 
Syracuse, New York, who undertook to teach three months on the pledge of 
twenty-five children at $1.50 each. The amount was pledged, but when the 
little folks were mustered their number was found to be only fourteen." 
Measles soon broke up the school and Livings went to Chicago and was 
reported to have fallen into the hands of gamblers, who stripped him of all his 
money and he committed suicide. Under the circumstances it is difficult to 
imagine that he had a great amount of money. 

It is also claimed that another slab schoolhouse was built around a tree 
where the Brady residence now stands and a Miss Julia Brown became teacher 
in 1836. In 1839 a larger house was erected in what is now Lincoln Park, 
which served as a schoolhouse and was also used for religious and political 
meetings. This building was so used until 1851, when it was sold to Wright 
& Company for $60 "and $3.00 for the stove pipe." The district seems to 
have been considerably agitated over the location of the new building, but 
finally it was erected on lots 8, 9 and 10, block 20, purchased from M. M. 
Chase, the cost of the structure being $950, exclusive of the inside work. A 
tax of one per cent was voted to complete the building, subscriptions having 
been made to erect the building. This was in 185 1. In 1854 it was found 
necessary to enlarge the building, and in the same year the increasing popu- 
lation made another school building in the southern part of the city necessaiy : 
then another in the north part of the city; then, in 1862, two more small build- 
ings on the lot where the Center school now stands. The jump from the slab 
house built around a tree to the present magnificent brick school buildings was 
not made in a day, nor without a great struggle. The law giving school dis- 
tricts and boards of education the authority to issue bonds and raise money to 
erect school buildings when authorized by a vote of the school district is 
responsible for the great improvement in the character of the buildings erected 
for school purposes. Then with such strong characters as L. D. Brady, E. R. 
Allen, S. P. Keyes and others on the school board, good schoolhouses were 
erected wherever necessary. The four-story Center school, on Main, Root 
and New York streets, was begun in 1864 and completed in 1866 at a cost of 
about $70,000. The bonds issued for it bore ten per cent interest. The 



598 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Brady school, at the corner of Union and Liberty streets, was built in 1869 at 
a cost of $35,000, and was named in honor of Hon. L. D. Brady. The Young 
school, named in honor of Dr. D. W. Young, at the corner of Fifth street and 
Center avenue, was completed in 1875 at the cost of $25,000. The bonds for 
this school bore eight per cent interest. Since then a schoolhouse has been 
erected at the corner of New York and Smith streets; one on Mountain and 
High streets, known as the Indian Creek school, and an eight-room brick on 
Marion avenue near Lincoln avenue. These with half a dozen parochial 
schools afford ample facilities for education for the present population of the 
east side. 

HIGH SCHOOL. 

In 1890 a high school was erected on the lot with the Center school at an 
expense of $45,000. This was found at the end of ten years to be wholly 
inadequate to accommodate pupils desiring to take a high school course and 
the board of education has repeatedly asked the voters to authorize the con- 
struction of another building, but the proposition has been voted down every 
time. At present there are only $2,000 in bonds outstanding and these will 
be cancelled during the year 1908. So the district is out of debt. 

The school superintendents on the east side were: M. Tabor, 185 1 to 
1855; P. P. Heywood. 1855 to 1864; W. A. Jones, 1864 to 1869; W. B. 
Powell, 1869 to 1885; N. A. Prentiss, 1885 to 1889; J. H. Freeman, 1889 to 
1894; C. M. Bardwell, 1894 to date. 

WEST SIDE SCHOOLS. 

In the summer of 1836 Miss Angeline Atwater taught the first school 
in West Aurora in what was afterwards known as District No. 4. She occu- 
pied a little schoolhouse on the bank of the river in the upper part of town 
and had eight or ten pupils. She succeeded so well that she soon became the 
wife of Noah B. Spalding. The next school was in a little frame building 
erected by subscription on land belonging to Roswell Wilder. In this building 
was held the first regular public district school in District No. 4 under the 
school laws of the state. On January 31. 1849, an English and classified select 
school was opened by Rev. Mr. Safiford and wife "in the new church and 
school room" on the corner of Lake and Galena streets. This does not appear 
to have lasted long, as we learn that the two Misses Smith taught a public 
school in the same place shortly after this date. 

In December. 1852, a school was opened in a two-storj' stone schoolhouse 
built at an expense of $3,200 on lots bounded by Walnut, Spruce. Oak and 
Pine streets, which had been purchased by the directors at a cost of $200. 
This building was 33x60 feet. Mr. Jewett was principal and the district 
contained one hundred and sixt\- children of school age. In 1865 the directors 
were authorized by a vote of the district to borrow $15,000 for enlarging this 
building. A south wing was added and the entire structure raised to three 
stories. In 1867 a north wing was added at a cost of $10,560. In the winter 
of 1864-5 a building was erected on South Lake street, south of Gale street, 




EAST AURORA HIGH SCHOOL. 




AVEST AURORA PTTrJIT ^^PTTOOL. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 601 

where a school was taught a number of years, but was afterwards sold and 
a larger building erected further south on the same street. 

The west side had been unfortunate in having its school buildings burned. 
The old stone school building was destroyed by fire on the night of June 13, 

1884, with a loss of about $25,000. A new building was erected during the 
summer and autumn at a cost of $43,000 and was ready for use in January, 

1885. This building was destroyed by fire in 1906 and rebuilt so as to be 
occupied in 1907. The new high school on Galena, Blackhawk and Walnut 
streets was completed in 1906 at a cost of nearly $50,000. 

The school superintendents on the west side were: Jewett. Parrish, 
\\';'ierman. Hunt, ). W. Parrington, who resigned in 1861 to enter the army. 
He was succeeded by W. W. Wilkie, 1861 to iSriS; F. H. Hall, 1868 to 1875; 
L. M. Hastings, 1S76 to 1879; J. H. Freeman, 1879 to 1886; Professor 
Riley, one year; F. H. Hall. 1888 to 1890; A. \'. Greenman, from 1890 to the 
date of this writing. 

JENNINGS SEMIN.'iiRY. 

This was one of the institutions that made Aurora famous. It was char- 
tered in 1855 under the name of Clark Seminary in honor of Rev. John Clark, 
a Methodist clergyman of the Rock River Conference, who first projected the 
institution. The officers of the first board of trustees were: Benj. Hackney, 
president; Dan McCarty, treasurer; and Levi Jenks, secretary. Subscriptions- 
to the amount of $25,000 had been made by February, 1856, and the founda- 
tion and the cornerstone were laid that year. A contract was made the next 
year to construct the building. It was turned over to the trustees in the 
summer of 1858 with a debt upon it of $60,000, which had increased in 1872 
to $79,000. The trustees purchased a tract of land in the southern portion 
of the city and laid out the "Seminary- Addition,'" in hopes of paying for the 
building by the sale of lots, but this did not succeed very well, and in 1864 the 
property was purchased by the Rock River Conference for $25,000. Mrs. 
Eliza Jennings, of Aurora, gave $15,000 toward paying the debt and the 
name was changed to Jennings Seminary in her honor. Miss Jemima Wash- 
burn opened the school October 2, 1858, with about forty scholars. She 
closed the school June 14, 1859. Dr. G. W. Quereau was then chosen prin- 
cipal and the school was formally opened September, 1859. Under his man- 
agement the school flourished and gained a fine reputation and was a financial 
success. He resigned in 1873 and since then the school has been in charge 
of several different teachers until about 1900, when it was turned over to the 
"Deaconness' Society" of the Methodist church and was used for preparing 
young women for this branch of work. 

EARLY AURORA CHURCHES. 

Human nature ever gravitates downward toward the material and the 
physical. Men work and slave to gratify their physical wants, they pile up 
wealth, accumulate vast properties, often with no other ambition and end in 
view than the gratification of their senses, to wear fine clothes, to build better 



602 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

houses than their neighbors, often neglecting the finer and more enduring 
spiritual realities which elevate men above the animals. These may be found 
right at hand by turning the thoughts inward to the source of those spiritual 
forces which enlarge mental and spiritual capacity, build up manhood, develop 
character and make for right living with its higher enjoyment of life. Cor- 
rect thought with a faith in- a higher power and a hope for immortality are 
essential to the proper development of man. The church has ever been a 
guide to human aspirations, and while its teachings have sometimes been 
clouded by misconceptions of truth, its tendencies are toward the betterment 
of the individual and of society. The thousands of churches in our land with 
their efforts to make men better mean something, and in this materialistic age 
should take their position at the head of the column in the march of civilization. 

FIRST CONGREGATION.\L. 

This church appears to be among the oldest in the city, having been 
organized June lo, 1838, as a Presbyterian church. There were seventeen 
members at the time of its organization. It changed its form of government 
July I, 1848, on account of the slavery question, many of the members believ- 
ing the slaveholding interests of the Presbyterian church too much of a gov- 
erning power. Rev. Herman S. Colton was their first minister. Rev. C. 
Cook preached from May i, 1840, to May i, 1843. ^"^^ Hallick followed for 
a year and one-half. Then came Rev. Ingersoll, who has had fame thrust 
upon him by being the father of the great agnostic, Robert G. Ingersoll, and 
his brother, Hon. E. C. Ingersoll, who was a member of congress from the 
Peoria district for several terms. Mr. Ingersoll's pastorate lasted only six 
months, and the writer hereof spent considerable time in trying to hnd out 
why it did not last longer. A number of church members were interviewed, 
but no one knew anything about it. One of the oldest had never heard that 
Mr. Ingersoll ever preached here. Finally in a Semi-Centennial Record, 
printed in 1888, this sentence was discovered relating to the subject in a 
paper read by Hon. Charles Wheaton : "Brother Elliott says he (Ingersoll) 
was a good preacher and wanted to stay longer, but the church would not 
have him, as he had two living wives and was not living with either of them." 
What effect this condition of affairs had on the mind of the future great 
agnostic is a question for future ]5sychnlogists and historians to determine. 

Mr. Ingersoll was followed by Rev. W. L. Parsons, who commenced his 
ministry November i, 1844, and the historian of that period says he was 
dismissed July i, 1848. The church appears to have been without a settled 
pastor until the following January, when Rev. Daniel R. Miller filled the 
pulpit for three years. Rev. Lewis Benedict was pastor from April i, 1852. 
to November i, 1857. During his pastorate the present stone church was 
erected. Since that time the pulpit has been occupied by preachers of more 
than ordinary ability, among whom may be mentioned Dr. N. A. Prentiss, 
Dr. Scudder, Rev. Wm. Horace Day, Rev. E. F. Goff, Rev. B. F. Aldrich 
and Rev. O. A. Petty. In 1868 the church organization consisted of: Pastor, 
Rev. Isaac Clark; deacons, I. M. Howell, A. Small, N. Otis, J. Dennev, Jr.; 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY ti03 

trustees, A. Small, W. W. Bishop, J. L. Hoklen; treasurer, J. B. Hall. Loren 
Otis was secretary of the Sunday school and Luther Bradley librarian. 

NEW ENGL.\ND CONGREGATIONAL. 

This church was organized June lo, 1858, by members of the First 
church who lived on the west side. Letters were granted to seventeen 
members, as follows : Edward Gillette, Mrs. Sarah R. Gillette, Mrs. Ruth 
Clark, Miss Clarissa E. Clark, Stephen Gillette, Mrs. Nancy Gillette, William 
J. Nobles, Mrs. Tryphenia C. Noble, Mrs. Emeline E. Church, Mrs. M. Delia 
Goodwin, Silvanus Towne, Mrs. Margaret A. Towne, Miss Margaret A. 
Towne, Isaac Preston, Mrs. Lavinia B. Preston, Justus Dodge, Mrs. Juii.l 
Dodge, Oliver Dewey, Mrs. Eliza S. Dewey, Edmund S. Dewey, Oliver B. 
Dewey. Charles A. Dewey, William H. Fonda, Mrs. H. Josephine Fonda, 
Alexantler McArthur. Airs. Jane McArthur. David Enny, Mrs. David Enny, 
George W. Enny, Stephen W. Enny. 

This church has steadily grown from that time until this under the 
following pastors: G. B. Hubbard, 1859-1865; Edward Ebbs, 1866-1868; 
T. N. Haskell, 1868-1871; D. D. Hill, 1872-1880; William Windsor, 1881- 
1888: J. O. Haarvig, 1888-1892; J. M. Sturtevant, 1893-1897; J. T. 
Blanchard, 1897-1901; W. Fl. Buss, 1901-1905; W. W. Willard, 1906. 

The first building was erected in 1859 on Locust street and the present 
handsome structure was built in 1890 .during the ministry of J. O. Haarvig. 

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 

was organized in 1842 with fourteen members. The organization grew slowly 
until 1864, when it built a large edifice at the corner of Lincoln avenue and 
Main street under the pastorate of Rev. Forrester. The trustees of this church 
at that time were E. 1\. Allen, Joy Tarble, L. D. Brady, C. S. Roe and C. C. 
Earle. 

In 1868 the Sabbath school numbered two hundred and fifty members, 
with the .following officers: Superintendent, John C. Sherwin; assistant 
superintendent, A. K. Perry; secretary, James J. McLallen; treasurer, Newton 
Perry; librarian, Jacob N. Hopper: assistants, Fred Robinson and Fred 
Thompson. 

This church struggled along for about twenty years with indifferent 
success, finding great difficulty in keeping up with the running expenses. It 
was closed for a year or more and was in 1886 transferred to the People's 
church, which still occupies the building. 

The Universalist denomination was organized as a protest against the 
severe doctrine of endless punishment held and preached by all the "evangelical" 
denominations jjrevious to the middle of the nineteenth century. The more 
stern and severe the preaching of the believers in a God of wrath and ven- 
geance, the better the Universalists flourished with their views of a God of 
love and mercy. Of late years all denominations have practically accepted the 



604 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

views long promulgated by the Universalists : the fatherhood of God, the 
brotherhood of man. eternal infinite love, that will not permit any child "to 
stray beyond the Father's care.'' As long as all the churches preach this 
doctrine the work of the Universalist denomination is accomplished, and it 
is not strange that the membership declines. The church in Aurora is no 
exception to the rule, and while surrendering its organization joins with others 
in the war against evil in all its forms and for individual purity and 
righteousness. 

THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH. 

This church was organized in 1837 and held its first meeting at the home 
of Samuel McCarty. who was during the remainder of his life a constant 
member of this church. The first board of trustees w-ere S. McCarty. C. H. 
Goodwin, P. Brown, C. F. Goodwin and John Gibson. The elegant church 
now used was completed in 1872. 

SECOND M. E. CHURCH. 

In 1858 a colony from the First AI. E. church broke off and organized a 
"Second M. E. church." They procured land from Mr. Downer on Galena 
street opposite the Huntoon House and erected a building. Rev. S. P. Keys 
was in charge for a time, but after a few years' existence the members were 
reabsorbed by the First church and the church building has since been used 
as a livery stable. 

In 1868 another and successful attempt was made to organize a Second 
M. E. church. The old Episcopal church on Xorth Lake street was leased 
and Rev. S. N. Griffith was the first pastor by supply for three months, when 
Rev. A. P. Mead was made the regular pastor and secured a lot on the corner 
of Locust and Galena streets for a church and parsonage. The church was 
built on that lot in 1870 and has since been known as the Galena Street church. 

THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH. 

The Free Methodist church was organized in i860 and a substantial 
brick edifice was erected and dedicated on South Lincoln avenue in 1863. 

FOURTH STREET M. E. 

The Fourth Street M. E. church completed a new building in 1907. being 
a continuation of the Marion Avenue Mission chapel. 

GERMAN M. E. 

The German Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1859 and 
erected a building at the corner of Fox and Anderson in 1861 and another 
just east of this one in 1887. Its membership included many prominent 
business men of Aurora. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 005 

FIRST BAPTIST. 

The Baptists first held services in the Big Woods in Father Vaughn's 
neighborhood and on the 29th of March, 1844, ten members of the Warren- 
ville church withdrew and organized a church in the Big Woods. Three 
years later the organization was taken to Aurora and held services in various 
places on both sides of the river until 1851, when it assumed the name of 
First Baptist church of Aurora and in 1852 located permanently in a house 
of their own on Galena street, which they occupied until 1887, when this 
building was removed to the rear of the lot and veneered with brick and used 
as a chapel, and a $20,000 brick building was erected on the old site and the 
church continues in a flourishing condition. 

PARK PLACE BAPTIST. 

On June 2, 1857, twenty-seven members of the First Baptist church 
withdrew and formed the "Union Baptist church." The old Congregational 
church on the east side was secured and occupied as a place of worship until 
1880, when a neat brick structure was erected at the corner of West Park 
place and New York street, to which the congregation removed and changed 
their name to the "Park Place Baptist church," which it still retains. The 
olfl building was removed to South Water street and used for manufacturing 
purposes. 

CLAIM STREET BAPTIST. 

About 1890 a Baptist mission was organized on Claim street near the 
corset factory, and in a few years was organized into the church known as 
the "Claim Street Baptist church." It has been doing a good work and is in a 
flourishing condition. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN. 

This church was organized in June, 1858, but had no pastor for a year, 
when Rev. Alfred Hamilton was called to take charge. For some time the 
church held services in Dunning's block, on River street, and afterward in the 
Second Methodist church, on Galena street. In i860 a lot was bought on the 
Galena street hill and in 1862 the church building was dedicated. In 1872 this 
building was sold to the Swedish Lutherans and a lot purchased on the corner 
of Fourth and Fox streets, on the rear of which a small brick church was 
erected. Rev. Thomas Gait was pastor here for twenty-seven years. In the 
year 1901 the foundations were laid for a new church in the front of their lot, 
which was dedicated in 1902. 

TRINITY EPISCOP.^L. 

This parish was organized May 25, 1849, with seven members. Roswell 
Wilder gave the vestry a lot at the corner of North Lake and Spruce streets, 
on which was built a brick church, which was consecrated in 1854. As most 
of the members lived on the east side of the river this church was abandoned 



606 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

in 1867 and meetings were held in Arcadome Hall on Broadway. A ncwj 
stone church at the corner of South Lincoln avenue and Benton street was 
built in 1869 and was ready for occupancy June 4, 1871. In 1907 a parish 
house was completed and the church is in a prosperous condition. 

ST. mary's catholic chlrch. 

The Catholic church is probably the best organized, most far-reaching 
and far-seeing organization on earth, and seems to be managed with super- 
human wisdom. In 1848 the few Catholic families in Aurora were occa- 
sionally visited by priests from Chicago, and about 1850 Bishop Vandeveld 
bought nineteen acres of land from Austin Mann for church purposes. This 
land was on Broadway, north of Claim street. The bishop platted the land 
into city lots and gave the agency to John Mclnhill, and gave instructions to 
have the church built from money acquired from the sale of lots. A small 
frame structure, about 30x40 feet, was erected on the land, which stood about 
a year when it was blown down in a heavy gale. Then the railroad came 
along and took nearly all the land for road and shop purposes. Then a new 
church was projected and Hall Brothers donated two lots at the corner of 
Pine and Spruce streets, on which was erected a stone building, 102x42 feet. 
This was occupied until November 8, 1869. when it was burned to the ground. 
Only $12,700 insurance was collected from it, but with this money work was 
soon begim on a new building at the corner of Fox and Root streets, which 
was dedicated July 7, 1872, it having cost $30,000. A parish house and 
parochial school building have since been completed and the church appears to 
be flourishing. 

ST. NICHOLAS GERMAN CATHOLIC. 

In 1859 the German Catholics determined to have church services con- 
ducted in their own language and bought two lots at the corner of Liberty 
and High streets, on which a church was erected in i860. In 1882-3 an 
imposing brick edifice was constructed on these lots and a few years afterward 
a fine parochial school house was built. It is the desire of this denomination 
that the children of the parishioners be given religious instruction at the church 
before they attend what they call the "Godless public school." 

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART. 

(French Catholic.) 

The first church for this parish was built at the corner of Union and 
Columbia streets in 1866. It was moved to the corner of Fulton and State 
streets in 1875. The school was opened November 16. 1880. 

ST. Joseph's catholic. 

Near the close of the nineteenth century another Catholic church was 
constructed north of the C, B. & Q. tracks on what is known as Pigeon hill, 
together with a schoolhouse" to accommodate the German residents of that part' 
of town. 







UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, AURORA, ERECTED IN 1864. 






*>^-^ .' 






3sr 



■3K: 



(5U) KANE COUNTY JllSTUUY 

Elgin were interred in the old Chicago cemetery and after the fire removed 
to Calvary cemetery. 

The fourth pastor of Elgin was Rev. William Feely in 1848. During 
the years of Father W. Feeh-'s pastorate the Elgin parish included Dundee, 
Huntley, \\'est Chicago. St. Charles. Geneva. Blackberry, Sycamore and the 
present Gilberts. 

Right Rev. Dr. Ouarter, the hrst liishop of Chicago, died -April 10, 1848. 
The second bishop of Chicago, the Right Rev. J. Van de Velde, was conse- 
crated February 11, 1849, ■'^ St. Louis, jMissouri. Bishop J. \'an de Velde 
visited Elgin January 5. 1849, on his trip to Galena. The 26th of May, 1850, 
the bishop came to Elgin, and said mass in Keogh's house. Confirmation was 
given at the small unplastered frame church. St. Mary's, at the Barrens in 
Rutland, the first Catholic church in the county. The bishop visited Aurora 
the first time September 5. 1850, a thri\ing town on Fox river. He visited 
it again February 10. 1851, and purchased a tract of land of nineteen and 
one-half acres for church purposes. On the 5th of J^ine, 1853, the right 
reverend bishop gave confirmation in Elgin to fifty-six persons. On the 17th 
of October, 1853, the right reverend bishop visited Aurora again to make 
arrangements for building a new church. 

Bishop Van de ^'elde was transferred on his own request on account of 
sickness to Natchez, where he arrived November 23, 1853, and died Novem- 
ber 13, 1855. His successor was Right Rev. Anthony O'Regan, consecrated 
Julv 25, 1854. Arrived September 3, 18^4. in Chicago, and resigned June 
25,^858. 

Father Feely began the erection of the stone church at Elgin in 1851, 
he having collected the fund. He also began the chuch at St. Charles and one 
in Blackberry. He died in Elgin in 1864. 

The next bishop of Chicago was Right Rev. James Duggan, who was 
followed by the Right Rev. Thomas Foley. He was succeeded by Most Rev. 
Jas. E. Quigley, and he by Right Rev, Muldoon, now bishop of Chicago. 

In every part of the count}- the church has prospered and increased in 
communicants and in beautiful new churches erected. 

During the War of the Rebellion no class of people were more patriotic 
for the Union and more willing to go to the front. The Catholics of Kane 
county who served in high official places and who stood shoulder to shoulder 
in the ranks would form a long list. The records show them in every regi- 
ment that went from the county. And in the building of the cities that line 
the Fox they have had an important and continuous part, many of our best 
lawyers, doctors and business men being of this church. 

GERM.\X EVAN'GELRAL. 

In the }'ear 1858 Benjamin Hackney ga\e a lot on Watson street to this 
church, which erected a small frame building there. When the Universalists 
abandoned their old church on ]\Iain street near Root it was purchased by this 
societv for $600. It was rebuilt in 1886. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 611 

ST. Paul's germax Lutheran. 

This church was organized December 5, 1853. -^ building was erected 
at the ccrner of Jackson and Benton streets in 1855, which was occupied until 
1884, when a new brick church was erected. A parocliial school is also main- 
tained by this church. 

ST. John's (reformed) German Lutheran. 

An offshoot of St. Paul's was organized in 1886 and has since erected a 
fine church at the corner of North avenue and Fifth street. 

SWEDISH LUTHERAN. 

This church bought the old Presbyterian church on Galena street in 1872 
and occupied it for about twenty-five years and then erected a neat brick 
structure on the premises. 

YOUNG men's christian AS.SOCIATION OF AURORA. 

Aurora claims to have not only the first \'. M. C. A. building in the state 
of Illinois, but the fifth building in the world used exclusively for Y. M. C. A. 
purposes. The first meeting of citizens of Aurora interested in the subject was 
held in the office of D. Iliff. Esq., 22 Broadway, on the 28th of April, 1869. 
at which D. L. Demorest presided and L. J. Allen acted as secretary. On 
motion of Sanford Hardy this organization was called the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Aurora. At the second meeting, May 7, 1869, the 
following men were elected directors : Joseph Denney, of the First Congre- 
gational church; L. J. Allen. First Methodist; Wm. Breese, First Baptist; 
H. \V. Hardy, Lake Street Methodist; S. B. Dyckman, Union Baptist; B. F. 
Hackney, Free Methodist; S. B. Hanley, Episcopal, and Rev. Isadore Liens, 
German Methodist. Professor T. H. Hazeltine, of Jennings Seminary, was 
elected first president. J. G. Stolp offered a lot on the island provided they 
would erect a good brick building upon it. Dr. G. W. Ouereau, Ira Fitch 
and D. J. Pike were appointed a committee to secure plans. K. A. Burnell, 
Samuel McCarty, D. W. Stockwell, C. H. Reeves, S. Bradley, T. H. Day, 
J. R. Hanna and James O. Mason were appointed on subscription committees. 
The sum of $6,000 was raised by July 12, 1870, and work was soon begun on 
the liuilding. with Martin Miller as superintendent of construction. 

J. D. Pike was elected the second president in 1870 and served until 1875. 
The building was dedicated April 26, 1871, having cost about $9,000. The 
following men have served as presidents since 1875 : E. A. Powell, 1875-76; 
D. J. Pike again, 1876-77; Sanford Hardy. 1878: H. C. Paddock, 1879-80: 
Dr. F. S. Pond. 1881 : T. H. Day, 1882-84: Sanford Hardy, 1885: W. H. 
^'an Arsdale served from 1886 to 1904. with the exception of a short period 
in 1894 and 1895, when the general secretary, A. C. Copeland, acted as presi- 
dent. A. C. Ryburn was elected president 1 904 and ser\ed until December 
31, 1907, when Chas. S. Kilbourne was elected. Since its organization one 
hundred and sixty-eight dififerent men lia\e serAxd on the board of directors. 



612 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Many members felt that more room was required for the work of the 
association and during the winter of 1904 a banquet of the members was held 
and at this time a building movement was launched to raise $35,000 for a new 
building; $1,500 was raised among the members present. Nothing further 
was done until the summer of 1906, when the board of directors appointed 
a committee of five men to call upon some fifty of the leading business men 
and ascertain from them if now was the opportune time to raise money for a 
building. The verdict was unanimously favorable. The board appointed a 
building committee consisting of W. M. Mercer, chairman; C. S. Kilbourne, 
J. O. Mason, H. L. McWethy, A. C. Ryburn and W. W. Stevens. The state 
convention was held in Aurora in October, 1906, the chief note of which was a 
building. On November 8, 1906, the building committee launched a thirty- 
day campaign to raise $85,000. The methods employed during this campaign 
were quite remarkable and deserve mention. Headquarters were engaged in 
the old Hotel Evans. A dial about five feet in diameter with a movable hand 
pointing to figures on the face of the dial running up to $85,000 was placed 
on tlie front of the building. Every time a thousand dollars was secured the 
hand of the dial moved up one notch and several factory whistles were blown 
enthusiastically and every one in the city became interested. At the end of 
thirty days $90,000 was secured for the Y. M. C. A. and $25,000 for the 
V". W. C. A., and in twenty days more the Y. W. C. A. secured $60,000, 
making a total of $150,000 raised in fifty days. The board of directors sold 
the old building on the island and purchased a lot at the corner of Fox and 
LaSalle streets. In October, 1907, they broke ground and on May 3, 1908, 
laid the cornerstone for the new building, which was completed before the 
close of the year. 

YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

In May, 1893, the Aurora Young Women's Christian Association was 
organized, being incorporated in July, 1894, with a membership of one hundred 
and fifty-five. It made its first home at 44 Downer place, where two rooms 
in the Todd block were rented for a few months. Its first public gathering 
was a gospel service on Sunday afternoon. In January, 1894, a suite of three 
rooms in the Bishop building, corner of Fox and Broadway, was leased, where 
it maintained headquarters for two and one-half years, removing to the Stolp 
building on the island in July, 1896. Here for five years the association 
flourished. In July, 1901, it moved to the building of the Silver Plate Com- 
pany on the island, which is its present home. 

During the fourteen years of its existence the association has had four 
presidents: Mrs. E. M. Walker, from 1893 to 1895; Mrs. E. S. Hobbs, from 
1895 to August, 1900; Mrs. Carey Hopkins, from 1901 to 1905, and since 
that time Mrs. J. O. Mason, the present incumbent (1908). During the first 
few months there was no employed secretary. Miss Emma L. Esch, the first 
l^eneral secretary, served one year and a half. She was followed by Miss 
Mary E. Emerson, who served for seven months. Miss Floy E. Rhode was 
then called, who held the position until May, 1897, since which time Miss 
Rachel Jones has served. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 613 

In its early days the work of the association was hmited to social and 
religious departments. Then the departments of employment bureau and 
boarding house directory were introduced, followed by the noon rest and 
educational classes — English, elementary and advanced French, German, lit- 
erature, elocution, bookkeeping, vocal music and a class in English for foreign- 
ispeaking young women has been much appreciated. 

Courses of lectures on travel, art and practical subjects have also been a 
feature of the educational department. 

In November, 1897, the physical training department was organized, 
beginning with but twelve pupils. It has grown to almost three hundred. 

In 1902 the departments of domestic science and arts were added to the 
educational list. The industrial and extension department was organized in 
1 90 1, extending the association work into the business center. Regular work 
has been done in three factories and the cotton mill, also in the stove works 
district. Two clubs have been formed among the business young women, the 
majority of whom are employes of the various factories. These young women 
are members of the association and meet at the rooms for physical work, study 
and social enjoyment. 

In 1904 an extension secretary. Miss Margaret Rohr, was called to take 
charge of this department, the work of which was previously done by the 
general secretary. For a time the association conducted a "noon rest" and 
lunchroom for the young women of the Kabo corset factory in the Old Orchard 
House. It also furnished a room for emergency cases at the "rest home" 
and later on the Althea Sanitarium. 

For several years the association rooms have been a central meeting place 
for committees representing the various women's organizations and churches. 

The purpose of the association is an all-around womanhood, meeting the 
demands of her fourfold nature. That it has been true to its purpose is 
evident from its work. The fact that the citizens have pledged sixty thousand 
dollars ($60,000) with which to erect an association building goes to sho\\- 
that it has found a large place in our midst. 

CLUBS, ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. 

Aurora has several hundred clubs and societies of various kinds which 
lack of space prevents describing in detail. 

The Waubonsie Lodge. No. 45, of Odd Fellows, was instituted January 3, 
1849. Since then half a dozen or more lodges of this order have organized. 
Jerusalem Temple Lodge, No. 90, was the first of the Masonic lodges to be 
organized here. Several others lodges have since been instituted here. They 
occupied the upper part of Stolp's building on the island from 1866 to 1903, 
when they moved to the Sencenbaugh block, on Broadway. 

The Aurora Turn-Verein dates back to 1858; Ancient Order of Hiber- 
nians, organized in 1877; Modern Woodmen of America in 1884. Cigar 



614 KANE COUNTS HISTORY 

Makers" Union, organized in 1879. is the oldest labor union in the city. Since 
then every trade has its union. Clubs for literary studies, card playing and 
amusements of various kinds are numbered by the hundred, details of which 
are left to a larger work. 

The Aurora IVomaiis Christian. Temperance Union was first organized 
in 1874 under the name of "The Ladies" Temperance Union.'" and was 
recognized in 1882. becoming auxiliary to the State Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union and taking that name. Those who have served as presi- 
dent of the Aurora Woman's Christian Temperance Union have been Mrs. 
S. P. Keys, Mrs. C. H. Reeves, Mrs. Thomas Gait, Mrs. H. M. Olds. Mrs. 
S. E. Hufif, Mrs. George E. Sutphen. ]Mrs. H. Darling, Mrs. E. S. Mansfield, 
Mrs. Chauncey Mille, Mrs. Belle White, Mrs. M. E. Cromer, Mrs. E. P. 
Tucker, Mrs. George E. Sutphen having served in periods covering about 
nine years. In 1892 fourteen members withdre\\ and organized the Central 
W'oman's Christian Temperance Union. Both organizations have done a large 
amount of Christian, philanthropic and temperance work. In 1890 the Aurora 
Union was incorporated, and became possessed of real estate in the south- 
ern part of town on which they erected a chapel at a cost of $2,100, 
which was named ''Hercules Chapel."" in which mission work, Sunday 
school and temperance work has been carried on. This union was 
active in having temperance instruction introduced inti) the public schools of 
the state. Cash donations have been made to the Woman's Temple. Chicago; 
the Frances Willard Hospital. Chicago : the Aurt)ra City Hospital ; the Young 
Men's Christian Association and Young Women's Christian Association 
building funds, etc. 

THE woman's club OF AURORA. 

No modern city is complete without its woman's club, and Aurora is no 
exception to this rule, and this is the way it came into existence. In the, 
winter of 1889-90 a number of ladies organized an art class and invited a 
Mrs. Atkins, of Chicago, to give them a course of lectures on art. The 
class numbered nearly four hundred members, and when the course was com- 
pleted and all the debts paid the ladies found that they had $386.61 on hand. 
A permanent organization had been considered for a long time and now 
appeared the opportune moment for organization. Therefore The Woman's 
Club of Aurora was formed, with the following officers : President, M. Louise 
^'an Arsdale; vice presidents. Frances P. Forsyth, E. R. Knickerbocker; 
recording secretary, Alice Maude George ; corresponding secretary, Marie 
Alice Burton; treasurer, Margaret Gray: directors. Marian H. Holden, Fannie 
Q. Allen. Rachel H. Enrich. Kate M. Hndder. Annie H. Annis. Emma H. 
Rice, Hattie \'. Binnenger. R. X. Forsyth, .\ddie E. Simpson. 

The following ladies were the charter members of the club: Mrs. G. F. 
Allen, Mrs. F. M. Annis. Mrs. Fred Belden, I\Irs. Hattie V. Binninger, Mrs. 
E. A. Bradley. Mrs. Pierce Burton, Mrs. Charles R. Currier, Mrs. E. B. 
Enrich. Mrs. J. J. Fishburn, Mrs. William Forsyth, Mrs. Alexander Forsyth, 
Mrs. \\'illiam George. Miss Margaret Grav, Mrs. Laura E. Hard. Mrs. M. A. 
Higgins. Mrs. J. H. Hodder. :\Irs. T. X. 'Holden. Mrs. A. J. Hopkins, Mrs. 







i^HOTC4y PRATT 



OLD LADIES' HOME. AT^RORA, OPENED 1903. 




AURORA PT'BLIC LIBRARY, ERECTED 1903. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY ' 617 

O. B. Knickerbocker, Mrs. A. C. Little, Mrs. John T. Mason, Miss Jennie L. 
Plum, Miss Ruth Reising, Mrs. G. W. Rhodes, Mrs. E. W. L. Rice, Mrs. 

D. W. Simpson, Mrs. W. H. Van Arsdale, Mrs. George R. Wilcox. 

The club now numbers over two hundred and fifty representative women 
as its members, and during its existence it has been a power for good in the 
city. Among the things it has done are the offering prizes for the best kept 
school grounds and back door yard in the city, resulting in neat school yards 
and finely kept lawns in all parts of the city. 

The cIuId presented to one room in each school building in the city a 
number of copies of the best pictures and plaster casts of some of the best 
statuary, with the result that the children of all the schools have saved their 
pennies and bought pictures for all the rooms. It has been instrumental in 
putting manual training and domestic science in the schools on both sides of 
the river. It has expended several hundred dollars in planting shrubs and 
vines in unsightly places, along the river banks, etc., and thus aided to make 
the city beautiful. 

In 1905 the club held a bazar and raised over $10,000 for the City 
Hospital, and in 1907 it held another bazar for the benefit of the Old Ladies' 
Home and raised nearly $7,000 for this purpose. It has never entered politics 
and has tried to avoid all questions which might create contention in its 
ranks. 

THE OLD ladies' HOME. 

This institution was incorporated in 1895 with the following persons 
named as incorporators : Mrs. Maria A. Burton, Mrs. Nellie E. Higgins, 
Mrs. Emma E. Mason, Mrs. Emily McCarty, Mrs. Fannie Q. Allen, Mrs. 
Harriet Colby, Mrs. Anna R. Hartz, Ebenezer Denney, A. K. Perry, William 

E. Holmes, Labam Hayward, Pierce Burton, C. B. Colwell, T. Otto Fisk, 
E. A. Bradley and A. C. Little. Mrs. Harriet Colby wanted to give a house 
and lot on Main street for the purpose of aiding in establishing a home for old 
ladies, and this organization was effected for the pupose of holding the prop- 
erty until a fund accumulated sufficient to justify the opening of such a home. 
This did not take place until 1903, when the directors purchased of Dr. John 
E. Hurlbut his fine residence at 421 South Fifth street, exchanging the house 
they held on Main street and running in debt for the remainder. At this 
writing (1908) the home is filled with ten old ladies, is out of debt, and, 
thanks to the Women's Club, has about $6,000 out at interest. 

HOSPITALS. 

Tlie Aurora City Hospital was constructed in 1886. It was first sug- 
gested by the Woman's Christian Association, and was given its first financial 
boost by a big bazar given in the old skating rink, at the corner of Lincoln 
avenue and Main street, which cleared some $6,000. Another "benefit" was 
given in the reconstructed city mills in 1888 at which Sam Alschuler gave 
an address. The Woman's Club gave another bazar for its benefit in the 
"Coliseum" on the island in 1905, and cleared about $10,000. The building 
has been gradually improved and enlarged as the board of directors had funds. 



618 KANE COUNTY IILSTORY 

The St. Charles Hospital was established by the CathoHcs in 1890 by 
the purchase of the Coulter residence on North Fourtii street. In 1902 the 
present large hospital building was erected at an expense of about $50,000, 
for which it ran in debt. The debt is being slowly reduced. 

MEMORIAL BUILDING. 

A "Soldiers" Monument Association" was organized in 1869 with L. D. 
Brady, president ; F. O. White, secretary ; Abner Hard, treasurer. This asso- 
ciation was reorganized under the new law in 1872 and became incorporated. 
It was decided in 1875 ^° build a memorial building with the money on hand, 
instead of a useless monument. This was completed in 1877 at a cost of 
$7,187.54. In 1 88 1 the city established a free public library, and the Monu- 
ment Association turned over Memorial Hall to the library directors, and a 
subscription was made under the management of Fred O. White to erect an 
adtlition to the memorial building to be used for the books, while the room 
in the old building should be used for a reading room. One condition was 
that the Grand Army of the Republic should be permitted to add a second 
story to the new building to be used for their hall. This condition of affairs 
worked smoothly until the Carnegie library building was completed in 1903, 
when the entire building was turned over to the Grand Army of the Republic, 
who took up a subscription, raised the rear of the building, and finished ofi the 
basement into a modern kitchen and banquet hall ; the first floor into a fine 
reading room and hall for meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
Ladies' Auxiliary Societies; and the second floor was finished for a pretty 
hall and rented to the Woman's Club. 

The whole building is heated by steam from the city steam heating plant. 
The old soldiers now have a very pleasant "loafing room" adjacent to their 
hall, which is open and occupied every day in the week, while the kitchen and 
dining room below are scenes of many a joyous festival. No similar organi-, 
zation in the country can boast of more comfortable quarters. 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 

Aurora was early to organize a public library. In September. 1858. "The 
Young Men's Literary and Historical Society" was organized, with a room 
in the Odd Fellows' block, used as a library and reading room. A library of 
over four hundred volumes was donated to the new society, and the reading 
room was dedicated October 23 of the same year with appropriate ceremonies, 
the dedicatory address being delivered by B. F. Taylor. In the following 
December Dr. J. G. Holland lectured before the society for the benefit of the 
library fund. 

The Young Men's Association had been previously organized and had a 
library of six hundred volumes. These two were united in 1859 under the 
name of "The Young Men's Literary Association of Aurora." This organiza- 
tion continued during the w?ar. but war was attracting most of the attention 
of the reading public and the library fell into disuse. But on February 16, 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 019 

1864, the Illinois legislature incorporated "The Aurora Library Association," 
twenty-four of the leading citizens of Aurora being the incorporators. Early 
in the following year this association was organized, Eugene Cantield being 
its first president. The books of the old association were taken over, some 
new ones bought, and for many years the library contributed to the literary 
culture of the community. But there was no money to buy new books. 
Everybody who wanted to had read the old ones, which were kept in the rear 
of the postoffice in the city building, free of rent. There was no money to pay 
a librarian, but the rent of a portion of the room was given to a news dealer 
for looking after the books, which was an easy task, as luit few were taken 
out. The state legislature had enacted a most excellent law to provide for 
the establishment of free public libraries, but it required the action of either 
the township on town meeting day, or an urtlinance Ijy the city council to 
take advantage of the law, which provided for a tax of not over two mills on 
the dollar for the support of the library. It was not until 1881 that two or 
three interested persons who thought it was about time to take advantage of 
this new law, called a meeting to be held in the editorial rooms of the old 
"Herald" office on the island to consider the matter. After several adjourn- 
ments, the five or six men who attended, concluded to try to get the city council 
to adopt an ordinance establishing a free public library, fearing the vote of a 
town meeting to levy a tax upon the town for the purpose of supporting a 
liljrary. They were fearful of the results of the city council, which was 
practicing the greatest economy on account of the financial depression, which 
still existed in consequence of the recent return to a specie basis. W, W. 
Bishop, "the watch dog of the treasury," opposed every measure looking to 
an increase of taxes and he was one of the most influential men in the council, 
so it was decided to ask him to introduce the ordinance and become "father of 
the library." The scheme worked beautifully and the ordinance passed levying 
a tax of one mill on the dollar for a free public library. Travers Phillipps was 
mayor and he appointed a board of directors consisting of Professor Thomas 
Clark, Mrs. Thomas Gait, Mrs. Pierce Burton, F. S. Bartlett, J. J- McLallen, 
W. S. Beaupre, Eb Deimey, Isadore Leins, and Fred O. \Vhite. Professor 
Clark was elected president of the board, and James Shaw librarian at a 
modest salary, which position he holds at the present writing, twenty-seven 
years since his first election. He is literally a walking encyclopedia, is well 
up in library management and has no superior as a librarian in the country. 
The ulfl library was turned o\xr to the new board and the books were moved 
mto the lueuKirial building, which was also put under the control nf the 
library Iioard, tugether with $1,000 in cash to l)e used in building" an addition. 
Between $5,000 and $6,000 additional was raised by subscription, and a brick 
addition was constructed, measuring 44x54 feet, with a hall for the Grand 
Army of the Republic overhead. Books were issued from the new library 
in March, 1882, and the new addition was completed in 1885. This wa.«. 
occupied by the library, with the memorial building as a reading room, until 
the attention of Andrew Carnegie, the great library builder, was called to 
the fact that this library had outgrown its quarters and needed a new build- 
ing. He thereupon donated $50,000 for a building on condition that the 



6-0 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

city would furnish a lot and spend annually a sum equal to at least ten per 
cent of this amount for its maintenance. The city was already spending more 
than this sum annually, but it took over a year to find a lot on which to 
construct the building. At last a lot on the island, which had been offered by 
the heirs of the late J. G. Stolp as a donation, was decided on, and a fine 
building was completed in 1904. It contains elegant reading rooms, a chil- 
dren's room and about twenty-five thousand books, which number is gradually 
increasing. 

SHUTTING UP THE COWS. 

During the administration of Thomas E. Hill, in 1876, a movement was 
started in favor of "the city beautiful." Most of the city lots were surrounded 
by old board fences, with here and there a picket fence. Dangerous plank 
sidewalks were in every street. Cows were running at large in the streets, 
and to keep them out of the gardens and door yards some kind of a fence had 
to be used. One of the newspapers and a number of the citizens appealed 
to the city council to pass an ordinance prohibiting the cows from running 
at large. This action was prevented by Alderman L. W. Gray, a thriftj 
farmer in the southwestern part of the city, who had cut up his farm into 
city lots and was selling them to homeseekers. There was considerable grass 
growing on the side of the streets, which the aldermen did not like to have 
go to waste, so whenever the question came up in the council he made such 
efifective pleas in behalf of the "poor man's cow" that he made his colleagues 
believe they would never be returned to the council if they voted to have the 
"poor man's cow" shut up. Nothing could be done towards beautifying the 
city while its cows were at large. The}- would break down all the trees 
planted by the side of the streets and eat off their tops. They would break 
into yards and eat up the shrubbery and gardens. Finally K. A. Burnell called 
a meeting of a few interested citizens at his home on North Lake street to 
consider the cow question. Petitions were circulated asking the council to 
shut up the cows, but all to no purpose. Finally, after several meetings, it was 
decided to ask the council to submit the question to a vote of the people. 
This was done. Then a massmeeting was called, and Judge Parks was 
employed to orate in favor of giving the "poor man's cow" the freedom of the 
streets of the city, but at the special election, held May 6, 1876, the voters 
decided, by a vote of one thousand one hundred and forty-eight to six hundred 
and forty-one, to shut up the cows. It then leaked out that Alderman Gray 
had a half-dozen cows pasturing in the streets, and turned many an honest 
penny by selling milk. 

Immediately after the ordinance went into effect the people of the city 
commenced to tear down their unsightly fences, plant shade trees on the street 
parkings, trim their lawns and otherwise ornament their homes until Aurora 
became noted far and wide for its pretty streets. Since then substantial cement 
sidewalks have taken the place of the old plank walks and many miles of paving 
have helped the appearance of the streets. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 821 

AURORA NEWSPAPERS. 

Newspapers are supposed to not only direct public thoug-lit. but to 
reflect tlie public sentiment of the locality in which they are published. This 
is particularly true of papers in small places, which, of late, do not aspire to the 
direction of national policies. Indeed, it is ditTicult to tell who or what directs 
the policies of a nation. Principles are living forces which take hold of men 
and control them, and are not shaped or controlled by men. 

On the 30th of January, 1907, James Shaw, city librarian, an old news- 
pajjcr man, read before the first annual meeting of the Aurora Historical 
Society a carefully prepared essay on the histor}- of Aurora newspapers. The 
amount of time and research given to the preparation of this paper, by so 
able a hand, justifies liberal extracts from it : 

Three newspapers were published in Aurora during the fifth decade of 
the nineteenth century. The first of these, established in 1846, by C. and G. 
Ingham, was the Aurora Democrat. Number i of the Democrat bore date 
August 6. 1846. In politics it declared itself to be "Democratic as understood 
by the Jefferson and Jackson school." The Aurora public library is the for- 
tunate possessor of the first three numbers of this paper, presented to it by 
Mr. George F. Sheldon. \^ery little information can now be obtained of the 
Aurora Democrat. Few of the histories of early Aurora mention it. Its life 
was probably short. 

The second paper to be established here was called The People's Platform.. 
It was started later in the same year. In politics the Platform was also Demo- 
cratic. It found that Aurora was not large enough then to support a paper, 
and it was soon removed to St. Charles, then a larger and more promising 
town. It continued to be published in St. Charles, under different names, but 
ceased publication shortly after the presidential campaign of i860. 

Thus far failure had attended the efforts to establish a newspaper in 
Aurora. This should occasion little surprise. It was a community then of not 
exceeding five hundred inhabitants. Its wealth was all in anticipation. Some 
earnest spirits felt, however, that the place, small though it was, ought to have 
a paper, and, undeterred by previous failures, on June i, 1847. M. \'. and 
B. F. Hall, brothers, and bankers, launched the Weekly Beacon. 

THE BEACON. 

In its early years the Beacon experienced almost every vicissitude that can 
beset the career of a newspaper. But it survived them all. It proved its 
right to life by living. In its politics it for some time presented a singular 
spectacle. M. V. Hall was a bitter whig. B. F. Hall was an out-and-out 
democrat. Diversity of politics in partnerships in other lines of business. 
has not been unusual, and it has often been regarded as quite an advantage. 
But it was certainly a novelty in the newspaper business, the chief object of 
which, in those days, was to tell the people what ticket to vote. 

For some time the Beacon did not know on which side of the political 
fence it stood; or, rather, it frankly stood on both sides. It presented to its 



022 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

readers two political departments, in one of which whig principles were advo- 
cated, and in the other democratic doctrines were expounded. Finally B. F. 
Hall disposed of his interest in the paper to his brother. The Beacon then 
ceased to be "a house divided against itself,'" and was thenceforward a whig 
paper till the organization of the republican party, when it warmly espoused the 
principles of that party. 

In the winter of 1853-4 James W. Randall and his brother Dudley pur- 
chased the Beacon. Previous to this, the paper had been published on the 
West side, but the office was now removed to the East side. The Randalls 
were succeeded by a number of proprietors, who followed each other in rapid 
succession. Among these may be named William Goldy, a very excellent job 
printer; N. S. Greenwood, of Waterman, DeKalb county, a farmer of literary 
inclinations ; George Brewster, an erratic Chicago editor. 

On September 6, 1856. the Beacon establishment put forth a daily paper 
with A. C. Gibson as editor, and J. W. Randall and N. S. Greenwood as pub- 
lishers. That was the year of the Fremont campaign, and no doubt the Beacon 
people had hig"h hopes of success for their venture, founded on the enthusiasm 
generated by the first national contest in which the new republican party 
engaged. But Fremont was not elected president, and a daily paper i)roved 
to be beyond the resources of the Aurora of that day. 

On the last day of April, 1857, the daily edition of the Beacon ceased 
publication. Seventeen years passed before a daily paper was successfully 
established in Aurora: and it was thirty-four years before the staunch old 
Beacon made another venture in the daily newspaper field. 

In July, 1857, the Beacon and the Guardian were consolidated, and the 
consolidated paper was called The Republican Union, under the proprietor- 
ship of James ^\'. Randall and Simeon Whiteley. The panic of that year 
caused a suspension of this enterprise, but in September of that year Augustus 
Harman, who had been the editor of Republican Union, and Oscar B. Knick- 
erbocker, who had done the job printing of the office, came into possession of 
the Beacon material, and under their proprietorsiiip and editorship the Beacon 
resumed publication, and it has been continuously published ever since. 

In 1858 the partnership of Harman and Knickerbocker was dissolved. 
Harman retiring. On January i, 1859, George S. Bangs formed a partnership 
with Mr. Knickerbocker, the firm being known as Bangs & Knickerbocker. 
Bangs became an active and influential Republican politician. He was post- 
master of Aurora under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, and afterwards 
became an officer of the general postofiice department, and was instrumental 
in organizing the railway mail ser\ice. 

The firm of Bangs & Knickcrliocker continued until March, 1866, when 
Bangs sold his interest to his partner. It is probable that Bangs went with 
President Johnson in his scheme of reconstruction : while Knickerbocker 
adhered to the republican party in its opposition to the president and his 
policy. In October of that year John H. Hodder ]nirchased an interest in 
the business, which he retained until his death, a period of thirty-six years. 
The firm of Knickerbocker & Hodder was a household name throughout Kane 
and adjoining counties until the death of the senior member of the firm, in 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY fj23 

18S5. The firm was an ideal une in almost every respect. Each member of 
it was a strong man, and each possessed attributes and qualifications that sup- 
plemented and complemented those of his partner. 

The Beacon issued a semi-weekly edition early in the 70's, and this was 
continued until March 30, 1891, when a daily paper was once more issued. 
After the death of Mr. Hodder, in 1892, the Beacon was sold to a stock com- 
pany, in which it is understood that Mr. J. C. Copley now owns a controlling 
interest. It has one of the best equipped newspaper plants in the state, outside 
of Chicago, and under the editorial management of Mr. George Stephens, 
the circulation of the paper was largely increased. 

SOME PAPERS OF THE FIFTIES. 

We have seen tliat the first paper to make good its claim to life in the 
young community was. except fur a short period, whig in politics. But the 
Kane county of that day was democratic, and no doubt the adherents of that 
party felt that in the largest town in the county they should have an organ 
as well as their adversaries. The town was growing with a rapidity which we 
can hardly conceive in these days. In the six years between 1846 and 1852, 
when the next attempt was made to found a paper here, the population increased 
five-fold, from five hundred to two thousand five hundred. The paper, and 
the democrats were eager for a mouthpiece. The anti-slavery agitation had 
not yet assumed a threatening phase, and no one dreamed that in a few years 
a new party would arise, with opposition to slavery extension as its main 
principle, and that in i860 this party, called the republican, would carry the 
country and elect its candidate for president. 

THE AURORA GUARDIAN. 

With these momentous events still behind the curtain of the future, in 
November, 1852, Simeon \\'hiteley and Benjamin Wilson brought forth the 
Aurora Guardian. The paper was soundly democratic. The second number 
announced with a shout of joy the election of Franklin Pierce, democratic 
candidate for president. In 1854 Stephen A. Douglas, a senator of the United 
States from Illinois, introduced his famous Kansas-Nebraska bill, repealing 
the Missouri compromise, and throwing open the unsettled territories to the 
admission of slavery. A storm of protest swept over the northern states. 
Popular indignation was at white-heat. Senator Douglas, however, a con- 
summate master of every art known to the practical politician, and a tre- 
mendous power in debate, pressed forward his bill, and it became a law. He 
thus precipitated the revolution that tlrove the deimicratic party from power, 
and which only ended when slavery was abolished throughout the country. 
The Ciuardian, during the earl}- stages of this agitation, was "Free Soil," as the 
oppniients of slavery extension were called. Upon the organization of the 
republican party, it became attached to it, and ardently advocated its principles. 
Thus the democratic party lost its organ in Aurora, and nearly a quarter of a 
century passed before another attempt was made to establish a democratic 
paper here. 



624 KJ.NE COUNTY HISTORY 

The panic of 1857 brought ruin to nearly every line of business in the 
country; the newspaper business suffered with the rest. Retrenchment and 
consolidation were the order of the day; and, as already stated, it was in this 
year that the Beacon and the Guardian were consolidated, the new paper being 
called The Republican Union. The proprietors were James W. Randall and 
Simeon Whiteley ; the editorial work was done by Augustus Harman. The 
firm of Randall & Whiteley lasted but a few weeks. After the fifth number 
Randall sold his interest to Whiteley, who then called the paper The Weekly 
Republican. The paper was reduced in size, and other severe economies were 
resorted to in the effort to prolong its life. But Mr. Whiteley had become 
heavily involved financially, and the struggle was unavailing. On November 
2, 1858. the Republican, lineal descendant of the gallant old Guardian, breathed 
its last. 

A PERIOD OF "ISMS." 

We come now, in the history of the press of Aurora, to a time that may 
be described as a period of "isms." The mid years of the nineteenth century 
abounded in projects for the reformation of society and the regeneration of 
mankind. These projects included dress reform, woman's sufferage, temper- 
ance, of course, watercure, vegetable diet, and I know not what else. These 
ideas and schemes were generalized, in the language of that day, as "isms." 
When a man or woman embraced one or more of these "isms" the first was to 
get a press and types, and begin the work of proselyting by means of printers 
ink. And so, the country over, there were scores of papers printed m small 
towns, advocating "isms" of every name and kind, and Aurora had its share. 

THE TEMPER.ANCE MOXITOR. 

The Temi)erance }iI(initL)r was started in Aurora in ^larch, 1858, by 
James P. Snell. Little is now known of this paper beyond the fact that its 
life was brief. It survived about a year. Mr. Snell entered the army at the 
beginn'ing of the Civil war as a member of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteers. 
He served bravely during that great struggle, and at its close became editor of 
the Mendota Bulletin. 

The Reformer was a sixteen-page paper issued monthly by Augustus 
Harman, whom we have just seen doing editorial work on the Beacon and 
the Republican. He was assisted by Ellen Beard, who soon became Mrs. 
Harman. The Reformer declared itself to be "what its name indicated.'' It 
fought ardently for prohibition, dress reform, and other "isms" that were 
thought by many people fifty years ago to be sovereign remedies for all or 
most of the evils that atiflict human society. Marriage did not interritpt Mrs. 
Harman's activities on behalf of the Reformer. She continued to assist her 
hu.sband in the editorial department, besides which, as the historian tells us, 
she set type, canvassed for subscribers, and advertisements, and lectured as 
occasion presented. 

Mr, Harman must have been a worker of the strenuous kind that would 
have delighted even President Roosevelt. Xot content with the work required 




BROADWAY, AURORA, LOOKING SOUTH ABOUT 1868. 
JENNINGS SEMINARY IN THE DISTANCE. 




MEMORIAL BUILDING. AT'RORA. ERECTED 1877. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 627 

to keep the Reformer going, in April, i860, he commenced the pulilication of 
the Temperance Tocsin, a siieet lialf the size of the Reformer, intended for 
local circnlation. The lahor required for the two papers was too much, how- 
ever, for human endurance, and the publication of the Reformer was dis- 
continued in the following June. Mr. Harman died in the fall of that year. 
Mrs. Harman continued the publication of the Tocsin for a short time, and 
then removed to Xew York city. 

IN THE SIXTIES. 

In the eleven years that followed the suspension of the last of the spe- 
cifically reform journals, six weekly newspapers were started in Aurora. Some 
idea of the mortality among newspapers may be obtained from the fact that 
of these six only one survives today. One other led a vigorous life for more 
than thirty years. The remaining four, without exception, passed off so 
quickly that with one voice they might have asked, with that other short- 
li\-ed infant of whom we have heard, 

"If so soon to be done for, 
What was I begun for." 

The Aurora Chronicle was established February 8, 1861. by John H. 
Hodder, who was a vigorous worker and practical business man. The paper 
lived about six months, when it yielded to the hard times, and the gloom which 
the approaching Civil war cast over all business enterprises. 

THE HER.\LD AND E.XPRESS. 

The Beacon was now the only paper in Aurora, and it held this inviting 
field alone till after the close of the Civil war. On the close of the war, there 
came a period of activity. In June, 1866, Thomas E. Hill established the 
Aurora Herald. Ten years afterwards Air. Hill became mayor of the city, the 
second newspaper man to achieve that honor. Mr. Hill was also an author, 
some of whose works attained wide circulation. He was the author of Hill's 
Manual, and other works of a useful and educational character. He was 
succeeded in the ownership of the Herald by the firms of Hill & Gale, Gale & 
Shaw, Shaw & Bangs, Bangs. Owen & Ford, and Bangs & Owen. In 1871 
the Herald plant was purchased by Mr. Pierce Burton, who in 1874 sold a half 
interest to ]Mr. James Shaw. Mr. Shaw remained with the paper until 1880, 
when he resold his interest to Mr. Burton. In the year 1882 Mr. Burton 
established the Daily Express, and thereafter the Herald was the weekly 
edition of that paper. The Express was the first paper in Aurora and one 
of the very first in the country to use what are called, in printer's parlance, 
"telegraph plates," that is, stereotyped plates containing the morning's news, 
as published in the city dailies, condensed and revised for publication the 
same day in country dailies. The hour of publication was also novel, being 
at noon, possibly the only paper in the country published at that hour. This 
was before the days of the fast mail and the Express was able to be on the 
street at the same time as the Chicago morning papers, and thus supplanted 
them in many homes. The Express had a prosperous career for twenty years. 



028 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

The Herald was originally republican in politics. Under the editorship of 
Mr. Burton, however, was mighty independent. It insisted on having its own 
opinion about men and politics and things in general. In the middle '70s 
it broke with the "grand old party" on the currency ciuestion, the principal 
political issue of those days. In 1876 it supported Peter Cooper, the candidate 
of the greenback party, for president; and it advocated greenback principles 
as long as the party of that name had a national organization. 

Mr. Burton retired from business in 1899. After several changes of 
ownership, the Express ceased publication in 1903, and with it perished also 
the Herald. 

Mr. Burton was the very last of that school of country editors who think 
of their work as something more than a business. To him it was an oppor- 
tunity for popular instruction. The editorial chair he regarded as a sort of 
secular pulpit. Every number of the old Herald carried "leaders," as they 
were called, commenting on the topics of the day. and on old themes that 
were made fresh by new treatment. Theology was a favorite field of discus- 
sion with Mr. Burton, and many people who never attended church or heard 
a sermon enjoyed his pithy treatment of matters of church policy and belief. 
The politics of the day. of course, received due attention, and foreign affairs 
even were not neglected. 

This school of editors in the smaller cities and towns has long since passed 
away. In their land, we have the reporter, who aims to tell an interesting 
story about something that happened perhaps in the next block ; and you are 
lucky if that something did not happen in your own family. We thus have 
a more intimate reflection of the life of the community, all of which is inter- 
esting no doubt to some one. We may have gained something by the change; 
but I cannot help thinking that there is a distinct loss in the passing of that 
type of editor who, from a trained and well stored mind, gave the people wise 
counsel and sane comment on the events of the day — the type of which Pierce 
Burton was the last representative in Aurora. 

THE AUROR.\ WEEKLY. 

In June, 1867, Dudley Randall established the Aurora Weekly. Randall 
represented the broad farce element in the newspaper world of Aurora. He 
probably founded more papers than any other man in the country. Some 
obtained considerable circulation, but "Dud," as he was universally called, 
lacked business habits, and was unable to bring any of them to maturity. He 
had a sense of humor that was often expressed too broadly for refined ears; 
outside of that, he had natural ability; but with it all there went an ingrained 
weakness of character that spelled failure for every enterprise he undertook. 

AURORA ARGUS. 

The Aurora Argus was in some sort a successor of the Aurora \\ eekly, 
after the latter had been published for several months. Possibly there was a 
change of name onlv. Randall being still the editor and nominal proprietor. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 629 

with an erratic colonel by the name of Brainard for assistant, ^\'hatever the 
reason for the change of name, it did not serve to prolong the existence of the 
paper, and the Argus soon followed the weekly into the realms of oblivion. 

THE VOLKSFREUND, 

In 1868 Aurora saw its first paper printed in a foreign language. In 
chat year Peter Klein and Jacob Siegmund established the Aurora Volksfreund. 
In 1 87 1 Mr. Klein purchased the interest of Mr. Siegmund, and has since 
continued to be the sole proprietor of the Volksfreund. The paper was repub- 
lican in politics till 1884, when it supported Grover Cleveland for president. 
Before the next presidential election, however, it returned to the republican 
fold, and never again wandered from it. The Volksfreund has been an able 
and faithful representative of the large German population residing in Aurora, 
May 27, 1895, Mr. Klein began the publication of a daily edition of his paper, 
and the venture proved to be a profitable one from the start. Mr. Klein is 
now the Nestor of the editorial profession in Aurora, having been in business 
as publisher, editor and proprietor for more than thirty-eight years. 

CITY LIFE ILLUSTR.\TED. 

In 1 87 1 Dudley Randall was again in evidence with a fresh newspaper 
venture. It w-as called City Life Illustrated. The art of engraving was in a 
very crude state then, as compared w-ith what it is today. Photo-engraving and 
the half-tone w'ere unknown, and newspaper cuts were often hacked out with 
a jack-knife. Dud's illustrations must have been of this character. The Life's 
career was merry, but short. It attained quite a large circulation for a country 
paper in those days, but its founder was not the man to make it a permanent 
success ; and it went to the gra\'e in the same vear that saw its birth. 

THE DAILY TH.\T LIVED A DAY. 

Few' people in Aurora know that there was once such a paper in the 
city as the Daily Globe. This is not to be wondered at, since the Globe had 
perhaps the shortest life of any paper that was ever actually born. It lived but 
one day. The Globe was projected by one Turner, who has disappeared so 
completely from our knowledge that even his full name is not known. He 
was a printer, and at the time was employed in the Beacon ofiice. But he had 
ideas above setting type, and one of these was that a small daily paper, that 
could be printed on an ordinary job press, and which could thus be produced at 
a very small expense, might be made a paying enterprise. He induced Jacob 
Siegmund to do the mechanical work, and after publishing one issue, had an 
urgent call to go east, since which he has not been heard from. Mr. S. took 
the advertising accounts for his pay and they aggregated so much that he 
concluded to start a daily paper himself. So with the aid of Charles M. Faye 
he started the Daily News, which was first printed on a small job press about 



630 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

10x14 inches in size. Mr. Faye proved to be an able newspaper man, and 
soon required a larger press for his paper. In September, 1875, ^^^- Faye sold 
his interest in the News to his partner and went to Chicago, where he in a 
few years afterward became manager of the Chicago Daily News. 

February i, 1876, Mr. Willis B. Hawkins purchased a half interest in the 
plant. It will interest those who have heard that in the year 1906 $70,000 
was offered for the Daily News plant to know that Hawkins, about thirty-one 
j'ears ago, paid just $800 for a half interest in the News plant of that day. 

In 1884 Mr. Hawkins sold his interest in his paper to his partner, jMr. 
Siegmund. who for a time published the paper with Richard W. Corbett as 
editor. In 1884 the establishment was sold to E. D. Northam and E. F. 
Beaupre, who published the paper for several years, and then sold it to John F. 
Dewey. In 1891 Mr. Dewey disposed of the establishment to the late Walter 
S. Frazier. On the death of Mr. Frazier a controlling interest passed to his 
son, Lincoln B. Frazier. Under the proprietorship of the Fraziers and the 
editorship of A. M. Snook, the News has become a highly prosperous and 
influential paper. 

THE EVENING POST. 

One more daily paper was established in Aurora within the period to 
which we are limited. This was the Aurora Evening Post, established in 1878. 
Its founder was a wandering printer named Welch, who, like most wandering 
printers, lacked capital. From Welch's hands it passed to those of Louis A. 
Constantine, who possessed a wonderful tenacity of purpose ; and 'Slark Tapley 
himself could not have presented a more cheerful front to adverse fortune. 
These qualities enabled Constantine to keep the Post on its feet for nearly 
twenty years. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of Aurora, being the 
fourth newspaper man to hold that position, his predecessors being Bangs, 
Knickerbocker and Hodder. Soon after this happy event in Mr. Constantine's 
life, the Evening Post gently passed to that undiscovered country from whose 
bourne no newspaper returns. 

The Evening Post's chief claim to fame, perhaps, is the fact that it gave 
to Frank A. \'anderlip his tirst lessons in newspaper work. It was on the 
Post that he served an apprenticeship as a reporter and man of all work. He 
wrote locals, solicited advertising, visited the police courts and all the other 
places that were supposed to be sources of items. Possibly it was on the Post 
that he acquired that faculty for clear statement and cogent reasoning which is 
now often called into requisition when some important announcement is to be 
made to the financial world. 

THE INDEPENDENT. 

In 1878 the Aurora Independent, a weekly paper, was established by 
Edward Keough. formerly of the Elgin Times. The Independent was started 
as a democratic paper; but it was a mistake to think that an Elgin man 
could succeed in an enterprise that no Aurora man cared to undertake. Pos- 
siblv the democrats of Aurora had outlived their desire for an organ, since thev 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 631 

made a pretty good fight on election days without one. The Independent's 
Hfe was brief. 

THE AURORA BLADE. 

This was the name of a weekly paper started in 1882 by C. W. Putnam, 
formerly foreman of the old Herald office. Its chief object was the humorous 
presentation of local happenings in Aurora and vicinity, at which he was 
very successful. He sold out after a few years and the Blade "blayed aud," 
as he expressed it. 

The latest newspaper venture is The Fox River Leader, weekly, estab- 
lished ]\Iarch 31, 1904. by Charles Connors and John G. Badey. A labor 
paper, official organ of the Aurora Trades and Labor Assembly, Aurora Build- 
ing Trades' Council and Elgin Trades' Council. It is well managed, ably 
edited and bids fair to achieve a long and useful existence. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

The old soldiers who took part in the war of the Rebellion are slowly 
disappearing from among us. Many have already spread their tents on 
"Fame's Eternal Camping Ground," and a history of Aurora can do no better 
service than to help perpetuate the names of those now living here who took 
part in that great struggle. 

The objects to be accomplished by tl'.is organization are as follows: 

1. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which 
bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late 
Rebellion and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead. 

2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection, 
and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen. 

3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America, based 
upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to the national constitution and 
laws; to discountenance whatsoever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insur- 
rection, treason, or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency or per- 
manency of our free institutions : and to encourage the spread of universal 
liberty, equal rights and justice to all men. 

Aurora Post, No. 20, was mustered into the ranks of the Grand Army 
of the Republic on the evening of June 10, 1875, by Department Commander 
Hillard. 

The following names appeared on the post charter : 

E. C. Beardsley. M. M. Robbins. J. Kautenberger. 

Joseph Boyle. C. M. Ross. E. Perrigo. 

J. M. Conway. F. L. Thayer. L. C. Porter. 

T. S. Drake. Thomas Bexon. I. W. Rice, 

j. F. Harral. T. B. Coulter. W. H. Scragg. 

A. C. Little. H. B. Douglas. W. H. Watson. 

P. B. Page. A. C. Ferre. M. D. Yager. 

T. R. Polglase. T. E. Hornby. 



632 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

PAST COMMANDERS. 

T. B. Coulter. W. H. Watson. A. Ouinton. 

H. B. Douglas. John J. Hubbard. O. \\"ilson. 

J. H. Freeman. J. F. Harral. M. Hughes. 

Eb. Denney. John L. Walker. Melvin Tarble. 

AI. D. Yager. D. B. Lincoln. C. B. Rukgaber. 

J. iM. Kennedy. N. J. Thomas. Theo. Howard. 

F. L. Thayer. G. Aucutt. Chris Zimmer. 

The following are the names of the members in 1907: 

Gus Aucutt, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. AI. Allen, Company A, Thirt3--sixth Illinois Cavalry. 

Avery Ames, Company H, Ninety-fourth New York Infantry. 

Seth H. Adams, Company E, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry. 

J. L. Backus, Company A, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry. 

Thomas S. Bates, Company C, Busteed's Battery. 

Samuel Beales, Company ^I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

James Bedford, Company A, Sixty-lirst Alassachusetts Infantry. 

J. C. Beede, Company K, Eighteenth New Hampshire Infantry. 

N. M. Bell, Company C, Thirty-third Ohio Infantry. 

V. H. Beher, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

George \\'. Bartholomew, mustered in Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

J. i^I. Bigger, First Arkansas Cavalry. 

Joseph Boyle, Company I, Twenty-third Illinois Infantry. 

F. H. Bowran, Company H.. Eleventh New York Cavalry. 
Frederick Brown, Company ^I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

J. Blakely, Companj' L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

G. P. Briggs, Company K, Sixteenth New York Artillery. 

H. F. Breese, Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
Infantry. 

James G. Butler, Company C, Thirt)--second Pennsylvania Infantry. 

J. Becker, Surgeon. Thirteenth Kansas Infantry. 

J. C. Caldwell, Company B, First Ohio Cavalry. 

H. C. Campbell, Company A, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. 

W. E. Carpenter. Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

E. Campbell, Company C, Seventh Illinois Infantry. 

C. W. Card, Company D. One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Xew York 
Infantry. 

G. S. Case. Company A, One Hundred and Twentv-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

\\'illiam Caton. Company F. One Hundred and Forty-second Penn- 
sylvania Infantry. 

Benjamin F. Cams, Company C. Fourth Illinois Cavlary. 

John B. Chase, Company C, Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 633 

W. L. Chase, Company B, Twelfth Michigan Infantry. 
C. B. Colwell, Company C, Ninety-eighth New York Infantry. 
Thomas B. Couher, Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry. 
J. M. Conway, Company K, Second Connecticut Infantry. 
E. J. Clapp, Company D, Second Indiana Infantry. 
Thomas Clark, Company B, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry. 
John Carl, Company I\I, Tenth Illinois Cavalry. 

G. j\I. Cowdry, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

A. D. Crabb, Company C, Twentieth New York Cavalry. 

H. A. Davenport, Company A, Fifty-fourth New York Infantry. 

Milt Davenport, Company E, First New York Cavalry. 

George C. Day, navy; ship "Brooklyn." 

Daniel Davis, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

J. W. Darrough, Company F, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Eb. Denney, Company K, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry. 

I. Desotell, Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

Peter Dickes, Company D, Seventh Kansas Cavalry. 

S. A. Donalson, Company H, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. 

Marshall Dorr, Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Joseph Dorn, Company E, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 

H. B. Douglas, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry. 

J. H. D'Lamatter, Company F, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. R. Dyckman, Company G, Fifty-first New York Infantry. 

E. E. Dj-er, Company E, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

W. H. Dyer, Company E, Thirty-si.xth Illinois Infantry. 

H. H. Evans, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

G. C. Edmonds, navy; United States ship "Vandalia." 

S. M. Farwell, Company F, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. 

Henry Farquah, Company I, Fourth Illinois Cavalry. 

C. B. Fisher, Company A, One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania 
Infantry. 

B. Flanders, Company I, Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry. 

Michael Fleury, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. H. Freeman, Company G, Twenty-third Maine Infantry; Company 
H, Fourteenth Maine Infantry. 

J. F. Freeman, Company G, Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry. 

A. M. Foster, Company G, Third Wisconsin Infantry. 

M. V. Fuller, United States Navy. 

Henry Grimm, Company A. Forty-eighth New York Infantry. 

J. C. Goodale, Company C. Second Massachusetts Artillery. 

John Guinang. Company F. Fifteenth Connecticut Infantry. 



(534 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

A. J. Graves, Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. 

E. H. Gale, assistant surgeon, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Penn- 
sylvania Infantry. 

James Halkyard, Company G, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

J. F. Harral, Company E, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

C. F. Harral, Company C. One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
Infantry. 

Geo. Harrington, Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. 

B. Harris, surgeon. United States Army. 

H. T. Hardy, Third Vermont Light Artillery. 

Thos. Hartless, Company D. Fourth Illinois Cavalry. 

W. D. Hawkins, Company A. Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry. 

S. S. Hawks, Company B. Twelfth Illinois Infantry. 

J. H. Hamlin, Company I, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. 

W. M. Hanna. Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois 
Infantry. 

John Herman, Company F. Second Missouri Infantry. 

N. Hettinger, Company A. Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry. 

S. Hitchcock, Company B. Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

John Hollering, musician. Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

T. X. Holden, Company C, Seventh Illinois Infantry. 

Chris. Harren. Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

E. S. Holm, Company I, One Humlred and Thirty-eighth Illinois 
Infantry. 

John Holzbach. Company G, Second Kentucky Infantry. 

F. H. Hotz, Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 
Theo. Howard, Company B, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. 

J. H. Hubbard, Company C, Seventh Illinois Infantry. 

C. E. Hubbard, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

Morgan Hughes, Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

J. F. IlitT. Company E. Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. 

Joe Ingham. Company I. Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Joseph Johnston, Company A, Seventh Illinois Cavalry. 

Joel H. Jenks, Company C, Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry. 

A. J. Joslyn, Company G. One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. 

A. T. Judd, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

R. Kapferer, Company K. Fourth Iowa Cavalry. 

John Kaiser, Company B, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. 

Peter Karp, Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

J. A. Kelley, Company D, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. 

J. ^^^ Kendall, Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. M. Kennedy. Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry. 

C. L. King. Company B. One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantrv. 




WEST AURORA AND PART OF THE ISLAND ABOUT 1868. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 637 

H. L. Krahl, Company H, Thirteenth United States Infantry. 

John Kramer, Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh New York 
Infantry. 

J. B. Lawrence, Company G, One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry. 

Jacob Lent, Company L, Eighth New York Cavalry. 

A. C. Little, Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

H. C. Loveland, Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
Infantry. 

Josiah Lyke, Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-first Illinois Infantry. 

M. Moloney, Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

John Martzolf, Company E, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry. 

O. J. IMcCollum, Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. J. ■\IcNair, Company B. Second Missouri Infantry. 

Chauncev Miller, Company K, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry. 

Carl Miller, musician, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

M. Millen, Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

G. N. Minott, Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. 

H. J. Mostow, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

James Monahan, Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois 
Infantry. 

H. C. Muzzy. Company H. One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantry. 

William H. Noble, Company B, Thirty-first Maine Infantry. 

M. C. Newman, Company I. One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
Infantry. 

John Ott, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

P. B. Page, Company D, Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry. 

Alonzo Page, Company D, Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry. 

J. E. Painter, Company A, Seventeenth Connecticut Infantry. 

Silas I. Parker, Company B, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry. 

E. S. Perrigo, Company H, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. 

Jerome Phillips, musician. First Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth 
Army Corps. 

C. Pierce, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

W. H. Pierce, Companv B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

C. H. Plimpton, Company G, Fifteenth Alassachusetts Infantry. 

E. D. Pinney, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantr^^ 

Arthur Ouinton, Company B, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. 

J. G. Ralph, Company C, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry. 

I. W. Rice, Company M, Tenth Illinois Cavalry. 

George Rich, Company L, Ninth Illinois Cavalry. 






638 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

yi. C. Richards. Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

Geo. W. Reed, United States ship Wachusetts. 

John H. Riley, Company A, One Hundred and Seventieth Illinois 
Infantry. 

William Ray, Company I, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantry. 

C. B. Riddle, Company H, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. 

M. M. Robbins. assistant surgeon, Davids Island. 

C. B. Rukgaber, Company C, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. 

J. B. Roussel, Company D, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry. 
R. A. Robertson, Company K, Ninth Iowa Infantry. 
J. C. Schmidt, Company L, Third Wisconsin Cavalry. 

D. D. Schr}-\er, Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

H. S. Seymour. Company C, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. 
Ed. Shepard, Company K, Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 
James Shaw, Company H, Sixteenth New Hampshire Infantry. 
M. Z. Simms, Company G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Infantry. 
J. R. Simpson, Company K, Sixth Iowa Infantry. 
Septa Slosson, Company E, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry. 
David Smith, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

John Stanton, United States ship ^Matansas. 

C. H. Starkey, Company I, Forty-Second Illinois Infantry. 

B. F. Stephens, Company B. First Illinois Artillery. 

E. C. Strossman, Company C, Seventh Illinois Infantry. 

B. L. Streator, Company G, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

R. Solfisburg. Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

Sanvl Solfisburg. Company A. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois ' 
Infantry. 

C. C. Scrafford. Company H, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. 
John H. Steel. Company H. Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. 

Morris Steward, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Ira N. Sweet, Company A. One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York 
Infantry. 

L. Sylvester. Company G, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. 

M. T- Tarble. Companv H. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Geo. L. Taylor, Company C. First ^lissouri Engineer Corps. 

L. S. Tanner, Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantry. 

N. J. Thomas, Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry. 

Louis Thon, Company I, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantry. 

J. \\'. Thompson. Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Win. H. Tilton. Company H. Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 639 

Jas. F. Towner, Company C, Seventli Illinois Cavalry. 

B. F. \'an Doozer, Company I, First New York Cavalry. 
Wm. \'an Ohlen, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

G. C. \'an Osdel, Company F, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
Infantry. 

F.'C. \'an Vlack, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 

Infantry. 

William Verner, Company I, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

C. H. A'aughn, Company B, One Hunflred and Twenty-third New York 
Infantry. 

A.' A. A'elie. Company A. One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York 
Infantry. 

Jason Wallace, Company F, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry. 

\\'m. Wallace. Company E, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. 

John L. Walker, Company I, Eighty-first New York Infantry. 

S. E. Walker, Company C, Fourth Illinois Cavalry. 

J. R. Walker. Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
Infantry. 

Morris H. Walker. Company K, Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 

P. :M. Waite. Company M, Ninth Illinois Cavalry. 

Chas. W^ Ware, Company E, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry. 

Dan'l W'atkins, Company A, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry. 

W. H. Watson, Company G, Eightieth Indiana Infantry. 

Joel Wagner, Company E, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

Joe E. Way, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

Geo. T. Ward. Company I, Second Illinois Light Artillery. 

Val. Webber, Company A, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry. 

H. A. Webb, Company D, Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

J. W'ebster, Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-third New York 
Infantry. 

D. A. Wedge. Company E, Eighth Illinois Infantry. 

Geo. W. Weit. Company A. One Flundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

Andrew Welch. Company E, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry. 

S. F. Welch, Company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth New York 
Infantry. 

A. L. \\'est, Company E, Eleventh Illinois Infantry. 

P. A. W^est, Company E, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Infantry. 

Thos. F. White, Company M. Tenth Illinois Cavalry. 

F. L. ^^■ells, Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. 

John W. White, Company B, Third Illinois Cavalry. 

b. C. \\'ilson. Company F. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

Wm. Wilson, Company D, Tenth Illinois Infantry. 

W. ]\I. \\'illiams. Company I, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois 
Infantry. 



640 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

F. E. Westover, Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-sixtli Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. W. Willis, Company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry. 

Fred Winn, Company E, Eighteenth United States Infantry. 

M. D. Yager, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Pennsyl- 
vania Infantry. 

Henry C. Young, Company A, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Chris. Zimmer, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry. 

It is claimed that Aurora Post. No. 20, has the most comfortable and best 
equipped headcjuarters of any similar organization in the United States. It 
happened in this way : Soon after the war a Soldiers' Monument Association 
was organized and about seven thousand dollars raised for the erection of a 
monument. Then some wise heads thought it would be foolish to put so 
much money into a useless monument and induced the association to erect a 
memorial building instead, where mementoes and war relics could be kept. 
Later on, in 1881, the city established a free public library, which needed a 
Ijuilding, and the Monument Association turned over the memorial hall to 
the library board, which raised by subscription some eight thousand dollars 
more to build an addition to be used for the library, Avhile the hall should be 
used as a reading room. Stipulations were made with the G. A. R. that they 
were to build a second story to the library for an assembly room and have 
the use of the same as long as seven members of Post No. 20 should remain. 
Then the entire building was to become the property of the library board. 
In 1903 Andrew Carnegie gave fifty thousand dollars to the city for the con- 
struction of a new library building, which was occupied by the library wdien 
completed, and the old liuilding was turned over to the G. A. R. They raised 
by subscription and a bazaar eight thousand dollars, which was used to raise 
the old library and dig a basement under the whole structure, which was 
finished off into a model kitchen and dining room, capable of seating several 
hundred guests. The old library room was finished off into a fine hall for all 
the meetings of the G. A. R. and auxiliary associations, and the hall on the 
upper floor was leased to the \\'oman's Club at a good rental, which goes into 
the coffers of the G. A. R. The front room in the original memorial building 
was fitted up for a reading room for the old soldiers and is kept open every 
day, where the "old boys" drop in, read, play cards, checkers, etc., whenever 
they feel inclined. They thoroughly enjoy it and visiting comrades say there 
is nothing like it elsewhere. The "old boys" can occupy this building not only 
as long as seven remain, but as long as there is one left to tell the story of the 
war of the Rebellion the building is his. 

The following appears in the G. A. R. Directory for 1907 and is properly 
a part of the history of Post No. 20. 

MEMORIAL ROLL 

includes members of Aurora Post who ha\e died since the organization of 

the Post. 

There is no death ! VVliat seems so is transition : 

This life of mortal lireath is hut a suburb of the life Elysian, 

WHiose portal we call death. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 641 

Peter Albert, Company G, Fourth Indiana Light ArtiUery; died August 
19, 1899. 

M. V". Allen, Company E, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry; died 
February 12, 1899. 

Henry Ankel, Company B, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry; died July 16, 
1894. 

John Arthur, Company B, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry; died Tnne 7, 
1891. 

Thos. O. Athow, Company E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry; died Octo- 
ber II, 1906. 

Chas. G. Ayers, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died December 
9, 1902. 

Thomas Bexon, Company H, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry; died January 
13, 1879. 

John E. Bevier, Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois 
Infantry; died August 22, 1895. 

Jesse E. Becke, Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry; 
died June 7, 1891. 

\\'. L. Beckwith, Company H, Thirteenth New York Infantry; died Octo- 
ber 16, 1905. 

Miles D. Beach, Company G, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry; died May 19, 
1905. 

Henry J. Bird, Company B, Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry; died Decem- 
ber 20, 1903. 

J. H. Blackmore. Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry; died June 29, 1893. 

Alex. C. Brown, Company C, Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry; died Octo- 
ber 5, 1892. 

R. S. Breese, Company H, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died September 
12, 1892. 

G. J. Beverly, Second Illinois Artillery; died October 18, 1897. 

J. H. Burley, Company G, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died January 
12, 1892. 

A. D. Bunnell, Companv F, Second Connecticut Infantry ; died June 29 
1897. 

O. M. Bunnell, Company I, Sixth Ohio Cavalry; died March 14, 1896 

Hiram Calkins, Company B, First Wisconsin Cavalry; died lune 20 
1893. 

Tas. L. Gary, Company D, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died June 16 
1882! 

Tim Chase, Company K, Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry ; died 
October 25, 1903. 

J. H. Cleveland, Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry; died May 7, 1897. 

Wm. Cowdry, Company D, Fourth Illinois Cavalry; died July 4. 1891. 

A. E. Coon, Company I, First Vermont Cavalry; died May 29, 1892. 



642 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 

Chas. B. Conant, Company B, Eighty-ninth New York Infantry : died 
December 30, 1904. 

R. E. Covalt, Company I, Twenty-third Illinois Infantry; died December 
13, 1906. 

D. V. Crandall, Company A. Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry; died April 12, 
1906. 

Ferd. Dapprich, musician. Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry; died January 
28. 1904. 

Salom Dennison, Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry ; died January 28, 1891. 

\\". H. Downing, Company G. Sixteenth \'ermont Infantry; died May 14. 
1900. 

L. A. Duncan, Company H, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry; died September 
6, 1888. 

Jacob Etzel, Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Infantry; died July 26, 
1891. 

John Fairbanks. Company H, Fourth Iowa Cavalry; died June 15, 1906. 

A. C. Ferre, Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry; died May 27, 1888. 

N. C. Fessenden, Company G, First Maine Cavalry; died May 26, 1897. 

Joseph Flurey. Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois 
Infantry; died September 3, 1904. 

Uriah Foster. Company E, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died August 
II, 1906. 

Thos. Freeman, United States Xavy; died June 26, 1904. 

R. Bruce Gates, Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infan- 
try; died March 30, 1881. 

Oscar B. Gates, Company E. Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry : died Decem- 
ber 30, 1906. 

Jacob Geick, Company I, Twent3-third Illinois Infantry; died January 4. 
1892. ' ' ' ' - 

W. P. Gibbs, Company H, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry; died July 5, 1899. 

Nichs. Greusel, colonel. Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died April 25, 
1896. 

A. C. Graves, Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry; 
died November i. 1901. 

Sid. B. Hawley. surgeon. Thirty-third Illinois Infantry; died November 
26, 1877. 

King S. Hammon, Company A. Se\enth New York Cavalry; died April 
3. 1889. 

Abner Hard, surgeon. Eighth Illinois Cavalry; died ]\Iarch 20, 1885. 

\\'m. H. Hartless, Company B. Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died July 
13, 1890. 

E. \V. Hall, Fourth Wisconsin Artillery; died August 4. 1896. 

Sam'l Harding. Company C. Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry; died 
March 7. 1902. 

A. P. Hatch, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry; died May 6, 1901. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 643 

E. E. Hewett, First Engineer Corps: died November 29, 1897. 
Wm. Heun, musician. Fourth Illinois Cavalry; died August 11, 1905. 
Chas. Holslag, Company B, First New York Artillery; died February 15, 

J. M. Hoffman, Company F, Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry ; died Sep- 
tember 24, 1899. 

John Hozell, Company B, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry; died Feb- 
ruary 2, 1905. 

Geo. W. Horr, Company D. Twenty-third Illinois Infantry; died October 
12, 1905. 

Stephen Hiller, Company E, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry; died January 
21, 1896. 

C. H. Hitchcock, Company K, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry; died June 28, 1905. 

G. C. Inman, Company F, Twentv-fifth Michigan Infantry; died May 29, 

Fred D. James, Company A, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry; died February 10, 
1882. 

R. B. Johnson, Company A, One Hundred and Fift3--sixth Illinois Infan- 
try; died February 15, 1889. 

F. S. Jones, Company B, Fourth Michigan Cavalry; died March 24, 1890. 
John Kautenberger, Company H, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died 

April 10, 1 90 1. 

]\I. B. Kenyon, Company I, Forty-second Illinois Infantry ; died July 2. 
1898. 

J. R. King, Company I^, Fourth California Infantry; died December 29, 
1898. 

Geo. W. King, Company K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; died December j;^, 
1901. 

John A. Kinley, Company K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; died August 17, 
1898! 

James Lanigan, Company E, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died Decem- 
ber 6, 1886. 

C. S. Lewis, Company K, Forty-second Illinois Infantry; died September 
30, 1888. 

Elisha Lilley, Company C, Fourth Illinois Cavalry; died February 23. 
1 890. 

D. B. Lincoln, Company K, Tliirty-third Massachusetts Infantry; died 
April 28, igo6. 

Curtis Lord. Company E. Ninety-first Illinois Infantry; died ]\Iarch 19, 
1901. 

R. D. Marlett, Company A, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry; died April 2, 1900. 

C. G. Metzner, Company F, First Wisconsin Cavalry; died April 26, 1879. 

A. N. Merrill, musician. Forty-second Illinois Infantry; died April 8, 
1881. 

Wm. Mears. Company E. One Hundred and Twenty-fourtli Illinois 
Infantry; died June 2, 1884. 



644 ICANE COUNTY HISTORY 

F. P. Mighell, Company K, Eighth IlHnois Cavalry; died September 5, 
1906. 

F. W. Moore, Company A, Thirty-sixth llhnois Cavalry; died June 11. 
1904. 

Geo. McCann, Company F. First Rhode Island Artillery; died January 

12, 1905. 

N. H. Norris, Company F, Eleventh Maine Infantry; died December 13, 
1894. 

Chas. Perkins. Company F. Fourteenth \'ermont Infantry; died Septem- 
ber 25, 1896. 

Edwin Pierce, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died November 
9, 1901. 

Joe C. Porter, Company D, Eleventh Iowa Infantry; died December 5, 
1900. 

E. L. Porter, Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Xew York 
Infantry; died September 10, 1902. 

E. S. Purdy, Companv H. Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died April 21, 
1896. 

J. O. Raymond, Company E, Sixtieth New York Infantry ; died Novem- 
ber 20. 1898. 

A. W. Raymond, Company M, Second New York Cavalry; died Novem- 
ber 21. 1902. 

Anthon Ramer, Company I. Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry; died January 
16, 1904. 

\'an W'yke Race, Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry; died June 

13, 1905. 

Geo. J. Rickert. Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infan- 
try: died May 13, 1895. 

Chas. Roberts, Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry; . 
died February 13, 1899. 

C. M. Ross, Company A, Fifteenth Wisconsin; died December 31, 1903. 

L. E. Ruch. Company E. One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infan- 
try ; died March li. 1896. 

H. D. Rudel, Company I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; died May 20. 1904. 

Wm. H. Scragg, Company D. Ninty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry: died 
October 24, 1 89 1 . 

J. IM. Scott. Companv A, Eightv-ninth Illinois Infantrv: died February 
19, 1898. 

John F. Schick, Company B, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry; died 
December 26, 1893. 

Sam'l B. Shearer, major. Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry; died July 16, 1892. 

Chas. Sibolt, Companv C, Eleventh Massachusetts Infantrv; died June 16, 
1879. 

E. A. Sibell, United States Navy; died June 20, 1894. 

W. A. Smith. Company I. One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York 
Infantry; died October 30, 1884. 




OLD FIRST BAPTIST CHUECH, AURORA, BUILT 1852. 




FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND CENTRE SCHOOL 

HOUSE, AURORA. 



KAJSfE COUNTY HISTORY 647 

J. H. Smith, Company K, Twenty-eighth New York Infantry; died April 
26, 1898. 

H. G. Smith, Company A, First Wisconsin Cavalry; died April 12, 1906. 

C. H. Snediker. Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry; died April i, 1898. 

Thos. Spicer, Company K, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry; died June 8, 
1904. 

W. C. Squiers, Company A, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry; died September 21, 
1905. 

Eugene Stetler, Company E, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania 
Infantry; died July 7, 1888. 

Wm. H. Stebbins, Company B, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry; 
died March 21, 1902. 

R. S. Stolp, Company I, Second Illinois Light Artillery; died February 

7. 1905- 

John St. Martin, Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 

Infantry; died January 4, 1897. 

Melvin Tarble, Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois 
Infantry. 

J. H. Terry, Company H, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died January 2^, 
1903. 

F. L. Thayer, Company C, Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry; died 
June 23, 1896. 

Eleazor Todd, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry; died April 17, 

1903- 

A. P. Vaughan, Company F, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry; died Decem- 
ber 19, 1904. 

Jas. Van Sickle, Company G, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry; died Jan- 
uary 18. 1903. 

A. F. Wade, Company D, Second Wisconsin Infantry; died February 28, 
1896. 

K. L. Walker. Company C, Fourth Illinois Cavalry; died March 9, 1898. 

F, O. White, Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry; died May 30, 1892. 

J. T. Wilkinson, Company I. Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry; died July 25, 
1895. 

A. G. Wilbur, Company B, Forty-first Ohio Infantry; died July 29, 1897. 

Wm. D. Wilson, Company F, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania 
Infantry; died February 17, igo6. 

N. B. Wood, Company H, Fiftv-second Illinois Infantry ; died Januarv 
15. 1898. 

H. C. Wood, Company E, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York 
Infantry; died February 26, 1896. 

H. C. Woodwarth, Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; died April 26. 
loor. 

J. T. Wormley. Company C, Fourth Illinois Cavalry; died June 2. 1904. 

I. K. Young, Company H, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, died June 21. 
1899. 



I 



648 



KANE COUNTY HISTOEY 



AURORA RELIEF CORPS NO. lo. 

This society was organizetl July 15, 1884. 

The mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of the soldiers, sailors and 
marines of the late Rebellion, and other loyal women are banded together, 
auxiliary to the G. A. R. to accomplish the following objects : 

1. To assist the G. A. R. in preserving and strengthening those kind, 
fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines of the 
late Rebellion, and to inculcate love of country and patriotism among our 
members and children. 

2. To assist Aurora Post, No. 20, G. A. R., in all its measures of kind- 
ness and charity to comrades in arms and to their families who may need aid ; 
to extend aid to widows and orphans of fallen comrades, and to aid in 
perpetuating their memory. 



Clara Harral 
Rebecca Lewis 
Myra K. Stolp 
Cynthia W'oodard 
Florence V. Poole 
Hattie Vaughn 
Rae Parr Logan 



PAST PRESIDENTS. 

'MRe Lincoln 
Amelia Bartholomew 
Millie Phillips 
Ella A. Scragg 
Lizzie Hubbard 
^L-iry P. Gale 
]. ]\Iav Richer 



Anna C. Reilein 
Eva Windett 
Rose Johnson 
Elizabeth Kapferer 
Ma.he\ Clark 



Abbott, P. E. 
Allen, Naomi 
Allison, Anna 
Atchison, Rena 
Atherton, Addie 
Athow, ALiry 
Avery, Naomi 
Bartholomew, A. 
Bacon, Ida 
Bain, Ida 
Bates, Antoinetta 
Battles, Minnie 
Barnes, Letitia 
Bexon, Temperance 
Bell, Rose 
Ball, Sophia 
Beck, Hattie 
Beck, C. E. 
Berry. L. G. 
Berscheidt, Gertrude 
Bent, Lizzie 



DIRECTORY. 

Bigger, Louise 
Blackstone, Myrtle 
Blair, Emma 
Bowditch, Sarah 
Bowron, Clara 
Blakley, Emma 
Bronson, Delia 
Bristol, Mary 
Britz, ]\Iary 
Bullis, Anna 
Bedford, Mary 
Case, Alida 
Castaline, Jennie 
Castler, Rae 
Cassem, Maggie 
Clark. Emma 
Clark, Mabel 
Clapp, Eliza 
Chambers, Alice 
Carnes, Emma 
Chapman, Emma 



Cole, Jennie 
Conant, Mary 
Conant. Gertrude 
Cook, Ester 
Courtright. L. 
Colliver, Althia 
Cowdry, Lizzie 
Crittenden, L. A. 
Culp, Julia 
Crane. C. M. 
Corlett. Sarah 
Denney. Mary 
Dodds, Mary 
Drake, Orphia 
Downs. Elizabeth 
Duncan. Linnetta 
Durant. Eunice 
Durant, Lucy 
Dwyer, Mary 
Ebersoll, Maggie 
Eberlv, Mae 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



649 



Eby, Florence 
Eastwood, Emily 
Eardley, Jennie 
Ellsworth. Emma 
Erickson, Nellie 
Farnsworth, Jessie 
Fish, Mary 
Foster, Ada 
Foster, Fannie 
Frances, Ella 
Gale, Mary P. 
Garrey, Emma 
Geyer, Carrie 
Geyer. Marie 
Gillispie, Ella 
Gillette, Hattie 
Goodale. Lida 
Goldsmith, Emma 
Goodsell, Amelia 
Green, Jessie 
Green, Henrietta 
Gregory, Emily 
Gray, Cora 
Gould, AHce 
Harral, Clara 
Hawley, Mary 
Hammond, Eliza 
Hanson, Anna 
Haner, Mattie 
Hanson, Lucy 
Hamilton, Alice 
Hartman, Kate 
Hayford, Jennie 
Houze, Lydia 
Harris, Addie 
Heckman, Carrie 
Henderson, Fannie 
Herrin, M. A. 
Hellgren, Helen 
Healy, Libbie 
Healy, Jennie 
Hinckley, Mary 
Holmes, Carrie 
Hudson, Alice 
Hughes. La\-ina 
Hubbard, Lizzie 
Hubbard. Mahala 



Halkyard, Alice 
Hubbard, Maud 
Hubbard, Laura 
Iliff, Sadie 
Ligham, Elizabeth 
Jamieson, Mattie 
Jackson, Ada 
James, Emma 
Judd, Sarah 
Johnson, Carrie 
Kapferer, Elizabeth 
Kelley, Anna 
Kennedy, Mary 
Killian, Louisa 
King, Harriet 
Knapp, Ella 
Knight, Mary 
Knight, Euty 
Kuter. Amanda 
Lake. Mae 
Lackner, Emma 
Lannigan, Jane 
Lee, Jennie 
Lee, Ida 
Lewis, Rebecca 
Lewis, Stella 
Lincoln, Hannah 
Lincoln. Mary 
Logan. Rae 
Lossing, Mary 
Long, Mary 
Love, Ella 
Mason. Emma 
Mahaffey, Flora 
Megher, Emma 
Meredith, Eliza 
Mileham, Anna 
Miller, Nellie 
McLaughlin, Carrie 
McConahy, Emma 
Moses, Cora 
Mombleau, Sarah 
Miller, Maggie 
Newhall, Caroline 
Ochsenschlager. K. 
Olds. Mary 
O'Meara, Helen 



Olhaver, Alice 
Parmalee, Agnes 
Pease, Helen 
Palmer, Emily 
Parker, Margerite 
Parker, Malinda 
Peet, Celinda 
Perry, C. R. 
Phillips, Millie 
Plummer, Matie 
Pfrangle, Sadie 
Raymond, Kate 
Raymond, Sophia 
Raymond, Frances 
Reilein, Anna 
Reilein, Julia 
Reid, Minnie 
Ricker, J. May 
Riddle, Jennie 
Riser, Mary 
Rolfe, Maud 
Robertson, Anna 
Rosbeck. Anna 
Rosencrans, Maggie 
Ruddy, Anna 
Ruddy. Nettie 
Rukgarber. Lue 
Solomons. Stella 
Scragg. Ella 
Scragg. Daisy 
Schoeberlein, Mary 
Scott, Margaret 
Scharschag. Amelia 
Segars, Mary 
Shepherd, Mary 
Shields, Marion 
Sliornden. Minnie 
Shoger. Mary 
Shambo, Elida 
Stolp, Myra 
Smith. Winnie 
Smith, C. V. 
Smith. Huntoon 
Smith. Laura 
Smeley, Laura 
Solfisberg, Maranda 
Spier, Margaret 



65U 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



Slater, Catherine 
Stebbins, Alaria 
Stevens, Jessie 
Stedman. Catherine 
Stickles, Anna 
Swartz. Mamie 
Sylvester, Celinda 
Tanner, Elizabeth 
Tanner. Anna 
Tarble, Elizabeth 
Thompson, E. P. 
Trapp, Emma 
Trauten. Hope 
Trahy, Sadie 
True, Minnie 
Tyres, Sophia 



Thomas, Hattie 
\'aughn, Hattie 
\'an Sickle, Anna 
\'an Vlack, Edna 
Virchow, Bertha 
Virchow, Nellie 
\\'ard, Anna 
Ward, Alice 
Walker, Mary 
Welch, Mary 
Welch, Lulu 
White, Mary 
White Lavina 
White, Grace 
White, Ellen J. 
\\'estmark, Emma 



Westover Maggie 
Wideman, Anna 
Wilcox, Minnie 
Wilder, Flora 
Winchell, Mary 
Woodard, Cinthia 
Woodruff, Helen 
Worthington, Effie 
Wormley, Ida 
Wormley, Libbie 
Wollong Effie 
Wormley. Anna 
Yager, Maggie 
Young. Lottie 
Youker. Mary 
Zimmers. Emeline 



Paid out tor relief since organization . . 
Turned over to G. A. R. Post, Xo. 20. 



.$3,312.80 
. 1. 136.72 



LADIES OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

ABRAHAM LIXCOLX CIRCLE. NO. 2. 

Objects. 

1 . To unite with loyalty, love for each other : to practice the precepts of 
true fraternal feeling towards all members of the order; thus emulating the 
spirit which imites our fathers, husbands and brothers to honor the memory 
of those fallen, and to pepetuate and keep for ever sacred "Memorial Day." 

2. To assist the Grand Army of the Republic; to encourage and sympa-- 
thize with them in the noble work of charity, and to inculcate love of country, 
and patriotism among the children of our land. It is also the mission of the 
Ladies of the G. A. R. to place upon the breast of each dead comrade a silken 
flag. 

3. All loyal mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, nieces and grand- 
daughters of the late Rebellion and ex-army nurses are eligible to membership 
in this order. 

P.\ST PRESIDENTS. 



Olive Ouinton 
Mary Wallace 
Carrie Scott 
Carolvn Hathron 



Annie Wilcox 
Catherine Page 

■Mary Frost 
Sarah Moon 



Annie Caseur 
Emma Slick 
A. B. Culver 
Mary H. Phillips. 



Brown, Flora 
Breese. Iwanona 



DIRECTORY. 

Beverly. Mercy 
Bevier. Theresa 



Briggs. Clara 
Brundage. Abbie 



KANE COUNTY HISTOE,^' 



651 



Barnes, Lititia S. 
Boyle, Relia 
Black, Xaucy E. 
Casner, Annie 
Cramer. Mary L. 
Cronk, Mary 
Campbell, Hannah 
Chase, Alice 
Cook. Sarah A. 
Cowdry. Alice N. 
Chambers, Alice 
Carnes, Emma 
Corghan, Grace 
D'Lamatter, Lizzie 
Davenport, Martha 
Davis, Clara O. 
Edmunds, F. B. 
Everet, Louise 
Eaton, Edna 
Frost, Mary 
Foster, Anna 
Farrell, Margaret 
Farwell, Mattie 
Ford, Polly 
Fleunner, Ella 
Farreau, Ada 
Foster, Louise 
Fredendall, Anna 
Grey, Diantha 
Greenman, Margaret 
Gustason, Nellie E. 
Grey, Louise J. 
Grey, Mary J. 
Hoyles, Elvira 
Harral. A. M. 
Hathron. Carrie 
Hazel. Mary 
Hoffman. Fannie 
Hatch. Marion 
Hamlin. Josephine 
Harris. Addie 



Heun, Rhoda 
Harrington, Eloise 
Hull, Mary 
Hall, Abbie B. 
Hamlin, Georgetta 
Halter. Grace F. 
Jenks, Fannie 
Kramer, Mary 
Kellogg, Adelade 
Kessell, Helen 
Kittie, Alice 
Kelly, Julia 
Keith. Mary E. 
King. C. L. 
Kinney, Margaret 
Lawrence, Rose 
LaSuer, Hannah 
Logan, Myra 
Lund, Mary 
Lord, Clara 
Miller, Jennie L. 
Maher, Fannie 
Maloney, Rose 
Mullen, Margaret 
Morey, Stella 
Nickson, Annie 
Nary, Catherine 
Newman, Mary 
Page, Catherine 
Pierce, Ella D. 
Perrigo, Mae 
Piedlow, Kate 
Poling, Josephine 
Potter, Lucy P. 
Phillips. Mary 
Picot. Mary 
Quinton, Olive E. 
Robinson, Julia 
Reagan. Maria 
Rice. Linda A. 
Rilter, Ellen 



Riddle, Jennie 
Russell, Annie 
Riddle, Mary E. 
Russell Alniina 
Richardson, Susie 
Raymond, Sarah 
Riley, Jane 
Rees, May 
Ray. Mary 
Scott, Carrie 
Slick, Emma 
Seaward, Catherine 
Scrafford, Fannie 
Squires, Hattie B. 
Stanton, Francis 
Slosson, Helen 
Sylvester, Celinda 
Stinson, Georgia 
Solfisburg, J. 
Streeter, Hattie 
Thompson, Lillie 
Tarble, Elizabeth 
Tremain, Anna 
Townsend. Cora 
Vaughan, Jane 
\'aughan, E. J- 
Ware. B. C. 
Walker, Jane 
\\'eston. Lottie 
Wheeler, Edna 
\Mieeler, Ella H. 
\\'illiams. Jane 
Winn, Julia 
Wilcox, Annie 
Webb. Sarah 
Wilkinson. Mary 
Wilson. Sarah 
Young. Sarah 
Zilsburger. Marv. 



SONS OF VETERANS, U. S. A. 

The objects of the order are as follows: 

I. To keep green the memories of our fathers and their sacrifices for 
the inaintenance of the Union. 



(352 



i^ANE COUNTY HISTORY 



2. To aid and assist the members of the Grand Army of the Republic 
in their caring for lielpless and disabled comrades, to extend aid and protec- 
tion to their widows and orphans, to perpetuate the memory and history of 
their heroic dead, and eventually to take up their work in the proper observ- 
ance of Memorial Day, and teach a love of patriotism to the youth of America. 

3. To aid and assist all worthy distressed brothers of the order. 

4. To inculcate a veneration among all classes for the men who gave 
their lives that this country might live, and to spread the gospel of equal 
rights, universal liberty and justice to all men. 

AURORA CAMP, NO. 21. 

Aurora Camp, No. 21, was mustered into the ranks of the Sons of Vet- 
erans in 1885, by Commander Eb. Denney, of Aurora Post, No. 20, G. A. R. 

In the twenty-two years of its life Aurora Camp has had many ups and 
downs, but today is one of the most prosperous and best working camps in the 
Division of Illinois. 

It has the active support of the members of Post No. 20, G. A. R., and is 
bound to grow larger and more useful as the years go by. 



C. E. Colwell 
P. A. Durant 
\V. K. Dillon 

C. \V. Brookins 

D. E. Hinman 
W. F. Thaver 



PAST COMMANDERS. 

C. S. Hagadone 
C. S. Harkison 
F. C. Hewitt 
A. G. Sylvester 
A. R. Chamberlain 
H. E. Covalt 



R. G. Covalt* 
H. J. Lawrence 
P. G. Lincoln 
Geo. German 
Bert E. Gould 



.■\mes, Fred A 
Atchison. Robert B. 
Bennett, Fred 
Black, Geo. D. 
Brown, Aden 
Colwell. Dr. C. E. 
Chamberlain, A. R. 
Covalt, Harry E. 
Clark, Roscoe C. 
Durant, Pliney A. 
Duncan, Louis A. 
Donaldson. H. W. 
Durant, H. L. 
Durant, Samuel 
Edmunds Ed. E. 



ROSTER. 

Evans, Arthur R. 
Elder, David 
Edmunds, Geo. C. 
Egleston, Franklin 
German. George 
Gould, Bert E. 
Hewitt, Frank C. 
Hawk. Arthur T. 
Harkison, Chas. S. 
Herrick, S. J. 
Halter, Frank 
Hinman, Ed. D. 
Horr, Robert 
Hoffman. Peter L. 
Johnson. \'ern 



Lawrence, Harry 
Lincoln. Percy G. 
Lord, Harry J. 
]\IcNair, John J. 
Manning, Geo. C. 
Porter. E. G. 
Riddle. Geo. H. 
Riddle, Frank H. 
Riddle, John H. 
Ralph, Frank H. 
Spurrier, Harry B. 
Smith, Allen 
Streeter, M. E. 
Sweet, Clififord G. 
Stolp. Ray N. 



Deceased. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY <)53 

Stephenson, Harry Thompson, G. F. W'ormley, O. L. 

Stephenson, Geo. West, Arthur D. Yager, M. E. 

Sherman, F. C. Westover, Fred S. Yager, Clarence L. 

Todd, Bert C. W'inrhsh. William Zimmer, William C. 

LADIES' AID SOCIETY, NO. 7. 

OBJECTS. 

1. To assist the Sons of Veterans in keeping green the memories of our 
soldiers, and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union. 

2. To aid the members of the Grand Army of the Republic in caring 
for their helpless and disabled Veterans ; to extend aid and protection to their 
widows and orphans ; to perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic 
dead, and the proper observance of the Memorial Day. 

3. To aid and assist the Sons of Veterans in all their objects, both 
financially and otherwise. 

4. To aid and assist worthy and needy niemliers of our Society. 

5. To inculcate true patriotism and love of country, not only among 
our membership, but all the people of our land, and to spread and to sustain 
the doctrine of ecjual rights, universal liberty and justice to all. 

PRINCIPLES. 

1. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God, and a realization that under 
His beneficent care and guidance the free institutions of our land — by the 
assistance and sacrifices of our soldiers — have been preserved, and the integrity 
and life of the nation maintained. 

2. True allegiance to the government of the United States of America, 
and a respect for, and devotion and fidelity to, its constitution and laws, with 
a firm opposition to anything that may tend to weaken loyalty, or in any 
manner impair the efficiency and permanency of our National Union. 

PAST PRESIDENTS. 

Celinda Sylvester Fanny Henderson Rebecca Lewis 

Stella Lewis Eva Windett 



DIRECTORY. 

Members in Good Standing. 

Ames, Ella Ballard. Julia Desoteli, Mary 

Brown, Flora Clapp, Liza Drake, Orpha 

Barnes, Letitia Covalt, Lottie Dunn, Elnora 

Briggs, Clara Covalt, Verna Edmunds, Nora 

Biddulph, Anna Davenport, Martha Evans. Cenia 



65i 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



Farwell, Mattie 
Fredendall, Anna 
German, Carrie 
Gould, Effie 
Gray, Mary J. 
Harman, Mary 
Henderson, Fanny 
Henry, Clyde A 
Hubbard, Lizzie 
Kendall, Jennie 
Kendall, Lucy 
Lewis, Stella 



Lewis, Rebecca 
Lincoln, Elnora 
Maloney, Rose 
McNair. Mary 
Newman, Mary 
Parker, Lottie 
Plielps, Bessie 
Picott, Mary 
Phillips. Mildred 
Reynolds, Minnie 
Riddle, Evelyn 
Ricker, Mary 



Riddle, Jennie 
Russel, Almira 
Stephenson, Mary 
Stephenson, Frances 
Stolp, Alyra 
Sylvester, Celinda 
Shepard. Mary 
Wormley, Jennie 
Wormley, Libbie 
Woodward. Edna 
Young. Sarah 



NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF VETERANS 
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

Motto: "The Flag Our Fathers Saved." 

LUCY WEBB HAYES TEXT. XO. 9. 

Organized December 6, 1905. 

I. The object is to perpetuate the memories of our fathers and brothers, 
their loyalty to the Union and their unselfish sacrifices for the perpetuity of 
the same; and to keep green the memory and history of those who participated 
in that heroic struggle for the maintenance of one free government. 

Also about the same objects as other similar organizations. 



Andrews, Nola H. 
Bexon, Lula 
Biever, Theresa 
Bishop, Daisy 
Briggs, Nora 
Butler. Anna 
Chambers. Alice L. 
^Chambers, Ethel 
Cooper, L. May 
Duncan. Linnetta 
Farwell, Mattie 
*Farwell. Tessie M. 



DIRECTORY. 

Graham. Jessie M. 
*Gramly. Stella M. 
Hamlin. Josephine 
Holslag. Bessie 
Holslag, Celia 
Horton, Clara E. 
Kennedy. Carrie 
Kennedy, Mabel 
Lawrence, Edith 
Lindsey. Linnie J. 
Lord. Caroline 
Lund. Maud 



iMorey, Stella 
Newell, Mabelle 
*Parker. Charlotte 
Perrigo, May 
Prindle. Ida 
Raymond. Julia M. 
Ricker. J. May 
Russell, Alattie 
Slick, Emma R. 
Stone. Belie 
Young. Bessie M. 



.\URORA IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 

The following interesting historical sketch of the two Aurora companies 
in the Spanish-American war was written by John C. W'eiland. a private in 
Company D. now assistant cashier in the German-American Bank of Aurora : 



Granddaughter 




LOOKING UP FOX STREET HILL, AURORA. ABOUT 1S6S. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY . 657 

On April 26, 1898, in response to tlie call of President McKinley for 
volunteers to aid in the war with Spain, Companies D and I, of Aurora, of 
he Third Regiment Illinois National Guard, departed from their home to 
issemble in Springfield with the Illinois troops. Quarters were taken in the 
ixposition building at the State Fair Grounds. On May 7 the regiment 
ecruited to its full strength, was examined by army surgeons, and in the 
;vening was mustered by Captain Roberts, U. S. A., into the United States 
•olunteer service, being the first regiment in the country to be so honored. 

On May 14 the regiment was ordered to proceed by train to Chicka- 
nauga Park and arrived there on the i6th. Camp was pitched among the 
rees near Kelly Field and the regiment assigned to the Second Brigade, First 
division. First Army Corps. Life in the open air maintained the health of 
he men, and drills, marches and maneuvers hardened them. They improved 
heir idle hours by visiting all corners of this historic ground and the neigh- 
)oring Lookout mountain and National cemetery. On July 14 Governor 
fanner and staff reviewed all Illinois regiments and found them in the best 
ondition. The same afternoon news was received of the surrender of 
Santiago. One week later, upon returning from a long practice march, orders 
vere received to break camp and to board trains for Newport News, Virginia, 
rhe men were jubilant at the prospect of an early brush with the enemy, 
rhrough the pretty scenery of Kentucky and the mountainous Virginias the 
rains sped and arrived at their destination on the 24th. "Camp Brooke" 
vas made on the sandy shore of the James river, in sight of Fortress Monroe 
nd the ocean. 

On July 28 they embarked on the auxiliary cruiser "St. Louis" for Porto 
^ico, and after a pleasant voyage entered the harbor of Ponce on the night 
)f the 31st. It was a beautiful sight, the dim outlines of the battleships of 
Sampson's squadron, the signal and searchlights, and the big navy guns. The 
lext evening they steamed forty miles east along the coast and reached a 
loint off Arroyo in the early morning of August 2, and waited for the "St. 
-*aul" and "Cincinnati." The "Gloucester" and "Wasp" already lay nearer 
bore. The town surrendered after a few shots and the Spanish garrison 
led to the mountains. The troops were landed in the early evening under 
he protecting fire from the warships, and outposts were established on the 
oads near the foothills. Through the night desultory firing was kept up by 
loth sides and the bullets swished the air above the boys, who la)' hidden in 
he canefields. The body of a Spanish officer was found next morning by a 
entry. Daylight revealed a beautiful country, dotted here and there with 
licturesque old houses and sugar-cane sheds, the hills and mountain sides 
overed with many-colored foliage, and cultivated fields of cane, coffee and 
obacco. 

On August 5, under command of General Brooke, the larger town of 
juayama, five miles west and inland, was taken by the Third Illinois and 
"ourth Ohio Regiments, the Illinois boys on the right and opposed to the 
Spanish cavalry. The enemy, after a short, sharp fight, were driven through 
he town and into the hills beyond. The Aurora companies were then detailed 
s patrols in the town. The Spaniards hid among the trees in the hillsides 



658 . KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

and fired upon our sentries at intervals in the next two days, without fatal 
results, however. 

On the morning of the 9th a battalion of Fourth Ohio men, bent on 
reconnoitering duty among the hills, was ambushed in a deep cut and eight 
men wounded. They were rescued by a detachment of the Illinois boys, 
including the Aurora companies, who hurried out on the double-quick and 
were now placed on outpost duty near the enemy's lines. The next day the 
hea\y Springfiekl rifles were exchanged for Krag-Jorgensens, the regular 
army rifle. A bit of excitement was caused by the report that a spy was 
concealed in a house near Company D's quarters and they searched the house, 
without, however, discovering the Spaniard. A Spanish corporal and a 
refugee were captured while prowling near the outposts and brought in. 
Orders were issued in the evening that sentries be doubled and prowlers be 
shot, as a night attack on the town was expected. Ten days' rations were 
issued to each man and word was given that the movement across the island 
would begin before daybreak next morning, the 13th. There was hurried 
preparation and loading all night and no sleeji for the men. After an early 
cup of coffee the start along the mountain roail was ordered with Companies 
D and I in the advance of the Third Illinois, which with the Pennsylvania 
and Missouri batteries formed the main column. From their ele\'ation they 
saw an enchanting prospect, the solid road winding along the mountain sides, 
valleys and ra\ines below, with a clear view of the sea and the transports 
lying iilh' at anchor, the town partlv hidilen by the hills. But soon the sun's 
glare became fiercely hot, and men began to drop t)ut of ranks. Progress was 
slow, as time must be allowed for the Ohio and Pennsylvania regiments to 
come up on the right and left flanks. At noon, the big five-mile benti in the 
road had been reached, which was guarded by a blockhouse a hundred yards 
up the mountain side, and a halt was ordered. General Broiike, himself in 
the ad\ance. ordered the gunners to unlimber and load. In the midst of these 
preparations. Lieutenant McLaughlin, of the signal corps, was espied riding 
at top speed up the road toward the soldiers, and shouting: "Stop!" He 
reported to General Brooke that the jiresident had decreed a protocol ; the 
general hesitated a moment, then said : "Lieutenant, you should have shown 
more consideration for your horse!" Thus dramatically, ended the war in 
Porto Rico : and fortunately, too, for it was afterward discovered that the 
road had been mined under the line of march, and that masked batteries on 
the hillsides could have worked deadlv havoc, had an action been begun. 

The men were marched back to a field near town, where camp was 
pitched, and made as comfortable as possible. Patrols were sent nut. and 
outposts estalilished. some of the Aurora boys lieing stationed within speaking 
distance of the enemv, and establishing a friendly intercourse. These outposts 
were maintained until the last of August. Now began the rainv season, and 
camp was moved several times. The hos])ital lists grew larger daily, until less 
than half the men were fit for duty, and their health was endangered by the 
greatly increased amount of work. The hospital ships, "Relief" and "Mis- 
souri" came to take the sick men back to the L^nited States, and transports 
brought food and supplies. On September 3 General Brooke and staff departed 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 659 

on their ride of thirty-rtve miles across the island, to institute the provisional 
government at San Juan. The mail was often ten days or more in arriving, 
and was eagerly devoured upon its receipt. Fresh beef and bread were obtained 
occasionally, and served to relieve the monotony of hardtack and bacon. Drills 
and marches and dress parade were held daily, to maintain the health of the 
men, and divert tlieir thoughts. General Fred Grant took command of the 
brigade. On the i8th, at dress parade, a message from the president, compli- 
menting the Third Illinois on its record, was read and cheered. Many 
rumors were spread about that the regiment would soon be relieved, which put 
heart back into the men. 

On October i the army paymaster came on his long-deferred \-isit, and 
made the boys happy with the first pay they had received in three months. 
The native merchants reaped a harvest by trebling their prices for all fruits 
and vegetables, which were in great demand by the soldier boys. On October 
26 the Forty-seventh New York regiment arrived to relieve the Illinois boys, 
and on November 3 the Third Illinois boarded the "Roumanian," of the 
transport service, and bade good-by to Porto Rico, after having given three 
months of able foreign service to their flag. The steamer arrived in New 
York harbor on November 9, and the regiment disembarked and boarded 
trains, leaving Hoboken at night, and arrived in Chicago at noon of November 
II. Colonel John Lambert, of Joliet, had provided a feast at the Great 
Northern hotel for his old friends. Colonel Bennitt and the Third Illinois, 
to which, you may be sure, they did full justice. Companies D and I arrived 
home in the early evening, and were welcomed with open arms. They were 
banqueted and accorded receptions by various organizations and by the 
citizens. 

The companies were granted a sixty-day furlough and at its expiration 
were mustered out, January 18, 1899. 

Company D was fortunate throughout the campaign, but was saddened 
to learn, a few days after arriving home, that Private Henry B. Damon had 
died in a Chicago hospital, to which he had been moved from the train, too 
weak to go farther. Company I suffered the loss, by fatal illness, of Sergeant 
Robert M. Dyer, at Chickamauga, June 8, 1898, and at Guayama, Porto Rico, 
Fred Shaw, August 22: Oscar Smith, August 26: Chris Hennis. September 
21, and Charles Church, October 10. 

The rosters of the companies follow : 



COMPANY D. 

Captain. 

First Lieutenant. 

Second Lieutenant. 



John L. Graves 

Fred L. Thatcher 

Charles F. Spicer 

Sergeants. 
Dale E. Lanigan Warren O. Lintner Frank Davis 

William Snyder John H. Simmons Fred D. Graves 



660 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



Ellis Ames 
George Fauble 
Arthur Russell 
James Sherwood 



Harry \\". Marvi 



Alex. Menz 



John W. Althen 
Lester C. Allen 
Charles E. Brown 
Groves W. Breese 
Thomas Blair 
Charles A\'. Barnum 
Frank Burns 
^Martin Bickler 
Claud C. Colie 
James M. Cornell 
Henry B. Damon 
Harry Dyer 
Lester L. Davis 
Bert C. Drake 
Lester Drake 
Jess C. Eatinger 
Harry H. Elmore 
Roy Fisk 
John E. Farrell 
William Flaherty 
John Gabrielson 
William Gleason 
Walter C. Grant 
Chester C. Goddard 
Oscar Hamilton 
Claud E. Hayford 
William Haywood 
Rudolph Hanson 



Charles H. Greene 

\\'illiam Kline 



Corporals. 
Frank Drew 
John F. Holslag 
Archie G. Sylvester 
Charles Phillips 

Musicians. 



Wagoner. 

Privates. 

Dennis Hennessey 
Harry Howard 
Charles Jeffries 
Gus Johnson 
Xelson Johnson 
Bert Kaiser 
Edward Karl 
Clarence Knight 
John Kramer 
Gus A. Kruger 
Maurice Kundert 
Fred Lackey 
Emil Larson 
Alfonso LaPninte 
Claude La Suer 
Dan W. Lehman 
Charles Leidberg 
Anthony Love 
John Maher 
Emil ]\Iatson 
William McCarthy 
Edwin ^IcGinnis 
Frank McQueeney 
Otto ^lessner 
James E. Moore 
Eugene Moreau 
Tohn Murphy 
Richard Xass 

COMPAXV I. 

Captain. 
F/r.T/ Lieutenant. 



James Dunlap 
Howard C. Carpenter 
George McKee 
Charles Wagner 



Charles Smith 



John J. Nepomuck 
Herman C. Xiss 
Robert A. Ostrander 
Frank E. Pagel 
Charles H. Pruett 
Frank W. Pruett 
George R. Pulford 
Michael Rausch 
James Robinson 
Frank E. Rossetter 
Edward Runge 
Jacob Schrepfer 
John Schrepfer 
Edward Schairer 
John Soost 
Charles F. Soules 
William Stratton 
Arthur Streed 
Charles Swahn 
Hugh G. Taylor 
Adam Thiel 
Ernst Thill 
Otis E. ^^"albaum 
John C. ^^'eiland 
Ray \\h\tt 
Charles Zimmerman 



TIANE COUNTY HISTORY 



661 



Albert Lindscy 

Albert W. Hendricker 
John J. Burkel 
Edward Pfister 

Fred Dano 
Thomas Manion 
Charles O. Miller 
Monte L. Robinson 

Clarence O. Davis 

James E. Goodwin 

William E. Ferriere 

Louis Andrews 
Robert L. Angell 
Alfred Bedard 
James A. Bedford 
Adolph Bergeman 
Stephen Boone 
William Callahan 
Charles Church 
•Charles Coon 
John Custer 
Alexander Dissell 
Seth Dyer 
Charles Eccles 
William Edwards 
Arthur H. Fuller 
Henry Greiner 
John L. Gulig 
George Hamell 
Henry Hedin 
Oscar Hegland 
Chris Hennes 
William F. Herleliy 
Albert Hippe 
Cornelius Holdren 
John Jackson 
William Jerl 
Charles Johnson 
Joseph Johnson 



Second Lieutenant. 

Sergeants. 

diaries O. Hendricker 
\\'illiam H. Bronson 
George A. Law 

Corporals. 
Ralph Gharet 
George Gharet 
Philip S. Clauser 
Edward Russ 

Musicians. 
Wagoner. 
Artificer. 
Privates. 



Peter Johnson 
Charles Joslyn 
Charles Klingberg 
John Kolf 
Roy E. Knight 
Charles Kuehn 
Fred Landberg 
Rufus Lincoln 
George H. Lippold 
John Lorang 
Lee Loria 
John Mahoney 
Adolph Martin 
Fred Martin 
Fred A. Martin 
James McCallum 
John McCarthy 
"William McNally 
Frank H. Michaels 
Charles Monroe 
Wilmot C. Munson 
Lester K. Oakley 
Fred Park 
John Paulus 
Earle Petticord 
Charles Pfister 



Robert M. Dyer 



Fred Eardley 
Lawrence Krantz 
John Dehn 
George Dunn 



Louis E. Shoger 



Elmer Phillips 
A. Eugene Pierce 
John W. Pitzer 
Alex. Plant 
John Rentner 
Byron Rogers 
Hardin Rossman 
John Roussell 
Henry Rowcliff 
Henry Russ 
Lee Ryan 
Matthew Schmit 
George Schneider 
Walter Shackley 
Fred Shaw 
Frank Siegmund 
Oscar Smith 
Frank S perry 
Fred Stilson 
August E. Swanson 
Jacob C. Trumbull 
John Wantz 
Clare Weaver 
Frank Wellman 
George S. White 
Edward Whitmore 
Henry A. Winkler, Jr. 
Fred Yound 



662 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

CHAPTER XXHI. 

THE CITY (IF ELGIN. 

In 1872 a writer wrote as follows: 

"The thriving city of Elgin is beautifully and picturesquely located upon 
both banks of the Fox river, forty-two miles west by north from Chicago, at 
the point where the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad crosses the river. The 
first settlement of the town was made by James T. and Hezekiah Gifford, in 
April, 1835. Mr. H. Gifford had visited the country the previous year and 
explored it from where Elgin now stands, to Y'orkville, in Kendall county, 
and was so much pleased with it that he induced his brother, James T. Gifford, 
to sell out his property and migrate west. James T. lived at Dundee, and 
Hezekiah in Oneida county, both in the state of New York. From Chicago 
they proceeded to Milwaukee, then called 'Milwaukie bay.' Not finding 
any good opening at this point they crossed the country to Fox river, and 
explored it as far south as the head of the 'Little Woods,' and finally con- 
cluded to settle on the site where Elgin now stands. Returning to Chicago 
for their teams, which had been left there, they again returned to their new 
home, this time accompanied by Mr. Joseph Kimball, whom they met in 
Chicago. 

"The Giffords immediately proceeded to choose and mark out claims, 
James T. claiming the land now included in the plat of Elgin bearing his 
name, and Hezekiah the land south of it, and including that on which the 
National Watch Factory now stands. James T. Gifford built the first log 
cabin on the original town plat, near where now is the corner of Prairie and 
Villa streets, in front of the present residence of G. B. Raymond. Hezekiah 
built a log cabin sixteen feet square in April, 1835, on what is now called 
Sherman's addition to East Elgin. Mrs. Hezekiah Gifford arrived at the set- 
tlement on the I2th day of May, 1835. (This spot is now owned by the 
Bowen family, on St. Charles street. This was the first cabin built in what is 
now Elgin. This is shown by the fact that the cabin of James T. Gifford, 
above mentioned, was not completed until July or August, 1835, Mrs. J. T. 
Gifford arriving at that time.) For six weeks she was the only white woman 
there. 

"Messrs. S. J.. G. W. Russell, and Jonathan Kimball, and Isaac Stone, 
arrived in the latter part of April of the same year, and the little colony 
began to improve quite rapidly. Mr. Joseph Kimball died while on a trip 
east for his family. His son, Samuel J. Kimball, came in his place, and claimed 
the property afterward owned by his sons, Joseph and Walter, the former of 
whom was the first child born in Elgin, his birth dating November 28, 1836. 
"Jonathan Kimball claimed the land on the west side, later owned by 
Hon. S. A. Wilcox and others. These two names, Gifford and Kimball, 
were the most prominent in the earl}- history of Elgin. 








KENRY SHERMAN. 



v.. AV. RAYJinxI). 



THE MAKERS OF ELCTN. 



A. J. AVAI.DUOX. 



REV. A. .1. .loSLYX. 
DR. JOSEPH TEKFT. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 665 

"A road was staked and 'blazed' to Meacham's Grove, now Blooming- 
dale, in the early summer of 1835. In June of this year two more ladies, Mrs. 
P. J. Kimball and daughter, arrived and joined the settlement. The same 
season, also, the wife of James T. Gifford, accompanied by his sister, Miss 
Harriet E. Gifford, arrived in the colony. The latter lady taught the first 
school opened in Elgin, in the fall of 1835. 

"The town was named Elgin by Mr. James T. Gifford, who took a great 
liking to the old Scotch names. The first Fourth of July celebration took 
place in 1836, the settlers celebrating the nation's anniversary by opening 
the nevi' road between Elgin and Meacham's Grove. 

"The precinct, as the townships were then called, was known as the Lake 
Precinct, and included the two towns of Elgin and Dundee. The lirst election 
for the precinct was held at the house of Thomas H. Thompson, which stood 
on what is now the Captain Turner farm, within the limits of Dundee, July 
I, 1836. At this election eighteen votes were polled, the majority of them 
belonging to Dundee. Jonathan Kimball was elected justice for Elgin, and 
Wanton Parker for Dundee. S. J. Kimball and Seth Green were elected con- 
stables — Kimball for Elgin, and Green for Dundee. This seems to have been 
a sort of informal election. The first election in the town of Elgin, properly 
speaking, was held at the public house of Hezekiah Gifford, October 10, 
1836, according to Mr. Gififord's recollection, and was probably the first for- 
mal election held after the organization of the county, which was effected in 
1836. An election occurred in August, 1836, at the house of Thomas H. 
Thompson, for congressmen, state senator and representative, county com- 
missioners, sheriff, recorder, surveyor, and coroner. On the 7th of Novem- 
ber, 1836, another election was held at Mr. Thompson's house, for presi- 
dential electors, at which forty-two votes were polled. In October, 1837, 
James T. Gifford was elected justice and Eli Henderson constable. 

"During the year 1836, James T. and H. Gifford, with S. J. Kimball as 
surveyor, marked out a road from Elgin to Belvidere, which has been a 
great thoroughfare ever since. 

"The first resident physician in Elgin was Dr. Joseph Tefft, who settled 
here in 1835 or 1836. The first marriage was celebrated at the house of 
Jonathan Kimball, Esq., whose daughter Martha was united to Mr. Sidney 
Kimball. The first death in the colony occurred in May, 1836 — Miss Mary 
Ann Kimball, a daughter of P. J. Kimball. 

"Hezekiah Gifford built and opened the first hotel, or tavern, in the month 
of October. 1836. This was sold to Eli Henderson the ensuing year. A dam 
and bridge were constructed in 1837. A saw-mill was also put in operation. 
The dam and saw-mill were built by the company, Messrs. William C. Kimball, 
Janies T. Gifford, and S. J. Kimball. 

"The first building used for a school was built in 1837. It was of wood, 
twenty-four by thirty feet. It had a small bell in its tower, probably the 
first one ever heard in the valley, and was used both for school and church 
jiurposes. The first district-school building was erected in 1847. ^^ stood on 
the corner of DuPage and Chapel streets, and was built of brick. Some time 



666 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

after two brick school buildings were put up on the west side of the river, 
and in 1858 the city higli-school buikling was built on Kimball street. 

"The Elgin academy was chartered in 1839. In 1848-9 the Free Will 
Baptists made an effort to establish a college. The present academy build- 
ing was commenced by them, but pecuniary embarrassments compelled the 
abandonment of the project. In 1854 a new organization was effected, under 
the academy charter of 1839. to whom the shareholders of the proposed college 
transferred their interest, and in 1855 the building was completed and opened 
as the Elgin Academy. 

"The first religious society was organized in May, 1836, by Rev. N. C. 
Clark, Congregationalist. who had figured quite extensively already at Naper- 
ville and St. Charles. ]\Ir. James T. Gifford was the most prominent member 
of this church. The society occupied the little chapel already spoken of, 
until 1843, when they built a house on the corner of Center and Fulton streets, 
seventy by forty feet. This building was completed in 1846. The Baptists 
organized at the house of Hezekiah Gifford. in 1838. The Rev. J. E. Ambrose 
was their first pastor, and continued until 1844. The Episcopal Methodists 
organized a church in 1837. and built a house in 1840, which, with subsequent 
additions, was occupied until 1866, when the splendid Centenary church was 
erected, at an expense of $25,000. The Free Will Baptists and Unitarians 
erected houses of worship in 1846. In 185 1 the Catholics erected a church 
upon a lot (on the corner of DuPage and Gifford streets), presented to them 
by Mr. James T. Gifford. The Universalists erected a very neat and tasteful 
house in 1866, and the same year the Free Methodists built a plain, but sub- 
stantial and commodious house. In February, 1853, a Presbyterian society 
was organized, and in May, 1855, a Reformed Presbyterian society was 
formed. There is also a German Lutheran society in the city. They own and 
occupy the church erected by the Free Will Baptists in 1846, on the corner 
of Division and Spring streets. 

"Elgin, like all western towns, has been prolific in hotels. In addition to 
the first building erected by Hezekiah Gift'ord, in 1836, there have been the 
Elgin house ( that stood at the northeast corner of Center and 
Chicago, the site now occupied by the First Congregational church), 
long the stopping place of the celebrated Frink & Walker line 
of stages between Chicago and Galena ; Shaw's, or the City hotel, centrally 
located (that stood where the Sherwin block now stands) ; the Kim- 
ball house, near the East depot; and the Waverly, on the West side, 
the last well known, far and near, as one of the best hotels in the 
country. In addition, we might state that there have been a number of Ger- 
man and other hotels at various periods, among which the Chicago house, on 
Douglas avenue, is perhaps the most prominent." 

Soon came a demand for the necessaries of life. Bread had to be 
obtained, and the settlers having gathered in their first crop of corn, the 
question arose, how was it to be ground. Journeys to Ottawa, Joliet and 
Chicago for this purpose were frequmt, but they were long and tedious, 
and it was evident that the place then called "State Road" by a few settlers, 
in the hope, it is to be supposed, that a state road would some time or other 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 667 

get to it, must lia\e a mill. Mr. J. T. Gifford constructed one by hollowing 
out a large stump and fitting into it an immense stone, which was raised and 
depressed by means similar to those once used in raising water out of wells. 
A sort of powerful mortar and pestle were thus formed. 

The year 1836 saw the first religious organization of Elgin firmly estab- 
lished. Before this date services had been held in the Messrs. GifTords" 
cabins. In February, of the year alluded to. Rev. John H. Prentiss, of Joliet, 
and Rev. N. C. Clark, then of Naperville, but afterward for many years one 
of the most honored citizens of Elgin, met at Mr. J. T. Gifford's house. b\ 
invitation, and spent a Sabbath there. ]Mr. Prentiss preached on the occasion, 
and it was concluded to organize a church as soon as possible. In May, 1836, 
a Congregational church was formed. 

The first marriage — rare in those days — was celebrated at the house of 
Jonathan Kimball, when his daughter Martha, was united to Sidney Kimball. 

The first death, too. in Elgin, that of Miss Mary Ann Kimball, daughter 
of P. J. Kimball, Sr., took place in May of this year. The deceased was 
buried in the then newly formed cemetery, where John Newman's residence 
now stands. The Channing street cemetery was not used until 1844, and 
on its establishment many bodies had to be transferred to it from the old 
burying ground. A perfect record of interments has been kept, that is almost 
invaluable. 

Emigrants now commenced passing into the western country in great 
numbers. The Indians had. in 1836, received their last payment in Chicago 
and were moving off. The Elgin people no more heard their importunities for 
"pennyack," "quashkin" and "goonatash," yet. in this year, the settlers 
received a severe scare from a report brought into the village by a courier from 
the north, that the Indians were coming back to slay and scalp all before 
them. A public meeting was at once called, and a committee of defense 
appointed, but the red men did not put in an appearance. 

The village was growing now. Dr. Joseph Tefft built a house (ui the 
ground afterward used as a hay and wood market, now the city hall. A 
man named Stowers. too, had built a store. Mr. GiiYord had got the name 
of the village legally authenticated in Washington, and the mail and stage 
route west, located through Elgin. People no longer had to send horsemen 
to Chicago for letters and papers. Settlers, including the Knox, Gilbert. 
Tefift and other families, had come in on the trail that led up the Fox from 
the direction of Joliet. 

Travelers, at this period, poured into and through Elgin, and every house 
in the village was a place where strangers might be entertained. In the fall 
of 1836 a frame addition was made to Gifford tavern, which remained 
standing, though not on its original site, until April, 1875. Some time after 
this, the Elgin house, for years kept by a person named Tibballs, was built. 
It stood on the northeast corner of Chicago and Center streets. It was at 
one time considered one of the finest hotels in the West : but after the 
departure of Mr. Tibballs. it was converted into a female seminary, and for 
years, under the management of the Misses Lord, held a first-class reputation. 



668 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

In 1838 Henry Sherman settled about two miles west. Jason House, 
Elgin's first blacksmitli ; B. Healy, the first harness maker ; John and Vincent 
Lovell, Alfred Hadlock, William Shaw, Solomon Hamilton, Burgess Trues- 
dell, Harvey Raymond and many others, came about the same time. The 
productions of the country found a ready market in Chicago, then just com- 
mencing her wonderful career. Wheat never sold for less than thirty cents 
per bushel, nor corn for less than twenty cents, and pork was often firm at 
$1.50 per hundred. 

In 1838 B. W. Raymond, of Chicago, in connection with his partner, 
S. N. Dexter, bought one-half of J. T. Gififord's claim, and in 1840, Mr 
Gifford sold one-half of the remainder to Dr. Root, father of Anson Root, 
still living. Elgin is greatly indebted to B. W. Raymond for its early and later 
prominence. Although not an actual resident, he made large investments 
here and furnished the material for many of the most important enterprises. 
His contributions for the establishment of the Academy were liberal, and 
he was one of the first, and for many years one of the leading merchants. He 
was a partner in the foundry of Augustus Adams & Co., the first manufac- 
turers of corn sheliers, in this part of the west, and was chiefly intsrumental 
in the establishment of the w-oolen factory, built by S. N. Dexter in 1842 
(now the Yoimg Men's Christian Association g)-mnasium). He assisted in 
the erection of a large tannery, and in securing the location of the w-atch 
factory here, of which company he became the first president. 

During the Christian occupancy of the little frame building, the 
several denominations worshiping there divided the time harmoniously 
among them, and the Sunday school officers were chosen from different 
denominations. In July, 1837. a great religious meeting was held in a large 
tent, near the site of the Centenary church, and in September of that 
year the Congregationalists secured the services of Rev. Mr. Clark, on 
alternate Sundays, he being then a resident of St. Charles. At this time he 
divided his services with the Dundee church. At this time, also. Rev. Mr. 
St. Palais, a missionary from Indiana, occasionalh' visited the Catholics in 
Elgin. This gentleman afterward was bishop of Vincennes, in that state. 

Elgin's first bridge, built in 1837. was a wooden structure, reaching from 
Mr. Healy's place of business (now Healy block) to the Lynch block on the 
west side. It was carried off by a freshet in 1849, ^nd was succeeded in that 
)-ear by a substantial wooden bridge, which lasted until 1866, when it was 
removed and an iron bridge built. This structure fell beneath a drove of 
cattle, and a new iron bridge w-as constructed. This bridge fell on July 4, 1869, 
under a crowd watching a tub-race, and was replaced by an iron structure 
that w-as destroyed by the ice and flood in 1881. In the early years the race- 
way ran across Chicago street and entered the river south of where DuBois 
opera house now stands. All the land from the Seybold factory south is 
made land — the process of filling still going on, on both sides of the river. 
A pile bridge was used for many years. During its construction people were 
ferried across the river in a ferry boat about thirty feet long and twenty feet 
wide, attached to a cable strung across the river by means of trolleys or 
pulleys. The push of the strong current against the ferry, aided by a man 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 669 

with a pole, forced the contrivance across. One morning in April, 1881, a 
ferry started from the landing, just opposite the Milwaukee depot, heavily 
loaded. When it reached midstream the current sw^ayed it, and the occupants, 
becoming fearful, moved toward the outer edge. The result was to sink 
the boat under water, throwing the passengers (some htteen or twenty) mro 
the river. Many were drowned. 

The first bridge at National street was constructed in 1870; the one at 
Kimball street about 1885. 

So the village continued to grow, with what is now \'illa court, as a 
business center, and in 1840 contained a population of nearly one thousand 
persons. That year marked a change in the business district, and began 
the movement toward the river, which in ten years saw Center street prac- 
tically abandoned and Chicago street the main thoroughfare. The beginning 
of this change was the erection of a cobble-stone store at the southeast corner 
of Spring and Chicago streets by B. W. Raymond, which he long occupied 
as a general store. The building was not removed until 1906, when it was 
torn down to give place to the present Leitner block. By 1855 Fountain 
square had become the center of the village, then having a population of about 
three thousand, and it has so continued until the present day. Home bank 
block was built in i860. 

The years from 1840 to 1866 show but little permanent advancement 
toward the making of the city that has arisen. The railroad on the east 
side was built in 1848, the depot being at Chicago and Spring streets, where 
the Stewart block now stands. For two years this was the terminus of the 
railroad, and the only avenue to the lands further west. Every train was 
tilled with homeseekers, who must be accommodated here. The old city hotel, 
afterward the Commercial, on the site of the present Sherwin block, was 
built about 1844. 

About 1850 the Galena branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
on the west side, was constructed and travel instead of stopping here con- 
tinued westward. The panic of the '40s struck the town about this time and 
dealt it a staggering blow. Its residents were, however, made of persevering 
temper and did not lessen their efforts to build up a city. 

In 1843 the woolen factory was built. (The building is now occupied by 
the Young Men's Christian Association gymnasium.) This was the first 
manufacturing enterprise of consequence that had located here, and as an 
earlier writer has said, "through it Elgin received its first lesson in the great 
advantages to be derived from the location of manufacturing establishments. 
From that time to the present the lesson has never been forgotten in the com- 
munity. Elgin knows that every stride it has taken has been owing to the 
building up in its midst of productive establishments." The woolen mill was 
enlarged in 1866 and long employed a large force of hands. It went out of 
business in the early '80s, and w-as succeeded by the Cook Publishing Company. 

Elgin was incorporated as a city in 1854. the following being the first 
officers : 

Mayor — Joseph Teft't. 



()70 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Aldermen — First ward, C. S. Clark and R. L. Yarwood; Second ward. 
L. C. Stiles and P. R. Wright; Third ward, E. A. Kimball and G. P. Harvey. 

The crisis of 1857 soon followed and stagnation resulted in the young 
city. Said a former writer: "Property tumbled to fabulously low figures; 
the manufacturers, like all other enterprises, stopped, and stores were unrented. 
Elgin was a sort of Illinois Pisa, with grass growing in its thoroughfares, and 
its people employing their energies in providing for life's wants. Thus it 
continued for some years, and many predicted it would long continue." 

The opening of the Rebellion found the city hardly recovered from the 
depression, but it became alive at once on the beginning of hostilities. One 
week after the news reached Elgin, the first company (A) for the first regi- 
ment (the Seventh) left the city for Springfield, and was the first company 
mustered in Illinois. This first company was made up of the old Continentals, 
who had been the "crack" militia organization west of Chicago. Edward S. 
Joslyn (afterward lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-sixth) was captain of 
these first volunteers who were mustered in on April 15. 1861. (For mem- 
bers of this company see Seventh Regiment in military history.) 

The old "Continentals" of Elgin were originally organized in 1855. They 
early adopted the old Revolutionary uniform w ith cocked hat. The late Col. 
E. S. Joslyn was captain of the company, and General John S. Wilcox a 
lieutenant. Following is a copy of a program of a ball given by this com- 
pany in 1859 : 

GRAND ^HLITARY BALL. 



THE 

1 1 \4 SHIXG TOX COX TIXEX TA LS. 

WILL GIVE .\ GRAXD MILITARY BALL. 

On Friday Evening, January 7. 1859, 

AT THE 

WA\"ERLY HOUSE. ELGIN. 

In honor of the 43d Anniversary of the 

Battle of Xew Orleans. 



VOfR COMPAXV WITH LADIES IS RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED. 



HOXORARY MAXAGERS. 
Gen. E. Wilcox Col. B. F. Lawrence Hon. John Hill 

Maj. G. W. Renwick Col. C. J. Hawkins Hon. "c. H. Morgan 

:\Iaj. R. H. Adams Capt. E. S. Joslyn Hon. C. S. Clark 



Committee of Arrangements. 

Lieut. W. A. Car{)enter. Lieut. J. S. Wilcox. Lieut. T. W. Grosvenor. 

Corp'l W. S. Smith. Serg't L H. Yarwood. 



Floor Managers. 
Capt. E. S. Joslyn. Lieut. T. W. Grosvenor. Lieut. J. S. \\'ilcox. 








THE MAKERS OF ELGIN. 



WILLIAM C. KIMBALL. 



GEX. GEOKGE M CLURE. 



JAMES T. GIFFORD. 



SVLVANUS WILCOX. 



LUTHER HERRICK. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 673 

MUSIC: GREAT NORTH-WESTERN BAND. 



Military are requested to appear in uniform. 



Tickets {Iiiclncling Supper) $2.50. 



-o- 



Gazette print, Elgin. 
\V.\SHlNGTON CONTINENTALS B.\LL RKCALLS DAYS BEFORE THE WAR. 

The above is a reproduction of an invitation to one of tlie most fashion- 
able society events given in Elgin before the Civil war. The original copy 
is the property of General John S. Wilcox, who at that time was a lieutenant 
in the Washington Continentals. A perusal of the names of the various man- 
agers and committees will be of especial interest to many of the older residents 
as well as to the younger generation. 

General Elijah Wilcox, one of the honorary managers, was the father of 
the present General Wilcox and the Hon. John Hill was a brother-in-law of the 
general. Captain E. S. Joslyn is well remembered as the father of Attorneys 
Frank and Waite Joslyn. Among the members of the old W'ashington Conti- 
nentals was Joseph Hemmens, father of Postmaster H. D. Hemmens and 
Walter Kimball, at present a member of the Elgin police department. It will 
be noticed that the invitation was printed by the Gazette Print of Elgin, which 
was the forerunner of the News-Advocate. 

Although it is understood that there are a number of these invitations still 
in existence they are preserved with great care by their owners. When the 
old high-school building was razed the workmen found one of the invitations 
under the flooring. 

On the 25th of July, 1861, Elgin furnished a company to the Thirty-sixth 
Illinois Volunteers, and still another company to the Fifty-second regiment, 
mustered September 14, 1861. In October of the same year a company left 
the city for the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteers. Elgin contributed a very large 
quota to the Fifty-eighth regiment, which was organized in 1862, and in June 
of that year a company was also organized there for tlie Sixty-ninth Regiment 
of three months' men. On September 5, 1862, two companies left the city 
for the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteers. The Elgin 
Battery was formed in the fall of 1862, and mustered into service in November 
of that year. In February, 1864. extensive barracks were built on the Lovell 
property, in the north part of the city, which received the designation of Camp 
Kane, and in February, 1864, these were temporarily occupied b}' the Fifty- 
second Regiment, then at home for a short time. The regiment received large 
accessions from the place on its redeparture for the front in March of the same 
year, and in the June following the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volun- 
teers, marched from Camp Kane, Elgin contributing two coiupanies to the 
regiment. Besides these mentioned, Elgin contributed many soldiers to other 
organizations, and from the day, in the early spring of 1861, that the first 



674 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

company left it, until the hap])y midsummer, four years after, that the war's 
last veteran marched jiroudly home. Elgin was never derelict to the calls of the 
struggling, but at last victorious republic. 

Elgin's loss in the civil war. 

Scz'ciith Infantry. 
John Bradford Company A; died March 31. 1862. 
Corporal John C. Day, Company A; died March 14, 1862. 
*Eri H. Densmore, Company A; died June i, 1861. 
'''George P. Gilbert, Company A ; died February 4, 1862. 
Henry C. Hassan, Company A; died October 5, 1864. 
Sergeant James R. Kinney, Company A; died in 1863. 
Captain Samuel G. Ward, Company A; died April 6, 1862. 
*William H. Wheeler, Company A; died August 16, 1861. 

Scvciitcciitli Infantry. 
^Corporal Edmund V. Barker, Company G; died April 6, 1862. 

Nineteenth Infantry. 
*Henry E. Gates, Company D; died January 23, 1862. 

Tliirty-si.rth Infantry. 
Albert Andrews, Company A; died October 10, 1862. 
*First Lieutenant Edward S. Chappel, Companv A; died October 16. 
i86r. 

Corporal Cyrus F. Deane, Company A; died January 15, 1863. 
Alexander F. Henderson, Company A; died January 16, 1863. 
Charles Olszceski, Company A; died in 1865. 
Sergeant Alexander Robertson, Company A; died May 2j, 1864. 

Fifty-second Infan try. 
Walter Able, Company G; died August 2'j, 1864. 
*First Sergeant Samuel Anderson, Company I; died April 6, 1862. 
*First Sergeant James S. Ellis, Company K; died February 2^,. 1862. 
*James B. Hoagland, Company K; died April 30, 1862. 
Daniel L. Holgate, Company G; died April 6, 1862. 
Michael Ketsell, Company K; died April 6, 1862. 
Col-Sergeant John Murray, Company K; died October 3. 1862. 

Fifty-Fiftli Infantry. 
Corporal Jacob Flatro. Company E; died September — , 1862. 
Corporal Joseph Lightfoot, Company E; died March 6, 1863. 
John Smith, Couipany E; died June 22, 1863. 
Sergeant William Short, Company E; died December 28, 1862. 

Fifty-eighth Infantry. 
Kelly Bartholomew, Company A; died February 15, 1862. 
David Bradley, Company I ; died December 29. 1864. 
A. B. Foster, Company H; died February 28, 1863. 
Michael Gartland, Company I; died March — , 1862. 
William Hamilton. Company B; died July 21. 1865. 



• Burli-d In Elgin. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 675 

Sergeant James Heffernaii, Company I; died April f), 1862. 
John Jones, Company I; died December 4, 1862. 
*Thomas Rosney, Company I; died January 3, 1863. 
John Sheedy. Company B; died May 25, 1864. 
Sergeant Fred Schultz, Company D; died April 6, 1862. 

Eighty-ninth Infantry. 
Thomas Rogers, Company K; died October 25, 1863. 

One Hundred and Tzventy-scvcnth^ Infantry. 
Sergeant Henry T. Adams, Company I; died September 11, 1864. 
James H. Bartlett, Company C; died July 7, 1863. 
^Musician Joseph E. Corby, Company I; died January 25, 1864. 
William D. Daggett, Company C; died June 29, 1863. 
Col-Sergeant Alex. Dennis, Company C; died July 28, 1864. 
Sergeant Ora B. Douglas, Company I; died July 28, 1863. 
Robert A. Duck. Company C; died July 16, 1864. 
Corporal Benjamin Hewitt, Company C; died December 3, 1863. 
*Theodore N. Hoagland, Company C; died January 22, 1863. 
Albert Inglesby, Company C; died September 15, 1864. 
Alfred Johnson, Company C; died April 8, 1863. 
William Nicholson, Company C; died September 22, 1863. 
*Thomas Parkin, Company C; died August 30, 1863. 
Corporal Julius C. Pratt, Company I; died July 19, 1863. 
Hercules P. Rice, Company C; died February 22, 1863. 
Captain John S. Riddle, Company C; died July 18, 1862. 
John Saunders, Company C; died September i, 1863. 
Corporal Charles Schroeder, Company I; died September 25, 1863. 
*Charles Seidel, Company I; died September 30, 1862. 
Fred Sother, Company I ; died February 22, 1863. 
John Taylor, Company C; died December 4, 1862. 

One Hnndred and Forty-first Infantry. 
John Batterman, Company C; died September 18, 1864. 
*Benjamin F. Webster. Company C; died July 20, 1864. 

One Hundred and Fifty-third Infantry. 
*Albert S. Force, Company C; died September 18, 1865. 

Tzeelfth Cavalry. 
Erastus Roberts, Company H; died October 15, 1863. 

Fifteenth Caz'alry. 
*Joseph M. Cnrron, Company A; died March 18, 1862. 
Corporal Charles B. Prindle, Company G; December 3. 1863. 

First Light Artillery. 
Samuel Hadlcjck. Company A; died July 20, 1864. 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

No child can be born into it; no proclamation of president, edict of king 
or czar can command admission ; no university or institution of learning can 
issue a diploma authorizing its holder to enter; no act of congress or parlia- 

* Buried in Elgin, 



676 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

ment secures recognition; the wealth of a X'anderbilt cannot purchase the 
position ; its doors swing open only upon presentation of a bit of paper, torn, 
worn, begrimed it may be. which certifies to an honorable discharge from 
the armies and navies of the nation during the war against the rebellion, 
and, unlike any other association, no "new blood"" can come in; there are no 
growing ranks from which recruits can be drawn into the Grand Army of 
the Republic. With the consummation of peace through victory its rolls were 
closed forever. 

OBJECTS. 

The objects to be accomplished by the Grand Army of the Republic are 
as follows : 

1. To preserve and strengthen ihoje kind and fraternal feelings which 
bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to suppress the late 
rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead. 

2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection, 
and extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen. 

3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America, based 
upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to the national constitution and laws ; 
to discountenance whatsoever tends to weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection, 
treason or rebellion, or in any manner impair the efficiency and permanency 
of our free institutions; and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, 
equal rights and justice to all men. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any honorably discharged soldier, sailor or marine, who served during 
the late rebellion, between April 19. 1861, and August 20, 1866, is eligible to 
membership. No person shall be eligible who has at any time borne arms 
against the United States. 

MUSTER ROLL OF MEMBERS. 

(Unless otherwise stated, infantry was the arm of service in which the 
comrade served.) 

Alden. A. F., Company I, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts. 

Able, Charles E.. Company C. One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 

Arnold, Erwin L.. corporal Company B, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts. 

Andrews, H. R., Company B, Twelfth Iowa. 

Atchison, \\'. D., chaplain. Forty-fifth Illinois. 

Austin, L.. Company G, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Bangs, G. O. W., Company E, Fifty-fifth Illinois. 

Burzell, Ezra, Company L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Brintnall. H. C, Company G, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Beebe, D. R., commissary sergeant. Company B. Seventeenth Illinois 
Cavalry. 

Balch, Edwin E., sergeant. Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 677 

Bunnell, Mark, corporal, Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Brydges, William H., Company K, Seventy-fourth Illinois. 

Burr, John B., Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Bode, Richard, Company E, Fifth Missouri Cavalry. 

Busche, George, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

Bulger, James, Company G, Twenty-sixth Iowa. 

Bouck, Sylvester, Company A, First Nevada Cavalry. 

Brown, D. C, captain, Company A, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Bunnell, A. W., Fifth Illinois Artillery. 

Brown, Alfred O., corporal, Company H, Eleventh Michigan. 

Brown, Hiram J., corporal. Company A, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Carr, J. W., corporal, Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois. 

Cloudman, W. H., sergeant major. Sixteenth Massachusetts. 

Clark, A. L., surgeon. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Claude, John P., Company D, Eighteenth Pennsylvania. 

Colie, George, Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Carte, Nelson, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

Carpenter, E. C, Company B, Ninety-sixth Illinois. 

Cameron, J. G., captain. Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth 
New York. 

Cowdin, John F., corporal. Company K, Eighty-eighth Illinois. 

Claybrook, John W., corporal. Company C, One Hundred and Seventh 
United States Cavalry. 

Dumser, J. S., Company K, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Davenport, \Y. H., Company I, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Dougherty, E. C, first lieutenant. Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa. 

Delaney, Thomas, Company G, Thirty-ninth Ohio. 

Dickson, Sheridan, Company C, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Downer, A. N.. First Light Artillery. 

Dodge, Royal L., Company E, Twelfth Maine; Fourth Maine Light 
Artillery. 

Earin, Milton G., Elgin Battery. 

Eakin, R. J., Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Fowler, E. K., Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Farrington, George E., commissary sergeant. Third Vermont. 

Frazier, Hans, Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois. 

Foote, George H., Company G, Ninety-sixth Illinois. 

Follmier, Henry, corporal, Company I, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Freeman. Cliauncey, Company H. One Hundred and Forty-seventh 
Illinois. 

Foster, Daniel L., Company A, Third IMinnesota. 

Gustason. A., Company H. Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Gahle, John, Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Getch, Anthony, Company D. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois. 

Getzelman. ^^'. C, Company K, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Goff, Carlos D., corporal. Company D, Ninety-fifth Illinois. 



678 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Gould, L. J., Company I, Thirteenth Wisconsin. 
Gifford. S. J., Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 
Groce, Henry A., Company F. Forty-third Massachusetts. 
Griggs, Eugene H., Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 
Glines, Andrew B.. corporal. Company C. One Hundred and Thirteenth 
Illinois. 

Hewitt. John A., sergeant, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Fleideman, George F.. assistant surgeon, Fifty-eighth Illinois. 

Hinsdell, Robert H., Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

Hawthorne. R. J., sergeant. Company G, Seventh Connecticut. 

Harper. John G.. Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio. 

Hunt, R. R., Company F. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois. 

Hollister, Booth B.. gunboat engineer. 

Hennessey, D. J., Company I, Twenty-third Illinois. 

Hutchins, O. C, sergeant. Company K, Second \\'isconsin Cavalry. 

Hill, Josiah, sergeant. Company F, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Hauslein, M., Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Jackman, L. N., adjutant. Third New Hampshire. 

Jones, Alonzo A.. Company A, Forty-eighth Wisconsin. 

Kaiser, Christian, corporal. Company E, Third New York. 

Kinehan, James, first lieutenant. Company A, First \"ermont Cavalry. 

Kincaid, E. C, Company K, Twenty-seventh New York. 

Kelley, L. M., captain. Company A. Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Kimball, Walter H.. sergeant. Company A, Seventh Illinois. 

Kinnear, George L.. first lieutenant. Company A, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Kent, E. C, Company E, Eleventh Indiana. 

Kemler, Paul, corporal. Company H, Twenty-fourth Illinois. 

Kilbourn. Myron, Company A, Nineteenth Connecticut. 

Knott, George H., Company C. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois. 

King, Joseph L., Companies E and G, Forty-fourth New York. 

Kendall, George S., Company I, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Kemp, William H., corporal. Company I, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Leatherman, A., corporal, Company F. One Hundred and Thirteenth 
Illinois. 

Long, William B., Company G. Twenty-third Illinois. 

Lee, A. A., sergeant, Comjiany K. Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Lawrence, O. F., Company G. Fifty-second Illinois. 

Lawrence. Thomas E., principal musician. Fifty-second Illinois. 

Leator. George D., Company E. Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry. 

Lane, James B., Company E. Twenty-first New York Cavalry. 

Lawson. Sylvester. Company I. Ninety-fifth Illinois. 

Lawrence. Dennis, Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Long, W. S., Company A, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 

Leach, William H., Company F, First United States signal service. 

Murray, P., Company K. Fifty-second Illinois. 

Mead, F. W., Battery M, First Illinois Artillery. 




MEMBERS OF G. A. R.. ELGIN, TAKEN MAY 80, 1908. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 681 

Marshall, George F., first sergeant. Company B, Thirtieth Massachusetts. 

Miller, James C, Company I, One Hundred and Tenth New York. 

Manahan, Alexander, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

McQueen, J. A., second lieutenant. Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Monk, John H., corporal, Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh 
New York. 

Myerhoff, Ernst, Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 

Michael, Charles M., Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois. 

Neirman, C. A., Company F, Fifth Ohio Cavalry. 

Newhall, William E., Company H, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Norton, Samuel, Company F, Fifteenth Illinois. 

Outhouse, William, sergeant, Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first 
Illinois. 

Parkin, R. R., corporal, Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois. 

Perkins, Frank B., Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois and Company K, 
Fifty-second Illinois. 

Peck, George M., commissary sergeant. Fifty-second Illinois. 

Patchen, H. N., captain. Company K, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Palmer, J. A., commissary sergeant. Company H, Fourteenth Iowa. 

Parker, William H., sergeant, Company D, First Connecticut Cavalry. 

Peasley, F. G., Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois. 

Pendergast, A. L., second lieutenant, Company B, Forty-third Ohio. 

Pygus, A., sergeant. Company A, Forty-ninth New York. 

Parker, B. S., second lieutenant. Company A, Ninety-fifth Illinois. 

Powers, John, Company K, Sixteenth New York Cavalry. 

Pendleton, D. B., first lieutenant. Fifth Michigan Cavalry. 

Runge, Henry F., Company G, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Rickert. J. D., Company D. Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Rigby, A. E., sergeant, Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-second 
Illinois. 

Rohrrsen, Henry, Company A, Second Iowa. 

Ross, Christopher, Company A, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Raymond, Henry. Company H, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Sylla, William F., quartermaster sergeant. Sixty-seventh Illinois. 

Stoner, W. H., bugler. Company F, Third Wisconsin Cavalry. 

Silver, Tim, sergeant. Company K, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Sherman, George D., major. Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Smailes, William, sergeant veteran reserve. 

Sheppard, George, Company D, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Swan, Henry C, Company A, Ninety-fifth Illinois. 

Stevens, D. W., corporal, Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second 
New York. 

Sterling, B. B., sergeant. Company L, Fiftli New York Artillery. 

Smith. Lyman H., corporal. Company I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Stone, Charles C, Company A, Seventh Illinois. 



682 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Snellgrove, Henry, Lompaii)- B. Fortieth Xew York. 

Sayers, Warren M., Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Ilhnois. 

Stewart, E. V., Company E, One Hundred and First New York. 

Salisbury, C. F., Company E, Twenty-second New York Cavalrv. 

Stiles, Charles B., musician. Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Smith, Jacob, Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois. 

Silver, Edward, corporal. Company A, Seventh Illinois. 

Tucker, Clark, Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. 

Theis, Adolph, Company G, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Thorns, A. P., Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Thomas, Hiram, Company D, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts. 

Townsend, M. S., sergeant, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois. 

Todd, William F.. sergeant. Company C. One Hundred and Forty-first 
Illinois. 

Van Nostrand, G. Y.. first sergeant. Company E. First Nevada Cavalry. 

A^'ollor, Joseph, first lieutenant and quartermaster. Forty-second Illinois. 

Watson, E. B., Company K, Eighty-ninth Illinois. 

\\'ilcox. George, corporal. Company I, One Hundreil and Twenty-Seventh 
Illinois. 

Wilcox, John S., colonel, Fifty-.second Illinois, and brevetted brigadier 
general, Volunteers. 

Wilcox, \\^illiam H., captain. Company G, Fifty-second Illinois, 

Woodworth, John, second lieutenant, Company C, Eighth Wisconsin. 

Wallis, George, sergeant, Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Worden, Alex., Company A, United States engineers. 

West, James R., sergeant. Company F, Sixteenth \\'isconsin. 

Wilson, W. H., Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 

Williams, R. A., Company H, Sixty-ninth Illinois. 

\\ ilcux, Vernon O., quartermaster sergeant. Eighth A^eteran Reserve 
Corps. 

\\'ah\. F. C. Company I, Fifty-second Illinois. 

MUSTERED OUT. 

Apple. Andrew O., corporal. Company I, Twelfth \\'est \'irginia; died 
June 7, 1890. 

Adams, Beman. Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois; died July 24, 1897. 

Brown, D. W., Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois; died August 7. 1890. 

Becker, \\'illiam F., corporal. Company I, One Hundred and Twenty- 
seventh Illinois; died December 31, 189 1. 

Bachelor, W. H., commissary sergeant. Company H, Seventh Ohio Cav- 
alry; died April 3, 1895. 

Batterman. Henry F., Company K, Fifty-second Illinois; died December 
2, 1896. 

Ballard, Julius F., corporal. Company K, One Hundred and Twelfth New 
York; died August 3, 1897. 

Burdick, H. C, corporal. Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illi- 
nois; died ]\Iay. 1899. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 683 

Childs, H. F., veterinary surgeon, Company B, Eighth Ilhnois Cavalry; 
died March, 1893. 

Christie, \V. J., Company K. Fifteentli lUinois Cavalry; died June 11. 
1898. 

Dickinson, Charles D.. sergeant. Company K, Eighth Wisconsin; died 
June 6, 1S85. 

Dexter, E. L., Company B, Eighteenth Massachusetts; died August 27, 
1889. 

Freeman, Chauncy. Company H, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illi- 
nois; died November 4, 1897. 

Gronberg. Otto, sergeant. Company E, Fifty-second Illinois; died Sep- 
tember 24, 1892. 

Guptill, C. \\'., sergeant, Company C, One Hundred and T\venty-se\'enth 
Illinois; died June 17, 1897. 

Hovt, Otis, captain, Conipanv C, Sixteenth Alassachusetts; died lune 2, 
1885. 

Hall, John H. C. Company B, Twenty-ninth United States C. T. ; died 
July 30, 1890. 

Hannegan, Alpheus, Company A, Fifty-second Illinois; died ^larch 19, 
1890. 

Hadlock, Henry, corporal, Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- 
seventh Illinois; died March i, 1896. 

Joslyn, E. S., lieutenant colonel. Thirty-sixth Illinois; died October 6, 
1885. 

Jones, Thomas. Compan^y A, Fifty-eighth Illinois; died December 18. 
1896". 

Kee. James L.. captain. Company D. Sixty-fifth Illinois; died February 
28, 1887. 

Kelsey, A. F., Companv D. Thirtv-nintb Wisconsin; died October 20, 
1895. 

King, George, Company A, First Illinois Artillery; died July 17, 1898. 
Lightfoot, Joseph, sergeant. Company K, Fifty-second Illinois; died Sep- 
tember 16, 1888. 

Lvnch, David J., captain. Company B. Fifty-eighth Illinois; died August 
19, 1890. 

Lynd, W. R., Company G, Fifty-second Illinois; died March 24, 1899. 
McCartney, John C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois; died 
May 9, 1885. 

Mathews, L. B., Companv I. Thirty-third Wisconsin; died August 25, 
1894. ' ' . ' 

Mark, James, Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth New York; 
died October 26, 1897. 

Ostrander, George, corporal. Company K, Fifty-second Illinois; died 
January 22, 1892. 

Prouse, John, sergeant. Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois; died November 
30, 1886. 



684 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Peterson, Peter, Company D, Fifty-second Illinois; died October 2, 1893. 
Pflug, August, Company B, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry; died November 16, 

1893- 

Reatl, Edward C, Company G, Forty-sixth Illmois; died March 14, 

1890. 

Rose, William, Company H, Fifty-second Illinois; died August 29, 1891. 

Rogers, Albert, Company C, Fifty-second Illinois; died July 24, 1896. 

Spencer, Loren A., sergeant, Company C, Eighth \'ermont; died May 
12, 1888. 

Sutton, Andrew J., Company D, One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Ohio; 
died July 21, 1S90. 

Stufif, George L. S., chaplain. Forty-second Illinois; died May 11, 1893. 

Sharp, Pattison, captain. Company D. Thirtieth Illinois; died January 

23, 1894. 

Stone, Edwin, Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois; died April 

24, 1893. 

Shaw. John E., sergeant, Company I, Fifty-second Illinois; died Septem- 
ber 20, 1895. 

Sexton, J. H.. captain. Company E, One Hundred and Seventeenth New 
York; died December 28, 1895. 

Smith, George A., corporal, Company A, One Hundred and Forty-first 
Illinois; died April 28, 1897. 

Shannon, Hugh, Company K, Fifty-second Illinois; died May 15, 1897. 

Smith, John B., wagonmaster. Fifty-eighth Illinois; died May 8, 1899. 

Stark, Charles H., Company F, Thirteenth Wisconsin; died June i, 
1899. 

Underbill, George W., Company K, Fifty-second Illinois; died March 
10, 1894. 

Wyllie. William R., corporal. Company G, Fifty-eighth Illinois; died 
November i, 1892. 

Wolcott, Morgan L., sergeant, Company F. One Hundred and Fifth Illi- 
nois: died April 3, 1893. 

Wiltheis, A., Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsyl- 
vania; died August 13. 1896. 

Zanders, Sr., L. V., Company E, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin; died April 
13, 1897. 

SINCE 1899. 

Benham, ^^'. R., Company G, Forty-fifth Illinois. 

Cook, Frank, Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 

Daniels. George H.. Company E. New York Marine. 

Guilfoil, M., musician. Fifty-fifth Illinois. 

Grow, Freeman, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

Hobart. A. C, Company F, Forty-third jMassachusetts. 

Hinsdell, O. A., Company A, One Hundred and Fortj'-first Illinois. 

Hintze, William H., Company A. One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



hiiois. 



Hoxie, E. E., corporal, Company B, Sixty-ninth Illi 

Lewis, A. T., corporal, Company A, Thirty-first Wisconsin. 

Loomis, Henry S., Company F, First Rhode Island. 

Lovell, E. C, captain, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

McCarthy, I. C, sergeant, Company K, Nineteenth Illinois. 

Marsh, Samuel, Company I, Forty-second Illinois. 

Magden, William M., Company E, Fifth New York. 

Mann, Adin, major. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois. 

O'Flaherty, P. T., corporal. Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- 
seventh Illinois. 

Shepherd, F. P.. corporal. Company K, Nineteenth Illinois. 

Siddons, T. P., Company K, Fifty-second Illinois. 

Schraeder, Theodore, Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois. 

Shaw, George, Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois. 

Underhill, Monroe, Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illi- 



nois. 



Weld, S. E., hospital steward. One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illi- 
nois. 

Wilburn, A. W., captain. Company I. Fifty-second Illinois. 
Woodcock, V. A., musician, Twenty-first Maine. 
Zanders, Jr., L. V., Company B. Third Wisconsin. 



COMPANY C, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. 

Rciniuisccnccs by George H. Knott. 

Forty-five years ago on a bright September day eight hundred and eighty- 
seven men, with uplifted hands, swore to uphold the constitution and laws of 
this government of the United States. Then days of camp life until the frosts 
of November came, we bade good-by to aged father and dear mother; blessed 
wife and darling babes, or to the blushing sweetheart whose pledge some boy 
in blue held in hopeful love ; a parting to many — the last — and it was well they 
knew it not. At Cairo on the steamer "Emerald" we took passage, and on 
the 13th of November we landed at Memphis, Tennessee, and joined the First 
Brigade, Second Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps; a brigade division and 
corps that at the close of the war had a record for miles marched, battles fought 
and victories won unequaled by any other in the western army. The latter part 
of November we started out to invite Generals Price and VanDorn to a Thanks- 
giving dinner, but they did not come to time as gentlemen, but from the 
planters on the line of march we received many contributions of chickens, 
hams and sweet potatoes. The regiment learned experience in marching and 
many knapsacks became lighter; and we learned a soldier needs but little 
here below. The clothes he wore, fortv rounds in his cartridge box and sixtv 



686 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

more in his breeches pocket were the needful in going after the enemy. On 
Christmas day we received our baptism of lire at Chickasaw Bayou, and the 
first of our heroes was killed. 

Then we were transferred to Arkansas post. On Sunday, January ii, 
1863, we had the proud honor to be foremost in the assault and one of the 
first to plant "old glory" upon the rebel works. Then back to Vicksburg, to 
pass long weary days on Young's point doing fatigue duty on the canal across 
the peninsula. Here sickness and death made havoc in our ranks. Then the 
relief of Commodore Porter's gunboat fleet from Shel's and the Back bayous; 
and finally, on July 4, came the surrender of Pemberton's army and \'icksburg 
was ours. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh was called the "Slap Jack" regi- 
ment, because our quartermaster drew rations of flour instead of hard tack 
and we mixed the flour with Mississippi water flavored with salt, and I can 
assure you that the pancakes were a hard lot of baked dough. The march 
to Chattanooga and the relief of Burnside at Knoxville left a trail of blood, 
from feet shoeless, with strips of blanket wound around their feet, yet with 
eager hearts and powder dry they pressed on. Then the might}' march, and 
on to capture the gateway of the south, Atlanta. A hundred days of battles, 
repulses and captures, the loss of our beloved IMcPherson, and then temporary 
disaster, the repulse of the rebels and the recapture of the lost ground the 226 
of July, 1864, will ever be memorable in the history of our beloved country. 
In this battle the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh sensed with distinguished 
bravery. The regiment had advanced and occupied the strong line abandoned 
by the rebels just outside the more important lines surrounding the city. From 
the roof of the Howard mansion could be seen the spires of Atlanta, and we felt 
as if our work was almost done. But Company K was on the skirmish line — 
that was ominous — for Company K on the skirmish line generally meant 
trouljle, and soon it came. About noon Tom Kellett, in command of the com- 
pany, was wounded, and while his wound was being dressed by Dr. Clark, just 
in the rear, there came the dull sound of a gim from rebel works, and a solid 
shot crashed through the trees, tearing oft great branches, some of which fell 
upon poor Tom, who thought he was called for. In a moment all was con- 
fusion, the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh and two other regiments of 
the brigade were ordered on the double quick to the threatened rear. Away 
they tore oyer that dusty road on that hot July day. Just as they were taking 
position, up came General Logan, his black horse on the dead run, the gen- 
eral's hat gone, his long black hair flying in the wind, his eyes flashing, a very 
god of war : "Colonel ^lartin, double quick your men back and recapture youT 
works." Again over that same road they ran. General Logan at the head. 
Honor was at stake, the Fifteenth Corps had lost its works. No other corps 
must be allowed to retake them for us. So, rushing pell-mell, all regimental 
order lost, went the three regiments into the works to be driven out by the 
deadly rebel fire. Under the cover of the hill they reformed. "Get into line ! 
Get into line anywhere!" is the cry. Officers drop their swords and seize the 
Springfields and in a moment move up over the hill. W'^ith a dash and hurrah 
goes the line, and the works are won. Quick as thought Lieutenant Richmond, 




SPEECHiAIAKING AT FOUNTAIN SQUAEE, JULY 4TH, ABOUT 

WAR TIME. 




DECOKATTOX DAY, FOUNTAIN SQUARE, ELGIN, IN THE '70S. 



KAJSTE COUNTY HISTORY 689 

of Company E, with the aid of two or three others, wheel around a deserted 
gun of one of the captured batteries and fire it into the disordered ranks of the 
retreating foe. The ground in our front is literally carpeted with enemies 
slain and wounded. The end of the campaign was the capture of Atlanta. 
And now let us say, "Hail to the future ! To the past we can never say 
farewell." 



Following the Civil war Elgin took a new lease of life and entered into 
an era of prosperity that has not since abated. The immediate cause of this 
new beginning was the location here of the watch factory, which had been 
secured in 1864, and went into its first building on the present site in 1866. 
It first occupied a building on the river bank, just back of where the First 
National Bank building now stands. 

A group of men, including B. W. Raymond, A. J. Joslyn, S. Wilcox, 
Dr. Joseph Tefft, Henry Sherman and others, became the factor at this time in 
advancing the industries of the growing city. In 1868 they secured the loca- 
tion of the asylum, and had placed the Elgin Academy on a firm basis. Com- 
mon schools were also established. Elgin now- saw its destiny as an industrial 
city. The possibilities for dairying also now began to be seen, and everything 
took an upward turn. New buildings began to be erected in the business 
district and new merchants to open their stores. 

In 1 860 the Borden Condensed Milk Factory was located here and in 1870 
employed forty persons. The Elgin Iron Works employed twenty-five opera- 
tives. The Elgin Butter Factory opened in 1870. The Elgin Packing Com- 
pany began business about 1869 and sold three hundred thousand cans of 
packed fruits and vegetables that year. The Phoenix Foundry was then op- 
erated by William F. Sylla. Spillard's tannery employed twelve persons. A 
plow factory was started in 1870. In 1873 Wilder & Joslyn began making 
brick, and in 1875 made three million. A shoe factory was opened in 1873 
by Groce Bros. & Co. A chewing gum factory was started by Vollor & Co. in 
1875; a soap factory bv W. H. Herrick; a cotton batting establishment by 
G. W. Renwick & Son.' 

A fine fountain was, in 1873. placed on Fountain Square (before that 
time known as Market Square). Town's block was built about 1873, but the 
north half was destroyed by fire in 1874 and at once rebuilt as it now stands. 
A library was established in 1872. In 1873 a writer of that year wrote: "A 
meeting of citizens has been held at the courthouse in which the unsuitable- 
ness and ruinous condition of the old buildings now used as schoolhouses was 
characterized in strong terms, and an informal recommendation made to build 
two schoolhouses worth together seventy-five thousand to eighty thousand 
dollars." Three thousand dollars for a library was collected in 1873 by taxa- 
tion. From 1870 to 1875 new churches were built on every side. In 1871 
the Chicago & Pacific Railway ( now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
way) was run through the city. In 1871 a gas company was organized, and 
the old candles and lamps discarded. The village was becoming a city in fact 



690 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

as well as by incorporation. The people had become confident the place was 
to be a city of consequence- — not a country town. 

In 1 87 1 the population was five thousand, four hundred and forty-one. 
In 1873 it was given as seventy-three hundred; in 1874 as eight thousand. 
Elgin had now cast off her swaddling clothes and was a well advanced vouth- 
ful city. It continued to grow by natural increase of its factories and busi- 
ness. The watch factory nearly every year added to its force and buildings, 
other small industries came in. and by 1880 Elgin had become a city of ten 
thousand people. 

In 1882 the D. C. Cook Publishing Company removed their entire plant 
to Elgin and occupied the old woolen mill. This was the first large industry 
to be located since the watch factory and gave an impetus to the city. It at 
once employed three hundred and fifty people. 

In 1871 there came to Elgin a young man (then twenty-two years of age) 
who was to have a large and continuing influence upon the growth of the city. 
He engaged in the grocery business with success until 1882, when he began 
a series of public operations that not alone enriched himself but gave to the 
city a larger industrial scope and a much increased population. That young 
man was William Grote. who was born in Germany in 1849 — a striking exam- 
ple of what may be accomplished in this land of the free by men of persever- 
ance and capacity. Through the impetus given by the efforts of William Grote 
in the early '80s more factories were located in the city from 1882 to 1892 
than have been located here before or since that time. Mr. Grote and his 
associates. A. B. Church. E. D. Waldron, and others, are chiefly credited 
with this acquisition. 

Since 1892 Elgin, though suffering severely from the depression of 
1893-97, which closed many of its factories and put the rest on short time, has 
continued to grow in population and business enterprises. Today every store 
and every office is occupied, and despite the panic of 1908 is advancing in 
public improvements and in the enthusiasm of its citizens. This vear large 
paving contracts have been given and the system of sewerage inaugurated 
under the administration of Carl E. Botsford successfully completed. A com- 
mercial club comprising already nearly three hundred members, paying annual 
dues of ten dollars each, has been launched. A specialist will be employed as a 
secretary, whose work it will be to secure industries for location here and in 
every way advance the interests of the community. Backed by the best citizens, 
this organization promises great good. 

Elgin, with its present population of twenty-five thousand, bids fair within 
the next ten years to increase to forty thousand, and continue as she has been 
these man)' years, the Queen City of the Fox. 

The advancement of the city in the matter of parks and public play- 
grounds, thanks to the generosity of the late Mr. George P. Lord and his 
esteemed wife, ]\Iary Carpenter Lord, and the late \\'illiam H. Wing, has, 
been unsurpassed. j\Ir. and ^Irs. Lord gave to the city the splendid Lord's 
])ark east of the city and expended much money during their lives to make it 
the beautiful place it is. They also contributed largely to the Young Women's 
Christian Association building and the Young Glen's Christian Association 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 691 

building. They gave to the Young Men's Christian Association tlie block 
occupied by Hall's drug store. Mr. Lord also gave the city the small park 
(Central park) on the west side, opposite the Old People's Home, which was 
built by Mr. and Mrs. Lord on the old Lord homestead. Mrs. Carpenter 
Lord also built the fine Congregational church at Carpentersville in memory 
of her first husband, Julius A. Carpenter, by whose efforts much of the wealth 
she generously and wisely distributed was accumulated. 

William H. Wing, who died leaving no immediate heirs, gave to the city 
the magnificent park on the northwest side, now named Wing park. It con- 
tains nearly two hundred acres, and has room for a race course and a golf 
grounds (both of which have been laid out), and is destined to become one of 
the most attractive playgrounds in the city. 

ITEM.S OF HISTORIC.\L INTEREST. 

Formerly what is now Grove avenue south of Prairie street intersected 
Prairie street at a point several rods east of River street, thus making an 
unseemly turn in the road and interrupting the view. Efforts were made as 
early as 1870 to have those streets connected in a straight line, but owing to 
the opposition of property owners it was not effected until 1873. Then the 
two-story brick house of Mr. R. Beckwith, which stood in the way. was raised 
with screws and removed several rods to the west of River street, where it now 
stands. This was the first exhibition of this kind of modern engineering skill 
ever accomplished in Elgin. Grove avenue thus became a part of South River 
street and is now one of the finest drives in the cit}'. 

Much feeling was manifested and discussion had as to the propriety of 
the appropriation for building the new bridge, now National street. It was 
claimed that the expenditure was not then called for by any existing general 
public interest, but was beneficial, if at all, to local interests merely. Prom- 
ises from private parties interested to aid in the expense of erecting the bridge 
have not yet been realized, though private property has been largely enhanced 
in value thereby. The plea that such extension of available residence prop- 
erty is an indirect benefit to the city is neutralized by the fact that the 
population was not yet crowded in other quarters already accessible. 

In 1870 the late Dr. P. W. Pratt commenced the culture of fish and en- 
closed a park of some seventy acres of what was known to the early settlers 
as the "cedar swamp," lying on the east side of the river, one and a half miles 
above the city. The numerous springs in this "Trout Park" feed the ponds 
in which are reared the young salmonaide. This park was also at one time 
stocked with elk and deer. Some of the springs are believed to have valuable 
medicinal properties. This park has since become a popular resort for pleasure 
seekers, especially Germans from Chicago. Dr. W. A. Pratt continued to 
improve it after the death of his father in 1872. 

In the same year Mr. D. S. Hammond, of Hammond Station, on the 
Chicago & Pacific Railway, near the southeast corner of the city limits, com- 
menced the business of pisciculture in a scientific way by building a system of 
capacious tanks and ponds of solid masonry, fed by bounteous springs of pure 



692 KANE COUNTY HISTOEY 

cold water, gusliing up in a beautiful dell, surrounded by a grove of magnificent 
forest trees. Hammond's grove is also a popular resort for picnic parties from 

Elgin and Chicago. 

The Franco-German war, which commenced in the spring of 1870. 
aroused the sympathies of our German fellow citizens and liberal donations 
were sent from Elgin to the fatherland during this year to aid in assuaging the 
sufferings always caused by war. 

The census of Kane county was taken this year, ^vhen it was found to 
contain a population of thirty-nine thousand, an increase of nine thousand since 
i860. The census of this city, giving five thousand, four iiundred and forty- 
one, was taken this year. This shows an increase of nearly three thousand in 
about five years. 

On J^Ionday, the 9th of October, 1871, when the new^s came flashing over 
the wires that the city of Chicago was still in flames and thousands of her peo- 
ple were driven homeless and hungry into the open air or crowded into the 
remaining houses of the suburbs, the citizens of Elgin at once called a mass 
meeting at DuBois Opera House and appointed a committee to visit every 
bakery in the city and set them at work preparing bread for the outcasts. Of 
the names of the committee we have learned positively only two — ^Messrs. A. 
B. Fish and John Coburn. So many others acted in concert with these gentle- 
men, and such was the eagerness and enthusiasm of all without regard to 
appointment or priority in the generous rivalry of doing something to provide 
for the terrible exigency of fellow mortals in distress, that no one now can 
remember, for certain, whether he acted by authority as one of that committee 
or not. \\'e could give the names of a score of citizens who were constantly 
on the alert for several days and nights in providing, shipping and delivering 
the donations of the people. Certain it is that "the ovens were heated seven 
times quicker than was their wont," and all night long on ]^Ionday night not 
only every bakery in the city was worked to its utmost capacity but at private 
houses women and men were busy baking bread, meats, beans and cookmg ajl 
kinds of portable provisions, so that by half-past four o'clock on Tuesday 
morning the first carload of "relief" that was shipped from any point on that 
memorable morning was dispatched to the scene of suffering and distributed 
to the famished and frightened refugees from the flames. Over two thousand 
loaves were thus sent by lightning express on this first train, and as the day 
broke over the supperless, shivering, shelterless crowds, who had all night long 
looked despairingly up into the face of the cold sky, over which hovered the 
smoke of their smoldering homes, they must have fancied that the old-time 
fable of bread dropping from heaven had been realized. We note the fact of 
our priority in providing bread to break the fast of that starving multitude 
more from pride in the general impulses of human nature than to give any 
particular credit to our single city, though in that connection it is an item 
worthy of the historian's pen. To boast of being first in performing a charit- 
able act. which was so spontaneously and universally seconded by the entire 
civilized world, would be invidious as an estimate of our benevolence, while it 
may be no more than a just meed of praise to the spirit of practical activity 
and "push" which jiervades our community. The first carload was followed 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 693 

by another batch of bread and provisions on the seven o'clock a. m. train, and 
by another fnll carload in the afternoon containing clothing and blankets as 
well as food. Three times a day for over a week fresh provisions were sent 
in with citizens in charge to see them safely and properly bestowed. The 
whole energies of the entire people were \'irtually given up to the task of 
assisting the sufferers from this great calamity. The amount of value in 
dollars and cents thus contributed by the citizens of Elgin, in money, time and 
material, was never computed nor accounted. But aside from this fully one 
thousand dollars in cash was raised by citizens and paid over to the bakers 
and victualers, who charged only for the bare material. Though our gifts 
were small in comparison with the gratuities which flowed in from every 
quarter of the globe in such liberal streams, amounting to millions in the ag- 
gregate, yet we think this an appropriate place to chronicle the fact that, both 
in amount and in promptness, the citizens of Elgin have cause to remember 
with pride their preeminence on this occasion. 

We also note with pleasure the following complimentary item : 

Chicago, Dec. i, 1871. 
G. P. Lord, Esq., 

Dear Sir ; * * * We have been duly placed in possession of the 
truly generous donation of $1,591.50, from the liberal and sympathizing 
employes of the National Watch Company. * * * 

^ Signed) . ^^^ j^j Pullman, 

C. G. H.AMMOND, 

Treasurers Chicago Relief and Aid Society. 

It is further stated, in a note from T. M. Avery, president of the National 
Watch Company, acknowledging this remittance, that "it was made up to a 
considerable extent by contributions from young ladies who necessarily had 
to make great sacrifices for the accomplishment of so noble a charity." What 
higher praise could be paid to the liberality and intelligence of our industrial 
population ? 

The question of granting license to liquor saloons has at various times 
agitated the people of Elgin. In 1868 the experiment had been tried of 
refusing license. Litigation followed, and either through the fault of the 
law or the apathy of its supporters, it failed to secure the results anticipated. 

On the i6th of ^lay, 1873, a petition was presented to the common council, 
signed by one thousand five hundred and eighty-seven persons, praying them 
"not to grant license to saloonkeepers." The petition was reported upon 
adversely by two of the members of the committee on license, giving at length 
the arguments against any attempt to prohibit the traffic and recommending a 
license at $100 per annum. Aid. R. P. Jackman moved to substitute $300 
for $100. Lost, 10 to 2. The report adverse to the petition was then adopted 
bv a vote of 1 1 to i . 



^94 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

On Monday morning. March 23, 1874, Elgin was visited by one of the 
most destructive fires which ever occurred here. The ground burned over was 
tlie two prominent business corners of the city, fronting on Chicago street, 
Douglas avenue and Fountain place. The total loss was estimated at $150,000. 
Insurance on this property, buildings and goods was paid to the amount of 
nearly $100,000, and by October of the same year the entire ground, with 
the exception of one lot in Chicago street, was entirely rebuilt in a much more 
substantial and ornamental style. 

In the spring of 1874 what was known as the tenij^erance crusading wave 
reached Elgin. Mass meetings were held in the churches and at DuBois 
Opera House, at which the pledge was circulated and signed by large numbers 
of our citizens. The ladies were especially active in promoting the cause of 
temperance during the spring and summer of this year. On the 15th of April 
a petition was presented to the city council by a committee of prominent 
ladies, praying that no license to sell liquor be granted. The petition wa'^ 
considered at the next meeting of the council, April 22, and rejected by the 
casting vote of the ma}-or — six aldermen voting in favor and six against it. 

About the first of May, 1874, the Elgin Gazette, which had been pub- 
lished longer than any other paper e\-er started here, ceased to exist, from 
mismanagement and consequent financial difficulties. Its office and a portion 
of the material on which it was printed were soon after secured by Mr. S. L. 
Taylor, proprietor of the Elgin Advocate, who has made it one of the best 
country newspapers in the state. Mr. E. Keogh, the last editor of the Gazette, 
immediately after its demise started the Elgin Times. 

On the 4tli of June, 1874, the old settlers held their annual gathering at 
the fair grounds, where speeches were made by several of the old residents of 
the vicinity, and by Governor Beveridge, who was present by invitation. 

In the month of November, 1874. an agent from Smith county, Kansas, 
visited Elgin, and presented the claims of the sufferers from drought and 
grasshoppers in that region. The agent being known to D--. Joseph Teft't, of 
this city, the appeal was met by the citizens of Elgin in the most liberal spirit. 
Upward of $1,000 worth of goods, clothing, etc., were donated and shipped to 
.Smith count}-, and $530 in cash was raised and paid over to the agent for that 
purpose. 

Building operations in Elgin during 1S74 were unusually active. In 
addition to rebuilding the burnt di.strict a large number of other business 
buildings and jjrivate residences were erected. Not far from half a million of 
dollars were expended in this way, including $150,000 upon the asylum. 

On the evening of May 13, 1875, a large meeting of citizens was held 
at the courthouse to hear a report from the board of education relative to the 
contemplated ne^v schoolhouses. They recommended an expenditure of $90,000 
for this purpose, and ere long Elgin was provided with school Ijuildings 
which were an honor to the city and attracted hither persons who had children 
to educate. 




OLD CFTY HOTEL. KLCIX. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 697 

From information lately recei\'ed we are able to correct a statement that 
has heretofore been current that the first white child born on the site of our 
present city was Joseph Kimball. It appears that Louisa, the daughter of 
John and Lydia Kimball, and Charlotte, daughter of Sidney and Martha 
Kimball, were both born in the spring of 1836, and consequently saw the light 
sooner, by some months, than Joseph. After having borne these natal honors 
for so many years, putting on airs in the belief that he was the first of his race 
in Elgin, it seems hard to strip the laurels from his brow and bind them upon 
the forehead of the feebler sex. 

Another item t(j which we allude with melancholy interest is the death of 
the first white woman who ever saw the banks of tJie Fox river at this point. 
This lady was Mrs. Mary Jane Gififord, wife of Hezekiah GifTord, whose 
name is familiar in these pages. Her death occurred on the first day in Jan- 
uary, 1874, just thirty-eight years and a half from the date of her first 
appearance upon the spot where her career was ever afterward marked with 
all respect and esteem due to a brave pioneer, as well as a pious, kind and 
gentle woman. 

Gail Borden died on the 13th of January, 1874, in Borden, Texas, where 
he had gone but a few days before from this place and after having made 
arrangements to permanently reside here. 

The annual city election was held on the first Monday of March, 1875. 
License or no license was to some extent an issue, and although the com- 
plexion of the common council on this subject was not materially changed, 
they soon after raised the price of liceiise from $125 to $300, and the number 
of licensed saloons has been reduced about one-half. The city sexton's report 
was read at the first meeting of the new council, showing the number of 
deaths in the city during the past year to have been one hundred and eight. 
This, in a population of eight thousand, speaks well for the health of the 
place. With the commencement of tliis year R. W. Padelford, who had been 
clerk of the council ever since the establishment of the city government in 
1854, and had given universal satisfaction, ceased to act as such, and W. F. 
Sylla was appointed in his place. 

The Chicago & Pacific Railroad, to which Elgin is so much indebted, was 
during this month completed to Byron, on Rock river, fifty-eight miles west of 
our city. 

The deaths of William C. Kimball and Roswell Smith, the former aged 
sixty-nine and the latter sixty-one, and both of them old residents of the city, 
occurred at nearly the same hour on the 6th of May, 1875. 

The property known as the Lovell farm, on the east side of the river, 
was this year ( 1875) platted and brought into market. A large number of 
new streets and residences are now situated upon a portion of it. This prop- 
erty, lying along the track of the Fox River Valley Railroad, is admirably 
adapted to become the site of some of the new mammoth manufacturing estab- 
lishments, which are seeking locations among us. (This prophesy came true 
when the D. C. Cook Publishing Company built on thirteen acres of this land 
in 1900.) 



698 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 184O LAKE PRECINCT. 

Elgin, Plato, Dundee. 



Abhi'tt, Jesse 
.Abbott. X. K. 
Adams, Halsey 
Adams, Mark 
Adams, Guy 
Adams. Benjamin 
Ambrose, Joshua E. 
Bailey, Aaron 
Bailey. Erastus 
Bascomb, Franklin 
Bateman, Thomas 
Bean, Folsoni 
Barney. Aurelius 
Bellows, W. M. 
Benham. Horace 
Branham, Berry 
Branham, Christopher 
Burbanks, Thomas 
Burdick, Samuel P. 
Burdwick, Joseph S. 
Burk, Owen 
Burritt, Benjamin 
Burritt, Peter 
Calvert, Thomas 
Calvert. John S. 
Carr, Calvin 
Cawood. Abraham 
Clark. Amos 
Clark, N. C. 
Clark. Elijah 
Corran, Joseph 
Corlis, David 
Cromer, John 
Daggett, Xathan E. 
Dike, Simon 
DeLong, Stephen 
Duncan, Craig- 
Dyer, George R. 
Eaton, Lewis 
Earl, Ira 
Flynn, John 
Fuller, Almond 
Fuller, Judah H. 



Frazier, Finley 
Gage, Harvey 
George, Hiram 
Gifford, Hezekiah 
Gifford, James T. 
Gifford, Asa 
Gifford, Abel D. 
Goodrich. P. M. 
Gray, Moses 
Green, Seth 
Grow, Ralph 
Guptill, John 
Guptail, Daniel 
Gurtean, Alfred 
Hadiock, Alfred 
Hall, Calvin 
Hammer, George 
Hammer, George W. 
Hammer. David 
Hammer, Isaac 
Hamilton, Solomon 
Hamilton. Solomon H. 
Harwood, Aaron 
Flart, Wolcot 
Hassan. George 
Hatch, Philo 
Hayden, Charles H. 
Heath, Sidney 
Heath. Horace 
Heath, Richard A. 
Herrick, Luther 
Hewett, Artemus 
Hindsdale, Asahel B. 
Hill, John 
Hinman. Gould 
Hinckley. Otis 
Hoag. A. \V. 
Hoag, James 
House, Jason 
Howard, William B. 
Howard. James "SI. 
Huckins, Huni[)hrey 
Hunting. Samuel 



Jenne, John 
Kimball, William P. 
Kimball. A. S. 
Kimball. Joseph 
Kimball. Charles 
Kimball, Samuel 
Kimball, Jonathan 
Kimball, Russell F. 
Kimball, George W. 
Kimball. P. J., Jr. 
Kimball, \\"illiam C. 
Kimball. Samuel J. 
Kipp. Caleb 
Leatherman, Abraham 
Leatherman, Daniel 
Lee, Rowland 
Leonard, Anson 
Lovell, John 
Lovell, Vincent S. 
Mann, Adin 
Mann. E. K. 
Mann, William R. 
Mappa, Charles \\'. 
Merrill, Asa 
Merrill, Chaplin W. 
Merrifield. Charles 
Miltimore. E. A. 
Minard, Samuel 
Mitchell, Thomas 
Moulton. William A. 
McMillen, D. B. 
McMillen, Alexander 
Olds, Ransom 
Ordway, Alfred C. 
Otis, Isaac 
Parker. James 
Parker. Samuel 
Parker, Orange 
Phillips, Anthony 
Pierce, Abel 
Plummer, Alexander 
Porter, Addison R. 
Porter. Aaron 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



699 



Ranstead, John 
Ranstead, Marcus 
Ray, Lewis 
Raymond. Harvey 
Rockwood, Lyman 
Rosenkrans, Halsey 
Rosenkrans. Asa 
Rowley, James H. 
Rowley, George W. 
Sargent, Philip H. 
Sawyer, George 
Scoville, John B. 
Scott, James H. 
Shaw, W. S. 
Sherman, Henry 
Smith, }iIyron 
Smith, George E. 
Smith, Byron 
Smith, Jarvis 
Sprague, Elisha 
Stephens, Perry 



Stephens, Josiah 
Stephens, Norman 
Stone, Isaac 
Stone, Amos 
Stowers, Justice 
Stowell, Ralph 
Stowell, Seth 
Stiles, Luther C. 
Sutherland, James 
Switzer, John W. 
Sylla, Philo 
Taylor, Daniel B. 
Taylor, George F. 
Tefft, Jonathan 
Tefft, Amos 
Tetift, Jonathan, Jr. 
Tefft, Joseph 
Ternorth, John 
Tibbals, Charles S. 
Tobin, Pierce 
Todd, Tames 



Truesdell, Burgess 
Tucker, Charles B. 
Tupper, Lewis 
Tyler, Lattimer S. 
Under\\ood Whitman 
Underwood Anson 
Walker, Abel 
Waterman, Elijah 
Wanzer, Moses 
Waterman, Samuel 
Welch, William W. 
Welch, David 
West, James 
West, Isaac 
Wells, Francis 
Whipple, Alphonso 
Whipple, Lorenzo 
Williams, Hiram 
Williams, Lyman 
Williams, Benjamin 
Wolcott, S. A. 



ELGIN ELECTION, I CS44. 



Abbott, Ephraim 
Abbott, Jesse 
Adams, Abel 
Adams, Ashley 
Adams, Augustus 
Adams, Beman 
Adams, Edward 
Ambrose, Robert L. 
Andrus, Amos E. 
Armstrong, Daniel 
Atkins, Henry 
Attix, William C. 
Avery, Gilbert 
Baker, David W. 
Ballard, Ezekiel 
Bangs, David W. 
Barber, Horace A. 
Bateman, Thomas 
Bean, Folsom 
Black, Lyman 
Bogue, V. B. 
Boynton, H. S. 
Bradlev, Tames 



Bradley, Leverett 
Brannon, Thomas 
Brewster, Jacob W. 
Brown, James A. 
Burbank, Thomas 
Burbank, Thomas, Jr. 
Burbank, Aaron 
Burbanks, Asa W. 
Burdick, Ezra 
Burke, Michael 
Burnage, John 
Burns, William 
Cahoon, Mark 
Calvert, John S. 
Carr, Calvin 
Carlin. William 
Case, John 
Caton, Edward 
Chamberlain. Jos. B. 
Chase, William A. 
Clark, Elijah N. 
Clark, Lewis 
Clark, Thomas 



Clark, N. C. 
Clark, George 
Cleveland, F. W. 
Cobb, Asa 
Collins, Marshall 
Corron. Joseph P. 
Costello. Patrick 
Costlow, John 
Daggert. Nathan E. 
Davis. Erasmus 
Dennison. John \\\ 
Dunn, Thomas 
Durand, John 
Eaton. Lewis S. 
Favor, Isaac 
Fay, Elijah 
Fellows. Samuel 
Force, Jonathan 
Foster, John K. 
Frazure, Thomas 
French, George W. 
Fuller. Judah 
Fuller. Almond 



700 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



Gaynor, Thomas L. 
Garland. Enoch O. 
George, Hiram 
Gifford. Hezekiah 
Gifford, James T. 
Gifford, Asa 
Gilbert. Truman 
Gilbert, P. C. 
Gilbert, Albro 
Gleason, John 
Graham, Andrew- 
Gray, Moses 
Grow, Ralph 
Hall, David B. 
Hadlock, Alfred 
Hall, Merrill 
Hall, Calvin 
Hamilton, Solomon 
Hamilton, Solomon H. 
Hampton, John 
Hammond, R. L. 
Hammond, David S. 
Hansey, Patrick 
Harvey, Edward E. 
Hassan. George 
Hatch, Philo L. 
Hatch, Philo 
Heath, Sidney 
Henman, Gold 
Hennessey. William 
Hesselgessin, James 
Hewitt, Artemus 
Hewitt. Obed 
Hoag, James 
Horton, Abraham 
House, Jason 
Hickev, George ^^'. 
Hill. Ladue 
Hinman. Justis 
Hunting. Samuel 
Hubbard, Steplien 
Hubbard, William G. 
Hurley, James 
Jackman, Levi 
Jemmerson. Smith 
Jenne. Reuben 
Kardner. Charles 



Kardner, K. J. 
Kardner, Kynon 
Kellogg, Marcus D. 
Kellogg, Silas O. 
Kellogg, F. E. 
Kelley, Thomas 
Kenney, Henry B. 
Keyes, Stephen P. 
Kimball. P. J., Jr. 
Kimball. Samuel 
Kimball, Charles B. 
Kimball, Jonathan 
Kimball, George W. 
Kimball, Benjamin F. 
Kimball, Edson A. 
Kimball, Joseph 
Kimball. Cyrus A. 
Kimliall. William C. 
Kimball, Russell F. 
Kimball, Samuel J. 
Kimball, William P. 
Knapp, James 
Knapp, Stephen D. 
Knox, Colton 
Larkin, Cyrus 
Leonard, Anson 
Lightfoot. Goodrich 
Lloyd. Thomas 
Longley, David 
Lumbart. Dan 
Mann, E. K. 
Mann, Leonard W. 
Mann, William R. 
Mann, Adin 
Mallory, James H. 
Marsh, James H 
Marks, John 
Martin, Thomas 
Merrill, Asa 
Merrill B. 
Merrill, Gillman H. 
Merrill. Chaplin W. 
McGrath, Dennis 
McLean, John R. 
McAIillen. D. B. 
Mc^Iillen. Alex. 
McMillen. James E. 



McMiUen. Artliur 
McNinny. Patrick 
McQueen, Georsre 
Montgomery, Charles 
Morgan, Joshua P. 
Morgan. John W. 
Murphy. John 
O'Brien. Patrick 
O'Burk. John 
Olds, Ransom 
Ordway, Alfred 
Owen. E. 
Owen. J. D. 
Padelfonl. R. W. 
Padelford. ALanly 
Parker, Samuel 
Parker. Amasa 
Patterson. Philo S. 
Pendleton, Chas. H. 
Perkins, H. E. 
Phelps, Joseph 
Phillips, Nathan 
Phillips. Anthonv 
Phillips. Welcome H. 
Porter, Addison R. 
Potter, M. P. 
Pratt. Calvin 
Primrose, Charles 
Ransom, William 
Raymond. Augustine 
Renwick. George W. 
Rhodes. Arnold F. 
Roach. John 
Root. Anson 
Root. Anson W. 
Rosenkrans. Halsey 
Rowland, Alarcus P. 
Russell, Ruel 
Sacket, Xoadiah 
Sanders, John 
Sargent, Philip H. 
Scott, Horace 
Scott, L P. 
Shaw, George W. 
Shepherd. Thomas L. 
Sherman. Henry , 
Smith, Tames B. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 



701 



Smith, Jarvis 
Smith, Jerome B. 
Spencer, E. P. 
Starks, Julius A. 
Stevens. Charles 
Stiles. Luther C. 
Stone. Isaac 
Stow. Cyrus C. 
Stowell. Seth 
Stringer. George 
Switzer. John W. 
Sykes. Byron 
Sylla. Philo 
Tanner. David 
Taylor, Sylvester 
Tefft. Joseph 
Tefft, Jonathan 
Tefft. Eli A. 
Tefft, Erastus 
Temont, Michael 



Teter. Lewis 
Tucker, George 
Tibbals, C. S. 
Thompson. Nathan 
Tobin, John 
Tobin, Pierce 
Todd, James 
Todd, William G. 
Todd, William 
Truesdell, B. 
Tupper. Lewis P. 
Tyler. L. S. 
Underwood. Whitman 
Van Patten, Henry 
Van Doren. Ralph 
\'incent. Phillip 
Walker, M. 
Warner, Zelotes 
Webster. Charles 
Weld. Francis 



Wells. Carmi 
West. Isaac 
White, G. 

Whiteman. Thomas F. 
Wilber. John 
\\'illiams, Lyman 
Williams. Nathan 
Williams, Hiram 
\\'illiams. Leonard 
Williams Benjamin 
\A'illard. William R. 
Willoughliy, Samuel 
Wilcox, Elijah 
Wilcox, Daniel 
Wilson, I. G. 
Wilson, Moses H. 
Wilson. Samuel 
Wilson, Jabez 
Woods, Patrick 
Wright, Paul R. 



THE SOLID -MEN OF ELGIN IN 1864. 

Below we give, as a matter of curiosity and interest, the incomes for 
1864. on which the five per cent special war tax was paid by such of our 
citizens as were supposed to be liable to it. It will be remembered that $600 
of income were exempt from taxation, as well as sundry payments for repairs. 
taxes, etc., so that the amount set opposite the names is only the excess above 
exemptions. There were undoubtedly many others whose income rendered 
them liable to taxation but who escaped by the neglect ni the assessor or the 
evasions of themselves : 



Joseph Pabst $ 500 

Joseph Berg 340 

Geo. A. Bowers i .004 

D. F. Barclay 675 

J. T. Brown 240 

S. N. Campbell 412 

E.W.Cook 415 

E. Cummings 324 

J. H. Davis 53 

R. W. Dawson 100 

O. Davidson 962 

Geo. Douglas 243 

A. B. Fish 200 

F. Gifford " 120 

Frank F. Gilbert 540 

A. Gulick 355 



E. Gift'ord $ 360 

P. Heelan 240 

Wm. G. Hubbard 200 

W. J. Hunter 300 

Joseph Hemmens 193 

Elisha Jones 92 

A. J. Joslyn 775 

Patrick Jones 263 

John Pruden 419 

G. Rosenkrans 273 

C. D. Sprague 25 

Robert Stringer 206 

Geo. Stringer 848 

Geo. D. Sherman 240 

J. Tefft, Sr 393 

\\' . M. Taylor 360 



702 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

S. Wilcox $1,297 Lansing Morgan $ 500 

A. D. Wright 500 Thos. Mitchell 357 

E. S. Wilcox 200 M. McNeil 37 

E. Winchester 360 R. M. Martin 500 

Theo. S. Knox \~, Chas. A. Connor 360 

Addison Keys 120 S. McOsker 600 

Caleb Kipp 300 E. Merrifield 360 

S. J. Kimball 539 J. P. Perkins 215 

F. Kothe 244 W. L. Pease 4-677 

Wm. F. Lynch 540 Anson Root 1.31 1 

Timothy Lynch 710 Henry Sherman 1,110 

L. A. Littletield 300 J. A. Stringer 156 

O. F. Lawrence 430 Isaac Stone 109 

B. F. Lawrence 6,097 J. Tefft, Jr 650 

C. H. Larkin 305 Thos. Todd 300 

Amasa Lord 637 A. J. Waldron 1.2.25 

David Lynch 240 Hiram Wilson 344 

M. Mallery 954 W. H. Wilcox 240 

Wesley Miller 267 J. S. Wilcox 540 

F. L. McChire 513 H. E. Perkins 215 

CITY OFFICI.\LS. 

LIS;r OF OFFICERS FROM DATE OF ORG.\NIZATION, FEBRUARY 28, 1 854, TO igo8. 

1854. Mayor, Dr. Joseph Tefft; aldermen, Charles S. Clark, R. L. 
Yarwood, Luther C. Stiles, Paul R. \\'right, E. A. Kimball, Geo. P. Harvey ; 
clerk, R. W'. Padelford; treasurer, M. C. Town; marshal, Geo. W. Renwick. 

1855. Mayor, Dr. Joseph Tefft; aldermen, Charles S. Clark. E. S. 
Joslyn. Paul R. Wright, L. C. Stiles, E. A. Kimball. George P. Harvey; 
clerk. R. W'. Padelford; treasurer. M. C. Town; marshal. George Hassan. 

1856. Mayor, Samuel J. Kimball; aldermen, E. S. Joslyn. James Knott. 
L. C. Stiles. Burgess Truesdell. George P. Harvey. Mason M. Marsh: clerk. 
R. W. Padelford; treasurer, O. Davidson; marshal, Jonathan Kimball. 

1857. Mayor. Samuel J. Kimball; aldermen. James Knott. E. S. Joslyn, 
Burgess Truesdell. John Morse. Mason M. Marsh, George P. Harvey; clerk. 
R. W. Padelford ; treasurer, O. Davidson ; marshal, Jonathan Kimball. 

1858. Mayor. John Hill; aldermen. E. S. Joslyn, A. B. Fish. John 
Morse. \'. C. McClure, George P. Harvey, Mason M. Marsh; clerk. R. W. 
Padelford; treasurer. Henry Sherman; marshal, George Hassan. 

1859. ]\Iayor. Andrew J. W^aldron; aldermen, W'illiam Saunders, A. B. 
Fish, William Owen, Y. C. McClure. Anson W. Root. W. L. Pease. Charles 
Tazewell, Carlos L. Smith; clerk. R. \\'. Padelford; treasurer. Fulton Gififord ; 
marshal. L. H. Westover. 

i860. Mayor, Andrew J. Waldron ; aldermen. \\'illiam Saunders. Joseph 
B. Walter. A. \\'. Root. Asahel B. Hinsdell. Walter L. Pease. George P. 
Harvey, Carlos L. Smith, George B. Adams ; attorney. E. S. Joslyn ; clerk. 
R. W. Padelford ; treasurer. Fulton Gififord ; marshal. Edward S. Chappell. 




AA'. F. 8YLLA. R. AV. PADELFORD. 

THE ONLY CITY CLERKS ELGIN HAS EA^ER HAD. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 705 

1861. ]\Iayor, Edward S. Joslyn; aldermen, Joseph B. Walter. William 
Saunders. Asahel B. Hinsdell, George B. Raymond, Walter L. Pease, John 
Spillard. George B. Adams. Carlos L. Smith; attorney, John S. Riddle; clerk. 
R. W. Padelford ; treasurer. Fulton Gifford ; marshal. Robert Morrison. 

1862. Mayor, Walter L. Pease; aldermen. Joseph B. Walter, William 
Saunilers. Latimer S. Tyler, George B. Raymond, George P. Harvey, John 
Kizer, James Sterricker, Carlos L. Smith, John S. Riddle; attorney, Michael 
J. Dunne; clerk, R. \\'. Padelford; treasurer. James R. Yarwood; marshal, 
Fred C. Kothe. 

1863. :\layor. Joseph Tefft : aldermen, Joseph B. Walker. Edward S. 
Joslyn, Latimer S. Tyler, M. C. Town. John Kizer, James Sterricker. David 
F. Barclay. William Lloyd, John S. Riddle, Louis H. Yarwood; attorney. 
James Coleman; clerk, R. W. Padelford; treasurer, James R. Yarwood; 
marshal. Thomas W. Tefft. 

1864. ]\layor, \\'alter L. Pease; aldermen, Edward S. Joslyn, Joseph B. 
Walter, AL C. Town, Ebenezer \\'. \'ining, John Kizer. David F. Barclay. 
\\'illiam Lloyd. John Salisbury; attorney, James Coleman; clerk, R. W. 
Padelford; treasurer, B. F. Lawrence; marshal, Henry A. Straussel ; city 
sexton, John B. Newcomb. 

1865. Mayor. Edward S. Joslyn; aldermen, Joseph B. Walter. Stephen 
Lasher, Latimer S. Tyler, George A. Bowers, John Kizer, John Spillard. 
E. W. Cook, Carlos L. Smith; attorney. James Coleman; clerk. R. W. 
Padelford; trea.surer, B. F. Lawrence; marshal, Calvin Tyler; city sexton. 
John B. Newcomb. 

1866. Mayor. Joseph Tefft; aldermen. Stephen Lasher. Henry Bierman. 
George A. Bowers. Orlando Davidson. John Kizer. James A. Carlisle, E. W. 
Cook. Edward S. Wilcox; attorney. Silvanus \Mlcox; clerk. R. W. Padelford; 
treasurer. B. F. Lawrence; marshal. A. J. Messenger; city sexton. John B. 
Newcomb. 

1867. Mayor. John S. Wilcox; aldermen. Henry Bierman. Josiah AL 
Pyle, Orlando Davidson, Charles E. JMason. James A. Carlisle. Marcus Mal- 
lery, Edward S. Wilcox, Lansing Morgan; attorney. John G. Kribs; clerk. 
R. W. Padelford; treasurer. Henry Sherman; marshal. S. D. Wilder; city 
sexton. John B. Newcomb. 

1868. I\Layor. Joseph Tefft; aldermen, Josiah ]\L Pyle. Edward S. 
Joslyn, Charles E. Mason, A. J. Joslyn, Marcus Mallery, David J. Lynch. 
Lansing Morgan. David S. Babbitt; attorney. John G. Kribs; clerk. R. W. 
Padelford; treasurer. Henry Sherman; marshal, A. C. Lynd; city sexton, 
David Haynes. 

1869-70. Mayor. Melvin B. Baldwin; aldermen, Edward S. Joslyn. 
Augustus Heidemann. Samuel D. Wilder, John S. Adams, David J. Lynch, 
John Kizer. David S. Babbitt, David F. Barclay; attorney. \\'. H. Wing; 
clerk, R. W. Padelford ; treasurer. Henry Sherman ; marshal, M. B. Joslyn ; 
city sexton. David Haynes. 

1870-1. Mayor. Melvin B. Baldwin; aldermen. Augustus Heidemann. 
Robert 'SI. Martin. John S. Adams. Samuel D. ^^'ilder. John Kizer, David J. 
Lvnch. David F. Barclay. William Lloyd ; attorney. Edward S. Joslyn ; clerk. 



706 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

R. W. Padelford; treasurer, Walter L. Pease; marshal, John Powers: city 
sexton, David Haynes. 

1871-2. Mayor, Wm. C. Kimball; aldermen, Robert M. Alartin, Edward 
S. Joslyn, Samuel D. Wilder, Luther L. Fenn, David J- Lynch, Charles H. 
Coffee, William Lloyd, Moses 11. TlKimpson; attorney, J. W. Ranstead; 
clerk, R. W. Padelford; treasurer, W'm. DuBois; marshal. John Powers; 
city sexton, David Haynes. 

1872-3. Mayor, George S. Bowen; aldermen, Edward S. Joslyn, 
Robert M. Martin, Luther L. Fenn, George B. Raymond, Charles H. Coffee, 
William F. Lynch, Moses H. Thompson, A\'illiam Lloyd; attorney, John W. 
Ranstead; clerk. R. W. Padelford; treasurer, Walter L. Pease; marshal, John 
Powers; city sexton, David Haynes. 

1873-4. Mayor, George S. Bowen; aldermen, Robert M. Martin, Ed- 
ward S. Joslyn, George B. Raymond, Richard P. Jackman, Wm. F. Lynch, 
Joseph C. Kimball. \\'illiam Lloyd. Salem E. Weld; attorney, Eugene Clif- 
ford; clerk, R. \\'. Padelford; treasurer. Walter L. Pease; marshal, John 
Powers ; city sexton, Harvey Hubbard. 

1874-5. Mayor, David F. Barclay; aldermen, Edward S. Joslyn. Robert 
I\L Martin, Richard P. Jackman. Increase C. Bosworth, Joseph C. Kimball, 
Eugene Lynch. Salem E. Weld. William Lloyd, Wm. F. Lynch, Sidney 
Wanzer, George S. Heath. \\'m. F. Sylla ; attorney. Eugene Clifford ; clerk, 
R. W. Padelford; treasurer, Wm. H. Hintze; marshal, John Powers; city 
sexton, Henry B. W'aters. 

1875-6. Mayor. David F. Barclay; aldermen, R. ]\[. ?\Iartin. Fred 
Fehrman, Edward S. Joslyn, Increase C. Bosworth, Richard P. Jackman, 
Eugene Lynch. Thomas H. Foster, W'illiam Lloyd, I. C. Towner. \\'m. F. 
Lynch. Sidney Wanzer. D. \. Turner, George S. Heath, Wm. F. Sylla 
(resigned), Charles D. Dickinson (to fill vacancy); clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; 
treasurer, Andrew C. Hawkins; marshal. John Powers; street commissioner, 
Alecsius C. Joslyn ; city sexton, Henry B. Waters ; city physician, Dwight E. 
Burlingame; fire marshal, George F. Lewis. 

1876-77. Alayor, David F. Barclay; aldermen, Edward S. Joslyn, Fred 
Fehrman, Richard P. Jackman. John H. Moulton, Thomas H. Foster, Henry 
Westerman, I. C. Towner, Wm. P. McAllister, D. N. Turner, John Kizer, 
Henry Geister. Charles D. Dickinson, George S. Heath ; attorney, Eugene 
Clifford; clerk. Wm. F. Sylla; treasurer, Andrew C. Hawkins; marshal, John 
Powers; city physician. Dwight E. Burlingame; fire marshal. George F. 
Lewis ; street commissioner, Alecsius C. Joslyn ; city sexton, Henry B. Waters. 

1877-8. Mayor. Edward C. Lovell; aldermen, Fred Fehrman, Aurora 
B. Fish, John H. Moulton, George E. Farrington. Henry \\'esterman. Tlios. 
H. Foster, W. P. ^McAllister (died). Thomas Stewart, Henry Geister, John 
Kizer, George S. Heath. Charles D. Dickinson; attornc}', Alonzo H. Barry; 
clerk. Wm. H. Sylla; treasurer, E. Dunbar W^aldron; marshal. John Powers; 
city physician. Dwight Burlingame; fire marshal, George F. Lewis; street 
commissioner. Samuel Chapman ; city sexton, Henry B. W^aters. 

1878-9. Mayor, Edwin F. Reeves; aldermen. Frederick Fehrman, 
Aurora B. Fish. George E. Farrington. John H. ^Moulton. Thomas H. Foster. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 707 

Henry Westennan, Thomas Stewart, Denison R. Jencks. John Kizer, Finla L. 
McClure, Charles D". Dickinson, John A. Coburn ; clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; 
marshal, John Powers; acting city marshal, Hugh Murphy; acting city mar- 
shal. Palmer Clark; city attorney, Oliver P. Chisholm; treasurer, A. C. 
Hawkins; street commissioner, Sebastian Ranzenberger ; city sexton. Henry B. 
Waters; city physician, Dwight E. Burlingame; fire marshal, Richard Parkin. 

1879-80. Mayor, George P. Lord; aldermen, Frederick Fehrman. 
Ouincy Gillilan, John H. Moulton. Frank S. Bosworth, Henry Westerman. 
Thomas H. Foster, Denison R. Jencks. George H. Sherman, Finla L. 
McClure, John H. Flinn, John A. Coburn, Milo Byington; clerk, Wm. F. 
Svlla; marshal, John Powers; attorney, Edward C. Lovell; treasurer, E. D. 
Waldron; street commissioner, Thomas S. Martin; city sexton, Henry B. 
Waters ; city physician, Dwight E. Burlingame ; fire marshal. Richard Parkin. 

1880-1. Mayor, Frank S. Bosworth; aldermen, Ouincy Gillilan. Fred- 
crick Fehrman, Richard P. Jackman, George E. Farrington, Thomas H. 
Foster, James L. Kee, George H. Sherman. Denison R. Jencks, John H. 
Flinn, John Kizer, Milo Byington, Alfred Hal! Smith ; clerk, Wm. F. Sylla ; 
marshal, John Powers ; attorney, John A. Russell ; treasurer, Morris C. Town ; 
street commissioner, Thomas S. Martin; city sexton, Henry B. Waters; city 
physician. Dwight E. Burlingame; fire marshal, Richard Parkin. 

1881-2. Mayor, Frank S. Bosworth; aldermen, C. Fred Volstorff, 
Denison R. Jencks (resigned), Alecsius C. Joslyn, George H. Sherman, 
Andrew C. Hawkins, Jonathan Welsby, Edgar R. Bolles, Charles H. Coffee. 
James Wall, John H. Flinn, John Kizer; clerk. W^m. F. Sylla; marshal. John 
Powers; attorney, John A. Russell; treasurer, E. D. Waldron; superintendent 
of streets, Thomas S. Martin ; city sexton, Henry B. Waters ; city physician. 
Dwight E. Burlingame; fire marshal, Richard Parkin. 

1882-3. Mayor, Frank S. Bosworth; aldermen. C. Fred Volstorff. 
Alecsius C. Joslyn, George H. Sherman. Andrew C. Hawkins. Edgar R. 
Bolles. Jonathan Welsby, James ^^'all, Charles H. Coffee. John H. Flinn. 
John Kizer; clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; marshal, John Powers; attorney, John A. 
Russell ; treasurer, E. D. Waldron ; superintendent of streets, Albert Marck- 
hoff; city sexton, Henry B. Waters; city physician, Dwight E. Burlingame; 
fire marshal, Theodore Schroeder. 

1883-4. Mayor. David F. Barclay; aldermen, Alecsius C. Joslyn, I. C. 
Towner, A. C. Hawkins. D. E. Wood, Jonathan Welsby, Edgar R. Bolles, 
Charles H. Coffee. Alfred J. Mann, John H. Flinn, Caspar Schmidt ; clerk, 
Wm. F. Sylla; marshal, John Powers; attorney, Robert S. Egan; treasurer. 
Morris C. Town ; superintendent of streets, Thomas S. Martin ; city sexton. 
Henry B. Waters; city physician, Dwight E. Burlingame; fire marshal. 
Theodore Schroeder. 

1884-5. Mayor, David F. Barclay; aldermen, Ithiel C. Towner, Denison 
R. Jencks, Delmont E. Wood (resigned. Ethan Bullard elected to fill vacancy. 
January 13, 1885), Joseph T. Garrison, Edgar R. Bolles, Jonathan Welsby, 
Alfred J. Mann, Charles H. Coffee, Caspar Schmidt, John H. Flinn; clerk, 
Wm. F. Sylla; marshal, John Powers; attorney. Robert S. Egan; treasurer, 
Morris C. Town ; superintendent of streets, Thomas S. Martin ; city sexton, 



708 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Henry B. Waters; city physician. Dwight E. Burlingame; tire marshal, 
Theodore Schroeder. 

1885-6. Mayor, Henry B. WiUis; aldermen, James B. Lane, Edward S. 
Eno. Franklin L. Shepherd, Denison R. Jencks. Arwin E. Price, John V. 
Schaller, Ethan Bullard, Joseph T. Garrison. Fred P. McComb, Jonathan 
Welsby, Joseph Pavey, Delmont E. Wood. James Wall, Charles H. Coffee, 
John H. Flinn; clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; marshal. John Powers; attorney, Frank 
W. Joslyn; treasurer, W. K. Hoagland ; superintendent of streets. Alecsius C. 
Joslyn;'city sexton, John B. Newcomb; city physician. Dwight E. Burlingame; 
fire marshal, Theodore Schroeder. 

1886-7. :Mayor, Henry B. Willis: aldermen, Edward S. Eno, James V. 
Mink, Denison R. Jencks, Franklin L. Shepherd, John V. Schaller. Arwin E. 
Price, Fred P. IMcComb. Joseph T. Garrison. Jonathan Welsby, Edgar R. 
Bolles, Augustus Gustason, James Wall, Caspar Schmidt, John A. Logan: 
clerk. Wm. F. Sylla; marshal, John Powers; attorney, Frank W. Joslyn; 
treasurer, W. K.' Hoagland ; superintendent of streets. Alecsius C. Joslyn 
(resigned), Thomas S.Martin (to fill vacancy) ; city sexton, John B. New- 
comb; citjf physician. Howard L. Pratt; fire marshal, Theodore Schroeder. 
1887-8. Mayor. \'incent S. Lovell ; aldermen. James B. Mink. John H. 
Doran, Franklin L. Shepherd, William Heine. Arwin E. Price. John \'. 
Schaller, Fred P. McComb, Joseph T. Garrison, Edgar R. Bolles. Richard R. 
Parkin, Augustus Gustason, Alfred J. :^Iann. Charles H. Coffee. John A. 
Logan ; clerk, Wm. F. Sylla ; marshal, Andrew B. Spurling : attorney. Frank 
W. Joslyn ; treasurer, Henry L Bosworth ; superintendent of streets, Orlando 
Davidscm; city sexton, John B. Newcomb; city physician, Dwight E. Bur- 
lingame: fire marshal. Theodore Schroeder; water commissioners. George P. 
Lord, David F. Barclay. William H. Hintze; corporation counsel. Richard N. 
Botsford. 

1888-9. ^layor, \'incent S. Lovell (resigned) ; acting mayor. Arwin E. 
Price; aldermen. John H. Doran (resigned). Frank Kramer (to fill vacancy),. 
James B. I\Iink. \\'illiam Heine, Denison R. Jencks, John X. Schaller. Arwin 
E. Price, C. Vincent McClure. J. T. Garrison. Fred P. :McComb. Ferrand R. 
Taft, Richard R. Parkin. Edgar R. Bolles. Alfred J. Mann (resigned). Don 
Carlos Sweet (to fill vacancy), James Wall, John A. Logan, Caspar Schmidt; 
clerk. Wm. F. Sylla; marshal, George L. Kinnear: attorney. Frank W. 
Joslyn : treasurer. W. K. Hoagland ; superintendent of streets, John W. Carr : 
city sexton, John B. Newcomb; city physician, Alban L. Mann; fire marshal. 
Theodore Schroeder ; water commissioners, George P. Lord. David F. Barclay. 
William H. Hintze; corporation counsel, Richard N. Botsford. 

1889-90. Arwin E. Price, mayor: William F. Sylla, city clerk: Richard 
N. Botsford. corporation counsel ; Charles H. Fisher, city attorney : E. Dunbar 
Waldron. city treasurer; George L. Kinnear. city marshal: John W. Carr. 
superintendent of streets: Albert :Marckhoff. superintendent of cemeteries; 
board of water commissioners. David F. Barclay. Charles W. Raymond. 
G. Rosenkrans (resigned). John \\'. Ranstead : city physician. Alban L. 
Mann: fire marshal, .\ndrew O. Apple: aldermen. Frank Kramer. James \'. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 709 

Mink, William Heine, Denison R. Jencks, fjohn W. Farnum, *Angus M. 
Stewart, John W". Schramm, Fred P. McComb, Thomas H. Bruce, Edgar R. 
Belles, Frederick A. Quinn, James Wall, John A. Logan, Caspar Schmidt. 

1890-1. Arwin E. Price, mayor; William F. S}-lla, city clerk; Henry B. 
Willis, corporation counsel; Charles H. Fisher, city attorney; E. Dunbar 
Waldron, city treasurer: John W. Carr, superintendent of streets; Albert 
Marckhoff, superintendent of cemeteries; George W. Renwick, superintendent 
of streets, from February 16, 1891 ; George L. Kinnear, city marshal; water 
commissioners, Jnlm A\'. Ranstead, Charles \\'. Raymond, Edward S. Eno; 
city physician, Alban L. Mann; fire marshal, Andrew O. Apple (died June 7. 
1890; Theodore Schroeder to fill vacancy;) aldermen, Frank Kramer, Alecsius 
C. Joslyn, William Heine, William Dettmer, John W. Farnum, William H. 
Brydges, John W. Schramm, James P. Hackett, Thomas H. Bruce, Joseph 
Pavey, Frederick A. Quinn, Thomas H. Foster, John A. Logan, Charles 
Richards. 

1891-2. William Grote, mayor; William F. Sylla, city clerk; Charles H. 
Fisher, city attorney; Henry L Bosworth, city treasurer; aldermen, Alecsius 
C. Joslyn, Joshua Given, William Dettmer, Denison R. Jencks, William H. 
Brydges, William H. Hoar, James P. Hackett, John W. Schramm, Joseph 
Pavey, Lemuel N. Jackman, Thomas H. Foster, James Wall, Charles Richards, 
Thomas Fleming; corporation counsel, Eugene Clifford; superintendent of 
streets, William D. Stedman; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marck- 
hoff; city physician, John F. Bell; city marshal, Theodore Myhre; fire marshal, 
Theodore Schroeder ; water commissioners, Charles W. Raymond, Edward S. 
Eno and Charles H. Woodruff. 

1892-3. William Grote, mayor; William F. Sylla, city clerk; Charles 
H. Fisher, city attorney; Henry L Bosworth, city treasurer; aldermen, Joshua 
Given, Albert Fehrman, Denison R. Jencks, Daniel F. Dumser, William H. 
Hoar, Frank E. Allen, John \\'. Schramm, J. Frank Rittis, Lemuel N. Jack- 
man, Robert H. Seidel, James Wall, David R. Beebe, Thomas Fleming, John 
Kizer; corporation counsel, Eugene Clift'ord ; superintendent of streets, 
William D. Stedman ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city 
physician, John F. Bell ; city marshal, Theodore Myhre ; fire marshal, Theodore 
Schroeder ; water commissioners, Charles W' . Raymond, Edward S. Eno, 
Charles H. \\'oodruff. 

1893-4. \\illiam Grote. mayor; William F. Sylla, city clerk; Clarence 
A. Lawson, city atti rney ; John H. \\'illiams. city treasurer ; aldermen, Albert 
Fehrman, F. William Seiger, Daniel F. Dumser, Wendell A. Ballou, Frank E. 
Allen, William H. Brydgs, J. Frank Rittis, John W. Schramm, Robert H. 
Seidel, Lemuel N. Jackman, David R. Beebe, Louis H. Provost, John Kizer, 
John Powers; corporation counsel, Eugene Clifford; superintendent of streets, 
William D. Stedman ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff ; city 
physician, John F. Bell ; city marshal, Theodore Myhre; fire marshal, Theodore 



* .-Uderman A. E. Price resigned and Anpus M. Stew?irt qualified May 28. 1889. 

t .Mderman John \'. .^challer resiKned and John W. Farnum qualified January 20. 1890. 



710 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Schroeder; water commissioners, Charles W. Raymond, Edward S. Eno, 
Charles H. Woodruff; park commissioners, George P. Lord, George Hunter, 
Leslie E. Tefft. 

1894-5. William Grote, mayor; William F. Sylla, city clerk; Clarence 
A. Lawson, city attorney; John H. Williams, city treasurer; aldermen, F. 
William Seiger, Albert Fehrman, Wendell A. Ballou, Louis Schrader, William 
H. Brydges, Frank E. Allen, John W. Schramm. Frank Webster, Lemuel N. 
Jackman, Robert H. Seidel, Louis H. Provost, David R. Beebe, John Powers, 
John A. Logan ; corporation counsel, Eugene Clifford ; superintendent of 
streets, ^^'illiam D. Stedman ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff : 
city physician, John F. Bell; city marshal, Theodore Myhre; fire marshal, 
Theodore Schroeder; water commissioners, Charles W. Raymond, Edward S. 
Eno, Charles H. Woodruff"; park commissioners, George P. Lord, George 
Hunter, Leslie E. Tefft. 

1895-6. Charles H. Wayne, mayor; William F. Sylla. city clerk; Fred 
W. Schultz, city attorney; Alfred B. Church, city treasurer; aldermen, Albert 
Fehrman, Charles W. Cornell, Louis Schrader, Fred W. Jencks, Frank E. 
Allen, Albert F. Alden, Frank Webster, John W. Schramm, Robert H. Seidel, 
August L. Anderson, David R. Beebe, Henry Snellgrove, John A. Logan, 
George E. Linkireld; corporation counsel, Clinton F. Irwin; superintendent of 
streets, Andrew J. Sharp; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff; 
city physician, Ora L. Pelton; city marshal, Wendell A. Ballou; fire marshal, 
John M. Geddes ; water commissioners, Charles W. Raymond, Edward S. 
Eno, Charles H. W'oodruff; park commissioners. George P. Lord. George 
Hunter, Leslie E. Tefft. 

1896-7. Charles H. Wayne, mayor; William F. Sylla, city clerk; Fred 
W. Schultz, city attorney ; Alfred B. Church, city treasurer ; aldermen, Charles 
W. Cornell, Albert Fehrman, Fred W. Jencks, Louis Schrader, Alfred F. 
Alden ; Charles L. Kohn, John W' . Schramm, Fred B. Allen, August L. 
Anderson, William Smailes, Henry Snellgrove, Elmer E. Day. George E.. 
Linkfield, John A. Logan; corporation counsel, Clinton F. Irwin; superin- 
tendent of streets, Andrew J. Sharp ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert 
Marckhoff; city physician, Ora L. Pelton; city marshal, Wendell A. Ballou; 
fire marshal, John M. Geddes ; water commissioners. Charles W. Raymond, 
Edward S. Eno. Charles H. Woodruff'; park commissioners. George P. Lord. 
George Hunter, Leslie E. Tefft. 

1897-8. Arwin E. Price, mayor; \\'illiam F. Sylla, city clerk; Alfred 
Bosworth, city treasurer; Charles Abbott, city attorney; aldermen, Albert 
Fehrman, John H. Williams. Louis Schrader. Fred W. Jencks. Charles L. 
Kohn. Albert F. Alden, Fred B. Allen, John W. Schramm, William Smailes, 
August L. Anderson, Elmer E. Day, Thomas W. Tefft. John A. Logan, 
George E. Linkfield; corporation counsel, Charles H. Fisher; superintendent 
of streets, William Rundquist ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert !\Larck- 
hoff; city physician, H. J. Gahagan; city marshal, John Powers; fire marshal, 
John M. Geddes ; water commissioners, Chas. W. Raymond. Edward S. Eno. 
Chas. H. Woodruff'; park commissioners, George P. Lord, George B. Rich- 
ardson, Frank Kramer: health nflicer. Wni. Rinid(|uist, ex officio; city sur- 




SNOW stoi;m in THE'TOS. 




SNOW FALL IN THE '80S. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 713 

veyor, Adin Mann; city electrician, H. E. Shedd; building inspector, William 
R. Lynd; inspector of weights and measures, Joseph Kreeger; pound keeper, 
Harry Corbett ; city collector, John L. Davery. 

1898-9. Mayor, Arwin E. Price; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; city treasurer, 
Alfred Bosworth; city attorney, Chas. Abbott; aldermen, Albert Fehrman. 
John H. Williams, Louis Schrader, *Malcolm Heath, yFred W. Jencks, 
Albert F. Alden, Charles L. Kohn, John W. Schramm, Fred B. Allen, August 
L. Anderson, William Smailes, John Henry Carr, George Schmidt, George E. 
Linkfield, Thomas W. Tefft; corporation counsel, Charles H. Fisher; super- 
intendent of streets, William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert 
Marckhoff; city physician, H. J. Gahagan; city marshal, John A. Logan; fire 
marshal, John M. Geddes; water commissioners, Chas. W. Raymond, C. H. 
Woodruff and C. H. Potter; park commissioners, George P. Lord, George B. 
Richardson, Frank Kramer ; city surveyor, Adin Mann ; city electrician. H. E. 
Shedd; building inspector, William R. Lynd; inspector of weights and meas- 
ures, Joseph Kreeger; pound keeper, Harry Corbett; health officer, Wm. 
Rundquist, ex officio. 

1899-1900. Mayor, Arwin E. Price; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; city 
treasurer, Wilson H. Doe; city attorney, Joseph Manley; aldermen, John H. 
Williams, Albert Fehrman, Louis Schrader, Paul Kemler, Jr., Fred B. Allen, 
Benjamin S. Pearsall, Charles L. Kohn, Eben B. Shearman, William Smailes, 
August L. Anderson, John Henry Carr, Thomas Dorcy, Henry M. Childs, 
George Schmidt; corporation counsel, Chas. H. Fisher; superintendent of 
streets, William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhofif; 
city physician, H. J. Gahagan; city marshal, John A. Logan; fire marshal, 
Joiin ^i. Geddes; water commissioners, George E. Hawthorne, C. H. Wood- 
ruff, C. H. Potter; park commissioners, Geo. P. Lord, Geo. B. Richardson. 
Frank Kramer; city surveyor. Adin Mann; city electrician,. James H. Risdon; 
building inspector. Robert T. Chapman; inspector of weights and measures, 
Joseph Kreeger ; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet ; pound keeper, Sam Hill ; 
city collector, Geo. W. L. Brown ; health officer, John W. Mink ; clerk of city 
court, John J. Kelley. 

1900-01. Mayor, Arwin E. Price; city clerk, Wm. F. Sylla; city treas- 
urer,. Wilson H. Doe; city attorney. Joseph Manley; aldermen. Albert Fehr- 
man, John H. Williams, Paul Kemler. Jr., Louis Schrader, Benjamin S. 
Pearsall, Albert F. Ansel, E. B. Shearman, Fred B. Allen, August Anderson, 
William Smailes, Thomas Dorcy, John A. Wright, Henry M. Childs, George 
Schmidt; corporation counsel, Chas. H. Fisher; superintendent of streets, 
William Rundquist; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff; city 
physician. H. J. Gahagan ; city marshal, John A. Logan ; fire marshal. John M. 
Geddes; water commissioners, J. G. Tapper, George Morgan, Charles W. 
Cornell ; park commissioners, George P. Lord, A. F. Schader. George B. 
Richardson; city surveyor, Adin Mann; city electrician. James H. Risdon; 
building inspector, Robert T. Chapman ; city collector, Geo. W. L. Brown ; 
health officer, John W. IMink; inspector of weights and measures. Robert K. 



• To fill vacancy. 
t Kcsipned. 



714 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Plunileigh ; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet ; pound keeper, Sam Hill ; 
clerk of city court. John J. Kelley. 

1901-2. Mayor. Arwin E. Price: city clerk. Wm. F. Sylla : city treas- 
urer, L. N. Seaman; city attorney, Roy R. Phillips; aldermen, Albert Fehr- 
man, John H. Williams. Louis Schrader, Paul Kemler, Jr.. Albert F. Ansel, 
Harvey M. Chittenden, Fred B. Allen. Eben B. Shearman. William Smailes, 
John C. Redeker. Charles L. Abbott, John A. \\'right, George Schmidt. 
Elwood E. Kenyon; corporation counsel, Charles H. Fisher; superintendent 
of streets. William Rundquist ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marck- 
hoff; city physician. H. J. Gahagan; city marshal, John A. Logan, Louis 
Freeman;* fire marshal, John ]\L Geddes; water commissioners, J. G. Tapper. 
Chas. W. Cornell, George X. Morgan ; park commissioners, George P. Lord. 
A. F. Schader. George B. Richardson ; city surveyor. Adin J\lann ; city elec- 
trician. James H. Risdon : building inspector, Robert T. Chapman ; inspector 
of weights and measures, Robert K. Plumleigh ; boiler inspector, William F. 
Hallet ; pound keeper, Sam Hill ; city collector. George W. L. Brown ; health 
officer, George E. Allen ; clerk of city court. John J. Kelley. 

1902-3. Arwin E. Price, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla. city clerk; Roy R. 
Phillips, city attorne}-; L. X. Seaman, city treasurer; aldermen. John H. 
Williams, A. C. Joslyn.* Paul Kemler. Jr., Louis Schrader, Harvey M. Chit- 
tenden, William H. Brydges, Eben B. Shearman. J. AL Murphy, John C. 
Redeker. Frank Holmes, Charles L. Abbott, Harry E. Perdue. Elwood E. 
Kenyon. Walter 'SI. Corbly; corporation counsel. Chas. H. Fisher; superin- 
tendent of streets. Wm. Rundquist ; superintendent of cemeteries. Albert 
Marckhoff : city physician. H. J. Gahagan. M. D. ; city marshal. Louis C. 
Freeman; fire marshal. John ]\L Geddes; city suneyor, Adin Alann.? Arthur 
L. Gift'ord; city electrician, James H. Risdon; building inspector, Robert T. 
Chapman; sealer of weights and measures. Robert K. Plumleigh; boiler 
inspector. W^m. F. Hallet; city collector. George \\'. L. Brown; park com- 
missioners. George P. Lord. Geo. B. Richardson. Wm. H. Wing.i Galen B. 
Royer; water commissioners, Dr. Wm. S. Brown, Fred W. Jencks, Geo. E. 
Linkfield ; pound keeper. Sam Hill : health officer, Geo. E. Allen. 

1903-4. A. H. Hubbard, mayor: Wm. F. Sylla. city clerk: De Goy B. 
Ellis, citv attornev ; Andrew C. Hawkins, city treasurer ; aldermen. Chas. A. 
Kimball. Louis Schrader. Wm. H. Brydges. J. M. Murphy. Frank Holmes. 
Harry E. Perdue. Walter j\L Corbly. Henry Muntz, Conrad Ackemann. 
Harvey SI. Chittenden. Eben B. Shearman. Geo. S. Anderson. Jerry Aubertin, 
Elwood E. Kenyon ; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan ; superintendent of 
streets. E. P. Gerry ; superintendent of cemeteries. Albert Marckhoff : city 
physician. Arthur B. Sturm; city marshal, Louis C. Freeman.* Jas. W. 
Younger ; fire marshal. John AL Geddes : citv sur\-evor. Henrv Dakin.t Chas. 



• To fill vacancy. 

• Resigned March 3. 1903. 

t Resigned. A. L. GlSford qualified February 10. 1903. 
I Died October 31. 1902. 

• Reduced to lieutenant and J. W. Younger appointed. 

t Resigned and Chas. A. Prout qualified April 19, 1904. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 715 

A. Prout; city electrician, W. S. Skinner; building inspector, Thos. F. 
Mackey; sealer of weights and measures, Geo. A. Heindel ; boiler inspector, 
W'm. F. Hallet; city collector, Ed. S. Hubbell; water commissioners, David 
F. Barclay, W'm. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, Geo. P. 
Lord, Galen B. Royer, J. M. Blackburn; fire and police commission, E. S. 
Eno, R. D. Hollembeak, John A. Logan; pound keeper, Sam Hill; health 
officer, Geo. E. Allen. 

1904-5. A. H. Hubbard, mayor; \Vm. F. Sylla, city clerk; De Goy B. 
Ellis, citv attorney; Andrew C. Hawkins, city treasurer; aldermen, Chas. A. 
Kimball, Conrad Ackemann, Harvey M. Chittenden. Eben B. Shearman, Geo. 
S. Anderson, Jerry Aubertin, Elwood E. Kenyon, Henry Muntz, Louis 
Schrader. B. S. Pearsall, John W. Schramm, Olcott H. Nix, Harry E. Perdue, 
J. E. Bakker; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan; superintendent of streets, 

E. P. Gerry; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Marckhoff; city physician, 
Arthur B. Sturm; city marshal, James W. Younger; fire marshal, John M. 
Geddes; city surveyor, Chas. A. Prout; city electrician, W. S. Skinner; build- 
ing inspector, Thos. F. Mackey; sealer of weights and measures, Geo. A. 
Heindel,* Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet; city collector, 
Ed, S. Hubbell; water commissioners, David F. Barclay, \\^m. F. Hunter, 
Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, George P. Lord, Galen B. Royer, 
J. M. Blackburn ; fire and police commission, John A. Logan, R. D. Hol- 
lembeak, C. Dallas Monroe; sewer commission, L. D. Nish, John A. Water- 
man, Chas. H. Potter; pound keeper, Sam Hill; health officer, Geo. E. Allen. 

1905-6. Carl E. Botsford, mayor; Wm. F. Sylla, city clerk; R. H. 
Kramer, city attorney; C. Fred O'Hara, city treasurer; aldermen, Henry 
Muntz, Louis Schrader, B. S. Pearsall, John W. Schramm, Olcott H. Nix. 
Harry E, Perdue, J. E. Bakker, Wm. G. Wilcox, Frank W. Shepherd, Chas. 
Pierce, Frank Webster, Geo. S. Anderson,* George H. Andresen, Jerry 
Aubertin, Elwood E. Kenyon ; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan ; city 
engineer, Henry Dakin ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Markchoff; city 
physician, F. C. Shurmeier; city marshal, Jas. W. Younger; fire marshal, 
David W. Sharp; city electrician, Earle L Fish; building inspector, Jas. R. 
West; sealer of weights and measures, Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector, 
William F. Hallet ; city collector, Ed. S. Hubbell ; water commissioners, David 

F. Barclay, Wm. F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, Geo. P. 
Lord, J. M. Blackburn, Harry D. Barnes ; fire and police commission, John A. 
Logan, C. Dallas Monroe, R. D. Hollembeak ; sewer commission, L. D. Nish, 
John A. Waterman, J. A. Rovelstad ; pound keeper, John F. Kruse ; health 
officer, Adolf Fischer. 

1906-7. Carl E. Botsford. mayor; Wm. F. Sylla. city clerk; R. H. 
Kramer, city attorney; C. Fred O'Hara, city treasurer; aldermen, Wm. G. 
Wilcox, Jesse \". Wing, Frank W. Shepherd, John G. Elbert, Chas. Pierce. 
John B. Newman, Frank Webster, John W. Schramm, James Fletcher, 
George H. Andresen, Jerry Aubertin. August Danielson, Elwood E. Kenyon, 
John H. Shales; corporation counsel, Robert S. Egan; city engineer. Plenry 



• Resigned and OIlTor V. Fox qualified. 

• Died. Goorge H. .\ndresen qualified. 



716 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Dakin ; superintendent of cemeteries, Albert Alarkchoff; city plnsician, F. C. 
Shurmeier; city marshal, Jas. W. Younger; fire marshal, David W. Sharp; 
city electrician, Earle I. Fish ; building inspector, Jas. R. West ; sealer of 
weights and measures, Oliver V. Fox; boiler inspector, William F. Hallet; 
city collector, John O. Myers : water commissioners. David F. Barclay, Wm. 
F. Hunter, Henry Schmidt; park commissioners, George P. Lord. J. M. 
Blackburn. Harry D. Barnes; fire and police commission, L. D. Nish, John A. 
Waterman, J. A. Rovelstad : pound keeper, Chas. Harding; health officer. 
Adolf Fischer. 

1907-8. Mayor, A. E. Price; aldermen, First ward. Jesse V. Wing. 
F. L. Killip; Second, J. G. Elbert, Louis Schrader; Third, J. B. Newman. 
A. C. Barclay; Fourth, J. W^ Schramm, Frank Webster; Fifth, James Fletcher, 
George H. Andersen; Sixth, A. Davidson, Jerry Aubertin; Seventh, J. H. 
Shales, H. D. Barnes; chief of police, James W. Younger; city clerk, W^ F. 
Sylla; city attorney, Frank J. C. Krahn; chief of fire department, David W. 
Sharp ; treasurer. A. L. Metzel ; corporation counsel, John P. Mann ; police 
magistrate, J. H. Becker; city engineer. C. E. Plum; city physician, H. C. 
Waddle; building inspector, James R. West; city collector, J. O. Myers; 
health officer. George E. Allen; superintendent of cemeteries, A. N. Spoer. 

POSTMASTERS OF ELGIN. 

James T. Giitord 1837 George B. Ravmond 1867 

Isaac G. W' ilson 1842 F. T. Gilbert .' 1869 

E. E. Harvey 1845 M. B. Baldwin 1873 

S. Wilcox 1845 Joh" S. Wilcox 1877 

C. H. Morgan 1849 j. K. LeBaron 1881 

George E. Renwick 1853 W. F. Hunter 1884 

E. S. Wilcox 1854 W. H. Wilcox 1886 

George W. Renwick 1856 W. F. Hunter 1889 

George W. Renwick i860 S. W. Chapman 1894 

George B. Raymond 1861 H. D. Hemmens 1898 

xA. J. Joslyn 1863 H. D. Hemmens 1902 

J. Kimball 1866 H. D. Hemmens 1906 

THE MERCHANTS OF ELGIN. 

BY WILLIAM G. HUBBARD, IN 1 875. 

The first attempt to supply the mercantile wants of the people of Elgin 
and vicinity, was made by a Mr. Storrs, in 1836 or 1837, who opened a small 
store on Center street, now Villa court. He was succeeded in the same build- 
ing by V. S. Lovell, John S. Calvert, William C. Kimball and others. 

Mr. Kimball brought on his first general stock of merchandise about 1838, 
and soon after removed to his new store on the west side of the river, which 
is still standing directly north of Lasher's hotel, now the condensed milk 
factory, and continued his mercantile business until 1858. In 1847 '""^ built the 
stone mill on the west side of the river; in 1852 the W^averly house, and in 
1872 his residence, all of them monuments of his enterprise. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 717 

A new, and for that time extensive, store was opened about 1838 by S. N. 
Dexter, of Whitesljoro, New York, and B. W. Raymond, of Chicago, under 
the firm of B. \\'. Raymond & Co. It was under the direction of Harvey 
Raymond (a brotiier of G. B.), who died instantly in the store in 1842. The 
building occupied by this firm was on the southwest corner of DuPage and 
Center streets. In tiie fall of 1842 they removed to their new brick store on 
Chicago street, afterward occupied by Stewart Brothers as a bakery, where 
they remained until they closed business in 1851. (Now Leitner block.) 

In the early days of Elgin, most of the firms kept general assortments, 
consisting of dry goods, groceries, crockery, hardware, boots and shoes, 
drugs and medicines, etc., etc., but within a few years after its settlement, 
they commenced making specialties of certain classes. Some of the principal 
merchants in the several departments, since 1843, have been as follows : 

Demarcus Clark & Co. commenced about 1844. in a small building which 
stood on the lot on Chicago street, owned by L. H. Yarwood (now Killip's 
restaurant). They afterwards moved to Hubbard's corner, and then to the 
south side of the street, where they continued business until about 1854. 

About 1846 Dr. Erastus Tefft erected a building on the south side of 
Chicago street, where he sold goods for several years. On closing business 
here he removed to Clintonville, and subsequently to Topeka, Kansas. 

Cornell & Wilder commenced business in 1850 in Mehan's building, near 
the City hotel; removed in 1852 to a wooden building, which stood on Douglas 
avenue, and afterward, until 1861, sold. dry goods in one of the blocks on the 
south side of Chicago street, part of the time in connection with F, L. McClure. 
They are now ( 1875) in the furniture Ijusiness on Market square (Fountain 
square). 

Hanson & Ransom were in business from February, 1846, to February, 
1847, '" the building then standing on the northeast corner of Chicago street 
and Douglas avenue. They were succeeded in the same building by M. C. 
Town, who, after two years, removed to his new store opposite. Mr. Town 
engaged in the banking business in 1851, in which he continued until 1858, 
and embarked in it again in 1862. 

In connection with this reference to banking, it may be proper to say that 
in 1855 Mr. O. Davidson opened a banking office in Mehan's wooden building, 
near the Fox River Railroad. He afterward purchased the corner where the 
Home National bank now is, and for a time did business in a wooden building 
on that site. In i860 he built the Bank block; in October, 1861, the Home 
bank was organized, and in August, 1872, it was changed to Home National 
bank. After Mr. Town changed his business, his store was occupied by 
Harvey & Dearborn, Henry Brooks, Huntley & Hamilton, Calvert & 
McAuleys, Adler. Schultz & Todson, and perhaps others, until it was burned 
in the spring of 1874. 

Timothy Lynch commenced business, in a small way, un the west side, 
in 1848, which in a few years became quite extensive, and continued so until 
his death in 1873. He erected the block of three large brick stores just west 
of the bridge. 



718 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Hamilton & Smith were merchants for several years previous to i860, 
on the west side. 

In 1858 Todd & McNeil erected a store on the corner of Chicago and 
River streets, where Weld's (now Hall's) drug store stands. It was built 
over the mill-race, as that formerly continued across Chicago street, and united 
with the river again at a point near where the DuBois block now stands. 
This store was occupied by them for six years and then sold to Calvin Tyler, 
who used it for a drug store until it was burned a few years after. Todd and 
the McNeils sold groceries and dry goods in various buildings for several 
years, and then went into business in Chicago. 

William G. Hubbard commenced business on the northeast corner of 
Chicago street and Douglas avenue in 185 1 and closed in 1861. He was 
succeeded soon after I>y Newman & Innes. afterward John Newman, who 
occupied the store until the great fire, March 2^. 1874, and now occupies the 
rebuilt one on the same lot. ( Now Spillard's clothing store.) 

In the earlier days of Elgin business was done for several vears by R. L. 
Yarwood, deceased, in a building on River street knowai as the factory store, 
a part of which was afterward occupied by Mr. Eakin as a grocery. He was 
succeeded for a short time by his son, J. R. Yarwood. 

The first hardware store in Elgin w^as opened by J. B. Smith, about 1847. 
He had previously done something in a small w-ay in the tin and sheet iron 
business. Before this no tin ware or stove pipe could be procured nearer 
than Chicago. The firm was subsecjuently Smith & Clark ( both of whom 
are now dead ) , who sold to James A. Carlisle and George Bowers. 

E. A. Kimball commenced the hardware trade on the west side in 1849. 
He was succeeded, in 1861, by Barclay & Holmes, they selling to I\I. Mallery 
& Co. After a residence in California, E. A. Kimball again commenced 
business in the same store, and in 1869 again sold out to N. & H. C. Rogers, 
and they to Hawthorne & Bosworth, in 1872. After another vacation, Mr. 
Kimball resumed business at the old place, in 1874, in connection with lohn 
Nish. (Nish Bros, continued the business until 1907.) 

Mr. J. Mehan commenced the hardware trade about i860. His son, 
W. J. Mehan still conducts the business in Chicago street. 

The first drug store in Elgin was opened by O. E. Parmerlee about 1845. 
succeeded by A. C. Lewis and LewMS by L. H. Yarwood and others, and 
finally by Kelley & Hart. ( William Hart is still conducting the store.) 

St. A. D. Balcomb commenced the drug business at an earlv day in the 
building afterward owned by William Marker, now^ Elgin National bank block, 
afterward removing to the Sherman block, now Armory hall. He was suc- 
ceeded by Henry Sherman, and :Mr. Sherman by R. & S. E. Weld. (E. 
Hall now owns the business. ) 

James Knott was probably the pioneer in the exclusive grocery trade. 
He did a successful business on the northwest corner of Chicago and River 
streets, from which he retired, and died in 1874. 

W. C. Attix and Gardner & Harris were also in the grocerv business at 
an early day. on Chicago street. 




FOUNTAIN SQUARE, SHOWING OLD UNION ITAIJ. 




FOUNTAIN SQUARE. ELGIN, 100; 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 721 

The first exclusive boot and shoe store was opened by D. M. Cole about 
1853. He was succeeded by Lyon & Campbell, and Campl)ell & Taylor. 

The first merchant tailor and clothing store was established by S. McOs- 
ker, in 1855, who, after conducting a successful Ijusiness for many years, 
died in 1874. 

John Meehan had a clothing store on the north side of Chicago street, 
near the Fox River Railroad, from 1850 to 1872. 

George B. Raymond opened his hat, cap and crockery store in 1852. He 
had previously been one of the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co., and was after- 
ward in the lumber business. The first lumber yard w^as opened by his brother. 
Augustine Raymond, deceased, in 1850, and after tw^o years this was con- 
tinued by G. B. for nine years, in connection with his hat and crockery 
business. 

With the exception of Calvin Hall, who worked both at carpentering and 
watch repairing, William Barker was the first jeweler in the city, commenc- 
ing in 1845. (His grandson, William Barker, still resides here.) 

The first regular and permanent book store was established in 1861, by 
Howe & Clark, succeeded by Rev. N. C. Clark, I. S. Bartlett, and Denison 
& Burdick, whose place was at the northeast corner of Chicago and River 
streets). Smith & Kelsey were in the same business for a year or two, and 
closed in 1873. 

Previous to 1861, R. O. Old, Matt Wallace, J. H. Rowe, M. B. Baldwin 
& A. J. Joslyn, and L. B. Smith had small book stores and news depots for 
brief periods each. 

Edgar Wait and G. W. Kimball were among the earliest furniture 
dealers, succeeded by Tichenor & Phelps, P. VanNostrand, E. S. Wilcox and 
S. D. Wilder. G. W. Kimball was in this business longer than any one else. 

Bernard Healy opened a harness shop in 1842, and still continues it. He 
has been in business longer than any other man in Elgin. Next to him is 
William Barker, and the third is George B. Raymond, who was a partner 
in the firm of S. N. Dexter & Co., as early as August, 1846. The fourth in 
point of time of those who are still in business, is George B. Adams. He 
opened a grocery in a wooden building, where his brick store now stands, 
in 1S49, and changed to his present occupation in 1855. 

The limits of this article forbid more than a mere mention of other old 
merchants of Elgin. Among them were J. Parker, R. M. Martin, S. A. 
French, Swan & Bailey, E. W. Cook, L. S. Stowe, John Shanks, C. H. Coffee, 
Mrs. Clififord, Fay, Ward & Eaton, Eugene Lynch, James Christie, C. Bach- 
rack, Adler Brothers, F. Ferhman, Fred Stolt, Hemmens & Jones, Lynn & 
Cassidy, M. B. Baldwin, G. H. Merrill, W. W. Merrill, Eakin & Co., Lewis 
& Westerman, J. M. Peyton, W. H. Batchelor, Fred Seitz, P. J. Kimball, 
R. S. Tickner & Son, James H. Gifford, J. J. White, and others, whose names 
do not occur to us. 

Some of the foregoing are still in business here and elsewhere. Others 
have retired and others, still, are dead. 

The present merchants of Elgin are honorable and energetic men, and 
as they are patronized, not only by the citizens of tlie place, but by those of 



722 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

surrounding townships, most of them are doing well and securing a com- 
petence. We do nut even mention their names, except those referred to as 
among the older ones, but trust that some future historian will presers'e a 
memory of them, as we have endeavored to do of their predecessors. 

THE BUSINESS MEN OF ELGIN FIFTY VE.\RS AGO. 

In 1855. when the population of Elgin was about three thousand, a map 
of the city was published by Thomas Doran, to which the names and employ- 
ments of those subscribing for it were appended. The list embraces a large 
share of the then prominent business men of Elgin, and we republish it for 
the gratification of our older citizens, who will remember them. The list 
shows how rapidly the business men of a place are changed by death, removal, 
or retirement. It contains one hundred and forty names, of whom only about 
fifty now reside here, and of these only about fifteen are in the same business 
that they were twenty years ago. 

The map is embellished with cuts of six of the best buildings then in the 
place, viz. ; the Elgin Academy, or College, as it was called, the Waverly 
house, the Kimball house, the woolen factory, the old Baptist church, and 
one of the old three-story blocks on the south side of Chicago street, in which 
was the store of J. J. White and the daguerrean rooms of R. W. Padelford. 
The city was then quite circumscribed, compared with its present dimensions, 
and much of what is now occupied by beautiful residences, was then farming 
or pasture land. This was especially the case with the region around the 
watch factory, and the Lovell farm, on the east side. 

The subscribers for the map, with their occupations, were as follows ; 

H. B. Annis, produce merchant: Hon. A. Adams, farmer and merchant; 
Thomas Avery, miller ; Dr. G. S. Abbott ; D. W. Bangs, nurseryman : I. X. 
Buck, auctioneer; D. F. Barclay, tinsmith; B. Burritt, street commissioner; 
A. Barrows, architect and builder; Peter Burritt, farmer, Hanover, Cook 
county; J- W. Brewster, fanner; John Bowlin. farmer; Lv'man Black: 
A. Chase, Waverly house; city council; Cornell. Wilder & Co., City Gem; 
Alvah Chandler, machinist; C. A. Clark, cloth finisher; S. A. Call, archi- 
tect; James H. Crawford, carpenter and joiner; George Clarkson ; E. K. W. 
Cornell, City Gem; D. M. Cole, boot and shoe store; John Connor, black- 
smith ; Charles S. Clark, hardware merchant ; Martin Coney, millwright : 
Demarcus Clark, merchant; E. F. Colby, attorney-at-law and vender of real 
estate; S. Newton Dexter, proprietor woolen factory; Dexter & Co., leather 
manufacturers; Alex. Denis, carpenter and joiner; Michael Dougherty, farmer 
and produce merchant: L. S. Eaton; A. B. Fish & Co.. merchants; J. Force, 
machinist; G. W. French, farmer; John Forlarcher. carpenter and joiner; 
Miss Harriet E. GifYord : S. A. Gregory, carriage and wagon manufacturer ; 
James H. Gift'ord, produce merchant; P. H. Graves, saleratus and baking 
powder manufacturer: Daniel Gahan. tanner: Joseph Gardner, sea captain: 
Edm'd Gifford, Esq.. attorney and solicitor, general land agent, notary public, 
commissioner for Iowa, etc. ; George P. Harvey, produce merchant ; W. Hollo- 
way, merchant ; John H. Harris, merchant : George Ha'^san. dravman and 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 723 

carrier; A.S. Harpending-, livery stables; A. Hadlock, threshing machine manu- 
facturer; William G. Hubbard, merchant; A. Hoagiana. lumber merchant; 
J. W. Hoagland, lumber merchant; Joseph Hutchinson, mason and builder; A. 
Hewitt, mason and builder; C. S. Hadlock, machinist; S. H. Hamilton, 
merchant; A. B. Hinsdell, farmer; Ezra Hanson, farmer; Rev. A. J. Joslyn, 
pastor Baptist church ; E. S. Joslyn. attorney-at-law ; William C. Kimball, 
merchant and vender of real estate; P. J. Kimball, Jr., vender of real estate; 
P. J. Kimball, Sr., farmer; S. J. Kimball, farmer; G. W. Kimball, cabinet and 
chair manufacturer; J. C. Kennedy, hardware merchant; Dr. Thomas Kerr, 
physician and surgeon ; James Knott, merchant ; B. F. Lawrence, distiller ; Seth 
Lobdell. machinist; Timothy Lynch, merciiant and leather manufacturer; J. 
Lyman, printer and publisher Kane County Journal; G. W. Morse, machinist; 
William F. Munay, cloth finisher; R. G. Morgan, civil engineer; John Mann, 
carpenter and joiner; A. J. Messenger, wagon and plow shop; G. H. Merrill, 
agent Galena & Chicago Union Railroad ; William W. Merrill, butcher ; John 
McDowell, blacksmith; T. McBride. produce and lumber merchant; S. 
McOsker. merchant tailor; John D. Meehan. merchant tailor; Manning & 
Barnum. merchants; R. O. Old, book and news depot, east end bridge; 
Daniel O'Brien; E. Owen, editor; R. W. Padelford. dagiierrean artist; Phelps 
& Tichenor, furniture warerooms ; John J. Paris, miller; C. K. Patterson, 
fruit gardener; J. E. Phelps, proprietor livery stables; L. T. Pembec. mechanic; 
E. F. Reeves, mason and builder ; Milo Smith, chief engineer and superintend- 
ent Fo.x River Valley Railroad ; L. C. Stiles, machinist ; J. B. Smith, hardware 
merchant; George Smith, weaver; John B. Smith, engineer; Philo Sylla, 
manufacturer reapers and mowers; T. Schoonhoven, farmer; S. B. Sexton, 
proprietor livery and sale stable; M. Strausell, proprietor Fox River house; 
Isaac Stoddard, carriage and blacksmith shop; C. C. Stiles, farmer and builder; 
Fred. Seitz, merchant tailor; M. D. Seward; William Saunders, grocer and 
provision dealer; R. Smith, merchant; James S. Taylor, Esq., justice of the 
peace ; J. F. Taylor, boot and shoe dealer, east end bridge ; B. Truesdell, pro- 
prietor Elgin nursery and garden; Dr. A. Turner, physician and surgeon; 
Charles Tazewell, brewer; M. C. Town, banker; James Todd, lumber mer- 
chant and farmer; William G. Todd, merchant and proprietor planing mill 
and sash factory; C. C. Theirs, merchant; William M. Taylor, law student; 
R. S. Tickner, lumber merchant; J. N. Truesdell, carpenter and joiner; P. Van 
Nostrand. produce merchant; W. S. Vescelius, tanner; S. Wilcox, attorney- 
at-law; Paul R. Wright, attorney-at-law; A. J. Waldron, attorney-at-law 
and secretary Fox River Valley Railroad ; F. W. Wright, machinist ; 
E. S. Wilcox, postmaster; John Watkins, produce merchant; D. O. Wilkie, 
carpenter; G. Works, machinist; Abel Walker, undertaker; J. M. Wilber, 
carpenter, joiner and contractor; D. E. Winchester, physician and surgeon; 
J. J. White, dry goods, wholesale and retail; L. H. Varwood & Co., druggists; 
R. L. Yarwood, merchant and woolen cloth manufacturer; J. R. Yarwood, 
clerk; H. L. Yarwood. druggist. 

Since the above was written, in 1875, many changes in the business 
centers and methods have been realized. Fountain square, then the center 
of business, has become less important. Business has spread in every direction. 



724 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

more noticeably south on Grove avenue and into DuPage street, where now 
the fine department stores of George M. Peck and Theo. F. Swan (both old- 
time merchants) are located. On Milwaukee street the department store of 
Ackemann Bros, makes that a new center of trade. Chicago street, while 
retaining its former importance, has not advanced as rapidly as the other 
business streets ; while River street has become the seat of innumerable manu- 
facturing plants, the most noted among them being the Seybold piano and 
organ factory, organized but a few years ago, but now doing a large busi- 
ness in every part of the country. The west side has remained little changed 
except that all the lots on State street are now occupied by business blocks. 
All parts of the city have grown and extended until now it covers an area 
over three miles square, in every part of which factories and business places 
are active. The department store is the modern development in trade and 
has no doubt come to stay. 

THE D.MRY BUSINESS OF ELGIN .\ND VICINITY. 

In 1875 by I. H. U'aii::cr. 

"The rise and progress of the dairy interest in the town of Elgin and 
vicinity was so rapid and wonderful that it seems as if its present gigantic 
proportions had been reached by a sort of magic, and so strange does it sound 
when the truth is told to a stranger, that he looks upon us as he does upon 
those whom he knows are in the habit of exaggerating. But where in the 
history of this branch of agriculture do we find its parallel? Twenty years ago 
we could find in Elgin and the adjacent country around for six miles, only 
eight hundred cows, where now we have thirteen thousand. Then in all this 
range, only about one thousand pounds of cheese were made annually, and 
about four times as much butter, above what was used in home consumption. 
Now we find upon the same belt of country there are two million pounds of 
cheese made annually, and five hundred and fifty thousand pounds of butter. 
As these products have increased in quantity and quality, year by year, so has 
their reputation, until Elgin butter and cheese can be found in the stores of 
the fancy grocer of San Francisco and New York, and upon the wharves of 
Liverpool. Besides the milk required to manufacture this vast quantity of 
butter and cheese, three carloads are sent daily to Chicago; and last, but not 
least, the condensing factory condenses daily the milk from one thousand cows, 
and sends its products forth to the entire known world. Yes, every outgoing 
ship from our seaboards, in every army, whether in fort or field, with the 
traveler and mountaineer, can be found the condensed milk bearhig the name 
of our beloved city — Elgin. 

"As the early history of this great business will interest strangers, as well 
as those in our midst who have been engaged in other vocations and conse- 
quently have not watched its growth, it may be well to take a retrospective 
view of it from its infancy to the present time. In 1852 Mr. P. H. Smith, 
by the help of Father Brewster, made arrangements to furnish the Adams 
house, of Chicago, with milk direct from his farm and to be sent daily by 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 725 

rail. The first can was sent on the I2th day of February, 1852. Mr. Smith 
was then Hving upon the farm of Dr. Tefft, one mile east of Elgin. The 
milk was brought to the depot upon an ox cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen. 
A portion of the cart, and the identical can in which the first milk was sent 
to Chicago by rail, are now in the possession of the writer. The next to 
try this experiment was Deacon Luther Herrick, who commenced six months 
later. The price of milk at this time was only six cents per gallon, free of 
freight, and had to be sent twice a day, the morning's milk at 6 a. m. The 
deacon and his wife still live, in their eightieth year, and often tell us how 
that, long before day, they commenced the work of milking, and in cold 
weather placed their feet in the \varm bed the cows had just risen from, to 
keep them from freezing. Soon after others commenced, among whom 
were O. B. Jenne, John Cook, F. W. Wright, A. D. Gifford, Samuel P. Bur- 
dick, Jarvis Smith, Ballard, Sherman, McLean, Larkin, Padelford and others, 
until the Chicago trade was really overdone. A surplus of milk was thus 
found upon the hands of the producers, which was manufactured into cheese, 
made in the old-fashioned way. Among the first to commence cheese making 
were Frank Webster, upon Henry Sherman's farm; C. W. Gould and L H. 
Wanzer. We made our cheese as best we could and carried them to to Chi- 
cago loose in wagons, for we had no boxes to ship by rail. The writer has 
spent two days in peddling a one-horse load of cheese, getting on an average, 
six cents per pound, one-half money and one-half trade, and yet contented, 
because it was the best business going. 

"Thus we toiled and struggled on until 1864, when the condensing factory 
commenced operations, giving a new impetus to the business, by taking the 
then surplus milk and making a market for more. But soon this new demand 
was satisfied and the business began to droop for want of means to utilize 
the milk. Then there began to be talk of building cheese factories to use the 
surplus milk, which increased year by year. The first cheese factory in this 
section to be run upon the associated plan, was built by Henry Sherman. The 
next was by A. D. Gifford, M. A. Devine and I. H. Wanzer; then came Gould's 
factory, Hanover factory (B), Udina factory, others following as the increase 
of milk demanded. 

"The first butter factory built west of the lakes, was the Elgin butter 
factory, now managed by the Elgin Butter Company. Other factories have 
followed in rapid succession as they seemed to be needed. And thus we 
have traveled on, battling with the difficulties incident to our climate and 
soil, until we have proven the ill-prediction of the east to be ill-founded, 
and now place our dairy products in the markets of the world at the very 
highest-prices. 

"Some idea of the extent of the dairy interest may be realized from the 
fact that the cash ])ai(l to the farmers within five miles of Elgin, for butter 
and cheese alone, amounts to $560,000 annually. This is exclusive of the milk 
sent to Chicago and that which is consumed at the condensing factory. 

"The Board of Trade, established "for the sale of dairy products, brings 
large amounts from other parts to Elgin for sale. During the year 1874, 
2.955,202 pounds of cheese were sold on the board, and 136.426 pounds of 



726 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

creamery butter, for wliich was paid $368,528.58. This amount of butter and 
cheese includes that produced outside of the hmit mentioned in the first part 
of this article. The dairymen take great interest in the Board of Trade, and 
its weekly meetings are generally well attended by those engaged in the manu- 
facture of butter and cheese." 

THE M.\KING OF THE ELGIN BUTTER MARKET. 

By Arthur Bciiiis Hiiisdcll, in the Daily Courier, Friday, August 28, 1908. 

In the office of a great daily newspaper the telegraph editor scanned the 
dispatches handed him with feverish anxiety. It was within a few minutes 
of the "dead line" and yet the one message he was aw-aiting had not been 
received over the wires. The copy boy appeared, how-ever, at this moment, 
bearing in his hand a small piece of "flimsy" and the editor's fears were at 
once dispelled. The dispatch said, simply : 

"Elgin Butter Market, Elgin, 111., Feb. 3. — (Special) — The Elgin board 
of trade today declared butter firm at 33c. The total output for the last week 
in this district was 59,700 pounds." 

And yet it was a message considered so important by this editor that he 
hardly dared send his paper to press without it. This man was but one of 
hundreds of editors all over this continent, and Europe as well, who had been 
awaiting a dispatch from the little Illinois city of less than twenty-six thou- 
sand inhabitants which has thrived and prospered in the heart of the Fox 
river valley for nearly three-quarters of a century. 

MILLIONS AWAIT NEWS. 

■ On Monday afternoon of each week a similar message is sent out over 
the wires leading out of this city and by Tuesday morning it has met the eyes 
of no less than ten million persons who have been just as eagerly looking 
for it as the editor on the great daily paper. For more than half a century 
the press of two continents has given space to the two or three line para- 
graph, which authentically establishes the price of butter each week for the 
civilized world. 

The scene which leads up to the sending of this message, generally 
recognized by dealers and others as a quotation, is no less interesting than in 
the editor's sanctum. At two o'clock each Monday afternoon a train from 
Chicago, thirty-six miles away, stops at a street crossing in the business 
portion of Elgin and allows fifty or sixty of its passengers to alight. They 
are members of the Elgin board of trade, who maintain offices in Chicago, 
and who are now on their way to a spacious hall in one of the business blocks 
where the prices of butter are made. 

METHODS OF BUSINESS. 

• Upon their arrival the secretary's gavel raps for order and the three 
hundred members who have gathered from various parts of the country 




CHICAGO STREET, ELGIN, ABOUT 1860. 




CHICAGO STREET, LOOKING EAST, 1860. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 729 

await in silence the reading of the week's report. There have been no others 
but the sales (.conducted outside the board) have been unusually heavy. 
When the gong is sounded as the signal to cease selling, the report of the 
"quotation committee" is received and adjournment quickly follows. The 
price of butter has been set and the press correspondents rush to the telegraph 
stations in the several corners of the room to send the news out to the millions 
who are awaiting it. 

Elgin became the great dairy center of the world by mere chance. When 
James Hanks, a young woodsman hailing from Steuben county. New York, 
first established his cabin on the present site of the city, back in the fall of 
'1832, he little thought of the fame which would come to the city which he 
founded. He was barely out of his teens when he first saw the waters of the 
Fox, yet he wrote home, 'Tt is the most beautiful spot in God's kingdom and 
is destined to become famous. Come at once and bring all our friends and 
let them bring their friends." 

CITY GETS A START. 

In the spring of the following year James T. Gifford arrived, inspired by 
the news from Hanks, and, recognizing the natural advantages of the country, 
built his cabin and awaited new arrivals. Within a few months others came 
until there were soon enough cabins to give the appearance of a settlement. 
As the site chosen was just off of Scott's old army trail, it was known at first 
as "State road," but was subseciuently styled Elgin by Gifford and his 
associates. The tribe of Pottawattomies which occupied the country proved 
to be friendly and the little village commenced at once to prosper. 

By 1837 there were five hundred residents in Elgin and two stage coaches 
rolled through the street of the town each week as they traveled forth and 
back from Chicago to Galena. Those were boom da3-s, indeed, and Elgin 
thrived. About this time Augustus Adams & Co. established the first manu- 
facturing plant for corn crushers in the west, and later a large plow works 
was opened which attracted buyers from all over the west and Elgin's name 
began to spread. In 1842 the first woolen mill in the west was erected at 
Elgin by S. N. Dexter, and for more than a decade the town was the greatest 
wool center in the United States. Stores were built and two comfortable 
hotels were constructed, both of which are still standing. The failure of the 
Illinois State bank in 1840 caused havoc to reign, but Elgin was the first 
town to recover. It was a gala day in Elgin when, in the summer of 1849, 
the first railroad train running west of Chicago pulled into the city, and the 
event was properly celebrated with a great barbecue. 

MILK INDUSTRY BEGINS. 

So it was a great day when, on the 12th of February, 1852, H. P. 
Smith shipped to Chicago the first can of milk, produced on his farm just on 
the outskirts of the town. The milk was hauled to the depot on an oxcart, 
drawn by a yoke of oxen. A portion of this cart, as well as the identical can 



730 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

in which the milk was sent to the Adams house in Chicago, still remain in 
the possession of Elgin pioneers. Mr. Smith had arranged through Father 
Brewster to supply this celebrated hostelry with a can of fresh milk each day, 
receiving six cents per gallon, free of freight. 

Deacon Luther Herrick became the second shipper of milk to the metrop- 
olis and others, seizing the opportunit)^ of disposing of their products, 
arranged to ship milk on the morning train, which left Elgin at six o'clock. 
Among them were O. B. Jenne, John Cook, F. \V. Wright, A. D. Gifford, 
Samuel P. Burdick, Jarvis Smith and others, until the Chicago trade was 
really over-supplied. ]\Iany interesting stories are now told by the children 
of these early da}- dairymen regarding the hardships of those times. Often 
it was necessary to arise long before the dawn of day, and the milkers were 
forced to bury their feet in the bedding of the cows to keep them from 
freezing on winter mornings. 

CHICAGO OVER-SUPPLIED. 

But when it was found that the Chicago market was over-supplied it 
was necessary to discover a method of disposing of the surplus milk. Frank 
Webster decided to make cheese and his idea was accepted by C. W. Gould 
and Isaac H. \\'anzer. In describing the experiment to a friend Mr. ^^'anzer 
wrote : "We made our cheese as best we could and carried it to Chicago 
loose in wagons, for we had no boxes to ship by rail. Once I spent two 
entire davs in peddling a one-horse load of cheese through the streets of 
Chicago, getting on an average of six cents per pound, one-half money and 
the other half in trade, and yet I was perfectly contented because it was the 
best business going." 

For several years the farmers of this growing dairy center toiled and 
struggled on, until, in 1864, Gail Borden, the inventor of the first process 
of condensing milk, organized the Elgin Milk Condensing Company, capi-' 
talized at $25,000, among Elgin and Chicago residents. The location of this 
unique manufactory in the city gave Elgin much prestige throughout the 
countrv as a dairy center. The highest price was paid for milk delivered at 
the factory, which was required to be of the very best quality, fresh, rich 
and clean. It was necessary that the cows supplying the milk must be fed 
upon the richest pastures in summer and the highest quality of feed in winter, 
and the standard of milk in the Elgin district became a conspicuous one, a 
standard which has always been maintained and seldom equaled. 

This factory gave a new impetus to the dairy business by taking the then 
surplus milk and creating a demand for more. The factory employed some 
thirty hands and was operated at capacity, but soon the demand for milk 
at this place was satisfied and the dairymen found it necessary to adopt other 
means of utilizing their milk. Then there began to be talk of building cheese 
factories to take this surplus and the first institution of this sort was built by 
Henran Sherman, who conducted it upon the associated plan. Other factories 
were established bv A. D. Gifford. M. .\. Devine and I. H. Wanzer. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 731 

BUTTER MAKING BY STEAM. 

In April, 1S70, a steam power butter factor}-, the tirst to be built west 
of the great lakes, was opened b}' the Elgin Dairy Company. The buildings 
were about 80x30 feet in dimensions, having two stories and a basement. A 
four-horse power steam engine was introduced to dri.ve the churns and the 
pumps. Steam power was a decided novelty in those days and the experi- 
ment, with its resultant success, was hailed with great joy. A series of 
experiments in the art of butter making was carried on under the supervision 
of Mr. Wanzer. with the result that an article far superior to the butter made 
in the hand churns was prodttced. It was approved by the dealers, and was 
at once worth ten cents per pound more than that butter made on the farm. 

During the first year of operation the Elgin Dairy Company consumed 
seven hundred gallons of milk each day and manufactured from one hundred 
to two hundred pounds of "Elgin" butter, which was at once in great demand. 
At this time Dr. Joseph Tefift was president of the company, M. H. Thompson 
secretary and O. Davidson treasurer. The directors were Isaac H. Wanzer, 
Cyrus Larkin and Otis B. Jenne. Later the company changed its name to 
the Elgin Butter Company, and within a year had increased its business so 
that two thousand gallons of milk were used daily, for which twelve and a 
half cents a gallon was paid in the winter and eight cents in the summer. 
The aggregate amount of butter made was one hundred and forty-four 
thousand pounds for the year, and one hundred and ninety thousand pounds 
of cheese. All the output was readily sold at contract, the butter bringing 
forty cents a pound and the cheese from eight to ten cents. 

FAME IS WORLD-WIDE. 

At this time the dairy business in and around Elgin had grown to such 
proportions that $560,000 was being paid annually to the farmers within a 
radius of five miles of the city for butter and cheese alone. This was exclu- 
sive of the milk shipped to Chicago or sold at the condensing factory. With 
the successful launching of the creamery others followed as rapidly as they 
were needed and "Elgin butter" or "Elgin cheese" were as much sought after 
in San Francisco and New York as in Chicago, while large consignments 
were shipped to Europe and other foreign countries and the reputation of 
Elgin products was established. Every army of the civilized world was 
supplied with milk put up in cans bearing the label "Elgin." Improved 
machinery for the manufacture of butter and cheese invented and manufac- 
tured in Elgin was being shipped to various parts of the universe and nothing 
was considered reliable in the dairy line unless it bore the "Elgin" stamp. 

The Elgin board of trade was organized in 1871, for the sale of dairy 
products, and the scope of the dairy district was enlarged until now it reaches 
into several states. The sales of butter on the board in one week are often 
found to be almost as large as during a whole year in the early '70s. The 
cheese business has practically discontinued, as the manufacture of this pro- 
duct has shifted to other parts of the country, but the standard of Elgin butter 
is still unequaled. 



732 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

FOREIGN TRADE OF ELGIN. 

A. H. Kirklaiid. in Elgin Daily Courier. 

The development of a large foreign trade by various Elgin manufacturers 
testifies to the \arietv and sccipe of the city's industries. It is also significant 
of a broad expansion in the future. 

In common with manufacturers in all sections of the United States, Elgin 
manufacturing concerns have begun to reach out in foreign countries for a 
further market for their wares. In the past few years this business has reached 
large proportions, and of the millions of dollars' worth of commodities manu- 
factured here each vear no small percentage goes to dealers and citizens of 
faraway lands. 

This foreign trade is not confined to any one business, nor to any special 
class of business, but a large maj(.irity of Elgin manufacturing establishments 
have or are now shipping their wares to other lands. From watches to butter 
tubs, and condensed milk to Bibles, ranges the variety of Elgin-made goods 
that find their ultimate use in the homes or stores or factories of the people of 
some distant nation. 

CITY IS ADVERTISED ABROAD. 

It is probable that a very small percentage of Elgin's citizens know how 
\\idely this city is advertised by its products, and among those who do not 
know are many of the people wiio help produce these very articles. It is a part 
of the business that, with two or three exceptions, has been neglected in the 
past, but that in the future is to command almost as much attention as the 
business right here in the United States. 

It is a distinct advantage to nearly all the manufactories here to have a 
foreign market for their goods, as oftentimes when business is dull in the 
United States it is good elsewhere. In one case in particular this has proved 
true, as one Elgin manufacturing concern has been enabled to go through the 
recent "hard times" without laying ofi a single man or cutting its working 
time one hour a week siiuply because of the demand for its goods in foreign 
countries. 

This neglect of foreign business in the past has not been confined to Elgin 
manufacturers, but to the manufacturers of the United States in general. For 
years England and Germany have practically monopolized the foreign busi- 
ness, simply because Uniteel States business men did not approach the cjuestion 
of securing foreign business in the proper manner. 

.\ccording to a prominent Elgin manufacturer, it is a species of egotism- 
that has kept the manufacturers of this country out of the foreign markets. 
The people of this country believe it is the biggest and best on the face of the 
earth, and the manufacturers believed their wares were the best on earth. 
Consequently they attempted to sell their American wares to the people of" 
other countries, without regard as to whether the machinery, shoes, foods, or 
other products suited the needs of the people of other countries. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 733 

MEET FOREIGN DEMANDS. 

German and English mannfacturers had men out to study the pecuharities 
of foreign people, and what particular stuff they wanted most, and how they 
wanted it. Tliey made tlieir products conform to the demand, while the 
manufacturers of this country tried to make the demand conform to their 
wares, and failed. Now this is changed, and manufacturers are studying 
the demands and endeavoring to meet them. 

Of course, the largest manufacturing concern of the city is the one that 
might reasonably be supposed to have the largest foreign trade, and without 
doubt it does. The Elgin National Watch Company has representatives in 
practically every civilized country of the globe, and its watches announce the 
time of day to nations, from "Greenland's icy mountains to India's coral 
strands." 

It has a large agency in England, another in Germany, one in France, 
and so on throughout the list of the world's countries. Its product is a neces- 
sity wherever man may be, or wherever he may roam. He wants to know the 
time, and an Elgin watch will tell him as well as an}^ other watch, and perhaps 
better. The watch company has been shipping goods for years to foreign 
countries, and can hardly be classed among the manufactories that have only 
recently gotten onto the advantage of a large foreign business. 

Likewise the D. C. Cook Publishing Company. Its Bibles, tracts, picture 
cards, Sunday school papers and quarterlies go into every civilized country of 
the globe, and are read and enjoyed by children, and grown folks as well, 
speaking almost every tongue that ever resulted from the Tower of Babel. 
Thev have been here for years, and this company can hardly be considered one 
of the newcomers in the held. 

SILVER PLATE COMPANY'S SUCCESS. 

But not so with other concerns. About eight years ago the Elgin Silver 
Plate Company received an order from an undertaker, whatever he may be, in 
the language of his own country, in far-ofif South America. He wanted a 
sample shipment of coffin hardware, and he got it. It was good, and he wanted 
some more, and ever since then he has been getting shipments at least once a 
year from the Elgin factory. 

Since that time the company has made shipments to New Zealand, 
Australia, Central America, many countries of South America. England. Can- 
ada, and even far-off Japan. Its foreign business has amounted to thousands 
of dollars, although it has no foreign representative or traveling salesman, all 
of its business being done direct or through New York exporting houses. If 
the business continues to grow as it has done the day is not so far distant when 
it will pay the company to keep a man making a round of the world taking 
orders. 

SEYBOLD company's EXPANSION. 

One of the strongest bidders for foreign business is one of the newest 
Elgin manufactories, the Seybold Piano and Organ Company. This company 



734 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

made its first foreign shipment shortly after its inception, four years ago, and 
its most recent one was made last week. The business is steadily increasing, 
and promises to be a big asset to the company before many years have gone by. 

Since that shipment four years ago the company has sent organs to 
England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Australia, Colom- 
bia, South America, jMexico, Cuba, and Canada. One Holland organ dealer 
thinks so much of the Elgin company's organs that he has secured several 
pictures of the different styles of organs and uses them in his advertising 
matter, showing the name "Seybold"' to all his customers. 

Fred H. Ackemann, manager, of the organ company, stated one morn- 
ing that he had just received a letter from a dealer in Warsaw, Russia, who 
desires a catalogue of the goods manufactured by the company, and states 
that he thinks the local company can suit his needs. All this foreign business 
has come unsolicited, as the company has no foreign representative, but Mr. 
Ackemann stated that he expected the time to come when a foreign traveling 
man would be a necessary factor in the company's business. 

TOOL WORKS H.^S FOREIGN TRADE. 

Even so small a concern, relatively speaking, as the Elgin Tool works, 
does considerable business in foreign countries. Although one of the newest of 
Elgin manufacturing concerns, it has already sold its products in Belgium. 
Mexico and Germany, and has had inquiries from Spain, Australia, England, 
France, Switzerland, and Sweden. The company is now making arrange- 
ments with a New York exporting house to handle its foreign business. 

The Moseley Lathe Company has also made foreign shipments to Switzer- 
land, England, France, Germany, and Australia, its last shipment having been 
made about a year ago. It is now negotiating for a large order of goods to 
be sent to India. This company has been able to sell its regular product in 
other lands, and foreign dealers and customers have always bought the best and 
most expensive stuff the local concern makes. 

The Borden Condensed ]\Iilk Company is another Elgin factory whose 
product has been enjoyed by the people of other lands. Shipments have been 
made from the local factory in the past to Japan. China. England, and many 
other countries, and the excellence of the product has done much to add to 
Elgin's fame. 

WATCH CASES GO EVERYWHERE. 

Watch cases made at the plant of the Illinois Watch Case Company go to 
practically every civilized country on the globe. The company has several 
foreign representatives in the larger cities of the more important countries, 
and has also had men traveling out of this factory make trips through Europe 
and South America to South Africa, and also to Australia and other coun- 
tries. The company has a large Cuban trade, as well as a large amount of 
business in Mexico. 

Foreign shipments have also been made by the American Tower and 
Tank Company, manufacturers of structural towers and tanks. This company 




EAST SIDE OF DOUGLAS AVENUE, ELGIN, ABOUT 1860. 




RIVER SJ-RKLT, K1.(UX, AKUlT 1860. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 737 

has a very large Canadian business, and has also made shipments to Cuba and 
South America. These shipments were made through exporting houses, and 
the South American shipment is believed to have gone to the Argentine Repub- 
lic. Formerly a great many Elgin windmills and pumps were sold abroad. 

OUR BUTTER IS EXPORTED. 

The Creamery Packing Manufacturing Company has shipped goods to 
other lands, although of late years little has gone from this factory. A 
few years ago the local factory shipped a carload of butter tubs direct to Liver- 
pool, but that is the last foreign shipment made direct from the local factory, 
which is merely one of a chain which reaches all over the United States. 

Its product does go to many foreign countries, however, as a shipping case 
for other products. 

Even the Elgin Metal Novelty Company's goods go to foreign lands, 
although they are not shipped direct, but go through dealers in this country who 
order them made at the Elgin plant. Selz. Schwab & Co.'s shoes, made up 
on Congdon avenue, go to cover the feet of many nations, although they are 
shipped through the main office and not direct from the Elgin factory. The 
shoe company has salesmen in nearly all foreign countries. 

The Cutter & Crosette shirt factory sells most of its goods in the United 
States, about the only foreign market being Canada. The shipping rates on 
such Ijulky products are too high to make the foreign business much of an 
object. Many of the shirts get into foreign lands, howex-er. on the backs of 
Americans who appreciate good shirts. 

CHINESE RE.\D COOK's BIBLES. 

.\nd so it goes. The missionary in far-off China reads to his almond-eyed 
pupils out of a Bible made at D. C. Cook's publishing house, accompanies their 
hymns on an organ from the Seybold factory, closes school by looking at an 
Elgin watch, and then goes to his home, to make his tea out of water drawn 
by an Elgin windmill, sweetens it with condensed milk prepared at the Brook 
street factory. 

THE NEWSP.\PERS OF ELGIN. 

E. C. Kincaid, then prominent in newspaper circles, wrote as follows: 
"A history of Elgin would be incomplete without mention being made of 
the names and fate of the various newspapers published. In no country in the 
world as America does the press wield so large and eft'ective an influence. 
Neither is a town considered located and established until it contains a paper, 
especially adapted to its wants and devoted to its interests. The mission of 
the newspaper man is an important one, and it is but justice to say that, in 
most American communities, he is a welcome guest and receives a fair reward 
for his labors. Elgin is no exception to this general rule, and the press of the 
city has usually been so conducted as to be a subject of legitimate pride to 
the citizens. 



738 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

"The first issue of a paper in Elgin was in 1845, when the Western 
Christian was estabHshed. It was edited by Spencer Carr, Rev. A. J. Joslyn 
and Rev. Wareham Walker. In political belief, it advocated the most ad- 
vanced anti-slaveryism, and in religious opinion it was strongly Baptist. The 
paper was subsequently removed to New York state, and after various muta- 
tions, was legitimately succeeded by the Baptist Weekly. 

"About 1847 the Elgin Gazette was issued, and never failed to appear 
weekly until March, 1874, when it lapsed and merged in the Advocate. 

"The Fox River Courier appeared as a whig paper in 1851, and after 
a brief and troubled existence, sped away. 

"In 1853, the Elgin Palladium was started by a Mr. Hough. It was 
afterward published by John H. Rowe & Bro. About 1855 or 1856 it was 
changed to the Kane County Journal, and was published by Lyman & Smith. 
This was Henry M. Smith, who has since been managing editor of the 
Chicago Tribune, and now occupies the same position on the Brooklyn Union. 
"The Gazette, however, outlived them all, and was edited, at various 
times, by E. Owen, E. S. Joslyn. Professor Blenkiron, A. J. Joslyn, Gershom 
Martin and Birney Hand, until, in 1865, it was purchased by E. C. Kincaid 
and L. H. Post. The partner of Mr. [Martin in the publication of the Gazette 
was 'Mr. E. W. King, who came here in 1854, and is now the oldest practical 
printer in the place." In 1868 F. T. Gilbert and L. H. Post succeeded the old 
firm of Kincaid & Post, and about six months after Mr. Gilbert purchased 
the interest of his partner. In 1871 the \\'atchman was consolidated with 
the Gazette and a stock company formed, consisting of Z. Eastman, F. T. 
Gilbert, G. H. Daniels and E. C. Kincaid (the latter being proprietor of the 
Watchman at the time). In 1873 F. T. Gilbert purchased the whole concern, 
and the following year it was sold out and succeeded by the Advocate, owned 
by S. L. Taylor, who had established the latter paper in 1871. 

"The Advocate has one of the best appointed offices in the state outside 
of Chicago, and is in a very flourishing condition. S. L. Taylor is proprietor 
and chief editor, and is ably assisted by R. P. McGlincy. who officiates as 
city editor. 

"In 1858 a campaign democratic paper was established by the late 
Colonel Thomas Grosvenor and F. B. Wilkie, now of the Chicago Times. 

"In 1865 the Second District Democrat succeeded, published by B. W. 
Stanifortii. and edited by sundry persons. 

"This was succeeded by the Elgin Chronicle, edited by Ed. Keogh, and 
finally purchased by E. C. Kincaid. and changed to the Watchman. 

"In May, 1872, the Lady Elgin, a monthly paper, was started by oper- 
atives in the watch factory, and for about two and a half years edited and 
published by Bertha H. Ellsworth, Alida V. Able and Lydia A. Richards, 
when the senior partner withdrew. In March, 1874, a one-third interest in 
the paper was purchased by the watch factory company and donated to the 
operatives. The paper represents these operatives, and is an honor to them. 
Its present circulation is about one thousand five hundred. 

"The Elgin Times was established in 1874 by Ed. Keogh. and still lives. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 739 

"In the fall of 1874 the publisher of the Dundee Citizen issued an edi- 
tion in this city called the Elgin Republic. It was commenced as a daily on 
the 17th of October and changed to a weekly on the 26th of November. 

"During the winter of 1874-75 Dudley Randall, of Aurora, started the 
Daily Bluff City. The problem of its existence is still unsolved. 

"Elgin has always been well supplied with Chicago dailies, fresh from 
the press, and their aggregate circulation is nearly six hundred. The Journal 
leads them all, it being delivered here at six p. m., and carriers distributing 
it throughout the city." 

At the present time (1908) the following publications appear, having a 
circulation covering the northern part of the county : The Elgin Advocate, 
published weekly by Lowrie & Black, and enjoying a large circulation; the 
Elgin Daily News, by the same firm, with a circulation of about two thousand 
five hundred. Both are printed at the fine building on Chicago street — the 
News-Advocate block ; the Elgin Daily Cotirier, now conducted by a cor- 
poration of which H. D. Hemmens is president. A. L. Hall is managing 
editor: the Elgin Evening Press, an independent sheet owned largely by 
Aurora residents; the Elgin Herald-Germania. edited by Adolph Fischer and 
printed in German. 

There is also published the Elgin Dairy Report, by W. D. \\'illson. and 
the Gospel Messenger, a religious sheet. 

The Daily News and Daily Courier are republican, there being no demo- 
cratic paper in Elgin or in the county. 

All are thoroughly up-to-date newspapers, editetl by able men. and 
equipped with the modern appliances for newspaper making and job printing. 

INDUSTRIES OF ELGIN. 

Elgin is an industrial city and from the beginning has been. That it 
must continue to be is obvious from its situation and history. In the growth 
and fame of its manufacturing institutions, it is surpassed by no city of its 
size and age, and equaled by few. Since the establishment here of the Na- 
tional watch works its destiny has been determined and its progress 
continuous. Factory after factory has been added until the list now shows 
a healthful variety to which new enterprises will be constantly added. The 
location here of the woolen mill ga\e the people of Elgin their lesson as to 
the value of industries, and, as stated above, they have not forgotten, but 
have profited by that experience as shown bv the institutions since located here. 

THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH FACTORY. 

Hon. S. Wilcox and G. P. Lord. Esq., wrote in 1875 : 
"In 1864, several enterprising men of Chicago determining that watches 
should be manufactured in the west, organized for that purpose under an act of 
the legislature of this state, a company called then the 'National Watch Com- 
pany,' since changed to Elgin National Watch Company. B. W. Rayinond. 
Esq., a former resident and firm friend of Elgin, was chosen president of the 
company. 



740 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

"This project became known early here tiirougli John Adams and George 
B. Adams, jewelers in Elgin, and the location of the factory in this city at 
once engaged tlie attention of the business men. A committe was appointed 
to ascertain the inducements necessary to this end. This committee conferred 
upon the subject with the president of the company and its leading artisans 
from Waltham. An examination of the grounds in and about Elgin ensued, 
which resulted in the conclusion that the present site of the factory buildings 
would be satisfactory to the company. This was upon the premises then 
known as the Dexter farm, which was owned by persons living in Oneida 
county. New York. These persons would sell all (171 acres) but not part, 
of the farm— price $50 per acre. cash. The company then (fall of 1864) 
proposed to locate the factory on this site, provided thirty-five acres (the 
most valuable part per acre of the farm) were donated to it and $25,000 of 
Its stock was taken in Elgin. This proposition involved the purchase of the 
Dexter farm, as well as the donation of the thirty-five acres and subscription 
of stock. Efforts to raise the money ($8,577.48) to purchase the farm and 
secure the $25,000 subscription of stock were immediately commenced, but 
were found likely to be unavailing. 

'Tn this emergency, on the 24th of December, Henry Sherman, Benjamin 
F. Lawrence, Walter L. Pease and Silvanus Wilcox, determined to secure the 
factory here. They bought the farm, each furnishing one-quarter of the 
?8-57748 — 'aid ofif that part situated in Kane county into lots, calling it 
'Sherman's addition," donated blocks one, two and three of said addition 
(thirty-five acres) to the company, sul^scribed for the balance of the $25,000 
of the stock, and thus settled the location of the watch factory in Elgin. 

"The organization of the Elgin National Watch Company was completed 
February 15, 1865. During several months after, they occupied a three-story 
wooden building on the alley west of Market square for the manufacture of 
watchmakers' machinery. 

"In 1866 they moved into their new building, which consisted of a central- 
three-story building, with basement 40x40: a two-story and basement west 
wing 28x100; a two-story and basement south wing 28x87; a one-story west 
wmg, extending from south wing. 25x35 for dial room, and a one-story wing 
on the west, and opposite dial room, 30x65, for engine and boiler room. 

"In 1868, the company added the west wing to their front, 28x100, two- 
story and basement. 

"In 1870. the company extended their south wing, 28x100, two-story and 
basement. 

"In 1871. they built their new engine house for their Holly water works. 
'Tn the spring of 1873, t'le company extended their dial room, making it 
25x70 and two stories high. 

"In August, 1873, they commenced their new front buildings, consisting 
of a center building, 62x62, three stories and basement, with the tw'o front 
wings, each 30x114, and a rear and connecting wing, 28x90. All these are 
two stories and basement. 

"In 1874, the company rebuilt their engine house, making it 30x65, with n 




ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH WORKS IN 18f>8. 




ELGIN WATCH WORKS, COMPLETED IN 1907. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 743 

boiler house 40x65, one story, and replaced the old chimney by a new one 
27x27 at base, 11.6x11.6 at cap, and 144 feet high. 

"In five years and ten months from the date of their charter the company 
had erected their buildings, manufactured their machinery, and made and 
placed on tlie market more than forty-two thousand watches. In five years 
from the production of tlieir first watch the company had established the 
reputation of their watch,' and made and placed on the market more than one 
hundred and twenty-fi\e thousand watches; and all this in less than seven and 
one-half years from the date of their charter. It is believed that no other watch 
manufacturing establishment ever achieved a like result in the same length of 
time. 

"Of the six hundred employes of the company, nearly one-half are ladies. 
The monthly pay-roll is about $35,000. 

"Board of Directors — T. M. Avery, H. Z. Culver. B. W. Raymond, J. T. 
Ryerson, H. H. Taylor, Mat. Lailin, W. H. Ferry, Samuel T. Atwater, and 
W. L. Pease. T. M. Avery, president; H. Z. Culver, vice president; H. Rey- 
nolds, secretary ; George Hunter, superintendent ; G. P. Lord, husiness 
manager." 

A writer in 1 870 said : 

"This mammoth institution, which provides a great portion of our 
countrymen with that particular and indispensable article so well described 
by L'Estrange in the saying. "The timing of things is a main point in the 
dispatch of all affairs," has but been in operation since 1867, and during that 
year turned out three thousand watches. This for the first year was deemed 
a good showing, but the great western country over which the sale of the 
article, perhaps at first principally extended, welcomed the National watches 
with dow-nright enthusiasm, and in 1868 the company sold no less than eighteen 
thousand time-keepers, each one of w Inch was an advertisement of the rectitude 
and excellence of their watches. During 1869, the fame of the Elgin watches 
had spread far and wide, in the East no less than the West, the new- product 
of American mechanism was sought for and purchased, and the past year's 
sales exhibits the enormous and unprecedented fa\or now extended by the 
public to the Elgin watch in the sale of no less than tw'enty-two thousand of 
these time-keepers. The present year, 1870, will show an increase over the 
past. The factory is now turning out one hundred and thirty watches per day, 
and will at the year's close have presented and sold to the public thirty-five thou- 
sand watches. 

"This wondrous aggregate of western enterprise and workmanship is the 
product of five hundred and twenty-five persons, comprehending, in the lan- 
guage of an old £nglish author, 'all trades which use forge or file, from the 
anchorsmith to the watchmaker.' These operatives are distributed in four- 
teen departments, and their monthly earnings amount to the sum of $27,000." 

Since 1875 the progress of the watch factory has been continuous and 
the work of its employes steady, except during the panic of 1893-7 when it ran 
on part time, and during the panic of 1908, when it has been on four days' 
time during the summer months. It now gives employment to three thousand 
five hundred persons and turns out an average of two thousand five hundred 



744 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

watches each day. Its pay-roll each niunth now amounts to nearly $250,000, 
In 1905 the old main buildings fronting on National street, and the wing front- 
ing on Fox river, were entirely removed and the magnificent five-story struc- 
ture completed in 1907, was erected. The present plans contemplate the 
removal of all the old buildings, and the construction of buildings similar to the 
new factory. A new engine house, unsurpassed by anything in iKirthern 
Illinois, was built in 1907. 

Burden Condensed Milk Company. In 1865 Gail Borden began con- 
densing milk in Elgin by a process he had invented. It made him and many 
other millionaires before his death, on January 13, 1874, at Borden, Texas. 
William G. Hubbard and James Christie were respectively vice president and 
secretary of the first company. Its stock is not now for sale, it is so far above 
par. In 1868 the factory, which had been working at a disadvantage some 
years, sold out to the New York Condensed ^Nlilk Company, and operations on 
a large scale were at once begun under Mr. Borden's patents. The "Eagle"' 
brand of milk, made here, soon became favorably known throughout the United 
States, and has so continued. The works on Brook street have been con- 
tinuously increased in size until they now cover over two blocks. About 1900 
the old W'averly hmise was bought and a new factory started there. The 
company employs four hundred or five hundred workmen in Elgin, which is 
now but a branch of the immense business that extends to every part of the 
world. E. S. Eno is now superintendent. 

D. C. Cook Publishing Company. This establishment, now one of the 
most important in the city, came to Elgin in 1886 and located in the old woolen 
mill on Ri\-er street. It continued in this location until 1900 when it moved 
into the splendid factory buildings at the north end of the city. It now gives 
occupation to more than four hundred employes. The buildings cover thirteen 
acres of ground and are equipped with every modern improvement that looks 
to the health of employes and the turning out of good work. The mail of 
the establishment averages ten tons per day. Shipments of its products, books', 
tracts and general church and Sunday school periodicals, are made to every 
part of the United States. That the institution has grown to its present size is 
due to untiring efforts of its proprietor, David C. Cook, and his son George 
Cook. The present manager is W. P. Topping, who succeeded G. B. 
Richardson in 1904. 

THE SEYBOLD PIANO .\ND ORG.\N COMP.VNY. 

AA'itli the progress of civilization from the primitive and crude forms into 
the complex and manifold phases found in enlightened societv, there has 
been a like development of one of its most important elements — music. From 
the tom-tom of the savage to the symphony of the highest civilization, in 
all ages and among all races, music has had a great influence. Its forms 
of expression have been as various as the emotions of the human soul. It 
has stimulated to heroic deeds. It has inspired hardened hearts with ten- 
derness and charity. Its tuneful cadences have lifted men and women into 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 745 

sympathetic touch witli tlie subhnie. Its haniKniies speak of order, svinnietry 
and beauty. No wonder tliat the painters have pictured the angels with 
harps and that the good have thought of heaven as resonant with delightful 
music. The Seybold Piano and Organ Company was founded in Chicago in 
1902 by Mr. William Seybold. In 1903 the business was moved to Elgin 
and a corporation was formed taking over all the patents and other i)roperties 
of the founder. The company's growth and success has been phenomenal. 
In 1903 they required and occupied only twelve thousand square feet of 
space ; today they utilize forty-eight thousand square feet and are now con- 
templating an addition to their present plant to gain extra space. Its capacitv 
is five pianos and ten organs per day. The company employs fiftv expert 
mechanics in their particular line. 

The Seybold I'iano and Organ Company, since coming to Elgin five 
years ago, has invariably Iieen fair with its employes, and similar industries 
is what has made Elgin a great city. 

The officers and directors of the company are as follows ; William 
Grote, president; John A. Waterman, vice president; Fred H. Ackerman, 
secretary; Alfred P.. Church, treasurer; W. E. P.ullmann. 

ELGIN IWCKING COMP.\NV. 

The Elgin Packing Company, whose extensi\-c works are located in the 
western part of the city, began business in Geneva in 1867 as the Chicago 
Packing Company. In 1869 it moved to Elgin, incorporated and changed its 
name. At the start it had a capacity for canning five thousand cans of 
goods daily. It now puts up eighty thousand cans daily, during the smiimer 
season, by means of special machinery. It puts up fruit, corn, ])unipkins, 
baked and lima beans, and employs several hundred people. 

William Grote is president; E. D. Waldron, treasurer; H. D. Barnes, 
secretary and manager. 

The H. Kind Baking Company is a new institution that has done well 
since it located here some years ago. It makes bread, cakes, etc.. for the 
local and nearby trade. 

Elgin Eagle Brewery is one of the older enterprises, having been or- 
ganized in 1849 'J.^' Charles Tazewell. In 1868 he sold to Caspar .\lthen, 
who conducted the brewery until his death in 1896. In 1894 the sons were 
taken into the business and still continue the fine plant on the west bank of 
the river. Louis J. Althen is president; Emil .Mtlien, superintendent; E. C. 
yMtlien, secretary. Its sales are mostly within twenty-fi\-e miles of the city. 

THE ELGIN STEAM LAUNDRY. 

The Elgin Steam Laundry on Division street is equipped with the best 
modem machinery and has in the past twenty-five years grown with the 
city's growth. It employs twenty-five people. 

The Silver Plate Works, located on the west side, is one of the best of 
the later factories. It came to Elgin in 1892. liaving been induced to come 



746 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

from Chicago to Elgin by the West Side Inipnnenient Cluh. The factory 
buildings cover an entire block, and the work is continuous, as it does not de- 
pend upon general conditions of trade, but only upon mortality among the 
people, coffin hardware and fixtures being the product. About one huntlred 
and fifty are given employment. Joseph Shaw, of Zanesville, Ohio, is presi- 
dent; J. ]M. Blackburn, of Elgin, secretary-treasurer and manager. It is one 
of Elgin's steadiest and most reliable institutions. 

The watch case factory was located here about the year 1892, and has con- 
tinued to prosper and grow under the efficient management of Air. Eppenstein. 
It employs several hundred and pays good wages. Its trade covers the entire 
country. 

Among other institutions of merit which, owing to lack of space and 
time, can not be described in detail, are the Rineheimer Manufacturing Com- 
pany, screens, doors, etc. ; Elgin Manufacturing Company, molders and 
machinists : Woodruff & Edwards, foundry ; the Elgin Box Company : the 
Rispin Electrical Company; Moody Brothers, etc.. etc. 

The shoe factory was located here about 1892 by \\'illiam Grote and 
others, and a large bonus paid to secure it. It has continued to do business 
and employ workmen since that time and is one of the city's permanent in- 
dustries. It gives employment to several hundred at its fine building on 
Congdon avenue. Air. Hohnes is now superintendent. 

THE MECHANICS OF ELGIX. 

Our special article in relation tn the most numerous class of our popu- 
lation will be one of the briefest, partly from the difficulty of obtaining 
accurate information, and partly because, wh.ere there are so many, we can 
not even name all of them. But. although unnamed by us. the monuments 
of their industry and skill are seen on every street of the city, and to no class 
is Elgin more indebted for its growth and prosperity than to its mechanics. 
We can onlv allude to a few who were first on the ground and who aided 
in the erection of some of the first buildings, a part of which remain, while 
others have given place to more costly and imposing structures. 

The first carpenter who wielded the hammer and shoved the plane in 
Elgin, so far as we are informed, was a man named Barnum. who, in 1836. 
built a store for Storrs & Bean — the first frame building in the city — on the 
premises now the AMiitford flats, corner of Chicago and Center streets. 

William S. Shaw came in the fall of 1836, and was the first carpenter 
who made Elgin his permanent residence. His first work was to build a 
.store for \^incent Lovell. He also made the first coffin ever required in 
Elgin, being for the body of Alary Ann Kimball, sister of P. J. Kimball, 
Jr. In 1S37 Mr. J. T. Gifford donated to Mr. Shaw a lot on the northeast 
corner of Chicago and Center streets, on condition that he would build a 
house thereon, and he soon after commenced the erection of the "Elgin 
House," which is still standing on that lot, though very much altered and 
improved. He also purchased the three lots next east of this, and on one 
of them erected the first framed barn on the Galena road, west of Chicago, 




'•OLD OCTAGON." FOi; YEAIL^ THE CHIEF 1^.0 ArvDTXri HOUSE 

OF ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY Hlfc^TORY 749 

In 1838 Mr. Shaw built for Jason House the dwelling on Center street. 
It was finished off for a store and occupied as such for a year or two by a 
Mr. Campbell, from Aurora. 

in this year Abel Walker and Lewis Ray made their appearance here as 
carpenters, and L. C. Stiles in 1839. After a few years Mr. Walker changed 
his occupation to that of undertaker, and for some time was the principal, 
if not the only one, in the place. ^Nlr. Stiles has probabl_v spent more years 
in the business than any other person here. Some of his first work was on 
the house now occupied by George B. Raymond, which was built in 1839 for 
James T. Gifford, who, until that tiitie, had occupied a log house, which 
stood in Prairie street, near the west end of the small triangular park, nearly 
opposite, and the cellar of which was visible until it was filled up in 1874. 

Horace Benham and L. S. Eaton, carpenters, came about 1840 or 1841, 
but, although still residents of the place, neither of them have worked at the 
business for several years past, 

Elgin's first mason was Benjamin Burritt, who arrived here February 
12, 1838, and is still a resident of the place, vigorous and active in his eighti- 
eth year. One of his first jobs was to build for G. W. Renwick the brick 
blacksmith shop, which stood on the present site of the Universalist church, 
and said to be the first of its kind in the county. In 1839 he built a brick 
residence for Burgess Truesdell, which is still standing on the ground of 
Henry Sherman, and so propitious was the weather that he commenced on 
the loth of ]Marcli, and did not lose but two or three days until it was finished, 
in July following. In 1844 l^^ ^''id down the trowel and engaged in other 
business, and for nearly twenty years next previous to 1874 was an acting 
justice of the peace. 

Other early masons were Ralph Grow, Artemas Hewitt, C, Stevens and 
.Artemas Grow. But the man who has laid more bricks and stones in Elgin 
-ban any other is Thomas Martin. He came here in 1843. ''"•^^ with the 
exception of a year or two spent in Montana, has worked at his trade ever 
since. 

Among the first blacksmiths in Elgin were Jason Elouse. G. W. Ren- 
wick and Samuel Hunting. Mr. House is thought to ]ia\-e had the priority 
m point of time, though it is possible that one was emplciyed for a short time 
by the late Samuel J. Kimball before he arrived. At first ]\Ir. House worked 
in a log shop on the present site of Bank block, so low that he could not stand 
erect in it at the sides. Subsequently he built a small frame shop on or 
near the site of Bosworth & Pierce's block, which he occupied until it burned 
in 1840, and then erected a brick shop on the property now owned by B. W. 
Staniforth on Chicago street. 

G. W. Renwick built, as early as 1838, the brick blacksmith shop on 
Center street, before alluded to, which he occupied until abottt 1843, when 
he removed to his new stone building on River street, in which the post- 
office is now located. For many years he carried on a very extensive business 
in blacksmithing, wagon and carriage making, etc, 

Alfrcfl Hadlock, the first millwright, came in 1839, and worked on .some 



750 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

of the first mills erected in Elgin. He afterward engaged <juite extensively in 
the manufacture of threshing machines. 

Philo Sylla was not properly a mechanic, but an inventor. His inven- 
tions naturally connected him with the mechanical employments, and we 
notice him here. He invented an improvement in reaping and mowing ma- 
chines, by which they could be adapted to uneven ground, and by which the 
sickle-bar could be raised and lowered. It is said that the first reaping 
machine in the United States, on the platform of which grain could be bound, 
was built in Elgin by him. Mr. Sylla came to the vicinity in 1838, to the 
village in 184^, and died a few years ago respected by all. 

We are not sure whether Hon. Augustus Adams was a regular mechanic, 
but he engaged in mechanical pursuits, and with Hadlock, Sylla and others, 
made the west side of Fountain Square, where now are some of our best 
business blocks, a busy place. In their foundries and shops, the hum of m- 
dustrv was heard all day long, anil the water of the race, which then passed 
through their ground, propelled a great amount of labor-saving machinery. 
For years Mr. Adams has been at the head of a large manufacturing estab- 
lishment at Sandwich, Illinois, and has probably been of greater value to 
the business interests uf that place than any other man. 

P. J. Kimball, Jr.. the first tailor of Elgin, was here as early as 1837, 
and w'orked in a log house near his present residence. This residence, a store 
on Chicago street, and the Kimball House, are mementoes of his labor and 
enterprise. 

Edgar Wait, the first cabinet luaker, came aljout 1838, and built a shop 
on River street, nearly opposite the woolen factory. In 1840 he renio\-ed 
to Waukegan. 

G. W'. Kimball came to this place in 1840, and opened on the west side. 
With the exception of a short time, he has made or sold furniture ever since. 

William Barker was not only the first silversmith, but has continued in 
the business almost uninterruptedly until the present time. 

We state elsewhere that B. Healy was the first harness maker antl thai 
he has been longer in business than any other man here. 

It has already been intimated that many of the first buildings in Elgin 
were of brick, and, of course, there must have been a brick maker. The 
honor of being the first manufacturer of these useful materials belongs to 
a man named E. A. Miltimore, whose yard was near the corner of River and 
Fulton streets. The gold of California -attracted him thither at an early 
day, but he was killed by the Indians before reaching Eldorado. 

We should be glad to notice scores of other mechanics and the monu- 
ments of their skill, but want of space forbids. "Their works do praise them,'" 

Since the above was noted mechanics and workmen of all classes have 
come and gone. Few cities have a more shifting population than Elgin, 
owing, chiefly, to the watch factory, to which strangers come continuously 
and from which others go. 

Since 1875 the modern trade-union movement has arisen until now few, 
if any, employments are without their union. Every employe in the trades 
belongs to some union, Tt is the nineteenth centm^}' development, due to the 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 751 

efforts of laboring men to sustain wages, ami lias, in tlie main, succeeded in 
bringing to the workman more substantial reward and more respect than 
he would have had if he had not organized. Strikes have resulted from the 
contest of the employer and the union, but none of serious consequence in 
Elgin. A carpenters' strike in 1905 interfered with building during the 
summer, and a strike of watch-factory employes in the '90s are the only open 
combats that have arisen. As a rule the two sides agree on a scale of wages 
and general conditions to be observed. The mechanics and laboring people 
of Elgin are of an exceptionally high type ; one watching them enter the 
watch factory or publishing house at noon noting no difference between theii 
appearance and a crowd out for a day's shopping. The unions in Elgin are 
organized under a general assembly known as the Trades Council. Each 
union elects delegates to this council, which comprises delegates from all the 
unions, and meets each week in its capacious hall in the Scheele block, north- 
west corner of Douglas avenue and Division street. Lectures and discussions 
are here had, and social gatherings enjoyed. The unions now existing are : 

Barbers No. 47. C. S. Mote, president : Philip Schlager, secretary. 
Meets at Scheele block third Monday of each month. 

Brewery Workers No. 235. Henry Marquardt. president; Charles Jahn, 
secretary. Meets fourth Monday each month. 

Bricklayers and Stone Masons No. 27. Ernest Zanberg. president : R. 
H. Marckhoff, secretary. Meets first and third Tuesday. 

Building Trades Council. F. A. Pennoyer, president; Henry Stover, 
secretary. 

Carpenters No. 363. Phil Ultes. president ; E. U. Kiltz, secretary. 

Cigarmakers No. 71. W. E. Sayles, president; Fred W. Seybold, 
secretary. 

Electrical Workers No. 117. A. B. Adams, president; W. A. Ste\enson, 
secretary. There are thirty members. 

Federal Labor L'nion No. 11,377. C. Young, president; L. Patterson, 
secretary. 

Hod Carriers and Building Laborers. August Wetmeyer, president ; 
Charles Shei, secretary. 

Horseshoe Workers. William Lade, president ; James McEwen, 
secretary. 

Hospital Attendants and Nurses No. 10.903. P. Ferron, president; S. 
Redeker, secretary. 

Leather Workers. Fred Lehmann, secretary. 

Machinists No. 295. B. J. Randall, president ; Ed. Kohn, secretary. 

Musicians No. 48. Fred Walter, president ; ^^^ B. ^Morton, secretary. 

Painters and Paper Hangers No. 154. T. Ronan, president; A. B. 
Winne. secretary. 

Plumbers and Gas Fitters No. 108. W. J. King, president. 

Printing Pressmen No. 128. Ed. Grant, president; John Connor, 
secretary. 

Sheet Metal Workers No. 151. Jcihn Sliales. president; William Shales, 
secretarv. 



752 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Shirt and Laundry Workers Xo. 52. Mrs. D. Hyde, president; F. 
Horton. secretary. 

Shoe \\"orkers Xo. 124. J. O'Leary. president; Miss Ida Morey. 
secretary. 

Tailors Xo. 223. Albert Klages, president : Frank Lethin, secretary. 

Team Drivers Xo. 239. Chas. Wright, president ; William Weightman, 
secretary. 

Typographical Xo. 171. T. P. Sheehan. president; Charles S. Pease, 
secretary. [Meets first Wednesday in each month. 

Watch Workers X'o. 6961. John Gaylord, president; James LeGate, 
secretar)-. 

An attempt has been made in the past few years to establish union; 
along the lines of the factory — all employes of a common employer forming 
a union, but as yet has not largely succeeded. 

THE SCHOOLS OF ELGIN'. 

■'Miss Harriet E. Gifford taught the first school ever kept 'in this city. 
Mr. James T. Gifford lived in a little log house, which stood near the corner of 
Prairie and \'illa streets, and here, in 1837, Miss Gifford gathered a few chil- 
dren of those early settlers for instruction in the necessary branches of an 
education. In the following year she taught in the Union church, a small 
building which had been erected by the Baptists, Congregationalists and Metho- 
dists; where the old cobble-stone church or schoolhouse later stood at Geneva 
and DuPage streets. ]\Iiss Gift'ord was followed, in 1S41 or 1842, by Adin 
Mann and wife. School was continued in this church several years. Just 
before this time, the Methodists had withdrawn from the union congregation 
and put up a small house of worship at Center and Division streets. In this 
house Mr. Mann taught in 1840. Subsequently, ]\Ir. Bolles. the pastor, and 
others, taught in the same place. 

"About 1844, the first regular schoolhouse was built. It was erected by 
private subscription, and stood on the ground now occupied by the postoffice. 
Miss Harvey, afterward Mrs. Paul R. Wright, taught in this building two or 
three years, and then was succeeded by others. But the rapid growth of the 
town made additional school accommodations necessary, and in 1845 -^^J"- 
R. W. Padelford circulated a subscription paper to raise funds for the erection 
of a new schoolhouse. As a result, the old brick was commenced soon after, 
although it was not completed until 1847, "or formally dedicated until January, 
1848. The building was opened January 3. 1848, with Mr. Ballard, principal 
of high school, salary $400 per year, and Mrs. Ballard and Miss Esther ]\I. 
Graves, afterward Mrs. Jay J. Town, of Des ^iloines. Iowa, assistants. At 
that time it was the finest school building in this part of the state, and, far and 
near, there was no little talk about the 'big schoolhouse at Elgin.' Before the 
building was fully completed, ^Irs. Lucy Lovell taught a select school in one of 
the lower rooms, being the first school taught in the building. From this time 
educational matters progressed, marked by nothing of special interest till 185 1. 
It should be noted, that up to this time all the schools had been sustained by 




HIGH SCITOOL. ELGIN. 




OLD HIGH RCIIOOL. EL(U.\. lU ILT l.\ ls:i7. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 755 

the payment of rate bills. No tax for educational purposes had been levied ; 
no public revenue had been received: no 'free schools' had been known in the 
state. A radical change was now inaug-urated. The legislature passed an 
act authorizing the levy of a tax for the sujiport of free schools, and the next 
year, at a school meeting held in the old brick, the first tax levied in the state 
of Illinois for free schools, was voted in this citv, and the tax afterward 
collected. 

"The Elgin Seminary was established in the spring of 185 1, by the Alisses 

E. and E. E. Lord, now of Chicago. It was designed, principally, for the 
education of young ladies, though, during part of the time, several young 
gentlemen were admitted. The school was first taught in the basement of 
the Congregational church, and a house on DuPage street. In Januarv, 1852, 
the 'Elgin house," which stood where the Congregational church now stands, 
was purchased, and soon after fitted up for the purposes of the seminary. It 
then embraced not only the most of what was known as the 'Elgin Boarding 
house,' corner of Chicago and Center streets, but the house next east of it. 
and afforded ample accommodations for' a large number of pupils. In its new 
quarters the school was well patronized, and hundreds shared its benefits. 
Among its principals were Rev. Daniel S. Dickinson, and A. R. Wright, Esq. 
Among its teachers were Miss Emily Lord (who was also the business man- 
ager). Miss Ellen E. Lord. Miss A. Town. Miss Towner, Miss Ballard, Miss 
L. Graves, Mrs. Mary L. Dickinson, Mrs. Martha A. Lord, Miss Mary Blair, 
Miss Clara Edgecomb, Miss Irene Ferine and others. The school was con- 
tinued until the summer of 1856, when it was decided to use the building for 
other purposes. 

"In 1854 the schools, by special charter from the legislature, were brought 
under the control of the city, and Edmund Gififord was elected superintendent, 
rhe schools opened with Mr. Curtiss principal in district No. i. and Mr. 
Cole in No. 2. Mr. Curtiss was succeeded by Mr. Bicknell. October 18. Mr. 

F. S. Heywood became his successor, January 21. 1856. November 10. 1855, 
the new schoolhouse in district No. 3 was dedicated, and Mr. Dagget employed 
as principal of the school, October 26. February 28, 1856, ;Mr. Dagget was 
discharged and ]\Iiss Jenques employed to take his place. Julv 3, 1856, Paul 
R. Wright entered on the duties of superintendent. The schools opened Sep- 
tember I. with F. S. Heywood principal of grammar scIkjoI in Second ward, 
and Harry Cole principal of south school. Air. Wright resigned the super- 
intendency November 18, 1856. No successor was appointed until December 
10, when Dr. Thomas Kerr filed the necessary bond, and entered upon the 
duties of the office. The winter term opened January 10, with an enrollment 
of'four hundred and fifty pupils. To curtail expenses, the services of Mr. 
Cole were dispensed with at the close of the spring term of 1857. Dr. Kerr 
resigned the superintendency August 4. 1857, and Mr. Edmund Gif¥ord was 
elected his successor, September i, 1857. 

"The schools opened September 7, with the following board of education : 
Re\-. A. J. Joslyn, Jerome J. Smith. Charles Morgan and H. Hamilton. There 
were five schools on the east side of the river and two on the west side. Mr. 
Canfield was principal at the nUl brick until September 20. and F. S. Heywood, 



756 KANE COUNTY ITTSTORY 

the former teacher, was employed to lill llie vacancy, at a salary of $i,ooo per 
year. Diirinj^ this year, 1857, the new brick was erected, on Kimball street, 
and, No\cnibcr 14, the high school mo\ed in procession from the nld brick to 
their new i|uarters. Xo\eniber 18. the bnilding was dedicated with a good deal 
of eclat, .\ildresses were made by several gentlemen and a good time was 
had. On the whole it was a prosperous year for the schools. In June, 1859, 
Robert Blenkiron was elected superintendent, Ijut kept no records of the 
schools. He resigned April 10, i860, and Mr. J. B. Xewcomb was elected 
his successor. Mr. Newcomb served as superintendent till July 3, 1866. Dur- 
ing a portion of this time the schools were conducted with a view to the strictest 
economy. ]\Tr. Hey wood taught during the spring term of i860 as principal 
of the high school, at a .salary of $1,000, and from the fall of i860 to the spring 
of 1 86 1, at the rate of $900 a year. Mr. E. C. Lovell became principal of the 
high school in the spring of 1862. During that term the principal of the 
grammar .school received $1.25 per day and the assistants $1.00 per day. 
Mr. Lovell was continued in 1862-3 '^^ a salary of $475, and the female teach- 
ers at $200. In 1863-4. Mr. Lovell was paid $600: his assistants $250, and 
the other teachers $212.50. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Lovell laid aside the 
'birch' and took the sword in defense of his country. He was succeeded 
by Mrs. Wing (wife of W. H. Wing, who presented Wing park to the city), 
a teacher long and fa\-orably known to this community. Mr. Burr Lewis 
succeeded Mrs. \\ ing in the fall of 1865, but remained only two terms, when 
in turn Mrs. N\'ing was appointed his successor. The nunilier nf pul)lic schools 
taught during the successive years, from 1859 to 1866, was nine; number of 
teachers employed, ten ; the a\-erage attendance during those years was, respec- 
tively, 427, 420. 410, 420, 474, 440 rmd 468. In i860 there were 754 children 
in the city between fi\e and twenty-one years of age; in 1862, 1,096, and a 
total i)opulation of 3,012; in 1864, 1,221, and a po])ulation of 3,201. In 1866 
Rev. N. C. Clark became superintendent. .\. S. Barry was a])p(iinted principal 
of the high school and N. E. Leach principal of the North school, west side. 
Mr. Barry failing to accejit the appointment. J. Thori) became princijial, with 
Mrs. Wing as assistant. January 7. 1867, James Sly succeeded Mr. Thorp, 
and Mary E. Raymond, Mrs. \\ ing. The next term, April 15, W. H. Brydges, 
an accom]3lished scholar and a thorough teacher, became principal at a salary of 
$1,000. He remained the following year at $1,200. C. E. Lee took charge of 
the grammar school in the old brick, and Miss S. F. Lawrence began her labors 
in the primary department. North school, east side, at a salary of $300. She 
became principal of the grammar school in the old Baptist church. Jennie C. 
Cox (Jennings) began her labors in 1862. In 1864 Helen M. Keogh (O'Neil) 
was employed. In 1865 Nellie Lynd engaged in the work of the teacher, but 
retired in 1873. Cecil C. Harvey, who is still remembered among our teachers, 
began in 1866, during Mr. Clark's superintendency. .Vbout 1867 two new 
schoolhouses were built, one in the First ward and the other in what is now the 
Sixth ward. The two would accommodate ninety-six pupils. 

"In the fall of 1867 Sanders' old readers were exchanged for his new- 
Union readers, and Warren's geograiihies were adopted, thus securing a greater 
uniformity of text books. A fuller and moi^e definite course of study was pre- 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 757 

pared for all the scliools. In the high schools a three years' course was adopted, 
which included all the branches usually taught in high schools. 

"In the summer of 1868 Rev. H. Sladc was apixjinted superintendent, 
and C. F. Kimball principal of the high school, with salary of $1,200 per year, 
and Miss Emily J. Brigham assistant, salary $500, which positions they filled 
till the summer vacation of 1869, when :\Ir. Kimball was appointed superin- 
tendent but still remaineil principal of the high school, salary $1,400, continuing 
as .such till the summer of 1873. 

"During the summer vacation of 1869 Mr. Kimball was directed by the 
trustees to take the enumeration of the children for school purposes, to which 
he added a complete census of the city, with the following results: 

White children from 6 years to 21 years io4S 

Colored children from 6 years to 21 years 30 

Total number of children I.57S 

The white population of the city was 4.804 

The colored population of the city was 91 

Grand total of all was 4-895 

"The schools w-ere regraded during the year and a more systematic course 
was adopted, including a two-years' course each for the primary and inter- 
mediate departments, a three-years' course in the grammar school, and a 
four-years' course in tlie high school. As thus organized the pupils made 
good progress. More school room was needed, and the old stone, or Baptist, 
church was purchased by the city council for $5,000. and three schools w^ere 
opened in 1870. enrolling nearly two hundred children, forming a primary, 
intermediate and grammar department. Mrs. A. S. Wing was employed as 
principal of the grammar school, which position she held till the close of the 
fall term of 1871, when she resigned. 

In September, 1871, \\'. \\". Kennedy was employed to teach vocal 
music in the schools, with a view of making it one of the branches of educa- 
tion. Although at first many doubts were expressed as to. the feasibility of 
teaching young children to read music, and to sing by note, yet a fair trial 
was given, and he continued his work with good success, teaching in all the 
grades, from the primary to the high school. 

"In 1872 the course of study was revised, and published in pamphlet 
form : also a 'Syllabus of Oral Lessons' for primary and intermediate schools. 
As revised, there wc-e eleven grades from the primary to the high school. 
The first, second, tiiird and fourth composed the primary department, the 
fifth, sixth and seventh the intermediate, and the eighth, ninth, tenth and 
eleventh the grammar department. Two courses of study were adopted for 
the high school — the English course and the classical course, each requiring 
four years for its completion. At the close of the school year of 1872, the 
first class of three young ladies. Misses Helen C. Kimball. Euphemia A. 
Martin and Julia A. DuBois. graduated from the high school. The exercises 
were held at the DuBois Opera House, June 27. Each graduate read an essay, 
anfl received a diploma from the superintendent. 



fs 



758 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

"At the nmnicipal election held in March, 1873, the question whether the 
schools should be organized under the general school law of the state or 
remain under the control of the city was submitted to a \'ote of the people, 
the result in favor of the change. 

"At a subsequent election held in April, M. B. Baldwin, J. B. Newcomb, 
E. S. Joslyn, A. S. Barry, W. F. Lynch and A. S. Moxon were elected a 
board of education, who came into power the following July. During the 
summer vacation the new board erected a two-story school building to be used 
for primary and intermediate schools. Mr. Kimball was reemployed as super- 
intendent and Miss A. A. Clement principal of the high school. A class of 
five young ladies graduated from the high school June 28, 1873. In the gradu- 
ating class of 1874 were six young ladies and one young man — Edward S. 
Doney — he being- the first male graduate from the high school. In 1875 a 
class of ten — seven ladies and three gentlemen — was graduated. There was 
then connected with the schools a superintendent and a corps of twenty-two 
teachers and an enrollment of 1,103 pupils. 

"We close this article by referring briefly to our school buildings. How- 
ever much we may prize our graded course of instruction, we must acknowl- 
edge that our school buildings are very inferior and lack the capacity to accom- 
modate all the children. But we are glad to chronicle the fact that the school 
board are taking steps to procure the erection of suitable buildings, and we 
trust that when the next history and directory shall be published this city can 
boast of as good school accommodations as any in the state." 

The report of the superintendent of schools for 1908 shows the following: 

TEACHERS EMPLOYED. 

Superintendent and assistants 5 

Principals 12 

High school 21 

Grades 82 

Total 1 20 

Men 9 

Women in 

Total 1 20 

PUPILS ENROLLED. 

Boys 2,229 

Girls 2,148 

Total 4,377 

AVER.XGE DAILY ATTENDANCE. 

Grades 3.048 

High school 345 

Table show'ing per cent of enrollment in high school who have graduated ; 

1896-97 7.8 

1 897-98 6.2 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 759 

1898-99 8.4 

1899-00 11.7 

1900-01 IJ.8 

1901-02 9.3 

190-2-03 13.2 

1903-04 11-4 

1904-05 12.9 

1905-06 1 1.7 

1906-07 1 1.5 

1907-08 1 6.6 

The following report ni.-ule to the superintendent of schools by his assis- 
tants will best show the status of the schools at the present time and as com- 
pared to the situation in an early day as shown bv the first article above : 

REPORT OF SUPERN'ISOR OF PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. 

Mr. Robert I. White, Superintendent of Schools : 

In accordance with your request I present herewith a report of the work 
done in the primary grades during the year closing June 12, 1908: 

Reading — Experience teaches that in the complicated process of teaching 
reading the teacher must use all methods to some extent, because reading and 
the coordinated suliject — writing — involve all the ear, eye, mouth and hand 
centers. The first reading lessons ha\-e been taught from the blackboard. 
Great care has been exercised throughout these grades to make the pupils 
familiar with all new words as wholes before attempting to read sentences in 
which these words occur. Systematic phonic drills were introduced early in 
the first term of the first year and carried through the third year in order to 
train the pupils to become self-reliant, to secure good articulation and accurate 
enunciation. The pupils have read not only the number of books required by 
the course of study but several supplementary books supplied by the traveling 
library. There has been an unusual interest taken in oral reading during the 
school year. Dramatization of reading lessons has been an interesting feature 
in some rooms, especially room one in the Franklin school and room four in 
the Sheridan school. It has been gratifying to note the interest shown by 
parents in this feature of the school work. 

Literature — The work in this subject has been closely related to reading 
and language and has consisted of reading, listening to and memorizing rhymes 
and poems, in listening to the reading or telling fairy tales, myths and stories 
and their oral reproduction. Through literature it seems to us life's relation- 
ships are truly and justly pictured in terms that pupils can understand, making 
the good attractive, the base ugly, rewarding virtue, punishing wrtingdoing, 
thus awakening and influencing the moral judgment of the pupils. 

Language — Lessons of the first three grades have been closely related to 
the literature, reading, nature study, history and geography work. In two 
first-grade rooms miniature farms have been constructed on sand tables. The 
sight of the sprouting seeds, waving grass, rustling corn, the pond, the house, 
the liarn, the chickens, etc., furnished food for thought and unlocked timid 



760 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

lips. In one room the peaceful farm on "Alemorial day" was turned into a 
camp with its row of tents, its flag, its guns and sentinels. 

Dictation — Exercises in dictation have been used in the first grade and 
carried through the fourth in c'rder to train [jupils in spelling, use of capitals, 
punctuation marks and paragraphing. In no other way. it seems to us, can 
these mechanics of written composition be so effectively and eccnomicaliy 
taught. Fourth grade pupils have become familiar with the first one hundred 
pages in Southworth's "New Lessons in Language." They have written at 
least two short compositions a month. In some rooms pupils have been re- 
quired to look over their own written work carefully before handing it in, in 
order to correct their mistakes. All the work lias been corrected. 

Nature Study — It is difticult to confine nature study to regular periods. 
and to present it in such a way that the children may take an active part .in the 
work. Some of the most valuable work is done before school, after school and 
during rest periods. During the past year pupils have filled the window 
boxes with good soil, planted seeds in tliem, cared for the growing plants and 
studied germination. They have also brought in whole plants from field and 
park and cared for them. They have learned something of seed distribution. 
They have observed birds and their habits. Some classes have visited Lord's 
park in order to study animals and their habits. Daily records of the weather 
have been kept on the board or on paper. At the end of the month the number 
of sunny days and the number of cloudy days have been counted and the 
prevailing winds noted. 

Geography and History — "The study of the home neighborhood is the 
key to the study of the world." The third grade children have studied the 
physical features, food products, plan of city, water supply, manner of lighting 
and a few of the industries of their own town. They have constructed maps 
of the school room, the school yard, neighborhood, the city and the county. 
They have taken real or imaginary trips to nearly all the important points of 
interest in and about Elgin. They have gleaned from "The Seven Little Sis- 
ters," "In Field and Pasture" and other books some knowledge of how people 
live in warm and in cold countries. They have learned the names and located 
on the school globes the continents, oceans, principal seas, gulfs, bays, straits 
and peninsulas of the world. In one school room the pupils made, in a sand 
box twelve by fourteen feet, a model of Elgin showing the physical features. 
In another room a stone quarry was well represented on a sand table. In 
history third grade children have become acquainted with the good L.idian 
chief Shabbona, with the two noble pioneers, James T. and Hezekiah Gififord. 
with the hardships endured and the pleasures enjoyed by Elgin's early settlers. 
Portions of the history work have been emphasized by illustrations and by 
constructive work. In the fourth grade the assigned work in Frye's "Elemen- 
tary Geography" has been completed. The pictures in the textbook being 
excellent and suggestive have been profitably used in the study of the different 
countries. Fairbank's "Home Geography," for supplementary work, has been 
valuable in arousing interest and discussion. Drills in location of places on 
globes and maps have been given once a week. A brief "History of Illinois," 
compiled by iMiss Bateman, principal of the George P. Lord school, has been 




ELGIN ACADE^IY 








■ lie f KL 







'it ' 



1 1^ 



^i^ 



ABBY C. WING SCHOOL, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 763 

thoroughly appreciated by teachers and pupils. Some of the topics discussed 
are food, clothing, shelter, sports and warfare of the Indians and the early 
settlers of the state. Here again constructive work has played an important 
part in making pioneer history seem more real. Pupils have constructed in 
miniature from wood, mud, large and small twigs, paper, etc., log houses, 
forts, flatboats, rafts, dugouts and wigwams. 

Arithmetic — In the first and second grades emphasis has been placed 
on constructive work rather than formal number work. Our experienced 
teachers say that when properly taught it gives the finest mental discipline of 
any study in the primary grades. Through this work pupils have been taught 
to measure, to add, subtract, multiply and divide, using small numbers ; also to 
use the fractions one-half, one-third and one-fourth. In the third and fourth 
grades Walsh's "Primary Arithmetic" has been followed. More time, how- 
ever, has been given to the abstract work than to problems requiring exercise 
of the reasoning powers. Original problems given by pupils with reference 
to articles bought and sold at stores and elsewhere have proved valuable in 
teaching children to observe and think. During the past term emphasis has 
been placed on drills in the forty-five combinations in order to strengthen weak 
places in addition. The aim in the fourth grade has been to make classes as 
strong as possible in the four fundamental processes, addition, subtraction, 
multiplication and division. In some third and fourth grade rooms "model 
stores" have been kept by pupils one day a week. From these stores they 
would buy supplies. This concrete work has aided pupils in understanding 
the meaning of problems in the book and taught them something of the use 
of money. 

Spelling — In the first and second grades pupils have been taught to spell 
by visualizing, by dictation, by building with letter forms and phonograms and 
by memorizing short lists of words. In grades three and four Reed's "Primary 
Speller" has been used with fairly good results. Both oral and written spell- 
ing have been used, because some children learn through the eye and some 
through the ear. Results in spelling always seem meager compared with the 
time and energy put on the lessons by teachers and pupils. 

Physiology has had a place in the first two grades, but in no really formal 
way. Teachers, however, have taken occasion frequently to teach simple 
facts of healthy living, of which the children could make immediate use. 

In the third grade four lessons a week have been given for the required 
ten weeks. In the fourth grade a textbook has been used. Stress has been 
laid on the effect of alcoholic drinks and tobacco on the growing child. 

Physical culture has probably not received the attention it merits. One 
period a day, however, has been devoted in grades one and two to rhythm; 
that is, to marching, running, skipping, etc., to music. In some of the third 
and fourth grade rooms games that require alertness, observation and judgment 
have been practiced daily. 

Penmanship — \Mien pujiils first enter school they show a decided lack of 
muscular control and for this reason the early writing has been done on the 
blackboard, where large free movements are possible. In the second and third 
o-rades improvement has been slow and the result of much patient practice. 



764 KANE COUNTY lli.sTORY 

because pupils at this time still seem unable to control and coordinate their 
muscles. Pupils have not used pen and ink until they reached the third grade. 
In grades three and four copybooks have been used. 

Manual Training — The day that contains the manual training hour has 
always been hailed with delight by the boys and girls in the third and fourth 
grades. It has often proved true that jnipils who care nothing for Ixjoks and 
who are slow to learn do good handwork and find delight in it. Handwork 
has been an aid in securing good order. Pupils in these grades have made 
reed and raffia baskets and made burlap holders, button and school bags, doll 
rugs and hammocks, portfolios and many other useful articles. 

Notwithstanding the interruption in the school work caused by contagious 
diseases, the number of children promoted in the first four grades is equal to 
that of former years. 

In closing I would thank all teachers for their cooperation, the experi- 
enced teachers for frank and valuable suggestions, and our superintendent for 
appreciation and encouragement. Respectfully. 

Jennie T.\zewell, Assistant Superintendent. 

REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC. 

Mr. Robert I. White. Superintendent of Schools: 

I herewith submit to you a report of the work done in music during the 
past year : 

W'ith few variations the usual program has been followed in the music 
department this year. In the grades each room has been visited once in two 
weeks. Afternoons have been devoted to the high school work. The progress 
has been very marjced this year owing to the earnest work of the teachers and 
to the interest and enthusiasm of teachers and jiupils which has come through 
the use of new material and methods. 

In the primary grades the children ha\'e learned about sixty new^ songs'. 
Through these rote songs the child has gained a broad musical experience — 
along the artistic side. I.ater these songs are to be used as the basis for the 
technical study of music in the higher grades. 

The work of the intermediate grades has shown a distinct advance from 
imitation song singing to definite sight-reading work. The work has been 
difficult in these grades this year, as we have made an earnest effort to master 
the rvthmic problems as presented in the songs and exercises in the first and 
second books. The results have been satisfactory. Every pupil below the 
eighth grade has sung alone at least twice each week. This individual work 
has done much to establish music on a firm basis and to make the pupil inde- 
pendent. From the third grade to the eighth written work has been done 
everv day, from dictation or memory. 

The grammar grades have gained in taste and technique this year, thus 
laying a good foundation for chorus singing in the high school. 

More than three hundred pupils in the high school selected music as part 
of their course, and this number was divided into three choruses. The Laurel 
Song Book, Beacon Songs No. 2 and supplementary octavo music furnislied 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 765 

material frr study. Two glee clubs were organized, one composed of fifty 
girls and the other of sixteen boys. Two rehearsals were held each week, one 
during the fifth period and the other one hour after school. These clubs fur- 
nished music for all high school programs and were a valuable addition to high 
school life. The principal musical event during the year in the high school was 
a concert by the glee clubs and chorus, assisted by Maude Fenlon Bollman, 
soloist. 

The Girls' Glee club sang the "Song-Cycle," "The Lady of Shalott" ; 
the Boys' Glee club sang college songs, and the chorus rendered Gounod's 
"O Divine Redeemer," Strauss' "Waltz Song." "In Vienna Woods." 

This work has been of great value to high school students, giving them 
an acquaintance with and a love for the best in music. 

Thanking the superintendent, the board of education and the teachers for 
their a])preciation and cooperation, I am, respectfully. 

Rose E. Judson. Supervisor of Music. 

REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING. 

Mr. Robert 1. White, Superintendent of Schools: 

The following report of my department for the past year is respectfully 
submitted : 

The Prang "Text Books of Art Education" have been in use during the 
past year, as in the two previous years, and the printed outline of the course 
of study has been practically followed. We have found this outline broad 
enough to allow of considerable variety in the treatment of any subject and 
have tried to bring into emphasis in each n lom the side of the subject showing 
greatest need, as, for example, appreciation of form or of color, handling of 
materials or judgment as to arrangement and spacing. 

The first half of the year more emphasis was placed on the proper handling 
of material, such as charcoal, water colors or pencil and on careful observation 
and accurate representation of what was seen. In the last half we spent more 
thought on the arrangement of our subject, the balancing of light and dark 
for best effect, harmony of color and other things that pertain to design in 
the broadest sense. Through this work we have tried to keep each child to 
better judgment as to the making or choosing of useful and beautiful things. 

Throughout the year we have tried to make practical what has been 
learned by the making of small articles suggested by the days of s]3ecial inter- 
est to- the children, such as Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the birthdays 
of poets and patriots, Valentine's day. Easter. Arbor dav and others. Books 
and portfolios were also made and decorated, to be used in connection with 
other school work, uniting, as far as possible, the drawing with all other sub- 
jects in the curriculum. A great variety of articles was made in December for 
Christmas gifts, mostly of paper and cardboard. In some of the rooms bits 
of cloth were used in making needle books, penwipers, broomholders. and so 
forth. Se\-eral seventh and eighth grade rooms did stenciling of linen and 
cotton goods, making sofa jiillow covers, curtains for windows or bookcase. 
table scarfs, laundry bags and otiier articles for home use. We found all this 



766 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

work brouglit growth in appreciation of good workmanship, and we are hoping 
to see a marked improAement in the judgment of the children in tlie selection 
or the making- of things which are of interest to them. 

We are trying to cnlti\"ate good taste in the children of the schools by 
showing them how to find the best and most beautiful in all their surround- 
ings, whether it be in sky, trees, birds and flowers or in pictures, furniture, 
clothes or books. We want to teach each child to choose from his surroundings 
what is finest and most fitting, and as a citizen, great or small, to see that he 
may produce the most useful and beautiful of its kind. 

The cordial interest and enthusiastic cooperation of our principals and 
teachers has made it possible to accomplish much in the past year, and we 
have reason to hope for still greater advancement in the year to come. 

^'ery respectfully, Berth.a. H. Heise. 

REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL TRAINING. 

Mr. Robert I. White, Superintendent of Schools : 

Some form of manual training has been gi\'en in all grades, from the 
first to the ninth, inclusi\-e. Grades one and two ha\e been given paper cut- 
ting and folding, clay modeling and weaving. Grade three has been given 
sewing on burlap samples with yarn, weaving^ of mats, clay modeling and 
paper construction. Grade four has been given weaving of raffia and reed 
baskets, weaving of mats from designs worked out in school, burlap school 
bags, broomholders and cardboard construction from drawings made by the 
pupils. During the first half of the year the boys and girls in the fifth and 
sixth grades were given cardboard construction. Through that work they 
became familiar with the more common geometric forms. Before making 
the models an accurate working drawing of them was made. During the sec- 
ond half of the year the girls were given sewing, beginning with a sampler, 
on which they learned the use of the needle and thimble, even and uneven 
basting, running and back stitch, French seam, hemming, gathering, basting 
and stitching gathers, and setting in of gathers. When time permitted appli- 
cation of these operations was made in making aprons, desk bags, work bags, 
towels, pillow cases and underskirts. The boj-s were given work with twigs 
and thin wood, using a sloyd knife, rule, square, nails, sandpaper and stain. 
Easels, cardracks, beds, tables, chairs and settees were made almost entirely 
of twigs, which were gathered by the boys themselves. Their drawings were 
made to a scale of one-sixth of the size of real furniture. After making these 
articles in school some of the boys made full-size pieces at home. 

In grades seven and eight the work of the boys has been bench work in 
wood. They have been taught the correct method of using the tools, have 
become better acquainted with the nature and uses of some kinds of w'ood, 
and some of the principles of construction have been learned. W'hile the boys 
were doing their bench work the girls were taught sewing, taking up the work 
where they left off the previous year. They were taught overhanding, over- 
casting, herringbone stitch, felling, hemming on patch, sewing on lace, darn- 
ing and making buttonholes. A practical application of these operations was 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 767 

made in the making of towels, napkins, handkerchiefs, sleeves, making of 
bnttonholes, darning stockings, table covers, fancy aprons and mending of 
clothing. 

Each ]nipil in grades five, six, seven and eight made a portfolio with cloth 
liack and covered with cover paper. These were made for their written com- 
]iositions. A sand table, map frame and art display frame were made by eighth 
grade boys for use in their own schools. 

In the high school the work has been three-fifths bench work in wood 
and two-fifths mechanical drawing. The bench work has been the teaching 
of the basic principles of construction underlying the different processes of 
woodworking and becoming familiar with the proper method of using tools. 
A careful study of the several kinds of wood as to their nature, uses an3 
habitat was made. The measurement of lumber was studied. The various 
methods of wood finishing was practiced. All projects were made from an 
accurate working drawing, which was made from a freehand sketch dimen- 
sioned. The mechanical drawing taught consisted of geometrical problems, 
orthographic projection of points, lines, solids, intersection of solids and 
development of surfaces. 

COST OF MATERI.JiLS AND NEW EQUIPMENT. 

Lumber, high school $ 43.61 

Lumber, grades seven and eight 169.45 

Lumber, grade six 2.50 

Hardware, high school ig.22 

Hardware, grades six, seven and and eight 43-15 

Paints, varnishes and stains, high school 10.15 

Paints, varnishes and stains, grades seven and eight 7.00 
Cardboard and material for portfolios — 

Grades four, five, six, seven and eight 113-8 

Glue for all grades 25.88 

New tools for high school 105.96 



$540.20 
Respectfully submitted, 
Sinclair J. Work, Supervisor of Manual Training. 

REPORT OF PRINCIP.\L OF HIGH SCHOOL. 

Mr. Robert I. White. Superintendent of Schools : 

Submitted with this special report are the regular tabulated reports giving 
the enrollment by grades, the enrollment and average daily attendance by 
months and semesters, the number promoted to the high school and the num- 
ber entering from June. 1901. to date, and the number and percentage of whole 
enrollment graduating each year. The semester reports of the teachers, giving 
lists of their classes with grades, promotions and work covered, are arranged 
according to subjects and prepared for binding. 

The reports above mentioned, as well as those on file in the office relating 
to the grading of pupils, indicate that the year of 1907 and 1908 has been one 



768 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

of growth and advancement for the school. The following table, showing the 
enrollment and average daily attendance from 1900 to date, shows that with 
the exception of two years there has been a fairly constant increase. The 
reports will show that the nnmber entering those two years was below the 



average : 



Enrollment Average Average 

for year. enrollment. attendance. 



I9OO-I9OI 507 441 418 

I9OI-I9O2 530 470 447 

I9O2-I9O3 538 456 436 

I9O3-I9O4 535 449 422 

I9O4-I9O5 594 498 477 

I9O5-I906 586 507 492 

I906-I9O7 643 567 531 

I907-I908 662 566 545 

The increase in attendance is due not mainly to increase in population, 
nor to the larger number entering the high school. It is due to the fact that 
pupils are remaining in school better than formerly. The following table 
shows the number leaving school during each school year from 1900 to date: 

Left school Left school 

first semester. second semester. Totai. 

I9OI-I9O2 37 57 94 

I902-I903 54 102 155 

I9O3-I9O4 14 80 94 

I9O4-I9O5 18 87 105 

I905-I906 21 35 • 56 

I906-I907 31 50 81 

I907-I908 15 37 52 

That the number leaving school within the last few years has been lower 
than in former years is more significant when we remember that it has been 
during a period of marked industrial and commercial activity, with urgent 
demand for labor. 

As a result of fewer dropping out of school the percentage of those that 
entered, remaining to graduate, has been rapidly increasing. Below is given 
a table showing the number entering and the number and percentage remaining 
to graduate in classes graduated since 1900: 



NUMBER ENTERED. 

Total entered. 

January. 1897 124 

September, 1897 97 — • 221 

January. 1898 57 

September. 1898 82 — 139 

January. 1899 88 

September. 1899 1 14 — 202 

Januarv. 1900 96 




LINCOLN SCHOOL, ELGIN. 




FEANKLIN SCHOOL, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 771 

September, 1900 102 — • 198 

January, 1901 79 

September, 1901 1 17— 196 

January, 1902 70 

September, 1902 104 — 174 

January, 1903 65 

September, 1903 97 — 162 

January, 1904 99 

September, 1904 120 — 219 

NUMBER GRADUATED. 

Per cent of number 
Boys. Girls. Total that entered. 

June,i90i 33 32 65 30 

June, 1902 18 33 51 36 

June, 1903 16 55 71 35 

June, 1904 24 37 61 31 

June, 1905 27 50 J7 39 

June, 1906 15 54 69 40 

June, 1907 24 50 74 45 

June, 1908 57 53 no 50 

Mr. Francis G. Blair, superintendent of iniblic instruction for tbe state 
of Illinois, says our scbool is graduating a remarkably bigb percentage of its 
pupils, and has asked for a copy of the table abo\e to incorporate in his next 
official bulletin. 

These indications of a keener interest in school work on the part of pupils 
and an increasing appreciation of the value of the education the school gives 
are supported by the class records of the teachers, showing the cjuantity and 
quality of work done in the different departments of the school. We have 
never had so large a number doing excellent work. 

Several causes have been operating to bring the school to its present ef- 
ficiency. First of these is the good interest in education shown by the patrons 
of the school and the just estimate of the value of secondary education in 
preparation for efficient living. Second is the strong corps of teachers with a 
fine enthusiasm for their work and high ideals for their pupils. Complement- 
ing this is the strong teaching force in the grades, giving adequate preparation 
and zest for the work the high school is to oiifer. Third is careful supervision 
of both the elementary and high school courses and a proper adjustment of 
the work of tbe school to the preparation and needs of the pupil. Tbe fourth 
cause is the healthful school spirit, genuine loyalty to the school, that pervades 
the whole student body. 

The work in the "manual arts" in the form of manual training and do- 
mestic science and the laboratory work of the sciences makes more apparent 
to the pupil the relation of his studies to everyday life, and so increases his 
inclination to stay in school. More of the practical has added interest to the 
work in science. In physics, problems involving the reading of gas and electric 



772 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

meters, the relative efficiency and cost of electric and gas lights, the cost of 
power supplied by the electric motor as compared with actual horsepower, etc., 
have been appreciated more than the ordinary problems found in the text. In 
chemistry tests for preservatives and adulterants in foods, finding percentage 
of butter fat in milk and the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air as found 
in the different rooms in the building, thus determining if our ventilating sys- 
tem is adequate, and many like applications of the subject have changed it 
from the abstract to the concrete and practical. The tendency is toward a 
better recognition in schools generally of the culture value of what we term 
hand training. A class is already formed for the added year in our course in 
manual training. 

A large number of the graduates are going to college. !More than fifty of 
this year's class have already announced their intention of going to college. 
Many will decide later. Among the colleges and universities in which we shall 
have students next year are University of Illinois, University of Chicago, 
University of W'isconsin, Northwestern University, Beloit College, Rockford 
College, Northwestern College. Wheaton College, Lombard College, Armour 
Institute, Cornell University, Brown University, Amherst College. Dartmouth 
College, Williams College, Mount Holyoke College, Wellesley College, Wells 
College. \\'estern College for Women, \\"estern University of Pennsylvania 
and University of Pennsylvania. Several will be in our state normal schools. 
In these and all schools that give certificate privilege our graduates are 
admitted without examination. 

The plan of semi-annual promotions to the high school proves specially 
advantageous. It enables us to begin classes in nearly all subjects each semes- 
ter and thus gives the pupil a better opportunity to get what he wants when he 
wants it. It enables some who because of sickness or other causes fall behind 
in credits to use the extra half year and graduate with their class. The ma- 
jority of those that would finish in January remain in through the year and do, 
extra work. Fifty-five of the class this 3'ear had more than the thirty-two 
credits required for graduation. The average number of credits for the class 
was above thirty-three. 

Five public programs were given this year by the high school, namely, 
the ninth and tenth grade declamation contest, the junior exhibition, the senior 
declamation contest, the memorial exercises and the concert by the glee clubs 
and chorus. Each of these was of a high order and much appreciated by the 
school and its friends. There has been an increasing interest in reading and 
public speaking, due in part to the introduction of public speaking into the 
course. More than fifty elected work in it. It has been most helpful along the 
line of debating and extemporaneous speaking. It has increased the interest in 
the debates given in the classes in English. More of the pupils have spoken 
before the school at general exercises than formerly. We were more than 
creditably represented in four declamation contests offered by colleges. Edwin 
Hinsdell, of the junior class, won first place in the one given at Beloit College. 
With the work next year in charge of a special teacher with extended prepara- 
tion it should be particularly strong. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 773 

The "Students" Loan Fund," in the hands of the treasurer, Mrs. Effie 
Morgan Tapper, has done excellent service in helping deserving students to a 
college education. We have been able to add nothing to it this year, as there 
were no profits from the Mirror. At the middle of the year it was changed 
from a monthly to a weekly publication, and the subscription and advertising 
rates could not then be changed for the year. The paper is more helpful to 
the school in its present form. 

The "Art Fund" was increased $106.78 by the combined net receipts of 
the public entertainments, including the concert by the glee clubs. The fund 
was drawn upon to the extent of twenty-five dollars in part payment for the 
second-hand piano purchased last year. The remainder of the fund will be 
used to purchase slides for a stereopticon to be used in the various departments 
of the school. 

Since the publication of the last report of this kind the new part of the 
building has been completed and occupied. It is excellent, well lighted, well 
heated and well ventilated. The new laboratories prove to have been well de- 
signed. Tliey are among the best to be found anywhere. But the building 
as a whole is not adequate. The manual training and drawing are still housed 
in the Franklin building. For the other work there are not as mau}^ class 
rooms as there are teachers, \^"e need an auditorium, where the school can 
meet in a body, see itself as a whole and get the influence and inspiration of so 
large a body of students. It would add unity and school spirit. Such a room 
is needed for public entertainments given by the school. In the building when 
completed there should be a well-equipped gymnasium for physical training 
for all. Such training for all would be much better than the more intensive 
training for the few that make up our athletic teams. Respectfully submitted, 

\\'. L. GoBLE, Principal of High School. 

ELGIN PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

The Public Library of Elgin was formally opened March 19, 1874. The 
rooms were densely filled by the cultured citizens of Elgin and speeches were 
made by several leading gentlemen of the city amid much enthusiasm and en- 
joyment. L. H. Yarwood was the first librarian, the library being located on 
the third floor of the old Home Bank block, then but three stories high. It 
was afterward removed to the new block just east of the bridge, on the south 
side of Chicago street, now the book bindery, where IMiss Cecil Harvey was 
librarian. She continued in that capacity until her death, when Miss Katherine 
Abbott, the present librarian, was selected. 

The ground on which the beautiful Gail Borden Library now stands was 
presented to the city by Messrs. A. B. and Sam Church, and is the library 
pride of Elgin. This splendid donation was presented with the single condi- 
tion that the town library should adopt the name of Gail Borden. To place a 
suitable structure on the lot the city voted to allow the directors nine thousand 
dollars. The new building is one hundred and twenty by fifty-two feet, two 
stories high, and has a very pleasing architectural appearance. The entire 
building is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The new library was 



774 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

opened with appropriate ceremonies on February 22, 1903, and represents an 
outlay of fifteen thousand dollars and contains over sixteen thousand volumes. 
The Gail Borden Public Library occupies an ideal location for its purposes, 
but one block either way from two of the main lines of street cars, yet it is 
upon a wide, quiet thoroughfare, bordered with lo\ely lawns and great shady 
trees, fronting on Spring and extending from Milwaukee to Division streets, 
with a wide alley in tlie rear ; its broad windows command all the light nature 
bestows. The large, artistically decorated reading room, with the wide, invit- 
ing armchairs, containing newspapers from the entire country and magazines 
galore, was patronized by over fifty thousand readers during the last year. 

THE ELGIN ACADEMY. 

Professor A. G. Sears, then principal, wrote as follows in 1875 • 

''The original charter of the Elgin Academy was granted to Solomon 
Hamilton, Colton Knox, George IMcClure. Vincent C. Lovell, Luther Her- 
rick, Reuben Jenne and Burgess Truesdell by an act of the general assembly 
of the state of Illinois, approved February 22. 1839. In 1843 an unsuccessful 
attempt was made to erect a building and establish a school under this charter, 
as appears from the records of that date. 

"In 1848 the Free Will Baptists laid on the grounds now occupied by the 
academy the foundation of a college, to be called the Northern Illinois College. 
This property was purchased in 1855 by a stock company organized under the 
charter of 1839, as amended February 14. 1855. with the following board of 
trustees: B. \V. Raymond, B. Truesdell, William C. Kimball. A. J. Joslyn, 
O. Davidson, AI. C. Town, A. Adams, Solomon Hamilton, John Hill and Dr. 
Joseph Tefift. 

"This amended charter still remains in force. Its liberal spirit is manifest 
from some of its provisions : 

" 'Section 7. The said institution shall be open to all religious denomina- 
tions, and the profession of no particular religious faiths shall be required, 
either of officers or pupils.' 

"That it contemplated a school of a high order may be inferred from an 
extract from section 2 : 'The corporation shall have power to confer on such 
persons as may be worthy such academical or honorary degrees as are usually 
conferred by similar institutions in like cases.' 

"The initiatory steps toward the above mentioned transfer were taken in 
1854, as is seen from the report of the proceedings of the trustees at a meeting 
held at the \\'averly house August 12 of the same year : 

'■ 'On motion, 

" 'Resolved, That a committee of three, consisting of A. J. Joslyn, Dr. J. 
Teflft and O. Davidson, be appointed to examine the propositions made by the 
trustees of the Northern Illinois College to transfer their property to this 
board. 

" 'On motion of A. Adams, A. J. Joslyn was appointed agent to procure 
subscriptions of stock. O. Davidson, Secretary." 




POSTOFFICE. ELGIN. 




GAIL BORDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 777 

"To the subscriptions thus obtained were added the smaller contributions 
of those who, thinking such an institution almost a necessity in the community, 
made willing sacrifices in its behalf. Yet a claim (since extinguished) of 
nearly three thousand dollars incumbered it as late as 1858. The school was 
opened for students December i, 1856. Robert Blenkiron, a ripe scholar and 
successful teacher, was its first principal. He was followed in succession by 
James Sylla, Clark Braden, C. C. Wheeler, Dr. Nutting, \\'. T. Brydges, B. C. 
Cilley, A. S. Barr\' and A. G. Sears. 

"Though the frequent change of principals, made necessary sometimes by 
death and at others by failing health, has been a serious obstacle in the way of 
the prosperity of the school, yet the useful and responsible positions in life 
filled by many of its graduates are the best possible evidence that it has been 
in the hands of earnest and able educators. 

"Its war record, comprising, as it does, seven commissioned ofiicers, six 
non-commissioned staff officers, twenty-one non-commissioned ofiicers and 
twenty-three privates is alike honorable to teachers and students. Nine of its 
volunteers sealed their devotion to their country with their blood. 

"In 1872 the law known as the 'new school law' was passed, requiring 
teachers to be examined, in addition to the common English branches, in 'the 
elements of the natural sciences, physiology and laws of health.' Elgin Acad- 
emy introduced into its previously established normal department these studies, 
making them a specialty, and has sent out since that time a large number of 
teachers — a fact shown by the records in the county superintendent's ofiice, 
and also recognized in the state superintendent's report for 1874. 

"During the years 1873-4 the grounds were graded, a front fence built, 
walks constructed and new rooms fitted up at an expense of nearly fifteen hun- 
dred dollars. These more recent improvements, as well as the payment of the 
debt of 1858, are due to the determined eftorts of the trustees (who have, from 
the first, in addition to their contributions of money, given freely of their time 
and labor, with no compensation but the knowledge that they were furnishing 
to the youth of Elgin and the surrounding countr}' increased facilities for ob- 
taining an education), aided by the friends of the institution both in the city 
and in the country. The board of trustees now (February, 1875) consists of 
Dr. Joseph Tefft. president; O. Davidson, secretar}'; M. C. Town, William 
C. Kimball, Hon. S. Wilcox, William G. Hubbard, B. ^^^ Raymond, A. B. 
Hinsdell, Henrv Sherman, I. C. Bosworth, Henrv Bierman and Colonel John 
S. Wilcox. 

"The courses of study in 1875 were as follows: Preparatory, normal, En- 
glish, classical, Latin, scientific, college preparatory, and business. 

"The number of students (winter term 1874-5) was two hundred and 
forty-seven." 

Since the above was written the academy has made great and permanent 
improvements, until now it is on a lasting foundation as an endowed and affili- 
ated academy of the Northwestern University. Professor A. G. Sears re- 
mained until 1 88 1 and his departure was lamented by all connected with the 
school. Following him came Professor A. G. Wilson, 1881-83, of Lake For- 
est; Professor J. A. Schmidt, 1883-86, and Professor N. Thompson, 1886-90; 



778 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 

A. M. Mattoon. 1890-91; Alfred Welch, 1891-97; George P. Bacon, 1897-98; 
George X. Sleight (present incumbent) 1898-08. 

In speaking of the securing of the endowment necessary to affiliate the 
academy with the university, Mrs. L. L. K. Becker, in her "History of the 
Academy," says : 

"Scholarships were first offered to students under Professor Welch and 
also the Laura Davidson Sears medal for proficiency in mathematics. In June, 
1897. ^f''- ancl ^Irs. Lord rubbed out the academy debt with seventy-eight hun- 
dred dollars. This kindness caused great satisfaction among all friends of the 
institution. The boys found it a happy occasion for a demonstration and 
marched through the streets at night, singing and shouting, and ending their 
display with their favorite song: 

" 'On the banks of the old River Fox, my boys, 
The academy ever more shall stand. 
For has she not stood since the time of the flood? 
And we hail her the best in the land." 

"The chorus was followed by their 'Slogan.' the academv yell. 

"Professor Welch resigned in 1897 to take a position in Lake Forest. 
He left the academy in a flourishing condition, and he was universally re- 
gretted. He was succeeded by Professor George P. Bacon, A.]\I., of Beloit. 
whose steady, quiet course was in marked contrast to that of the man before 
him: but it was needed to tide over a critical period in the liistor}- of the 
school. Professor Bacon remained but one year, but long enough to leave 
the highest standard of upright living and teaching as an example to be 
followed. 

"The present principal. Professor George Xewton Sleight, came to the 
academy in 1898, and has been the director through many changes. He has 
identified himself with its greatest interest and has effected important move-' 
ments. The aftiliation with the Chicago L'niversity was the first one, which 
was a great step in advance. It commenced in 1899 and inspired great hopes. 
Those hopes were realized in larger facilities and in changed conditions. A 
laboratory for physics and one for chemistry were fitted up at considerable 
expense. Two teachers were added to the force and each teacher in the school 
was restricted to his specific subject. Physics no longer borrowed from mathe- 
matics, nor history from English. The university passed upon the choice of 
instructors, and upon the standing of students, from examinations submitted 
to it. Academy students were admitted directly to the L^niversity of Chicago 
courses of study. The announcement of the affiliation was considered mutually 
beneficial as an advertisement. The academy was still sustained by the tuitions 
and the trustees. The benefactions of Mr. and ^Irs. Lord had been continuous 
for many years. A. B. Church was a liberal donor, and there were others. 

"But there were signs of a change in the weather. There was a senti- 
ment, even before it was spoken, that the academy might rest upon a larger 
body and not upon a small number of individuals, like the trustees. It had 
been intimated for some time that Mr. and Mrs. Lord were interested in so 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 779 

many plans of benevolence that it would be impossible for them alone to sup- 
port the academy. Mr. Church was no longer a trustee; others were silent. 
Dr. Harper felt it would be unwise to undertake the responsibility without a 
large endowment. 

"The years 1901-02 were not encouraging ones to Professor Sleight at 
the academy. The serial subscriptions stopped and there were no overtures in 
sight ; and yet this master of the ship knew that ever since the affiliation with 
Chicago University it had moved at a steadier, better rate of speed than ever 
before. The tuitions had steadily increased along with numbers. And being 
on the lookout, he descried a stately vessel not far away. But he pondered 
over all these things in his own mind. 

" 'On the lianks of the old River Fox, my boys. 
The academy ever more shall stand,' 

sang tlie students unwittingly — was it the little linger of destiny or was it the 
survival of the old thought of good? Who knows? 

"As early as 1878 the idea of a fifty-thousand-dollar endowment for the 
academy was promulgated, with little result; again in 1887, with a like experi- 
ence. Citizens who were patrons were often generous, but something more 
definite was needed. Two trustees passed away, leaving conditioned sums 
from their estates — but these gifts were never realized. Specious promises 
had raised expectations that were not fulfilled. Of the stockholders some 
were dead ; some were no longer residents, and still others were indifferent 
except as to the final disposition to be made of academy property, upon which 
their ideas were clear and unmistakable. 

"A meeting of the trustees was in progress late in the spring of 1902. 
During a slight pause in the rather somber discussion of the next move relating 
to academy interests, a messenger was announced and admitted, a student, 
who advanced and said : 'Some of the boys and girls of the school wish to 
help a little toward keeping it going.' And he withdrew, leaving a small canvas 
liag on the table. When opened the receptacle disclosed various sums of money 
to the amount of one hundred dollars. 

"The close of the school year 1903 was near at hand before Professor 
Sleight beheld, alongside, the gallant Northwestern University he had signaled. 

"After due conference and consideration an agreement was arranged 
between the trustees and the universit}' by which the academy should be main- 
tained as an institution of secondary and higher instruction. For this pur- 
pose five thousand dollars per year for five years, beyond tuitions, were 
pledged to the university, for the use of Elgin Academy, beside the assurance 
of a bequest to the academy of forty thousand dollars (since paid) from 
President and Mrs. Lord. For this sum certificates of academy stock were 
issued to President and Mrs. Lord, who in July, 1903, turned the shares over 
to the university. The Woman's Club and several other stockholders donated 
their stock directly to the university, which has thus secured a controlling 
interest in the management of the institution, although it does not bind itself 
to use any of the funds of the university for the support of Elgin Academy. 

"In this manner was effected the affiliation of 1903. 



780 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

"The amended charter of 1885 remains in force, the institution is still 
unsectarian and undenominational, though 'pervaded by Christian ideals.' 

"The close of fifty years shows the value of a great thought and itis 
influence in this fair valley of the west." 

THE ILLINOIS NORTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 

The Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane, one of the best institutions 
of its class west of the Alleghany mountains, is situated on the west bank of 
Fox river, about a mile southwest of Elgin. The view of Fox river, the 
railroads and surrounding country, from the upper portico in front of the 
hospital, though not so extensive nor so striking as similar scenery in a moun- 
tainous or hilly country, is yet full of ([uiet beauty and never fails to impress 
the visitor. 

The hospital farm contains about four hundred and eighty acres, of which 
one hundred and fifty were donated to the institution by the citizens of Elgin, 
and the remainder was purchased by the state. The ground slopes gradually 
upward from the river and the buildings stand on an elevated plateau, three 
thousand feet from the river bank and seventy feet above the water level. 
The main river road passes through the farm in front of the hospital. The 
grounds immediately surrounding the building are to be laid out in walks and 
drives and handsomely ornamented with shrubbery and forest trees. 

The general plan of the edifice includes a center building, with two 
irregularly shaped wings, and a rear building for the domestic department and 
machinery. The center building is occupied by the officers and employes, 
the north wing by female patients, and the south wing by male patients. The 
frontage of the main or center building is sixty-two feet, and that of each 
wing five hundred and twelve feet, making an entire frontage of one thousand 
and eighty-six feet. The central structure is four stories, and the wings three 
stories in height, built of Dundee brick, with stone caps and sills from the 
cjuarries near Joliet, giving the whole a very substantial and imposing 
appearance. 

The hospital boasts a full equipment of modern improvements in the way 
of speaking tubes, dust flues, hot and foul air ducts, fire apparatus, railways 
and dumb waiters for distributing food, double-bladed iron fans for forced 
ventilation, rotary washing machines, a centrifugal wringer, appliances for 
steam cooking, library, chapel, amusement hall, etc., etc. The wards, of which 
there are twelve in each wing, or twenty-four in all, are light and airy, with 
bay-windows and conservatories for flowering plants. The exterior outline 
and internal arrangement are substantially the same as in the Government 
Hospital for the Insane at Washington, D. C, which is acknowledged to be 
one of the best in the world. 

It was originally supposed that only three hundred patients could lae 
accommodated in this building when completed. The last report of the trus- 
tees shows, however, that it will accommodate four hundred and si.xty. The 
institution is under the immediate management of Dr. Edwin A. Kilbourne. 
its medical su]jerinten(lent and chief executive officer. He is assisted in the 




CITY HALL, ELGIN. 




NORTHERN INSANE ASYLUM, ABOUT 1870. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 783 

medical department by Dr. R. S. Dewey and Dr. Henry S. Brooks, the patients 
receiving all needed care and attention at their hands. 

The first movement for the establishment of the Northern Insane Hos- 
pital was in 1869, wiien the legislature enacted two laws, one making an 
appropriation for this institution and the other for the Southern Insane 
Hospital at Anna, near Cairo. 

In accordance with the law Governor John M. Palmer appointed a com- 
mission of nine persons to select a location for the proposed Northern Hospital. 
The following gentlemen constituted the commission : Samuel D. Lockwood, 
of Kane county; John H. Bryant, of Bureau; D. S. Hammond, of Cook; 
Merritt L. Joslyn, of McHenry; Augustus Adams, of DeKalb; Benjamin F. 
Shaw, of Lee; William Adams, of Will; William R. Brown, of Massac, and 
A. J. Matteson, of Whiteside. 

These gentlemen visited various towns in the northern counties of the 
state and carefully considered the advantages of each site offered for their 
acceptance, but finally decided that the city of Elgin offered the best induce- 
ments and fixed the hospital permanently at this point. The offer made by 
our citizens included one hundred and sixty acres of land, valued at $16,000; 
a spring, valued at $2,500, and railroad freights on the Chicago & North- 
Western Railroad to the amount of $3,000. 

When the commissioners had determined upon the location their con- 
nection with the institution ceased. The adoption of plans for the building 
and the responsibility of its erection devolved upon a board of three trustees 
appointed by the governor. The original board consisted of Messrs. C. N. 
Holden, of Chicago; Henry Sherman, of Elgin, and Oliver Everett, M. D., 
of Dixon. In 1873 the Hon. C. W. Marsh, of Sycamore, was substituted for 
Dr. Everett, and in 1875 Mr. Edwin H. Sheldon, of Chicago, was appointed 
to succeed Mr. Holden. 

The north wing was first built, then the rear building, and finally the 
center building and south wing. The north wing was opened for the reception 
of patients on the 3d day of April. 1872. The formal inspection by committees 
of the legislature, preparatory to the opening, occurred on the 2d day of 
February. The governor of the state and many other distinguished gentle- 
men were present upon that occasion, when the honor of a complimentary 
dinner was bestowed upon them by the ladies of the city. 

The ceuter building was completed and occupied in April, 1874. The 
south wing was ready for occupancy on the 30th day of July, 1874, but in 
consequence of the lack of an appropriation for the maintenance of the patients 
therein the wing was not opened until April. 1875. 

The tract of land belonging to the institution was originally four farms. 
The Chisholm farm, containing one hundred and fifty-five acres, was donated 
by the city of Elgin, and three adjoining farms were added by purchase, 
making the total area of the tract five hundred and ten acres. Ninety acres 
of the tract is used for park purposes, in which is placed the various buildings 
and recreation grounds for the patients, two hundred and fifty acres are under 
cultivation, while the balance is used for pasture land. 

The tract joins the city of Elgin on its southern borders and is bounded 



784 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

on the east by the Fox river, from whose banks the land rises witli a gentle 
slope for two thousand feet to a plateau fifty feet above its surface, upon 
which are situated the buildings. 

The buildings consist of main building, annex, male infirmary, infirmary 
for women, one cottage for women and two for men. The main building, 
infirmary for men, one cottage and annex are arranged in a line facing the 
river. About eight hundred feet from the buildings and parallel with them 
extends the highway and the interurban line of the' A. E. & C. Electric Railway 
to Aurora. The grounds between these buildings and the highway are used 
for recreation grounds for patients. \\"inding about tlirough the grounds are 
cement and gravel walks, skirting the closely cut lawns, which in turn are 
shaded by hardy trees. This park is tra\-ersed by a ravine and has natural 
depressions suilicient to relieve what would otherwise be a monotonous plain. 
Here and there are rustic cottages and bridges, presenting to the eye on every 
side most beautiful landscapes. To the north of the main building are the 
greenhouses and a large palmhouse, which were built and are maintained by 
the income from a bequest of Jonathan Burr. 

An inspection of the inside ecpiipment of the buildings will convince 
one that facilities are provided not only for the comfort and well-being of 
patients, but those tending to their recovery. To accomplish this the very 
strictest rules of cleanliness are enforced throughout. The mechanical restraint 
has been reduced to the minimum, so far as the number of available nurses 
and attendants has permitted. 

Whenever the weather permits, the lawns are made daily use of by the 
patients for exercise and outdoor sports. There is no doubt that the majority 
oi patients, even in winter, enjoy much more outdoor exercise and fresh air 
than they did prior to coming to the institution. 

Diu'ing the winter months special entertainments are provided in the large 
amusement hall, as well as in the wards. Various entertainments are beiner 
given at the rates of at least three every week. A large class of women has 
been organized for the purpose of doing fancy work, under the supervision 
jf a specially trained attendant. A large number of workingmen have been 
' mployed outdoors, much to the benefit and saving of the institution. 

The capacity of the institution during the years 1903. 1904 and 1905 has 
averaged about one thousand one hundred and fifty patients. The present 
population is about thirteen hundred, and when the three new cottages appro- 
priated for by the forty-fifth general assembly of Illinois are completed the 
population will increase to about fourteen hundred. 

The following men ha\-e served as superintendents of this institution and 
contributed their share in the development of the institution. Special credit is 
due to the late Dr. E. A. Kilbourne. the first superintendent of the hospital : 

Dr. E. A. Kilbourne. 1870 to 1890. 

Dr. H. J. Brooks, 1890 to 1893. 

Dr. Arthur Loewy, 1893 to 1897. 

Dr. John B. Hamilton. 1897 to 1899. 

Dr. Frank S. Whitman, 1899 t" 1906. 

Dr. V. H. Podstata. became superintendent Juh- i, 1906. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 785 

THE CHURCHES OF ELGIN. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

R. W. Padelford, then clerk of the church, wrote in 1875 : 

"This church was organized on the 14th day of July, A. D. 1838, in the 
log cabin of Brother Hezekiah Gififord. one of the pioneers of Elgin. 

"The constituent members of this church consisted of thirteen persons, 
five of whom hold their church relationship at the present time, to wit: 
Hezekiah Gifford, Abel D. Gifford, Harriet E. Gififord, Clara J. Kimball and 
Nancv Kimball. Three are identified with other churches and five have 
passed into eternity. 

"The Sunday services of the church were held in a barn and in private 
dwellings for several months, and afterwards, until 1843, i" 3. small frame 
building called the Elgin chapel, which was owned and occupied conjointly by 
the Congregationalists and Baptists. 

"From 1843 onward it was owned and occupied by this church until the 
erection of their cobblestone edifice in 1849, which was their church home 
for twenty-one years. 

"About the ist of June, 1870, their present church edifice was commenced 
and pushed with such vigor as to enable them to occupy the basement for 
worship on the i8th of December following, and was fully completed, fur- 
nished and dedicated on the 5th of October, 1871, at a cost of about $35,000. 

"During the period of their church history, embracing about thirty-seven 
years, they have enjoyed a good degree of spiritual and temporal prosperity. 
Five hundred and twenty-four persons have been added to the church by 
baptism and five hundred and eight by letters from other churches. 

"Twelve ministers of the gospel have been sent forth from their member- 
ship to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. Seven pastors have served 
as under-shepherds of the Lord, as follows : Rev. Joshua E. Ambrose, five 
years and a half, from 1838 to 1843. He baptized sixty-three and received 
by letter sixty-three. Rev. Adoniram J. Joslyn, eleven and a half years, from 
1844 to 1855. He baptized one hundred and ninety-eight and received by 
letter one hundred and ninety-four. Rev. Levi Pannely, about four years, 
from 1856 to i860. There were baptized in the time thirty-four and received 
by letter sixty-one. Rev. Benjamin Thomas, one and a half years, from i860 
to 1862. Fifty-two were received by baptism and twenty-six by letter during 
his pastorate. Rev. Charles K. Colver, four years, from 1863 to 1867. He 
baptized seventeen and received by letter sixty. Rev. Wm. P. Everett, three 
and a half years, from 1869 to 1872. He baptized eighty-five and received by 
letter sixty-six. The present pastor. Rev. Leo M. Woodruff, commenced his 
labors in September, 1872. He has baptized seventy-five and received by 
letter thirty-eight. 

"The officers of the church are as follows: Leo M. Woodruff, pastor; 
Abel D. Gifford. R. W. Padelford, Hezekiah Gifford, Wm. F. Sylla. deacons ; 
R. W. Padelford. clerk: A. D. Gifford, R. W. Padelford, Wm. E. Bent, 



786 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Increase C. Boswortli, Hezekiah Gifford, trustees. Number of members in 
1875 three hundred and eighty." 

On the 3d of July, 1870. the old Baptist church was formally withdrawn 
from, with appropriate allusions by the pastor, Rev. W. P. Everett. Among 
the honored members and founders of this church were the Schoonhovens, 
Kennedy, Westons, Hull, Walker, S. J. Kimball. A. J. Joslyn, Philo Sylla 
and others. The society worshiped in this building twenty years. It was 
built of the material of which several of the best early residences were con- 
structed — cobblestones — found abundantly in our gravel knolls. After its 
abandonment it suffered much decay, but was thought good enough to teach 
the children in until its removal, when the new Franklin school was constructed. 

Following Rev. Woodruff came Dr. D. B. Cheney, who was succeeded 
by Dr. H. O. Rowlands, after whom came Rev. Vosburg, Rev. \\'alker. Dr. 
DeBlois and Dr. J. S. Kirtley, who this year ( 1908) resigned to go to Duluth. 
The membership has increased to over twelve hundred. The Emmainiel 
church, on Bent street, was built under the patronage of the society. 

THE FIRST CONGREG.\TIONAL CHURCH. 

Rev. N. C. Clark came to Illinois under a home missionary commission 
in 1833, two years before the settlement of Elgin (some months before there 
was a white settler in Kane county) and first located at Naperville. DuPage 
county. February 15, 1836, Mr. Clark visited Elgin by invitation for the pur- 
pose of consulting with the settlers ' here respecting the organization of a 
church. Mr. Clark preached a sermon in the log house of Jas. T. Gififord, 
Esq., where Rev. John H. Prentiss, of Joliet, had preached the day before 
(Sabbath, February 14). This house stood near the present intersection of 
Villa and Prairie streets, a few feet north of the west end of the small 
triangular park. 

Three months later Mr. Clark again visited Elgin by invitation, and on 
the 1 2th day of May, 1836, the Congregational church, the oldest in the city, 
was organized, composed of the following members, who presented letters from 
sister churches : George McClure. Philo Hatch, Reuben Jenne, Jas. T. 
Gifford, Laura Gifford, Experience Gifford, Ruth G. Dixon, Relief Kimball, 
Mary Ann Kimball. 

In September, 1837, this church assumed the support of "Mr. Clark for 
one-half of the time, he dividing his labors between Elgin and St. Charles. 
In 1839 this church assumed his whole support. 

During the first years of the existence of this church Sabbath services 
were held in the house of Jas. T. Gifford ; when there was no preaching, a 
sermon was read. In 1838 the "Elgin chapel" was built and occupied jointly 
with the Baptists. This house stood on the northeast corner of DuPage and 
Geneva streets ; its dimensions were 24x28 feet. 

In 1843 the Congregationalists sold their interest in this chapel to the 
Baptists, and July i of that year the cornerstone of the edfice (formerly occu- 
pied on Villa street, now the Swedish church) was laid. The basement of this 
building was occupied for worshi]) from ^lay. 1844, till July 29. 1847, when the 




UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, ELGIN. 








S. 



..a 




FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 789 

cumpleted liuikling was dedicated to the worship of God. This house was 
rehuilt and enlarged in 1869 and 1870. 

During' the thirty-nine years of the existence of this church it has had 
nine pastorates and seven pastors, as follows: Rev. N. C. Clark, from Sep- 
tember 1, 1837, till June 13, 1845; Rs'^'- Marcus Hicks, from July 17, 1845. 
till April ic), 1847; Rev. N. C. Clark, from July 29. 1847, till July 13. 1851 : 
Rev. W'm. H. Starr, from September i, 185 1. till his death, March 6, 1854; 
l\ev. \\'m. E. Holyoke, from March 20, 1854, till September 14, 1858; Rev. 
J. T. Cook, from April, 1859, till April, i860; Rev. N. C. Clark, from May i, 
i860, till September i, 1862; Rev. Fred O.xnard, from September i. 1862, 
till November i, 1866; Rev. C. E. l)ickinson, who commenced labor with the 
church May 12, 1867. 

This church has enjoyed fourteen or fifteen seasons of revival. The 
vears 1839, 1857 and 1874 witnessed the largest accessions to its membership, 
but some have been added during almost every year of its existence. 

In the spring of 1841 sixteen members were dismissed to be organized 
with others into the Congregational church of Dundee. May 28, 1848, twenty 
were dismissed to be organized into the Congregational church of Udina, and 
February 5, 1853, twenty-three were dismissed to be organized into a Presby- 
terian church in Elgin. The whole number of members from the first has 
been nine hundred and eighty. Present membership, three hundred. 

In 1856 Rev. C. M. Woodward became pastor and in 1857 some efforts 
were made to build a house of worship. Three hundred dollars were expended 
for plans, etc.. but the project was dropped for want of sufficient subscriptions 
to warrant going on with the work. In the fall of 1857 Mr. \\'(iodward was 
reappointetl for another year. 

Re\-. Ci. L. S. Stuff was again pastor from the fall of 1858 to the fall of 
t86o, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. O. Fuller, who cimtinued here two 
years. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first sernidii e\er preaclietl in Elgin was by a Methodist minister, 
in 1835. In the summer of 1836. one or two families by the name oi Ham- 
mers, and others favorable to Methodism, settled at Hoosier Grove, four 
miles east of Elgin, and during this year Rev. Wm. Royal, who was then on 
Fox River circuit, established an appointment here and formed a class. It 
had seven members, viz. : Joseph and Mrs. Russell, his son Joseph Russell, Jr., 
and his wife, George Hammers, Rebecca Hammers and Elizabeth Hammers. 
Geo. Hammers was the leader in 1836, and was succeeded by Benjamin 
Burritt. This was the beginning of the Elgin Methodist church. 

On the 1 2th day of December, 1836, Rev. Washington Wilcox preached 
at the house of Solomon Hamilton, about two miles west of the village, being 
probablv the second Methodist sermon in the town of Elgin. Mr. Hamilton 
was one of the chief pillars in the Methodist church of Elgin from its forma- 
tion until his death, nearly twenty years afterward. After this year of labor, 
Mr. Wilcox reported two hundred and eighty members on his circuit, a terri- 
torv wdiich now embraces over fifteen thousand. 



790 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

In 1838 the Elgin circuit was formed. It was forty miles square, with 
thirty-two preaching places. 

In 1839 the preaching place in Elgin, which hitherto had heen migratory, 
was located on the east side of the river, and for a time worship was held in 
the union chapel, corner of DuPage and Geneva streets, a part of which is 
now the Martin flats. A' camp meeting was held this year, which greatly 
advanced tiie interests of the church. The circuit now embraced all that part 
of the country lying between Fox river and the lake, north of a line drawn 
from Chicago to St. Charles. During this year, measures were taken to erect 
a church, which, however, was not completed until 1840, and when done was 
a small affair, only 25x42 feet, but amply large for the congregation. 

The land on which this house stood, and which is the present church lot, 
was donated by J. T. Gifford. The timber for the frame was given by the 
Hammers. George Hammers sha\-ed the oak shingles for the roof, and 
Horace Benham did the carpenter work for $150, receiving $3 in cash and 
the balance in sundries. When the present brick church was built, the old 
frame building was sold to the colored Baptists, and removed to their lot on 
Dundee street, where it was occupied by them until its destruction by fire 
on the 28th of March, 1875. 

In 1839, Rev. John Xason and Rev. J. M. Snow were sent to the circuit. 
In 1840, it was made a station, with one or two outside appointments, and 
Rev. Sias Bolles. now of Minnesota, designated to labor here. In this latter 
year the following persons were elected as the first trustees of the society : 
Solomon Hamilton, Burgess Truesdell, James P. Corron, Benjamin Burritt 
and Jonathan Hinsdell. 

The next year Rev. Wm. Vallette was sent to the charge. He after- 
wards located, on account of ill health, and for several years practiced medi- 
cine in this place. 

Revs. S. P. Keys. W. Wilcox, G. L. S. Stuff,— Early,— Brown and R. K. 
Bibbins served the clunxh during the remainder of the decade. 

In the fall of 1850 Rev. S. Bolles was again sent from the conference as 
pastor, and in the summer of 1851 the congregation had increased to such an 
extent that an addition to the church was built for their accommodation. 
Mr. Bolles was continued in charge another year, and in the summer of 
1852 still another addition was built in the form of a wing. The preacher's 
salary at this time was $500. Pastors in succeeding years were S. Guver one 
year, W. P. Jones one year, and Silas Seal two years. 

In 1861 the twenty-fifth year of Methodism in Elgin was completed and 
its establishment celebrated. An interesting meeting- was held to commemo- 
rate the event, when addresses were delivered by Revs. E. 0. Euller, A. D. 
Field, H. Crews, J. W. Agard, M. Sherman and X. C. Clark. 

But ill this year the war of the Rebellion lire ike out and while it cimtimied 
everything of a moral and religious nature suffered from its blighting influence. 
In 1864 there were only one hundred and sixteen members in the society, 
with a church and lot valued at $1,000 and a parsonage at $1,200. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 791 

The pastors succeeding Mr. Fuller were Rew W. P. (iray. from the fall 
of 1862 to the fall of 1864; Rev. John Gibson, from the fall of 1864 to that of 
18O5, and the Rew W. 1). Atchison, from the fall of 1865 to that of 1868. 
While the latter was in charge it was agreed at a meeting of the official mem- 
bers held March 17, 1866, to erect a church, and on the 1st day of .May fol- 
lowing the work was commenced. It was so far built that the congregation 
occupied the spacious basement the next winter, and during the succeeding 
summer it was completed and dedicated on the 8th of September, 1867. The 
sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. T. M. Eddy, then editor ot 
Northwestern L'hristian .Advocate, who, with the help of others, secured 
pledges on that day to the amount of some $15,000 to liciuidate the indebted- 
ness. Some of these pledges proving unreliable, and interest, etc., increasing 
the indebtedness, it was found in 1871 that the obligations of the society were 
still some $10,000 or $12,000, but this amount was greatly reduced by the 
perse\-ering efforts of Rev. D. J. Holmes, w'ho was pastor at that time. 

In October, 1868, Rev. W. H. Gloss was appointed pastor, continuing 
tw^o years; in 1870, Rev. D. J. Holmes, continuing one year, and in 1871, 
Rev. N. H. Axtell, continuing three years. Rev. W. C. Dandy, D. D., was 
appointed October, 1874. 

The presiding elders until the conference of 185 1 were Rev. John Clark, 
Rev. John T. Mitchell, Rev. James Mitchell and Rev. A. S. Risley. Since 
1851 they have been: Rev. John Sinclair, until the conference of 1855; Rev. 
E. H. Gammon, until 1858; Rev. Luke Hitchcock, until 1859; Rev. J. W. 
Agard, until 1863; Rev. L. A. Sanford, until 1864; Rev. S. P. Keys, until 
1865; Rev. H. Crews, until 1869: Rev. W. C. Willing, until the fall of 1873, 
and Rev. W. P. Gray. 

The membership of the church in 1875 was about four hundred. It has 
grown since until now { 1908J there are nearly nine hundred memljers. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

J. A. Spillard wrote in 1875: 

"The first priest who visited Elgin (a missionary) was Rev. Al. DeSt. 
Palais, a zealous Frenchman, and at present Ijisliop of Vincennes. He 
officiated here, perhaps, once in three months, for over four years. Then 
came Father Doyle, after whom came Rev. Wm. Feely, who was priest 
from 1845 to 1852. It was during his mission that James T. Gifford donated 
a lot onGifYord street, and Father Feely at once commenced the erection 
of the present church on the same. From 1852 to 1857 Rev. Jas. Gallagher, 
and from 1857 to 1859 Rev. M. Carroll ministered to the wants of the 
Catholics in this vicinity. After Father Carroll came Rev. A. Eustace, who 
remained from 1859 to 1868, which brings us down to the advent among us 
of Rev. T. Fitzsinimons, whom every one knows as an earnest worker in the 
temperance cause, and who has accomplished \-ery much good in Elgin. In 
addition to this Father Fitzsimmons, with the Catholic congregation, is erect- 
ing an academv or seminary on Center street, at a cost of about $15,000, to 



792 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

be managed by a religious community of sisters. He donates a beautiful 
building on Gifford street to the sisters, where they expect to accommodate 
thirty or forty young lady students (boarders), and also educate some of the 
younger children of the parish. The Catholic community here, although not 
very numerous, is as intelligent and enterprising as any in the state." 

St. Mar}- 'Academy, successfully completed by Father Fitzsimmons in 
1874. has been open ever}- year since, and a large list of alumni tell of their 
attachment to the old school. In 1872 Father Fitzsimmons organized tlie 
Young Glen's Catholic Temperance and Benevolent Association, which con- 
tinued for years and did much good in establishing the standards of the 
community. 

Following Father Fitzsimmons. who resigned in 1877 and died suddenly 
in Chicago, on December 8. 18S0, came Rev. John ^lackin. He celebrated 
his first mass in Elgin on September 2, 1877. By 1879 he had the old church 
remodeled and the transept built. He also induced the Sisters of the B. \'. M. 
to locate here and gave them charge of the parochial school. He later built 
the beautiful parochial residence on Gifford street at a cost of $6,000. Father 
jMackin continued in charge of the Elgin parish until his death, when he was 
succeeded by Father McCann. who was appointed December 6, 1899. 

The magnificent St. Mary's church now occupied by the parish was 
begun in 1898, the cornerstone being laid July 31, 1898. Father ]\Iooney per- 
formed the ceremony and Father Egan, of Auburn Park, delivered the 
sermon. The church was dedicated in 1899. ^^^ erection was begun by 
Father ilackin in 1896 and watched by him until its completion. Said ^Ir. 
Daniel Gahan in his "Jubilee History of the Parish" : "With the humility 
and resignation of the true priest that he was, after a long sickness, he sur- 
rendered his soul to the God who gave it on the 24th of August, 1899. And 
sadly enough the first services in the new church were those of his own 
funeral." 

ST. JOSEPH GERMAN" CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The new St. Joseph's church, in which the first mass was said by Father 
Rohde on August 23, 1903, marked the great success of this parish, which 
was organized in 1877 by a number of German Catholics, and the old Presby- 
terian church (now Masonic hall) purchased. Service was there enjoyed 
under Fathers B. \\'estharp, Arthur Hiss and Joseph Rohde. But it was 
soon seen that the Villa Street church would not long meet the demands 
of the growing parish, and through the encouragement and efforts of Father 
Joseph Rohde in 1902 the old property was disposed of, a lot purchased on 
Division street, between Center and Geneva streets, and the fine church now 
there erected at a cost of $9. 600. The cornerstone was laid June 21, 1903, 
by Right Rev. P. J. Muldoon. bishop of the archdiocese. The church seats 
about four hundred. A parochial school has been erected north of the church 
and accommodates about one hundred pupils. It is presided over by the 
Sisters of St. Frances. The cost of the church and school was about $20,000. 
The present pastor. Father Joseph Rohde, was born in Germany in 1843, ^"^l 
elevated to the priesthood in 1870. He has been very successful in his 
chosen work. 








<a^ 




GRACE :\I. E. CHURCH, ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 795 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

By Rev. S. J. French in 1875. 

The records in existence do not state when the first church services were 
held in this parish. Official consent was asked of the bishop of Illinois to 
the formation of a parish by a committee appointed at a meeting of the church 
members on January 24, 1858. This committee consisted of the following 
named gentlemen: Robert Blenkiron, Buel Sherman, Benj. H. Lobdell, 
E. Hawley Sherman and Z. H. Adams. In reply the consent asked was given 
in a letter from Bishop Whitehouse, dated February 8, 1858. On Ash 
Wednesday of that year (February 17), after divine service and the holy 
communion, a parish was organized under the name of the Church of the 
Redeemer. The following were chosen as the officers : Wardens, Buel 
Sherman, Robert Blenkiron; vestrymen, Benj. H. Lobdell, Zopher H. Adams, 
E. Hawley Sherman, Robert Vasey, W. J. Tillottson. The Rev. J. H. 
Waterbury was elected rector. It was determined to depend solel}- on free 
offerings for the support of the parish. At the Easter following there were 
fourteen communicants. 

The following is the succession of rectors, with dates of the beginning 
and close of each rectorate : Rev. J. li. Waterbury, afterward at St. John's 
church, East Boston, Mass., from February 17, 1858, to August 21, 1859; 
Rev. J. F. Esch, afterward of College Point, Long Island, from August 26, 
1859, to February 20, i860; Rev. Samuel D. Pulford, afterward of Portage 
City, Wis., from March 5, i860, to December, i860 (at this time there were 
twenty-eight communicants) ; Rev. D. C. Howard, afterward of Pittsburg, 
from June i, 1866, to October 10, 1866; Rev. George Wallace, afterward of 
Janesville, Wis., from August i, 1870, to June i, 1871 ; Rev. S. J. French 
(present incumbent), from August i, 1874. 

Since the organization of the parish there have been baptisms, 108; 
confirmations. 35; marriages, 16; burials, 9. 

Present status. Officers: Rector, Rev. S. J. French, M. A.; senior 
warden, A. E. Bentley; junior warden. J. P. Goodale; vestrymen. W. L. 
Pease, George D. Sherman. John B. Hobrough, Henry Procter, J. E. Leavitt, 
Dr. E. A. Kilbourne; treasurer. J. B. Hobrough; parish clerk, Geo. D. 
Sherman. 

Communicants, sixty-five. Sunday school, forty. Services every Sunday 
morning and evening in Odd Fellows' hall. Sunday school and Bible class 
after the morning service. 

The beautiful vine-covered church on Center and Division streets has 
been occupied many years. The church is at present prosperous and growing. 

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 

Rev. Mr. Alberding wrote in 1875: 

"This church was started in 1855 by Rev. Mr. Schnacke, who was the 
first German missionary here, and preached the first sermon in German in 
Elgin. He was followed by Revs. Anthes, Vetter, Lechler and Ragatz, who 



790 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

preaclied in private houses. In 1859 Rev. Mr. Hintze was appointed to the 
charge, who labored with great success. In this year the society purchased 
from B. W. Raymond and D. Hewitt a small meeting-house on Center street, 
nearly opposite the Congregational church. This meeting-house was built 
at an early day by the Unitarians, then occupied for a while by the Presby- 
terians, and finally became private property. 

"Since the time of Mr. Hintze the pastors have been Revs. Schneider, 
Gackly, Keist, Vorkel, Sindlinger, Miller, Hummel. Stamm, Fear, Alber- 
ding and Busse. 

"In 1869, under the pastorship of Rev. Mr. Hummel, the society 
exchanged their small house of worship with the Free Methodist for a larger 
one, which the latter had erected on the corner of Center and Milwaukee 
streets. The membership is now about one hundred and thirty, with a good 
house of worship paid for, and the church is in a prosperous condition. The 
Sabbath school numbers about one hundred. Public services are held every 
Sunday at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Singing and catechism teaching every 
Tuesday evening, and prayer meetings on Wednesday and Thursday even- 
ings." 

This congregation afterward built the fine church at the southeast corner 
of Center and Division streets, where they have since worshiped. 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

Rev. W. L. Boyd, pastor in 1875, wrote as follows of this church: 

"The first Presbyterian church of Elgin was formed by the Chicago 
presbytery ( N. S.) February 8, 1853, with twenty-five members from the 
Congregational church. The congregation bought and occupied a small 
building on Center street, south of the Methodist church. Rev. A. W. 
Henderson served them as pastor from June, 1854, till August, 1856, and 
Rev. J. V. Downs from March, 1858, till March, 1861. 

"The organization flourished and promised success for some years, but 
on account of removals became weak, and finally disbanded in March, 1861. 

"The present organization was organized May 14, 1855, by the Chicago 
presbvtery of the Reformed Presbyterian church, with twenty-five members. 
The first board of elders were James Christie and George Kirkpatrick. Rev. 
J. B. McCorkle was elected to the pastorate September, 1855, and faithfully 
and acceptably served them till April, 1864. A house of worship on the 
corner of Center street and Dexter avenue was built in the spring of 1856. 

"After the resignation of Mr. McCorkle the pulpit was vacant about 
three vears, being supplied by the presbytery, wlien Re\'. D. C. Cooper was 
called May, 1867, and served as pastor till September, 1868. August 18, 
1867, the congregation, with their pastor, Mr. Cooper, withdrew from the 
Synod of the Reformed church, and united with the general assembly of the 
Presbyterian church (O. S.). Rev. Samuel Hair then served them as stated 
supply from October, 1869, till January. 1871, when Donald Fletcher (a 
student) was sent from the Northwestern Seminary to supply them, during 
whose administration the old church on Center street was sold and an elegant 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 797 

new one built on the corner of Chicago and Center streets, which was dedi- 
cated July II, 1872, and the following December 5 burned down. (The 
building on Villa court, now Masonic hall, was afterward erected.) 

"Mr. Fletcher vacated the field October, 1872, when Robert McKenzie 
was called and settled as pastor. The congregation immediately commenced 
the erection of the present chapel, which was dedicated in December, 1873. 
February, 1874, Rev. Robert McKenzie was dismissed from the charge, and 
the following May Rev. W. L. Boyd was called and settled pastor, who 
continues to serve them. The congregation met with a severe trial in the 
burning of their new church, which cost nearly $14,000, leaving them without 
a church and heavily in debt. There are at present about 100 members. The 
present board of elders consists of James Christie, Wm. Fraser, W'm. Kirk- 
patrick, W. \Y. Kennedy and Peter McKinnel. The board of trustees in 
1875 were; W'm. Fraser, James Christie and E. L. Gilbert." 

The splendid new edifice on Standish street, ijuilt se\'eral years, is one of 
the finest in the city. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

In the years 1847-8 some of the liberal people, mostly Unitarians and 
Universalists, joined together and built a little church on Center street and 
employed Rev. Mr. Conant for their pastor. The church was afterward sold 
and occasional preaching was held in Masonic hall by Revs. S. P. Skinner 
and L. B. Mason. .Afterwards services were held in the Free Will Baptist 
church, corner of Spring and Division streets, and Rev. O. A. Skinner was 
engaged as pastor. After his removal to the i)residency of Lombard Univer- 
sity no meetings were held until Rev. H. Slade gathered a regiilar society in 
1865, which proceeded to erect the church on the corner of Center and 
DuPage streets. At the end of 1870 Mr. Slade resigned his pastorate and 
not long after Rev. W. S. Balch was invited to fill the vacant pulpit. 

Under the later pastors the society has grown continuously. It has 
erected a new church at the southeast corner of Villa and DuPage streets, 
which oft'ers the best auditnriuni in the city fnr concert and church purposes. 

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

The Evangelical Lutheran St. John's congregation (German) was 
organized the ist of October, 1859, and soon after purchased what was 
formerly the Free Will Baptist church, corner of Spring and Division streets. 
The following were the early pastors in the order named : Rev. R. DuUon, 
Rev. Mr. Israel, Rew Ix. Buhler and Rev. F. W. Richmann. 

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 

This church was organized January, 1870, with about forty-five mem- 
bers. In September. 1871. they purchased, for $3,000, the church formerly 
owned bv the Presbyterians, near the corner of Center street and Dexter 



798 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

avenue. Rev. AI. C. Ranseen became the pastor in 1S73 'i"d still continues. 
The Scandinavian population of Elgin at that time was about four hundred 
or five hundred. 

THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH. 

E. A. Kimball wrote the following of the church in 1875 • 
"The first Free Methodist church in Elgin was organized in the fall of 
1865, with four members, by Rev. C. H. Underbill, who, about this time, was 
appointed to this field of labor by the Illinois annual conference of the Free 
Methodist church, and remained until the spring of 1867. During this time 
a lot was purchased on the corner of Center and Milwaukee streets, and a 
fine church edifice erected, 40x60 feet, at a cost for building and lot of about 
$7,000. The membership at this time was about forty-five, and the society 
in a prosperous condition. Mr. Underbill being called to another field of 
labor. Rev. E. P. Hart was his successor, until the sitting of the following 
conference, which was held here in October, 1867. At this time (187^) Rev. 
X. D. Fanning, with Rev. Julius Buss as his colleague, was appointed to the 
work, and remained until the spring of 1868. His health having failed he 
was compelled to resign the work to others, and Rev. J. Buss being called 
away Rev. C. E. Harroun supplied the pulpit until the sitting of the next 
conference in the fall of 1868. This appointment becoming connected with 
the Belvidere and Marengo circuit. Rev. Lewis Bailey and \\'. \\". Kellv were 
appointed to the circuit. But it was thought advisable to divide the work, 
and Rev. D. M. Sinclair, of the Susquehanna conference, was appointed to 
this place by the superintendent, and remained until the fall of 1870. During 
his administration the cliurch became very much weakened and divided on 
account of injudicious management in persisting in the sale of tiie church 
property at a great sacrifice, which came near destroying the society, and 
caused many of the largest contributors to withdraw entirely. .In the fall of 
1871 Rev. J. W. Dake succeeded Mr. Sinclair, laboring with acceptability for 
one year without any very marked success in reinstating the church to its 
former position. In 1872 Rev. M. V. Clute was appointed his successor, filling 
the place with acceptability until, his health failing, he was compelled to with- 
draw. In the fall of 1873 ^c^'- ^"- E. Parks was appointed to the work here 
and in Clintonville, which place he has filled with acceptability until the 
present time. In the fall of 1874 Rev. E. C. Best, a young man, was placed 
on the work as a supply, whose labors have been divided between this place 
and Clintonville in connection with Rev. Mr. Parks. The membership in 
T875 is about twenty." 

They later purchased a lot on Villa street, just south of the Universalist 
church, and built a neat brick building, where they have since worshiped. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In the autumn of 1862 Rev. B. Thomas, formerly pastor of the First 
Baptist church in Elgin, but then an army chaplain, brought to this place 
from the South about one hundred contrabands or newlv liberated slave*. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 799 

Their advent among us was by many regarded quite unfavorably, and one 
of our citizens who was afflicted witli chronic colorphobia, procured a warrant 
for the arrest of Mr. Thomas, on the charge of violating an old state law 
which prohibited bringing colored people into Illinois without giving bonds 
that they should not become a public charge. But the resolute chaplain 
refused to be arrested, claiming that he acted by authority, and finallv both 
he and his proteges were suffered to remain unmolested. 

The number of colored residents was increased by subsequent arrivals, 
and although they suffered much from sickness while becoming acclimated, 
and much from prejudice which, for a time, was so strong as to exclude their 
children from equal school privileges with the whites, they have become a 
permanent and valuable element of our population. 

In 1866 the Second Baptist church, composed of colored members, was 
organized, and for some time fostered by the late Rev. A. J. Joslyn and 
others. They soon after purchased a portion of the old Methodist church, 
removed it to a lot on Dundee street, and fitted it up for a place of worship. 
This they occupied until it was burned. March 28, 1875, after which they 
worshiped in the courthouse until the present brick structure was built. 

The churches of Elgin have prospered in marked degree the past twenty- 
years. All have increased in number, property and membership. The Pres- 
byterians ha\e erected a fine building- on Standish street, of which Dr. Pollock 
is now pastor. The Baptists many years ago dedicated the Emmanuel 
Baptist church in the south end of the city and the Methodists and Congrega- 
tionalists have built missions and chapels at various points about the city to 
meet the demand by the increasing population spreading into tlie outer 
sections of the city. The Brethren built a neat church on the west side. 
The splendid edifice of the Congregationalists on the corner of Center and 
Sprmg is a lasting monument, as is also the new Holy Trinity English 
Lutheran on Chapel and Division and the new German Evangelical (St. 
Paul's) church on Center and Division. On the west side Grace M. E. 
church was erected and has prospered under Re\". Cra^•en Rood and others. 
The new St. Mary's Catholic church is but a few years old. Xo city of its 
size can surpass Elgin in the beauty and number of its churches and the 
enthusiasm of its people for the causes of religion and moral good. If its 
future be as well provided in that regard as its past has been its destiny is safe. 

CHURCHES OF ELGIN— 1908. 

ADVENT CHRISTI.\N. 

East side of Villa street near Fulton. Services at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 
p. m. Sunday school at noon. Prayer meeting Wednesday. Rev. Frank F. 
Dunham, pastor. Forty-eight members. 

ADVENTIST (SEVENTH DAY). 

Meets every Sabbath (Saturday) in Masonic Temple. 14-16 North 
Spring street. Sabbath school at 2 p. m. Preaching at 3 p. m. Cottage 



• 



800 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

prayer meetings every Wednesday. George F. Brink, deacon. There are 
forty-eight niemhers. 

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

St. James' African Methodist Episcopal church, Ann street, between 
Center and Dundee avenue. Rev. ElHs R. Edwards, pastor. Sunday serv- 
ices at 10:45 '1- ""I- ''^"'' 7-45 P- "^- Sunday school at noon. There are 
thirtv-five members. 

APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN. 

The Apostolic Christian church (German), corner Lillie and Preston 
avenue. Services at 9 :30 a. m. to 2 130 p. m. Prayer meeting on Wednesday. 
Rev. Jobn Spiess, George M. Schamhack and William Graff, preachers. 

BAPTIST. 

First Baptist church, corner of Chicago and North Geneva streets. Serv- 
ices at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m, Sunday school at noon. B. Y. P. U. at 
6:30 p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesday. Rev. James S. Kirtley. pastor. 
There are one thousand two hundred members. 

First German Baptist church, Prospect street near Lovell. Services 
10:45 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday school at 9:15 a. m. Prayer meeting 
Wednesday evenings. Rev. H. F. Schade, pastor. 

Immanuel Baptist church, corner of Grace and Bent streets. Services at 
10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday school at noon. Christian Endeavor at 
6 :30 p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesday. Rev. W. H. Fuller, pastor. There 
are three hundred members. 

Second Baptist church (colored), corner Kimball and Dundee streets. 
Services 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday school at noon. B. Y. P. U. 
6 :30 p. m. Rev. Oliver T. Judge, pastor. There are seventy-five members. 

BRETHREN. 

Brethren church. Highland avenue near Hamilton. Services 10:45 ^- ™- 
and 7 :30 p. m. Sunday school 9 :45 a. m. Christian Workers' meeting 6 :30 
p. nL Prayer meeting Wednesday. Elder I. B. Trout in charge. 

CHRISTIAN. 

Christian church, meets at Masonic hall. Spring street. Morning service 
10:30 a. m. Sunday school 12 m. Evening service 7:30. Rev. W. D. 
Entires, pastor. There are forty-five members. 

CONGREG.\TIONAL. 

First Conerep-ational church, corner of Chicago and Center streets. 
Services 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday school at noon. \ . P. S. C. E. 
6:30 p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesday. Rev. Charles L. Morgan, D. D., 
pastor. There are one thousand one hundred members. 

EPISCOPAL. 

, Church of the Redeemer, southwest corner of Center and Milwaukee 

streets. Sunday services: Holy eucharist at 7:30 a. m. Morning prayer 
and sermon, 10:30 a. m. Sunday school at noon. Evensong and sermon at 
7 :30 p. m. Weekday : Litany on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a. m. Holy 
eucharist on holy days and Thursdays at 7 :30 a. m. Evensong on Wednes- 
days and Fridays at 7 :30 j). m. The pastorate is vacant. 




FIRST BAPTIST CIIIKCII. ELGIN, IN 1871. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 803 

EVANGELICAL. 

Swedisli Evangelical Emaimef church, DuPage and Geneva streets. 
Morning service at 10:30 a. m. Sunday school at noon. Evening service at 
7 ;30. Rev. G. A. Youngstrani, pastor. 

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. 

First Church of the Evangelical Association, southeast corner of Mil- 
waukee and Center streets. Sunday school at 9:15 a. m. Morning ser\-ice 
at 10:30 a. m. Evening service. English, at 7:30 p. m. Prayer meetings. 
English, Sundays at 6:30 p. m., Wednesday, 7:30; Thursdays, 7:30. Y. P. 
A. Tuesday 7 :30. Rev. A. J. Boelter, pastor. There are five hundred and 
two members. 

EVANGELICAL SYNOD OF NORTH AMERICA. 

St. Paul's German Evangelical church, corner of Center and Division 
streets. Service at 10:30 a. m. Sunday school at 9 a. m. Two hundred 
families. Rev. Hans Jacoby, pastor. 

FREE METHODIST. 

First Free Methodist church, east side of Villa street near DuPage. 
Services at 10 :30 a. m. and 7 :30 p. m. Sunday school at noon. Class meet- 
ing at 6 :30 p. m. Prayer meeting on Wednesday. Rev. Henry Lenz. pastor. 

GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

Zion's German M. E. church, west side of South Jackson, l)etween 
Locust and South streets. Morning service at 10:30 a. m. Sunday school at 
9 a. m. Evening service at 7 :30 p. m. Rev. Henry J- Schmidt, pastor. 

GOSPEL H.\LL. 

Believers" church, Xo. 7 South Spring street. Services Sunday at 10:30 
a. m. Sunday school at 12:30 p. ni. Week-day services Tuesday and Thurs- 
day at 7 :45 p. m. 

HEBREW. 

S\nagogue of the Congregation of Thepheras Israel, 166 Dexter avenue. 
Serxices on Saturday at 8 a. m. and 6 p. m. There are twenty-five families. 
Rabbi Rosen, pastor. 

LUTHERAN. 

Holy Trinity English Lutheran church, southeast corner Chapel and 
Division. Morning service at 10:30. Sunday school at noon. Luther 
League semi-monthly. Vespers 7 :30 p. m. Rev. Paul W. Roth, pastor. 

Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Zion church. 270 Griswold 
street. Services every second Sunday at 10:30 a. m. and every third Sunday 
at 7 :30 p. m. Sunday school at noon. Rev. Ditman Larsen, pastor. 

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church (German) northeast corner 
Division and Spring streets. Services at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday 
school at 9:30 a. m. Rev. H. F. Fruechtenicht. pastor: Rev. ^^'. J. Kowert. 
assistant. 

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehani church, mirthwest corner of 
Villa and Fulton streets. Seating capacity 500. Four hundred members. 
Morning service at 10:30. Sunday school at noon. Evening service at 7:30 
p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesdays. Rev. J. T. Kraft, pastor. 



804 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

Epworth Methodist Episcopal church. St. Charles street and Bluff City 
boulevard. Morning service at 10:30. Sunday- school at noon. Epworth 
league at 6 130. Junior league at 3 p. m. Evening service at 7 130. There 
are one hundred and titty members. Rev. J. M. Schneider, pastor. 

First Methodist Episcopal church, northwest corner of Milwaukee and 
Center streets. Morning service at 10:30 a. m. Sunday school at noon. 
Epworth league at 6:30 p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesdays. Evening 
service 7:30. There are eight hundred and fifty members. Rev. H. T. Clen- 
dening, pastor. 

Grace Methodist Episcopal church, southeast corner of South Jackson 
and South streets. Seating capacity five hundred. There are three hundred 
and fifty members. Class meeting at 9:30 a. m. Morning service at 10:30 
a. m. Sunday school at noon. Junior Epworth league at 3 p. m. Epworth 
league at 6 :30 p. m. Evening service at 7 :30 p. m. Prayer meeting Wednes- 
day. Rev. H. H. Rood, pastor. 

PRESBYTERI.\X. 

House of Hope Presbyterian church, corner of Standish and Elm streets. 
Morning service at 10:30. Sunday school at noon. Christian Endeavor at 
6 :30 p. m. Evening service at 7 :30. Prayer meeting Wednesday. Rev. 
G. A. Pollock, pastor. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

St. Joseph's church, north side of Division street near Center. Mass at 
8 :i5 and 10 :i5 a. m. Sunday school at 2 :30 p. m. \"espers at 3 p. m. Holy 
days, mass at 6 and 9 a. m. and 7 :30 p. m. Week days at 8 a. ni. Every first 
Friday at 7 :30 p. m. Rev. J. Rohde. pastor. 

St. Clary's church, northwest corner South Gifford and Fulton streets. 
Mass at 7:15. 8:15, 9:15 and 10:15 a. m. \'espers and Sunday school at 3 
p. m. Rev. John J. ^McCann. pastor; Rev. D. E. McGrath. assistant pastor. 

S.\LV.\TIOX .\RMY. 

Barracks. 213 Chicago street. Holiness meeting 10 a. m. The Junior 
company will meet at 1 1 a. m. Open air demonstration 2 p. m. Christian's 
praise .service 3 p. m. fleeting of Y. P. L. 6 :30 p. m. Open air demonstra- 
tion 7 p. m. Salvation meeting 8 p. ni, 

SCIENTIST. 

First Churcli of Christ. Regular Sunday services in the Masonic Tem- 
ple, No.. 10 Villa street, 10:30 a. m. Sunday school 11:30. Wednesday 
evening service 7:45. Reading room. No. 13 Y. 'SI. C. A. block, open daily 
from 2 to 4:30 p. m., except Sunday. 

Second Church of Christ. Regular services at Hall B. the Spurling, at 
10:30 a. m. Sunday school at 11:30- a. m. Wednesday evening testimony 
meeting at 7:30. Reading room. No. 15 the Spurling. open from 2:30 to 5 
p. m. , and on Sunday from 1 1 :30 to 1 2 :30. 

UNITED EVANGELICAL. 

First United German Evangelical church, corner of Fulton and South 
Geneva streets. Sunday .school 9:30 a. m. Morning service at 10:30 a. m. : 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 805 

K. L. C. E. at 6:45 p. 111. Evening service at 7:30 p. ni. Rev. W. Berberich, 
pastor. 

UNIVERS.VLIST. 

First Lhiiversalist church, southeast corner Villa and DuPage streets. 
Morning service 10:30 a. 111. Sunday school at noon. Evening service 7:30. 
Seating capacitv eight hundred. Re\'. A. N. Foster, pastor. 

MISSIONS. 

Cedar Hill chapel (Evangelical Association), 400 North Crystal avenue. 
Seating capacity two hundred. Sunday school 2:15 p. ni. Has one hundred 
and thirty members. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7 130 p. ni. Rev. A. J. 
Boelter, pastor. 

Everett chapel (Evangelical Association), corner of Perry and Wash- 
burne streets. Seating capacity one hundred and fifty. Sunday school at 
2:15 p. m. Has seventy members. Rev. A. J. Boelter, pastor. 

Harford chapel (Baptist), corner Center street and Lincoln avenue. 
Sunday school at 3 p. m. Prayer meeting Tuesday at 7 130 p. m. 

Lincoln Avenue chapel (M. E. ), corner Lincoln avenue and Cedar street. 
Sunday school at 3 p. m. 

St. John's mission (Episcopal), corner Bent and St. Charles streets. 
Sunday school at 3 p. m. 

HOSPITALS OF ELGIN. 

Elgin is favored by the possession of two modern, up-to-date hospitals, 
which are so well conducted that in case of sickness or accident the best people 
in the city desire to go "to the hospital." The prejudice against hospitals so 
long prevalent and still prevalent in large cities is not here felt. 

Henry Sherman donated two lots to the Woman's Club some years ago. 
That was the beginning. He also gave them a house on Channing and 
Division streets, which was occupied several years. Later the splendid build- 
ings on Slade- avenue w-ere erected. The hospital is nearly self-supporting 
but is aided bv public aii'airs occasionally. It is the special care of the Woman's 
Club. 

St. Joseph's Hospital is in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who came 
from Belvidere in 1901 and secured the property on Jefferson and Prospect, 
])aying $6,300. With the assistance of Mrs. Frank E. Sbopen they canvassed 
the city and collected a considerable sum with which to remodel the buildings. 
Idle hospital was opened March 31, 1902, and continued at that location until 
the magnificent new building, four stories high and costing many thousands 
of dollars, was erected in 1906. It is a Catholic hospital, but none are refused 
admittance who need the service offered. 

THE LARKIN CHILDREN'S HOME 

is the gift of Cyrus H. Larkin, one of Elgin's early settlers, who became well- 
to-do and did not forget that wealth is to be valued for the good that may be 
done with it. He gave the house and lot on South State street, in which 



806 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

twenty to tliirty hiimeless may be cared fur, and it is usual!}- full. It is con- 
ducted by a board of trustees and sustained by public and pri\ate gifts, ^lany 
ball games are given to raise funds for tbe home, which the people have come 
to look upon as their charge. 

The Old People's Home on South State street was built in 1906 on the 
old Lord homsteacl by the late George P. Lord, who gave the land and erected 
the buildings. No one of Elgin's citizens has done more for its advancement 
than George P. Lord. He died shortly before the opening of the home but 
lived to plan its structure and see it well on its way. A sum of money is paid 
by each applicant and they thereafter receive support for life. It is not a 
charitable institution, but the amount required is such that any deserving 
person can secure entrance. 

SOCIETIES OF ELGIN. 

CLUBS. 

Carleton Club ( charitable and social ) . Meets at he unes of members every 
other Wednesday. Mrs. Edwin Hall, president; Mrs. M. Solomon, secretary- 
treasurer, 

Centurv Club (social). Apartments, all third floor Opera House block. 
John Newman, president; R. R, Parkin, vice president: George D, Sherman, 
secretarv; C. F. O'Hara, treasurer. Open days and evenings. Monthly 
business meeting. There are one hundred and fifty members. 

Elgin CofYee Club (social and charitable). Meets Thursdays at homes 
of members. Miss Abbie Bosworth. president; ]\Irs. J. ^I- Blackburn, 
secretary. 

Elgin Countrv Club (golf). Grounds and clubhouse three miles west of 
city. George D. Sherman, president; Clark H. Eno, vice president; E. S. 
Hubbell, secretary; George R. Sylla, treasurer. 

Elgin National Gun Club. Clubhouse ajid grounds Dundee road north 
of shoe factory. Rutherford H. Kramer, president; Charles E. Aliddleton, 
secretary. Sixty members. 

Elgin Press Club. C. E. Young, president; Mrs, Blandie D. Guest. 
secretary. Meets monthly. Twenty-five members, 

Elgin Rod and Gun Club. Clubhouse and grounds Burton bridge. 
George Richardson, president ; Robert Smith, secretary. There are twenty 
members. 

Elgin Tennis Clul). Grounds on Lovell street near Dundee avenue. H. 

P. Castle, president; Howard M. Conrow, secretary. Twenty-five members. 

Elgin Waltonian Club. Organized 1873. Club grounds Hickory Point, 

Fox Lake, Twenty-four members. D. F. Barclay, president; John H, 

Williams, secretary-treasurer. 

Elgin ^^'oman's Club ( art and literature, music and science, home educa- 
tional, philanthropic and reform). Incorporated July, 1887. Rooms \. W. 
C. A. building. :\Ieetings second and fourth Tuesdays at 2 ;30 P. M.. monthly, 
except Tune, Julv and August. Directors' meeting held first Tuesday of each 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 807 

month at 3 p. m. Hospital board, tirst and third Mondays of each niuntli at 
2 p. in. Mrs. R. D. Hollembeak, president ; Mrs. Mabel A. Tefft, secretary. 
Fideliter Club ( cliaritable and social ) . Twenty-five members. Meets at 
the homes of the members every Wednesday. Mrs. Clark Eno, president ; 
Mrs. A. H. Higinbotham. secretary. 

Germania Club (incorporated). IMeets at 104 Milwaukee street. C. G. 
Heine, president : Harry J. Daveler, secretary. Sixty members. 

Hillside Club (hunting and fishing). Pistakee Bay. Pistakee Lake, Illi- 
nois. Organized in 1894. J- A. Logan, president; Edward C. Althen. secre- 
tary. Twenty members. 

Hickory Club. Meets at 170-172 Chicago street, first and third Tues- 
days. John M. Roche, president ; T. P. Sheehan, secretary-treasurer. 
Twenty-five members. 

Ideal Club. Meets over 1 1 River street. C. V. McClure, president ; 
George Schaller, secretary, 

Illinois Club of Elgin ( social and devoted to the interests of the University 
of Illinois in Elgin), Annual meeting during the Christmas holidays. Ralph 
E. Abell, president; Howard C. Williams, vice president; Carl E. Gregory, 
secretary. Fifty members, 

Iroquois Club, William E, Sayles, president; George Demlow, secretary. 
Rooms 156 Chicago street. One hundred and twenty-five members. 

Key Note Club (musical). Meets second and fourth Mondays at Y. M, 
C. A. building. JNIiss Ruth Preston, president ; Miss Mary Mann, correspond- 
ing secretary. 

Lakeside Club, Grounds at Geneva, Wisconsin. D. E. Wood, presi- 
dent; F, B, Cornell, secretary-treasurer. 

Lakeview Club (piscatorial). Located at Powers Lake, Wisconsin, 
Charles E, Hunter, president : George W, Hancock, secretary-treasurer. 
Eight members. 

Maecenan Literary Club. Aleets Fridays at homes of members. Mrs. 
C. E, Bowsfield, president ; ]\Irs. Martha Little, secretary-treasurer. Thirty- 
five members. 

Riverside Club. Rooms o\-er 106 [Milwaukee street. Meets first Mon- 
day of each month. William J. Riley, president : A. F. Schrader, secretary. 
One hundred and twenty-five members. 

Searchers Club, Meets at homes of members ^^'ednesdays at 2 :30 p, m. 
Mrs, Lucy D. Baldwin, president; Mrs, C. A. Whiting, secretary. Thirty 
members, 

Swiss Club — Helvetia, Meets second Friday of each month at 108-110 
Milwaukee street. Emil Kocher, president; John Probst, secretary. Fifty- 
fi\e members. 

Thimble Club. Meets first and third Tuesdays at homes of members. 
Mrs. Robert Jackson, president; Mrs. M. V. Hendrickson, secretary-treasurer. 
Forty members. 

Walhalla Club (musical and social). Meets in McBride block, Douglas 
avenue, every Thursday evening. A, F. W. Richmann. president; A. Ikert, 
secretary; Gus Williams, musical director. Seventy-five members. 



808 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT. 

ARCHAEAN UNION. 

Watch City Union. No. 4. Meets at Odd Fellows Hall, Town block, the 
second and fourth Fridays. John A. Wright, president; G. C. Shoobridge, 
secretary. One hundred and fifty members. 

COLUMBIAN KNIGHTS. 

Elgin Lodge, No. 23. Meets first and third Mondays at Strauss hall. 
J. Frank North, president; Charles W. Lehmann, secretary and collector. 
Eighty-four members. 

Germania Lodge, No. 26. Meets second and fourth Wednesdays at 
Strauss hall. Ferdinand Behrens, president; Carl Duering, secretary; Charles 
Alengler, collector. One hundred and fifteen members. 

COURT OF HONOR. 

Court of Honor, No. 341. Meets the second and fourth Monda)-s at 
Pythian Castle, 8 p. m., corner of DuPage and Grove avenue. A. J. Pease, 
chancellor; Charles J. Holtz, recorder and treasurer. Four hundred and 
twenty members. 

Elgin National Court of Honor, No. 889. Instituted March i, 1904. 
Ladies and gentlemen on equal terms. Two hundred and seventy-five mem- 
bers. Meets first and third Mondays in Woodman Hall. Charles B. Hazle- 
hurst, worthy chancellor ; Carrie E. Pepple, recorder. 

EAGLES. 

Fraternal Order of Eagles. Organized 1907. Club rooms 113, 115, 117 
Milwaukee street, entrance on Division street. Meet first and third Thurs- 
days at 8 p. m. Paul Kemler, Jr.. president; Charles B. Hazlehurst, secretary. 
Two hundred members. 

ELKS. 

Elgin Lodge, No. -/i-]. B. P. O. E. Meets in hall C. The Spurling. 
the second and fourth Mondays. Frank W. Shepherd. E. R. ; J. H. Dalbey, 
secretary. Three hundred and twenty members. 

FORESTERS CATHOLIC ORDER. 

Elgin Court, No. 137, C. O. O. F. Meets second and fourth Wednes- 
days in Pythian Castle, corner of DuPage and Grove avenue. Meetings second 
and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 8 p. m. C. AI. Buel, C. R. ; T. M. 
Spillard, recording secretary; Thos. P. Sheehan, F. S. One hundred and 
ninety-eight members. 

FRATERNAL RESERVE. 

Bluff City Lodge, No. 53. Meets in Odd Fellows Hall, Town block, 
second and fourth Mondays of each month. D. B. Ellis, president; R. R. 
Rowe, secretary. One Inmdrcd and thirty-five members. 

FR.VfERNAL TRIBU.NE. 

Fraternal Tribune, No. 87. Meets first and third Tuesdays in hall C. 
the Spurling. Louis Cooper, president; John J. Kelley, secretary. One 
hundred and thirtv members. 




OLD PEOPLES' HOME. ELGIN. 




D. C. COOK i'l JiLisjJL\(i COMPANY. ELGIN. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 811 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Veteran Post, No. 49, G. A. R. Department of Illinois. Meets first 
and third Fridays at Masonic Temple, Villa street. W. M. Sayer, commander; 
W. H. Parker, adjutant; George H. Knott, quartermaster. 

Woman's Relief Corps. 

Veteran Corps, No. 3, W. R. C. Department of Illinois. Auxiliary to 
Post 49, G. A. R. Meets first and third Tuesdays at Masonic Temple, Villa 
street. Mrs. T. F. Mackey, president ; Mrs. Ida L. Hewitt, secretary. One 
hundred members. 

HIBERNIANS. 

Ancient Order, Division No. 2. Meets first and third Tuesdays at 
Strauss Hall. William E. Dever, president; James F. Fynn. secretary. Sixty- 
two members. 

St. Joseph's Court, No. 245, C. O. O. F. Meets second and fourth 
Tuesdays at Strauss Hall. Adolph Fischer, C. R. ; George Kleiser, R. S. ; 
John Wehrle, F. S. One hundred and ten members. 

Ladies' Order. 

St. Josephine Court. Meets second and fourth Saturdays at St. Joseph's 
school hall, Division street. Mrs. Mary Meiser, C. R. ; Mrs. Lillie Koethe, 
R. S. ; Mrs. John Wehrle, F. S. 

St. Regina Court, No. 92. Meets second and fourth Thursdays at 
Pythian Castle. Mrs. Elizabeth Earin, C. R. ; Mrs. Julia McKenzie, R. S. ; 
Mrs. Mary Mann, secretary and treasurer. One hundred and thirty-eight 
members. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. 

Elgin Lodge, No. 654, K. of C. Meets first and third Mondays at 
Pythian Hall, corner of DuPage and Grove avenue. Frank E. Shopen, G. K. ; 
Fred A. Quinn, R. S. One hundred and eighty members. 

German Lodge, No. 26. Columbian Knights. Meet second and fourth 
Wednesdays at 8 p. m. Ch. Berndt, G. K. ; C. Duering, secretary. One 
hundred and thirty-eight members. 

KNIGHTS OF THE GLOBE. 

Commodore Perry Garrison, No. 96, K. of G. Meets fourth Tuesday at 
Hall B, the S])urling. J. A. Tmvnsend, president; J. O. Myers, secretary. 
Eighty-five members. 

KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR. 

Elgin Lodge, No. 2226, K. & L. of H. Meets second and fourth Mon- 
days at Woodman Hall. William Collins, P. ; Martin Sipple, secretary. 
Eighty members. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

Lochiel Lodge, No. 105, K. of P. Meets Wednesdays at Pythian Castle, 
corner of DuPage and Grove avenue, 8 p. m. Carl Whitstruck, C. C. ; 
Charles H. Reid, K. of R. and S. One hundred and sixty members. 

MACCABEES. 

Elgin Tent, No. 16, K. O. T. M. Meets first and third Wednesdays at 
Woodman Hall. Martin Johnson, S. K. C. ; J. W. Leach, S. K. R. K. Four 
hundred and sixtv members. 



812 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Ladies' Order. 

Elgin Hive, No. 6, L. O. T. M. Meets first and tliird Saturdays at 
Pythian Hall, corner DuPage and Grove avenue. Mrs. Gertrude Lehmann, 
lady commander; :\Irs. Jessie H. Baseman, record keeper. One hundred and 
fifty members. 

Illinois Hive, Xo. 21, L. O. T. M. Meets first and third Tuesdays at 
Pythian Hall. Mrs. Nellie Herman, lady commander; Mrs. Marion Lee, 
record keeper. One hundred and sixty-five members. 

M.4S0NIC. 

Bethel Commandery, No. 36, K. T. Stated conclaves first and third 
Wednesdays at Masonic Temple, North Spring street. Andrew Paulson, 
E. C. ; W". H. Seeley, recorder. One hundred and seventy-five members. 

Loyal L. Munn Chapter, No. 96, R. A. M. Stated convocations first 
and third Tuesdays, 7:30, at Alasonic Temple, North Spring street. J. W. 
Bodenschatz, Jr., Ex. H. P.; F. A. Canfield. secretary. Two hundred and 
fifty-four members. 

Elgin Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. :\I. Stated convocations second and 
fourth Fridays at Masonic Temple, YWla street. \\'illiam Walker, W. M. ; 
Thomas B. Rowlands, secretary. 

Monitor Lodge, No. 522. A. F. & A. M. Stated convocations second 
and fourth Thursdays at Masonic Temple, North Spring street. Philip S. 
Sawtelle, \\'. M. ; \\'. H. Seeley, secretary. 

Ladies' Order. 

Bethel Chapter, No. 291, O. E. S. Meets second and fourth Mondays 
at Masonic Temple, North Spring street. Mrs. Violet Fehrman, W. M.; 
Mrs. Rose E. Heidemann, secretary. One hundred and sixty-five members. 

Elgin Chapter, No. 212, O. E. S. Meets first and third Saturdays at 
Masonic Temple, North Spring street. Mrs. Jessie Dumser, W. M. ; Mrs. 
Sarah R. Gould, secretary. Two hundred and thirty members. 

MODERN WOODMEN. 

Silver Leaf Camp, No. 60, M. W. A. Meets first and third Fridays at 
Woodman Hall, Douglas avenue. Joseph Riehemann, V. C. ; Julius Peterson, 
clerk. One thousand members. 

Royal Neighbors. 

Lady Elgin Camp, No. 11, R. N. Meets second ^^'ednesday afternoon 
and fourth Thursday evening at Woodman Hall. ]Mrs. Julia Corbley, oracle ; 
Airs. Emma B. Sperry, recorder. Two hundred members. 

MYSTIC WORKERS. 

Elgin Lodge, No. 8. Meets the first and third Thursdays, 8 p. m., at 
Woodman Hall. H. J. Muhr, prefect ; Kittie Pixley, secretary.' One liundred 
and fifty members. 

N.\TI0NAL UNION. 

Elgin Council. No. 94. Meets second and fourth Fridays at Pythian 
Castle, corner of DuPage and Grove avenue. 8 p. m. W. C. Bode, president ; 
Charles F. Davis, secretary. 

ODD FELLOWS. 

Odd Fellows Hall, Town Block. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 813 

Encampment. 

Elgin Encampment. Xo. 112, I. O. O. F. Meets first and third Fridays, 
8 p. m. J. H. Shales, C. P. : H. C. Hamilton, scribe. One hundred and titty 
members. 

Lodges. 

Althea Lodge, No. 619, L O. O. F. Aleets Thursdays, corner Chicago 
and Grove. Horace James, N. G. ; Frank Goddard, secretary. Two hundred 
and sixty-seven members. 

Kane Lodge, No. 47, L O. O. F. Meets Tuesdays, Odd Fellows Hall, 
8 p. m. M. E. King, N. G. ; Thomas B. Rowlands, secretary. Three hundred 
and ten members. 

Paul Lodge (German), No. 691, L O. O. F. Meets Wednesdays. 
Emel Meyer, N. G. ; A. C. Ruemelin, secretary. Sixty-eight members. 

Daughters of Rebekah. 

Samaritan Lodge. No. 120, D. of R. Meets first and third Mondays, 
8 p. m. Mrs. Anna McDonald, N. G. ; Mrs. Flora Smythe, secretary. Two 
hundred and eighty-four members. 

RED MEN. 

Walla ^\■alla Tribe, No. 273, L O. R. M. Meets every Monday at their 
hall over 168 Chicago street. George R. Thompson, prophet; Arthur Pol- 
matier, chief of records. There are seventy-five members. 

ROYAL ARCANUM. 

Fox River Council, No. 1477. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays at 
Pythian Castle, corner DuPage and Grove avenue. C. W. Anderson, regent; 
Wm. F. Wiedemann, secretary. One hundred and seventy-tive members. 

ROYAL LEAGUE. 

Elgin Council, No. 37. Meets first and third Mondays at Hall C, the 
Spurling. George E. Flemming, arcon; William F. Kay, scribe. Two hundred 
and twelve members. 

SPANISH WAR VETERANS. 

State Headquarters, room 20, Y. M. C. A. block. John R. Powers, 
commander; Martin Sipple, adjutant. 

E. A. York Camp, No. 14, United Spanish War Veterans. Department 
of Illincis. Meets second Wednesday at Woodman Hall. George E. Flem- 
ming, commander: Francis McOueeney, adjutant. Sixty members. 

TOILERS. 

Toilers Fraternity, No. 83. Meet at Knights of Pythias Castle, first and 
third Fridays at 8 p. m. Frank L-eland, president; Carrie E. Pepple, secre- 
tary. Sixty members. 

UNITED WORKMEN. 

Washington Lodge, No. 13, A .0. U. W. Meets first Tuesday at Hall 
C, the Spurling. A. G. Dennen, M. W. ; J. M. Reid, recorder. 

WOODMEN OF THE WORLD. 

Elgin Camp, No. 16, Illinois Woodmen of the World. Meets first and 
third Thursdays, 8 p. m., over Becker's shoe store. Herman D. Warren, 
consul commander ; Frank J. C. Krahn, secretary. Seventy-five members. 



814 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

YEOMEN OF AMERICA. 

Elgin Council, No. 2. Meets first and third Tuesdays at Woodman Hall. 
J. K. Andrews, president; Mrs. C. E. Gregory, secretary-treasurer. Three 
hundred and fifty members. 

MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES. 

The Brovvnii (literary and social). Named after Mrs. S. U. Brown. 
Meets Thursdays at homes of members. Mrs. A. F. Alden, president; Mrs. 
J. R. Hawes, vice president; Mrs. G. B. Snow, secretary; Mrs. W. K. Hoag- 
land, treasurer; Mrs. John Woodworth, critic. 

C. C. C. Circle. Meets every other Wednesday at homes of members. 
'Mrs. J. Powers, president; Mrs. Erank Spillard, secretary. Twenty members. 

Daughters of the American Revolution (historical). Meets monthly at 
homes of members from October to June. Mrs. J. H. Becker, regent; Mrs. 
Alfred Bosworth, vice regent; Mrs. Clara T. Carlisle, secretary; Mrs. Robert 
F. Eitz, treasurer; Mrs. D. J. Dumser, registrar; Mrs. J. W. Earnum, historian. 

Daughters of St. George. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays at Masonic 
Hall, Villa street. Mrs. Eannie Beacon, president; Miss Florence Welsby, 
secretary. Forty members. 

Elgin Bible Society. Depository at 7 Chicago street. William Lam- 
ming, president; F. B. Perkins, secretary. 

Elgin Contractors and Employers Association. Meets Wednesdays in 
Hall A, the Spurling. W. G. Wilcox, president ; Henry W. Seiger, secretary. 

Elgin German Benevolent Society. Meets first and third Wednesdays 
at 13 River street, second floor. John V. Kramer, president; Ernest Keeping, 
secretary. Forty-eight members. Oldest society in Kane county. 

Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association. Object ; To perpetuate the mem- 
ory of the patriotic deeds of the past, and to provide for the perpetual and 
proper observation of Memorial Day. Gen. John S. Wilcox, president ; H. D. 
Barnes, secretary. 

Elgin Poultry Association. Organized 1899. Meets first Thursday at 
5 Chicago street. A. P. Thorns, president ; M. E. Meredith, secretary. 

Elgin Retail Merchants and Business Men's Association. Meets quar- 
terly. Special meeting at call of president. Office room, 56-58 Grove 
avenue, Strauss block. M. J. Kimball, president; George A. Smith, secretary. 

Elgin Scientific Society. Meets first and third Thursdays at room 25, 
the Spurling. A. P. Thoms, president; James D. Martin, secretary. 

Elgin Scottish Society. Organized February i, 1904. Meets second 
Monday of each month, except July and August, at residence of members. 
Dr. T. S. McCall, president; J. Park Brown, secretar_\'. Fifty members. 

Elgin Turnverein. Gymnasium and school of physical culture. Meets 
second and fourth Mondays of each month at 8 p. m. at Turner Hall, 58 
Douglas avenue. Karl Nolte, president; Oscar Rudnick, secretary. One 
hundred and seventy-five members. 

Every Wednesdays (literary). Meets Wednesday afternoons at Gail 
Borden Library. Mrs. L. B. Hamlin, president; Mrs. W. L. Black, secretary. 
Thirty members. 

Freia Benevolent Society (Norwegian). Meets the first Saturday after 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 815 

the 9th of each montli in old postoffice block, corner DuPage and Grove 
avenue. T. Larsen, president; Andrew Sayland. secretary. Ninety-five 
members. 

Travel Class. Meets every Monday at 2 :;^6 p. m. at home of the mem- 
bers. Mrs. George N. Sleight, president; Mrs. F. H. Taylor, R. S. There 
are thirty-five members. 

German Military Verein. Meets first and third Tuesdays of each month 
at Range's Hall, Douglas avenue. Charles Glissman, president; Peter Pahl. 
secretary. Forty-eight members. 

Home Fraternal League. Elgin Lodge, No. 22. Meets second and 
fourth Thursdays in Hall B, the Spurling. E. C. Schwarz, president ; D. J. 
Duniser, secretary. There are one hundred and sixty members. 

King's Daughters, Whatsoever Circle. Meets second Thursday at homes 
of members. Mrs. Callie Hubbard, leader ; Mrs. W. S. Weld, secretary. 
Twenty memliers. 

Northern Sons, No. 4. Swedish Benefit Society. Meets at Strauss Hall, 
first and third Mondays. John Carlson, president; A. Sjunneson, secretary. 
Eighty-three members. 

Perry Literary Circle. Meets weekly at homes of members. Mrs. H. L. 
Pratt, president; Mrs. A. M. Smythe, secretary. 

Sons of St. George. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays at Strauss Hall. 
Eli Aston, president ; Thomas Player, secretary. 

Travel Class (literary). Meets Mondays at homes of members. Mrs. 
C. A. Pierce, president ; Mrs. E. S. Eno, R. S. 

Utopian Livaders. Meet every other Monday at Academy building. 
A. J. Magnus, president ; Miss Ella Whitstruck, secretary-treasurer. 

V^eteran Vohmteers Association, Fifty-second Illinois. Meets first 
Wednesday in September at city hall. J. S. Wilcox, president ; F. B. Perkins, 
secretary. 

\\' Oman's Christian Temperance Union. Meets first and third Wednes- 
days at Woman's club rooms, Y. M. C. A. block. Mrs. H. C. Hamilton, 
president; Mrs. W. H. Jencks, R. S. One hundred and twenty members. 

Young Men's Christian Association. Y. M. C. A. building, Chicago 
street, east end of the bridge. Privileges : Gymnasium, bath rooms, library, 
free reading room, correspondence tables. Sustains a lecture and public enter- 
tainment course during the winter season. Membership, four hundred and 
twenty, with a junior department of one hundred and eighty-one members. 
Total membership, six hundred and one. L. N. Seaman, president ; A. T. 
Bullock, recording secretary; Harry Patterson, general secretary; jihvsical 
director, J. S. Andresen. 

Young Women's Christian Association. Located at 220-222 Chicago 
street. Organized in 1901. Privileges: Reading and rest rooms, correspond- 
ence tables, gymnasium, library, employment bureau, baths. Entertainment 
course, educational classes; also tennis, boating and social clubs. Mrs. Dr. 
J. G. Tapper, president ; Miss Anna L. Swartwout, secretary ; Miss Mary K. 
Adkins, physical director; Miss Pearl Candell, extension and educational 
secretary; Mrs. Oscar Nelson, cafeteria director. One thousand meinbcrs. 



816 KAXE COUNTY HISTORY 

CHAPTER XXI\'— TOWXS AXD TOWXSHIPS. 

GENEVA. 

At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Geneva in tlie Count)' 
of Kane and State of IlHnois at the School House in said Town on the 28th 
day of January A. D. 1845 '" pursuance of a notice given ten days previous 
to said Meeting and agreeable to an Act to incorporate the Inhabitants of 
such Town as may wish to be incorporated and approved Feb. 12th 1831, 
and on motion Leonard Howard was chosen President and Xelson Warner 
Clerk, who were duly sworn, when the inhabitants proceeded to vote viva 
voce and then were their votes in favor of Incorporation and six votes against 
incorporation. 

^ ^-r J i_ Leoxard Howard. President. 

Certined bv as -^ ,,- ,-,, , 

Xelson W arxer. Clerk. 

yi. \V. Fletcher, 

Clk. Kane Co Coun Court. 

Recorded February 4th. 1845. 

This may certify that at a meeting (legally called for that purpose) 
held at the Court in the \'illage of Geneva, Kane County, State of Illinois, 
there was polled b}' the legal voters of said Village of Geneva, Thirty-six 
votes in favor of becoming incorporated and two against becoming incor- 
porated. That said votes were given by the ^^'hite ]\Iale residents of said 
Village of lawful age who had resided in said \'illage six months & upwards 
or who were the owners of some freehold property therein that the under- 
signed were by said voters first chosen President & Clerk of said meeting 
& before receiving said votes were duly sworn by a person competent to 
administer oath. 

Geneva, March 31st, 1858 Wm. Coxaxt, President. 

Wm. S. Smith. Clerk. 

Filed and recorded 30th ^lay, 1859 Johx Greexe, Clerk. 

The city of Geneva is situated on both banks of Fox river, thirty-five 
miles directly west of Chicago, and being nearer thereto than any of her 
neighboring river towns. 

The first actual settlement within the corporation of the present town 
was made in the fall of 1833, by Daniel S. Haight, who built a log cabin 
near the Geneva Springs, and occupied the same with his family. !Mr. 
Haight's claim embraced all. or nearly all, of the present site of Geneva, and 
was sold to James Herrington. December. 1834. It is stated that James 
Brown made a claim the same time as Mr. Haight, which joined the latter's 
on the north, and which was purchased by Mr. Frederick Bird in 1834. for 
$30. In 1834 Mr. Frederick Bird and family located a little north of the 
present city corporate limits, and James Herrington made purchase of the 




STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. GENEVA. 




LIBRAP.Y BUILDING. GENEVA. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 819 

"Haight claim," settling with his family on same in the spring of 1835, in 
which year, also, Mr. Samuel Sterling joined his fortunes with those of 
Messrs. Herrington and Bird, these three families being the only inhabitants 
of what then assumed the name of Herrington's Ford. 

It was in this year that a postoffice was established in the residence of 
James Herrington — he being appointed postmaster — and designated as "La 
Fox P. O." Dr. JNIiller settled in Geneva in 1836, and was the first physician 
The first school was taught by Mrs. Sterling, in a little room of her own 
cabin, in the winter of 1836, James Herrington furnishing a majority of 
the scholars. In May, 1837, Mr. James Herrington addressed a communica- 
tion to the Chicago Democrat, in which he gave a glowing account of the 
Geneva settlement, and the natural advantages of the location, and stating 
that a sawmill was in course of erection, which would be completed the com- 
ing fall and winter, hence this must have been the first step toward bringing 
into subjection the waters of the Fox at this point. This mill was erected by 
Sterling, Madden and Daniels, on the east side, and a flouring mill erected 
by Howard Brothers on the west side in 1844. The first dam across the 
river being constructed in the same year as the sawmill, and by the same 
parties. A bridge was nearly completed in 1838 by Gilbert and Sterling, 
when high water swept the structure away, and since that time several have 
been built, one sharing the fate of the first, and another — erected at a cost 
of $22,000 — in 1837, was torn down to give place to the present elegant 'Tron 
Bridge," located in the winter of 1868-69 ^^ ^ cost of $16,000, being 522 
feet in length. The first store in the village was kept by James Herrington, 
in 1835. his residence answering for store and postoffice. Charles Patten, 
Esquire, may well be termed the pioneer merchant of the town, he having 
been the first to bring in anything of an assortment of merchandise, and has 
been doing a mercantile business for thirty-four years in Geneva, and thirty- 
three years at. his present location, which has been for some years styled 
the "Old Corner." The first building erected especially for school purposes 
was the present stone structure in 1855. Although this building will not 
compare favorably with the elegant school buildings at Batavia and Aurora, 
yet an excellent school is in session during each year, and the subject of con- 
structing a new school building — equal, perhaps, to any on the river and 
one that will be creditable to the beautiful city — is being pressed upon the 
citizens as an important move, and another year will see it assume a tangible 
form. 

Geneva — There has been some disagreement as to how the name Geneva 
came to be given the county seat. "Campbell Ford" was urged as a name 
for the new county seat, in honor of two of the commissioners appointed to 
make said location, but reliable and authentic information has disclosed the 
fact that the name of Geneva — after Geneva, New York — was deter- 
mined upon before the commissioners left Chicago, and the name first 
suggested by C. B. Dodson, Esquire. The election for the organization of 
the county was held at Geneva in the log residence of Mr. Herrington in June, 
1S36, which was also the date of the location of the county seat and the 
adoption of its present name. 



820 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Original Tcn^'ii — The original town was owned by a number of gentle- 
men in different locaHties, but tlie parties most interested were Mr. James 
Herrington and R. J. Hamilton. It was surveyed and platted by Mark W. 
Fletcher — first county surveyor — in 1837, and contained about three hundred 
acres. It was incorporated a city in 1856. and the city council for 1871 con- 
sisted of C. B. Dodson, president ; Charles Bennett, William H. Howell. Eben 
Danford and Jerome N. Kendall, board of trustees, and William J. Brown, 
city clerk. 

Churches — There are seven religious denominations in Geneva. The 
Congregational, Methodist, Unitarian, Episcopal, Baptist, Disciples and Free 
Methodist and six church edifices erected at a total cost of $18,000. The two 
strongest societies are the Congregational and Methodist, and each of these 
denominations are discussing the subject of rebuilding, in which case Geneva 
will soon stand a favorable comparison with her neighboring towns in the 
way of fine churches. The first church was erected by the Unitarian Society 
in 1843, the Rev. A. H. Conant being its first pastor, and continued in that 
capacity until 1857. 

Railroads — The Di.xon Air Line, of the G. & C. L'. R. R., was completed 
to Geneva in 1853, •^^^'■^ '^"^^' comprises the main line of the Chicago & North- 
western, giving the most direct communication east and west, and excellent 
conveniences to shippers. A branch of this road was put in operation north 
to St. Charles in the fall of 1870, and will very soon be continued to a con- 
nection with the Freeport line at Clinton. The Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River 
Valley Railroad has its northern terminus at Geneva, being completed in the 
spring of 1 871, and furnished the most direct communication with the ex- 
tensive coal fields of central Illinois. 

Geneva has continued to advance with the other parts of the county and 
is today one of the cleanest and best residence places along Fox river. 

The Girls' State Industrial Home is located here. 

GENE\".\ TOWNSHIP. 

This township was organized in 1854. The first settler was Daniel S. 
Haight, who came in 1834. One Crow took up a claim on the east side 
in 1834 and sold out in 1835. Samuel Corey built a cabin in 1834. He is 
recalled as an honest but rough and ignorant Hoosier. It was written of him 
that, being engaged to carry money to the amount of $3,000 for Captain 
Dodson, he would place it in his saddle and stopping at an inn. would hang 
his saddle, including the money, on any peg for all night. 

Andrew Miles, a Hoosier, came to the township in 1833 or 1834. Mrs. 
C. B. Dodson, then Miss Warren, rode in in a lumber wagon in April, 1834. 
Frederick Bird arrived in 1834, but subsequently moved to near Rockford. 
These and other early settlers were largely from Indiana, and were a simple 
and honest people. 

Andrew Miles, who died in 1836, was the first adult buried in the old 
cemetery. The first birth occurred in 1835. in the family of Edward Trimble. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 821 

William Sykes arrived in 1839; Lyman German about 1837; Scott Clark 
in 1837, about which time came Peter Sears. Robert Lester settled on the 
easr side in 1837 and Eben Danford about that time. 

Captain Dodson was the first of the early and permanent settlers who 
became prominent in the advancement of the township. 

The road from Geneva to St. Charles on the west side was laid out in 
1838 by Mark \Y. Fletcher, and is now one of the finest drives in the county, 
no road in northern Illinois presenting a finer view or a more fertile, pros- 
perous country. 

The first school was opened in the winter of 1835-36 by Mrs. Samuel 
Sterling on the place afterward owned by E. Danford. The schoolhouse was 
a log cabin home, and enjoyed the unusual luxury of a stone floor of limestone 
rock, the limestone laying as nature had left it some million years ago Aboi'*^ 
a dozen pupils attended the school. 

The first county poor house was on land owned by E. Lee, on the east 
side. .\ substantial stone building was erected in 1872 at a cost of $15,000. 

B.^T.WIA. 

The wealthy and growing village of Batavia is situated on both sides of 
Fox river, about thirty-six miles west from Chicago, and two and a half miles 
south from the courthouse in Geneva. Two railroads pass through it : the 
Fox River Valley and a branch of the C, B. & Q. R. R. The place was first 
settled by Christopher Payne, who made a claim and built a cabin at the 
head of the "Big Woods" in September, 1833. J"<:lge Isaac Wilson (father 
of Hon. Isaac G. Wilson) bought out Payne in 1835. Quite a large number 
of settlers located here in 1834. Among them were Colonel Lyon, James 
Latham, Joel ;\IcKee. James Risk, Titus Howe, E. S. Town and William Van- 
deventer. Colonel Lyon is now the oldest of the original settlers living here, 
having arrived April 24th, 1834. 

In 1835 others arrived, among them Judge Isaac Wilson, already men- 
tioned, William Van Nortwick and his son, John, J. W. Churchill and others. 
Titus Howe made the first improvements in the water power by building 
a temporary dam and erecting a frame for a sawmill at the lower end of the 
island m 1835. The dam was carried away the next spring and the .same 
year ( 183G) \'an Nortwick, Barker, House & Co. bought out Howe, and 
within a year commenced building the upper dam and the Batavia mills. 
These improvements were completed in 1837-38. Harry Boardman became 
a member of the firm of Van Nortwick, Barker, House & Co. in 1836, and 
was the active business man of the firm. 

The sawmill, commenced by Titus Howe, was removed to the upper dam 
and put in operation by the company. The original town plat was laid out on 
the east side in 1837 by Van Nortwick, Barker, House & Co. The surveying 
was done by John Van Nortwick. Additions were made by Latham, Wilson 
and others. In 1844 John Van Nortwick divided the property with the 
company, taking the property on the west side, including the island and one- 
half the water power. The same year he built the lower dam and erected a 



822 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

sawmill on the island. He also laid out the village on the west side in 1844 
and designated it as Van Nortwick's plat of Batavia. Additions have since 
been made by Mr. \'an Nortwick, McKee and others. The first bridge was 
built by subscription in 1837. The builders were the Howards, of St. Charles. 
It stood where the present stone bridge is. A bridge was built about 1843 ^t 
the upper end of the town, principally by James Risk, Joel IMcKee and James 
Latham, which did good service for some years. At present there is only one 
bridge across the Fox — the stone arch bridge on Wilson street, which was 
erected about 1844-45, and has cost altogether some $9,000, being the cheap- 
est bridge on the river, when its great durability and small annual expense 
are taken into consideration. It is an honor to its projectors and builders. 
The first store opened within the limits of the village was by Joel AIcKee. in 
June, 1835. It stood on the west side, at the north end of the town, near 
the river. It was aftei-ward remo\ed to about the spot where the residence 
of A. P. Kniffin now stands. 

Clyburn & Dodson opened a store the same year at Clyburnville. two 
miles south of the village, where a strong attempt was made to build up a 
town. The first hotel was opened by Charles Ballard, where the Revere 
House now stands, about 1837. Colonel Lyon had also kept a house and 
stables for the accommodation of traxelers in 1836 at Clyburnville near Mill 
creek. Dr. D. K. Town was the first settled physician, about 1839. though 
Dr. J. S. P. Lord had practiced in the place at an earlier date. The first 
marriage in town was that of A. P. Hubbard and Miss Jane Lyon, daughter 
of Colonel Lyon, in the spring of 1835. The first child born in Batavia, or 
"Big \\'oods?' as it was then called, and probably the first in the county, 
was Dodson Vanteventer, October 10, 1834. Miss Charlotte Isbell. a step- 
daughter of Colonel Lyon, is claimed to have been the first female child born 
in the county, August^g, 1836. The first death of an adult, a :Mrs. Ward, 
in the spring of 1835. E. S. Town was the first justice of the peace, elected 
in 1836. Mr. Town was also one of the most influential and untiring friends 
of education in the county. 

At a meeting of the legal voters of the Village of Batavia. held pursuant 
to Public notice at the Stone School House in West Batavia on Saturday 
April 26th. 1856 for the purpose of voting for or against incorporating the 
said Village of Batavia, T. C. Moon was elected moderator and J. C. Pindar, 
Clerk. 

On canvassing the vote it was found that Twenty-seven (27) Votes were 
in favor of incorporating and Eleven (11) were against incorporating. 

T. C. ]MooN. Moderator. 
T. C. PiXDAR, Clerk. 
Filed and recorded. May 21st, 1856 James Herrixgtox. Co Clerk. 

The first school in the place and. undoubtedly, in the county, was opened 
in the fall of 1834 in a log schoolhouse near Mr. Johnson's place. 

A school building was erected about 1852, on the west side at a cost of 
some $1,200. The east side school building was erected in i860 at a cost of 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 823 

about $9,000. It is a very substantial and convenient building. The structure 
on the west side was erected in 1866-67, ^^ ^^ e>^pense of thirty thousand 
dollars. Besides excellent public schools, Bata\-ia had at one time an institu- 
tion of higher grade, which flourished for quite a number of years and had an 
excellent reputation. 

The Batavia Institute was built about 1853-54, by private enterprise at 
a cost of $15,000 — a very liberal sum for those days. It was built of Batavia 
cut stone, and was an elegant structure. Among those prominently interesed 
in this enterprise were E. S. Town, Dr. D. K. Town, John Van Nortwick, 
Joel McKee and Rev. Stephen Peet, Congregational minister. 

When the public-school system went into operation the necessity for in- 
stitutions of this description ceased, and it was converted into an asylum for 
the insane. Dr. Patterson purchased the property about 1867, and converted 
it into a private insane asylum. 

CkurcJics — The C®ngregational church organized in August, 1835, and 
was called the "Big A\'oods" church. They held meetings in the log school- 
house east of Mr. Johnson's grove. The society built th.e church, afterward 
owned by the Catholics in 1840. and their fine stone church on Batavia avenue 
about 1854. The latter building cost about $13,000, and at the time of its 
erection was the best church edifice on the river. The first sermon, probably, 
in the county, was preached by the Rev. N. C. Clark, of this denomination in 
August, 1834, at the house of Christopher Payne. 

The Episcopal Methodists were among the very first to organize and 
had, perhaps, the first stated preaching in the place. 
The Baptist Society was organized as early as 1836. 
The German Methodists built a church about 1862. An African Meth- 
odist Society is also located here. They built a church in 1855 or 1856. 
The Catholics organized about 1855. 

The "Disciples," as they style themselves, built a church in 1866. 
The first Sabbath school, probably, in the county was started here in the 
spring of 1835. It was a union school. 

The first practicing attorney was J. W. Churchill, a son-in-law of Judge 
Wilson, who opened an office soon after he came here in 1835. He was 
elected a representative to the state legislature in 1836. Mr. Churchill re- 
moved to Davenport, Iowa, about 1853. 

The village of Batavia has many elements which must eventually build up 
an extensive city. Its water power (among the very best), its immense stone 
quarries, and the magnificent country surrounding it, make its future alto- 
gether promising, while the enterprise of its citizens is proverbial. 

The town abounds in stately mercantile, manufacturing and public 
buildings, elegant and substantial private residences and everywhere exhibits 
evidences of that thrift and enterprise that must contiinie to make it one of 
the best cities in the Fox river valley. 

BATAVIA TOWNSHIP. 

To the township of Batavia belongs the distinction of the first settlement 
in Kane county, Christopher Payne having arrived there and built his cabin 



824 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

in 1833. on the east side of the river within the present hmits of the city. 
Colonel James Lyon came early in 1834; Captain C. B. Dodson settled just 
south of the present city in June. 1834, at what was then called Clyburnville. 
smce disappeared. 

Trade with the Indians brought profit, and the first store was built near 
the mouth of Mill creek; a sawmill was also erected; both by Captain Dodson. 
In 1835 Dodson and Clyburn contracted to remove the Indians to the West. 
Tames Vanatta is said to have located' east of Batavia in January, 1834. and 
a man named Corey took a claim near him. In December, 1833, James 
Nelson built a cabin and moved in at what was afterward known as Nelson's 
Grove, west of the city. John Gregg was the first blacksmith in the township. 
Settlers came from as far as Rockford, a week's trip down and back, to have 
their plows repaired. 

The first death was a child of one iMyers, who worked for Captain Dod- 
son. in 1834. ]\Irs. ^^'ard died in the fall of that year. 

By the end of 1838 settlers had come in in crowds. J. W. Churchill, 
William Van Nortwick, Joel AIcKee, James Risk, James Rockwell, Isaac 
Wilson, George Fowler and James Latham were permanently located by 
that time. 

The first school in the county was in Batavia township, being opened by 
one Knowles in a log house on Colonel Lyon's land in 1834. The attendance 
was nine pupils. 

ST. CHARLES. 

At a meeting of the voters of St. Charles, Kane County. State of Illinois, 
convened at Horace Bancroft's Building agreeable to ten days public notice 
on Saturday the twelfth day of .\pril A. D. 1845 for the purpose of taking 
into consideration the propriety of incorporating said town of St. Charles. 
On motion G. W. Richards was chosen President and Charles W. Howard, 
Clerk. The president and Clerk were duly sworn Resolved that the voters 
proceed to vote. The vote being taken, resulted as follows. 

For Against 

Will be incorporated Will not be incorporated 

Seventy-two Thirteen 

We certifv the above to be a true return of the v(_)tes taken at the above 

meeting. 

G. W. RiCH.\RDS, President. 

Charles W. How^•\RD, Clerk. 

M. W. Fletcher, 
Rec(M-ded :May loth 1845 ^lerk .)f Kane Co Coun Court. 

St. Charles township and the village of St. Charles were, in the early 
days, the most important part of the county, and for years St, Charles was the 
center of the general activities of the northern part of the district. In an early 
day this township was the seat of many Indian settlements and the trails of the 
redmen were numerous. One of the most noted was known as "Waubonsie's 




STATE TTOME FOR BOYS, ST. CHARLES. 




JUDGE BARRY'S OFFICE, ST. CHARLES, ABOUT 1855. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 827 

trail," which tV>llo\ve(l tiie ri\-er on tlie west baiii-c and took in aU the promi- 
nent springs in that vicinity. As late as 1845 this trail was plainly visible 
across the land afterward owned by C. D. Wing, J. D. Brown and C. 
H. Haines. Another trail led west from Chicago to Rock River across Fox 
river near where the St. Charles dam now is and followed the ravine west 
and over the prairie. The third came from the northeast and a fourth di- 
verged from the Chicago trail near Wayne Station and crossed the river at 
the bend now known as Five Islands, about a half mile below the present 
Illinois Central railroad bridge. 

The first settler to arrive in what is now St. Charles township appears, by 
general consent, to ha\'e been William Franklin, who came with his family in 
March, 1834; although it is claimed that Evan Shelby came in the fall of 1833 
and selected land and partly completed a cabin into which his family moved 
in May, 1834. Following the Shelby and Franklin families the next comers 
were Dean and Read Ferson, who came from Windsor county, Vermont, and 
Ira and George Minard, of Windham county, Vermont, came west as far 
as Chicago with them at that time. In the fall of 1834 Ira Minard built a 
log house on the farm afterward owned by John H. Ferson. Calvin Ward 
came with his family from Massachusetts in 1835. Albert Howard and Rice 
Fay took up a claim in the fall of 1834. In the summer of 1834 Friend 
Mark, of New York, settled on land afterward owned by Mr. Kimble and 
built a cabin. Walter Wilson, William Arnold and Alexander Laughlin 
came about the same time. 

In the fall of 1834 a considerable number of settlers arrived from New 
Brunswick, among whom were Mrs. Moses Young, Stephen Young, Joel 
Young, D. C. Young, Jerusha Young (who afterward became Mrs. J. T. 
Wheeler), Samuel Young, Robert Moody and J. T. Wheeler. Gideon Young 
came in 1835. Archibald Moody arrived in 1836, and John Kittridge, of 
Manchester, New Hampshire, in the summer of 1834. A settler named 
Crandall claimed part of the land on which the city of St. Charles now 
stands, and built a log house in the spring of 1834. This claim, together 
with about forty acres in the Little Woods, he sold to James Herrington, of 
Geneva. Melvin Marsh came in 1834 and settled on what became the Foley 
farm. He sold out to Martin Switzer, who came from Canada in 1838. 
T. E. Grossman, from New York state, came about the same time. Timothy 
Adams Wheeler, from Cavendish, Vermont, arrived in the fall of 1834, but 
returned to Vermont owing to an injury he received, but afterward came 
back to St. Charles and died here. His brother, Amos R. Wheeler, came 
in 1835. 

Other settlers of 1835 were Solomon Dunham and his son-in-law, Mark 
W. Fletcher (afterward a prominent politician in the county) ; Joseph Pem- 
berton and Nathan Perry. The claim of Solomon Dunham has since expanded 
into the fine Dunham stock farm near Wayne, which comprises over one 
thousand two hundred acres of land. Miss Alzira Garton died in the fall of 
1835 and was buried at Brown Grove. This was the first death in the settle- 
ment. 



828 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

The first marriages were those of James T. Wheeler and Jeruslia Young, 
January 15, 1835. and Dean Person and Prudence Ward, at St. Charles, 
which was then called Charlestown, September 14, 1836. Charles B. Gray 
came in 1835, as did also Thomas Stewart. 

The earliest minister of the gospel was Rev. John Clark, a Methodist, 
who was a missionary to the Indians as early as 1833. In 1837 he moved to 
the Fox river valley and located on a farm afterward owned by C. B. Dodson, 
between Geneva and Batavia. The first blacksmith who settled in the town- 
ship was Daniel Mar\in. who came in 1835. Ephraim and O. W. Perkins 
came in 1835 from New Hampshire; also William Tyler and his son, Ira D., 
from Cayuga county, New York. James Mead in 1840 erected a tavern 
known as the "Western Enterprise." 

Among the settlers of 1836 were Timothy Baker, John Glos, of Germany, 
W. D. Baird, Leonard and David Howard, Zebina Brown, George Parker 
and John Andrus, from Buffalo. O. C. Baird put up part of the St. Charles 
Hotel in 1837. James T. Durant and Bryant Durant settled here in 1836. 
They were from W'are, Massachusetts. N. H. Dearborn came from Ply- 
mouth, New Hampshire, in 1836, and built the first frame dwelling in what 
is now St. Charles in the summer of that year. Dr. T. P. Whipple came 
from New York in 1836, as did Dr. Nathan Collins, from New Hampshire; 
Horace Bancroft, of Vermont; James Bancroft, Asa Haseltine, of Rocking- 
ham, Vermont, and Volentine Randall, of Washington county. New York, 
who is said to have built the first frame building on the west side of the river 
on the southeast corner of Main and Third streets ; Joseph T. Sibley, who 
married a sister of Leonard Howard ; Major W. G. Conklin and his brother. 
Smith Conklin, from Cattaraugus county, New York, and Major D. B. Hunt, 
from Boston, Massachusetts. 

The earliest manufactories were the sawmill, erected in 1836; Locke's 
wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill in 1837; John Penney brick-making, 
1838; Daniel Marvin, blacksmith shop, 1835; the making of spinning wheels 
and farm rakes, before 1840. A cooperative creamery was organized and a 
large factory erected in 1852; butter and cheese making started about 1867; 
foundry business was started about 1842, gradually growing to large propor- 
tions. The file factory, which still continues to do business, was organized by 
a stock company about 1878. The manufacture of paper commenced in 1841 
and by 1866 was doing a large business with a capital of $100,000 and em- 
ploying nearly one hundred hands. The great fire of February 5, 1866, 
destroyed the mill, which was not rebuilt. In 1840 three stores of brick and 
stone were erected on East Main street and what was then known as the 
Mansion House on the west side. The first store was opened in a frame 
building two stories high, erected in the spring of 1836 by Minard, Person & 
Hunt, on the ground now occupied by Wilcox's grocery store. In 1842 W. C. 
Irwin and Elisha Freeman built two stores on the west side of the river. One 
of the earliest mercantile establishments occupied the old frame building on 
the corner of East j\Lain and Second streets. The firm was R. V. M. Croes 
and a man named Brownlee. In 1844-45 there were engaged on the east 
side of the river the firms of C. A. Brooks, Wait & Dole, Stevens & Green, 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 829 

David Strader and B. T. Hunt ; on the west side were E. Freeman, L. M. 
Blaisdell & Co., Thomas & Howard, John F. Wright and M. F. Burdge. W. 
J. Conkhn and others were running a mill on the west side at that time, and 
Bund)' & Evans were operating the old east side sawmill. 

The first postoffice was established in 1837, with Horace Bancroft as 
postmaster and Calvm Ward, mail carrier. 

The most serious public disturbance tliat occurred in St. Cliarles in the 
early days was the Richards' riot, which is spoken of more in detail in the 
general county history under the chapter of Resurrectionists. 

One of the remembered occasions of early days was the duplicate cele- 
bration of the 4th of July, 1S46. The whigs and democrats united in a 
national celebration on the east side of the river, and the abolitionists, under 
the lead of John Farnsworth, Calvin Ward and others, had a celebration on 
the west side. The east siders procured two cannon which were placed side 
by side on the hill. At the foot of the hill an oven was built to do cooking 
for the crowd. The abolitionists borrowed a large tent capable of holding one 
thousand people, which they set up on the west side ; dishes were procured in 
St. Charles, Elgin and other places and jireparations made for a great cele- 
bration. Eminent speakers were secured, enthusiasm was very great, and 
the town was filled with many people who came from many miles around. 
Everything went well until about two p. m., when a sudden thunder storm and 
a furious wind arose. The big tent, which was filled with people, was torn 
from its fastenings and collapsed, leaving the people to crawl from under as 
best they could. They fled in all directions, wading through the deep water 
which filled the gutters. A number were seriously injured but no one killed. 
The storm eft'ectually broke up both celebrations. 

St. Charles enjoys the distinction of having furnished, i:)r at least ha\ing 
been the place of enrollment, for the only company furnished by Kane county 
to the Me.xican war. 

The first attempt to establish a bank was made by Elisha Freeman about 
1853. when he opened a small office on West Main street. The village or- 
ganized under a city charter April 22. 1875. Dr. J. K. Lewis was the first 
mavor; T. W. Edmunds, first city clerk; first treasurer was S. B, Huls, and 
the first citv attorney was Frank McMasters. The aldermen were Charles 
Chovin, E. A. Brownell, F. L. Alexander, A. W. Kelley, T. L. Ryan and 
John F. Elliott. 

In late years the location of the Cable I'iano Company at St. Charles 
and the establishment of other industries have given the place a new iiupetus. 
It is one of the best located cities in the county and has one of the best water 
powers. If present indications go for anything it will, in the not far distant 
future, lie one of the industrial and manufacturing points of the Fcx ri\-er 
valley. 

The first school taught in St. Charles was opened in the fall of 1835, 
in a log house. It was taught by Prudence Ward, afterward Mrs. Dean 
Ferson. The first building erected for school purposes within the city limits 
was built of boards and slabs in the fall of 1836. In 1837 a frame school 
building was erected by Thomas E. Dodge, contractor. Among the early 



830 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

teachers was Arethusa Fisk. who taiiglit in 1837. James T. Wheeler taught 
there between 1837 and 1842. Until about 1853 all the schools were private 
or select, each pupil paying a certain sum by the week or term. After that 
year the public-school system went into operation and select schools became 
things of the past. 

The earliest church organizations were the Congregationalists, Meth- 
odists and Universalists. The Congregationalist being organized by Rev. 
N. C. Clark in 1837. Services were for a time held in private residences and 
school houses. A church was erected in 1842 on the corner of West Third 
and Walnut streets. The Methodist Episcopal society erected a stone church 
at an early day which was enlarged in 1852. The Universalists organized 
prior to 1840 and erected a building in 1842; this being the first belonging to 
that denomination in the state. The Baptist society organized previous to 
1850, and built a church about 1851. Rev. Xiles Kinney and Rev. David 
Matlock were early ministers. The Catholics have held services in St. 
Charles since 1840, and erected a church in 1852 which has been enlarged 
and improved at various times. Swedish Lutherans. Free Methodists. Epis- 
copalians, African Methodists and Spiritualists have at various times organ- 
ized societies. 

ST. Patrick's church — St. Charles. 1851. 

Nearly seventy years ago. in 1840 or 41. the pioneer Catholics of St. 
Charles met for divine worship at the homes of John Barry (where the Mose- 
dale house now stands). John 0"Connor (the old Jennings home), "SI. Flan- 
nery's. and several others. ]\Iass was celebrated by Fathers Doyle and Feely, 
priests sent from Chicago to attend the Catholic settlers of Elgin. In 1845 
Rev. William Feely was appointed first resident pastor at Elgin, and from 
that date to 1853 he attended the Catholics of St. Charles, usually once a. 
month. In 1851, under the direction of Father Feely, the present church was 
built by James O'Connor, assisted by his brothers Patrick and Dennis Long. 
James O'Connor had built a Catholic church in Ottawa in 1848. and modeled 
St. Patrick's after it. The land for the church had been generously donated 
by Mr. Darwin Millington. 

The church is located on West Fourth and Cedar streets. St. Patrick's 
was completed and dedicated in 1852 by Bishop Van De Vilde, second bishop 
of Chicago. About 1853 Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer was made first resident pastor. 
He remained until i860. Father O'Dwyer had a wide field of labor, attending 
to the Catholics of Elburn and West Chicago (then Turner Junction), mem- 
bers of the fold in Batavia and Geneva attending the church in this city. For 
many years at that early date the Catholic congregation was large and pros- 
perous. But w-hen we of this day and age remember the many sacrifices 
made, privations endured and difificulties surmounted, our hearts are filled 
with aflfection and gratitude and we must admire the fortitude and zeal of the 
pioneer priest and layman. Following are the names of a few of the first 
Catholic settlers, descendants of whom largely constitute the present congrega- 
tion : John Barry. John O'Connor. Dennis Long, M. and P. Flannery. Patrick 




GYMNASIU^I. BOYS' HOME, ST. CHARLES. 




OFFICE BUHJ)IXGS, BOYS' HOME, ST. CHARLES. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 833 

Joyce, Cornelius Raid, Hugh McClone. Patrick Muraine. Thomas Roche, 
Peter Turbet, T. Ryan, John Sheehan, M. 0"Kane. M. Shearin, Dennis 
McAuley, WilHam Bayleson. Thomas McCabe, Thomas Halpin, Barney Cas- 
sidy, Thomas Doyle, Felix McFarlane, Patrick Jennings, P. Garrity, Thomas 
Collins, William Doherty, Thomas Murphy and brother, M. Murphy ; P. Fay, 
Michael Murphy, Patrick Pillan, M. Lawler, P. Moran, Mrs. Kerwin, P. and 
D. O'Malley, John Kelly, M. Brennan, A. McNevin, B. Kennedy. M. Dillon, 
Thomas Foley, George Welch, Frank Lennartz, James Kavanaugh, John 
McCoy, M. Keating, and many others. The early settlers of Geneva (which 
city is still included in St. Patrick's parish) were the Quinns, Landers, Wheel- 
ers, Clancys. Bowens, McGreens, Mastersons, Lawlers, Navins, and Mrs. 
Crotty ; the Cannon, Hogan families coming later, also the Adamson and 
Joyce families. Among the members of the present day, residents of St. 
Charles, are the Keegans, Morgans, O'Brien, Daleys, Naughtens, Munhalls, 
Murphys, Schraders, McCluskeys, Devlins, Gartners, Rempes, and many 
others ; also a large number of foreigners representing nearly every nationality 
of continental Europe. Following is a list of the pastors of St. Patrick's church 
down to the present date. The dates here given are taken from the church 
register and are approximately correct. From 1840 to 1853, Fathers Doyle 
and Feely, visiting priests from Elgin; '53 to '60, Father James O'Dwyer; 
'60 to '62, Father Murphy ; '62 to '63, Father McGivern ; '63 to '64, Father 
O'Sullivan; '64 to 65, Father Rigby; '65 to '67, Father O'Neil; '67 to '70, 
Father Campbell; '70 to '75, Father M. Pendergast; '75 to 'tj, Father O'Con- 
nor; '-jj to '80, Father D. Spellman; '80 to '81, Father M. Zara; '81 to '83, 
Father Burch ; '83 to '86, Father Gaulet, Sr. ; '86 to '90, Father John Madden ; 
'90 to '97, Father A. Gaulet, Jr. ; '97 to 1905, Father M. Stack. This record 
brings us down to the present pastor, Rev. Tmiothy Ryan, who came to St. 
Patrick's in October, 1905. 

Rev. Father Ryan was born in Tipperary. Ireland, April 21, 1864. and 
began his education in the national schools of that country. He prepared for 
the priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin, and was ordained June 23, 
1889, by Archbishop Walsh of Dublin, for the arch-diocese of Chicago. 
Father Ryan was assigned to St. Cecelia's church, Chicago, as assistant pastor 
for thirteen years. In 1902 he was appointed pastor of the Catholic church 
at Harmon, Illinois, and remained at that place until coming to St. Charles, 
in 1905. In his three years' pastorate many improvements have been made. 

The interior of the church has been redecorated in the most artistic 
manner, electric lights, new carpets, new doors, imtil dear old St. Patrick's 
looks like a new church; and the spiritual needs of his people have never been 
lost sight of. 

Through his efforts has been established Mt. St. Mary's Academy under 
the supervision of the Dominican Sisters of New York. This institution of 
learning was opened in September, 1907, and was one of the happiest events 
for the Catholic education in this parish and in the whole community, and will 
pro\e a powerful auxiliary in promoting the spiritual good of the parish and 
a lasting nuMiument to the zeal arid energy of the pastor, Rew Father Ryan, 
respected and esteemed bv all whu know him. 



834 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

SOUTH ELGIN. 

In 1S70 it was written: "The village of South Elgin (formerly Clin- 
tonville) is well situated on both sides of Fox river about thirty-nine miles 
from Chicago by railroad and three miles south of the city of Elgin. It is in 
the tCAvnship of Elgin. 

"The first settlers were Joseph P. Corron. Truman Gilbert. Dr. Joseph 
Gefft and Dr. Nathan Collins. Air. Corron located himself about three-quar- 
ters of a mile east of the river on the propert}- where he now lives. He arrived 
in the spring of 1835. 

"Messrs. Gilbert, Teft't and Collins came in the fall or winter of 1835-6. 
Gilbert and Teft't both built log cabins near where the sheds of the Ballantine 
distiller}- now stand, and Dr. Collins built one on the west side of the river. 
Dr. Collins afterward located in St. Charles, where he died a few years after 
his removal from Clintonville. The village was laid out on the east side by 
Truman Gilbert about the year 1849, and on the west side by Dr. Joseph Tefft 
and B. ^^^ Ravmond, the same year, or soon after. Additions have been by 
T. Gilbert and the heirs of Dr. Collins, a son of the latter being at present a 
practicing physician of the place. Joseph P. Corron also laid out an addition 
to the east side in Alay, 1855. 

"The first dam was started by Gilbert and Teft"t in the fall of 1836. It 
was left unfinished through the winter, and the flood of the next spring 
(1837) carried it away. Gilbert and Collins built the second dam (now 
standing) about 1838. A sawmill was built on the east side, the same year. 

"The first school building was a small frame one which stood on the lot 
or near where the present east schoolhouse stands. It was built about 1850, 
and was used also for religious meetings. The present school buildings were 
erected about the year 1858. 

"There was a Methodist Episcopal society organized here at an early 
dav, but they never were strong enough to erect a house of worship. The 
Free Methodists erected a church in i860. 

"The Galena & Chicago U. R. Road, now the C. & N.-W. Ry., reached 
this place late in the winter of 1849, f^m which time the village dates its 
growth. 

"A large distillery was built near the railroad track by Nathan Williams 
in 1846 or 1847. and run by various parties for twelve or fifteen years, since 
which it has mostly remained idle. 

"Two flouring mills were built about the same time. 1849 or 1850. The 
west mill by Hiram J. Brown, and the east one by G. M. Woodbury. Wood- 
bury built the distillery attached to the east mill about two years later. This 
distillery and mill passed through many hands with varying fortunes, but 
the distillery part has not been run for a number of years. Both the distilleries 
are now in litigation with no certain owners. 

"Woodbur\-'s flour mill is now run by Mr. T. H. Foster, who is doing 
mostlv merchant work. It contains four run of stone and has a capacity of 
one hundred barrels of flour dailv. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 835 

"The west side flour mill is now owned by Mr. William Pauton, who 
purchased it in 1854. He has rebuih it (1856-57), and it is now one of the 
best mills on the river. It contains four run of stone, and is at present doing 
mostly merchant work. 

"A paper mill was built about 1852 by Dr. Erastus TeiTt, or by some one 
whom he bought out. The property is at present owned by Mr. O. Davidson, 
of Elgin, and is operated under a lease by B. Hagelow & Co., who employ 
eleven hands and turn out two thousand five hundred pounds of paper daily. 
It is manufacturing roofing and siding felt exclusively. 

"The tannery of Geahan & Hutchinson is doing (|uite an extensive busi- 
ness in the tanning of all descriptions of leather, wool-pulling, etc. It employs 
eight hands. This company commenced work in the city of Elgin, hut re- 
moved to this place in 1870. 

"The large iron foundry of Bosworth & Davidson is doing an extensive 
business in the manufacture of school furniture, mostlv, a large proportion of 
which is shipped to St. Louis. It employs about twenty hands, and is doing a 
good business. 

"The first bridge over the river at this point was built bv subscription 
about 1850. This was washed away in 1857, and another took its place which 
remained until it was replaced by the present iron structure in 1868. 

"The village has had rather a slow growth, the principal cause of which 
has been the location of distilleries in its midst and the nncertaintv attending 
the distilling business. 

"But a new prospect seems opening before it. Mr. O. Davidson has bought 
up a large share of the water power and nearly all the vacant land in the 
vicinity, and the intention, no doubt, is to establish, as soon as matters get 
into settled condition, permanent manufacturing interests. I. C. Bosworth is 
interested with Mr. Davidson in a portion of the water power, and these two 
gentlemen evidently intend business. 

"The water power is ample and shipping facilities are good." 
Since 1870 all these institutions have one by one disappeared and the 
buildings burned down. For years this place was a deserted village. It is 
aroused somewhat since the A. E. & C. Ry. was constructed. 

DUNDEE. 

The village of Dundee is finely located upon both banks of Fox river, 
forty-seven miles northwest by rail from Chicago, and five miles north of the 
city of Elgin. The place was first settled in 1834 by Joseph Russell and J. 
H. Newman. Russell built a log cabin on the east side of the river, in the 
south part of the town, and Newman built one on the bluff in the north part 
of the town, and west of the river. The village was surveyed and platted on 
the west side in 1836, by the Oatmans, Deweese and Shields. M. W. Fletcher, 
surveyor. The east side was laid out by Thomas Deweese some years later. 

In 1835 large additions were made to the settlers. Among those arriving 
in this year were Parker, Ashbaugh, Welch, Smith, McClure, Deweese, Green, 
and others. In 1836 Thompson, W^ilburn, the Perry family, Dempster, 



836 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Bangs, Sutphin, Allison and the Oatman family were added. A dam and 
sawmill were built by the Oatmans in 1837. 

The first postoffice was established in 1836, about one mile southeast of 
the present village of Dundee, at McClure's Grove, and General McClure was 
appointed postmaster. The first marriage in the place was that of Captain 
Jamison, of Chicago, and a daughter of General McClure; the first birth, a 
daughter of Dr. Parker; the first death, the aged father of Thomas Deweese, 
in 1835; the first settled physician, Dr. J. R. Goodnow, in 1836. The first 
religious discourse was given in the house of Jesse Oatman by Rev. J. E. 
Elmore, of St. Charles, in the fall of 1836. Mr. Elmore was a Baptist. He 
laid out the village of Asylum, in the township of St. Charles, where he re- 
sided for many years. The first school opened in Dundee was by Miss 
Amanda Cochran (now Mrs. Moses Wanser), in 1837. A bridge was built 
over the Fox river in 1838, where the present beautiful iron structure stands. 
The first store in the place was opened by J. & H. Oatman in the fall of 1836. 
Edwards and Bosworth succeeded them in 1838. A school building, 20 by 
30 feet, was erected in 1839. It was used also for religious ser^•ices. lyceimis, 
etc. The present school buildings were erected, the west building of brick, in 
1850, at a cost of about $1,300. Thomas H. Thompson was the contractor, 
and the east side building about 1856, at a cost of $800. An addition was 
built in 1864, costing about $400. The Congregationalists built a small 
frame building (still standing in the rear of the Baptist church) in 1840. 
Their present house, of brick, was erected in 1853, and cost about $8,000. 
The Baptist society built their first church in 1848. This was afterward 
sold to the Episcopalians, and a new and very fine frame building erected at 
an expense of $10,500 in 1864-65. The Methodist society built a cheap build- 
mg as early as 1844. The new one, a very substantial frame building, was 
built in 1856. The Episcopalians are occupying the brick church originally 
built by the Baptists. A German Lutheran society was organized and a 
church edifice erected in 1864. It is a neat and substantial building, of Duti- 
dee brick. The first hotel was opened by Hardin Oatman in 1837. Wanton 
Parker was the first justice and Seth Green the first constable — both elected in 
1836. In 1840 the land came into market, and I. C. Bosworth was chosen 
by the settlers to bid off their claims and deed to them according to the 
claim lines. The first attempt at establishing a printing press was made by 
a Mr. Farnham about 1855, who published the Dundee Advocate for a short 
time. The Dundee Weekly was commenced by P. Swick about the year 
1866. The Dundee Hawkeye now furnishes news to the people. 

The manufactures of Dundee are not extensive, owing to the want of 
sufficient water power. 

The largest nianufacturing business of the village of Dundee is that of 
the Dundee Brick Company. It was started as early as 1852. The present 
company organized in 1867. They are employing about sixty hands and 
their annual sales amount to about three million brick. The clay from 
\\-hich the beautiful cream-colored brick is made is obtained in the high liluffs 
on the east side of the river. The deposit is an immense mass, some sixtv 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 837 

feet in depth, and practically inexhaustible. The facilities for this important 
business are unsurpassed, and the demand almost unlimited. 

This village has never been a rapid grower, but has continued steadily 
to advance, and has many elements of prosperity. The surrounding country 
is especially adapted to the dairy business. Grazing is of the best description, 
and the country abounds in fine springs of pure water. The mercantile busi- 
ness is respectable, and the town is remarkable for thoroughgoing and liberal 
men. 

C.^RPENTERSVILLE. 

The village of Carpentersville is in the township of Dundee and situated 
sue mile north of the village of Dundee, on Fox river. It was first settled 
by Daniel G. and Charles V. Carpenter in 1837. The village was surveyed 
and plaited in 185 1. The same year J. A. Carpenter built the first bridge 
across the river at his own expense. A school building was erected about 
1855, two stories in height. The upper story is occupied by the Sons of Tem- 
perance, whose organization dates back to 185 1 and, what is remarkable, has 
been in active operation ever since. They have about forty members and a 
fine library of four hundred or five hundred volumes. There is one religious 
organization (Congregational) but no church building. A flourishing Sab- 
bath school is kept up, however. An elegant iron bridge was built in 1869-70 
at a cost of $10,000. The village has grown up entirely in consequence of 
the location of heavy manufactories here. The water power is good and well 
improved. It is almost exclusively owned by Hon. J. A. Carpenter, one of 
the most extensive and enterprising manufacturers in the West. 

Our sketch of the various manufactories, all of which are wholly, or in 
part owned by Mr. Carpenter, will show what a single mind can accomplish 
when governed by sound judgment and business enterprise. A dam was built 
in 1837 by the Oatmans, of Dundee, with the intention of taking the water 
down on the west side for use at the village of Dundee. A canal was con- 
structed and a sawmill built between the two villages and operated for some 
years, but the entire water power eventually fell into the hands of J. A. Car- 
penter, who commenced and continued developing the manufacturing business 
of Carpentersville until nearly the whole power is absorbed at that point. The 
remains of the Oatman canal are still to be seen, but its bed is dry. 

The first building erected for manufacturing purposes was the Atlantic 
Flour Mills in 1845-6. 

The Valley Woolen Mills were erected by Mr. Carpenter in 1866. The 
building is of Dundee brick, 45 by 50 feet, three stories. 

But the principal establishment, and one of the largest and most com- 
plete in the West is, par excellence, the works of the Illinois Iron and Bolt 
Company. This and the woolen company are both incorporated. The nucleus 
around which has grown up the present mammoth business was a small reaper 
factory started by George Marshall about 1855, and continued for seven or 
eight years, when he took in two partners and ran it as a hardware manu- 
factory for about two years, at which time the present joint stock company 
was formed, the capital enlarged and the same business continued. In 1868 



838 KANE L'ULX'l'Y IILSTUKY 

J. A. Carpenter and A. Edwards, of Dundee, bought up a majority of the 
stock. An endless variety of work is done, the leading articles manufactured, 
being thimble skeins, sad irons, pumps, copying presses, seat springs, garden 
or lawn vases, etc. The work produced is of the best description and much of 
it highly elaborate and ornamental. The goods are sold largely in Chicago, 
San Francisco, New Orleans, Utah. Louisville, Cincinnati. St. Louis, Pitts- 
burg, and mostly all the large cities, and the business is constantly increasing. 
A most beautiful variety of copying presses is made here, and this branch 
of the business alone is immense. The demand for the productions of this 
company has increased so rapidly that extensive additions to the works have 
been made from time to time. Altogether the establishment is one of the 
most complete in the countrj- and a splendid monument of manufacturing 
enterprise. 

An extensive deposit of peat is located east of Carpentersville, covering 
from loo to i6o acres. Attempts have been made to work it. but from some 
cause have not been successful. The bed averages six feet in thickness, and 
it is believed that a good quality of fuel might be prepared. 

The Carpentersville Literary and Library Association — This association 
was organized in March, 1871. the late Hon. Julius Angelo Carpenter, of 
Carpentersville, being the prime mover, he, at that time, being a member of 
the state legislature. The charter members were George Marshall, William 
W. Norton, W. G. Sawyer, H. G. Sawyer, \\'illiam H. Webb, Delos Dunton, 
Oscar Diezman, George Robinson, George Plumleigh. John Donovan. Luther 
D. Wright and Swain Dahlbom. The reason for the non-appearance of ]Mr. 
Carpenter's name among the charter members is that he was at Springfield 
when the papers were made out. The three school districts, comprising the 
villages of East Dundee, West Dundee and Carpentersville. united and became 
one district about the year 1870 and a union school building was erected on 
the blufif in West Dundee about two years later. The district, as it was 
thought, having no further use for the old building at Carpentersville, which 
building, by the way, was owned and occupied jointly by the school district 
and a temperance organization known as "Hand in Hand Division Sons of 
Temperance No. 292," the interest of the school district was sold at auction 
to George Willard. of Dundee, and by him transferred to the L. & L. Asso- 
ciation, a subscription paper for the purpose having been successfully 
circulated, the association thereby becoming the owner of the lower room of 
said building. It very soon became apparent that the building was too small 
to accommodate the needs of the growing village. Expansion having been 
decided upon, the building was sawed asunder in the middle, one end moved 
several feet away and the gap enclosed as a part of the building, thus doubling 
its size. 

Li the purchase and enlarging of the structure an expense of about $1,400 
was incurred which. was met and liquidated by subscriptions of money, mate- 
rial and labor, and funds were raised in giving entertainments by home 
talent and dancing parties, music for the latter being also supplied by home 
players. Sociables, festivals and lectures, managed and given by the ladies, 
earned no small portion of the sum required. 




NEW LIBRARY HALL, CARPENTERSVILLE. 




OLD lii;i;.\i;y hall, carlextersmlle. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 841 

A reading room was opened in this building January, 1881, and for 
about six years the room was open six evenings in eacli week. In 1887 the 
open evenings were cut down to two each week, and the books were allowed 
to be circulated. A unique and interesting feature of this library and reading 
room is the fact that its entire support for many years has been met by the 
circulation of an annual subscription paper, Mrs. Carpenter, afterward Mrs. 
Mary E. C. Lord, duplicating the sum thus raised. 

January 2, 1897, the present quarters of the library were dedicated and 
a few days thereafter the books were installed in their new racks. The rooms 
are the gift of Mrs. Lord to the association, and the furnishing and equipment 
are without doubt the most elegant and complete to be found in any similar 
rooms outside of the larger cities. By the terms of the will of Mrs. Lord, 
whose death occurred April 27, 1905, an endowment fund, the income from 
which will be ample to insure the maintenance of this institution, was pro- 
vided. Views of the old building and of the new are herein given. 

DUNDEE TOWNSHIP. 

That Dundee township should be aiuong the first settled by the incom- 
ing pioneers is not to be wondered at. Its high, beautiful bluffs and fine water 
power make it an ideal place for residence or industry. It is not surprising 
that when Jesse H. Xewiuan and Joseph Russell, the first settlers, stood in 
October, 1834, on the bluff and looked across the fine land in sight, they 
decided to locate. Although they were but prospecting they did not hesitate, 
but at once staked a claim, and in April, 1835, (meantime having gone to 
Indiana to get their family) they took possession and were the first of as 
fine a class of pioneers as has honored any localitv by their settlement. 

The Newman cabin was soon built on the west bluff and all lived in it 
until Russell's cabin was built on the east side. It stood until 1875, just below 
the brickyard grounds. 

One of Russell's sons early married one of Newman's daughters. Jesse 
Oatman came soon after, and during his life said of the Indians who lived 
here, that they were located "about eighty rods below the brickyard'' in six 
huts, or wigwams, and in all comprised about twenty-five persons. The Black 
Hawk war had opened the eyes of easterners to northern Illinois, and they 
came in flocks after 1834. A. R. Dempster came in May, 1835. and "staked" 
on the east side; the farm afterward belonging to George Giddings. He 
later published in the Dundee Record an account of early experiences. He 
stated that at the time he came in the settlers were Russell and Newman, John 
Jackson, Dr. Parker, a Mr. Moore, Burbank and George Taylor, mostly 
along the west side of the river. On the east side were Benjamin Miller, 
Irick Van Asdell, Jesse Miller and the Hawley family. Soon after this came 
Thomas Deweese and General George McClure, afterward well-known in 
Elgin, where he died. This Deweese claimed all land not appropriated, and 
was the cause of much trouble. On another page of this book appears a 
judgment rendered against him in a controversy he had with James C. Hanks 
over land southeast of Dundee. He also had a contest with Eaton Walker, 



842 KANE COUNTY HISTOEY 

wlio located just southeast of Dundee about 1838. Walker went on land 
that was part of Deweese's "universal" claim and began building a cabin. 
:\Ieantinie Deweese had sold to David Hammer (whose son still owns prop- 
erty in the same vicinity). Threats not prevailing, some of Deweese's men 
appeared. Walker went to Elgin, and securing John Lovell, constable, 
returned. The result was a general fight in which clubs were freelv used and 
heads bruised. Walker in the end drove Deweese out and held the land. Most 
of the land controversies were peaceably adjusted before the justices of the 
peace. Dr. Goodnow or T. H. Thompson. Captain T. H. Thompson came 
to Dundee in 1835 and located on the west side. He was long prominent as 
county commissioner, and was the first supervisor and the first justice of the 
peace. 

Henry Smith and Freeman came in 1835. as did the Ashbaughs. In 1836 
came a ^^Ir. Welch. John Allison, ^\'illianl \Mlburn. George W. Browning and 
George Hall. In 1837 arrived William Hale and G. Hoxie. In 1838 C. V. 
Carpenter, Daniel Carpenter and W. R. Hemenway arrived. 

The first election appears to have been held in 1835. at the home of 
Captain Thompson, for state senator and county officers. James Kimball 
was elected justice of the peace in 1835, the total vote being eighteen. 

A bridge building committee, comprising I. C. Bosworth, Jesse Oatman, 
Seth Green. Thomas Deweese and E. W. Austin, was named in 1838 and made 
a contract for a bridge of timber to be completed by March, 1839. The 
acceptance of the completed bridge is dated February 27, 1839. It cost about 
$1,500, in subscriptions of $1 and upward. 

In 1839 came G. W. Bullard from Massachusetts and located on the 
east side. Charles B. W'ells arrived from ilassachusetts in 1840. He was 
elected circuit clerk of the county in 1848 and removed to Geneva. 

The first birth in the settlement is in controversy as between a daughter 
of Dr. Parker and W. R. Dempster. Catherine Dempster was born June 28. 

1835, and became Mrs. Malcolm ilcNeil. Thomas Deweese, Sr.. died October,' 

1836. his being the first death in the township. The first marriage was that 
of Captain Jamison to a daughter of General McClure. in 1837. Alex. 
Gardiner and Sallie Miller married soon after that date. 

The first school was taught by Amanda Cochrane, who married Moses 
Wanzer. He arrived in 1836 with ^Marshall Sherman and Cyrus Larkin. the 
latter afterward a prominent citizen of Elgin, where his daughter. Mrs. 
Hombeek, still resides. 

The first church in the township, outside of the village, was built i)y a sect 
of Mormons who located near Carpentersville in 1856. The building cost 
$1,000. The sect did not last long. 

Dundee township being especially adapted for stock raising, it early 
became the location of cheese and butter factories and has continued to increase 
in that regard. The Borden Condensed Milk Company now have a plant 
there, and every hill is dotted with cattle as fine as are raised anywhere.' 
Sidney Wanzer built the first factory in 1877 and did a good business at once. 
J. T. ^lason erected a building the same year, as did also Jesse Oatman and his 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 843 

sons. Others have since been put up, until the township is second to none 
in its dairy products and its facilities for handling them. 

An idea of the hardships and privations suffered hy the early settlers 
who journeyed here from the East may be had from the experience of Mr. 
and Mrs. George E. Sawyer, who came from \"ermont to Kane county in 
1837. The means of conveyance for the trip was a wagon drawn by a single 
horse, and occupied from April to October. Shortly after their arrival a 
farm, or "claim," was purchased in Dundee township, in which was invested 
their entire fortune, about $300, brought with them from the East. During 
the winter was begun the erection of a log cabin, and while engaged in this 
Mr. Sawyer injured his back, and for several months was unable to do any 
work. There they were, he helpless, without money, an uncompleted log 
cabin, and among strangers, better off than themselves in but one particular, 
they were able to work. By the help of these good neighbors they were enabled 
to complete the cabin, which provided them a shelter, and wood being plentiful, 
they could at least keep warm, but how were they to live. Here the neighbors 
once more rallied to their assistance, and when springtime came they man- 
aged to get about twenty acres cleared, broke and planted to corn. Some 
time during the season Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer one day drove several miles to 
a neighbor's, at whose cabin a doctor from St. Charles was making occasional' 
visits to see a patient, the purpose of the trip being that i\Ir. Sawyer, who was 
still laid up, might consult a doctor without incurring the not-to-be-thought-of 
expense of a visit from him. When they were away on this trip, a herd of 
cattle, belonging to neighbors, got jnto and destroyed the entire field of corn. 
Here was a dilemma. It was this twenty acres of growing corn upon which 
their depejidence had been placed to carry them through the winter. They 
had nothing now left but a cjuantity of hay, cut from their prairie land. 
A trip was made to Pingree Grove to the home of a relative of Mrs. Sawyer, 
and through his influence, some cattle Avere taken to be fed during the winter 
on this hay, the pay for which was advanced, and thus they were tided over. 

In common with all other settlers, the first habitation of Charles V. 
Carpenter was a log cabin, erected within what is now the village of 
Carpentersville. These cabins, or log houses, as they were called, were built 
of logs cut from the woods, the trees being selected of as nearly as possible 
a unifomi size, and to get the required length with as little variation in dimen- 
sion at top and bottom as could be found. The logs were slightly flattened on 
two sides, then laid up crib-fashion one upon another, breaking joints at the 
corners so as to interlock and hold the corners firmly. Rafters of smaller 
timbers were put in place to receive the roof boards or flattened small timbers, 
on which the split or shaved shingles or shakes were laid. Floors consisted 
of slabs laid on log joists. The spaces between the logs were filled with wet 
clay, plastered or otherwise rendered weather-proof. The more pretentious 
of these cabins were of dimensions to admit of a partition dividing it into two 
rooms below and with a "loft" above, where the younger members of the 
familv could sleep, and that, too, without fear of suffering from want of 
fresh air. 



844 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Early in the '40s, following the attainment of some degree of material 
prosperity, came also a longing for better and more comfortable quarters, more 
like that which had been given up when they left their homes in Massachusetts, 
and so, in exchange for wheat and wool, hauled by team to Chicago, lumber 
for a frame house was obtained and transported on the same wagons on the 
return trip. The frame timbers of oak were hewn from logs cut in the home 
woods, and some of the t^oors were of oak plank sawed from logs at the local 
sawmill. The roof boards were also of oak, and the lath were of the same 
material, the boards being first sawed to the required thickness and then split 
and spread apart as they were nailed onto the studding, thus forming what 
were known as "split" lath. This house was built by a carpenter who had 
come from Massachusetts, and he worked out by hand all the inside finish 
and moldings. The building w-as completed about the year 1846, and is still 
standing. It is now occupied by the grand-daughter of the first owner, she 
having been born and also married in this same house. 

The follow'ing extracts are from a letter dated at Uxbridge, ^tlassachu- 
setts, October 2, 1839, and were written by I\Irs. Jemima Paine to her sister 
Esther, the wife of Charles V. Carpenter, Carpentersville, Illinois : 

"The boys send their love to Angelo. John sends 25 cents to him. . . . 
Esther, I send you a little dried apple, it is all I have, and a few berries that 
I have dried this week. You must put them out in the sun as quick as you 
receive them, for I am afraid that they will spoil before they reach you." 

The letters, the money and the precious dried fruit were all sent by one 
Sulivan Seagraves, who was journeying westward. 

The "Angelo," to whom was sent the 25 cents, was at that time a lad 
of twelve years of age, and was Julius Angelo Carpenter, founder of the 
Illinois Iron & Bolt Company, and other enterprises at Carpentersville. He 
was the first husband of the late Mrs. Mary E. Carpenter Lord, and it was he 
who accumulated the large estate, which, after making some minor bequests, 
was left to his widow, and which made it possible for her to distribute with 
a bountiful hand during her lifetime to so many and various purposes in 
Kane county, and especially at Elgin and Carpentersville, and at her death 
to endow some of the institutions and public benefactions established by her. 
Nobly did she carry out that which had been in the heart and mind of Mr. 
Carpenter to do, but of the pleasure of which he was deprived through having 
been stricken down in the prime of his manhood, and that quite suddenly, at 
the age of fifty-two years. 

Here is a letter relating to matters that may be of especial interest to 
the women. It was addressed to "Carpenter Grove," Illinois (now Carpenters- 
ville) : 

"Providence, R. I., August 7, 1839. 

"My Dear Sister : 

Brother Joseph gave me $11 yesterday, and I went down street and 
bought jaconet cambric for the wedding dresses, the gloves, handkerchiefs and 
belts for the brides. My dressmaker told me twelve yards would be enough 
without capes; they make them here, bodice w^aist, small bishop sleeves, with 
a little wristband, the sleeves gathered and set in at the top with three gatlv 




ILLINOIS IRON AND BOLT COMPANY, CARPENTERSVILLE. 




ILLINOIS IRON AND BOLT COMPANY'S BUILDING, ABOUT 1875. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 847 

erings about an inch apart below sewed on to some tape ur cord inside the 
sleeve to fasten it, and three gatherings the same above the wristband. I 
send also a couple of snoods for the brides' heads, made, as you will see, of 
white satin ribbon braided. 1 send you some calico for Waity and Esther 
and the little Maria. I got twenty-one yards yesterday. Mr. Chapin thinks 
that is ndt enough, he will get some more today, so you will understand why 
it is in two pieces. I send you each two spools of cotton, six skeins of silk, six 
piece of tape, two boxes of hooks and eyes, all the colored thread I have. The 
spool of thread and hooks and eyes in the white dresses is for Mary and Helen 
(the brides to be). The colored spool, in the calico, is the only one I could 
tinil, perhaps you can run up the breadths with white, and divide the spool 
l)etween you." 

ELBURN. 

The village (_)f Elburn (formerly Blackberry) is situated on the C. & N. 
W. R. R., forty-four miles from Chicago, nearly due west, and nine miles 
from Geneva, in the midst of a rich and highly cultivated farming region. 

The original plot was laid out by Jacob Johnson in the fall of 1854, about 
one year after the completion of the railroad, and contained forty acres. The 
surveying was done by Samuel Bethell, of St. Charles. Additions have been 
made at various times by Andrew Johnson, Horace W'illis, Jemuel Gates, L. 
R. Read, and one called the Asses.sor's Addition. The place has had a steady 
and healthy growth, and is doing a large amount of business in grain, lum- 
ber, stock and merchandise. 

Among the prominent men who have lived here may be mentioned Noah 
B. Spalding, John and Elisha Warne, Horace Willis, Dr. S. McNair, E. S. 
Runyon, C. H. White, Esquire, F. G. Garfield, Esquire, Jacob Johnson, L. R. 
Read and others. N. B. Spalding came into the county in 1836, and was 
the first man married in the county after its organization. The marriage 
took place July 17th, 1836. Mr. Spalding was elected sheriff in 1842 and 
served until 1848. In 1852 he was again elected and served one term. The 
Free Will Baptists built a church in 1857: Methodist Episcopal built in 
1862; Christians built in 1857, and Catholics built in 1868. All built edifices 
neat and commodious, costing on an average from $3,000 to $4,000 each. 
A very large and flourishing school is maintained, and the district built a 
schoolhouse in i860, which cost about $3,000. The people pride themselves 
upon their excellent school. There is a good hotel here. 

A steam flouring mill was erected in 1868. The town gave $2,500. A 
hay press was put in operation about 1865. 

The village contains the usual amount of stores and shops, and for a 
jirairie town is decidedly a thriving and enterprising one. The business men 
are, many of them, very wealthy, and the stocks of dry goods in particular 
compare favoral)ly with those of nincli 1,-irger towns. 

BLACKBERRY TOWNSHIP. 

The first settlers in Blackberry township were .squatters who came in and 
held the land bv occupation until 1842. when it was surveyed by the govern- 



848 KANE COIWTY illSTURY 

nient and sold. The entire township is good soil and early caught the atten- 
tion of settlers. In 1834 William Lance, who lived to be one hundred and 
two years of age, dying in 1873. came in and made his location of land in 
the township. He personally knew George \\'ashington. He was a native 
of Hunterdon county, Xew Jersey, and walked all the way from Pennsylvania. 
His sons. John and Charles, and daughter, Mary, came with him. The 
younger son drove the ox team behind which the women rode, while the 
men walked beside, their muskets on their shoulders. Isaac W'altrop met the 
caravan in DuPage county and came with them, but left soon after. The 
Lances located near Nelson's Grove, which land was afterward owned by 
Charles Souders. They had no covering at first but the wagon they had 
driven to the West. Their nearest neighbor was Christopher Payne, near 
the Big \\'oods, ten miles east. McCarty was at Aurora, Haight at Geneva 
and Pierce at Montgomery, which about comprised the county population at 
that time. Peter Dodd arrived in 1834, as did David Beeler, a son-in-law of 
William Lance. He built a cabin on Johnson's Mound. Harry W'hite came 
in the spring of 1835 : David W'. Annis came the same year, as did John Sow- 
ders. He married Mary Lance in 1835. The wedding occurred at the Lance 
cabin, built that year, and was the first marriage in the first house in the 
settlement. 'Squire Morgan came up from Yorkville to tie the knot. Hiram 
Hall arrived in 1835 and became an influential resident. George Trimble 
and L. D. Kendall located that year. 

In the fall of 1835 Martha Beeler, daughter of David Beeler and William 
Lance's daughter. Margaret, was born, being the first child born in the 
township. S. Kendall, J. Calkins, S. Piatt and James Smith arrived in the 
spring of 1837. N. B. Spalding. M. Sperry and Larkin came about the same 
time. All these pioneers settled about the grove, the Easterners who came 
in at that time not knowing the value of prairie land. They "took to the 
woods" in preference to the open country. Jacob Johnson arrived with a 
family of seven in 1838 from Staten Island, Xew York. The village of 
Blackberry was afterward laid out on his farm. General Xathan Young 
located in 1842. He afterward removed to Kaneville. where he died in 1869. 
He was a brigadier in the \'ermont militia. C. H. Spalding came from 
Cazenovia, Xew York, with his family in 1845. He was a brother of Noah 
B. Spalding, at one time sheriff of the county. E. G. Morse drove a team 
from New York, arriving in 1841. Peter H. Johnson bought land here in 

1843, coming from X'^ew York. Johnson's Mound took its name from him. 
He built the first frame house in the township, moving into it on July 4th, 

1844. William West arrived early and located near the grove. He w-as 
elected the first justice of the peace, and was long an influential citizen. He 
removed later to Geneva and opened a bank there. When the lands were 
sold at public auction he was chosen agent by the settlers to bid them in at an 
agreed price — a responsible trust. 

F. T. Morrill came from Orange county, \'ermont, in 1844 and settled 
at Blackberry Corners and was postmaster at Blackberry Center for twenty- 
eight years. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 849 

The first road was laid out by W. A. Tanner, later of Aurora, from 
Sugar Grove to Chicken Grove, through the township in 1837. A Union 
church was built in 1853, among the early preachers who served them being 
Rev. Springer and Rev. \'an Deusen. In 1879 a cheese factory was built. 

PL.\T0 TOWNSHIP. 

Plato township was formed of the north half of what was Fairfield dis- 
trict and organized in 1848 under the name of "Homer." It was soon learned 
however, that there was another place by the name of Homer in the state 
and the name was changed to Plato, undoubtedly after the Greek philosopher 
of that name. No settlement was made in the township until the year 1835, 
during the spring of which year three families came in. John Griggs and 
his son, John, came from Ohio and took up separate claims; a cabin being 
built only by the father. They lived together, did their own work, cooking, 
washing and ironing. A man named Judkins came about the same time and 
built a cabin. Mr. Griggs soon after opened his house to the public as a 
tavern, which was well patronized by the in-coming settlers, there being no 
place for a night's rest except the cabins of the Griggses and Judkins for many 
miles around. Judkins sold out and returned to Indiana later. 

John S. Lee (from whom descended the Lees of Elgin and Plato) ar- 
rived in 1835 from Putnam county, New York. He was then nineteen 
years of age. He soon afterward married Miss Perry, of Campton town- 
ship, the first marriage in Plato. It is claimed that Abijah Lee (who now 
lives at Elgin at an advanced age) was the first child born in the township — 
the date being September 4. 1839. 

The celebrated Griggs log house hotel was still standing in 1890, little the 
worse for the wear and tear of years. 

In the "305 the pioneers had to go to Naperville for a mill, but in time 
Mr. Boardman put up his mill near Batavia. The first road was the one lead- 
ing to Naperville. which was opened by John Griggs and the Lees in driving 
back and forth to the mill. John Griggs. Sr., was elected the first justice of 
the peace in what was then Washington precinct, of which Plato was a part. 
In 1840 J. S. Lee was elected justice of the peace. In 1836 Dr. L. S. Tyler 
staked a claim upon the land which afterward became the \illage and post- 
office of Udina. He was from Orange county, Vermont. John Ranstead, 
father of J. W. Ranstead, of Elgin, took up a claim here. A family named 
Merrill, afterward prominent at McQueen Station, came at the same time. 
Dr. Daniel Pingree came from New Hampshire in 1838. He was actively 
in practice for some years in California, but returned to Plato about i860 
and devoted much attention to the raising of Norman horses. The next year, 
1839, William Hanson came and located just south of Plato Center. 

In 1840 Thomas Burnidge came with his father, at which time also came 
A. M. Burnidge, who has lived in Elgin for many years and has held the 
ofifice of constable there for the past twenty years. At a general election held 
August 5, 1844, thirty-nine votes were cast from which it was estimated that 
there were about two hundred people in the township about that time. The 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY ' 

first store in the townsliip was opened up at Plato Corners in 1848 by Levi 
Jacknian, who came from Elgin. He continued but a few years. In 1854 
Freeman Temple opened a store at North Plato and continued about four 
years, when he sold out to other parties who continued the business. 

The first cheese factory in the township was erected in 1866 about two 
miles south of Plato Center; was operated by Duncan Johnson. It was aft- 
erward sold to Hawthorne Brothers at Elgin. Johnson built a second 
cheese factory at Plato Center in 1874. Another one was built in North 
Plato in 1873. The value of these factories to the farmers was then, and is 
still, very great, furnishing as it does, a home market for their dairv products, 
and encouraging a branch of agriculture not wholly dependent upon the 
weather. It was these pioneer cheese factories and creameries that laid the 
foundation fur the progress that has made Kane count}- the greatest dairying 
district in the world. 

The first church erected in the township was the Congregational cliurch 
at Udina. which was built in 1852. Rev. N. C. Clark, of Elgin, organized 
the congregation in 1848, Rev. Taylor being the first minister. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. French. The society first met in the schoolhouse. The 
Scotch Presbyterians built a church in the northeast corner of the township 
about the same time. Their first pastor was Rev. Mr. Stewart. In 1865 or 1867 
a dissension arose between the younger and older members which resulted in 
a new church which was built not far from the old one and became known as 
the American Presbyterian church. The Methodists built a frame church at 
Plato Center in 1859, the first sermon being preached by T. M. Eddy, of 
Chicago. Revs. Woolsey and Call were in charge the first year. The Scotch 
Presbyterians erected their house of worship in North Plato in 1873, '*t a 
cost of $3,000. Rev. AIcDougall was the first pastor. Tlie Alethodist Epis- 
copal church near Plato Corners was dedicated August 2, 1885, the sermon 
being delivered by Elder W. A. Spencer. Two thousand dollars was raised 
by subscription to pay for the church. 

The first schoolhouse in the township was built in Plato Comers in 1840 
and taught by Charlotte Griggs. In 1841 the school trustees were Stephen 
Archer and Franklin Bascom. with J. S. Burdick treasurer. The township 
was incorporated in December. 1841, by an election held at the house of J. S. 
Burdick. the proposition for incorporation carrying unanimously. L. S. 
Tyler, David Bogiie, Russell Thrall. John S. Lee and J. S. Burdick were 
elected school trustees. D. McNichols and Sarah Ann Burdick were named 
as teachers. In 1843 there was a total of one hundred and seventy-six pupils 
in the schools; in 1847 the reports show four hundred and seven school chil- 
dren in eight districts. In 185 1 there were four male and three female 
teachers. The highest wages paid were $12 a month; the lowest being $1.50 
a week. That year the attendance was two hundred and fifty ]iupils. with ten 
districts and five schoolhouses. 

In the early days the travel from place to place was o\er the old Indian 
trails and the road between Chicago and Galena which was then much trav- 
eled. The old stage route from St. Charles to Galena ran through Plato 
township, and the Chicago & Pacific Railway, which was built in 1875, closely 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 851 

followed the old stage route. The Chicago, Madison & Northern, now the 
Illinois Central, was built in 1888 and passes through nearly the center of the 
township. 

KANEVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

Kaneville was given the place by "Long John" \\'ent\.vorth, who was in 
congress from Illinois in 1848, when tlie postotifice was established in the 
township. The people had petitioned that the new postoffice be named Royal- 
ton, but Wentworth understood there was another place by that name, so 
named the postoffice "Kaneville" in honor of Elias Kent Kane, after whom 
the county was named. 

In an early da}' this township was the seat of the usual number of contro- 
versies over land claims, owing largely to the fact that the timber was all 
located at one place, and every settler that came in wanteil a piece of the 
timber land at Lone Grove. 

The first actual settlers were Joe Isbell and his brother, James Isbell. 
Joe Isbell arrived at Lone Grove in the fall of 1835 and built a log cabin, which 
was the first in the township. He soon after returned to Ohio, where he died 
in the spring of 1837. His brother James came from Sugar Grove and located 
on the claim. Amos Miner came in 1835 or 1836 from Wayne county, New 
York. Levi Leach came with him. Miner lived two years on his claim, too 
poor to own a team, and would hire his ground plowed and split rails to pay 
for the plowing. He bought a cow and paid for it by laboring for other 
settlers. 

The first child born in the township was Mary, a daughter of Amos 
Miner, who was born November 2j, 1837. She married Rol>ert Alexander, 
of Campton. 

In the fall of 1837 Alfred Churchill came from \'ermont. He was elected 
county superintendent of schools and held several offices in the county and 
township. In 1857 ^^ moved to Rockford. He returned to Kaneville and 
died there in 1868. J. H. Moore was one of the early settlers, but remained 
only a short time. He returned later and died in the township, his being 
the first death. In 1838 the Inmanns arrived from New York, also David 
Wentworth from New Hampshire, who located on the land afterward owned 
by Silas Hayes. The McNairs also came that year. 

The first marriage was that of James Isbell and Sarah Moore, February 
24, 1838. J. Bunker came in 1838, and built the first frame house in the town- 
ship on the land afterward owned by Air. Hoyt. He died in 1862. He was 
the first justice of the peace in the precinct, elected in 1845. 

The first school was taught in 1839 by Miss Fayetta R. Churchill, who 
afterward became Mrs. David Hanchett. The school room was in her father's 
house. Mr. Hanchett arrived in 1847. 

The first postof^ce was established in 1845, being in the house of Alfred 
Churchill. It was named "Avon," and mail arrived weekly. Before that mail 
had been delivered at Blackberry, and prior to that settlers had to go as far 
as Na])erville. a distance of twenty-five miles, to get their letters. 



852 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

William Wilson purchased a claim in 1843, and James Lewis bought a 
farm in the township in 1847. He came from Suffield, Conn. Both died in 
the '60s. 

The first public road laid out in the township led from Sugar Gro\e to 
Ohio Grove through the village of Kaneville, and gave the people an outlet to 
the mills at Aurora. 

In 1845 i^^^- Thomas Ravlin purchased land, paying three dollars an 
acre for land upon which was afterward laid out the village of Kaneville. 
H. S. Gardner located in 1845 '"'"^ opened the first blacksmith shop, a great 
convenience to the settlers. Preaching by the minister of the Methodist church 
was had at the school house and at the Miner residence in 1845, there being 
no regvilar organization at that time. 

The land in Kaneville being nearly all prairie land was the last taken up 
by settlers, who, being accustomed to the forest land of the East, did not 
know and for many years did not discover the value of prairie land. They 
would take up wood land, and after making a clearing would plow in among 
the stumps sufficiently to cover up the seed that they scattered over the ground. 
It was many years before they realized the value of the prairie soil and began 
its regular cultivation. 

The Sunday school and day school was taught at Mr. Bunker's house at 
an early day. Rev. Van Deuzer often preached there, and Rev. Augustus 
Conant preached several times at Mr. Churchill's house. In 1847 ^^^^ Baptists 
held meetings in the first frame school house which had been erected by that 
time. 

The village of Kaneville was laid out and platted by Thaddeus Hoyt in 
1861. As early as 1852 William Hall built a house and opened it as a hotel. 
This was the only public house until 1869, when B. and A. Cary built a hotel. 
In 1855 the Baptists built a church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church 
organization moved from Blackberry to Kaneville and built a church, which 
was replaced in 1875 '\v the present building. In 1857 the old school house 
was torn down and a new building erected. The first principal of the new 
school was N. F. Nichols, afterward a lawyer in Aurora. The first store build- 
ing was erected in 1852 by Mr. Goodwin, who sold out to Hathorn. In 1874 
Frank Sperry started in business. In 1888 the township contained eight 
school houses, all frame buildings ; the most expensive one being in district 
No. 8, which was erected in 1872 at a cost of $1,000. 



C-\MPTON TOWNSHIP. 

Campton township is the geographical center of Kane county, and in 
natural beauty and fertility of soil is unsurpassed by any part of the county 
It is about half wood, half prairie land. Lilly Lake on section 19 was in early 
days quite a lake, but owing to the modern drainage systems that have drawn 
the water away, is little more than a memory. An Indial trail originally 
crossed the township, entering at section 25 and passing out over section 19. 
The public road follows the old trail most of the way. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY • 853 

The township was originally part of Sandusky precinct, but in 1837 Fair- 
field was formed and included in 1840 Campton and Plato. The name Fair- 
field is said to have been given by Timothy Garfield, who came from Fair- 
field, Vermont. In 1850 the town was known as Milo, but the board of 
supervisors soon after gave it the present name of Campton. 

For many years the town meetings were held in the log house of Eber 
Chaffee, an early settler; afterward in the school house. In 1874 it was voted 
to build a town hall, and a neat frame building was that year erected on sec- 
tion 22. The voters met here yearly and used the building as a voting place. 
It was an exceptional and progressive fact for the citizens to have a special 
building for the town hall. 

The first settler was John Beatty, who staked a claim in 1835, coming 
from Crawford county, Pennsylvania. When he passed through Geneva 
Haight and Aken were the only settlers. His claim was afterward owned by 
C. H. Shaw. He also staked what afterward became the Burr farm. He 
built a log cabin in 1835, the first in the township. He soon afterward removed 
to Geneva and lived there. He assisted in removing the Indians in 1836. 
Next came Henry Warne from New York state in 1837, settling in sections 
30 and 31. He built a log cabin which he soon made a tavern, and for years 
served the weary traveler. He died March 29, 1864; his wife, Charity Warne, 
February 26, 1864. In 1835 came John Whitney, whose claim was afterward 
owned by his son, Melvin ; also James Hackett from Ohio, Luke Pike and 
Charles Babcock. During 1836-37 came Harry and Spalding Eddy from 
Genesee county. New York; John Elliott from Thornton, New Hampshire. 
The Eddys afterward moved to St. Charles. Atwell Burr arrived in 1836, as 
did James Ward of New York. 

At Canada Corners the first settler was William Kendall. John Durant 
located there soon after. E. Reed and James Outhouse took claims near Lilly 
Lake about that time. John Hagaman, Thomas E. Dodge, Ansel Lake, John 
Tucker, George Thompson from Ohio, Edward Page, Edmund Elliott, Frank- 
lin Watkins from Herkimer county, New York ; Eben Foss from Thornton, 
New Hampshire; Timothy Garfield of Rutland County, Vermont (father of 
Lawyer F. Green Garfield) ; Joseph Rice, a native of New Hampshire ; Thomas 
Scott, James Powers, Garrit Norton of Duchess county. New York ; Mose C. 
Richmond of Grafton. Vermont (he paid fifty dollars for his claim) ; Calvin 
C. Barber of Onondaga county. New York, and J. P. Bartlett came from 1836 
to 1842, by which time a considerable settlement of Easterners had staked the 
fertile land in wood and prairie. 

In 1838 the pioneers laid out and opened a fairly good road to St. Charles, 
which was the nearest market at that time. A yoke of oxen was hitched to a 
tree which was dragged over the route of the road and marked out the high- 
way. In an early day a considerable traffic passed east and west through the 
township. 

Elias Crary opened his cabin as a tavern early, and Timothy Garfield did 
the like in 1840. Albert Dodge built a log hotel afterward known as the "Fair- 
field Exchange." It was on the site of the George Norton residence. A log 
school was built in 1836 on land belonging to Mr. Lawson. Mrs. McClure 



854 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

was the first teacher. In 1837-38 Miss Mary Lee taught in the house oi 
A. Fisher. 

The board of school trustees in 1841 were : E. ChafYee, Charles I-'letcher, 
T. E. Dodge, Ansel Lake. H. T. Currier and Nelson Walker. The township 
then contained five school districts, all keeping school. 

The first postoftice was established in 1849 ^^^ known as "Swinton," 
although it was first named "Fairfield," until confusion arose owing to another 
postoffice in the state having the same name. Henry Warne was appointed 
postmaster. The office was afterward removed to Blackberry Station. An 
ofiice was also established at King's Mill and King appointed postmaster, but 
afterward united with one at Gray Willow, which, too, was later abandoned. 

Dr. King built the first sawmill, and was the first physician and preacher 
in the township. He left at an early day. The old mill was run by the water 
of Lilly Lake creek operating an old style up and down saw. 

Campton postoffice at Canada Corners was opened in 1845 •^^'^^ discon- 
tinued in 1 86 1. 

In 1886-87 th^ ^I- ^ ^'- ^- ^- Company built a line across the township 
with stations at Lilly Lake and Greystock. At that time Lilly Lake was 
platted as a village by Renalwin Outhouse. The railroad is now known as the 
Chicago & Great Western, and adds largely to the traftrc advantages of the 
township. 

The first church meetings were held by the Baptists in a log cabin near 
King's Mill, and a partial organization was realized. Dr. King was the 
pastor. It became inactive in 187^ when he left the state, but was revived 
when the Baptists and IMethodists built a union church at Canada Corners. 
The Congregationalists organized about this time, the celebrated "Father" 
Clark and a Rev. Warner officiating. Meetings were held in schoolhouses 
and residences, and ultimately became dispersed and inactive as a church. 
The Methodists organized a church at the log school house, which continued 
until the church at Canada Corners in 1882 was built. 

Cheese factories were early built and the dairy interests became early 
important. Larkin Brothers built a cheese factory at Gray Willow in 1868, 
and a fine factory was erected at King's Mill in 1875. Butter making was 
begun in 1877. Edward Thornton constructed a factory in 1884 near Lilly 
Lake. 

The township contains some of the most prosperous farmers in the county, 
and in dairying it is second to none. 

BIG ROCK TOWNSHIP. 

This township derives its name from Big Rock creek. The first settler 
was a man named "Shanty" Cook, who came with his family in 1835. Justice 
Anient came in the fall of 1835: John Pierce in 1836; J. L. Lamson in 1837. 
He came from Chicago by stage, his ticket being to Big Rock creek, where he 
was dropped about dark and not a house or civilized being within sight. He 
finally found the Cook cabin, but also found the floor all occupied by "guests" 
who had stopped over for the night. Every cabin was a hotel in those days. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 855 

W. H. Perry and William Perry came in 1835. In the fall of 1835 
Justice Anient, the Perrys and Cooks were the only settlers. Joseph Summers 
and Robert Nash arrived in 1836 from Oneida county. New York. J. W. 
Swan came from \"ermont in January. 1836, and with him was Percy Taylor. 
Nash, Pierce and Edward \Mnddon had located at that time. Alexis Hall 
came in from Greenfield. ^Massachusetts, in 1836. In the same year came 
Robert Fisher; S. Samson in 1839 from New York; Robert Norton and Silas 
Long from Ohio the same year. L. D. and Jesse Brady and Maurice Price 
were settlers in 1837. Isaac Hatch came from New York in 1837 and became 
prominent; James Hatch arrived in 1837; Shepard Johnson in 1839 from New 
York; Daniel and David Evans and Thomas Jones came about that time, and 
Thomas W. Glaspool in 1838. George Peck and Paul Colburn settled, in 
1836 or 1837. Z. Squires was here from Cortland, New York, in 1847; 
William Dugan in 1846; Jas. A. Davis in 1847; Richard Davis in 1842. 

Joseph Summers opened the first tavern, and his house was made a post- 
office in 1839, named "Acasto," but changed to Big Rock in 1849. Orson 
Brooks was the first postmaster, in 1839. 

William Coon was the first blacksmith, and a man named Walby opened 
the first store in the township. A sawmill was built by Coon & Massey on 
Big Rock creek in 1837. a short distance below Rockville. then Catsville. 
The first railroad, the Chicago & Iowa Railroad, ran through the township in 
1871. 

A schoolhouse was opened in 1847 '-*" E. Whiddon's lanil. Colin Anient 
had taught in a log cabin as early as 1841. The early school trustees were: 
Alexis Hall, Joseph Summers. J. E. Smith. S. W. Lamson and J. W. Swan. 

In 1842 Rev. George Lewis preached to the Congregationalists. and a 
society was formed at Pierce's house in 1853. The Welsh Congregational 
church was dedicated in 1854, with Rev. John Daniel as pastor. Another 
society was formed in 1858. and the Big Rock Congregational church erected. 
The Baptists built in 1874. 

Big Rock continues to be one of the most fertile and productive town- 
ships in the county. Its people are progressive and up-to-date, and few sights 
are fairer than a drive through her fields of ripening grain and verdant prairies. 
Scenery as fine as can be found anywhere may be seen along the banks of the 
Big Rock. 

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

Burlington township on the west of the county is dotted with groves and 
well drained bv creeks and small streams, some of which run northwest and 
some southwest. Its position and altitude make it the backbone of the county. 
There are higher points, such as Bald Mound in Blackberry, but Burlington is 
higher on the average. 

A Burlington voting precinct was formed ( including the present terri- 
tory) as earlv as 1843. When the county was formed in 1836 it was part 
of the Pleasant Grove precinct, which covered the north end of the county. 



856 KANE COUXTY HISTORY 

Stephen \'an \'elzer arrived in 1835 and laid claim to all the land in sight, 
including nearly the entire township. Allison Banker came from Xew York 
the same vear. In 1836 Solomon \\'right arrived from Putnam county. Xew 
York, and located on what was afterward the Hawley farm. Banker mar- 
ried one of Solomon Wright's daughters. P. R. Joslyn. of Xew Jersey, 
located in 1836; his son. Riley Joslyn, came in 1837; O. H. and T. C. Elli- 
thorpe, of Franklin county. \'ermont, came the same year; John Holden came 
from Pennsylvania; A. W. Laurence from Xew York, and C. M. Andrews 
from Hampshire county. Massachusetts, in 1837. Stephen Godfrey arrived 
from Orange county. Vermont, in 1838 and bought land of Van Velzer, as 
nearlv all new comers had to do or have a controversy. His son, Chas. B. 
Godfrev, still owns over seven hundred acres. David Sholes left Genesee 
county. Xew York, for the fertile West and took up a claim in 1840 and 
remained until his death in October, 1881, when he owned nineteen hundred 
acres of land. John Sholes. son of David, came about the same time. Simon 
Young, Sr.. came in 1841 with his family, including William, Daniel. John. 
Simon, Jr., Stephen and David. B. F. Chapman arrived in 1842; James 
Alann. a soldier of the War of 1812. in 1843, by which time Eben Xorton. 
Isaac Newton, Spafford Orlin and Joel Root, John and Stephen Ellithorpe, 
and J. W. Hapgood had taken up claims. Harvey A. Matteson came from 
Jefferson county, X'^ew Y'ork, in 1842. 

It is said that at the time the land was auctioned off by the government 
only one man. David Finley, had cash enough to pay for his land. 

Claim jumping and controversies over land were the chief source of 
trouble in those days, and in Burlington once led to a riot. The mob had 
seized the culprit, one McClanathan, and cutting a hole in the ice had given 
him a plunge bath. He escaped and got to the village, where the people pro- 
tected him from the mob. McClanathan had sold a settler a yoke of oxen, 
after which the purchaser had "gone bankrupt."' McClanathan then tried to 
get his land by entering it himself at the land office. 

The first store was opened on the old Galena road near where the village 
now stands, by S. S. ]\Iann, later of Elgin. A brick store was afterward built. 
For years this was the only store in the township. Ezra Hanson opened a 
tavern in his log cabin. Van Velzer's wife died in 1837. the first death in the 
settlement. A postofifice was established in 1846. with J. ^^'. Ellithorpe as 
postmaster. S. S. Maim succeeded him in 1849. Another postoffice was 
opened at East Burlington in 1865. The rural free delivery now gives the 
fanners of this district their mail each day. 

The first sawmill was built by Franklin Mann and Gideon Sherman in 
1 8 so, and operated seven years, when it was removed. The first frame house 
was built in Burlington in 1845 by James Mann. 

The first church was built by the Congregationalists in 1853. It was 
completed in 1858 and was a union church for many years. The Free 
Methodists built a small church in the south part of the township. The first 
preacher to minister to the settlement was Elder Eaton, of the Free Will 
Baptists, who came from Ohio in 1840. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 857 

The first school was kept by Mrs. Catherine EHithorpe in her log house in 
1839. In 1840 a log schoolhouse was built about a mile from the village. 
Miss Nancy Hill and a Miss Larrabee taught there. Mrs. Godfrey taught in 
her house in 1840, and Fannie Putnam in 184J used A^an \'elzer's barn as a 
schoolhouse. 

A cheese factory was built b} a stock company in 1871. Kraft & Parks 
erected another in 1872; a third was put up by Edward Jackson in 1874. 
This was the beginning of the dairy business, which has continually increased 
until it has become an important aid to the farmer. Burlington has not lagged 
in keeping up her end in making Kane county the greatest dain,- district in the 
world. 

The first wedding was that of John Holden and Hanna \'an \'elzer. 
about 1840. In 1840 two births occurred, it not being determined which was 
first, the one at \'an \'elzer's or that at Banker's. 

The Illinois Central Company some years ago built a branch of that 
line through Plato and Burlington township, which affords the residents 
there an easy outlet for their products. It crosses the Fox river at Coleman 
Station. 

HAMPSHIRE TOWNSHIP. 

Hampshire, located off the line of early travel, was late in being settled, 
although had adventurous pioneers seen its broad fertile acres it would not 
have long remained unclaimed, as it did not after Lenas Allen in 1836 came 
from Vermont and found a land ready for the plow, in striking contrast to 
the rocky hills he had left. He built a cabin in a few weeks of the trees 
growing abundantly, the first in the township. It stood half a century and 
disappeared as late as the '80s. He died on his farm February 5, 1848. 

Following Allen came Thos. E. Whittemore, of New Hampshire, and 
Samuel Hawley, of Connecticut, in 1836. In 1838 S. A. McAlpes, Daniel 
Hall and W. H. Seymour, all of New York state, arrived. Stephen Haviland 
came about the same time. In 1838 came also Rev. Robert Williams and 
E. O. Garland, from New Hampshire; Joseph Dalby, direct from England; 
Isaac Paddock and William Trumbull, from New York; also Hilda Coon 
and John Aurand. Lucien Baldwin arrived from Bennington, Vermont, in 
1842. Samuel C. Rowell, father of Fremont Rowell, still leading citizen and 
merchant of Hampshire, arrived in 1843. He was then eighteen years of 
age and rode on horseback from Kentucky, where he lived three years. He 
followed trails and wagon tracks, swam rivers, passed herds of deer and packs 
of wolves, depending upon settlers' cabins for shelter and food. Owing to his 
long hair and Southern pioneer dress he was frequently turned away by the 
settlers, who were suspicious of horse thieves. One such a night he spent in a 
raging storm, from which he was saved by getting to the cabin of a Ver- 
monter, who had been his neighbor in the East. On her advice he cut his 
hair and had no further trouble. He returned to Kentucky and was married 
there, bringing his new wife with him on his settlement here. He opened a 
store at Old Hampshire in 1850 and removed to New Hampshire in 1874. 
Fremont Rowell still conducts the business. 



858 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

Henn- Dot}', of Ashtabula county, Oliio, came in 1843 from Kennsha, 
Wisconsin, wliere he spent four or five years before settling here. Rev.. 
Robert Williams was the first preacher in the township and served the people 
man\- years. 

The old state road to Galena passed through the township and for years 
was the only highway east and west. The next road was opened from St. 
Charles to Marengo, running through Hampshire township. During the 
excitement and rush for the newly discovered lead deposits near Galena, the 
Galena road was much traveled. An old settler has stated that he had seen 
as many as two hundred teams pass his place in a day. That would mean a 
dozen everj' hour. In those days "Hen Peck" was one of the important 
centers of the county. Its location made it an excellent camping place and 
often as many as fifty men would be in camp at one time. 

Hampshire and Rutland were originally one district, named Deerfield 
Precinct. The postoffice was established at "Garland's tavern." on the Galena 
road, about a mile west of the present Hampshire village. In 1875 it was 
removed to the new Hampshire village. In 1876 it was known as Holstein 
and discontinued about 1884. 

The first church in the township was erected by the German Evangelical 
Society in 1852 in the northeast part of the township and cost two thousand 
dollars. The church was organized in 1S42. Rev. Dikover being in charge 
for many years. The Methodists built their first church in 1876, the first 
preacher being Rev. B. H. Cartwright. a son of Peter Cartwright, of political 
fame. He was known as the "fighting parson" and was in many ways a 
remarkable man, who left a strong impression upon the settlement. The 
Catholics erected a church in the new \illage in 1877 at a cost of two thousand 
dollars. The Catholics of Burlington worshiped here. In 1885 the German 
Evangelical church was built in Hampshire. 

The first schoolhouse was on the Whittemore farm, now District Xo. i. 
ft was made of unhewn logs. The earliest known school trustees were Lenas 
Allen, Samuel Hawley and T. C. \\'hittemore. The district was incorporated 
by a vote taken March 5, 1842. At that time there Avere one hundred and 
fourteen pupils in the four districts. In 1850 there were eight districts and 
four hundred and thirty pupils. In 1871 there were six hundred securing an 
education, eight teachers and eight schoolhouses. The large schoolhouse in 
Hampshire was built in 1876 at a cost of three tliousand five hundred dollars. 

A wind and steam mJll was built in 1875 by W'illiam Rinn, after the old 
Dutch style with flying arms. It long served its purpose. Hathawav & Com- 
pany built a cheese factory, which handled nearly all the milk in the district. 
The township has been and is chiefly devoted to dairying, and much of the 
L-elebrated "Elgin" butter comes from Hampshire. 

In 1875 the first railroad was built — the Chicago & Pacific, which after- 
ward became the C, M. & St. P. Ry. The first train passed through Hamp- 
shire in May, 1875. The township donated twenty six thousand four hundred 
dollars, of which sum Jacob Rinn gave ten thousand dollars. 

The first village was opened by the o]jening of a general store on section 
12. Here the first postoffice was established, with mail once a week. The 



KANE COUNTY IIISTOKY 859 

new village of "Hampshire Center" was platted in October, 1874, by A. J. 
Willing and C. A. Fasseth. The building of the railroad was its origin. It 
was incorporated by a vote of seventy-three to two. in October, 1876. The 
first officers were : S. C. Rowell, president ; J. S. WyckoflF, clerk : Phillip 
Doty, S. C. Rowell, E. W. Whelpley, J. S. Wyckoff, Henry Rinn and A. B. 
Freeman, trustees. 

The first bank, the Kane County Bank, was established April i, 1882, by 
Parker & Backus. C. H. Backus became sole proprietor in January, 1885. 
The Commercial Hotel was built in 1875 by Daniel Berry. It was later 
owned by C. H. Parks and known as the "Park's House." 

SUGAR GR0\'E TOWNSHIP. 

Sugar Grove was settled by parties who came in May, 1834, and found 
an Indian encampment near the Grove. They were James, Isaac C. and 
Parmeno Isbell, James Carman, a Mr. Bishop and Asa ]McDole. All but 
McDole were from Wood county, Ohio. William O. Tanner arrived in 1835 
and staked a claim on the northeast comer of the township. Rodney McDole 
and Theophilus Wilson came in 1836; John Harkinson about 1835; Joseph 
Ingham in the fall of that year. C. H. Snow was an early settler from New 
Hampshire. S. S. Ingham came from Oneida county. New York, in 1839. 

In 1836 came Silas Reynolds, from Sullivan county. New York; Silas 
Gardner, Samuel Cogswell, Joseph Bishop, Samuel Taylor, Silas Leonard, 
Isaac Gates, N. H. Palmer and Lorin Inman ; Jonathan Gardner, James Judd, 
H. B. Densmore, Ira H. Fitch came in 1837, as did Ezekiel Alighell, from 
Rutland county, Vermont, who afterward moved to Aurora ; also P. Y. Bliss, 
Reuben Johnson, J. H. Fitch, Captain Jones and the Austin family. 

The first death was a child of James Carman, in 1835. Asa McDole 
died in 1839. 

The first marriage was that of Dr. N. H. Palmer and ^Miranda Isbell. in 

1835- 

The first birth was that of Charlotte Isbell, August 19, 1835. 

Robert Atkinson opened a ta\-ern on the old Chicago and Dixon road in 
1836. A postofiice was established in 1840 at the home of Thomas Slater, 
first postmaster. 

The first frame house was that of P. Y. Bliss, built by "Boss Read" in 
1838. Religious service was held there by "Father" Clark before it was 
completed. Mr. Bliss opened a store in the building June i, 1839, and for 
years drew trade from as far north as Dundee. 

The first public library was organized in 1843 by a numljer of farmers. 
The books were first kept in S. G. Paull's house, on section 16, and was 
known as. the Farmers' Library. In 1851 it contained two hundred and 
sixty-four books and it is believed was the first of its kind in the county. 
The early trustees were Nathaniel Austin, E. D. Terrv, J. L. Adams. Luke 
Nichols and William Tanner. 

The first brick house in the township was built by Silas Reynolds, in 
1846. 



860 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

The first town meeting was held August 2, 1850, at the house of S. G. 
Paull. The following officers were chosen: Supervisor, E. D. Terry; clerk, 
Henry Nichols; assessor, S. S. Ingham; overseer of the poor. Ezekiel Mighell ; 
justices of the peace, Ira Fitch, William Thompson; constables, Charles 
Abbott, I. J. Sanford; collector, Ira Fitch. The number of votes were one 
hundred and two. 

The Center schoolhouse was built in 1848 and town hall the same year. 

The first church was erected in 1855 at Jericho, costing two thousand 
five hundred dollars, and was known as the Mount Prospect Free Mission 
church. 

A cheese factor}- was built in 1866 by Joseph Ingham and J. B. Paull. 
Other factories have been since erected until Sugar Grove now contributes 
largely to maintain the reputation of the Fox River valley as the dairj- district 
of the world. 

The township is crossed by one railroad, which was originally the 
Chicago & Iowa, but is now the C, B. & O. Ry. 

The village was platted in 1876. 

VIRGIL TOWNSHIP. 

Virgil, on the extreme west of the county, was settled a year or two later 
than the river townships. The first settler was Luther Merrill from New 
Hampshire, who came in 1836, and laid claim to all the land included in the 
thirty-six sections that now include Mrgil township. A large part of it was 
swamp and shallow lakes at that time. For a time every settler had to buy 
of Merrill, but they soon came in so fast that he was unable to keep them off, 
and he gave up the idea of holding the entire county. Milton Thornton came 
in early, as did John B. Moore, Daniel McKinley, William H. Robinson. 
Joseph Gray, Joshua Read, Daniel Smith. Lyman German, Charles Jackson, 
Harrison Chambers, Henry Krows (1840). Until 1840 most of the pioneers 
came from New York state. 

The first frame house was built by Luther Merrill in 1840. It is said to 
have contained not one foot of sawed lumber, the timber being split and 
snoothed into boards with the ax and broad ax. When it was finished Merrill 
is said to have given a grand housewarming to the settlers, who danced to 
the tune of the first fiddle heard in that end of the world. 

In the same house occurred the first wedding — that of Orson Kendall and 
Maria Read, who were married by Squire West of Blackberry. The first child 
born in the township was a daughter of Seth Merrill. 

The first schoolhouse was built on section 24 in 1839. Simeon Bean 
taught the first school in 1839-40. The school district was organized in 1841. 
William H. Robinson, Daniel Smith and John Scott being elected trustees. 
There were four districts and ninety-five school children. 

A tavern was opened in 1840 on section 17. and in 1844 Mrs. Groves 
opened a small store near the tavern. 



KANE COUNTY HISTORY 861 

A postoffice named Collamer was established in 1S49, about a mile north 
of Maple Grove, with Milton Thornton in charge. It was discontinued in 
i860. 

The first blacksmith was Joseph Jenkins, who began business in 1845. 

The building of the Chicago & Galena railroad through the township in 
1853 was the beginning of the now thriving and prosperous village of Maple 
Park, which was platted in March, 1854, by Loren Heath and Zachariah 
Hathorn. It was at first known as Lodi, which name was changed to Alaple 
Park in 1879 or 1880. Heath and Hathorn built a store, which was the first 
building in the place. James Haines built a house, which became a tavern, 
and Mr. Watson a store. O. S. and F. T. I\Iiner put up a blacksmith shop in 
1854, and B. \\'. Lyon a store in 1855. Within eighteen months after the 
village was laid out it had a population of over four hundred, and it has since 
then continued to grow until now a beautiful village of over one thousand peo- 
ple as industrious and intelligent as may be found anywhere fill the once sweep- 
ing prairie with modern stores, hotels and factories. Mr. Milton J. Beverly, 
the present probate clerk, is from this enterprising little city. 

LODi (Maple Park). 

We, the president and secretary of the meeting called and held on this 
thirteenth day of August. A. D. 1850, to see if the legal voters of the village 
of Lodi, Kane county, will vote to incorporate themselves into a town accord- 
ing to the statute, do hereby certify that the vote was as follows : 

Twenty-eight votes in favor of incorporating the town of Lodi. 

Thirteen votes against incorporating the same. 

John W. Jenkins. President. 



H 



John ^L■\RTH0N, Secretary. 
.STATE OF ILLINOIS ) 
KANE COUNTY 

Personally appeared this 26th day of November, 1855. John W. Jenkins. 
John Hathron, Lorin Heath, William Moore and James Hains. elected and 
ciualified as trustees of the incorporated town of Lodi, Kane county, Illinois, 
and made oath to deposit in the commissioner's court of the county of Kane 
the above written statement of the polls and to discharge of all the duties of 
their office according to the best of their abilities. 

Before me David Higgins. Jr.. Notary Public. 

(Seal.) 

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP. 

The township of Rutland was named after Rutland. \'ermont. by E. R. 
Starks. who arrived in the township in 1835. and was the first settler. He 
came from Rutland, Vermont. At that time the township was uninhabited 
e.xcept for a few Indians. Starks spent the winter at Naperville, but returned 
to his claim the next spring. He was soon after joined by Elijah Rich, who 
took up a claim adjoining his. The two men built a log cabin for Starks. 
which was the first ever erected in the township, and there kept house. They 
lived there during the summer. The next year, 1836, Mr. Rich sent for his 
family, with whom he lived on his claim until his death in 1871, 

Nathaniel Crampton came in 1836. and Noble King about the same time. 



8Py2 KANE COUNTY HISTORY 

They boarded with Starks and Rich wiien they first arrived. In 1838 Andrew 
McCornack arrived with his family. He died in 1875 at the age of ninety 
years. In 1838 Wilham Moore and William Lynch, who were brothers-in- 
law, located in the western part of the township. A man named Seymour was 
living near there at that time. Francis and Straw Pingree came in the fall 
of 1837, and in the spring of 1838 Andrew and Daniel Pingree arrived. The 
grove near their settlement acquired the name "Pingree Grove," and has since 
been known by that name. A considerable village has grown up there in the 
last thirty years. Andrew Pingree was a minister of the gospel, and a native 
of New Hampshire. In 1838 there were but three cabins along the road. 
John Hunter was a native of Ireland and came to America in 183.^ and settled 
in Rutland township in 1842. He was an enthusiastic republican and a leader 
of the strong Irish Presbyterian sentiment in the township. 

A postoffice named Deerfield was established about two miles west of 
Pingree Grove in 1838. Pingree Grove postoffice was established in 1848. A 
po.stoffice was established at Rutland (now known as Gilberts) in 1852. 

The first physician in the township was Dr. McKay. Mrs. Hannah Rich 
died in 1838, which was the first death in the settlement. Adelia, daughter 
of E. Rich, was the first child born in the township; and the first marriage 
was that of Lewis Bandal and Miss Brady, who were married in 1839, by 
Elijah Rich, the first justice of the peace. 

The Chicago & Galena stage route ran directly through the township, 
and the feeding and housing of travelers were the chief sources of such small 
amounts of cash as the settlers obtained. 

A log schoolhouse was built in the southwest part of the township in 
1840, but owing to the scarcity of children school was never taught in the 
building ; but it was often used as a meeting house and for other purposes. 
Francis King, John L. Rowe and John Flynn were elected trustees at the 
house of Robert Eakin in 1842. In 1848 S. B. Eakin, Alexander McCornack 
and Daniel Duff were elected school trustees, by whose report it appears that 
in 1849 there were eight school districts and a total of three hundred and 
eighty-four pupils; in 1850 there were four hundred and fifty pupils. By 
1855 the districts had increased to eleven, and the school children numbered 
six hundred and nineteen. 

The first church in Rutland township was erecteil by the Catholics, which 
was completed in 1855. The building stands on ground that was given to the 
church by Andrew Pingree. The first building was about two miles west of 
Gilberts at the old Catholic burying ground. The first priest in charge was 
Rev. John Guigin, a Frenchman. He was succeeded by Re\-. Scanlon. Father 
Gallaher was in charge for many years. 

Gilbert Station was laid out and platted by Andrew Pingree and Elijah 
Wilcox in 1855. John Kelley acted as express agent and postmaster. He was 
afterward county sheriff. The first postmaster was John Mann, who was 
succeeded in the office by John McGraw, Nicholas Freeman and John Martin. 
The village of Pingree Grove was platted and laid out by Daniel and Han- 
nah Pingree in 1882, and is now a village of five himdred or six hundred 
inhabitants. 



CONTENTS 



Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 



Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 



I 

II 

III 

IV 

V 

VI 

VII 

VIII 

IX 

X 

XI 

XII 

XIII 

XIV 

XV 

XVI 

XVII 



XVIIT 

XIX 

XX 

XXI 

XXII 

XXIII 

XXIV 



Introdjucitory 5 

The Ancestors of the Pioneers 19 

How the Pioneers Came 29 

What the Pioneers Found 38 

What the Pioneers Brought With Them 53 

What the Pioneers Did and How They Lived 54 

Letters of James C. Hanks 75 

List of Early Families 113 

Beginnings Along Fox River 122 

Underground Railroad 129 

The Resurrectionists 132 

Banditti 138 

Geological 142 

Internal Improvements 147 

Agricultural and Dairying Interests, Stock, Etc 161 

Religious and Educational 165 

AVars— Revolution 178 

Mexican 178 

Rebellion 180 

Spanish-American 429 

Political 445 

Bench and Bar 450 

The Press 502 

Medical Profession 513 

Aurora 539 

Elgin 662 

Towns and Townships 816 

Geneva 816 

Geneva Township 820 

Batavia 821 

Batavia Township 823 

St. Charles 824 

South Elgin 884 

863 



864 CONTENTS 



Dundee. 835 

Carpentersville 837 

Dundee Township 841 

Elburn 847 

Blackberry Township 847 

Plato Town.ship 849 

Kaneville Township 851 

Campton Township 852 

Big Rock Township 854 

Burlington Township 855 

Hampshire Township 857 

Sugar Grove Township 859 

Virgil Township 860 

Rutland Township 861 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Broadway Looking North in an Early Day — Aurora 549 

The Island in an Early Day — Aurora 213 

Looking up Fox Street Hill — Aurora— About 1868 655 

City Hall — Aurora 541 

West Aurora and Part of the Island About 1868 635 

Birdseye View of the Southern Part of West Aurora 507 

Old Stone Schoolhouse — West Aurora 591 

East Aurora High School 599 

West Aurora High School 599 

Aurora North from Hotel Arthur 565 

East Bridge — Aurora — Erected in 1885 565 

Old C, B. & Q. R. K. Bridge— Aurora 531 

North End of Stolps Island and West Aurora in 1852 41 

Looking up River from Stolps Island About 1860 321 

Stolps Island Looking East — 1866 557 

Stolps Island— Aurora— From Fox Street Hill— 1867 583 

View Looking North from Near Fox Street — Aurora — About 1853 133 

Looking up North Broadway — Aurora — About 1855 71 

Flood, Aurora, 1857 575 

Flood of 1857, Aurora. Showing South End of Stolps Island 159 

First Congregational Church and C-entre Schoolhouse — Aurora 645 

Old First Baptist Church— Aurora— Built in 1852 645 

Universalist Church — Aurora — Erected in 1864 607 

Memorial Building — Aurora— Erected in 1877 625 

Aurora Public Library, Erected in 1902 615 

Bridge Across Fox River That Was Floated Down Stream in the Flood 

of 1857 103 

Downer's Place in an Early Day — Aurora 103 

Old Ladies' Home — Aurora — Opened in 1903 615 

Broadway — Aurora — Looking South About 1868, Jennings Seminary 

in the Distance 625 

Birdseye View. Aurora, from the Steeple of the Fii'st M. E. Church. . . . 575 

The Makers of Elgin 663 

The Makers of Elgin 671 

First Universalist Church — Elgin — Erected in 1865 417 

Presbyterian Church — Elgin 167 

St. Joseph's Church— Elgin 193 

First M. E. Church— Elgin 297 

865 



86(5 ILLUSTRATIOXS 

Fii-st Congregational Church — Elgin 787 

Universalist Church — Elgin 787 

Grace M. E. Church— Elgin 793 

Episcopal Church — Elgin 375 

St. Mary's Church — Elgin 375 

First Baptist Church— Elgin— in 1871 801 

Highland Avenue Brethren Church — Elgin 443 

German Evangelical Church — Elgin 403 

Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church — Elgin 403 

Bethlehem Swedish Lutheran Church — Elgin 478 

Old Baptist School— Elgin 175 

Elgin Seniinary 167 

Old High School — Elgin — Built in 1857 753 

Elgin Academy 761 

Abby C. Wing School— Elgin 761 

Old Brick School. Dedicated in .January. 1848 175 

High School-^Elgin 753 

Lincoln School — Elgin 769 

Franklin School — Elgin 769 

Wa.sliington School — Elgin 417 

St. Mary's Academy — Elgin 233 

Elgin in 1835 87 

City of Elgin 17 

Grove Avenue — Elgin — Looking North About 1870 493 

Fountain Square — Elgin — in 1870 253 

Fountain Square — Elgin — in 1907 719 

Fountiiin Square Showing Old Union Hall 719 

Decoration Day. Fountain Square — Elgin — in the '70s 687 

Speech Making at Fountain Square, July 4th, About War Time 687 

Fountain Square Looking North in 1860 333 

Fountain Square Showing Fountain 431 

Residence of John W. Marshall 337 

Old Fording Place Used Before Bridge Was Built — Elgin 65 

Peck's Store on Site of Old City Hall-Elgin 139 

Interior of Old Du Bois Opera House, Burned in 1886 — Elgin 285 

Ruins of Old Du Bois Opera House, Burned in 1886 — Elgin 523 

Chicago Street About 1866. Looking West from Fountain Square 117 

Old Waverly House — Elgin 145 

The Old Mill That Formerly Stood on the Site of Borden's Factory 145 

City Hall— Elgin 781 

Northern Insane Asylum Aboul 1 •'>70 781 

Old City Hotel— Elgin (395 

PostofRce — Elgin 775 

Gail Borden Public Librarv — Elgin 775 



ILLUSTRATIONS 867 

Chicago Street Looking East, IS'oO 727 

West Elgin About 1860, Looking Northward from the Bridge 389 

River Street— Elgin— About 1860 735 

East Side of Doviglas Avenue— Elgin— About 1860 735 

First Iron Bridge — Elgin 273 

West Elgin from Chicago Street Bridge, About 1870 273 

Old Bridge Across Fox River 125 

Old Wooden Bridge, Chicago Street — Elgin 125 

View of Elgin, East Side, 1866 243 

Business District, AVest Elgin, 1866 203 

View of Elgin Business District in 1866 203 

West Bank of Fox River, Camping Scene North of Elgin 183 

Fox River Near Trout Park, North of Elgin 183 

View from Bridge North, Elgin 1866 309 

View of Ea.st Elgin, Showing Academy, 1866 309 

First Iron Bridge, Elgin, Built in 1866 347 

View of Elgin, East Side, 1866 243 

Snow Fall in the '80s 711 

Snow Banks on Douglas Avenue in the '80s 361 

Snow Storm in 1870 711 

Bridge at Chicago Street— Elgin 223 

Location of James T. Gifford's Log Cabin, the Second Built in Elgin. . . , 95 

Park— Elgin— About 1860 223 

Villa Street— Elgin 95 

Douglas Avenue — Elgin — in the '90s 361 

"Old Octagon," for Years the Chief Boarding House of Elgin 747 

Chicago Street— Elgin— About 1860 727 

View Showing First Building of Elgin Watch Works, Taken in 1866 347 

Elgin National Watch Works in 1868 741 

Elgin Watch Works Completed in 1907 741 

Noon at Watch Factory — Elgin 431 

D. C. Cook Publishing Company— Elgin 809 

Old People's Home— Elgin 809 

Group of Elgin Pioneers, 1866 57 

Members of G. A. R.— Elgin— Taken May 30, 1908 679 

Kane County Courthouse 11 

Remains of a Log Cabin Still Standing West of St. Charles 25 

The Pioneer 151 

Judgment of a "Claim Jumpers Committee" b3 

Front and Back of a Letter Received in 1835 by B. Hanks, Postmaster . . 79 

Below the Dam Carpentersville, About 1875 263 

Old Library Hall— Carpentersville 839 

New Library Hall— Carpentersville 839 

Illinois Iron & Bolt Company's Buildings. About 1875 845 



868 ILLUSTRATIONS 

Illinois Irou & Bolt Company — Carpentersville 845 

The Onlj^ City Clerks Elgin Has Ever Had 703 

Gymnasium — Illinois Home for Boys — St. Charles 831 

State Home for Boys, St. Charles 825 

Office Building of Boys' Home 831 

Illinois State Industrial School for Girls — Geneva 817 

Library Building — Geneva 81 / 

Judge Berry's Office— St. Charles, 1855 825 

Kane County's First Courthouse 33 

Kane County's Second Courthouse 33 

Kane County's Third Courthouse 49 

Kane County's Fourth Courthouse 49 

Early Kane County Judges and Lawyers 451 

Early Kane County Judges and Lawyers 465