UNIVERSITY OF
|LLIN''S <-i3RARY
AT URfc&N* r wHAMPAIGN.
ILL HIST. SURVEY
>
THE
KANE COUNTY, ILLINOIS,
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ITS CITIES, TOWNS, &c., A DIRECTORY
OF ITS CITIZENS, WAR RECORD OF ITS VOLUNTEERS IN THE LATE
REBELLION, PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT
MEN, GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, MAP OF KANE
COUNTY, HISTORY OF ILLINOIS, ILLUSTRATED, HIS-
TORY OF THE NORTHWEST, ILLUSTRATED, CON-
STITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, MIS-
CELLANEOUS MATTERS, ETC., ETC.
3D.
CHICAGO:
WM. LE BARON, JR., & CO., 186 DEARBORN STREET.
1878.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by
WM. LE BARON, Jr., & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
313
Surv
J-
PREFACE
O
In presenting our Past and Present of Kane County in historical form, we deem a
few prefatory words necessary. We have spared neither pains nor expense to fulfill our
^
engagement with our patrons and make the work as complete as possible. We have
acted upon the principle that justice to those who have subscribed, be they few or many,
requires that the work should be as well done as if it was patronized by every citizen in
the county. We do not claim that our work is entirely free from errors ; such a result
could not be attained by the utmost care and foresight of ordinary mortals. Almost
the entire matter contained in the first fifty pages of the County History was obtained
from Henry B. Peirce, and the remainder was compiled by our historians, Arthur Merrill
and W. H. Perrin. Some of the Township Histories are indeed longer than others, as
the townships are older, containing larger cities and towns, and have been the scenes of
more important and interesting events. While fully recognizing this important differ-
ence, the historians have sought to write up each township with equal fidelity to the
facts and information within their reach. We take this occasion to present our thanks
. to all our numerous subscribers for their patronage and encouragement in the publication
of the work. In this confident belief, we submit it to the enlightened judgment of
those for whose benefit it has been prepared, believing that it will be received as a most
valuable and complete work.
THE PUBLISHERS.
O .""
. JO
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States
by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the
United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of
Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United
States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi
River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary
of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the
Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National
domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the
" New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old " Northwestern
Territory. "
In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast
magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater
in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States,
including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected
eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula-
tion, at the present time, of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one third of
the entire population of the United States.
Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent
flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far-
stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the
highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent
on the globe.
For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North-
west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United
States.
(19)
20 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in the New
World. He, however, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel
of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than
half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence
to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no
settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that
he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and
disheartened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery
for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize
upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by
DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer
took advantage of these discoveries.
In 1616, four years before the pilgrims " moored their bark on the
wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene-
trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which
run into Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the
first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from
the discovery of the Mississippi by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian
envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary,
below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent
result; yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders
attempted to spend a Winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes,
nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by
Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude
Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the
Indians of the Northwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette
founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two
years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen-
eral of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the
present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a
grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following Spring, where they were
taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken
of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at
Point St. Ignatius, where was founded the old town of Michillimackinac.
During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's residence at St.
Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied
as all others did then that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's
children resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come.
Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
21
22 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his
king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico
or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe-
dition, prepared for the undertaking.
On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist-
ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of
discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were
astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade
them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as
exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of
frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But,
nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he
was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region
they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which
the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they
separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the
adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and
Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar-
quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the
town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows,
which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to
thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in
giving them an abundant " chase." This was the farthest outpost to
which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the
year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed
in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake.
He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to
Joliet, said : " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun-
tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths
of the Gospel." Two Miami guides w-ere here furnished to conduct
them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on
the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to
witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet
ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the portage,
returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin,
which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown
waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck
out into the broadening current and became conscious that they were
now upon the bosom of th3 Father of Waters. The mystery was about
to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is
beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have been
clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
23
Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand
" reminded them of the castled shores of their own beautiful rivers of
France." By-and-by, as they drifted along, great herds of buffalo appeared
on the banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could see a
country of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of inhab-
itants yet presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under the fas-
tidious cultivation of lordly proprietors.
THE WILD PRAIRIE.
On June 25, they went ashore and found some fresh traces of men upon
the sand, and a path which led to the prairie. The men remained in the
boat, and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they discovered a
village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a
half league of the first, inhabited by Indians. They were received most
hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person.
After remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to
about latitude 33, where they found a village of the Arkansas, and being
satisfied that the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, turned their course
24 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois,
rowed up that stream to its source, and procured guides from that point
to the lakes. " Nowhere on this journey," says Marquette, ' did we see
such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards,
swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River."
The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and
reported their discovery one of the most important of the age, but of
which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his by
the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette
returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them
until 1675. On the 18th of May, in that year, as he was passing the
mouth of a stream going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan he asked
to land at its mouth and celebrate Mass. Leaving his men with the canoe,
he retired a short distance and began his devotions. As much time
passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found
him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefully passed away while at
prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place
fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving
the beloved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been
called Marquette.
While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in
the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were pre-
paring to follow in his footsteps and perfect the discoveries so well begun
by him. These were Robert de LaSalle and Louis Hennepin.
After La Salle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see
the narrative elsewhere), he established himself again among the French
trading posts in Canada. Here he mused long upon the pet project of
those ages a short way to China and the East, and was busily planning an
expedition up the great lakes, and so across the continent to the Pacific,
when Marquette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind
of LaSalle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by fol-
lowing the Great River northward, or by turning up some of the numerous
western tributaries, the object could easily be gained. He applied to
Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plan,
dim but gigantic. Frontenac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that
LaSalle's idea to connect the great lakes by a chain of forts with the Gulf
of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give un-
measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose adminis-
tration he earnestly hoped all would be realized.
LaSalle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who
warmly approVed of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received
from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. The Chev-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
25
alier returned to Canada, and busily entered upon his work. He at
once rebuilt Fort Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on
these fresh-water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined
by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Griffin up Lake Erie. He
passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, up Lake St. Clair and
into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy storms. They were
some time at Michillimackinac, where LaSalle founded a fort, and passed
on to Green Bay, the " Baie des Puans " of the French, where he found
a large quantity of furs collected for him. He loaded the Griffin with
these, and placing her under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors,
LA SALLE LANDING ON THE SHORE OF GREEN BAY.
started her on her return voyage. The vessel was never afterward heard
of. He remained about these parts until early in the Winter, when, hear-
ing nothing from the Griffin, he collected all his men thirty working
men and three monks and started again upon his great undertaking.
By a short portage they passed to the Illinois or Kankakee, called by
the Indians, " Theakeke," wolf, because of the tribes of Indians called
by that name, commonly known as the Mahingans, dwelling there. The
French pronounced it Kiakiki, which became corrupted to Kankakee.
" Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the
country," about the last of December they reached a village of the.
Illinois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment
26 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
no inhabitants. The Seur de LaSalle being in want of some breadstuff's,
took advantage of the absence of the Indians to help himself to a suffi-
ciency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes
under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village
of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored,
the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward evening,
on the 4th day of January, 1680, they came into a lake which must have
been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Pim-i-te-wi, thac
is, a place where there are many fat beasts. Here the natives were met
with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent
some time with them, LaSalle determined to erect another fort in that
place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjoining tribes were
trying to disturb the good feeling which existed, and some of his men
were disposed to complain, owing tp the hardships and perils of the travel.
He called this fort " Crevecceur" (broken-heart), a name expressive of the
very natural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty certain loss of his ship,
Griffin, and his consequent impoverishment, the danger of hostility on the
part of the Indians, and of mutiny among his own men, might well cause
him. His fears were not entirely groundless. At one time poison was
placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered.
While building this fort, the Winter wore away, the prairies began to
look green, and LaSalle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to
return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in
the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party
to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his jour-
ney. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and
was successfully made, though over an almost unknown route, and in a
bad season of the year. He safely reached Canada, and set out again for
the object of his search.
Hennepin and his party left Fort Crevecceur on the last of February,
1680. When LaSalle reached this place on his return expedition, he
found the fort entirely deserted, and he was obliged to return again to
Canada. He embarked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after
leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and paddling up the
icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin River
by the llth of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a
band of Northern Indians, who treated them with great kindness. Hen-
nepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Michael Ako. On this voy-
age they found several beautiful lakes, and " saw some charming prairies."
Their captors were the Isaute or Sauteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux
nation, who took them up the river until about the first of May, when
they reached some falls, which Hennepin christened Falls of St. Anthony
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
27
in honor of his patron saint. Here they took the land, and traveling
nearly two hundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages.
Here they were kept about three months, were treated kindly by their
captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Frenchmen,
BUFFALO HUNT.
headed by one Seur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had pene-
trated thus far by the route of Lake Superior ; and with these fellow-
countrymen Hennepin and his companions were allowed to return to the
borders of civilized life in November, 1680, just after LaSalle had
returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hennepin soon after went
to France, where he published an account of his adventures.
28 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his
vain endeavor to find gold and precious gems. In the following Spring,
De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wander-
ings, he fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May died. His followers,
reduced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered
about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue them-
selves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brigan-
tines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it
would lead them to the sea, in July they came to the sea (Gulf of
Mexico), and by September reached the Island of Cuba.
They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi ; but,
being so weary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country,
and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they had passed through.
To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving the
first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to possess
this entire country for his king, and in January, 1682, he and his band of
explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed
the portage, passed down the Illinois River, and on the 6th of February,
reached the banks of the Mississippi.
On the 13th they commenced their downward course, which they
pursued with but one interruption, until upon the 6th of March they dis-
covered the three great passages by which the liver discharges its waters
into the gulf. La Salle thus narrates the event :
" We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three
leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de LaSalle
went to recoimoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti
meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main
outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the 8th we reascended the river, a
little above its confluence with the sea, to find a dry place beyond the
reR-ch of inundations. The elevation of the North Pole was here about
twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, and to
the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription :
Louis Le Grand, Roi De France et de Navarre, regne ; Le neuvicme Avril, 1682.
The whole party, under arms, chanted the Te Deum, and then, after
a salute and cries of " Vive le Roi" the column was erected by M. de
LaSalle, who, standing near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authority of
the King of France. LaSalle returned and laid the foundations of the Mis-
sissippi settlements in Illinois, thence he proceeded to France, where
another expedition was fitted out, of which he was commander, and in two
succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river by sailing along
the shore of the gulf. On his third voyage he was killed, through the
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
29
treachery of his followers, and the object of his expeditions was not
accomplished until 1699, when D'Iberville, under the authority of the
crown, discovered, on the second of March, by way of the sea, the mouth
of the " Hidden River." This majestic stream was called by the natives
44 Malbouchia," and by the Spaniards, " la Palissade" from the great
TRAPPING.
number of trees about its mouth. After traversing the several outlets,
and satisfying himself as to its certainty, he erected a fort near its
western outlet, and returned to France.
An avenue of trade was now opened out which was fully improved.
In 1718, New Orleans was laid out and settled by some European colon-
ists. In 1762, the colony was made over to Spain, to be regained by
France under the consulate of Napoleon. In 1803, it was purchased by
30 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
the United States for the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territory
of Louisiana and commerce of the Mississippi River came under the
charge of the United States. Although LaSalle's labors ended in defeat
and death, he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown
open to France and the world an immense and most valuable country ;
had established several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one
settlement there. " Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this day monu-
ments of LaSalle's labors ; for, though he had founded neither of them
(unless Peoria, which was built nearly upon the site of Fort Crevecceur,)
it was by those whom he led into the West that these places were
peopled and civilized. He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of
the Mississippi Valley, and as such deserves to be known and honored."
The French early improved the opening made for them. Before the
year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois,
and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary
station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such vil-
lages, tlie other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of
these missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel- Marest,
dated " Aux Cascaskias, autrement dit de I'lmmaculate Conception de
la Sainte Vierge, le 9 Novembre, 1712." Soon after the founding of
Kaskaskia, the missionary, Pinet, gathered a flock at Cahokia, while
Peoria arose near the ruins of Fort Crevecoaur. This must have been
about the year 1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubache river,
(pronounced Wa-ba, meaning summer cloud moving swiftly) was estab-
lished in 1702, according to the best authorities.* It is altogether prob-
able that on LaSalle's last trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia
and Cahokia. In July, 1701, the foundations of Fort Ponchartrain
were laid by De la Motte Cadillac on the Detroit River. These sta-
tions, with those established further north, were the earliest attempts to
occupy the Northwest Territory. At the same time efforts were being
made to occupy the Southwest, which finally culminated in the settle-
ment and founding of the City of New Orleans by a colony from England
in 1718. This was mainly accomplished through the efforts of the
famous Mississippi Company, established by the notorious John Law,
who so quickly arose into prominence in France, and who with his
scheme so quickly and so ignominiously passed away.
From the time of the founding of these stations for fifty years the
French nation were engrossed Avith the settlement of the lower Missis-
sippi, and the war with the Chicasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated
There is considerable dispute about this date, some asserting it was founded as late as 1742. When
the new court house at Vincennes was erected, all authorities on the subject were carefully examined, and
1702 fixed upon as the correct date. It was accordingly engraved on the corner-stone of the court house.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 31
injuries, cut off the entire colony at Natchez. Although the company
did little for Louisiana, as the entire West was then called, yet it opened
the trade through the Mississippi River, and started the raising of grains
indigenous to that climate. Until the year 1750, but little is known of
the settlements in the Northwest, as it was not until this time that the
attention of the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the
New World, which they then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary
among the Illinois, writing from " Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort
Chartres, June 8, 1750, says: "We have here whites, negroes and
Indians, to say nothing of cross-breeds. There are five French villages,
and three villages of the natives, within a space of twenty-one leagues
situated between the Mississippi and another river called the Karkadaid
(Kaskaskias). In the five French villages are, perhaps, eleven hundred
whites, three hundred blacks and some sixty red slaves or savages. The
three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all
told. Most of the French till the soil; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and
horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can
be consumed ; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New
Orleans." This city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and
save in the extreme northern part, where only furs and copper ore were
found, almost all the products of the country found their way to France
by the mouth of the Father of Waters. In another letter, dated Novem-
ber 7, 1750, this same priest says : " For fifteen leagues above the
mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being too low
to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans, the lands are only partially
occupied. New Orleans contains black, white and red, not more, I
think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come all lumber,
bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease ; and above all, pork
and flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce, as forty
vessels and more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans,
plantations are again met with ; the most considerable is a colony of
Germans, some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirty -five
leagues above the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five
or six leagues, are not less than sixty habitations. Fifty leagues farther
up is the Natchez post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners
through fear of the Chickasaws. Here and at Point Coupee, they raise
excellent tobacco. Another hundred leagues brings us to the Arkansas,
where we have also a fort and a garrison for the benefit of the river
traders. * * * From the Arkansas to the Illinois, nearly five hundred
leagues, there is not a settlement. There should be, however, a fort at
the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the
Mississippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no one to
32
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
work them as they deserve." Father Marest, writing from the post at
Vincennes in 181 2, makes the same observation. Vivier also says : " Some
individuals dig lead near the surface and supply the Indians and Canada.
Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are
like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find
silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also
in this country, beyond doubt, copper ore, as from time to time large
pieces are found in the streams."
HUNTING.
At the close of the year 1750, the French occupied, in addition to the
lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Du Quesne, one at
the Maumee in the country of the Miamis, and one at Sandusky in what
may be termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest
they had stations at St. Joseph's on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan,
at Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit), at Michillimackanac or Massillimacanac,
Fox River of Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Marie. The fondest dreams of
LaSalle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of
this vast realm, basing their claim on discovery and settlement. Another
nation, however, was now turning its attention to this extensive country,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 33
and hearing of its wealth, began to lay plans for occupying it and for
securing the great profits arising therefrom.
The French, however, had another claim to this country, namely, the
DISCOVERY OF THE OHIO.
This " Beautiful" river WPS discovered by Robert Cavalier de La-
Salle in 1669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by Joliet
and Marquette.
While LaSalle was at his trading post on the St. Lawrence, he found
leisure to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was the Iroquois.
He not only desired to facilitate his intercourse in trade, but he longed
to travel and explore the unknown regions of the West. An incident
soon occurred which decided him to fit out an exploring expedition.
While conversing with some Senecas, he learned of a river called the
Ohio, which rose in their country and flowed to the sea, but at such a
distance that it required eight months to reach its mouth. In this state-
ment the Mississippi and its tributaries were considered as one stream.
LaSalle believing, as most of the French at that period did, that the great
rivers flowing west emptied into the Sea of California, was anxious to
embark in the enterprise of discovering a route across the continent to
the commerce of China and Japan.
He repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval of the Gov-
ernor. His eloquent appeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant,
Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, but made no pro-
vision to defray the expenses. At this juncture the seminary of St. Sul-
pice decided to send out missionaries in connection with the expedition,
and LaSalle offering to sell his improvements at LaChine to raise money,
the offer was accepted by the Superior, and two thousand eight hundred
dollars were raised, with which LaSalle purchased four canoes and the
necessary supplies for the outfit.
On the 6th of July, 1669, the party, numbering twenty-four persons,
embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence ; two additional canoes
carried the Indian guides. In three days they were gliding over the
bosom of Lake Ontario. Their guides conducted them directly to the
Seneca village on the bank of the Genesee, in the vicinity of the present
City of Rochester, New York. Here they expected to procure guides to
conduct them to the Ohio, but in this they were disappointed.
The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. LaSalle suspected
that the Jesuits had prejudiced their minds against his plans. After
waiting a month in the hope of gaining their object, they met an Indian
34
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
from the Iroquois colony at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them
that they could there find guides, and offered to conduct them thence.
On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they
heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. Arriving
OH IK*'.
among the Iroquois, they met with a friendly reception, and learned
from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks.
Delighted with the unexpected good fortune, they made ready to resume
their journey ; but just as they were about to start they heard of the
arrival of two Frenchmen in a neighboring village. One of them proved
to be Louis Joliet, afterwards famous as an explorer in the West. He
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
History Northwest Territory 19
Geographical 19
HISTORICAL.
PAGE.
Other Indian Troubles 79
Present Condition of the Northwest 87
Early Exploration 20 Illinois 99
Discovery of the Ohio 33 I Indiana 101
English Explorations and Settle- j Iowa 102
ments 35 | Michigan 103
American Settlements 60 Wisconsin 104
Division of the Northwest Terri-
tory 66
Tecumseh and the war of 1812 70
Black Hawk and the Black Hawk
War 74
Minnesota ..106
Nebraska 107
History of Illinois 109
Coal 125
Compact of 1787 117
PAEG.
History of Chicago 132
Early Discoveries 109
Early Settlements 115
Education 129-
First French Occupation 112
Genius of La Salle 113
Material Resources 124
Massacre of Fort Dearborn 141
Physical Features 121
Progress of Development 123
Religion and Morale 128
War Record of Illinois 130
PAGE.
Source of the Mississippi 21
Mouth of the Mississippi 21
Wild Prairie 23
La Salle Landing on the Shore of
Green Bay 25
Buffalo Hunt 27
Trapping 29
Hunting 32
Iroquois Chief. 34
Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain 43
Indians Attacking Frontiersmen... 56
A Prairie Storm 59
A Pioneer Dwelling 61
Breaking Prairie 63
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Tecumseh, the Shawnee' Chieftain... 69
Indians Attacking a Stockade 72
Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain 75
Big Eagle 80
Captain Jack, the Modoc Chieftain.. 83
Kinzie House 85
Village Residence 86
A Representative Pioneer 87
Lincoln Monument, Springfield, 111. 88
A Pioneer School House 89
Farm View in the Winter 90
Spring Scene 91
Pioneers' First Winter 92
High Bridge and Lake Bluff 94
PAGE.
Great Iron Bridge of Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railroad, Cross-
ing the River at Davenport, Iowa 96
A Western Dwelling 100
Hunting Prairie Wolves at an
Early Day 108
Starved Rock, on the Illinois River,
La Salle County, 111 110
An Early Settlement 116
Chicago in 1833 133
Old Fort Dearborn in 1830 136
Ruins of Chicago 142
View of the City of Chicago 144
Shabbona 149-
PAGE.
General History of Kane Co 221
Aurora Township 270
Batavia " 296
Blackberry " 473
Burlington " 480
Big Rock " 488
KANE < 01 VIY HISTORY.
PAE.
Campton Townehip 465
Dundee
Elgin
Geneva
Hampshire
Kaneville
..396
357
311
457
422
PAGE.
Plato Township 449
Rutland " 442
St. Charles " 329
Sugar Grove Township 411
Virgil " 430
LITHOGRAPHIC: PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
Browning, S. W 183
Borden, Gail 237
Burlingame, D. E 525
Barrows, M.T 550
Crabtree, L. A 201
Chisholm, R. B 471
Farusworth. A. P 165
Gillett, L. H 147
Herrington, A. M 255
Kelley, L. M
Ketchum, E. G
Mann, S. S
.Minimi. Ira
Mann, James
Mixer. Cbas. S
Merrill, Arthur H.,
Manu, A. J ,
Pingree, Daniel....
PAGE. I PAGK.
, 381 Pingree, Andrew 363
489 Starks, E. R 543
219 TOWN, M. C 291
309 Tabor, Mervin 399
345 Teflt, Dr. Jos 417
435 ! Wheeler. H. N 273
5(17 Wheeler, A. R 507
453 j
327 ,
U i \ 1. COUNTY WAR RECORD.
PAGE. PAGE. I
Infantry 497 Cavalry 537 | Artillery
545.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Aurora Township 737
Batavia
Blackberry "
Burlington "
Big Rock
Campton "
TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY.
PAGE.
Dundee Township 560
Elgin " iiC8
Geneva " 551
Hampshire ' 559
Kaneville " i;->5
Plato Township
Rutland "
St. Charles "
Sugar Grove "
Virgil "
PAGE.
732
722
637
654
700
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
PAGE.
Adoption of Children 160
Bills of Exchange and Promissory
Notes 151
County Courts 155
Conveyances 164
Church Organizations 189
Descent 151
Deeds and Mortgages 157
Drainage 163
Damages from Trespass 169
Definition of Commercial Terms 173
Exemptions from Forced Sale 156
Estrays 157
Fences 168
Forms :
Articles of Agreement 175
Bills of Purchase 174
Bills of Sale 176 !
Bonds 176 |
PAGE.
Chattel Mortgages 177
Codicil 189
Lease of Farm and Build-
ings , 179
Lease of House 180
Landlord's Agreement 180
Notes 174
Notice Tenant to Quit 181
Orders 174
Quit Claim Deed 185
Receipt 174
Real Estate Mortgaged to Secure
Payment of Money 181
Release 186
Tenant's Agreement 180
Tenant's Notice to Quit 181
Warranty Deed 182
Will , 187
PAGE.
Game 158
Interest 151
Jurisdiction of Courts 154
Limitation of Action 155
Landlord and Tenant 169
Liens 172
Married Women 156
Millers 159
Marks and Brands 159
Paupers 164
Roads and Bridges 161
Surveyors and Surveys 160
Suggestions to Persons Purchasing
Books by Subscription 190
Taxes 154
Wills and Estates 152
Weights and Measures 158
Wolf Scalps 164
PAGE.
Map of Kane County Front
Constitution of the U. S 192
Electors of President and Vice Pres-
ident 206
Practical Rules for Every Day Use.207
U. S. Government Land Measure. ..210
Agricultural Productions of Illi-
nois by Counties, 1870 210
Surveyors' Measure 211
How to Keep Accounts 211
MISCELLANEOUS.
PAGE.
Interest Table 212
Miscellaneous Tables 212
Names of the States of the Union
and their Signification 213
Population of the United States 214
Population of Fifty Principal Cities
of the United States 214
Population and Area of the United
States 215
PAGE.
Population of the Principal Coun-
tries in the World 215
Population of Illinois 216-217
Elgin National Guards 548
Aurora Light Guards 548
Errata 550
Business Directory 810
Assessors' Report 822
Population of Kane County 826
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 35
had been sent by the Canadian Government to explore the copper mines
on Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on his way back to Quebec.
He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the
lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Indians in
that quarter. This induced the priests to determine on leaving the
expedition and going to Lake Superior. LaSalle warned them that the
Jesuits were probably occupying that field, and that they would meet
with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and
after worship on the lake shore, parted from LaSalle. On arriving at
Lake Superior, they found, as LaSalle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers,
Marquette and Dablon, occupying the field.
These zealous disciples of Loyola informed them that they wanted
no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their patron
saint ; and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June
without having made a single discovery or converted a single Indian.
After parting with the priests, LaSalle went to the chief Iroquois
village at Onondaga,. where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a
tributary of the Ohio south of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far
as the falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by LaSalle, the
persevering and successful French explorer of the West, in 1669.
The account of the latter part of his journey is found in an anony-
mous paper, which purports to have been taken from the lips of LaSalle
himself during a subsequent visit to Paris. In a letter written to Count
Frontenac in 1667, shortly after the discovery, he himself says that he
discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as
an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio
Valley upon another ground. When Washington was sent by the colony
of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why the French
had built a fort on the Monongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec
replied : " We claim the country on the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries
of LaSalle, and will not give it up to the English. Our orders are to
make prisoners of every Englishman found trading in the Ohio Valley."
ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS.
When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters
and the Great Northwest, all was still wild save at the French posts
already described. In 1749, when the English first began to think seri-
ously about sending men into the West, the greater portion of the States
of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet
under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty
36 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as
1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, had commenced movements to
secure the country west of the Alleghenies to the English crown. In
Pennsylvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the prov-
ince, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the neces-
sity of securing the Western lands. Nothing was done, however, by that
power save to take some diplomatic steps to secure the claims of Britain
to this unexplored wilderness.
England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
on the ground that the discovery of the seacoast and its possession was a
discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants
to the colonies extended " from sea to sea." This was not all her claim.
She had purchased from the Indian tribes large tracts of land. This lat-
ter was also a strong argument. As early as 1684, Lord H oward, Gov-
ernor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the
great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Onei-
das, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were
taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six NATIONS,
They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in
1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 1726, a formal deed
was drawn up and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has
often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was
made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the " Colony of
Virginia," for which the Indians received .200 in gold and a like sum in
goods, with a promise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid.
The Commissioners from Virginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel
William Beverly. As settlements extended, the promise of more pay was
called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with
presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompa-
nied him with the intention of sounding the Indians upon their feelings
regarding the English. They were not satisfied with their treatment,
and plainly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire the
cultivation of the country, but the monopoly of the Indian trade. In
1748, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant
of land beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government
of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hun-
dred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of
June, 1749, 800,000 acres from the line of Canada north and west was
made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29th of October, 1751, 100,000
acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time the French
were not idle. They saw that, should the British gain a foothold in the
West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the French
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 37
settling upon it, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gain
possession of the whole country. Upon the 10th of May, 1774, Vaud-
reuil, Governor of Canada and the French possessions, well knowing the
consequences that must arise from allowing the English to build trading-
posts in the Northwest, seized some of their frontier posts, and to further
secure the claim of the French to the West, he, in 1749, sent Louis Cel-
eron with a party of soldiers to plant along the Ohio River, in the mounds
and at the mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which
were inscribed the claims of France. These were heard of in 1752, and
within the memory of residents now living along the " Oyo," as the
beautiful river was called by the French. One of these plates was found
with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August 16, 1749, and
a copy of the inscription with particular account of the discovery of the
plate, was sent by DeWitt Clinton to the American Antiquarian Society,
among whose journals it may now be found.* These measures did not,
however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and
though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict was gathering, and
it was only a question of time when the storm would burst upon the
frontier settlements. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent by the Ohio
Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwees,
on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He
afterward spoke of it as very populous. From there he went down
the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville,
and in November he commenced a survey of the Company's lands. Dur-
ing the Winter, General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the
Greenbriar Company. Meanwhile the French were busy in preparing
their forts for defense, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party
of soldiers to keep the Ohio clear. This party, having heard of the Eng-
lish post on the Miami River, early in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and
Chippewas, attacked it, and, after a severe battle, in which fourteen of
the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison.
(They were probably garrisoned in a block house). The traders were
carried away to Canada, and one account says several were burned. This
fort or post was called by the English Pickawillany. A memorial of the
king's ministers refers to it as " Pickawillanes, in the center of the terri-
tory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probably some
variation of Pickaway or Picqua in 1773, written by Rev. David Jones
Pickaweke."
* The following is a translation of the inscription on the plate: "In the year 1749. reign of Louis XV.,
King of France, we, Celeron, commandant of a detachment by Monsieur the Marquis of Galllsoniere, com-
inander-in-chief of New France, to establish trancjuility in certain Indian villages of these cantons, have
buried this plate at the confluence of the Toradakoin, this twenty- ninth of July, near the river Ohio, otherwise
, Beautiful River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken of the said river, and all its
tributaries; inasmuch as the preceding Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms and
treaties; especially by those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix La Chapelle."
88 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY
This was the first blood shed between the French and English, and
occurred near the present City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about
forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more inter-
ested in the progress of events in the Northwest. The English deter-
mined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they wished to
occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward Commander-in-chief over Washing-
ton at the commencement of the French War of 1775-1763), Lomax and
Patton were sent in the Spring of 1752 to hold a conference with the
natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lan-
caster already noticed, and to settle all difficulties. On the 9th of June,
these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pitts-
burgh. Here had been a trading point for many years, but it was aban-
doned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize
the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour,
the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a
chief among the six nations, induced him to use his influence in their
favor. This he did, and upon the 13th of June they all united in signing
a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in its full extent, consenting to a
settlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and guaranteeing that it should
not be disturbed by them. These were the means used to obtain the first
treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley.
Meanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-manoeuvre
each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally
outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their con-
tracts. They thereby gained the ill-will of the red men, and further
increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammuni-
tion. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 1758: " The Indians on the Ohio
left you because of your own fault. When we heard the French were
coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The
French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our affections. The
Governor of Virginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, when
we wanted help, forsook us."
At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by
title the lands in the West, but the French had quietly gathered cannon
and military stores to be in readiness for the expected blow. The Eng-
lish made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until
the Summer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans
of the French. They had sent messages to the French, warning them
away ; but they replied, that they intended to complete the chain of forts
alread}' begun, and would not abandon the field.
Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Ohio regard-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 39
ing the positions and purposes of the French, Governor Dinwiddie of
Virginia determined to send to them another messenger and learn from
them, if possible, their intentions. For this purpose he selected a young
man, a surveyor, who, at the early age of nineteen, had received the rank
of major, and who was thoroughly posted regarding frontier life. This
personage was no other than the illustrious George Washington, who then
held considerable interest in Western lands. He was at this time just
twenty-two years of age. Taking Gist as his guide, the two, accompanied
by four servitors, set out on their perilous march. They left Will's '
Creek on the 10th of November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monon-
gahela, about ten miles above the fork. From there they went to
Logstown, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of
the Six Nations. From them he learned the condition of the French, and
also heard of their determination not to come down the river till the fol-
lowing Spring. The Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to
turn either way, and, as far as they could, desired to remain neutral.
Washington, finding nothing could be done with them, went on to
Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the
French had a fort, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery
of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing
of importance here, he pursued his way amid great privations, and on the
llth of December reached the fort at the head of French Creek. Here
he delivered Governor Dinwiddie's letter, received his answer, took his
observations, and on the 16th set out upon his return journey with no one
but Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him,
notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Their
homeward journey was one of great peril and suffering from the cold, yet
they reached home in safety on the 6th of January, 1754.
From the letter of St. Pierre, commander of the French fort, sent by
Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, it was learned that the French would
not give up without a struggle. Active preparations were at once made
in all the English colonies for the coming conflict, while the French
finished the fort at Venaugo and strengthened their lines of fortifications,
and gathered their forces to be in readiness.
The Old Dominion was all alive. Virginia was the center of great
activities ; volunteers were called for, and from all the neighboring
colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac
men were enlisting under the Governor's proclamation which promised
two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river they were
gathering as far as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent
had come for assistance for his little band of forty-one men, who were
40 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
working away in hunger and want, to fortify that point at the fork of
the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest.
" The first birds of Spring filled the air with their song ; the swift
river rolled by the Allegheny hillsides, swollen by the melting snows of
Spring and the April showers. The leaves were appearing ; a few Indian
scouts were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand ; and all was so quiet,
that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, who had been left by Trent
in command, ventured to his home at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ten
miles up the Monongahela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilder-
ness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchment rising at the fork, and
swift feet had borne the news of it up the river ; and upon the morning
of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, who then had charge of it, saw
upon the Allegheny a sight that made his heart sink sixty batteaux and
three hundred canoes filled with men, and laden deep with cannon and
stores. * * * That evening he supped with his captor, Contrecoeur,
and the next day he was bowed off by the Frenchman, and with his men
and tools, marched up the Monongahela."
The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la
Chapelle, in 1748, had left the boundaries between the French and
English possessions unsettled, and the events already narrated show the
French were determined to hold the country watered by the Mississippi
and its tributaries ; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue
of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from New-
foundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The
first decisive blow had now been struck, and the first attempt of the
English, through the Ohio Company, to occupy these lands, had resulted
disastrously to them. The French and Indians immediately completed
the fortifications begun at the Fork, which they had so easily captured,
and when completed gave to the fort the name of DuQuesne. Washing-
ton was at Will's Creek when the news of the capture of the fort arrived.
He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched him-
self at a place called the " Meadows," where he erected a fort called
by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of
French and Indians marching against him, but was soon after attacked
in his fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the
morning of July 4th. He was allowed to return to Virginia.
The English Government immediately planned four campaigns ; one
. against Fort DuQuesne ; one against Nova Scotia ; one against Fort
Niagara, and one against Crown Point. These occurred during 1755--6,
and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions.
The expedition against Fort DuQuesne was led by the famous General
Braddock, who, refusing to listen to the advice of Washington and those
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 41
acquainted with Indian warfare, suffered such an inglorious defeat. This
occurred on the morning of July 9th, and is generally known as the battle
of Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with
various vicissitudes through the years 1756-7 ; when, at the commence-
ment of 1758, in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secre-
tary of State, afterwards Lord Chatham, active preparations were made to
carry on the war. Three expeditions were planned for this year : one,
under General Amherst, against Louisburg ; another, under Abercrombie,
against Fort Ticonderoga ; and a third, under General Forbes, against
Fort DuQuesne. On the 26th of July, Louisburg surrendered after a
desperate resistance of more than forty days, and the eastern part of the
Canadian possessions fell into the hands of the British. Abercrombie
captured Fort Frontenac, and when the expedition against Fort DuQuesne,
of which Washington had the active command, arrived there, it was
found in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession,
rebuilt the fort, and in honor of their illustrious statesman, changed the
name to Fort Pitt.
The great object of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of
Canada. General Wolfe was to lay siege to Quebec ; Amherst was to
reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideaux was to
capture Niagara. This latter place was taken in July, but the gallant
Prideaux lost his life in the attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderoga
and Crown Point without a blow ; and Wolfe, after making the memor-
able ascent to the Plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated
Montcalm, and on the 18th, the city capitulated. In this engagement
Monteolm and Wolfe both lost their lives. De Levi, Montcalm's successor,
marched to Sillery, three miles above the city, with the purpose of
defeating the English, and there, on the 28th of the following April, was
fought one of the bloodiest battles of the French and Indian War. It
resulted in the defeat of the French, and the fall of the City of Montreal.
The Governor signed a capitulation by which the whole of Canada was
surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war, but it
was not until 1763 that the treaties of peace between France and England
were signed. This was done on the 10th of February of that year, and
under its provisions all the country east of the Mississippi and north of
the Iberville River, in Louisiana, were ceded to England. At the same
time Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain.
On the 13th of September, 1760, Major Robert Rogers was sent
from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post
in the territory. He arrived there on the 19th of November, and sum-
moned the place to surrender. At first the commander of the post,
Beletre* refused, but on the 29th, hearing of the continued defeat of the
42 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
French arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d
under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom,
no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the
purposes of the English in taking possession of the country. He was
assured that they came simply to trade with the natives, and did not
desire their country. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much
to insure the safety of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while
on their journey home.
Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23, and was just one
monj;h on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence
across the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the com-
mon trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sandusky to the fork of
the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky City now is,
crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to " Mohickon
John's Town" on Mohickon Creek, the northern branch of White
Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, a Delaware town
on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's Town were probably one
hundred and fifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of
cleared land. From there the track went up Sandy Creek to and across
Big Beaver, and up the Ohio to Logstown, thence on to the fork.
The Northwest Territory was now entirely under the English rule.
New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the promise of a large
trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their promises
with the natives none of those savage butcheries would have been perpe-
trated, and the country would have been spared their recital.
The renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these
atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading
events in his life. The earliest authentic information regarding this
noted Indian chief is learned from an account of an Indian trader named
Alexander Henry, who, in the Spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as
far as Missillimacnac. Pontiac was then a great friend of the French,
but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his
hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise himself as a Canadian
to insure safety, l?ut was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached
him and the English for their attempted subjugation of the West. He
declared that no treaty had been made with them; no presents sent
them, and that he would resent any possession of the West by that nation.
He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was
civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatamies.
The Indians, from Lake Michigan to the borders of North Carolina,
were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified
February 10, 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
PONTIAC, THE OTTAWA CHIEFTAIN.
44 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike every man dead.
Pontiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander
of the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares
and Mingoes, who had, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unite
in this enterprise.
The blow came, as near as can now be ascertained, on May 7, 1763.
Nine British posts fell, and the Indians drank, " scooped up in the hollow
of joined hands," the blood of many a Briton.
Pontiac's immediate field of action was the garrison at Detroit.
Here, however, the plans were frustrated by an Indian woman disclosing
the plot the evening previous to his arrival. Everything was carried out,
however, according to Poutiac's plans until the moment of action, when
Major Gladwyn, the commander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian
chiefs, suddenly drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed
musket. Pontiac, though a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He
saw his plan was known, and that the garrison were prepared. He
endeavored to exculpate himself from any such intentions ; but the guilt
was evident, and he and his followers were dismissed with a severe
reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post.
Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace
between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1764,
continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular
commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark,
which, to his credit, it may be stated, were punctually redeemed. At
the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went
further south, living many years among the Illinois.
He had given up all hope of saving his country and race. After a
time he endeavored to unite the Illinois tribe and those about St. Louis
in a war with the whites. His efforts were fruitless, and only ended in a
quarrel between himself and some Kaskaskia Indians, one of whom soon
afterwards killed him. His death was, however, avenged by the northern
Indians, who nearly exterminated the Illinois in the wars which followed.
Had it not been for the treachery of a few of his followers, his plan
for the extermination of the whites, a masterly one, would undoubtedly
have been carried out.
It was in the Spring of the year following Rogers' visit that Alex-
ander Henry went to Missillimacnac, and everywhere found the strongest
feelings against the English, who had not carried out their promises, and
were doing nothing to conciliate the natives. Here he met the chief,
Pontiac, who, after conveying to him in a speech the idea that their
French father would awake soon and utterly destroy his enemies, said :
*' Englishman, although you have conquered the French, you have not
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 45
yet conquered us ! We are not your slaves! These lakes, these woods,
these mountains, were left us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance,
and we will part with them to none. Your nation supposes that we, like
the white people, can not live without bread and pork and beef. But you
ought to know that He, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided
food for us upon these broad lakes and in these mountains."
He then spoke of the fact that no treaty had been made with them,
no presents sent them, and that he and his people were yet for war.
Such were the feelings of the Northwestern Indians immediately after
the English took possession of their country. These feelings were jio
doubt encouraged by the Canadians and French, who hoped that yet the
French arms might prevail. The treaty of Paris, however, gave to the
English the right to this vast domain, and active preparations were going
on to occupy it and enjoy its trade and emoluments.
In 1762, France, by a secret treaty, ceded Louisiana to Spain, to pre-
vent it falling into the hands of the English, who were becoming masters
of the entire West. The next year the treaty of Paris, signed at Fon-
tainbleau, gave to the English the domain of the country in question.
Twenty years after, by the treaty of peace between the United States
and England, that part of Canada lying south and west of the Great
Lakes, comprehending a large territory which is the subject of these
sketches, was acknowledged to be a portion of the United States ; and
twenty years still later, in 1803, Louisiana was ceded by Spain back to
France, and by France sold to the United States.
In the half century, from the building of the Fort of Crevecceur by
LaSalle, in 1680, up to the erection of Fort Chartres, many French set-
tlements had been made in that quarter. These have already been
noticed, being those at St. Vincent (Vincennes), Kohokia or Cahokia,
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the American Bottom, a large tract
of rich alluvial soil in Illinois, on the Mississippi, opposite the site of St.
Louis.
By the treaty of Paris, the regions east of the Mississippi, including
all these and other towns of the Northwest, were given over to England;
but they do not appear to have been taken possession of until 1765, when
Captain Stirling, in the name of the Majesty of England, established him-
self at Fort Chartres bearing with him the proclamation of General Gage,
dated December 30, 1764, which promised religious freedom to all Cath-
olics who worshiped here, and a right to leave the country with their
effects if they wished, or to remain with the privileges of Englishmen.
It was shortly after the occupancy of the West by the British that the
war with Pontiac opened. It is already noticed in the sketch of that
chieftain. By it many a Briton lost his life, and many a frontier settle-
46 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
ment in its infancy ceased to exist. This was not ended until the year
1764, when, failing to capture Detroit, Niagara and Fort Pitt, his confed-
eracy became disheartened, and, receiving no aid from the French, Pon-
tiac abandoned the enterprise and departed to the Illinois, among whom
he afterward lost his life.
As soon as these difficulties were definitely settled, settlers began
rapidly to survey the country and prepare for occupation. During the
year 1770, a number of persons from Virginia anqL other British provinces
explored and marked out nearly all the valuable lands on the Mononga-
hela and along the banks of the Ohio as far as the Little Kanawha. This
was followed by another exploring expedition, in which George Washing-
ton was a party. The latter, accompanied by Dr. Craik, Capt. Crawford
and others, on the 20th of October, 1770, descended the Ohio from Pitts-
burgh to the mouth of the Kanawha ; ascended that stream about fourteen
miles, marked out several large tracts of land, shot several buffalo, which
were then abundant in the Ohio Valley, and returned to the fort.
Pittsburgh was at this time a trading post, about which was clus-
tered a village of some twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. This
same year, Capt. Pittman visited Kaskaskia and its neighboring villages.
He found there about sixty-five resident families, and at Cahokia only
forty-five dwellings. At Fort Chartres was another small settlement, and
at Detroit the garrison were quite prosperous and strong. For a year
or two settlers continued to locate near some of these posts, generally
Fort Pitt or Detroit, owing to the fears of the Indians, who still main-
tained some feelings of hatred to the English. The trade from the posts
was quite good, and from those in Illinois large quantities of pork and
flour found their way to the New Orleans market. At this time the
policy of the British Government was strongly opposed to the extension
of the colonies west. In 1763, the King of England forbade, by royal
proclamation, his colonial subjects from making a settlement beyond the
sources of the rivers which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. At the instance
of the Board of Trade, measures were taken to prevent the settlement
without the limits prescribed, and to retain the commerce within easy
reach of Great Britain.
The commander-in-chief of the king's forces wrote in 1769 : " In the
course of a few years necessity will compel the colonists, should they
extend their settlements west, to provide manufactures of some kind for
themselves, and when all connection upheld by commerce with the mother
country ceases, an independency in their government will soon follow."
In accordance with this policy, Gov. Gage issued a proclamation
in 1772, commanding the inhabitants of Vincennes to abandon their set-
tlements and join some of the Eastern English colonies. To this they
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 47
strenuously objected, giving good reasons therefor, and were allowed to
remain. The strong opposition to this policy of Great Britain led to its
change, and to such a course as to gain the attachment of the French
population. In December, 1773, influential citizens of Quebec petitioned
the king for an extension of the boundary lines of that province, which
was granted, and Parliament passed an act on June 2, 1774, extend-
ing the boundary so as to include the territory lying within the present
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
In consequence of the liberal policy pursued by the British Govern-
ment toward the French settlers in the West, they were disposed to favor
that nation in the war which soon followed with the colonies ; but the
early alliance between France and America soon brought them to the side
of the war for independence.
In 1774, Gov. Dunmore, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration
to the Western lands. He appointed magistrates at Fort Pitt under the
pretense that the fort was under the government of that commonwealth.
One of these justices, John Connelly, who possessed a tract of land in the
Ohio Valley, gathered a force of men and garrisoned the fort, calling it
Fort Dunmore. This and other parties were formed to select sites for
settlements, and often caine in conflict with the Indians, who yet claimed
portions of the valley, and several battles followed. These ended in the
famous battle of Kanawha in July, where the Indians were defeated and
driven across the Ohio.
During the years 1775 and 1776, by the operations of land companies
and the perseverance of individuals, several settlements were firmly estab-
lished between the Alleghanies and the Ohio River, and western land
speculators were busy in Illinois and on the Wabash. At a council held
in Kaskaskia on July 5, 1773, an association of English traders, calling
themselves the " Illinois Land Company," obtained from ten chiefs of the
Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Peoria tribes two large tracts of land lying on
the east side of the Mississippi River south of the Illinois. In 1775, a mer-
chant from the Illinois Country, named Viviat, came to Post Vincennes
as the agent of the association called the " Wabash Land Company." On
the 8th of October he obtained from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs, a deed for
37,497,600 acres of land. This deed was signed by the grantors, attested
by a number of the inhabitants of Vincennes, and afterward recorded in
the office of a notary public at Kaskaskia. This and other land com-
panies had extensive schemes for the colonization of the West ; but all
were frustrated by the breaking out of the Revolution. On the 20th of
April, 1780, the two companies named consolidated under the name of the
*' United Illinois and Wabash Land Company." They afterward made
48 ' THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
strenuous efforts to have these grants sanctioned by Congress, but all
signally failed.
When the War of the Revolution commenced, Kentucky was an unor-
ganized country, though there were several settlements within her borders.
In Hutchins' Topography of Virginia, it is stated that at that time
" Kaskaskia contained 80 houses, and nearly 1,000 white and black in-
habitants the whites being a little the more numerous. Cahokia con-
tains 50 houses and 300 white inhabitants, and 80 negroes. There were
east of the Mississippi River, about the year 1771 " when these observa-
tions were made " 300 white men capable of bearing arms, and 230
negroes."
From 1775 until the expedition of Clark, nothing is recorded and
nothing known of these settlements, save what is contained in a report
made by a committee to Congress in June, 1778. From it the following
extract is made :
" Near the mouth of the River Kaskaskia, there is a village which
appears to have contained nearly eighty families from the beginning of
the late revolution. There are twelve families in a small village at la
Prairie du Rochers, and near fifty families at the Kahokia Village. There
are also four or five families at Fort Chartres and St. Philips, which is five
miles further up the river."
St. Louis had been settled in February, 1764, and at this time con-
tained, including its neighboring towns, over six hundred whites and one
hundred and fifty negroes. It must be remembered that all the country
west of the Mississippi was now under French rule, and remained so until
ceded again to Spain, its original owner, who afterwards sold it and the
country including New Orleans to the United States. At Detroit there
were, according to Capt. Carver, who was in the Northwest from 1766 to
1768, more than one hundred houses, and the river was settled for more
than twenty miles, although poorly cultivated the people being engaged
in the Indian trade. This old town has a history, which we will here
relate.
It is the oldest town in the Northwest, having been founded by
Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac, in 1701. It was laid out in the form of an
oblong square, of two acres in length, and an acre and a half in width.
As described by A. D. Frazer, who first visited it and became a permanent
resident of the place, in 1778, it comprised within its limits that space
between Mr. Palmer's store (Conant Block) and Capt. Perkins' house
(near the Arsenal building), and extended back as far as the public barn,
and was bordered in front by the Detroit River. It was surrounded by
oak and cedar pickets, about fifteen feet long, set in the ground, and had
four gates east, west, north and south. Over the first three of these
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 49
gates were block houses provided with four guns apiece, each a six-
.pounder. Two six-gun batteries were planted fronting the river and in a
parallel direction with the block houses. There were four streets running
east and west, the main street being twenty feet wide and the rest fifteen
feet, while the four streets crossing these at right angles were from ten
to fifteen feet in width.
At the date spoken of by Mr. Frazer, there was no fort within the
enclosure, but a citadel on the ground corresponding to the present
northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. The citadel was
inclosed by pickets, and within it were erected barracks of wood, two
stories high, sufficient to contain ten officers, and also barracks sufficient
to contain four hundred men, and a provision store built of brick. The
citadel also contained a hospital and guard-house. The old town of
Detroit, in 17T8, contained about sixty houses, most of them one story,
with a few a story and a half in height. They were all of logs, some
hewn and some round. There was one building of splendid appearance,
called the " King's Palace," two stories high, which stood near the east
gate. It was built for Governor Hamilton, the first governor commissioned
by the British. There were two guard-houses, one near the west gate and
the other near the Government House. Each of the guards consisted of
twenty-four men and a subaltern, who mounted regularly every morning
between nine and ten o'clock, Each furnished four sentinels, who were
relieved every two hours. There was also an officer of the day, who per-
formed strict duty. Each of the gates was shut regularly at sunset ;
even wicket gates were shut at nine o'clock, and all the keys were
delivered into the hands of the commanding officer. They were opened
in the morning at sunrise. No Indian or squaw was permitted to enter
town with any weapon, such as a tomahawk or a knife. It was a stand-
ing order that the Indians should deliver their arms and instruments of
every kind before they were permitted to pass the sentinel, and they were
restored to them on their return. No more than twenty-five Indians were
allowed to enter the town at any one time, and they were admitted only
at the east and west gates. At sundown the drums beat, and all the
Indians were required to leave town instantly. There was a council house
near the water side for the purpose of holding council with the Indians.
The population of the town was about sixty families, in all about two
hundred males and one hundred females. This town was destroyed by
fire, all except one dwelling, in 1805. After which the present " new "
town was laid out.
On the breaking out of the Revolution, the British held every post of
importance in the West. Kentucky was formed as a component part of
Virginia, and the sturdy pioneers of the West, alive to their interests,
50 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
and recognizing the great benefits of obtaining the control of the trade in
this part of the New World, held steadily to their purposes, and those
within the commonwealth of Kentucky proceeded to exercise their
civil privileges, by electing John Todd and Richard Gallaway,
burgesses to represent them in the Assembly of the parent state.
Early in September of that year (1777) the first court was held
in Harrodsburg, and Col. Bowman, afterwards major, who had arrived
in August, was made the commander of a militia organization which
had been commenced the March previous. Thus the tree of loyalty
was growing. The chief spirit in this far-out colony, who had represented
her the year previous east of the mountains, was now meditating a move
unequaled in its boldness. He had been watching the movements of the
British throughout the Northwest, and understood their whole plan. He.
saw it was through their possession of the posts at Detroit, Vincennes,
Kaskaskia, and other places, which would give them constant and easy
access to the various Indian tribes in the Northwest, that the British
intended to penetrate the country from the north and south, and annihi-
late the frontier fortresses. This moving, energetic man was Colonel,
afterwards General, George Rogers Clark. He knew the Indians were not
unanimously in accord with the English, and he was convinced that, could
the British be defeated and expelled from the Northwest, the natives
might be easily awed into neutrality ; and by spies sent for the purpose,
he satisfied himself that the enterprise against the Illinois settlements
might easily succeed. Having convinced himself of the certainty of the
project, he repaired to the Capital of Virginia, which place he reached on
November 5th. While he was v on his way, fortunately, on October 17th,
Burgoyne had been defeated, and the spirits of the colonists greatly
encouraged thereby. Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at
once entered heartily into Clark's plans. The same plan had before been
agitated in the Colonial Assemblies, but there was no one until Clark
came who was sufficiently acquainted with the condition of affairs at the
scene of action to be able to guide them.
Clark, having satisfied the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of his
plan, received, on the 2d of January, two sets of instructions one secret,
the other open the latter authorized him to proceed to enlist seven
companies to go to Kentucky, subject to his orders, and to serve three
months from their arrival in the West. The secret order authorized him
to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of General Hand
at Pittsburgh, and to proceed at once to subjugate the country.
With these instructions Clark repaired to Pittsburgh, choosing rather
to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed
in the colonies in the conflict there. He sent Col. W. B. Smith to Hoi-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 51
ston for the same purpose, but neither succeeded in raising the required
number of men. The settlers in these parts were afraid to leave their
own firesides exposed to a vigilant foe, and but few could be induced to
join the proposed expedition. With three companies and several private
volunteers, Clark at length commenced his descent of the Ohio, which he
navigated as far as the Falls, where he took possession of and fortified
Corn Island, a small island between the present Cities of Louisville,
Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. Remains of this fortification may
yet be found. At this place he appointed Col. Bowman to meet him
with such recruits as had reached Kentucky by the southern route, and
as many as could be spared from the station. Here he announced to
the men their real destination. Having completed his arrangements,
and chosen his party, he left a small garrison upon the island, and on the
24th of June, during a total eclipse of the sun, which to them augured
no good, and which fixes beyond dispute the date of starting, he with
his chosen band, fell down the river. His plan was to go by water as
far as Fort Massac or Massacre, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia.
Here he intended to surprise the garrison, and after its capture go to
Cahokia, then to Vincennes, and lastly to Detroit. Should he fail, he
intended to march directly to the Mississippi River and cross it into the
Spanish country. Before his start he received two good items of infor-
mation : one that the alliance had been formed between France and the
United States ; and the other that the Indians throughout the Illinois
country and the inhabitants, at the various frontier posts, had been led to
believe by the British that the " Long Knives" or Virginians, were the
most fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever scalped a foe. With
this impression on their minds, Clark saw that proper management would
cause them to submit at once from fear, if surprised, and then from grati-
tude would become friendly if treated with unexpected leniency.
The march to Kaskaskia was accomplished through a hot July sun,
and the town reached on the evening of July 4. He captured the fort
near the village, and soon after the village itself by surprise, and without
the loss of a single man or by killing any of the enemy. After sufficiently
working upon the fears of the natives, Clark told them they were at per-
fect liberty to worship as they pleased, and to take whichever side of the
great conflict they would, also he would protect them from any barbarity
from British or Indian foe. This had the desired effect, and the inhab-
itants, so unexpectedly and so gratefully surprised by the unlocked
for turn of affairs, at once swore allegiance to the American arms, and
when Clark desired to go to Cahokia on the 6th of July, they accom-
panied him, and through their influence the inhabitants of the place
surrendered, and gladly placed themselves under his protection. Thus
52 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
the two important posts in Illinois passed from the hands of the English
into the possession of Virginia.
In the person of the priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, Clark found a
powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain possession
of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians within its boun-
daries, he must establish a government for the colonies he had taken.
St. Vincent, the next important post to Detroit,remained yet to be taken
before the Mississippi Valley was conquered. M. Gibault told him that
he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to throw off its connection
with England. Clark gladly accepted his offer, and on the 14th of July,
in company with a fellow-townsman, M. Gibault started on his mission of
peace, and on the 1st of August returned with the cheerful intelligence
that the post on the " Oubache " had taken the oath of allegiance to
the Old Dominion. During this interval, Clark established his courts,
placed garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his
men, sent word to have a fort, which proved the germ of Louisville,
erected at the Falls of the Ohio, and dispatched Mr. Rocheblave, who
had been commander at Kaskaskia, as a prisoner of war to Richmond.
In October the County of Illinois was established by the Legislature
of Virginia, John Todd appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor,
and in November General Clark and his men received the thanks of
the Old Dominion through their Legislature.
In a speech a few days afterward, Clark made known fully to the
natives his plans, and at its close all came forward and swore alle-
giance to the Long Knives. While he was doing this Governor Hamilton,
having made his various arrangements, had left Detroit and moved down
the Wabash to Vincennes intending to operate from that point in reducing
the Illinois posts, and then proceed on down to Kentucky and drive the
rebels from the West. Gen. Clark had, on the return of M. Gibault,
dispatched Captain Helm, of Fauquier County, Virginia, with an attend-
ant named Henry, across the Illinois prairies to command the fort.
Hamilton knew nothing of the capitulation of the post, and was greatly
surprised on his arrival to be confronted by Capt. Helm, who, standing at
the entrance of the fort by a loaded cannon ready to fire upon his assail-
ants, demanded upon what terms Hamilton demanded possession of tha
fort. Being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, he surrendered to
the British General, who could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the
force in the garrison.
Hamilton, not realizing the character of the men with whom he was
contending, gave up his intended campaign for the Winter, sent his four
hundred Indian warriors to prevent troops from coming down the Ohio,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 53
and to annoy the Americans in all ways, and sat quietly down to pass the
Winter. Information of all these proceedings having reached Clark, he
saw that immediate and decisive action was necessary, and that unless
he captured Hamilton, Hamilton would capture him. Clark received the
news on the 29th of January, 1779, and on February 4th, having suffi-
ciently garrisoned Kaskaskia and Cahokia, he sent down the Mississippi
a " battoe," as Major Bowman writes it, in order to ascend the Ohio and
Wabash, and operate with the land forces gathering for the fray.
On the next day, Clark, with his little force of one hundred and
twenty men, set out for the post, and after incredible hard marching
through much mud, the ground being thawed by the incessant spring
rains, on the 22d reached the fort, and being joined by his " battoe," at
once commenced the attack on the post. The aim of the American back-
woodsman was unerring, and on the 24th the garrison surrendered to the
intrepid boldness of Clark. The French were treated with great kind-
ness, and gladly renewed their allegiance to Virginia. Hamilton was
sent as a prisoner to Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement.
During his command of the British frontier posts, he had offered prizes
to the Indians for all the scalps of Americans they would bring to him,
and had earned in consequence thereof the title " Hair-buyer General,"
by which he was ever afterward known.
Detroit was now without doubt within easy reach of the enterprising
Virginian, could he but raise the necessary force. Governor Henry being
apprised of this, promised him the needed reinforcement, and Clark con-
cluded to wait until he could capture and sufficiently garrison the posts.
Had Clark failed in this bold undertaking, and Hamilton succeeded in
uniting the western Indians for the next Spring's campaign, the West
would indeed have been swept from the Mississippi to the Allegheny
Mountains, and the great blow struck, which had been contemplated from
the commencement, by the British.
" But for this small army of dripping, but fearless Virginians, the
union of all the tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies might
have been effected, and the whole current of our history changed."
At this time some fears were entertained by the Colonial Govern-
ments that the Indians in the North and Northwest were inclining to the
British, and under the instructions of Washington, now Commander-in-
Chief of the Colonial army, and so bravely fighting for American inde-
pendence, armed forces were sent against the Six Nations, and upon the
Ohio frontier, Col. Bowman, acting under the same general's orders,
marched against Indians within the present limits of that State. These
expeditions were in the main successful, and the Indians were compelled
to sue for peace.
54 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
During this same year (1779) the famous " Land Laws" of Virginia
were passed. The passage of these laws was of more consequence to the
pioneers of Kentucky and the Northwest than the gaining of a few Indian
conflicts. These laws confirmed in main all grants made, and guaranteed
to all actual settlers their rights and privileges. After providing for the
settlers, the laws provided for selling the balance of the public lands at
forty cents per acre. To carry the Land Laws into effect, the Legislature
sent four Virginians westward to attend to the various claims, over many
of which great confusion prevailed concerning their validity. These
gentlemen opened their court on October 13, 1779, at St. Asaphs, and
continued until April 26, 1780, when they adjourned, having decided
three thousand claims. They were succeeded by the surveyor, who
came in the person of Mr. George May, and assumed his duties on the
10th day of the month whose name he bore. With the opening of the
next year (1780) the troubles concerning the navigation of the Missis-
sippi commenced. The Spanish Government exacted such measures in
relation to its trade as to cause the overtures made to the United States
to be rejected. The American Government considered they had a right
to navigate its channel. To enforce their claims, a fort was erected below
the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side of the river. The settle-
ments in Kentucky were being rapidly filled by emigrants. It was dur-
ing this year that the first seminary of learning was established in the
West in this young and enterprising Commonwealth.
The settlers here did not look upon the building of this fort in a
friendly manner, as it aroused the hostility of the Indians. Spain had
been friendly to the Colonies during their struggle for independence,
and though for a while this friendship appeared in danger from the
refusal of the free navigation of the river, yet it was finally settled to the
satisfaction of both nations.
The Winter of 1779-80 was one of the most unusually severe ones
ever experienced in the West. The Indians always referred to it as the
"Great Cold." Numbers of wild animals perished, and not a few
pioneers lost their lives. The following Summer a party of Canadians
and Indians attacked St. Louis, and attempted to take possession of it
in consequence of the friendly disposition of Spain to the revolting
colonies. They met with such a determined resistance on the part of the
inhabitants, even the women taking part in the battle, that they were
compelled to abandon the contest. They also made an attack on the
settlements in Kentucky, but, becoming alarmed in some unaccountable
manner, they fled the country in great haste.
About this time arose the question in the Colonial Congress con-
cerning the western lands claimed by Virginia, New York, Massachusetts
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 55
and Connecticut. The agitation concerning this subject finally led New
York, on the 19th of February, 1780, to pass a law giving to the dele-
gates of that State in Congress the power to cede her western lands for
the benefit of the United States. This law was laid before Congress
during the next month, but no steps were taken concerning it until Sep-
tember 6th, when a resolution passed that body calling upon the States
claiming western lands to release their claims in favor of the whole body.
This basis formed the union, and was the first after all of those legislative
measures which resulted in the creation of the States of Ohio,' Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In December of the same
year, the plan of conquering Detroit again arose. The conquest might
have easily been effected by Clark had the necessary aid been furnished
him. Nothing decisive was done, vet the heads of the Government knew
O ' v
that the safety of the Northwest from British invasion lay in the capture
and retention of that important post, the only unconquered one in the
territory.
Before the close of the year, Kentucky was divided into the Coun-
ties of Lincoln, Fayette and Jefferson, and the act establishing the Town
of Louisville was passed. This same year is also noted in the annals of
American history as the year in which occurred Arnold's treason to the
United States.
Virginia, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, on the 2d
day of January, 1781, agreed to yield her western lands to the United
States upon certain conditions, which Congress would not accede to, and
the Act of Cession, on the part of the Old Dominion, failed, nor was
anything farther done until 1783. During all that time the Colonies
were busily engaged in the struggle with the mother country, and in
consequence thereof but little heed was given to the western settlements.
Upon the 16th of April, 1781, the first birth north of the Ohio River of
American parentage occurred, being that of Mary Heckewelder, daughter
of the widely known Moravian missionary, whose band of Christian
Indians suffered in after years a horrible massacre by the hands of the
frontier settlers, who had been exasperated by the murder of several of
their neighbors, and in their rage committed, without regard to humanity,
a deed which forever afterwards cast a shade of shame upon their lives.
For this and kindred outrages on the part of the whites, the Indians
committed many deeds of cruelty which darken the years of 1771 and
1772 in the history of the Northwest.
During the year 1782 a number of battles among the Indians and
frontiersmen occurred, and between the Moravian Indians and the Wyan-
dots. In these, horrible acts of cruelty were practised on the captives,
many of such dark deeds transpiring under the leadership of the notorious
56
THE NORTHWEST TERR1TOEY.
frontier outlaw, Simon Girty, whose name, as well as those of his brothers,
was a terror to women and children. These occurred chiefly in the Ohio
valleys. Cotemporary with them were several engagements in Kentucky,
in which the famous Daniel Boone engaged, and who, often by his skill
and knowledge of Indian warfare, saved the outposts from cruel destruc-
INDIANS ATTACKING FRONTIERSMEN.
tion. By the close of the year victory had perched upon the American
banner, and on the 30th of November, provisional articles of peace had
been arranged between the Commissioners of England and her uncon-
querable colonies. Cornwallis had been defeated on the 19th of October
preceding, and the liberty of America was assured. On the 19th of
April following, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, peace was
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. >7
proclaimed to the army of the United States, and on the 3d of the next
September, the definite treaty which ended our revolutionary struggle
was concluded. By the terms of that treaty, the boundaries of the West
were as follows : On the north the line was to extend along the center of
the Great Lakes ; from the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake ;
thence to the Lake of the Woods ; thence to the head of the Mississippi
River ; down its center to the 31st parallel of latitude, then on that line
east to the head of the Appalachicola River; down its center to its junc-
tion with the Flint ; thence straight to the head of St. Mary's River, and
thence down along its center to the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the cessation of hostilities with England, several posts
were still occupied by the British in the North and West. Among these
was Detroit, still in the hands of the enemy. Numerous engagements
with the Indians throughout Ohio and Indiana occurred, upon whose
lands adventurous whites would settle ere the title had been acquired by
the proper treaty.
To remedy this latter evil, Congress appointed commissioners to
treat with the natives and purchase their lands, and prohibited the set-
tlement of the territory until this could be done. Before the close of the
year another attempt was made to capture Detroit, which was, however,
not pushed, and Virginia, no longer feeling the interest in the Northwest
she had formerly done, withdrew her troops, having on the 20th of
December preceding authorized the whole of her possessions to be deeded
to the United States. This was done on the 1st of March following, and
the Northwest Territory passed from the control of the Old Dominion.
To Gen. Clark and his soldiers, however, she gave a tract of one hundred
and fifty thousand acres of land, to be situated any where north of the
Ohio wherever they chose to locate them. They selected the region
opposite the falls of the Ohio, where is now the dilapidated village of
Clarksville, about midway between the Cities of New Albany and Jeffer-
sonville, Indiana.
While the frontier remained thus, and Gen. Haldimand at Detroit
refused to evacuate alleging that he had no orders from his King to do
so, settlers were rapidly gathering about the inland forts. In the Spring
of 1784, Pittsburgh was regularly laid out, and from the journal of Arthur
Lee, who passed through the town soon after on his way to the Indian
council at Fort Mclntosh, we suppose it was not very prepossessing in
appearance. He says :
" Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who
live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as if in the north of Ireland or
even Scotland. There is a great deal of trade carried on, the goods being
bought at the vast expense of forty-five shillings per pound from Phila-
58 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
delphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops flour, wheat, skins and
money. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a.
priest of any persuasion, nor church nor chapel."
Kentucky at this time contained thirty thousand inhabitants, and
was beginning to discuss measures for a separation from Virginia. A
land office was opened at Louisville, and measures were adopted to take
defensive precaution against the Indians who were yet, in some instances,
incited to deeds of violence by the British. Before the close of this year,
1784, the military claimants of land began to occupy them, although no
entries were recorded until 1787.
The Indian title to the Northwest was not yet extinguished. They
held large tracts of lands, and in order to prevent bloodshed Congress
adopted means for treaties with the original owners and provided for the
surveys of the lands gained thereby, as well as for those north of the
Ohio, now in its possession. On January 31, 1786, a treaty was made
with the Wabash Indians. The treaty of Fort Stanwix had been made
in- 1784. That at Fort Mclntosh in 1785, and through these much land
was gained. The Wabash Indians, however, afterward refused to comply
with the provisions of the treaty made with them, and in order to compel
their adherence to its provisions, force was used. Daring the year 1786 r
the free .navigation of the Mississippi came up in Congress, and caused
various discussions, which resulted in no definite action, only serving to
excite speculation in regard to the western lands. Congress had promised
bounties of land to the soldiers of the Revolution, but owing to the
unsettled condition of affairs along the Mississippi respecting its naviga-
tion, and the trade of the Northwest, that body had, in 1783, declared
its inability to fulfill these promises until a treaty could be concluded
between the two Governments. - Before the close of the year 1786, how-
ever, it was able, through the treaties with the Indians, to allow some
grants and the settlement thereon, and on the 14th of September Con-
necticut ceded to the General Government the tract of land known as
the " Connecticut Reserve," and before the close of the following year a
large tract of land north of the Ohio was sold to a company, who at once
took measures to settle it. By the provisions of this grant, the company
were to pay the United States one dollar per acre, subject to a deduction
of one-third for bad lands and other contingencies. They received
750,000 acres, bounded on the south by the Ohio, on the east by the
seventh range of townships, on the west by the sixteenth range, and on
the north by a line so drawn as to make the grant complete without
the reservations. In addition to this, Congress afterward granted 100,000
acres to actual settlers, and 214,285 acres as army bounties under the
resolutions of 1789 and 1790.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
69
While Dr. Cutler, one of the agents of the company, was pressing 1
its claims before Congress, that body was bringing into form an ordinance
for the political and social organization of this Territory. When the
cession was made by Virginia, in 1784, a plan was offered, but rejected.
A motion had been made to strike from the proposed plan the prohibition
of slavery, which prevailed. The plan was then discussed and altered,
and finally passed unanimously, with the exception of South Carolina.
By this- proposition, the Territory was to have been divided into states
A PRAIRIE STORM.
by parallels and meridian lines. This, it was thought, would make ten
states, which were to have been named as follows beginning at the
northwest corner and going southwardly : Sylvania, Michigania, Cher-
sonesus, Assenisipia, Mesopotamia, Illenoia, Saratoga, Washington, Poly-
potamia and Pelisipia.
There was a more serious objection to this plan than its category of
names, the boundaries. The root of the difficulty was in the resolu-
tion of Congress passed in October, 1780, which fixed the boundaries
of the ceded lands to be from one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles
<30 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
square. These resolutions being presented to the Legislatures of Vir-
ginia and Massachusetts, they desired a change, and in July, 1786, the
subject was taken up in Congress, and changed to favor a division into
not more than five states, and not less than three. This was approved by
the State Legislature of Virginia. The subject of the Government was
again taken up by Congress in 1786, and discussed throughout that year
and until July, 1787, when the famous " Compact of 1787 " was passed,
and the foundation of the government of the Northwest laid. This com-
pact is fully discussed and explained in the history of Illinois in this book,
.and to it the reader is referred.
The passage of this act and the grant to the New England Company
was soon followed by an application to the Government by John Cleves
Symmes, of New Jersey, for a grant of the land between the Miamis.
This gentleman had visited these lands soon after the treaty of 1786, and,
being greatly pleased with them, offered similar terms to those given to the
New England Company. The petition was referred to the Treasury
Board with power to act, and a contract was concluded the following
year. During the Autumn the directors of the New England Company
were preparing to occupy their grant the following Spring, and upon the
23d of November made arrangements for a party of forty-seven men,
under the superintendency of Gen. Rufus Putnam, to set forward. Six
boat-builders were to leave at once, and on the first of January the sur-
veyors and their assistants, twenty-six in number, were to meet at Hart-
ford and proceed 011 their journey westward ; the remainder to follow as
soon as possible. Congress, in the meantime, upon the 3d of October,
had ordered seven hundred troops for defense of the western settlers, and
to prevent unauthorized intrusions ; and two days later appointed Arthur
St. Clair Governor of the Territory of the Northwest.
AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS.
The civil organization of the Northwest Territory was now com-
plete, and notwithstanding the uncertainty of Indian affairs, settlers from
the East began to come into the country rapidly. The New England
Company sent their men during the Winter of 1787-8 pressing on over
the Alleghenies by the old Indian path which had been opened into
Braddock's road, and which has since been made a national turnpike
from Cumberland westward. Through the weary winter days they toiled
on, and by April were all gathered on the Yohiogany, where boats had
been built, and at once started for the Muskingum. Here they arrived
on the 7th of that month, and unless the Moravian missionaries be regarded
as the pioneers of Ohio, this little band can justly claim that honor.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
61
Gen. St. Clair, the appointed Governor of the Northwest, not having
yet arrived, a set of laws were passed, written out, and published by
being nailed to a tree in the embryo town, and Jonathan Meigs appointed
to administer them.
Washington in writing of this, the first American settlement in the
Northwest, said : " No colony in America was ever settled under
such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at Muskingum.
Information, property and strength will be its characteristics. I know
many of its settlers personally, and there never were men better calcu-
lated to promote the welfare of such a community.' 5
A PIONEER DWELLING.
On the 2d of July a meeting of the directors and agents was held
on the banks of the Muskingum, " for the purpose of naming the new-
born city and its squares." As yet the settlement was known as the
"Muskingum," but that was now changed to the name Marietta, in honor
of Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the block -houses stood
was called " Campus Martins ;" square number 19, " Capitolium ;" square
number 61, ''Cecilia;''' and the great road through the covert way, " Sacra
Via" Two days after, an oration was delivered by James M. Varnum,
who with S. H. Parsons and John Armstrong had been appointed to the
judicial bench of the territory on the 16th of October, 1787. On July 9,
Gov. St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume form. The act
of 1787 provided two district grades of government for the Northwest,
G2 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
under the first of which the whole power was invested in the hands of a
governor and three district judges. This was immediately formed upon
the Governor's arrival, and the first laws of the colony passed on the 25th
of July. These provided for the organization of the militia, and on the
next day appeared the Governor's proclamation, erecting all that country
that had been ceded by the Indians east of the Scioto River into the
County of Washington. From that time forward, notwithstanding the
doubts yet existing as>to the Indians, all Marietta prospered, and on the
2d of September the first court of the territory was held with imposing
ceremonies.
The emigration westward at this time was very great. The com-
mander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four
thousand five hundred persons as having passed that post between Feb-
ruary and June, 1788 many of whom would have purchased of the
"Associates," as the New England Company was called, had they been
ready to receive them.
On the 26th of November, 1787, Symmes issued a pamphlet stating
the terms of his contract and the plan of sale he intended to adopt. In
January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest
in Symmes' purchase, and located among other tracts the sections upon
which Cincinnati has been built. Retaining one-third of this locality, he
sold the other two-thirds to Robert Patterson and John Filson, and the
three, about August, commenced to lay out a town on the spot, which
was designated as being opposite Licking River, to the mouih of which
they proposed to have a road cut from Lexington. The naming of the
town is thus narrated in the "Western Annals " : " Mr. Filson, who had
been a schoolmaster, was appointed to name the town, and, in respect to
its situation, and as if with a prophetic perception of the mixed race that
were to inhabit it in after days, he named it Losantiville, which, being
interpreted, means : ville, the town ; anti, against or opposite to ; os, the
mouth ; L. of Licking."
Meanwhile, in July, Symmes got thirty persons and eight four-horse
teams under way for the West. These reached Limestone (now Mays-
ville) in September, where were several persons from Redstone. Here
Mr. Symmes tried to found a settlement, but the great freshet of 1789
caused the " Point," as it was and is yet called, to be fifteen feet under
water, and the settlement to be abandoned. The little band of settlers
removed to the mouth of the Miami. Before Symmes and his colony left
the " Point," two settlements had been made on his purchase. The first
was by Mr. Stiltes, the original projector of the whole plan, who, with a
colony of Redstone people, had located at the mouth of the Miami,
whither Symmes went with his Maysville colony. Here a clearing had
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 63
been made by the Indians owing to the great fertility of the soil. Mr.
Stiltes with his colony came to this place on the 18th of November, 1788,
with twenty-six persons, ano\, building a block-house, prepared to remain
through the Winter. They named the settlement Columbia. Here they
were kindly treated by the Indians, but suffered greatly from the flood
of 1789.
On the 4th of March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States
went into operation, and on April 30, George Washington was inaug-
urated President of the American people, and during the next Summer,
an Indian war was commenced by the tribes north of the Ohio. The
President at first used pacific means ; but these failing, he sent General
Harmer against the hostile tribes. He destroyed several villages, but
BREAKING PRAIRIE.
was defeated in two battles, near the present City of Fort Wayne,
Indiana. From this time till the close of 1795, the principal events were
the wars with the various Indian tribes. In 1796, General St. Clair
was appointed in command, and marched against the Indians ; but while
he was encamped on a stream, the St. Mary, a branch of the Maumee,
he was attacked and defeated with the loss of six hundred men.
General Wayne was now sent against the savages. In August, 1794,
he met them near the rapids of the Maumee, and gained a complete
victory. This success, followed by vigorous measures, compelled the
Indians to sue for peace, and on the 30th of July, the following year, the
treaty of Greenville was signed by the principal chiefs, by which a large
tract of country was ceded to the United States.
Before proceeding in our narrative, we will pause to notice Fort
Washington, erected in the early part of this war on the site of Cincinnati.
Nearly all of the great cities of the Northwest, and indeed of the
64 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
whole country, have had their nuclei in those rude pioneer structures,
known as forts or stockades. Thus Forts Dearborn, Washington, Pon-
ehartrain, mark the original sites of the now proud Cities of Chicago,
Cincinnati and Detroit. So of most of the flourishing cities east and west
of the Mississippi. Fort Washington, erected by Doughty in 1790, was a
rude but highly interesting structure. It was composed of a number of
strongly-built hewed log cabins. Those designed for soldiers' barracks
were a story and a half high, while those composing the officers quarters
were more imposing and more conveniently arranged and furnished.
The whole were so placed as to form a hollow square, enclosing about an
acre of ground, with a block house at each of the four angles.
The logs for the construction of this fort were cut from the ground
upon which it was erected. It stood between Third and Fourth Streets
of the present city (Cincinnati) extending east of Eastern Row, now
Broadway, which was then a narrow alley, and the eastern boundary of
of the town as it was originally laid out. On the bank of the river,
immediately in front of the fort, was an appendage of the fort, called the
Artificer's Yard. It contained about two acres of ground, enclosed by
small contiguous buildings, occupied by workshops and quarters of
laborers. Within this enclosure there was a large two-story frame house,
familiarly called the " Yellow House," built for the accommodation of
the Quartermaster General. For many years, this was the best finished
and most commodious edifice in the Queen City. Fort Washington was
for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military governments
of the Northwestern Territory.
Following the consummation of the treaty various gigantic land spec-
ulations were entered into by different persons, who hoped to obtain
from the Indians in Michigan and northern Indiana, large tracts of lands.
These were generally discovered in time to prevent the outrageous,
schemes from being carried out, and from involving the settlers in war.
On October 27, 1795, the treaty between the United States and Spain
was signed, whereby the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured.
No sooner had the treaty of 1795 been ratified than settlements began
to pour rapidly into the West. The great event of the year 1796 was the
occupation of that part of the Northwest including Michigan, which was
this year, under the provisions of the treaty, evacuated by the British
forces. The United States, owing to certain conditions, did not feel
justified in addressing the authorities in Canada in relation to Detroit
and other frontier posts. When at last the British authorities were
called to give them up, they at once complied, and General Wayne, who
had done so much to preserve the frontier settlements, and who, before
the year's close, sickened and died near Erie, transferred his head-
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 65
quarters to the neighborhood of the lakes, where a county named after
him was formed, which included the northwest of Ohio, all of Michigan,
and the northeast of Indiana. During this same year settlements were
formed at the present City of Chillicothe, along the Miami from Middle-
town to Piqua, while in the more distant West, settlers and speculators
began to appear in great numbers. In September, the City of Cleveland
was laid out, and during the Summer and Autumn, Samuel Jackson and
Jonathan Sharpless erected the first manufactory of paper the " Red-
stone Paper Mill" in the West. St. Louis contained some seventy
houses, and Detroit over three hundred, and along the river, contiguous
to it, were more than three thousand inhabitants, mostly French Canadians,
Indians and half-breeds, scarcely any Americans venturing yet into that
part of the Northwest.
The election of representatives for the territory had taken place,
and on the 4th of February, 1799, they convened at Losantiville now
known as Cincinnati, having been named so by Gov. St. Clair, and
considered the capital of the Territory to nominate persons from whom
the members of the Legislature were to be chosen in accordance with
a previous ordinance. This nomination being made, the Assembly
adjourned until the 16th of the following September. From those named
the President selected as members of the council, Henry Vandenburg,
of Vincennes, Robert Oliver, of Marietta, James Findlay and Jacob
Burnett, of Cincinnati, and David Vance, of Vanceville. On the 16th
of September the Territorial Legislature met, and on the 24th the two
houses were duly organized, Henry Vandenburg being elected President
of the Council.
The message of Gov. St. Clair was addressed to the Legislature
September 20th, and on October 13th that body elected as a delegate to
Congress Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, who received eleven of the votes
cast, being a majority of one over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair, son of
Gen. St. Clair.
The whole number of acts passed at this session, and approved by
the Governor, were thirty-seven eleven others were passed, but received
his veto. The most important of those^ passed related to the militia, to
the administration, and to taxation. On the 19th of December this pro-
tracted session of the first Legislature in the West was closed, and on the
30th of December the President nominated Charles Willing Bryd to the
office of Secretary of the Territory vice Wm. Henry Harrison, elected to
Congress. The Senate confirmed his nomination the next day.
66 THE NOKTHWEST TERRITOKY.
DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The increased emigration to the Northwest, the extent of the domain,
and the inconvenient modes of travel, made it very difficult to conduct
the ordinary operations of government, and rendered the efficient action
of courts almost impossible. To remedy this, it was deemed advisable to
divide the territory for civil purposes. Congress, in 1800, appointed a
committee to examine the question and report some means for its solution.
This committee, on the 3d of March, reported that :
" In the three western countries there has been but one court having
cognizance of crimes, in five years, and the immunity which offenders
experience attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and abandoned crim-
inals, and at the same time deters useful citizens from making settlements
in such society. The extreme necessity of judiciary attention and assist-
ance is experienced in civil as well as in criminal cases. * * * * To
minister a remedy to these and other evils, it occurs to this committee
that it is expedient that a division of said territory into two distinct and
separate governments should be made ; and that such division be made
by a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, running
directly north until it intersects the boundary between the United States
and Canada."
The report was accepted by Congress, and, in accordance with its
suggestions, that body passed an Act extinguishing the Northwest Terri-
tory, which Act was approved May 7. Among its provisions were these :
" That from and after July 4 next, all that part of the Territory of
the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward
of a line beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the
Kentucky River, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north
until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and
Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a
separate territory, 'and be called the Indiana Territory."
After providing for the exercise of the civil and criminal powers of
the territories, and other provisions, the Act further provides :
" That until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Legislatures of the
said Territories, respectively, Chillicothe on the Scioto River shall be the
seat of government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the
Ohio River ; and that St. Vincennes on the Wabash River shall be the
seat of government for the Indiana Territory."
Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison was appointed Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and entered upon his duties about a year later. Connecticut
also about this time released her claims to the reserve, and in March a law
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 67
was passed accepting this cession. Settlements had been made upon
thirty-five of the townships in the reserve, mills had been built, and seven
hundred miles of road cut in various directions. On the 3d of November
the General Assembly met at Chillicothe. Near the close of the year,
the first missionary of the Connecticut Reserve came, who found no
township containing more than eleven families. It was upon the first of
October that the secret treaty had been made between Napoleon and the
King of Spain, whereby the latter agreed to cede to France the province
of Louisiana.
In January, 1802, the Assembly of the Northwestern Territory char-
tered the college at Athens. From the earliest dawn of the western
colonies, education was promptly provided for, and as early as 1787,
newspapers were issued from Pittsburgh and Kentucky, and largely read
throughout the frontier settlements. Before the close of this year, the
Congress of the United States granted to the citizens of the Northwestern
territory the formation of a State government. One of the provisions of
the "compact of 1787" provided that whenever the number of inhabit-
ants within prescribed limits exceeded 45*000, they should be entitled to
a separate government. The prescribed limits of Ohio contained, from a
census taken to ascertain the legality of the act, more than that number,
and on the 30th of April, 1802, Congress passed the act defining its limits,
and on the 29th of November the Constitution of the new State of Ohio,
so named from the beautiful river forming its southern boundary, came
into existence. The exact limits of Lake Michigan were not then known,
but the territory now included within the State of Michigan was wholly
within the territory of Indiana.
Gen. Harrison, while residing at Vincennes, made several treaties
with the Indians, thereby gaining large tracts of lands. The next year is
memorable in the history of the West for the purchase of Louisiana from
France by the United States for $15,000,000. Thus by a peaceful mode,
the domain of the United States was extended over a large tract of
country west of the Mississippi, and was for a time under the jurisdiction
of the Northwest government, and, as has been mentioned in the early
part of this narrative, was called the "New Northwest." The limits
of this history will not allow a description of its territory. The same year
large grants of land were obtained from the Indians, and the House of
Representatives of the new State of Ohio signed a bill respecting the
College Township in the district of Cincinnati.
Before the close of the year, Gen. Harrison obtained additional
grants of lands from the various Indian nations in Indiana and the present
limits of Illinois, and on the 18th of August, 1804, completed a treaty at
St. Louis, whereby over 51,000,000 acres of lands were obtained from the
68 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
aborigines. Measures were also taken to learn the condition of affairs in
and about Detroit.
C. Jouett, the Indian agent in Michigan, still a part of Indiana Terri-
tory, reported as follows upon the condition of matters at that post :
" The Town of Detroit. The charter, which is for fifteen miles
square, was granted in the time of Louis XIV. of France, and is now,
from the best information I have been able to get, at Quebec. Of those
two, hundred and twenty-five acres, only four are occupied by the town
and Fort Lenault. The remainder is a common, except twenty-four
acres, which were added twenty years ago to a farm belonging to Wm.
Macomb. * * * A stockade incloses the town, fort and citadel. The
pickets, as well as the public houses, are in a state of gradual decay. The
streets are narrow, straight and regular, and intersect each other at right
angles. The houses are, for the most part, low and inelegant."
During this year, Congress granted a township of land for the sup-
port of a college, and began to offer inducements for settlers in these
wilds, and the country now comprising the State of Michigan began to
fill rapidly with settlers along its southern borders. This same year, also,
a law was passed organizing the Southwest Territory, dividing it into two
portions, the Territory of New Orleans, which city was made the seat of
government, and the District of Louisiana, which was annexed to the
domain of Gen. Harrison.
On the llth of January, 1805, the Territory of Michigan was formed,
Wm. Hull was appointed governor, with headquarters at Detroit, the
change to take effect on June 30. On the llth of that month, a fire
occurred at Detroit, which destroyed almost every building in the place.
When the officers of the new territory reached the post, they found it in
ruins, and the inhabitants scattered throughout the country. Rebuild-
ing, however, soon commenced, and ere long the town contained ,more
houses than before the fire, and many of them much better built.
While this was being done, Indiana had passed to the second grade
of government, and through her General Assembly had obtained large
tracts of land from the Indian tribes. To all this the celebrated Indian,
Tecumthe or Tecumseh, vigorously protested, and it was the main cause
of his attempts to unite the various Indian tribes in a conflict with the
settlers. To obtain a full account of these attempts, the workings of the
British, and the signal failure, culminating in the death of Tecumseh at
the battle of the Thames, and the close of the war of 1812 in the Northwest,
we will step aside in our story, and relate the principal events of his life,
and his connection with this conflict.
THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY.
TECUMSEH, THE SHAWANOE CHIEFTAIN.
TO THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
TECUMSEH, AND THE WAR OF 1812.
This famous Indian chief was born about the year 1768, not far from
the site of the present City of Piqua, Ohio. His father, Puckeshinwa,
was a member of the Kisopok tribe of the Swanoese nation, and his
mother, Methontaske, was a member of the Turtle tribe of the same
people. They removed from Florida about the middle of the last century
to the birthplace of Tecumseh. In 1774, his father, who had risen to be
chief, was slain at the battle of Point Pleasant, and not long after Tecum-
seh, by his bravery, became the leader of his tribe. In 1795 he was
declared chief, and then lived at Deer Creek, near the site of the
present City of Urbana. He remained here about one year, when he
returned to Piqua, and in 1798, he went to White River, Indiana. In
1805, he and his brother, Laulewasikan (Open Door), who had announced
himself as a prophet, went to a tract of land on the Wabash River, given
them by the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos. From this date the chief
comes into prominence. He was now about thirty-seven years of age,
was five feet and ten inches in height, was stoutly built, and possessed of
enormous powers of endurance. His countenance was naturally pleas-
ing, and he was, in general, devoid of those savage attributes possessed
l>y most Indians. It is stated he could read and write, and had a confi-
dential secretary and adviser, named Billy Caldwell, a half-breed, who
afterward became chief of the Pottawatomies. He occupied the first
house built on the site of Chicago. At this time, Tecumseh entered
upon the great work of his life. He had long objected to the grants of
land made by the Indians to the whites, and determined to unite all the
Indian tribes into a league, in order that no treaties or grants of land
could be made save by the consent of this confederation.
He traveled constantly, going from north to south ; from the south
to the north, everywhere urging the Indians to this step. He was a
matchless orator, and his burning words had their effect.
Gen. Harrison, then Governor o'f Indiana, by watching the move-
ments of the Indians, became convinced that a grand conspiracy was
forming, and made preparations to defend the settlements. Tecumseh's
plan was similar to Pontiac's, elsewhere described, and to the cunning
artifice of that chieftain was added his own sagacity.
During the year 1809, Tecumseh and the prophet were actively pre-
paring for the work. In that year, Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty
with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel River Indians
and Weas, in which these tribes ceded to the whites certain lands upon
the Wabash, to all of which Tecumseh entered a bitter protest, averring
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 71
as one principal reason that he did not want the Indians to give up any
lands north and west of the Ohio River.
Tecumseh, in August, 1810, visited the General at Vincennes and
held a council relating to the grievances of the Indians. Becoming unduly
angry at this conference he was dismissed from the village, and soon after
departed to incite the southern Indian tribes to the conflict.
Gen. Harrison determined to move upon the chiefs headquarters at
Tippecanoe, and for this purpose went about sixty-five miles up the
Wabash, where he built Fort Harrison. From this place he went to the
prophet's town, where he informed the Indians he had no hostile inten-
tions, provided they were true to the existing treaties. He encamped-
near the village early in October, and on the morning of November 7, he
was attacked by a large force of the Indians, and the famous battle of
Tippecanoe occurred. The Indians were routed and their town broken
up. Tecumseh returning not long after, was greatly exasperated at his
brother, the prophet, even threatening to kill him for rashly precipitating
the war, and foiling his (Tecumseh's) plans.
Tecumseh sent word to Gen. Harrison that he was now returned,
from the South, and was ready to visit the President as had at one time
previously been proposed. Gen. Harrison informed him he could not go-
as a chief, which method Tecumseh desired, and the visit was never
made.
In June of the following year, he visited the Indian agent at
Fort Wayne. Here he disavowed arny intention to make a war against
the United States, and reproached Gen. Harrison for marching against his
people. The agent replied to this ; Tecumseh listened with a cold indif-
ference, and after making a few general remarks, with a haughty air drew
his blanket about him, left the council house, and departed for Fort Mai-
den, in Upper Canada, where he joined the British standard.
He remained under this Government, doing effective work for the
Crown while engaged in the war of 1812 which now opened. He was,
however, always humane in his treatment of the prisoners, never allow-
ing his warriors to ruthlessly mutilate the bodies of those slain, or wan-
tonly murder the captive.
In the Summer of 1813, Perry's victory on Lake Erie occurred, and
shortly after active preparations were made to capture Maiden. On the
27th of September, the American army, under Gen. Harrison, set sail for
the shores of Canada, and in a few hours stood around the ruins of Mai-
den, from which the British army, under Proctor, had retreated to Sand-
wich, intending to make its way to the heart of Canada by the Valley of
the Thames. On the 29th Gen. Harrison was at Sandwich, and Gen~
McArthur took possession of Detroit and the territory of Michigan.
72
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
On the 2d of October, the Americans began their pursuit of Proctor,
whom they overtook on the 5th, and the battle of the Thames followed.
Early in the engagement, Tecumseh who was at the head of the column
of Indians was slain, and they, no longer hearing the voice of their chief-
tain, fled. The victory was decisive, and practically closed the war in
the Northwest.
INDIANS ATTACKING A STOCKADE.
Just who killed the great chief has been a matter of much dispute ;
but the weight of opinion awards the act to Col. Richard M. Johnson,
who fired at him with a pistol, the shot proving fatal.
In 1805 occurred Burr's Insurrection. He took possession of a
beautiful island in the Ohio, after the killing of Hamilton, and is charged
by many with attempting to set up an independent government. His
plans were frustrated by the general government, his property confiscated
and he was compelled to flee the country for safety.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 73
In January, 1807, Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, made a
treaty with the Indians, whereby all that peninsula was ceded to the
United States. Before the clDse of the year, a stockade was built about
Detroit. It was also during this year that Indiana and Illinois endeavored
to obtain the repeal of that section of the compact of 1787, whereby
slavery was excluded from the Northwest Territory. These attempts,
however, all signally failed.
In 1809 it was deemed advisable to divide the Indiana Territory.
This was done, and the Territory of Illinois was formed from the western
part, the seat of government being fixed at Kaskaskia. The next year,
the intentions of Tecumseh manifested themselves in open hostilities, and
then began the events already narrated.
While this war was in progress, emigration to the West went on with
surprising rapidity. In 1811, under Mr. Roosevelt of New York, the
first steamboat trip was made on the Ohio, much to the astonishment of
the natives, many of whom fled in terror at the appearance of the
" monster." It arrived at Louisville on the 10th day of October. At the
close of the first week of January, 1812, it arrived at Natchez, after being
nearly overwhelmed in the great earthquake which occurred while on its
downward trip.
The battle of the Thames was fought on October 6, 1813. It
effectually closed hostilities in the Northwest, although peace was not
fully restored until July 22, 1814, when a treaty was formed at Green-
ville, under the direction of General Harrison, between the United States
and the Indian tribes, in which it was stipulated that the Indians should
cease hostilities against the Americans if the war were continued. Such,
happily, was not the case, and on the 24th of December the treaty
of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United
States. This treaty was followed the next year by treaties with various
Indian tribes throughout the West, and Northwest, and quiet was again
restored in this part of the new world.
On the 18th of March, 1816, Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city.
It then had a population of 8,000 people, and was already noted for its
manufacturing interests. On April 19, Indiana Territory was allowed
to form a state government. At that time there were thirteen counties
organized, containing about sixty-three thousand inhabitants. The first
election of state officers was held in August, when Jonathan Jennings
was chosen Governor. The officers were sworn in on November 7, and
on December 11, the State was formally admitted into the Union. For
some time the seat of government was at Corydon, but a more central
location being desirable, the present capital, Indianapolis (City of Indiana),
was laid out January 1, 1825.
74 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
On the 28th of December the Bank of Illinois, at Shawneetown, was
chartered, with a capital of $300,000. At this period all banks were
under the control of the States, and were allowed to establish branches
at different convenient points.
Until this time Chillicothe and Cincinnati had in turn enjoyed the
privileges of being the capital of Ohio. But the rapid settlement of the
northern and eastern portions of the State demanded, as in Indiana, a
more central location, and before the close of the year, the site of Col-
umbus was selected and surveyed as the future capital of the State.
Banking had begun in Ohio as early as 1808, when the first bank was
chartered at Marietta, but here as elsewhere it did not bring to the state
the hoped-for assistance. It and other banks were subsequently unable
to redeem their currency, and were obliged to suspend.
In 1818, Illinois was made a state, and all the territory north of her
northern limits was erected into a separate territory and joined to Mich-
igan for judicial purposes. By the following year, navigation of the lakes
was increasing with great rapidity and affording an immense source of
revenue to the dwellers in the Northwest, but it was not until 1826 that
the trade was extended to Lake Michigan, or that steamships began to
navigate the bosom of that inland sea.
Until the year 1832, the commencement of the Black Hawk War r
but few hostilities were experienced with the Indians. Roads were
opened, canals were dug, cities were built, common schools were estab-
lished, universities were founded, many of which, especially the Michigan
University, have achieved a world wide-reputation. The people were
becoming wealthy. The domains of the United States had been extended,
and had the sons of the forest been treated with honesty and justice, the
record of many years would have been that of peace and continuous pros-
perity.
BLACK HAWK AND THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
This conflict, though confined to Illinois, is an important epoch in
the Northwestern history, being the last war with the Indians in this part
of the United States.
Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in the principal
Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock River with the
Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa or Pahaes ;
his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer. Black Hawk early
distinguished himself as a warrior, and at the age of fifteen was permitted
to paint and was ranked among the braves. About the year 1783, he
went on an expedition against the enemies of his nation, the Osages, one
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
75
BLACK HAWK, THE SAC CHIEFTAIN.
76 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
of whom he killed and scalped, and-forthis deed of Indian bravery he was
permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years after he, at the
head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition against the
Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging to
his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce
battle ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The
Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherokees
for a similar cause. In a severe battle with them, near the present City
of St. Louis, his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession of
the " Medicine Bag," at once announced himself chief of the Sac nation.
He had now conquered the Cherokees, and about the year 1800, at the
head of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred lowas, he waged
war against the Osage nation and subdued it. For two vears he battled
o o */
successfully with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered.
Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly to
the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his " Spanish
Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a reason,
he did not want two fathers.
The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the
United States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines
Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk, who
at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side of
the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort was
garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties
with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 1812
followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by
giving them arms and ammunition, induced them to remain hostile to the
Americans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing on
his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre
had a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British
Government but little is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended
the Mississippi, and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard
was defeated.
In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi
were notified that peace had been declared between the United States
and England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Black Hawk did not
sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He then recog-
nized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From the time of
signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the war in 1832, he
and his band passed their time in the common pursuits of Indian life.
Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 77
Indians were urged to join the lowas on the west bank of the Father of
Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of
which Black Hawk was leader. He strenuously objected to the removal,
and was induced to comply only after being threatened with the power of
the Government. This and various actions on the part of the white set-
tlers provoked Black Hawk and his band to attempt the capture of his
native village iiow occupied by the whites. The war followed. He and
his actions were undoubtedly misunderstood, and had his wishes been
acquiesced in at the beginning of the struggle, much bloodshed would
have been prevented.
Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations, and a noted
warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River, nearly three
miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, where the tribe had lived
many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved to them,
they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending their
time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their village
and the quality of their lands incited the more lawless white settlers, who
from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain. From
one pretext to another, and from one step to another, the crafty white
men gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained
deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were
finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the
lowas. Black Hawk was strenuously opposed to all this, but as the
authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this the best move, he
was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the whites and urged
the removal. Black Hawk would not agree to the terms of the treaty
made with his nation for their lands, and as soon as the military, called to
enforce his removal, had retired, he returned to the Illinois side of the
river. A large force was at once raised and marched against him. On
the evening of May 14, 1832, the first engagement occurred between a
band from this army and Black Hawk's band, in which the former were
defeated.
This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men
was raised, and Gen. Scott hastened from the seaboard, by way of the
lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the subjugation of
the Indians. On the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with 200 vvarriors, was
repulsed by Major Demont between Rock River and Galena. The Ameri-
can army continued to move up Rock 'River toward the main body of
the Indians, and on the 21st of July came upon Black Hawk and his band,
and defeated them near the Blue Mounds.
Before this action, Gen. Henry, in command, sent word to the main
army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed the
78 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band who were fleeing to the
Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d of August, and in the battle
which followed the power of the Indian chief was completely broken. He
fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites.
On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds con-
cluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes by which they
ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and agreed to remain
peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance of the provi-
sions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that
Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek, and six other chiefs
of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages during the pleasure
of the President. They were confined at Fort Barracks and put in irons.
The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken,
to Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe,
"there to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify
their being set at liberty." They were retained here until the 4th of
June, when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal
cities so that they might see the folly of contending against the white
people. Everywhere they were observed by thousands, the name of the
old chief being extensively known. By the middle of August they
reached Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon
after released to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birth-
place, now the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village
where he was born, where he had so happily lived, and where he had
hoped to die, was now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer.
On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and
his lodge, His wife was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder
of his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk always re-
mained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon among
the Indians, living with her upward of forty years.
Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing. A deep mel-
ancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed. At all
times when he visited the whites he was received with marked atten-
tion. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County,
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem.
In September, 1838, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his
annuity from the Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted
in a fatal attack of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3.
His faithful wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply
during his sickness. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre-
sented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in
a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. " Thr
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 79
body was placed in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a
seat constructed for the purpose. On his left side, the cane, given him
by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it.
Many of the old warrior's trophies were placed in the grave, and some
Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons."
No sooner was the Black Hawk war concluded than settlers began
rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin,
now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had
grown to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence.
In 1835, the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed,
but did not take active form until two years later, when the State became
a part of the Federal Union.
The main attraction to that portion of the Northwest lying west of
Lake Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin, was its alluvial
wealth. Copper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this
region was attached to Michigan for judiciary purposes, but in 183<> was
made a territory, then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter State
was detached two years later. In 1848, Wisconsin was admitted as a
State, Madison being made the capital. We have now traced the various
divisions of the Northwest Territory (save a little in Minnesota) from
the time it was a unit comprising this vast territory, until circumstances
compelled its present division.
OTHER INDIAN TROUBLES.
Before leaving this part of the narrative, we will narrate briefly the
Indian troubles in Minnesota and elsewhere by the Sioux Indians.
In August, 1862, the Sioux Indians living on the western borders of
Minnesota -fell upon the unsuspecting settlers, and in a few hours mas-
sacred ten or twelve hundred persons. A distressful panic was the
immediate result, fully thirty thousand persons fleeing from their homes
to districts supposed to be better protected. The military authorities
at once took active measures to punish the savages, and a large number
were killed and captured. About a year after, Little Crow, the chief,
was killed by a Mr. Lampson near Scattered Lake. Of those captured,
thirty were hung at Mankato, and the remainder, through fears of mob
violence, were removed to Camp McClellan, on the outskirts of the City
of Davenport. It was here that Big Eagle came into prominence and
secured his release by the following order :
80
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
BIG EAGLE.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 81
"Special Order, No. 430. "WAR DEPARTMENT,
" ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1864.
" Big Eagle, an Indian now in confinement at Davenport, Iowa,
will, upon the receipt of this order, be immediately released from confine-
ment and set at liberty.
" By order of the President of the United States.
" Official : " E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adft G-en.
" CAPT. JAMES VANDERVENTER, Corny Sub. Vbls.
" Through Com'g Gen'l, Washington, D. C."
Another Indian who figures more prominently than Big Eagle, and
who was more cowardly in his nature, with his band of Modoc Indians,
is noted in the annals of the New Northwest : we refer to Captain Jack.
This distinguished Indian, noted for his cowardly murder of Gen. Canby,
was a chief of a Modoc tribe of Indians inhabiting the border lands
between California and Oregon. This region of country comprises what
is known as the " Lava Beds." a tract of land described as utterly impene-
trable, save by those savages who had made it their home.
The Modocs are known as an exceedingly fierce and treacherous
race. They had, according to their own traditions, resided here for many
generations, and at one time were exceedingly numerous and powerful.
A famine carried off nearly half their numbers, and disease, indolence
and the vices of the white man have reduced them to a poor, weak and
insignificant tribe.
Soon after the settlement of California and Oregon, complaints began
to be heard of massacres of emigrant trains passing through the Modoc
country. In 1847, an emigrant train, comprisihg eighteen souls, was en-
tirely destroyed at a place since known as " Bloody Point." These occur-
rences caused the United States Government to appoint a peace commission,
who, after repeated attempts, in 1864. made a treaty with the Modocs,
Snakes and Klamaths, in which it was agreed on their part to remove to
a reservation set apart for them in the southern part of Oregon.
With the exception of Captain Jack and a band of his followers, who
remained at Clear Lake, about six miles from Klamath, all the Indians
complied. The Modocs who went to the reservation were under chief
Schonchin. Captain Jack remained at the lake without disturbance
until 1869, when he was also induced to remove to the reservation. The
Modocs and the Klamaths soon became involved in a quarrel, and Captain
Jack and his band returned to the Lava Beds.
Several attempts were made by the Indian Commissioners to induce
them to return to the reservation, and finally becoming involved in a
82 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
difficulty with the commissioner and his military escort, a fight ensued,
in which the chief and his band were routed. They were greatly enraged,
and on their retreat, before the day closed, killed eleven inoffensive whites.
The nation was aroused and immediate action demanded. A com-
mission was at once appointed by the Government to see what could be
done. It comprised the following persons : Gen. E. R. S. Canby : Rev.
Dr. E. Thomas, - a loading Methodist divine of California; Mr. A. B.
Meacham, Judge Rosborough, of California, and a Mr. Dyer, of Oregon.
After several interviews, in which the savages were always aggressive,
often appearing with scalps in their belts, Bogus Charley came to the
commission on the evening of April 10, 1873, and informed them that
Capt. Jack and his band would have a " talk " to-morrow at a place near
Clear Lake, about three miles distant. Here the Commissioners, accom-
panied by Charley, Riddle, the interpreter, and Boston Charley repaired.
After the usual greeting the council proceedings commenced. On behalf
of the Indians there were present : Capt. Jack, Black Jim, Schnac Nasty
Jim, Ellen's Man, and Hooker Jim. They had no guns, but carried pis-
tols. After short speeches by Mr. Meacham, Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas,
Chief Schonchin arose to speak. He had scarcely proceeded when,
as if by a preconcerted arrangement, Capt. Jack drew his pistol and shot
Gen. Canby dead. In less than a minute a dozen shots were fired b}' the
savages, and the massacre completed. Mr. Meacham was shot by Schon-
chin, and Dr. Thomas by Boston Charley. Mr. Dyer barely escaped, being
fired at twice. Riddle, the interpreter, and his squaw escaped. The
troops rushed to the spot where they found Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas
dead, and Mr. Meacham badly wounded. The savages had escaped to
their impenetrable- fastnesses and could not be pursued.
The whole country was aroused by ting brutal massacre ; but it was
not until the following May that the murderers were brought to justice.
At that time Boston Charley gave himself up, and offered to guide the
troops to Capt. Jack's stronghold. This led to the capture of his entire
gang, a number of whom were murdered by Oregon volunteers while on
their way to trial. The remaining Indians were held as prisoners until
July when their trial occurred, which led to the conviction of Capt.
Jack, Schonchin, Boston Charley, Hooker Jim, Broncho, alias One-Eyed
Jim, and Slotuck, who were sentenced to be hanged. These sentences
were approved by the President, save in the case of Slotuck and Broncho
whose sentences were commuted to imprisonment for life. The others
were executed at Fort Klamath, October 3, 1873.
These closed the Indian troubles for a time in the Northwest, and for
several years the borders of civilization remained in peace. They were
again involved in a conflict with the savages about the country of the
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
83
CAPTAIN JACK, THE MODOC CHIEFTAIN.
84 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Black Hills, in which war the gallant Gen. Ouster lost his life. Just
now the borders of Oregon and California are again in fear of hostilities ;
but as the Government has learned how to deal with the Indians, they
will be of short duration. The red man is fast passing away before the
inarch of the white man, and a few more generations will read of the
Indians as one of the nations of the past.
The Northwest abounds in memorable places. We have generally
noticed them in the narrative, but our space forbids their description in
detail, save of the most important places. Detroit, Cincinnati, Vincennes,
Kaskaskia and their kindred towns have all been described. But ere we
leave the narrative we will present our readers with an account of the
Kinzie house, the old landmark of Chicago, and the discovery of the
source of the Mississippi River, each of which may well find a place in
the annals of the Northwest.
Mr. John Kinzie, of the Kinzie house, represented in the illustra-
tion, established a trading house at Fort Dearborn in 1804. The stockade
had been erected the year previous, and named Fort Dearborn in honor
of the Secretary of War. It had a block house at each of the two angles,
on the southern side a sallyport, a covered way on the north side, that led
down to the river, for the double purpose of providing means of escape,
and of procuring" water in the event of a siege.
Fort Dearborn stood on the south bank of the Chicago River, about
half a mile from its mouth. When Major Whistler built it, his soldiers
hauled all the timber, for he had no oxen, and so economically did he
work that the fort cost the Government only fifty dollars. For a while
the garrison could get no grain, and Whistler and his men subsisted on
acorns. Now Chicago is the greatest grain center in the world.
Mr. Kinzie bought the hut of the first settler, Jean Baptiste Point au
Sable, on the site of which he erected his mansion. Within an inclosure
in front he planted some Lombardy poplars, seen in the engraving, and in
the rear he soon had a fine garden and growing orchard.
In 1812 the Kinzie house and its surroundings became the theater
of stirring events. The garrison of Fort Dearborn consisted of fifty-four
men, under the charge of Capt. Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant
Lenai T. Helm (son-in-law to Mrs. Kinzie), and Ensign Ronan. The
surgeon was Dr. Voorhees. The only residents at the post at that time
were the wives of Capt. Heald and Lieutenant Helm and a few of the
soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and a few Canadian voyagers with their
wives and children. The soldiers and Mr. Kinzie were on the most
friendly terms with the Pottawatomies and the Winnebagoes, the prin-
cipal tribes around them, but they could not win them from their attach-
ment to the British.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
85
After the battle of Tippecanoe it was observed that some of the lead-
ing chiefs became sullen, for some of their people had perished in that
conflict with American troops.
One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing his violin and his
children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing into
the house pale with terror, and exclaiming, " The Indians ! the Indians-! "
" What? Where ? " eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. " Up at Lee's, killing
and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who, when the alarm was
given, was attending Mrs. Burns, a newly-made mother, living not far off.
KINZIE HOUSE.
Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river in boats, and took refuge in
the fort, to which place Mrs. Burns and her infant, not a day old, were
conveyed in safety to the shelter of the guns of Fort Dearborn, and the
rest of the white inhabitants fled. The Indians were a scalping party of
Winnebagoes, who hovered around the fort some days, when they dis-
appeared, and for several weeks the inhabitants were not disturbed by
alarms. .
Chicago was then so deep in the wilderness, that the news of the
declaration of war against Great Britain, made on the 19th of June, 1812,
did not reach the commander of the garrison at Fort Dearborn till the 7th
of August. Now the fast mail train will carry a man from New York to
Chicago in twenty-seven hours, and such a declaration might be sent,
every word, by the telegraph in less than the same number of minutes.
THE FOETITWEST TERRITORY.
8?
PRESENT CONDITION OF THE NORTHWEST,
Preceding chapters have brought us to the close of the Black Hawk
war, and we now turn to the contemplation of the growth and prosperity
of the Northwest under the smile of peace and the blessings of our civili-
zation. The pioneers of this region date events back to the deep snow
A REPRESENTATIVE PIONEER.
of 1831, no one arriving here since that date taking first honors. The
inciting cause of the immigration which overflowed the prairies early in
the '30s was the reports of the marvelous beauty and fertility of the
region distributed through the East by those who had participated in the
Black Hawk campaign with Gen. Scott. Chicago and Milwaukee then
had a few hundred inhabitants, and Gurdon S. Hubbard's trail from the
former city to Kaskaskia led almost through a wilderness. Vegetables
and clothing were largely distributed through the regions adjoining the
88
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
lakes by steamers from the Ohio towns. There are men now living in
Illinois who came to the state when barely an acre was in cultivation,
and a man now prominent in the business circles of Chicago looked over
the swampy, cheerless site of that metropolis in 1818 and went south-
ward into civilization. Emigrants from Pennsylvania in 1830 left behind
LINCOLN MONUMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.
them but one small railway in the coal regions, thirty miles in length,
and made their way to the Northwest mostly with ox teams, finding in
Northern Illinois petty settlements scores of miles apart, although the
southern portion of the state was fairly dotted with farms. The
water courses of the lakes and rivers furnished transportation to the
second great army of immigrants, and about 1850 railroads were
pushed to that extent that the crisis of 1837 was precipitated upon us,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
89
from the effects of which the Western country had not fully recovered
at the outbreak of the war. Hostilities found the colonists of the prairies
fully alive to the demands of the occasion, and the honor of recruiting
the vast armies of the Union fell largely to Gov. Yates, of Illinois, and
Gov. Morton, of Indiana. To recount the share of the glories of the
campaign won by ovir Western troops is a needless task, except to
mention the fact that Illinois gave co the nation the President who saved
90
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
it, and sent out at the head of one of its regiments tne general who led
its armies to the final victory at Appomattox. The struggle, on the
FAJ1M VIEW IN WINTER.
whole, had a marked effect for the better on the new Northwest, giving
it an impetus which twenty years of peace would not have produced.
In a large degree this prosperity was an inflated one, and with the rest
of the Union we have since been compelled to atone therefor by four
91
SPRING SCENE.
, _
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 93
years of depression of values, of scarcity of employment, and loss of
fortune. To a less degree, however, than the manufacturing or mining
regions has the West suffered during the prolonged panic now so near its
end. Agriculture, still the leading feature in our industries, has been
quite prosperous through all these dark years, and the farmers have
cleared away many incumbrances resting over them from the period of
fictitious values. The population has steadily increased, the arts and
sciences are gaining a stronger foothold, the trade area of the region is
becoming daily more extended, and we have been largely exempt from
the financial calamities which have nearly wrecked communities on the
seaboard dependent wholly on foreign commerce or domestic manufacture.
At the present period there are no great schemes broached for the
Northwest, no propositions for government subsidies or national works
of improvement, but the capital of the world is attracted hither for the
purchase of our products or the expansion of our capacity for serving the
nation at large. A new era is dawning as to transportation, and we bid
fair to deal almost exclusively with the increasing and expanding lines
of steel rail running through every few miles of territory on the prairies.
The lake marine will no doubt continue to be useful in the warmer
season, and to serve as a regulator of freight rates ; but experienced
navigators forecast the decay of the system in moving to the seaboard
the enormous crops of the West. Within the past five years it has
become quite common to see direct shipments to Europe and the West
Indies going through from the second-class towns along the Mississippi
and Missouri.
As to popular education, the standard has of late risen very greatly,
and our schools would be creditable to any section of the Union.
More and more as the events of the war pass into obscurity will the
f.ite of the Northwest be linked with that of the Southwest, and the
next Congressional apportionment will give the valley of the Mississippi
absolute control of the legislation of the nation, and do much toward
securing the removal of the Federal capitol to some more central location.
Our public men continue to wield the full share of influence pertain-
ing to their rank in the national autonomy, and seem not to forget that
for the past sixteen years they and their constituents have dictated the
principles which should govern the country.
In a work like this, destined to lie on the shelves of the library for
generations, and not doomed to daily destruction like a newspaper, one
can not indulge in the same glowing predictions, the sanguine statements
of actualities that fill the columns of ephemeral publications. Time may
bring grief to the pet projects of a writer, and explode castles erected on
a pedestal of facts. Yet there are unmistakable indications before us of
94
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
LAKE BLUFF.
The frontage of Lake Bluff Grounds on Lake Michigan, -with one hnndred and seventy feet of gradual ascent.
HIGH BRIDGE, LAKE BLUFF, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 95
the same radical change in our great Northwest which characterizes its
history for the past thirty years. Our domain has a sort of natural
geographical border, save where it melts away to the southward in the
cattle raising districts of the southwest.
Our prime interest will for some years doubtless be the growth of
the food of the world, in which branch it has already outstripped all
competitors, and our great rival in this duty will naturally be the fertile
plains of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, to say nothing of the new
empire so rapidly growing up in Texas. Over these regions there is a
continued progress in agriculture and 'in railway building, and we must
look to our laurels. Intelligent observers of events are fully aware of
the strides made in the way of shipments of fresh meats to Europe,
many of these ocean cargoes being actually slaughtered in the West and
transported on ice to the wharves of the seaboard cities. That this new
enterprise will continue there is no reason to -doubt. There are in
Chicago several factories for the canning of prepared meats for European
consumption, and the orders for this class of goods are already immense.
English capital is becoming daily more and more dissatisfied with railway
loans and investments, and is gradually seeking mammoth outlays in
lands and live stock. The stock yards in Chicago, Indianapolis and East
St. Louis are yearly increasing their facilities, and their plant steadily
grows more valuable. Importations of blooded animals from the pro-
gressive countries of Europe are destined to greatly improve the quality
of our beef and mutton. Nowhere is there to be seen a more enticing
display in this line than at our state and county fairs, and the interest
in the matter is on the increase.
To attempt to give statistics of our grain production for 1877 would
be useless, so far have we surpassed ourselves in the quantity and
quality of our product. We are too liable to forget that we are giving
the world its first article of necessity its food supply. An opportunity
to learn this fact so it never can be forgotten was afforded at Chicago at
the outbreak of the great panic of 1873, when Canadian purchasers,
fearing the prostration of business might bring about an anarchical condition
of affairs, went to that city with coin in bulk and foreign drafts to secure
their supplies in their own currency at first hands. It may be justly
claimed by the agricultural community that their combined efforts gave
the nation its first impetus toward a restoration of its crippled industries,
and their labor brought the gold premium to a lower depth than the
government was able to reach by its most intense efforts of legislation
and compulsion. The hundreds of millions about to be disbursed for
farm products have already, by the anticipation common to all commercial
96
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
nations, set the wheels in motion, and will relieve us from the perils so
long shadowing our efforts to return to a healthy tone.
Manufacturing has attained in the chief cities a foothold which bids
fair to render the Northwest independent of the outside world. Nearly
our whole region has a distribution of coal measures which will in time
support the manufactures necessary to our comfort and prosperity. As
to transportation, the chief factor in the production of all articles excej.*"
food, no section is so magnificently endowed, and our facilities are yearly
increasing beyond those of any other region.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 97
The period from a central point of the war to the outbreak of the
panic was marked by a tremendous growth in our railway lines, but the
depression of the times caused almost a total suspension of operations.
Now that prosperity is returning to our stricken country we witness its
anticipation by the railroad interest in a series of projects, extensions,
and leases which bid fair to largely increase our transportation facilities.
The process of foreclosure and sale of incumbered lines is another matter
to be considered. In the case of the Illinois Central road, which formerly
transferred to other 'lines at Cairo the vast burden of freight destined for
the Srulf region, we now see the incorporation of the tracks connecting
through to New Orleans, every mile co-operating in turning toward the
northwestern metropolis the weight of the inter-state commerce of a
thousand miles or more of fertile plantations. Three competing routes
to Texas have established in Chicago their general freight and passenger
agencies. Four or five lines compete for all Pacific freights to a point as
as far as the interior of Nebraska. Half a dozen or more splendid bridge
structures have been thrown across the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers by
the railways. The Chicago and Northwestern line has become an aggre-
gation of over two thousand miles of rail, and the Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Paul is its close rival in extent and importance. The three lines
running to Cairo via Vincennes form a through route for all traffic with
the states to the southward. The chief projects now under discussion
are the Chicago and Atlantic, which is to unite with lines now built to
Charleston, and the Chicago and Canada Southern, which line will con-
nect with all the various branches of that Canadian enterprise. Our
latest new road is the Chicago and Lake Huron, formed of three lines,
and entering the city from Valparaiso on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne
and Chicago track. The trunk lines being mainly in operation, the
progress made in the way of shortening tracks, making air-line branches,
and running extensions does not show to the advantage it deserves, as
this process is constantly adding new facilities to the established order
of things. The panic reduced the price of steel to a point where the
railways could hardly afford to use iron rails, and all our northwestern
lines report large relays of Bessemer track. The immense crops now
being moved have given a great rise to the value of railway stocks, and
their transportation must result in heavy pecuniary advantages.
Few are aware of the importance of the wholesale and jobbing trade
of Chicago. One leading firm has since the panic sold $24,000,000 of
dry goods in one year, and they now expect most confidently to add
seventy per cent, to the figures of their last year's business. In boots
and shoes and in clothing, twenty or more great firms from the east have
placed here their distributing agents or their factories ; and in groceries
98 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Chicago supplies the entire Northwest at rates presenting advantages
over New York.
Chicago has stepped in between New York and the rural banks as a
financial center, and scarcely a banking institution in the grain or cattle
regions but keeps its reserve funds in the vaults of our commercial insti-
tutions. Accumulating here throughout the spring and summer months,
they are summoned home at pleasure to move the products of the
prairies. This process greatly strengthens the northwest in its financial
operations, leaving home capital to supplement local operations on
behalf of home interests.
It is impossible to forecast the destiny of this grand and growing
section of the Union. Figures and predictions made at this date might
seem ten years hence so ludicrously small as to excite only derision.
<*
'<.
ILLINOIS.
Length, 380 miles, mean width about 156 miles. Area, 55,410 square
miles, or 35,462,400 acres. Illinois, as regards its surface, constitutes a
table-land at a varying elevation ranging between 350 and 800 feet above
the sea level ; composed of extensive and highly fertile prairies and plains.
Much of the south division of the State, especially the river-bottoms, are
thickly wooded. The prairies, too, have oasis-like clumps of trees
scattered here and there at intervals. The chief rivers irrigating the
State are the Mississippi dividing it from Iowa and Missouri the Ohio
(forming its south barrier), the Illinois, Wabash, Kaskaskia, and San-
gamon, with their numerous affluents. The total extent of navigable
streams is calculated at 4,000 miles. Small lakes are scattered over vari-
ous parts of the State. Illinois is extremely prolific in minerals, chiefly
coal, iron, copper, and zinc ores, sulphur and limestone. The coal-field
alone is estimated to absorb a full third of the entire coal-deposit of North
America. Climate tolerably equable and healthy ; the mean temperature
standing at about 51 Fahrenheit As an agricultural region, Illinois takes
a competitive rank with neighboring States, the cereals, fruits, and root-
crops yielding plentiful returns ; in fact, as a grain-growing State, Illinois
may be deemed, in proportion to her size, to possess a greater area of
lands suitable for its production than any other State in the Union. Stock-
raising is also largely carried on, while her manufacturing interests in
regard of woolen fabrics, etc., are on a very extensive and yearly expand-
ing scale. The lines of railroad in the State are among the most exten-
sive of the Union. Inland water-carriage is facilitated by a canal
connecting the Illinois River with Lake Michigan, and thence with the
St. Lawrence and Atlantic. Illinois is divided into 102 counties ; the
chief towns being Chicago, Springfield (capital), Alton, Quincy, Peoria,
Galena, Bloomington, Rock Island, Vandalia, etc. By the new Consti-
tution, established in 1870, the State Legislature consists of 51 Senators,
elected for four years, and 153 Representatives, for two years ; which
numbers were to be decennially increased thereafter to the number of
six per every additional half-million of inhabitants. Religious and
educational institutions are largely diffused throughout, and are in a very
flourishing condition. Illinois has a State Lunatic and a Deaf and Dumb
Asylum at Jacksonville ; a State Penitentiary at Joliet ; and a Home for
(99)
100
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Soldiers' Orphans at Normal. On November 30, 1870, the public debt of
the State was returned at $4,870,937, with a balance of $1,808,833
unprovided for. At the same periad the value of assessed and equalized
property presented the following totals : assessed, $840,031,703 ; equal-
ized $480,664,058. The name of Illinois, through nearly the whole of
the eighteenth century, embraced most of the known regions north and
west of Ohio. French colonists established themselves in 1673, at
Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and the territory of which these settlements
formed the nucleus was, in 1763, ceded to Great Britain in conjunction
with Canada, and ultimately resigned to the United States in 1787.
Illinois entered the Union as a State, December 3, 1818 ; and now send*
19 Representatives to Congress. Population, 2,539,891, in 1870.
WESTERN DWELLING.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 101
INDIANA.
The profile of Indiana forms a nearly exact parallelogram, occupy-
ing one of the most fertile portions of the great Mississippi Valley. The
greater extent of the surface embraced within its limits consists of gentle
undulations rising into hilly tracts toward the Ohio bottom. The chief
rivers of the State are the Ohio and Wabash, with their numerous
affluents. The soil is highly productive of the cereals and grasses most
particularly so in the valleys of the Ohio, Wabash, Whitewater, and
White Rivers. The northeast and central portions are well timbered
with virgin forests, and the west section is notably rich in coal, constitut-
ing an offshoot of the great Illinois carboniferous field. Iron, copper,
marble, slate, gypsum, and various clays are also abundant. From an
agricultural point of view, the staple products are maize and wheat, with
the other cereals in lesser yields ; and besides these, flax, hemp, sorghum,
hops, etc., are extensively raised. Indiana is divided into 92 counties,
and counts among her principal cities and towns, those of Indianapolis
(the capital), Fort Wayne, Evansville, Terre Haute, Madison, Jefferson-
ville, Columbus, Vincennes, South Bend, etc. The public institutions of
the State are many and various, and on a scale of magnitude and
efficiency commensurate with her important political and industrial status.
Upward of two thousand miles of railroads permeate the State in all
directions, and greatly conduce to the development of her expanding
manufacturing interests. Statistics for the fiscal year terminating
October 31, 1870, exhibited a total of receipts, $3,896,541 as against dis-
bursements, $3,532,406, leaving a balance, $364,135 in favor of the State
Treasury. The entire public debt, January 5, 1871, $3,971,000. This
State was first settled by Canadian voyageurs in 1702, who erected a fort
at Vincennes; in 1763 it passed into the hands of the English,. and was
by the latter ceded to the United States in 1783. From 1788 till 1791,
an Indian warefare prevailed. In 1800, all the region west and north of
Ohio (then formed into a distinct territory) became merged in Indiana.
In 1809, the present limits of the State were defined, Michigan and
Illinois having previously been withdrawn. In 1811, Indiana was. the
theater of the Indian War of Tecumseh, ending with the decisive battle
of Tippecanoe. In 1816 (December 11), Indiana became enrolled among
the States of the American Union. In 1834, the State passed through a
monetary crisis owing to its having become mixed up with railroad,
Qanal, and other speculations on a gigantic scale, which ended, for the
time being, in a general collapse of public credit, and consequent bank-
ruptcy. Since that time, however, the greater number of the public
102 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
works which had brought about that imbroglio especially the great
Wabash and Erie Canal have been completed, to the great benefit of
the State, whose subsequent progress has year by year been marked by
rapid strides in the paths of wealth, commerce, and general social and
political prosperity. The constitution now in force was adopted in 1851.
Population, 1,680,637.
IOWA.
In shape, Iowa presents an almost perfect parallelogram; has a
length, north to south, of about 300 miles, by a pretty even width of 208
miles, and embraces an area of 55,045 square miles, or 35,228,800 acres.
The surface of the State is generally undulating, rising toward the
middle into an elevated plateau which forms the " divide " of the
Missouri and Mississippi basins. Rolling prairies, especially in the south
section, constitute a regnant feature, and the river bottoms, belted with
woodlands, present a soil of the richest alluvion. Iowa is well watered ;
the principal rivers being the Mississippi and Missouri, which form
respectively its east and west limits, and the Cedar, Iowa, and Des
Moines, affluents of the first named. Mineralogically, Iowa is important
as occupying a section of the great Northwest coal field, to the extent of
an area estimated at 25,000 square miles. Lead, copper, zinc, and iron,
are also mined in considerable quantities. The soil is well adapted to
the production of wheat, maize, and the other cereals ; fruits, vegetables,
and esculent roots; maize, wheat, and oats forming the chief staples.
Wine, tobacco, hops, and wax, are other noticeable items of the agricul-
tural yield. Cattle-raising, too, is a branch of rural industry largely
engaged in. The climate is healthy, although liable to extremes of heat
and cold. The annual gross product of the various manufactures carried
on in this State approximate, in round numbers, a sum of $20,000,000.
Iowa has an immense railroad system, besides over 500 miles of water-
communication by means of its navigable rivers. The State is politically
divided into 99 counties, with the following centers of population : Des
Moines (capital), Iowa City (former capital), Dubuque, Davenport, Bur-
lington, Council Bluffs, Keokuk, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids. The
State institutions of Iowa religious, scholastic, and philanthropic are
on a par, as regards number and perfection of organization and operation,
with those of her Northwest sister States, and education is especially
well cared for, and largely diffused. Iowa formed a portion of the
American territorial acquisitions from France, by the so-called Louisiana
purchase in 1803, and was politically identified with Louisiana till 1812,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 103
when it merged into the Missouri Territory; in 1834 it came under the
Michigan organization, and, in 1836, under that of Wisconsin. Finally,
after being constituted an independent Territory, it became a State of
the Union, December 28, 1846. Population in 1860, 674,913 ; in 1870,
1,191,792, and in 1875, 1,353,118.
MICHIGAN.
United area, 56,243 square miles, or 35,995,520 acres. Extent of the
Upper and smaller Peninsula length, 316 miles; breadth, fluctuating
between 36 and 120 miles. The south division is 416 miles long, by from
50 to 300 miles wide. Aggregate lake-shore line, 1,400 miles. The
Upper, or North, Peninsula consists chiefly of an elevated plateau,
expanding into the Porcupine mountain-system, attaining a maximum
height of some 2,000 feet. Its shores along Lake Superior are eminently
bold and picturesque, and its area is rich in minerals, its product of
copper constituting an important source of industry. Both divisions are
heavily wooded, and the South one, in addition, boasts of a deep, rich,
loamy soil, throwing up excellent crops of cereals and other agricultural
produce. The climate is generally mild and humid, though the Winter
colds are severe. The chief staples of farm husbandry include the cereals,
grasses, maple sugar, sorghum, tobacco, fruits, and dairy-stuffs. In 1870,
the acres of land in farms were : improved, 5,096,939 ; unimproved
woodland, 4,X)80,146 ; other unimproved land, 842,057. The cash value
of land was $398,240,578 ; of farming implements and machinery,
$13,711,979. In 1869, there were shipped from the Lake Superior ports,
874,582 tons of iron ore, and 45,762 of smelted pig, along with 14,188
tons of copper (ore and ingot). Coal is another article largely mined.
Inland communication is .provided for by an admirably organized railroad
system, and by the St. Mary's Ship Canal, connecting Lakes Huron and
Superior. Michigan is politically divided into 78 counties ; its chief
urban centers are Detroit, Lansing (capital), Ann Arbor, Marquette,
Bay City, Niles, Ypsilanti, Grand Haven, etc. The Governor of the
State is elected biennially. On November 30, 1870, the aggregate bonded
debt of Michigan amounted to $2,385,028, and the assessed valuation of
land to $266,929,278, representing an estimated cash value of $800,000,000.
Education is largely diffused and most excellently conducted and pro-
vided for. The State University at Ann Arbor, the colleges of Detroit
and Kalamazoo, the Albion Female College, the State Normal School at
Ypsilanti, and the State Agricultural College at Lansing, are chief among
the academic institutions. Michigan (a term of Chippeway origin, and
104 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
signifying "Great Lake), was discovered and first settled by French
Canadians, who, in 1670, founded Detroit, the pioneer of a series of trad-
ing-posts on the Indian frontier. During the " Conspiracy of Pontiac,"
following the French loss of Canada, Michigan became the scene of a
sanguinary struggle between the whites and aborigines. In 1796, it
became annexed to the United States, which incorporated this region
with the Northwest Territory, and then with Indiana Territory, till 1803,
when it became territorially independent. Michigan was the theater of
warlike operations during the war of 1812 with Great Britain, and in
1819 was authorized to be represented by one delegate in Congress ; hi
1837 she was admitted into the Union as a State, and in 1869 ratified the
15th Amendment to the Federal Constitution. Population, 1,184,059.
WISCONSIN.
It has a mean length of 260 miles, and a maximum breadth of 215.
Land area, 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Wisconsin lies at a
considerable altitude above sea-level, and consists for the most part of an
upland plateau, the surface of which is undulating and very generally
diversified. Numerous local eminences called mounds are interspersed
over the State,, and the Lake Michigan coast-line is in many parts char-
acterized by lofty escarped cliffs, even as on the west side the banks of
the Mississippi form a series of high and picturesque bluffs. A group of
islands known as The Apostles lie off the extreme north point of the
State in Lake Superior, and the great estuary of Green Bay, running far
inland, gives formation to a long, narrow peninsula between its waters
and those of Lake Michigan. The river-system of Wisconsin has three
outlets those of Lake Superior, Green Bay, and the Mississippi, which
latter stream forms the entire southwest frontier, widening at one point
into the large watery expanse called Lake Pepin. Lake Superior receives
the St. Louis, Burnt Wood, and Montreal Rivers ; Green Bay, the
Menomonee, Peshtigo, Oconto, and Fox ; while into the Mississippi
empty the St. Croix, Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, and Rock Rivers.
The chief interior lakes are those of Winnebago, Horicon, and Court
Oreilles, and smaller sheets of water stud a great part of the surface.
The climate is healthful, with cold Winters and brief but very warm
Summers. Mean annual rainfall 31 inches. The geological system
represented b} r the State, embraces those rocks included between the
primary and the Devonian series, the former containing extensive
deposits of copper and iron ore. Besides these minerals, lead and zinc
are found in great quantities, together with kaolin, plumbago, gypsum,
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 105
and various clays. Mining, consequently, forms a prominent industry,
and one of yearly increasing dimensions. The soil of Wisconsin is of
varying quality, but fertile on the whole, and in the north parts of the
State heavily timbered. The agricultural yield comprises the cereals,
together with flax, hemp, tobacco, pulse, sorgum, and all kinds of vege-
tables, and of the hardier fruits. In 1870, the State had a total number
of 102,904 farms, occupying 11,715,321 acres, of which 5,899,343 con-
sisted of improved land, and 3,437,442 were timbered. Cash value of
farms, $300,414,064 ; of farm implements and machinery, $14,239,364.
Total estimated value of all farm products, including betterments and
additions to stock, $78,027,032 ; of orchard and dairy stuffs, $1,045,933 ;
of lumber, $1,327,618 ; of home manufactures, $338,423 ; of all live-stock,
$45,310,882. Number of manufacturing establishments, 7,136, employ-
ing 39,055 hands, and turning out productions valued at $85,624,966.
The political divisions of the State form 61 counties, and the chief places
of wealth, trade, and population, are Madison (the capital), Milwaukee,
Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Prairie du Chien, Janesville, Portage City,
Racine, Kenosha, and La Crosse. In 1870, the total assessed valuation
reached $333,209,838, as against a true valuation of both real and personal
estate aggregating $602,207,329. Treasury receipts during 1870, $886,-
696 ; disbursements, $906,329. Value of church property, $4,749,983.
Education is amply provided for. Independently of the State University
at Madison, and those of Galesville and of Lawrence at Appleton, and
the colleges of Beloit, Racine, and Milton, there are Normal Schools at
Platteville and Whitewater. The State is divided into 4,802 common
school districts, maintained at a cost, in 1870, of $2,094,160. The chari-
table institutions of Wisconsin include a Deaf and Dumb Asylum, an
Institute for the Education of the Blind, and a Soldiers' Orphans' School.
In January, 1870, the railroad system ramified throughout the State
totalized 2,779 miles of track, including several lines far advanced toward
completion. Immigration is successfully encouraged by the State author-
ities, the larger number of yearly new-comers being of Scandinavian and
German origin. The territory now occupied within the limits of the
State of Wisconsin was explored by French missionaries and traders in
1639, and it remained under French jurisdiction until 1703, when it
became annexed to the British North American possessions. In 1796, it
reverted to the United States, the government of which latter admitted
it within the limits of 'the Northwest Territory, and in 1809, attached it
to that of Illinois, and to Michigan in 1818. Wisconsin became independ-
ently territorially organized in 1836, and became a State of the Union,
March 3, 1847. Population in 1870, 1,0<>4,985, of which 2,113 were of
the colored race, and 11,521 Indians, 1,206 of the latter being out of
tribal relations.
106 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
MINNESOTA.
Its length, north to south, embraces an extent of 380 miles ; its
breadth one of 250 miles at a maximum. Area, 84,000 square miles, or
54,760,000 acres. The surface of Minnesota, generally speaking, con-
sists of a succession of gently undulating plains and prairies, drained by
an admirable water-system, and with here and there heavily- timbered
bottoms and belts of virgin forest. The soil, corresponding with such a
superfices, is exceptionally rich, consisting for the most part of a dark,
calcareous sandy drift intermixed with loam. A distinguishing physical
feature of this State is its riverine ramifications, expanding in nearly
every part of it into almost innumerable lakes the whole presenting an
aggregate of water-power having hardly a rival in the Union. Besides
the Mississippi which here has its rise, and drains a basin of 800 miles
of country the principal streams are the Minnesota (334 miles long),
the Red River of the North, the St. Croix, St. Louis, and many others of
lesser importance ; the chief lakes are those called Red, Cass, Leech,
Mille Lacs, Vermillion, and Winibigosh. Quite a concatenation of sheets
of water fringe the frontier line where Minnesota joins British America,
culminating in the Lake of the Woods. It has been estimated, that of
an area of 1,200,000 acres of surface between the St. Croix and Mis-
sissippi Rivers, not less than 73,000 acres are of lacustrine formation. In
point of minerals, the resources of Minnesota have as yet been very
imperfectly developed; iron, copper, coal, lead all these are known to
exist in considerable deposits ; together with salt, limestone, and potter's
clay. The agricultural outlook of the State is in a high degree satis-
factory ; wheat constitutes the leading cereal in cultivation, with Indian
corn and oats in next order. Fruits and vegetables are grown in great
plenty and of excellent quality. The lumber resources of Minnesota are
important ; the pine forests in the north region alone occupying an area
of some 21,000 square miles, which in 1870 produced a return of scaled
logs amounting to 313,116,416 feet. The natural industrial advantages
possessed by Minnesota are largely improved upon by a railroad system.
The political divisions of this State number 78 counties ; of which the
chief cities and towns are : St. Paul (the capital), Still water, Red Wing,
St. Anthony, Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, and Mankato. Minnesota has
already assumed an attitude of high importance as a manufacturing State ;
this is mainly due to the wonderful command of water-power she pos-
sesses, as before spoken of. Besides her timber-trade, the milling of
flour, the distillation of whisky, and the tanning of leather, are prominent
interests, which, in 1869, gave returns to the amount of $14,831,043.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 10T
Education is notably provided for on a broad and catholic scale, the
entire amount expended scholastically during the year 1870 being $857,-
816 ; while on November 30 of the preceding year the permanent school
fund stood at $2,476,222. Besides a University and Agricultural College,
Normal and Reform Schools flourish, and with these may be mentioned
such various philanthropic and religious institutions as befit the needs of
an intelligent and prosperous community. The finances of the State for
the fiscal year terminating December 1, 1870, exhibited a balance on the
right side to the amount of $136,164, being a gain of $44,000 over the
previous year's figures. The earliest exploration of Minnesota by the
whites was made in 1680 by a French Franciscan, Father Hennepin, who
gave the name of St. Antony to the Great Falls on the Upper Missisippi.
In 1763, the Treaty of Versailles ceded this region to England.
Twenty years later, Minnesota formed part of the Northwest Territory
transferred to the United States, and became herself territorialized inde-
pendently in 1849. Indian cessions in 1851 enlarged her boundaries, and,
May 11, 1857, Minnesota became a unit of the great American federation
of States. Population, 439,706.
NEBRASKA.
Maximum length, 412 miles ; extreme breadth, 208 miles. Area,
75,905 square miles, or 48,636,800 acres. The surface of this State is
almost entirely undulating prairie," and forms part of the west slope of
the great central basin of the North American Continent. In its west
division, near the base of the Rocky Mountains, is a sandy belt of
country, irregularly defined. In this part, too, are the " dunes," resem-
bling a wavy sea of sandy billows, as well as the Mauvaises Terres, a tract
of singular formation, produced by eccentric disintegrations and denuda-
tions of the land. The chief rivers are the Missouri, constituting its en-
tire east line of demarcation ; the Nebraska or Platte, the Niobrara, the
Republican Fork of the Kansas, the Elkhorn, and the Loup Fork of the
Platte. The soil is very various, but consisting chiefly of rich, bottomy
loam, admirably adapted to the raising of heavy crops of cereals. All
the vegetables and fruits of the temperate zone are produced in great
size and plenty. For grazing purposes Nebraska is a State exceptionally
well fitted, a region of not less than 23,000,000 acres being adaptable to
this branch of husbandry. It is believed that the, as yet, comparatively
infertile tracts of land found in various parts of the State are susceptible
of -productivity by means of a properly conducted system of irrigation.
Few minerals of moment have so far been found within the limits of
108
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
Nebraska, if we may except important saline deposits at the head of Salt
Creek in its southeast section. The State is divided into 57 counties,
independent of the Pawnee and Winnebago Indians, and of unorganized
territory in the northwest part. The principal towns are Omaha, Lincoln
(State capital), Nebraska City, Columbus, Grand Island, etc. In 1870,
the total assessed value of property amounted to $53,000,000, being an
increase of $11,000,000 over the previous year's returns. The total
amount received from the school-fund during the year 1869-70 was
177,999. Education is making great onward strides, the State University
and an Agricultural College being far advanced toward completion. In
the matter of railroad communication, Nebraska bids fair to 1 soon place
herself on a par with her neighbors to the east. Besides being inter-
sected by the Union Pacific line, with its off-shoot, the Fremont and Blair,
other tracks are in course of rapid construction. Organized by Con-
gressional Act into a Territory, May 30, 1854, Nebraska entered the
Union as a full State, March 1, 1867. Population, 122,993.
HUNTING PRAIRIE WOLVES IIST AN EARLY DAY.
EARLY HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
The name of this beautiful Prairie State is derived from Illini, a
Delaware word signifying Superior Men. It has a French termination,
and is a symbol of how the two races the French and the Indians
were intermixed during the early history of the country.
The appellation was no doubt well applied to the primitive inhabit-
ants of the soil whose prowess in savage warfare long withstood the
combined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the one side, and the no less
savage and relentless Sacs and Foxes on the other. The Illinois were
once a powerful confederacy, occupying the most beautiful and fertile
region in the great Valley of the Mississippi, which their enemies coveted
and struggled long and hard to wrest from them. By the fortunes of
war they were diminished in numbers, and finally destroyed. " Starved
Rock," on the Illinois River, according to tradition, commemorates their
last tragedy, where, it is said, the entire tribe starved rather than sur-
render.
EARLY DISCOVERIES.
The first European discoveries in Illinois date back over two hun-
dred years. They are a part of that movement which, from the begin-
ning to the middle of the seventeenth century, brought the French
Canadian missionaries and fur traders into the Valley of the Mississippi,
and which, at a later period, established the civil and ecclesiastical
authority of France from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico,
and from the foot-hills of the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains.
The great river of the West had been discovered by DeSoto, the
Spanish conqueror of Florida, three quarters of a century before the
French founded Quebec in 1608, but the Spanish left the country a wil-
derness, without further exploration or settlement within its borders, in
which condition it remained until the Mississippi was discovered by the
agents of the French Canadian government, Jolietand Marquette, in 1673.
These renowned explorers were not the first white visitors to Illinois.
In 1671 two years in advance of them came Nicholas Perrot to Chicago.
He liar 1 been sent by Talon as an agent of the Canadian government to
109
110
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
HISTOBY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. Ill
call a great peace convention of "Western Indians at Green Bay, prepara-
tory to the movement for the discovery of the Mississippi. It was
deemed a good stroke of policy to secure, as far as possible, the friend-
ship and co-operation of the Indians, far and near, before venturing upon
an enterprise which their hostility might render disastrous, and which
their friendship and assistance would do so much to make successful ;
and to this end Perrot was sent to call together in council the tribes
throughout the Northwest, and to promise them the commerce and pro-
tection of the French government. He accordingly arrived at Green
Bay in 1671, and procuring an escort of Pottawattamies, proceeded in a
bark canoe upon a visit to the Miamis, at Chicago. Perrot was there-
fore the first European to set foot upon the soil of Illinois.
Still there were others before Marquette. In 1672, the Jesuit mis-
sionaries, Fathers Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, bore the standard
of the Cross from their mission at Green Bay through western Wisconsin
and northern Illinois, visiting the Foxes on Fox River, and the Masquo-
tines and Kickapoos at the mouth of the Milwaukee. These missionaries
penetrated on the route afterwards followed by Marquette as far as the
Kickapoo village at the head of Lake Winnebago, where Marquette, in
his journey, secured guides across the portage to the Wisconsin.
The oft-repeated story of Marquette and* Joliet is well known.
They were the agents employed by the Canadian government to discover
the Mississippi. Marquette was a native of France, born in 1637, a
Jesuit priest by education, and a man of simple faith and of great zeal and
devotion in extending the Roman Catholic religion among the Indians.
Arriving in Canada in 1666, he was sent as a missionary to the far
Northwest, and, in 1668, founded a mission at Sault Ste. Marie. The
following year he moved to La Pointe, in Lake Superior, where he
instructed a branch of the Hurons till 1670, when he removed south, and
founded the mission at St. Ignace, on the Straits of Mackinaw. Here
he remained, devoting a portion of his time to the study of the Illinois
language under a native teacher who had accompanied him to the mission
from La Pointe, till he was joined by Joliet in the Spring of 1673. By
the way of Green Bay and the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, they entered
the Mississippi, which they explored to the mouth of the Arkansas, and
returned by the way of the Illinois and Chicago Rivers to Lake Michigan.
On his way up the Illinois, Marquette visited the great village of
the Kaskaskias, near what is now Utica, in the county of LaSalle. The
following year he returned and established among them the mission of
the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was the first Jesuit mission founded
in Illinois and in the Mississippi Valley. The intervening winter he
had spent in a hut which his companions erected on the Chicago River, a
few leagues from its mouth. The founding of this mission was the last
112 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
act of Marquette's life. He died in Michigan, on his way back to Green
Bay, May 18, 1675.
FIRST FRENCH OCCUPATION.
The first French occupation of the territory now embraced in Illi-
nois was effected by LaSalle in 1680, seven years after the time of Mar-
quette and Joliet. LaSalle, having constructed a vessel, the " Griffin,"
above the falls of Niagara, which he sailed to Green Bay, and having
passed thence in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph River, by which
and the Kankakee he reached the Illinois, in January, 1680, erected Fort
Crevecceur, at the lower end of Peoria Lake, where the city of Peoria is
now situated. The place where this ancient fort stood may still be seen
just below the outlet of Peoria Lake. It was destined, however, to a
temporary existence. From this point, LaSalle determined to descend
the Mississippi to its mouth, but did not accomplish this purpose till two
years later in 1682. Returning to Fort Frontenac for the purpose of
getting materials with which to rig his vessel, he left the fort in charge of
Touti, his lieutenant, who during his absence was driven off by the Iro-
quois Indians. These savages had made a raid upon the settlement of
the Illinois, and had left nothing in their track but ruin and desolation.
Mr. Davidson, in his History of Illinois, gives the following graphic
account of the picture that met the eyes of LaSalle and his companions
on their return :
" At the great town of the Illinois they were appalled at the scene
which opened to their view. No hunter appeared to break its death-like
silence with a salutatory whoop ot welcome. The plain on which the
town had stood was now strewn with charred fragments of lodges, which
had so recently swarmed with savage life and hilarity. To render more
hideous the picture of desolation, large numbers of skulls had been
placed on the upper extremities of lodge-poles which had escaped the
devouring flames. In the midst of these horrors was the rude fort of
the spoilers, rendered frightful by the same ghastly relics. A near
approach showed that the graves had been robbed of their bodies, and
swarms of buzzards were discovered glutting their loathsome stomachs
on the reeking corruption. To complete the work of destruction, the
growing corn of the village had been cut down and burned, while the
pits containing the products of previous years, had been rifled and their
contents scattered with wanton waste. It was evident the suspected
blow of the Iroquois had fallen with relentless fury."
Tonti had escaped LaSalle knew not whither. Passing down the
lake in search of him and his men, LaSalle discovered that the fort had
been destroyed, but the vessel which he had partly constructed was still
HISTORY OF THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. 113
on the stocks, and but slightly injured. After further fruitless search,
failing to find Tonti, he fastened to a tree a painting representing himself
and parfy sitting in a canoe and bearing a pipe of peace, and to the paint-
ing attached a letter addressed to Tonti.
Tonti had escaped, and, after untold privations, taken shelter among
the Pottawattamies near Green Bay. These were friendly to the French.
One of their old chiefs used to say, " There were but three great cap-
tains in the world, himself, Tonti and LaSalle."
GENIUS OF LASALLE.
We musfc now return to LaSalle, whose exploits stand out in such
bold relief. He was born in Rouen, France, in 1643. His father was
wealthy, but he renounced his patrimony on entering a college of the
Jesuits, from which he separated and came to Canada a poor man in 1666.
The priests of St. Sulpice, among whom he had a brother, were then the
proprietors of Montreal, the nucleus of which was a seminary or con-
vent founded by that order. The Superior granted to LaSalle a large
tract of land at LaChine, where he established himself in the fur trade.
He was a man of daring genius, and outstripped all his competitors in
exploits of travel and commerce with the Indians. In 1669, he visited
the headquarters of the great Iroquois Confederacy, at Onondaga, in the
heart of New York, and, obtaining guides, explored the Ohio River to
the falls at Louisville.
In order to understand the genius of LaSalle, it must be remembered
that for many years prior to his time the missionaries and traders were
obliged to make their way to the Northwest by the Ottawa River (of
Canada) on account of the fierce hostility of the Iroquois along the lower
lakes and Niagara River, which entirely closed this latter route to the
Upper Lakes. They carried on their commerce chiefly by canoes, pad-
dling them through the Ottawa to Lake Nipissing, carrying them across
the portage to French River, and descending that to Lake Huron. This
being the route by which they reached the Northwest, accounts for the
fact that all the earliest Jesuit missions were established in the neighbor-
hood of the Upper Lakes. LaSalle conceived the grand idea of opening
the route by Niagara River and the Lower Lakes to Canadian commerce
by sail vessels, connecting it with the navigation of the Mississippi, and
thus opening a magnificent water communication from the Gulf of St.
Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. This truly grand and comprehensive
purpose seems to have animated him in all his wonderful achievements
and the matchless difficulties and hardships he surmounted. As the first
step in the accomplishment of this object he established himself on Lake
Ontario, and built and garrisoned Fort Frontenac, the site of the present
114 HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
city of Kingston, Canada. Here he obtained a grant of land from the
French crown and a body of troops by which he beat back the invading
Iroquois and cleared the passage to Niagara Falls. Having by this mas-
terly stroke made it safe to attempt a hitherto untried expedition, his
next step, as we have seen, was to advance to the Falls with all his
outfit for building a ship with which to sail the lakes. He was success-
ful in this undertaking, though his ultimate purpose was defeated by a
strange combination of untoward circumstances. The Jesuits evidently
hated LaSalle and plotted against him, because he had abandoned them
and co-operated with a rival order. The fur traders were also jealous of
his superior success in opening new channels of commerce. At LaChine
he had taken the trade of Lake Ontario, which but for his presence there
would have gone to Quebec. While they were plodding with their bans
canoes through the Ottawa he was constructing sailing vessels to com-
mand the trade of the lakes and tht Mississippi. These great plans
excited the jealousy and envy of the small traders, introduced treason and
revolt into the ranks of his own companions, and finally led to the foul
assassination by which his great achievements were prematurely ended.
In 1682, LaSalle, having completed his vessel at Peoria, descended
the Mississippi to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Erecting a
standard on which he inscribed the arms of France, he took formal pos-
session of the whole valley of the mighty river, in the name of Louis
XIV., then reigning, in honor of whom he named the country LOUISIANA.
LaSalle then went to France, was appointed Governor, and returned
with a fleet and immigrants, for the purpose of planting a colony in Illi-
nois. They arrived in due time in the Gulf of Mexico, but failing to
find the mouth of the Mississippi, up which LaSalle intended to sail, his
supply ship, with the immigrants, was driven ashore and wrecked on
Matagorda Bay. With the fragments of the vessel he constructed a
stockade and rude huts on the shore for the protection of the immigrants,
calling the post Fort St. Louis. He then made a trip into New Mexico,
in search of silver mines, but, meeting with disappointment, returned to
find his little colony reduced to forty souls. He then resolved to travel
on foot to Illinois, and, starting with his companions, had reached the
valley of the Colorado, near the mouth of Trinity river, when he was
shot by one of his men. This occurred on the 19th of March, 1687.
Dr. J. W. Foster remarks of him : " Thus fell, not far from the banks
of the Trinity, Robert Cavalier de la Salle, one of the grandest charac-
ters that ever figured in American history a man capable of originating
the vastest schemes, and endowed with a will and a judgment capable of
carrying them to successful results. Had ample facilities been placed by
the King of France at his disposal, the result of the colonization of this
continent might have been far different from what we now behold."
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 115
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
A temporary settlement was made at Fort St. Louis, or the old Kas-
kaskia village, on the Illinois River, in what is now LaSalle County, in
1682. In 1690, this was removed, with the mission connected with it, to
Kaskaskia, on the river of that name, emptying into the lower Mississippi
in St. 'Glair County. Cahokia was settled about the same time, or at
least, both of these settlements began in the year 1690, though it is now
pretty well settled that Cahokia is the older place, and ranks as the oldest
permanent settlement in Illinois), as well as in the Mississippi Valley.
The reason for the removal of the old Kaskaskia settlement and mission,
was probably because the dangerous and difficult route by Lake Michigan
and the Chicago portage had been almost abandoned, and travelers and
traders passed down and up the Mississippi by the Fox and Wisconsin
River route. They removed to the vicinity of the Mississippi in order
to be in the line of travel from Canada to Louisiana, that is, the lower
part of it, for it was all Louisiana then south of the lakes.
During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population prob-
ably never exceeded ten thousand, including whites and blacks. Within
that portion of it now included in Indiana, trading posts were established
at the principal Miami villages which stood on the head waters of the
Maumee, the Wea villages situated at Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and
the Piankeshaw villages at Post Vincennes ; all of which were probably
visited by French traders and missionaries before the close of the seven-
teenth century.
In the vast territory claimed by the French, many settlements of
considerable importance had sprung up. Biloxi, on Mobile Bay, had
been founded by D'Iberville, in 1699 ; Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac had
founded Detroit in 1701 ; and New Orleans had been founded by Bien-
ville, under the auspices of the Mississippi Company, in 1718. In Illi-
nois also, considerable settlements had been made, so that in 1730 they
embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six hundred " con-
verted Indians," and many traders and voyageurs. In that portion of the
country, on the east side of the Mississippi, there were five distinct set-
tlements, with their respective villages, viz. : Cahokia, near the mouth
of Cahokia Creek and about five miles below the present city of St.
Louis ; St. Philip, about forty-five miles below Cahokia, and four miles
above Fort Chartres ; Fort Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia ;
Kaskaskia, situated on the Kaskaskia River, five miles above its conflu-
ence with the Mississippi ; and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres.
To these must be added St. Genevieve and St. Louis, on the west side
of the Mississippi. These, with the exception of St. Louis, are among
116
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 117
the oldest French towns in the Mississippi Valley. Kaskaskia, in its best
days, was a town of some two or three thousand inhabitants. After it
passed from the crown of France its population for many years did not
exceed fifteen hundred. Under British rule, in 1773, the population had
decreased to four hundred and fifty. As early as 1721, the Jesuits had
, established a college and a monastery in Kaskaskia.
Fort Chartres was first built under the direction of the Mississippi
Company, in 1718, by M. de Boisbraint, a military officer, under command
of Bienville. It stood on the east bank of the Mississippi, about eighteen
miles below Kaskaskia, and was for some time the headquarters of the
military commandants of the district of Illinois.
In the Centennial Oration of Dr. Fowler, delivered at Philadelphia,
by appointment of Gov. Beveridge, we find some interesting facts with
regard to the State of Illinois, which we appropriate in this history:
In 1682 Illinois became a possession of the French crown, a depend-
ency of Canada, and a part of Louisiana. In 1765 the English flag was
run up on old Fort Chartres, and Illinois was counted among the treas-
ures of Great Britain.
In 1779 it was taken from the English by Col. George Rogers Clark,
This man was resolute in nature, wise in council, prudent in policy, bold
in action, and heroic in danger. Few men who have figured in the his-
tory of America are more deserving than this colonel. Nothing short of
first-class ability could have rescued Vincens and all Illinois from the
English. And it is not possible to over-estimate the influence of this-
achievement upon the republic. In 1779 Illinois became a part of Vir-
ginia. It was soon known as Illinois County. In 1784 Virginia ceded
all this territory to the general government, to be cut into States, to be
republican in form, with " the same right of sovereignty, freedom, and
independence as the other States."
In 1787 it was the object of the wisest and ablest legislation found
in any merely human records. No man can study the secret history of
THE "COMPACT OF 1787,"
and not feel that Providence was guiding with sleepless eye these unborn
States. The ordinance that on July 13, 1787, finally became the incor-
porating act, has a most marvelous history. Jefferson had vainly tried
to secure a system of government for the northwestern territory. He
was an emancipationist of that day, and favored the exclusion of slavery
from the territory Virginia had ceded to the general government ; but
the South voted him down as often as it came up. In 1787, as late as-
July 10, an organizing act without the anti-slavery clause was pending.
This concession to the South was expected to carry it. Congress was in
118 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
session in New York City. On July 5, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of
Massachusetts, came into New York to lobby on the northwestern terri-
tory. Everything seemed to fall into his hands. Events were ripe.
The state of the public credit, the growing of Southern prejudice,
the basis of his mission, his personal character, all combined to complete
one of those sudden and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that
once in five or ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the
breath of the Almighty. Cutler was a graduate of Yale received his
A.M. from Harvard, and his D.D. from Yale. He had studied and taken
degrees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. He
had thus America's best indorsement. He had published a scientific
examination of the plants of New England. His name stood second only
to that of Franklin as a scientist in America. He was a courtly gentle-
man of the old style, a man of commanding presence, and of inviting
face. The Southern members said they had never seen such a gentleman
in the North. He came representing a company that desired to purchase
a tract of land now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colon}*.
It was a speculation. Government money was worth eighteen cents on
the dollar. This Massachusetts company had collected enough to pur-
chase 1,500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in New York made
Dr. Cutler their agent (lobbyist). On the 12th he represented a demand
for 5,500,000 acres. This would reduce the national debt. Jefferson
and Virginia were regarded as authority concerning the land Virginia
had just ceded. Jefferson's policy wanted to provide for the public credit,
and this was a good opportunity to do something.
Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the northwestern
region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught the inspira-
tion, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The English minister invited him to
dine with some of the Southern gentlemen. He was the center of interest.
The entire South rallied round him. Massachusetts could not vote
against him, because many of the constituents of her members were
interested personally in the western speculation. Thus Cutler, making
friends with the South, and, doubtless, using all the arts of the lobby,
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convictions, he
dictated one of the most compact and finished documents of wise states-
manship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from
Jefferson the term " Articles of Compact," which, preceding the federal
constitution, rose into the most sacred character. He then followed very
closely the constitution of Massachusetts, adopted three years before.
Its most marked points were :
1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever.
2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a seminary,
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 119
and every section numbered 16 in each township ; that is, one-thirty-six th
of all the land, for public schools.
3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or the.
enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts.
Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " Religion,
morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always
be encouraged."
Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield.
Giving his unqualified declaration that it was that or nothing that unless,
they could make the land desirable they did not want it he took his
horse and buggy, and started for the constitutional convention in Phila-
delphia. On July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was
unanimously adopted, every Southern member voting for it, and only one
man, Mr. Yates, of New York, voting against it. But as the States voted
as States, Yates lost his vote, and the compact was put beyond repeal.
Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis-
consin a vast empire, the heart of the great valley were consecrated
to freedom, intelligence, and honesty. Thus the great heart of the nation
was prepared for a year and a day and an hour. In the light of these eighty-
nine years I affirm that this act was the salvation of the republic and the
destruction of slavery. Soon the South saw their great blunder, and
tried to repeal the compact. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee
of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance
was a compact, and opposed repeal. Thus it stood a rock, in the way
of the on-rushing sea of slavery.
With all this timely aid it was, after all, a most desperate and pro-
tracted struggle to keep the soil of Illinois sacred to freedom. It was
the natural battle-field for the irrepressible conflict. In the southern end
of the State slavery preceded the compact. It existed among the old
French settlers, and was hard to eradicate. The southern part of the
State was settled from the slave States, and this population brought their
laws, customs, and institutions with them. A stream of population from
the North poured into the northern part of the State. These sections
misunderstood and hated each other perfectly. The Southerners regarded
the Yankees as a skinning, tricky, penurious race of peddlers, filling the
country with tinware, brass clocks, and wooden nutmegs. The North-
erner thought of the Southerner as a lean, lank, lazy creature, burrowing
in a hut, and rioting in whisky, dirt and ignorance. These causes aided-'
in making the struggle long and bitter. So strong was the sympathy
with slavery that, in spite of the ordinance of 1787, and in spite of the
deed of cession, it was determined to allow the old French settlers to
retain their slaves. Planters from the slave States mi^ht brinsr their'
120 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
slaves, if they would give them a chance to choose freedom or years
of service and bondage for their children till they should become
thirty years of age. If they chose freedom they must leave the State
in sixty days or be sold as fugitives. Servants were whipped for offenses
for which white men are fined. Each lash paid forty cents of the fine. A
negro ten miles from home without a pass was whipped. These famous
laws were imported from the slave States just as they imported laws foi
the inspection of flax and wool when there was neither in the State.
These Black Laws are now wiped out. A vigorous effort was made
to protect slavery in the State Constitution of 1817. It barely failed.
It was renewed in 1825, when a convention was asked to make a new
constitution. After a hard fight the convention was defeated. But
slaves did not disappear from the census of the State until 1850. There
were mobs and murders in the interest of slavery. Lovejoy was added
to the list of martyrs a sort of first-fruits of that long life of immortal
heroes who saw freedom as the one supreme desire of their souls, and
were so enamored of her that they preferred to die rather than survive her.
The population of 12,282 that occupied the territory in A.D. 1800,
increased to 45,000 in A.D. 1818, when the State Constitution was
adopted, and Illinois took her place in the Union, with a star on the flag
and two votes in the Senate.
Shadrach Bond was the first Governor, and in his first message he
recommended the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
The simple economy in those days is seen in the fact that the entire
bill for stationery for the first Legislature was only $13.50. Yet this
simple body actually enacted a very superior code.
There was no money in the territory before the war of 1812. Deer
skins and coon skins were the circulating medium. In 1821, the Legis-
lature ordained a 1 State Bank on the credit of the State. It issued notes
in the likeness of bank bills. These notes were made a legal tender for
every thing, and the bank was ordered to loan to the people $100 on per-
sonal security, and more on mortgages. They actually passed a resolu-
tion requesting the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to
receive these notes for land. The old French Lieutenant Governor, Col.
Menard, put the resolution as follows : " Gentlemen of the Senate : It is
moved and seconded dot de notes of dis bank be made land-office money.
All in favor of dat motion say aye ; all against it say no. It is decided
in de affirmative. Now, gentlemen, I bet you one hundred dollar he
xiever be land-office money ! " Hard sense, like hard money, is always
above par.
This old Frenchman presents a fine figure up against the dark back-
ground of most of his nation. They made no progress. They clung to
their earliest and simplest implements. They never wore hats or cap?
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 121
They pulled their blankets over their heads in the winter like the Indians,
with whom they freely intermingled.
Demagogism had an early development. One John Grammar (only
in name), elected to the Territorial and State Legislatures of 1816 and
1836, invented the policy of opposing every new thing, saying, " If it
succeeds, no one will ask who voted against it. If it proves a failure, he
could quote its record." In sharp contrast with Grammar was the char-
acter of D. P. Cook, after whom the county containing Chicago was
named. Such was his transparent integrity and remarkable ability that
his will was almost the law of the State. In Congress, a young man,
.and from a poor State, he was made Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. He was pre-eminent for standing by his committee, regard-
less of consequences. It was his integrity that elected John Quincy
Adams to the Presidency. There were four candidates in 1824, Jackson,
Clay, Crawford, and John Quincy Adams. There being no choice by the
people, the election was thrown into the House. It was so balanced that
it turned on his vote, and that he cast for Adams, electing him; then
went home to face the wrath of the Jackson party in Illinois. It cost
him all but character and greatness. It is a suggestive comment on the
times, that there was no legal interest till 1830. It often reached 150
per cent., usually 50 per cent. Then it was reduced to 12, and now to
10 per cent.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PRAIRIE STATE.
In area the State has 55,410 square miles of territory. It is about
150 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching in latitude from Maine to
North Carolina. It embraces wide variety of climate. It is tempered
on the north by the great inland, saltless, tideless sea, which keeps the
thermometer from either extreme. Being a table land, from 600 to 1,600
feet above the level of the sea, one is prepared to find on the health
maps, prepared by the general government, an almost clean and perfect
record. In freedom from fever and malarial diseases and consumptions,
the three deadly enemies of the American Saxon, Illinois, as a State,
stands without a superior. She furnishes one of the essential conditions
of a great people sound bodies. I suspect that this fact lies back of
that old Delaware word, Illini, superior men.
The great battles of history that have been determinative of dynas-
ties and destinies have been strategical battles, chiefly the question of
position. Thermopylae has been the war-cry of freemen for twenty-four
centuries. It only tells how much there may be in position. All this
advantage belongs to Illinois. It is in the heart of the greatest valley in
the world, the vast region between the mountains a valley that could
122 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
feed mankind for one thousand years. It is well on toward the center of
the continent. It is in the great temperate belt, in which have been
found nearly all the aggressive civilizations of history. It has sixty-five
miles of frontage on the head of the lake. With the Mississippi forming
the western and southern boundary, with the Ohio running along the
southeastern line, with the Illinois River and Canal dividing the State
Diagonally from the lake to the Lower Mississippi, and with the Rock and
Wabash Rivers furnishing altogether 2,000 miles of water-front, con-
necting with, and running through, in all about 12,000 miles of navi-
gable water.
But this is not all. These waters are made most available by the
fact that the lake and the State lie on the ridge running into the great
valley from the east. Within cannon-shot of the lake the water runs
away from the lake to the Gulf. The lake now empties at both ends,
one into the Atlantic and one into the Gulf of Mexico. The lake thus
seems to hang over the land. This makes the dockage most serviceable ;
there are no steep banks to damage it. Both lake and river are made
for use.
The climate varies from Portland to Richmond ; it favors every pro-
duct of the continent, including the tropics, with less than half a dozen
exceptions. It produces every great nutriment of the world except ban-
anas and rice. It is hardly too much to say that it is the most productive
spot known to civilization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full
of minerals ; with an upper surface of food and an under layer of fuel ;
with perfect natural drainage, and abundant springs and streams and
navigable rivers ; half way between the forests of the North and the fruits
of the South ; within a day's ride of the great deposits of iron, coal, cop-
per, lead, and zinc ; containing and controlling the great grain, cattle,
pork, and lumber markets of the world, it is not strange that Illinois has
the advantage of position.
This advantage has been supplemented by the character of the popu-
lation. In the early days when Illinois was first admitted to the Union,
her population were chiefly from Kentucky and Virginia. But, in the
conflict of ideas concerning slavery, a strong tide of emigration canie in
from the East, and soon changed this composition. In 1870 her non-
native population were from colder soils. New York furnished 133,290 ;
Ohio gave 162,623; Pennsylvania sent on 98,352; the entire South gave
us only 206,734. In all her cities, and in all her German and Scandina-
vian and other foreign colonies, Illinois has only about one-fifth of her
people of foreign birth.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT.
One of the greatest elements in the early development of Illinois is-
she Illinois and Michigan Canal, connecting the Illinois and Mississippi
Rivers with the lakes. It was of the utmost importance to the State.
It was recommended by Gov. Bond, the first governor, in his first message.
In 1821, the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route.
Two bright young engineers surveyed it, and estimated the cost at
$600,000 or $700,000. It finally cost $8,000,000. In 1825, a law was
passed to incorporate the Canal Company, but no stock was sold. In
1826, upon the solicitation of Cook, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land
on the line of the work. In 1828, another law commissioners appointed,
and work commenced with new survey and new estimates. In 1834-35,
George Farquhar made an able report on the whole matter. This was,
doubtless, the ablest report ever made to a western legislature, and it
became the model for subsequent reports and action. From this the
work went on till it was finished in 1848. It cost the State a large
amount of money ; but it gave to the industries of the State an impetus
that pushed it up into the first rank of greatness. It was not built as a
speculation any more than a doctor is employed on a speculation. But
it has paid into the Treasury of the State an average annual net sum of
over $111,000.
Pending the construction of the canal, the land and town-lot fever
broke out in the State, in 183435. It took on the malignant type in
Chicago, lifting the town up into a city. The disease spread over the
entire State and adjoining States. It was epidemic. It cut up men's
farms without regard to locality, and *ut up the purses of the purchasers
without regard to consequences. It is estimated that building lots enough
were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the
United States.
Towns and cities were exported to the Eastern market by the ship-
load. There was no lack of buyers. Every up-ship came freighted with
speculators and their money.
This distemper seized upon the Legislature in 1836-37, and left not
one to tell the tale. They enacted a system of internal improvement
without a parallel in the grandeur of its conception. They ordered the
construction of 1,300 miles of railroad, crossing the State in all direc-
tions. This was surpassed by the river and canal improvements.
There were a few counties not touched by either railroad or river or
canal, and those were to be comforted and compensated by the free dis-
tribution of $200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond cre-
dence it was ordered that work should be commenced on both ejids of
124 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the
same time. The appropriations for these vast improvements were over
$12,000,000, and commissioners were appointed to borrow the money OD
the credit of the State. Remember that all this was in the early days of
railroading, when railroads were luxuries ; that the State had whole
Bounties with scarcely a cabin ; and that the population of the State was
less than 400,000, and you can form some idea of the vigor with which
these brave men undertook the work of making a great State. In the
light of history I am compelled to say that this was only a premature
throb of the power that actually slumbered in the soil of the State. It
was Hercules in the cradle.
At this juncture the State Bank loaned its funds largely to Godfrey
Oilman & Co., and to other leading houses, for the purpose of drawing
trade from St. Louis to Alton. Soon they failed, and took down the
bank with them.
In 1840, all hope seemed gone. A population of 480,000 were loaded
with a debt of $14,000,000. It had only six small cities, really only
towns, namely : Chicago, Alton, Springfield, Quincy, Galena, Nauvoo.
This debt was to be cared for when there was not a dollar in the treas-
ury, and when the State had borrowed itself out of all credit, and when
there was not good money enough in the hands of all the people to pay
the interest of the debt for a single year. Yet, in the presence of all
these difficulties, the young State steadily refused to repudiate. Gov.
Ford took hold of the problem and solved it, bringing the State through
in triumph.
Having touched lightly upon some of the more distinctive points in
the history of the development of Illinois, let us next briefly consider the
MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE.
It is a garden four hundred miles long and one hundred and fifty
miles wide. Its soil is chiefly a black sandy loam, from six inches to
sixty feet thick. On the American bottoms it has been cultivated for
one hundred and fifty years without renewal. About the old French
towns it has yielded corn for a century and a half without rest or help.
It produces nearly everything green in the temperate and tropical zones.
She leads all other States in the number of acres actually under plow.
Her products from 25,000,000 of acres are incalculable. Her mineral
wealth is scarcely second to her agricultural power. She has coal, iron,
lead, copper, zinc, 'many varieties of building stone, fire clay, cuma clay,
common brick clay, sand of all kinds, gravel, mineral paint every thing
needed for a high civilization. Left to herself, she has the elements of
all greatness. The single item of coal is too vast for an appreciative
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 125
handling in figures. We can handle it in general terms like algebraical
signs, but long before we get up into the millions and billions the human
mind drops down from comprehension to mere symbolic apprehension.
When I tell you that nearly four-fifths of the entire State is under-
laid with a deposit of coal more than forty feet thick on the average (now
estimated, by recent surveys, at seventy feet thick), you can get some
idea of its amount, as you do of the amouut of the national debt. There
it is ! 41,000 square miles one vast mine into which you could put
any of the States ; in which you could bury scores of European and
ancient empires, and have room enough all round to work without know-
ing that they had been sepulchered there.
Put this vast coal-bed down by the other great coal deposits of the
world, and its importance becomes manifest. Great Britain has 12,000
square miles of coal; Spain, 3,000; France, 1,719; Belgium, 578; Illinois
about twice as many square miles as all combined. Virginia has 20,000
square miles ; Pennsylvania, 16,000 ; Ohio, 12,000. Illinois has 41,000
square miles. One-seventh of all the known coal on this continent is in
Illinois.
Could we sell the coal in this single State for one-seventh of one cent
a ton it would pay the national debt. Converted into power, even with
the wastage in our common engines, it would do more work than could
be done by the entire race, beginning at Adam's wedding and working
ten hours a day through all the centuries till the present time, and right
on into the future at the same rate for the next 600,000 years.
Great Britain uses enough mechanical power to-day to give to each
man, woman, and child in the kingdom the help and service of nineteen
untiring servants. No wonder she has leisure and luxuries. No wonder
the home of the common artisan has in it more luxuries than could be
found in the palace of good old King Arthur. Think, if you can conceive
of it, of the vast army of servants that slumber in the soil of Illinois,
impatiently awaiting the call of Genius to come forth to minister to our
comfort.
At the present rate of consumption England's coal supply will be
exhausted in 250 years. When this is gone she must transfer her dominion
either to the Indies, or to British America, which I would not resist ; or
to some other people, which I would regret as a loss to civilization.
COAL IS KING.
At the same rate of consumption (which far exceeds our own) the
deposit of coal in Illinois will last 120,000 years. And her kingdom shall
be an everlasting kingdom.
Let us turn, now from this reserve power to the annual products of
126 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
the State. We shall not be humiliated in this field. Here we strike the
secret of our national credit. Nature provides a market in the constant
appetite of the race. Men must eat, and if we can furnish the provisions
we can command the treasure. All that a man hath will he give for his
life.
According to the last census Illinois produced 30,000,000 of bushels
of wheat. That is more wheat than was raised by any other State in the
Union. She raised In 1875, 130,000,000 of bushels of corn twice as
much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn raised in the United
States. She harvested 2,747,000 tons of hay, nearly one-tenth of all the
hay in the Republic. It is not generally appreciated, but it is true, that
the hay crop of the country is worth more than the cotton crop. The
hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana. Go to Charleston, S. C.,
and see them peddling handfuls of hay or grass, almost as a curiosity,
as we regard Chinese gods or the cryolite of Greenland ; drink your
coffee and condensed milk; and walk back from the coast for many a
league through the sand and burs till you ge't up into the better atmos-
phere of the mountains, without seeing a waving meadow or a grazing
herd ; then you will begin to appreciate the meadows of the Prairie State,
where the grass often grows sixteen feet high.
The value of her farm implements is $211,000,000, and the value of
her live stock is only second to the great State of New York. in 1875
she had 25,000,000 hogs, and packed 2,113,845, about one-half of all that
were packed in the United States. This is no insignificant item. Pork
is a growing demand of the old world. Since the laborers of Europe
have gotten a taste of our bacon, and we have learned how to pack it dry
in boxes, like dry goods, the world has becopie the market.
The hog is on the march into the future. His nose is ordained to
uncover the secrets of dominion, and his feet shall be guided by the star
of empire.
Illinois marketed $57,000,000 worth of slaughtered animals more
than any other State, and a seventh of all the States.
Be patient with me, and pardon my pride, and I will give you a list
of some of the things in which Illinois excels all other States.
Depth and richness of soil ; per cent, of good ground ; acres of
improved land ; large farms some farms contain from- 40, 000 to 60,000
acres of cultivated land, 40,000 acres of corn on a single farm ; number of
farmers ; amount of wheat, corn, oats and honey produced ; value of ani-
mals for slaughter ; number of hogs ; amount of pork ; number of horses
three times as many as Kentucky, the horse State.
Illinois excels all other States in miles of railroads and in miles of
postal service, and in money orders sold per annum, and in the amount of
lumber sold in her markets.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 127
Illinois is only second in many important matters. This sample list
comprises a few of the more important : Permanent school fund (good
for a young state) ; total income for educational purposes ; number of pub-
lishers of books, maps, papers, etc.; value of farm products and imple-
ments, and of live stock ; in tons of coal mined.
The shipping of Illinois is only second to New York. Out of one
port during the business hours of the season of navigation she sends forth
a vessel every ten minutes. This does not include canal boats, which go
one every five minutes. No wonder she is only second in number of
bankers and brokers or in physicians and surgeons.
She is third in colleges, teachers and schools ; cattle, lead, hay,
flax, sorghum and beeswax.
She is fourth in population, ?n children enrolled in public schools, in
law schools, in butter, potatoes and carriages.
She is fifth in value of real and personal property, in theological
seminaries and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold, and in boots
and shoes manufactured, and in book-binding.
She is only seventh in the production of wood, while she is the
twelfth in area. Surely that is well done for the Prairie State. She now
has much more wood and growing timber than she had thirty years ago.
A few leading industries will justify emphasis. She manufactures
$205,000,000 worth of goods, which places her well up toward New York
and Pennsylvania. The number of her manufacturing establishments
increased from 1860 to 1870, 300 per cent.; capital employed increased 350
per cent., and the amount of product increased 400 per cent. She issued
5,500,000 copies of commercial and financial newspapers only second to
New York. She has 6,759 miles of railroad, thus leading all other States,
worth $636,458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train
long enough to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her
stations are only five miles apart. She carried last year 15,795,000 passen-
gers, an average of 36^ miles, or equal to taking her entire population twice
across the State. More than two-thirds of her land is within five miles of
a railroad, and less than two per cent, is more than fifteen miles away.
The State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central railroad.
The road was incorporated in 1850, and the State gave each alternate sec-
tion for six miles on each side, and doubled the price of the remaining
land, so keeping herself good. The road received 2,595,000 acres of land,
and pays to the State one-seventh of the gross receipts. The State
receives this year $350,000, and has received in all about $7,000,000. It
is practically the people's road, and it has a most able and gentlemanly
management. Add to this the annual receipts from the canal, $111,000,
and a large per cent, of the State tax is provided for.
128 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE RELIGION AND MORALS
of the State keep step with her productions and growth. She was born
of the missionary spirit. It was a minister who secured for her the ordi-
nance of 1787, by which she has been saved from slavery, ignorance, and
dishonesty. Rev. Mr. Wiley, pastor of a Scotch congregation in Randolph
County, petitioned the Constitutional Convention of 1818 to recognize
Jesus Christ as king, and the Scriptures as the only necessary guide and
book of law. The convention did not act in the case, and the old Cove-
nanters refused to accept citizenship. They never voted until 1824, when
the slavery question was submitted to the people; then they all voted
against it and cast the determining votes. Conscience has predominated
whenever a great moral question has been submitted to the people.
But little mob violence has ever been felt in the State. In 1817
regulators disposed of a band of horse-thieves that infested the territory.
The Mormon indignities finally awoke the same spirit. Alton was also
the scene of a pro-slavery mob, in' which Lovejoy was added to the list of
martyrs. The moral sense of the people makes the law supreme, and gives
to the State unruffled peace.
With $22,300,000 in church property, and 4,298 church organizations,
the State has that divine police, the sleepless patrol of moral ideas, that
alone is able to secure perfect safety. Conscience takes the knife from
the assassin's hand and the bludgeon from the grasp of the highwayman.
We sleep in safety, not because we are behind bolts and bars these only
fence against the innocent ; not because a lone officer drowses on a distant
corner of a street; not because a sheriff may call his posse from a remote
part of the county ; but because conscience guards the very portals of the
air and stirs in the deepest recesses of the public mind. This spirit issues
within the State 9,500,000 copies of religious papers annually, and receives
still more from without. Thus the crime of the State is only one-fourth
that of New York and one-half that of Pennsylvania.
Illinois never had but one duel between her own citizens. In Belle-
ville, in 1820, Alphonso Stewart and William Bennett arranged to vindi-
cate injured honor. The seconds agreed to make it a sham, and make
them shoot blanks. Stewart was in the secret. Bennett mistrusted some-
thing, and, unobserved, slipped a bullet into his gun and killed Stewart.
He then fled the State. After two years he was caught, tried, convicted,
and, in spite of friends and political aid, was hung. This fixed the code
of honor on a Christian basis, and terminated its use in Illinois.
The early preachers were ignorant men, who were accounted eloquent
according to the strength of their voices. But they set the style for all
public speakers. Lawyers and political speakers followed this rule. Gov.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 129
Ford says: "Nevertheless, these first preachers were of incalculable
benefit to the country. They inculcated justice and morality. To them
are we indebted for the first Christian character of the Protestant portion
of the people."
In education Illinois surpasses her material resources. The ordinance
of 1787 consecrated one thirty-sixth of her soil to common schools, and
the law of 1818, the first law that went upon her statutes, gave three per
cent, of all the rest to
EDUCATION.
The old compact secures this interest forever, and by its yoking
morality and intelligence it precludes the legal interference with the Bible
in the public schools. With such a start it is natural that we should have
11,050 schools, and that our illiteracy should be less than New York or
Pennsylvania, and only about one-half of Massachusetts. We are not to
blame for not having more than one-half as many idiots as the great
States. These public schools soon made colleges inevitable. The first
college, still flourishing, was started in Lebanon in 1828, by the M. E.
church, and named after Bishop McKendree. Illinois College, at Jackson-
ville, supported by the Presbyterians, followed in 1830. In 1832 the Bap-
tists built Shurtleff College, at Alton. Then the Presbyterians built Knox
College, at Galesburg, in 1838, and the Episcopalians built Jubilee College,
at Peoria, in 1847. After these early years colleges have rained down.
A settler could hardly encamp on the prairie but a college would spring
up by his wagon. The State now has one very well endowed and equipped
university, namely, the Northwestern University, at Evanston, with six
colleges, ninety instructors, over 1,000 students, and $1,500,000 endow-
ment.
Rev. J. M. Peck was the first educated Protestant minister in tne
State. He settled at Rock Spring, in St. Clair County, 1820, and left his
impress on the State. Before 1837 only party papers were published, but
Mr. Peck published a Gazetteer of Illinois. Soon after John Russell, of
Bluffdale, published essays and tales showing genius. Judge James Hall
published The Illinois Monthly Magazine with great ability, and an animal
called The Western Souvenir, which gave him an enviable fame all over the
United States. From these beginnings Illinois has gone on till she has
more volumes in public libaaries even than Massachusetts, and of the
44,500,000 volumes in all the public libraries of the United States, she
has one-thirteenth. In newspapers she stands fourth. Her increase is
marvelous. In 1850 she issued 5,000,000 copies; in 1860, 27,590,000 ; in
1870, 113,140,000. In 1860 she had eighteen colleges and seminaries ; in
1870 she had eighty. That is a grand advance for the war decade.
This brings us to a record unsurpassed in the history of any age,
loO HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE WAR RECORD OF ILLINOIS.
s
I hardly know where to begin, or how to advance, or what to say. J
can at best give you only a broken synopsis of her deeds, and you must
put them in the order of glory for yourself. Her sons have always been
foremost on fields of danger. In 1832-33, at the call of Gov. Reynolds,
her sons drove Blackhawk over the Mississippi.
When the Mexican war came, in May, 1846, 8,370 men offered them-
selves when only 3,720 could be accepted. The fields of Buena Vista and
Vera Cruz, and the storming of Cerro Gordo, will carry the glory of Illinois
soldiers along after the infamy of the cause they served has been forgotten.
But it was reserved till our day for her sons to find a field and cause and
foemen that could fitly illustrate their spirit and heroism. Illinois put
into her own regiments for the United States government 256,000 men,
and into the army through other States enough to swell the number to
290,000. This far exceeds all the soldiers of the federal government in
all the war of the revolution. Her total years of service were over 600,000.
She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-five years of age when the law
of Congress in 1864 the test time only asked for those from twenty to
forty-five. Her enrollment was otherwise excessive. Her people wanted
to go, and did not take the pains to correct the enrollment. Thus the
basis of fixing the quota was too great, and then the quota itself, at least
in the trying time, was far above any other State.
Thus the demand on some counties, as Monroe, for example, took every
able-bodied man in the county, and then did not have enough to fill the
quota. Moreover, Illinois sent 20,844 men for ninety or one hundred days,
for whom no credit was asked. When Mr. Lincoln's attention was called
to the inequality of the quota compared with other States, he replied,
" The country needs the sacrifice. We must put the whip on the free
horse." In spite of all these disadvantages Illinois gave to the country
73,000 years of service above all calls. With one-thirteenth of the popu-
lation of the loyal States, she sent regularly one-tenth of all the soldiers,
and in the peril of the closing calls, when patriots were few and weary,
she then sent one-eighth of all that were called for by her loved and hon-
ored son in the white house. Her mothers and daughters went into the
fields to raise the grain and keep the children together, while the fathers
and older sons went to the harvest fields of the world. I knew a father
and four sons who agreed that one of them must stay at home ; and they
pulled straws from a stack to see who might go. The father was left.
The next day he came into the camp, saying : " Mother says she can get
the crops in, and I am going, too." I know large Methodist churches
from which every male member went to the army. Do you want to know
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 131
what these heroes from Illinois did in the field ? Ask any soldier with a
good record of his own, who is thus able to judge, and he will tell you
that the Illinois men went in to win. It is common history that the greater
victories were won in the West. When everything else looked dark Illi-
nois was gaining victories all down the river, and dividing the confederacy.
Sherman took with him on his great march forty-five regiments of Illinois
infantry, three companies of artillery, and one company of cavalry. He
could not avoid
GOING TO THE SEA.
If he had been killed, I doubt not the men would have gone right on.
Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible ;
there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers
brought home 300 battle-flags. The first United States flag that floated
over Richmond was an Illinois fl'ag. She sent messengers and nurses to
every field and hospital, to care for her sick and wounded sons. She said,
41 These suffering ones are my sons, and I will care for them."
When individuals had given all, then cities and towns came forward
with their credit to the extent of many millions, to aid these men and
their families.
Illinois gave the country the great general of the war Ulysses S.
Grant since honored with two terms of the Presidency of the United
States.
One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all
hearts, that must have the supreme place in this story of our glory and
of our nation's honor ; that name is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois.
The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on account of its
symmetry.
In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty.
And well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length
and breadth of our country who knew him only as u Honest Old Abe,"
voted for him on that account ; and wisely did they choose, for no other
man could have carried us through the fearful night of the war. When
his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause
too sublime for our participation ; when it was all night about us, and all
dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us ; when not one ray
shone upon our cause ; when traitors were haughty and exultant at the
South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North ; when the loyal men here
seemed almost in the minority ; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest
cheek paled ; when generals were defeating each other for place, and
contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the prostrate
republic : when every thing else had failed us, we looked at this calm,
patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said: " Mr. Lincoln
132 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with
the energy of faith and despair we held together, and, under God, he
brought us through to victory.
His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such
certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his
foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic.
He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory shall shed a
glory upon this age that shall fill the eyes of men as they look into his-
tory. Other men have excelled him in some point, but, taken at all
points, all in all, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of
6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of
unparalleled civil war. A statesman, he justified his measures by their
success. A philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to
another. A moralist, he bowed from the summit of human power to the
foot of the Cross, and became a Christian. A mediator, he exercised mercy
under the most absolute abeyance to law. A leader, he was no partisan.
A commander, he was untainted with blood. A ruler in desperate times,
he was unsullied with crime. A man, he has left no word of passion, no
thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of
selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model, and without a peer,
he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that
is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming
time the representative of the divine idea of free government.
It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the
republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time ; when the great
war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon ;
when the Anglo-Saxon language shall be spoken only by the tongue of
the stranger ; then the generations looking this way shall see the great
president as the supreme figure in this vortex of history
CHICAGO.
It is impossible in our brief space to give more than a meager sketch
of such a city as Chicago, which is in itself the greatest marvel of the
Prairie State. This mysterious, majestic, mighty city, born first of water,
and next of fire ; sown in weakness, and raised in power ; planted among
the willows of the marsh, and crowned with the glory of the mountains ;
sleeping on the bosom of the prairie, and rocked on the bosom of the sea ;
the youngest city of the world, and still the eye of the prairie, as Damas-
cus, the oldest city of the world, is the eye of the desert. AVith a com-
merce far exceeding that of Corinth on her isthmus, in the highway to
the East ; with the defenses of a continent piled around her by the thou-
sand miles, making her far safer than Rome on the banks of the Tiber :
HISTORY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
133
134 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
with schools eclipsing Alexandria and Athens ; with liberties more con-
spicuous than those of the old republics ; with a heroism equal to the first
Carthage, and with a sanctity scarcely second to that of Jerusalem set
your thoughts on all this, lifted into the eyes of all men by the miracle of
its growth, illuminated by the flame of its fall, and transfigured by the
divinity of its resurrection, and you will feel, as I do, the utter impossi-
bility of compassing this subject as it deserves. Some impression of her
importance is received from the shock her burning gave to the civilized
world.
When the doubt of her calamity was removed, and the horrid fact
was accepted, there went a shudder over all cities, and a quiver over all
lands. There was scarcely a town in the civilized world that did not
shake on the brink of this opening chasm. The flames of our homes red-
dened all skies. The city was set upon a hill, and could not be hid. All
eyes were turned upon it. To have struggled and suffered amid the
scenes of its fall is as distinguishing as to have fought at Thermopylae, or
Salamis, or Hastings^ or Waterloo, or Bunker Hill.
Its calamity amazed the world, because it was felt to be the common
property of mankind.
The early history of the city is full of interest, just as the early his-
tory of such a man as Washington or Lincoln becomes public property,
and is cherished by every patriot.
Starting with 560 acres in 1833, it embraced and occupied 23,000
acres in 1869, and, having now a population of more than 500,000, it com-
mands general attention.
The first settler Jean Baptiste Pointe au Sable, a mulatto from the
West Indies came and began trade with the Indians in 1796. John
Kinzie became his successor in 1804, in which year Fort Dearborn was
erected.
A mere trading-post was kept here from that time till about the time
of the Blackhawk war, in 1832. It was not the city. It was merely a
cock crowing at midnight. The morning was not yet. In 1833 the set-
tlement about the fort was incorporated as a town. The voters were
divided on the propriety of such corporation, twelve voting for it and one
against it. Four years later it was incorporated as a city, and embraced
560 acres.
The produce handled in this city is an indication of its power. Grain
and flour were imported from the East till as late as 1837. The first
exportation by way of experiment was in 1839. Exports exceeded imports
first in 1842. The Board of Trade was organized in 1848, but it was so
weak that it needed nursing till 1855. Grain was purchased by the
wagon-load in the street.
I remember sitting with my father on a load of wheat, in the long
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 135
line of wagons along Lake street, while the buyers came and untied the
bags, and examined the grain, and made their bids. That manner of
business had to cease with the day of small things. Now our elevators
will hold 15,000,000 bushels of grain. The cash value of the produce
handled in a year is $215,000,000, and the produce weighs 7,000,000
tons or 700,000 car loads. This handles thirteen and a half ton each
minute, all the year round. One tenth of all the wheat in the United
States is handled in Chicago. Even as long ago as 1853 the receipts of
grain in Chicago exceeded those of the goodly city of St. Louis, and in
1854 the exports of grain from Chicago exceeded those of New York and
doubled those of St. Petersburg, Archangel, or Odessa, the largest grain
markets in Europe.
The manufacturing interests of the city are not contemptible. In
1873 manufactories employed 45,000 operatives ; in 1876, 60,000. The
manufactured product in 1875 was worth $177,000,000.
No estimate of the size and power of Chicago would be adequate
that did not put large emphasis on the railroads. Before they came
thundering along our streets canals were the hope of our country. But
who ever thinks now of traveling by canal packets ? In June, 1852,
there were only forty miles of railroad connected with the city. The
old Galena division of the Northwestern ran out to Elgin. But now,
who can count the trains and measure the roads that seek a terminus or
connection in this city ? The lake stretches away to the north, gathering
in to this center all the harvests that might otherwise pass to the north
of us. If you will take a map and look at the adjustment of railroads,
you will see, first, that Chicago is the great railroad center of the world,
as New York is the commercial city of this continent ; and, second, that
the railroad lines form the iron spokes of a great wheel whose hub is
this city. The lake furnishes the only break in the spokes, and this
seems simply to have pushed a few spokes together on each shore. See
the eighteen trunk lines, exclusive of eastern connections.
Pass round the circle, and view their numbers and extent. There
is the great Northwestern, with all its branches, one branch creeping
along the lake shore, and so reaching to the north, into the Lake Superior
regions, away to the right, and on to the Northern Pacific on the left,
swinging around Green Bay for iron and copper and silver, twelve months
in the year, and reaching out for the wealth of the great agricultural
belt and isothermal line traversed by the Northern Pacific. Another
branch, not so far north, feeling for the heart of the Badger State.
Another pushing lower down the Mississippi all these make many con-
nections, and tapping all the vast wheat regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Iowa, and all the regions this side of sunset. There is that elegant road,
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, running out a goodly number of
136
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
OLD FORT DEARBORN, 1830.
PRESENT SITE OF LAKE STREET BRIDGE, CHICAGO, IN 1833.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 137
branches, and reaping the great fields this side of the Missouri River.
I can only mention the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis, our Illinois Central,
described elsewhere, and the Chicago & Rock Island. Further around
we come to the lines connecting us with all the eastern cities. The
Chicago, Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne &
Chicago, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan Cen-
tral and Great Western, give us many highways to the seaboard. Thus we
reach the Mississippi at five points, from St. Paul to Cairo and the Gulf
itself by two routes. We also reach Cincinnati and Baltimore, and Pitts-
burgh and Philadelphia, and New York. North and south run the water
courses of the lakes and the rivers, broken just enough at this point to
make a pass. Through this, from east to west, run the long lines that
stretch from ocean to ocean.
This is the neck of the glass, and the golden sands of commerce
must pass into our hands. Altogether we have more than 10,000 miles
of railroad, directly tributary to this city, seeking to unload their wealth
in our coffers. All these roads have come themselves by the infallible
instinct of capital. Not a dollar was ever given by the city to secure
one of them, and only a small per cent, of stock taken originally by her
citizens, and that taken simply as an investment. Coming in the natural
order of events, they will not be easily diverted.
There is still another showing to all this. The connection between
New York and San Francisco is by the middle route. This passes inevit-
ably through Chicago. St. Louis wants the Southern Pacific or Kansas
Pacific, and pushes it out through Denver, and so on up to Cheyenne.
But before the road is fairly under way, the Chicago roads shove out to
Kansas City, making even the Kansas Pacific a feeder, and actually leav-
ing St. Louis out in the cold. It is not too much to expect that Dakota,
Montana, and Washington Territory will find their great market in Chi-
cago.
But these are not all. Perhaps I had better notice here the ten or
fifteen new roads that have just entered, or are just entering, our city.
Their names are all that is necessary to give. Chicago & St. Paul, look-
ing up the Red River country to the British possessions ; the Chicago,
Atlantic & Pacific ; the Chicago, Decatur & State Line ; the Baltimore &
Ohio ; the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes ; the Chicago & LaSalle Rail-
road ; the Chicago, Pittsburgh & Cincinnati ; the Chicago and Canada
Southern ; the Chicago and Illinois River Railroad. These, with their
connections, and with the new connections of the old roads, already in
process of erection, give to Chicago not less than 10,000 miles of new
tributaries from the richest land on the continent. Thus there will be
added to the reserve power, to the capital within reach of this city, not
less than $1,000,000,000.
138 HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Add to all this transporting power the ships that sail one every nine
minutes of the business hours of the season of navigation ; add, also, the
canal boats that leave one every five minutes during the same time and
you will see something of the business of the city.
THE COMMERCE OF THIS CITY
has been leaping along to keep pace with the growth of the country
around us. In 1852, our commerce reached the hopeful sum of
820,000,000. In 1870 it reached 1400,000,000. In 1871 it was pushed
up above $450,000,000. And in 1875 it touched nearly double that.
One-half of our imported goods come directly to Chicago. Grain
enough is exported directly from our docks to the old world to employ a
semi-weekly line of steamers of 3,000 tons capacity. This branch is
not likely to be greatly developed. Even after the great Welland Canal
is completed we shall have only fourteen feet of water. The great ocean
vessels will continue to control the trade.
The banking capital of Chicago is $24,431,000. Total exchange in
1875, $659,000,000. Her wholesale business in 1875 was $294,000,000.
The rate of taxes is less than in any other great city.
The schools of Chicago are unsurpassed in America. Out of a popu-
lation of 300,000 there were only 186 persons between the ages of six
and twenty-one unable to read. This is the best known record.
In 1831 the mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who went
on foot to Niles, Mich., once in two weeks, and brought back what papers
and news he could find. As late as 1846 there was often only one mail
a week. A post-office was established in Chicago in 1833, and the post-
master nailed up old boot-legs on one side of his shop to serve as boxes
for the nabobs and literary men.
It is an interesting fact in the growth of the young city that in the
active life of the business men of that day the mail matter has grown to
a daily average of over 6,500 pounds. It speaks equally well for the
intelligence of the people and the commercial importance of the place,
that the mail matter distributed to the territory immediately tributary to-
Chicago is seven times greater than that distributed to the territory
immediately tributary to St. Louis.
The improvements that have characterized the city are as startling
as the city itself. In 1831, Mark Beaubien established a ferry over the
river, and put himself under bonds to carry all the citizens free for the
privilege of charging strangers. Now there are twenty-four large bridges
and two tunnels.
In 1833 the government expended $30,000 on the harbor. Then
commenced that series of maneuvers with the river that has made it one
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
of the world's curiosities. It used to wind around in the lower end of
the town, and make its way rippling over the sand into the lake at the
foot of Madison street. They took it up and put it down where it now
is. It was a narrow stream, so narrow that even moderately small crafts
had to go up through the willows and cat's tails to the point near Lake
street bridge, and back up one of the branches to get room enough in
which to turn around.
In 1844 the quagmires in the streets were first pontooned by plank
roads, which acted in wet weather as public squirt-guns. Keeping you
out of the mud, they compromised by squirting the mud over you. The
wooden-block pavements came to Chicago in 1857. In 1840 water was
delivered by peddlers in carts or by hand. Then a twenty-five horse-
power engine pushed it through hollow or bored logs along the streets
till 1854, when it was introduced into the houses by new works. The
first fire-engine was used in 1835, and the first steam fire-engine in 1859.
Gas was utilized for lighting the city in 1850. The Young Men's Chris-
tian Association was organized in 1858, and horse railroads carried them
to their work in 1859. The museum was opened in 1863. The alarm
telegraph adopted in 1864. The opera-house built in 1865. The city
grew from 560 acres in 1833 to 23,000 in 1869. In 1834, the taxes
amounted to $48.90, and the trustees of the town borrowed $60 more for
opening and improving streets. In 1835, the legislature authorized a loan
of $2,000, and the treasurer and street commissioners resigned rather than
plunge the town into such a gulf.
Now the city embraces 36 square miles of territory, and has 30 miles
of water front, besides the outside harbor of refuge, of 400 acres, inclosed
by a crib sea-wall. One-third of the city has been raised up an average
of eight feet, giving good pitch to the 263 miles of sewerage. The water
of the city is above all competition. It is received through two tunnels
extending to a crib in the lake two miles from shore. The closest analy-
sis fails to detect any impurities, and, received 35 feet below the surface,
it is always clear and cold. The first tunnel is five feet two inches in
diameter and two miles long, and can deliver 50,000,000 of gallons per
day. The second tunnel is seven feet in diameter and six miles long,
running four miles under the city, and can deliver 100,000,000 of gal-
lons per day. This water is distributed through 410 miles of water-
mains.
The three grand engineering exploits of the city are : First, lifting
the city up on jack-screws, whole squares at a time, without interrupting
the business, thus giving us good drainage ; second, running the tunnels
under the lake, giving us the best water in the world ; and third, the
turning the current of the river in its own channel, delivering us from the
old abominations, and making decency possible. They redound about
140 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
equally to the credit of the engineering, to the energy of the people, and
to the health of the city.
That which really constitutes the city, its indescribable spirit, its soul,
the way it lights up in every feature in the hour of action, has not been
touched. In meeting strangers, one is often surprised how some homely
women marry so well. Their forms are bad, their gait uneven and awk-
ward, their complexion is dull, their features are misshapen and mismatch-
ed, and when we see them there is no beauty that we should desire them.
But when once they are aroused on some subject, they put on new pro-
portions. They light up into great power. The real person comes out
from its unseemly ambush, and captures us at will. They have power.
They have ability to cause things to come to pass. We no longer wonder
why they are in such high demand. So it is with our city.
There is no grand scenery except the two seas, one of water, the
other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about it, a push, a breadth,
a power, that soon makes it a place never to be forsaken. One soon
ceases to believe in impossibilities. Balaams are the only prophets that are
disappointed. The bottom that has been on the point of falling out has
been there so long that it has grown fast. It can not fall out. It has all
the capital of the world itching to get inside the corporation.
The two great laws that govern the growth and size of cities are,
first, the amount of territory for which they are the distributing and
receiving points ; second, the number of medium or moderate dealers that
do this distributing. Monopolists build up themselves, not the cities.
They neither eat, wear, nor live in proportion to their business. Both
these laws help Chicago.
The tide of trade is eastward not up or down the map, but across
the map. The lake runs up a wingdam for 500 miles to gather in the
business. Commerce can not ferry up there for seven months in the year,
and the facilities for seven months can do the work for twelve. Then the
great region west of us is nearly all good, productive land. Dropping
south into the trail of St. Louis, you fall into vast deserts and rocky dis-
tricts, useful in holding the world together. St. Louis and Cincinnati,
instead of rivaling and hurting Chicago, are her greatest sureties of
dominion. They are far enough away to give sea-room, farther off than
Paris is from London, and yet they are near enough to prevent the
springing up of any other great city between them.
St. Louis will be helped by the opening of the Mississippi, but also
hurt. That will put New Orleans on her feet, and with a railroad running
over into Texas and so West, she will tap the streams that now crawl up
the Texas and Missouri road. The current is East, not North, and a sea-
port at New Orleans can not permanently help St. Louis.
Chicago is in the field almost alone, to handle the wealth of one-
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 141
fourth of the territory of this great republic. This strip of seacoast
divides its margins between Portland, Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Savannah, or some other great port to be created for the
South in the next decade. But Chicago has a dozen empires casting their
treasures into her lap. On a bed of coal that can run all the machinery
of the world for 500 centuries ; in a garden that can feed the race by the
thousand years; at the head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a
summer resort equaled by no great city in the land ; with a climate that
insures the health of her citizens ; surrounded by all the great deposits
of natural wealth in mines aud forests and herds, Chicago is the wonder
of to-day, and will be the city of the future.
MASSACRE AT FORT DEARBORN.
During the war of 181.2, Fort Dearborn became the theater of stirring
events. The garrison consisted of fifty-four men under command of
Captain Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant Helm (son-in-law of Mrs.
Kinzie) and Ensign Ronan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon. The only resi-
dents at the post at that time were the wives of Captain Heald and Lieu-
tenant Helm, and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and
a few Canadian voyageurs, with their wives and children. The soldiers
and Mr. Kinzie were on most friendly terms with the Pottawattamies
and Winnebagos, the principal tribes around them, but they could not
win them from their attachment to the British.
One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing on his violin and
his children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing
into the house, pale with terror, and exclaiming : " The Indians ! the
Indians!" "What? Where?" eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. "Up
at Lee's, killing and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who,
when the alarm was given, was attending Mrs. Barnes (just confined)
living not far off. Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river and took
refuge in the fort, to which place Mrs. Barnes and her infant not a day
old were safely conveyed. The rest of the inhabitants took shelter in the
fort. This alarm was caused by a scalping party of Winnebagos, who
hovered about the fort several days, when they disappeared, and for several
weeks the inhabitants were undisturbed.
On the 7th of August, 1812, General Hull, at Detroit, sent orders to
Captain Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and to distribute all the United
States property to the Indians in the neighborhood a most insane order.
The Pottawattamie chief, who brought the dispatch, had more wisdom
than the commanding general. He advised Captain Heald not to make
the distribution. Said he : " Leave the fort and stores as they are, and
let the Indians make distribution for themselves ; and while they are
engaged in the business, the white people may escape to Fort Wayne."
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 143
Captain Heald held a council with the Indians on the afternoon of
the 12th, in which his 1 officers refused to join, for they had been informed
that treachery was designed that the Indians intended to murder the
white people in the council, and then destroy those in the fort. Captain
Heald, however, took the precaution to open a port-hole displaying a
cannon pointing directly upon the council, and by that means saved
his life.
Mr. Kinzie, who knew the Indians well, begged Captain Heald not
to confide in their promises, nor distribute the arms and mu nitions among
them, for it would only put power into their hands to destroy the whites.
Acting upon this advice, Heald resolved to withhold the munitions of
war ; and on the night of the 13th, after the distribution of the other
property had been made, the powder, ball and liquors were thrown into
the river, the muskets broken up and destroyed.
Black Partridge, a friendly chief, came to Captain Heald, and said :
" Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day: be careful on the
march you are going to take." On that dark night vigilant Indians had
crept near the fort and discovered the destruction of their promised booty
going on within. The next morning the powder was seen floating on the
surface of the river. The savages were exasperated and made loud com-
plaints and threats.
On the following day when preparations were making to leave the
fort, and all the inmates were deeply impressed with a sense of impend-
ing danger, Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, was discovered upon
the Indian trail among the sand-hills on the borders of the lake, not far
distant, with a band of mounted Miamis, of whose tribe he was chief,
having been adopted by the famous Miami warrior, Little Turtle. When
news of Hull's surrender reached Fort Wayne, he had started with this
force to assist Heald in defending Fort Dearborn. He was too late.
Every means for its defense had been destroyed the night before, and
arrangements were made for leaving the fort on the morning of the 15th.
It was a warm bright morning in the middle of August. Indications
were positive that the savages intended to murder the white people ; and
when they moved out of the southern gate of the fort, the march was
like a funeral procession. The band, feeling the solemnity of the occa-
sion, struck up the Dead March in Saul.
Capt. Wells, who had blackened his face with gun-powder in token
of his fate, took the lead with his band of Miamis, followed by Capt.
Heald, with his wife by his side on horseback. Mr. Kinzie hoped by his
personal influence to avert the impending blow, and therefore accompanied
them, leaving his family in a boat in charge of a friendly Indian, to be
taken to his trading station at the site of Niles, Michigan, in the event OL
his death.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 145
The procession moved slowly along the lake shore till they reached
the sand-hills between the prairie and the beach, when the Pottawattamie
escort, under the leadership of Blackbird, filed to the right, placing those
hills between them and the white people. Wells, with his Miamis, had
kept in the advance. They suddenly came rushing back, Wells exclaim-
ing, " They are about to attack us ; form instantly." These words were
quickly followed by a storm of bullets, which came whistling over the
little hills which the treacherous savages had made the covert for their
murderous attack. The white troops charged upon the Indians, drove
them back to the prairie, and then the battle was waged between fifty-
four soldiers, twelve civilians and three or four women (the cowardly
Miamis having fled at the outset) against five hundred Indian warriors.
The white people, hopeless, resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Ensign Ronan wielded his weapon vigorously, even after falling upon his
knees weak from the loss of blood. Capt. Wells, who was by the side of
his niece, Mrs. Heald, when the conflict began, behaved with the greatest
coolness and courage. He said to her, " We have not the slightest chance
for life. We must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you."
And then he dashed forward. Seeing a young warrior, painted like a
demon, climb into a wagon in which were twelve children, and tomahawk
them all, he cried out, unmindful of his personal danger, " If that is your
game, butchering women and children, I will kill too." He spurred his
horse towards the Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and
papooses, hotly pursued by swift-footed young warriors, who sent bullets
whistling after him. One of these killed his horse and wounded him
severely in the leg. With a yell the young braves rushed to make him
their prisoner and reserve him for torture. He resolved not to be made
a captive, and by the use of the most provoking epithets tried to induce
them to kill him instantly. He called a fiery young chief a squaw, when
the enraged warrior killed Wells instantly with his tomahawk, jumped
upon his body, cut out his heart, and ate a portion of the warm morsel
with savage delight !
In this fearful combat women bore a conspicuous part. Mrs. Heald
was an excellent equestrian and an expert in the use of the rifle. She
fought the savages bravely, receiving several severe wounds. Though
faint from the loss of blood, she managed to keep her saddle. A savage
raised his tomahawk to kill her, when she looked him full in the face,
and with a sweet smile and in a gentle voice said, in his own language,
" Surely you will not kill a squaw ! " The arm of the savage fell, and
the life of the heroic woman was saved.
Mrs. Helm, the step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie, had an encounter with
a stout Indian, who attempted to tomahawk her. Springing to one side,
she received the glancing blow on her shoulder, and at the same instant
140 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
seized the savage round the neck with her arms and endeavored to get
hold of his scalping knife, which hung in a sheath at his breast. While
she was thus struggling she was dragged from her antagonist by anothei
powerful Indian, who bore her, in spite of her struggles, to the margin
of the lake and plunged her in. To her astonishment she was held by
him so that she would ,not drown, and she soon perceived that she was
in the hands of the friendly Black Partridge, who had saved her life.
The wife of Sergeant Holt, a large and powerful woman, behaved as
bravely as an Amazon. She rode a fine, high-spirited horse, which the
Indians coveted, and several of them attacked her with the butts of their
guns, for the purpose of dismounting her ; but she used the sword which
.she had snatched from her disabled husband so skillfully that she foiled
them ; and, suddenly wheeling her horse, she dashed over the prairie,
followed by the savages shouting, " The brave woman ! the brave woman !
Don't hurt her ! " They finally overtook her, and while she was fighting
them in front, a powerful savage came up behind her, seized her by the
neck and dragged her to the ground. Horse and woman were made
captives. Mrs. Holt was a long time a captive among the Indians, but
was afterwards ransomed.
In this sharp conflict two-thirds of the white people were slain and
wounded, and all their horses, baggage and provision were lost. Only
twenty-eight straggling men now remained to fight five hundred Indians
rendered furious by the sight of blood. They succeeded in breaking
through the ranks of the murderers and gaining a slight eminence on the
prairie near the Oak Woods. The Indians did not pursue, but gathered
on their flanks, while the chiefs held a consultation on the sand-hills, and
showed signs of willingness to parley. It would have been madness on
the part of the whites to renew the fight ; and so Capt. Heald went for-
ward and met Blackbird on the open prairie, where terms of surrender
were soon agreed upon. It was arranged that the white people should
give up their arms to Blackbird, and that the survivors should become
prisoners of war, to be exchanged for ransoms as soon as practicable,
With this understanding captives and captors started for the Indian
camp near the fort, to which Mrs. Helm had been taken bleeding and
suffering by Black Partridge, and had met her step-father and learned
that her husband was safe.
A new scene of horror was now opened at the Indian camp. The
wounded, n0t being included in the terms of surrender, as it was inter-
preted by the Indians, and the British general, Proctor, having offered a
liberal bounty for American scalps, delivered at Maiden, nearly all the
wounded men were killed and scalped, and the price of the trophies was
afterwards paid by the British government.
L.H.G I LLETT.
SUGAR GROVE TOWNSHIP
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
149
SHABBONA.
[This was engraved from a daguerreotype, taken when Shabbona was 83 years old.]
This celebrated Indian chief, whose portrait appears in this work, deserves
more than a passing notice. Although Shabbona was not so conspicuous as
Tecumseh or Black Hawk, yet in point of merit he was superior to either
of them.
Shabbona was born at an Indian village on the Kankakee River, now in
Will County, about the year 1775. While young he was made chief of the
band, and went to Shabbona Grove, now DeKalb County, where they were
found in the early settlement of the county.
In the war of 1812, Shabbona, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh, was
150 HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
aid to that great chief, and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of
the Thames. At the time of the Wimiebago war, in 1827, he visited almost
every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive arguments
prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens
of Chicago, Shabbona, accompanied by Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited
Big Foot's village at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears
were entertained that they were about to raise the tomahawk against the
whites. Here Shabbona was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life
threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. From that time
the Indians (through reproach) styled him " the white man's friend,"
and many times his life was endangered.
Before the Black Hawk war, Shabbona met in council at two differ-
ent times, and by his influence prevented his people from taking part with
the Sacs and Foxes. After the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine,
no chief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shabbona.
Black Hawk, aware of this influence, visited him at two different times, in.
order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk
was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks, he said, had it not been for Shabbona
the whole Pottawatomie nation would have joined his standard, and he
could have continued the war for years.
To Shabbona many of the early settlers of Illinois owe the pres-
ervation of their lives, for it is a well-known fact, had he not notified the
people of their danger, a large portion of them would have fallen victims
to the tomahawk of savages. By saving the lives of whites he endangered
his own, for the Sacs and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two
attempts to execute their threats. They killed Pypeogee, his son, and
Pyps, his nephew, and hunted him down as though he was a wild beast.
Shabbona had a reservation of two sections of land at his Grove, but
by leaving it and going west for a short time, the Government declared
the reservation forfeited, and sold it the same as other vacant land. On
Shabbona's return, and finding his possessions gone, he was very sad and
broken down in spirit, and left the Grove for ever. The citizens of Ottawa
raised money and bought him a tract of land on the Illinois River, above
Seneca, in Grundy County, on which they built a house, and supplied
him with means to live on. He lived here until his death, which occurred
on the 17th of July, 1859, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and was
buried with great pomp in the cemetery at Morris. His squaw, Pokanoka,
was drowned in Mazen Creek, Grundy County, on the 30th of November,
1864, and was buried by his side.
In 1861 subscriptions were taken up in many of the river towns, to
erect a monument over the remains of Shabbona, but the war breaking
out, the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the:
resting-place of this friend of the white man.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES.
No promissory note, check, draft, bill of exchange, order, or note, nego-
tiable instrument payable at sight, or on demand, or on presentment, shall
be entitled to days of grace. All other bills of exchange, drafts or notes are
entitled to three days of grace. All the above mentioned paper falling
due on Sunday, New Years' Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any
day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States or
the Governor of the State as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed
as due on the day previous, and should two or more of these days come
together, then such instrument shall be treated as due on the day previous
to the first of said days. No defense can be made against a negotiable
instrument (assigned before due) in the hands of the assignee without
notice, except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indorser,
due diligence must be used by suit, in collecting of the maker, unless suit
would have been unavailing. Notes payable to person named or to order,
in order to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. Notes'
payable to bearer may be transferred by delivery, and when so payable
every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment unless otherwise
expressed.
In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month
shall be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and for less-
than a month, a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes
only bear interest when so expressed, but after due they draw the legal
interest, even if not stated.
INTEREST.
The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree in writ-
ing on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater
than ten per cent, is contracted for, it works a forfeiture of the whole of
said interest, and only the principal can be recovered.
DESCENT.
When no will is made, the property of a deceased person is distrib-
uted as follows :
152 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
First. To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts ;
the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of
their deceased parents in equal parts among them.
Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and
no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents, brothers and sisters
of the deceased, and their descendants, in equal parts, the surviving
parent, if either be dead, taking a double portion ; and if there is no
parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their
descendants.
Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no child or
children, or descendants of the same, then one-half of the real estate and
the whole of the personal estate shall descend to such widow or surviving
husband, absolutely, and the other half of the real estate shall descend as
in other cases where there is no child or children or descendants of the
.-same.
Fourth. When there is a widow or surviving husband and also a child
or children, or descendants of the latter, then one third of all the personal
-estate to the widow or surviving husband absolutely.
Fifth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of
-either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, then in equal parts
to the next of kin to the intestate in equal degree. Collaterals shall not
be represented except with the descendants of brothers and sisters of the
intestate, and there shall be no distinction between kindred of the whole
.and the half blood.
Sixth. If any intestate leaves a widow or surviving husband and no
Tcindred, then to such widow or surviving husband ; and if there is no such
widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to and vest in the county
where the same, or the greater portion thereof, is situated.
WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS.
No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will good at
law. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years, and every female
of the age of eighteen years, of sound mind and memory, can make a valid
will ; it must be in writing, signed by the testator or by some one in his
.or her presence and by his or her direction, and attested by two or more
.credible witnesses. Care should be taken that the witnesses are not inter-
ested in the will. Persons knowing themselves to have been named in the
will or appointed executor, must within thirty days of the death of
deceased cause the will to be proved and recorded in the proper county,
or present it, and refuse to accept ; on failure to do so are liable to forfeit
the sum of tiventy dollars per month. Inventory to be made by executor
.or administrator within three months from date of letters testamentary or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 153
of administration. Executors' and administrators' compensation not tc v
exceed six per cent, on amount of personal estate, and three per cent,
on money realized from real estate, with such additional allowance a?
shall be reasonable for extra services. Appraisers' compensation $2 per
day.
Notice requiring all claims to be presented against the estate shall btf
given by the executor or administrator within six months of being quali-
fied. Any person having a claim and not presenting it at the time fixed
by said notice is required to have summons issued notifying the executor
or administrator of his having filed his claim in court ; in such cases the*
costs have to be paid by the claimant. Claims should be filed within two*
years from the time administration is granted on an estate, as after that
time they are forever barred, unless other estate is found that was not in-
ventoried. Married women, infants, persons insane, imprisoned or without
the United States, in the employment of the United States, or of this-
State, have two years after their disabilities are removed to file claims.
Claims are classified and paid out of the estate in the folio wing manner r
First. Funeral expenses.
Second. The widow's award, if there is a widow ; or children if there
are children, and no widow.
Third. Expenses attending the last illness, not including physician's;
bill.
Fourth. Debts due the common school or township fund .
Fifth. All expenses of proving the will and taking out letters testa-
mentary or administration, and settlement of the estate, and the physi-
cian's bill in the last illness of deceased.
Sixth. Where the deceased has received money in trust for any pur-
pose, his executor or administrator shall pay out of his estate the amount
received and not accounted for.
'Seventh. All other debts and demands of whatsoever kind, without
regard to quality or dignity, which shall be exhibited to the court within
two years from the granting of letters.
Award to Widow and Children, exclusive of debts and legacies or be-
quests, except funeral expenses :
First. The family pictures and wearing apparel, jewels and ornaments
of herself and minor children.
Second. School books and the family library of the value of $100.
Third. One sewing machine.
Fourth. Necessary beds, bedsteads and bedding for herself and family.
Fifth. The stoves and pipe used in the family, with the necessary
cooking utensils, or in case they have none, $50 in money.
Sixth. Household and kitchen furniture to the value of $100.
Seventh. One milch cow and calf for every four members of her family
154 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Eighth. Two sheep for each member of her family, and the fleeces
taken from the same, and one horse, saddle and bridle.
Ninth. Provisions for herself and family for one year.
Tenth. Food for the stock above specified for six months.
Eleventh. Fuel for herself and family for three months.
Twelfth. One hundred dollars worth of other property suited to her
condition in life, to be selected by the widow.
The widow if she elects may have in lieu of the said award, the same
personal property or money in place thereof as is or may be exempt from
execution or attachment against the head of a family.
TAXES.
The owners of real and personal property, on the first day of May in
each year, are liable for the taxes thereon.
Assessments should be completed before the fourth Monday in June,
at which time the town board of review meets to examine assessments,
hear objections, and make such changes as ought to be made. The county
board have also power to correct or change assessments.
The tax books are placed in the hands of the town collector on or
before the tenth day of December, who retains them until the tenth day
of March following, when he is required to return them to the county
treasurer, who then collects all delinquent taxes.
No costs accrue on real estate taxes till advertised, which takes place
the first day of April, when three weeks' notice is required before judg-
ment. Cost of advertising, twenty cents each tract of land, and ten cents
each lot.
Judgment is usually obtained at May term of County Court. Costs
six cents each tract of land, and five cents each lot. Sale takes place in
June. Costs in addition to those before mentioned, twenty-eight cents
each tract of land, and twenty-seven cents each town lot.
Real estate sold for taxes may be redeemed any time before the expi-
ration of two years from the date of sale, by payment to the County Clerk
of the amount for which it was sold and twenty-five per cent, thereon if
redeemed within six months, fifty per cent, if between six and twelve
months, if between twelve and eighteen months seventy-five per cent.,
and if between eighteen months and two years one hundred per cent.,
and in addition, all subsequent taxes paid by the purchaser, with ten per
cent, interest thereon, also one dollar each tract if notice is given by the
purchaser of the sale, and a fee of twenty-five cents to the clerk for his
certificate.
JURISDICTION OF COURTS.
Justices have jurisdiction in all civil cases on contracts for the recovery
of moneys for damages for injury to real property, or taking, detaining, or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 155
injuring personal property ; for rent; for all cases to recover damages done
real or personal property by railroad companies, in actions of replevin, and
in actions for damages for fraud in the sale, purchase, or exchange of per-
sonal property, when the amount claimed as due is not over $200. They
have also jurisdiction in all cases for violation of the ordinances of cities,
towns or villages. A justice of the peace may orally order an officer or a
private person to arrest any one committing or attempting to commit a
criminal offense. He also upon complaint can issue his warrant for the
arrest of any person accused of having committed a crime, and have him
brought before him for examination.
COUNTY COURTS
Have jurisdiction in all matters of probate (except in counties having a
population of one hundred thousand or over), settlement of estates of
deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and settle-
ment of their accounts ; all matters relating to apprentices ; proceedings
for the collection of taxes and assessments, and in proceedings of executors,
administrators, guardians and conservators for the sale of real estate. In
law cases they have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts in all
cases where justices of the peace now have, or hereafter may have,
jurisdiction when the amount claimed shall not exceed $1,000, and in all
criminal offenses where the punishment is not imprisonment in the peni-
tentiary, or death, and in all cases of appeals from justices of the peace
and police magistrates ; excepting when the county judge is sitting as a
justice of the peace. Circuit Courts have unlimited jurisdiction.
LIMITATION OF ACTION.'
Accounts jive years. Notes and written contracts ten years. Judg-
ments twenty years. Partial payments or new promise in writing, within
or after said period, will revive the debt. Absence from the State deducted,
and when the cause of action is barred by the law of another State, it has
the same effect here. Slander and libel, one year. Personal injuries, two
years. To recover land or make entry thereon, twenty years. Action to
foreclose mortgage or trust deed, or make a sale, within ten years.
All persons in possession of land, and paying taxes for seven consecu-
tive years, with color of title, and all persons paying taxes for seven con-
secutive years, with color of title, on vacant land, shall be held to be the
legal owners to the extent of their paper title.
MARRIED WOMEN
May sue and be sued. Husband and wife not liable for each other's debts,
either before or after marriage, but both are liable for expenses and edu-
cation of the family.
156 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
She may contract the same as if unmarried, except that in a partner-
ship business she can not, without consent of her husband, unless he has
abandoned or deserted her, or is idiotic or insane, or confined in peniten-
tiary ; she is entitled and can recover her own earnings, but neither hus-
band nor wife is entitled to compensation for any services rendered for the
other. At the death of the husband, in addition to widow's award, a
married woman has a dower interest (one-third) in all real estate owned
by her husband after their marriage, and which has not been released by
her, and the husband has the same interest in the real estate of the wife
at her death.
EXEMPTIONS FROM FORCED SALE.
Home worth $1,000, and the following Personal Property : Lot of ground!
and buildings thereon, occupied as a residence by the debtor, being a house-
holder and having a family, to the value of $1,000. Exemption continues
after the death of the householder for the benefit of widow and family, some
one of them occupying the homestead until youngest child shall become
twenty-one years of age, and until death of widow. There is no exemption
from sale for taxes, assessments, debt or liability incurred for the purchase
or improvement of said homestead. No release or waiver of exemption is
valid, unless in writing, and subscribed by such householder and wife (if
he have one), and acknowledged as conveyances of real estate are required
to be acknowledged. The following articles of personal property owned
by the debtor, are exempt from execution, writ of attachment, and distress
for rent : The necessary wearing apparel, Bibles, school books and family
pictures of every person ; and, 2d, one hundred dollars worth of other
property to be selected by the debtor, and, in addition, when the debtor
is the head of a family and resides with the same, three hundred dollars
worth of other property to be selected by the debtor ; provided that such
selection and exemption shall not be made by the debtor or allowed to-
him or her from any money, salary or wages due him or her from any
person or persons or corporations whatever.
When the head of a family shall die, desert or not reside with the
same, the family shall be entitled to and receive all the benefit and priv-
ileges which are by this act conferred upon the head of a family residing
with the same. No personal property is exempt from execution when
judgment is obtained for the wages of laborers or servants. Wages of a
laborer who is the head of a family can not be garnisheed, except the sum
due him be in excess of $25.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 157
DEEDS AND MORTGAGES.
To be valid there must be a valid consideration. Special care should
be taken to have them signed, sealed, delivered, and properly acknowl-
edged, with the proper seal attached. Witnesses are not required. The-
acknoivledgement must be made in this state, before Master in Chancery r
Notary Public, United States Commissioner, Circuit or County Clerk, Justice
of Peace, or any Court of Record having a seal, or any Judge, Justice, or
Clerk of any such Court. When taken before a Notary Public, or United
States Commissioner, the same shall be attested by his official seal, when
taken before a Court or the Clerk thereof, the same shall be attested by
the seal of such Court, and when taken before a Justice of the Peace resid-
ing out of the county where the real estate to be conveyed lies, there shall
be added a certificate of the County Clerk under his seal of office, that he
was a Justice of the Peace in the county at the time of taking the same.
A deed is good without such certificate attached, but can not be used in
evidence unless such a certificate is produced or other competent evidence
introduced. Acknowledgements made out of the state must either be
executed according to the laws of this state, or there should be attached
a certificate that it is in conformity with the laws of the state or country
where executed. Where this is not done the same may be proved by any
other legal way. Acknowledgments where the Homestead rights are to
be waived must state as follows : " Including the release and waiver of
the right of homestead."
Notaries Public can take acknowledgements any where in the state.
Sheriffs, if authorized by the mortgagor of real or personal property
in his mortgage, may sell the property mortgaged.
In the case of the death of grantor or holder of the equity of redemp-
tion of real estate mortgaged, or conveyed by deed of trust where equity
of redemption is waived, and it contains power of sale, must be foreclosed
in the same manner as a common mortgage in court.
ESTRAYS.
Horses, mules, asses, neat cattle, swine, sheep, or goats found straying
at any time during the year, in counties where such animals are not allowed
to run at large, or between the last day of October and the 15th day of
April in other counties, the owner thereof being unknown, may be taken up
as estrays.
No person not a householder in the county where estray is found can
lawfully take up an estray, and then only upon or about his farm or place
of residence. Estrays should not be used before advertised, except animals
giving milk, which may be milked for their benefit.
158 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Notices must be posted up within five (5) days in three (3) of the
most public places in the town .or precinct in which estray was found, giv-
ing the residence of the taker up, and a particular description of the
estray, its age, color, and marks natural and artificial, and stating before
what justice of the peace in such town or precinct, and at what time, not
less than ten (10) nor more than fifteen (15) days from the time of post-
ing such notices, he will apply to have the estray appraised.
A copy of such notice should be filed by the taker up with the town
clerk, whose duty it is to enter the same at large, in a book kept by him
for that purpose.
If the owner of estray shall not have appeared and proved ownership,
and taken the .same away, first paying the taker up his reasonable charges
for taking up, keeping, and advertising the same, the taker up shall appear
before the justice of the peace mentioned in above mentioned notice, and
make an affidavit as required by law.
As the affidavit has to be made before the justice, and all other steps as
to appraisement, etc., are before him, who is familiar therewith, they are
therefore omitted here.
Any person taking up an estray at any other place than about or
upon his farm or residence, or without complying with the law, shall forfeit
and pay a fine of ten dollars with costs.
Ordinary diligence is required in taking care of estrays, but in case
they die or get away the taker is not liable for the same.
GAME.
It is unlawful for any person to kill, or attempt to kill or destroy, in
any manner, any prairie hen or chicken or woodcock between the 15th day
of January and the 1st day of September ; or any deer, fawn, wild-turkey,
partridge or pheasant between the 1st day of February and the 1st day
of October ; or any quail between the 1st day of February and 1st day of
November ; or any wild goose, duck, snipe, brant or other water fowl
between the 1st day of May and 15th day of August in each year.
Penalty : Fine not less than $5 nor more than $25, for each bird or
.animal, and costs of suit, and stand committed to county jail until fine is
paid, but not exceeding ten days. It is unlawful to hunt with gun, dog
or net within the inclosed -grounds or lands of another without permission.
Penalty: Fine not less than $3 nor more than $100, to be paid into
school fund.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or
sold or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to
the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be, as follows, to-wit :
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 159
Pounds.
Stone Coal, - - 80
Unslacked Lime, 80
Corn in the ear, - - - 70
Wheat, - 60
Irish Potatoes, - - 60
White Beans, - - 60
Clover Seed, - - 60
Onions, - - - 57
Shelled Corn, - 56
Rye, - 56
Flax Seed, - - 56
Sweet Potatoes, - - 55
Turnips, - 55
Fine Salt, 55
Pounds.
Buckwheat, - - 52
Coarse Salt, 50
Barley, - - 48
Corn Meal, ... 48
Castor Beans, - - 46
Timothy Seed, - - 45
Hemp Seed, - - 44
Malt, - ... 38
Dried Peaches, - 33
Oats, - - 32
Dried Apples, - 24
Bran, - - 20
Blue Grass Seed, - - 14
Hair (plastering), ' - 8
Penalty for giving less than the above standard is double the amount
of property wrongfully not given, and ten dollars addition thereto.
MILLERS.
The owner or occupant of every public grist mill in this state shall
grind all grain brought to his mill in its turn. The toll for both steam
and water mills, is, for grinding and bolting wheat, rye, or other grain, one
eighth part; for grinding Indian corn, oats, barley and buckwheat not
required to be bolted, one seventh part; for grinding malt, and chopping all
kinds of grain, one eighth part. It is the duty of every miller when his
mill is in repair, to aid and assist in loading and unloading all grain brought
to him to be ground, and he is also required to keep an accurate half
bushel measure, and an accurate set of toll dishes or scales for weighing
the grain. The penalty for neglect or refusal to comply with the law is
$5, to the use of any person to sue for the same, to be recovered before
any justice of the peace of the county where penalty is incurred. Millers
are accountable for the safe keeping of all grain left in his mill for the
purpose of being ground, with bags or casks containing same (except it
results from unavoidable accidents), provided that such bags or casks are
distinctly marked with the initial letters of the owner's name.
MARKS AND BRANDS.
Owners of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep or goats may have one ear mark
and one brand, but which shall be different from his neighbor's, and may
be recorded by the county clerk of the county in which such property is
kept. The fee for such record is fifteen cents. The record of such shall
be open to examination free of charge. In cases of disputes as to marks
or brands, such record is prima facie evidence. Owners of cattle, horses,
hogs, sheep or goats that may have been branded by the former owner,
160 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
may be re-branded in presence of one or more of his neighbors, who shall
certify to the facts of the marking or branding being done, when done,
and in what brand or mark they were re-branded or re-marked, which
certificate may also be recorded as before stated.
ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.
Children may be adopted by any resident of this state, by filing a
petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which he resides,
asking leave to do so, and if desired may ask that the name of the child
be changed. Such petition, if made by a person having a husband or-
wife, will not be granted, unless the husband or wife joins therein, as the
adoption must be by them jointly.
The petition shall state name, sex, and age of the child, and the new
name, if it is desired to change the name. Also the name and residence
of the parents of the child, if known, and of the guardian, if any, and
whether the parents or guardians consent to the adoption.
The court must find, before granting decree, that the parents of the
child, or the survivors of them, have deserted his or her family or such
child for one year next preceding the application, or if neither are living,
the guardian ; if no guardian, the next of kin in this state capable of giving
consent, has had notice of the presentation of the petition and consents-
to such adoption. If the child is of the age of fourteen years or upwards,
the adoption can not be made without its consent.
SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS.
There is in every county elected a surveyor known as county sur-
veyor, who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is
responsible. It is the duty of the county surveyor, either by himself or
his deputy, to make all surveys that he may be called upon to make within
his county as soon as may be after application is made. The necessary
chainmen and other assistance must be employed by the person requiring
the same to be done, and to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed ; but
the chainmen must be disinterested persons and approved by the surveyor
and sworn by him to measure justly and impartially.
The County Board in each county is required by law to provide a copy
of the United States field notes and plats of their surveys of the lands
in the county to be kept in the recorder's office subject to examination
by the public, and the county surveyor is required to make his surveys
in conformity to said notes, plats and the laws of the United States gov-
erning such matters. The surveyor is also required to keep a record
of all surveys made by him, which shall be subject to inspection by any
one interested, and shall be delivered up to his successor in office. A
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 161
certified copy of the said surveyor's record shall be prima facie evidence
of its contents.
The fees of county surveyors are six dollars per day. The county
surveyor is also ex officio inspector of mines, and as such, assisted by some
practical miner selected by him, shall once each year inspect all the
mines in the county, for which they shall each receive such compensa-
tion as may be fixed by the County Board, not exceeding 85 a day, to
be paid out of the county treasury.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Where practicable from the nature of the ground, persons traveling
in any kind of vehicle, must turn to the right of the center of the road, so
;as to permit each carriage to pass without interfering with each other.
The penalty for a violation of this provision is $5 for every offense, to
be recovered by the party injured; but to recover, there must have
occurred some injury to person or property resulting from the violation.
The owners of any carriage traveling upon any road in this State for the
conveyance of passengers who shall employ or continue in his employment
as driver any person who is addicted to drunkenness, or the excessive use of
spiritous liquors, after he has had notice of the same, shall forfeit, at the
rate of $5 per day, and if any driver while actually engaged in driving
.any such carriage, shall be guilty of intoxication to such a degree as to
endanger the safety of passengers, it shall be the duty of the owner, on
receiving written notice of the fact, signed by one of the passengers, and
certified by him on oath, forthwith to discharge such driver. If such owner
shall have such driver in his employ within three months after suchViotice,
he is liable for $5 per day for the time he shall keep said driver in his
employment after receiving such notice.
Persons driving any carriage on any public highway are prohibited
from running their horses upon any occasion under a penalty of a fine not
exceeding $10, or imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, at the discre-
tion of the court. Horses attached to any carriage used to convey passen-
gers for hire must be properly hitched or the lines placed in the hands of
some other person before the driver leaves them for any purpose. For
violation of this provision each driver shall forfeit twenty dollars, to be
recovered by action, to be commenced within six months. It is under-
stood by the term carriage herein to mean any carriage or vehicle used
for the transportation of passengers or goods or either of them.
The commissioners of highways in the different towns have the care
and superintendence of highways and bridges therein. They have all
the powers necessary to lay out, vacate, regulate and repair all roadsi
build and repair bridges. In addition to the above, it is their duty to
erect and keep in repair at the forks or crossing-place of the most
162 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
important roads post and guide boards with plain inscriptions, giving
directions and distances to the most noted places to which such road may
lead ; also to make provisions to prevent thistles, burdock, and cockle
burrs, mustard, yellow dock, Indian mallow and jimson weed from
seeding, and to extirpate the same as far as practicable, and to prevent
all rank growth of vegetation on the public highways so far as the same
may obstruct public travel, and it is in their discretion to erect watering
places for public use for watering teams at such points as may be deemed
advisable.
The Commissioners, on or before the 1st day of May of each year,
shall make out and deliver to their treasurer a list of all able-bodied men
in their town, excepting paupers, idiots, lunatics, and such others as are
exempt by law, and assess against each the sum of two dollars as a poll
tax for highway purposes. Within thirty days after such list is delivered
they shall cause a written or printed notice to be given to each person so
assessed, notifying him of the time when and place where such tax must
be paid, or its equivalent in labor performed ; they may contract with
persons owing such poll tax to perform a certain amount of labor on any
road or bridge in payment of the same, and if such tax is not paid nor
labor performed by the first Monday of July of such year, or within ten
days after notice is given after that time, they shall bring suit therefor
against such person before a justice of the peace, who shall hear and
determine the case according to law for the offense complained of, and
shall forthwith issue an execution, directed to any constable of the county
where the delinquent shall reside, who shall forthwith collect the moneys
therein mentioned.
The Commissioners of Highways of each town shall annually ascer-
tain, as near as practicable, how much money must be raised by tax on real
and personal property for the making and repairing of roads, only, to any
amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding forty cents on each one
hundred dollars' worth, as valued on the assessment roll of the previous
year. The tax so levied on property lying within an incorporated village,
town or city, shall be paid over to the corporate authorities of such town,
village or city. Commissioners shall receive $1.50 for each day neces-
sarily employed in the discharge of their duty.
Overseers. At the first meeting the Commissioners shall choose one
of their number to act General Overseer of Highways in their township,
whose duty it shall be to take charge of and safely keep all tools, imple-
ments and machinery belonging to said town, and shall, by the direction
of the Board, have general supervision of all roads and bridges in their
town.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 163-
As all township and county officers are familiar with their duties, it-
is only intended to give the points of the law that the public should be
familiar with. The manner of laying out, altering or vacating roads, etc.,
will not be here stated, as it would require more space than is contem-
plated in a work of this kind. It is sufficient to state that, the first step
is by petition, addressed to the Commissioners, setting out what is prayed
for, giving the names of the owners of lands if known, if not known so
state, over which the road is to pass, giving the general course, its place
of beginning, and where it terminates. It requires not less than twelve-
freeholders residing within three miles of the road who shall sign the
petition. Public roads must not be less than fifty feet wide, nor more
than sixty feet wide. Roads not exceeding two miles in length, if peti-
tioned for, may be laid out, not less than forty feet. Private roads
for private and public use, may be laid out of the width of three rods, on
petition of the person directly interested ; the damage occasioned thereby
shall be paid by the premises benefited thereby, and before the road is
opened. If not opened in two years, the order shall be considered
rescinded. Commissioners in their discretion may permit persons who-
live on or have private roads, to work out their road tax thereon. Public-
roads must be opened in five days from date of filing order of location,,
or be deemed vacated.
DRAINAGE.
Whenever one or more owners or occupants of land desire to construct
a drain or ditch across the land of others for agricultural, sanitary or
mining purposes, the proceedings are as follows :
File a petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which
the proposed ditch or drain is to be constructed, setting forth the neces-
sity for the same, with a description of its proposed starting point, route
and terminus, and if it shall be necessary for the drainage of the land or
coal mines or for sanitary purposes, that a drain, ditch, levee or similar
work be constructed, a description of the same. It shall also set forth
the names of all persons owning the land over which such drain or ditch-
shall be constructed, or if unknown stating that fact.
No private property shall be taken or damaged for the purpose of
constructing a ditch, drain or levee, without compensation, if claimed by
the owner, the same to be ascertained by a jury ; but if the construction
of such ditch, drain or levee shall be a benefit to the owner, the same
shall be a set off against such compensation.
If the proceedings seek to affect the property of a minor, lunatic or
married woman, the guardian, conservator or husband of the same shall
be made party defendant. The petition may be amended and parties
made defendants at any time when it is necessary to a fair trial.
164 ABSTRACT OP ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
When the petition is presented to the judge, he shall note therein
when he will hear the same, and order the issuance of summonses and
the publication of notice to each non-resident or unknown defendant.
The petition may be heard by such judge in vacation as well as in
term time. Upon the trial, the jury shall ascertain the just compensation
to each owner of the property sought to be damaged by the construction
of such ditch, drain or levee, and truly report the same.
As it is only contemplated in a work of this kind to give an abstract
of the laws, and as the parties who have in charge the execution of the
further proceedings are likely to be familiar with the requirements of the
statute, the necessary details are not here inserted.
WOLF SCALPS.
The County Board of any county in this State may hereafter allww
rsuch bounty on wolf scalps as the board may deem reasonable.
Any person claiming a bounty shall produce the scalp or scalps with
the ears thereon, within sixty days after the wolf or wolves shall have
been caught, to the Clerk of the County Board, who shall administer to
said person the following oath or affirmation, to-wit: "You do solemnly
swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that the scalp or scalps here pro-
duced by you was taken from a wolf or wolves killed and first captured
by yourself within the limits of this county, and within the sixty days
last past."
CONVEYANCES.
When the reversion expectant on a lease of any tenements or here-
ditaments of any tenure shall be surrendered or merged, the estate which
shall for the time being confer as against the tenant under the same lease
the next vested right to the same tenements or hereditaments, shall, to
the extent and for the purpose of preserving such incidents to and obli-
gations on the same reversion, as but for the surrender or merger thereof,
would have subsisted, be deemed the reversion expectant on the same
lease.
PAUPERS.
Every poor person who shall be unable to earn a livelihood in conse-
quence ot any bodily infirmity, idiocy, lunacy or unavoidable cause, shall
be supported by the father, grand-father, mother, grand-mother, children,
grand-children, brothers or sisters of such poor person, if they or either
of them be of sufficient ability ; but if any of such dependent class shall
have become so from intemperance or other bad conduct, they shall not be
^entitled to support from any relation except parent or child.
ASA P. FARNSWORTH (DECEASED)
AURORA
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 167
The children shall first be called on to support their parents, if they
are able ; but if not, the parents of such poor person shall then be called
on, if of sufficient ability ; and if there be no parents or children able,
then the brothers and sisters of such dependent person shall be called
upon ; and if there be no brothers or sisters of sufficient ability, the
grand-children of such person shall next be called on ; and if they are
not able, then the grand-parents. Married females, while their husbands
live, shall not be liable to contribute for the support of their poor relations
except out of their separate property. It is the duty of the state's
(county) attorney, to make complaint to the County Court of his county
against all the relatives of such paupers in this state liable to his support
and prosecute the same. In case the state's attorney neglects, or refuses, to
complain in such cases, then it is the duty of the overseer of the poor to
do so. The person called upon to contribute shall have at least ten days'
notice of such application by summons. The court has the power to
determine the kind of support, depending upon the circumstances of the
parties, and may also order two or more of the different degrees to main-
tain such poor person, and prescribe the proportion of each, according to
their ability. The court may specify the time for which the relative shall
contribute in fact has control over the entire subject matter, with power
to enforce its orders. Every county (except those in which the poor are
supported by the towns, and in such cases the towns are liable) is required
to relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully resident
therein. Residence means the actual residence of the party, or the place
where he was employed ; or in case he was in no employment, then it
shall be the place where he made his home. When any person becomes
chargeable as a pauper in any county or town who did not reside at the
commencement of six months immediately preceding his becoming so,
but did at that time reside in some other county or town in this^ state,
then the county or town, as the case may be, becomes liable for the expense
of taking care of such person until removed, and it is the duty of the
overseer to notify the proper authorities of the fact. If any person shall
bring and leave any pauper in any county in this state where such pauper
had no legal residence, knowing him to be such, he is liable to a fine of
$100. In counties under township organization, the supervisors in each
town are ex-officio overseers of the poor. The overseers of the poor act
under the directions of the County Board in taking care of the poor and
granting of temporary relief ; also, providing for non-resident persons not
paupers who may be taken sick and not able to pay their way, and in case
of death cause such person to be decently buried.
The residence of the inmates of poorhouses and other charitable
institutions for voting purposes is their former place of abode.
168 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
FENCES.
In counties under township organization, the town assessor and com-
missioner of highways are the fence-viewers in their respective towns.
In other counties the County Board appoints three in each precinct annu-
ally. A lawful fence is four and one-half feet high, in good repair, con-
sisting of rails, timber, boards, stone, hedges, or whatever the fence-
viewers of the town or precinct where the same shall lie, shall consider
equivalent thereto, but in counties under township organization the annual
town meeting may establish any other kind of fence as such, or the County
Board in other counties may do the same. Division fences shall be made
and maintained in just proportion by the adjoining owners, except when.
the owner shall choose to let his land lie open, but after a division fence is-
built by agreement or otherwise, neither party can remove his part of such
fence so long as he may crop or use such land for farm purposes, or without
giving the other party one year's notice in writing of his intention to remove
his portion. When any person shall enclose his land upon the enclosure
of another, he shall refund the owner of the adjoining lands a just pro-
portion of the value at that time of such fence. The value of fence and
the just proportion to be paid or built and maintained by each is to be
ascertained by two fence-viewers in the town or precinct. Such fence-
viewers have power to settle all disputes between different owners as to
fences built or to be built, as well as to repairs to be made. Each party-
chooses one of the viewers, but if the other party neglects, after eight
days' notice in writing, to make his choice, then the other party may
select both. It is sufficient to notify the tenant or party in possession,
when the owner is not a resident of the town or precinct. The twa
fence-viewers chosen, after viewing the premises, shall hear the state-
ments of the parties, in case they can't agree, they shall select another
fence-viewer to act with them, and the decision of any two of them is-
final. The decision must be reduced to writing, and should plainly set
out description of fence and all matters settled by them, and must be
filed in the office of the town clerk in counties under township organiza-
tion, and in other counties with the county clerk.
Where any person is liable i to contribute to the erection or the
repairing of a division fence, neglects or refuses so to do, the party
injured, after giving sixty days notice in writing when a fence is to be
erected, or ten days when it is only repairs, may proceed to have the
work done at the expense of the party whose duty it is to do it, to be
recovered from him with costs of suit, and the party so neglecting shall
also be liable to the party injured for all damages accruing from such,
neglect or refusal, to be determined by any two fence-viewers selected
as before provided, the appraisement to be reduced to writing and signed.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 169
Where a person shall conclude to remove his part of a division fence,
and let his land lie open, and having given the year's notice required, the
adjoining owner may cause the value of said fence to be ascertained by
fence-viewers as before provided, and on payment or tender of the
amount of such valuation to the owner, it shall prevent the removal. A
party removing a division fence without notice is liable for the damages
accruing thereby.
Where a fence has been built on the land of another through mis-
take, the owner may enter upon such premises and remove his fence and
material within oix months after the division line has been ascertained.
Where the material to build such a fence has been taken from the land
on which it was built, then before it can be removed, the person claiming
must first pay for such material to the owner of the land from which it
was taken, nor shall such a fence be removed at a time when the removal
wHl throw open or expose the crops of the other party ; a reasonable
time must be given beyond the six months to remove crops.
The compensation ^f fence-viewers is one dollar and fifty cents a
day each, to be paid in the first instance by the party calling them, but
in the end all expenses, including amount charged by the fence-viewers,
must be paid equally by the parties, except in cases where a party neglects
or refuses to make or maintain a just proportion of a division fence, when
the party in default shall pay them.
DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS.
Where stock of any kind breaks into any person's enclosure, the
fence being good and sufficient, the owner is liable for the damage done ;
but where the damage is done by stock running at large, contrary to law,
the owner is liable where tlwre is not such a fence. Where stock is
found trespassing on the enclosure of another as aforesaid, the owner 01
occupier of the premises may take possession of such stock and keep the
same until damages, with reasonable charges for keeping and feeding and
all costs of suit, are paid. Any person taking or rescuing such stock so
held without his consent, shall be liable to a fine of not less than three
nor more than five dollars for each animal rescued, to be recovered by
suit before a justice of the peace for the use of the school fund. Within
twenty-four hours after taking such animal into his possession, the per-
son taking it up must give notice of the fact to the owner, if known, or
if unknown, notices must be posted in some public place near the premises.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
The owner of lands, or his legal representatives, can sue for and
recover rent therefor, in any of the following cases :
First. When rent is due and in arrears on a lease for life or lives.
170 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Second. When lands are held and occupied by any person without
any special agreement for rent.
Third. When possession is obtained under an agreement, written
or verbal, for the purchase of the premises and before deed given, the
right to possession is terminated by forfeiture on con-compliance with the
agreement, and possession is wrongfully refused or neglected to be giver,
upon demand made in writing by the party entitled thereto. Provided
that all payments made by the vendee or his representatives or assigns,
may be set off against the rent.
Fourth. When land has been sold upon a judgment or a decree of
court, when the party to such judgment or decree, or person holding under
him, wrongfully refuses, or neglects, to surrender possession of the same,
after demand in writing by the person entitled to the possession.
Fifth. When the lands have been sold upon a mortgage or trust
cleed, and the mortgagor or grantor or person holding under him, wrong-
fully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand
in writing by the person entitled to the possession.
If any tenant, or any person who shall come into possession from or
under or by collusion with such tenant, shall willfully hold over any lands,
etc., after the expiration the term of their lease, and after demand made
in writing for the possession thereof, is liable to pay double rent. A
tenancy from year to year requires sixty days notice in writing, to termi-
nate the same at the end of the year; such notice can be given at any
time within four months preceding the last sixty days of the year.
A tenancy by the month, or less than a year, where the tenant holds
over without any special agreement, the landlord may terminate the
tenancy, by thirty days notice in writing.
When rent is due, the landlord may serve a notice upon the tenant,
stating that unless the rent is paid within not less than five days, his lease
will be terminated ; if the rent is not paid, the landlord may consider the
lease ended. When default is made in any of the terms of a lease, it
shall not be necessary to give more than ten days notice to quit or of the
termination of such tenancy ; and the same may be terminated on giving
isuch notiee to quit, at any time after such default in any of the terms of
such lease; which notice may be substantially in the following form, viz:
To , You are hereby notified that, in consequence of your default
in ^here insert the character of the default), of the premises now occupied
by you, being etc. (here describe the premises), I have elected to deter-
mine your lease, and you are hereby notified to quit and deliver up pos-
session of the same to me within ten days of this date (dated, etc.)
The above to be signed by the lessor or his agent, and no other notice
or demand of possession or termination of such tenancy is necessary.
Demand may be made, or notice served, by delivering a written or
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 171
pnnted, or partly either, copy thereof to the tenant, or leaving the same?
with some person above the age of twelve years residing on or in posses-
sion of the premises ; and in case no one is in the actual possession of the?
said premises, then by posting the same on the premises. When the
tenancy is for a certain time, and the term expires by the terms of the
lease, the tenant is then bound to surrender possession, and no notice,
to quit or demand of possession is necessary.
Distress for rent. In all cases of distress for rent, the landlord, by
himself, his agent or attorney, may seize for rent any personal property of
his tenant that may be found in the county where the tenant resides ; the
property of any other person, even if fo'und on the premises, is. not
liable.
An inventory of the property levied upon, with a statement of the
amount of rent claimed, should be at once filed with some justice of the
peace, if not over $200 ; and if above that sum, with the clerk of a court
of record of competent jurisdiction. Property may be released, by the
party executing a satisfactory bond for double the amount.
The landlord may distrain for rent, any time within six months after
the expiration of the term of the lease, or when terminated.
In all cases where the premises rented shall be sub-let, or the lease
assigned, the landlord shall have the same right to enforce lien against
such lessee or assignee, that Jie has against the tenant to whom the pre-
mises were rented.
When a tenant abandons or removes from the premises or any part
thereof, the landlord, or his agent or attorney, may seize upon any grain
or other crops grown or growing upon the premises, or part thereof so
abandoned, whether the rent is due or not. If such grain, or other crops,
or any part thereof, is not fully grown or matured, the landlord, or his
agent or attorney, shall cause the same to be properly cultivated, harvested
or gathered, and may sell the same, and from the proceeds pay all his
labor, expenses and rent. The tenant may, before the sale of such pro-
perty, redeem the same by tendering the rent and reasonable compensation,
for work done, or he may replevy the same.
Exemption. The same articles of personal property which are bylaw
exempt from execution, except the crops as above stated, is also exempt
from distress for rent.
If any tenant is about to or shall permit or attempt to sell and
remove from the premises, without the consent of his landlord, such
portion of the crops raised thereon as will endanger the lien of the land-
lord upon such crops, for the rent, it shall be lawful for the landlord to
distress before rent is due.
172 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
LIENS.
Any person who shall by contract, express or implied, or partly both,
with the owner of any lot or tract of land, furnish labor or material, or
services as an architect or superintendent, in building, altering, repairing
or ornamenting any house or other building or appurtenance thereto on
such lot, or upon any street or alley, and connected with such improve'
ments, shall have a lien upon the whole of such lot or tract of land, and
upon such house or building and appurtenances, for the amount due to
him for such labor, material or services. If the contract is expressed, and
the time for the completion of the work is leyond three years from the com-
mencement thereof ; or, if the time of payment is beyond one year from
the time stipulated for the completion of the work, then no lien exists.
If the contract is implied, then no lien exists, unless the work be done or
material is furnished within one year from the commencement of the work
or delivery of the materials. As between different creditors having liens,
no preference is given to the one whose contract was first made ; but each
shares pro-rata. Incumbrances existing on the lot or tract of the land at
the time the contract is made, do not operate on the improvements, and
are only preferred to the extent of the value of the land at the time of
making the contract. The above lien can not be enforced unless suit is
commenced within six months after the last payment for labor or materials
shall have become due and payable. Sub-contractors, mechanics, workmen
and other persons furnishing any material, or performing any labor for a
contractor as before specified, have a lien to the extent of the amount due
the contractor at the time the following notice is served upon the owner
of the land who made the contract :
To , You are hereby notified, that I have been employed by
(here state whether to labor or furnish material, and substantially the
nature of the demand) upon your (here state in general terms description
and situation of building), and that I shall hold the (building, or as the
case may be), and your interest in the ground, liable for the amount that
may (is or may become) due me on account thereof. Signature,
Date,
If there is a contract in writing between contractor and sub-contractor,
a copy of it should be served with above notice, and said notice must be
served within forty days from the completion of such sub-contract, if there
is one ; if not, then from the time payment should have been made to the
person performing the labor or furnishing the material. If the owner is
not a resident of the county, or can not be found therein^ then the above
notice must be filed with the clerk of the Circuit Court, with his fee, fifty
cents, and a copy of said notice must be published in a newspaper pub-
lished in the county, for four successive weeks.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 173
When the owner or agent is notified as above, he can retain any
money due the contractor sufficient to pay such claim ; if more than one
claim, and not enough to pay all, they are to be paid pro rata.
The owner has the right to demand in writing, a statement of the
contractor, of what he owes for labor, etc., from time to time as the work
progresses, and on his failure to comply, forfeits to the owner $50 for
every offense.
The liens referred to cover any and all estates, whether in fee for
life, for years, or any other interest which the owner may have.
To enforce the lien of sub-contractors, suit must be commenced within
three months from the time of the performance of the sub-contract, or
during the work or furnishing materials.
Hotel, inn and boarding-house keepers, have a lien upon the baggage
.and other valuables of their guests or boarders, brought into such hotel,
inn or boarding-house, by their guests or boarders, for the proper charges
due from such guests or boarders for their accommodation, board and
lodgings, and such extras as are furnished at their request.
Stable-keepers and other persons have a lien upon the horses, car-
riages and harness kept by them, for the proper charges due for the keep-
ing thereof and expenses bestowed thereon at the request of the owner
or the person having the possession of the same.
Agisters (persons who take care of cattle belonging to others), and
persons keeping, yarding, feeding or pasturing domestic animals, shall
have a lien upon the animals agistered, kept, yarded or fed, for the proper
charges due for such service.
All persons who may furnish any railroad corporation in this state
with fuel, ties, material, supplies or any other article or thing necessary
for the construction, maintenance, operation or repair of its road by con-
tract, or may perform work or labor on the same, is entitled to be paid as
part of the current expenses of the road, and have a lien upon all its pro-
perty. Sub-contractors or laborers have also a lien. The conditions and
limitations both as to contractors and sub-contractors, are about the same
as herein stated as to general liens.
DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS.
$ means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly
placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now,
United States Currency.
means pounds, English money.
@ stands for at or to. Ib for pound, and bb'l. for barrel; fJ for per or
ly the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c f Ib, and Flour at $8@12 f bbl.
% for per cent and # for number.
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@1.25, "seller June." Seller June
1T4 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering
it at any time during the month of June.
Selling short, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or
stock, at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller
has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person selling
"short," to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may
buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts " are termed
" bears."
Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or
shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time,
expecting to make a profit by the rise of prices. The "longs" are
termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate " so as to "toss"
the prices upward as much as possible.
NOTES.
Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the
amount and time of payment are mentioned.
$100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 15, 1876.
Sixty days from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown,
or order, One Hundred dollars, for value received.
L. D. LOWRY.
A note to be payable in any thing else than money needs only the
facts substituted for money in the above form.
ORDERS.
Orders should be worded simply, thus :
Mr. F. H. COATS: Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876.
Please pay to H. Birdsall, Twenty-five dollars, and charge to
F. D. SILVA.
RECEIPTS.
Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus :
$100. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876.
Received of J. W. Davis, One Hundred dollars, for services
rendered in grading his lot in Fort Madison, on account.
THOMAS BRADY.
If receipt is in full it should be so stated.
BILLS OF PURCHASE.
W. N. MASON, Salem, Illinois, Sept. 15, 1876.
Bought of A. A. GRAHAM.
4 Bushels of Seed Wheat, at $1.50 - $6.00
2 Seamless Sacks " .30 - - ' .60
Received payment, $6.60>
A. A. GRAHAM.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 17>
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT.
An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain
thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good business men always
reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunder-
standings and trouble. No particular form is necessary, but the facts must
be clearly and explicitly stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a
reasonable consideration.
GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT.
THIS AGREEMENT, made the Second day of October, 1876, between.
John Jones, of Aurora, County of Kane, State of Illinois, of the first part,
and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second part
WITNESSETH, that the said John Jones, in consideration of the agree-
ment of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and
agrees to and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that he will deliver, in
good and marketable condition, at the Village of Batavia, 111., during the
month of November, of this year, One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in.
the following lots, and at the following specified times ; namely, twenty-
five tons by the seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the
fourteenth of the month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty -first, and
the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth of
November.
And the said Thomas Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt
fulfillment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part,
contracts to and agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five
dollars per ton, for each ton as soon as delivered.
In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is
hereby stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall pay to the
other, One Hundred Dollars, as fixed and settled damages.
In witness whereof, we have 'hereunto set our hands the day and
year first above written. JOHN JONES,
THOMAS WHITESIDE.
AGREEMENT WITH CLERK FOR SERVICES.
THIS AGREEMENT, made the first day of May, one thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six, between Reuben Stone, of Chicago, County
of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the first part, and George Barclay, of
Englewood, County of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the second part
WITNESSETH, that said George Barclay agrees faithfully and dili-
gently to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for
and during the space of one year from the date hereof, should both
live such length of time, without absenting himself from his occupation j
176 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
during which time he, the said Barclay, in the store of said Stone, of
Chicago, will carefully and honestly attend, doing and performing all
duties as clerk and salesman aforesaid, in accordance and in all respects
as directed and desired by the said Stone.
In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the said
Barclay, the said Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual sum of
one thousand dollars, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each
upon the last day of each month ; provided that all dues for days of
-absence from business by said Barclay, shall be deducted from the sum
otherwise by the agreement due and payable by the said Stone to the said
Barclay.
Witness our hands. REUBEN STONE.
GEORGE BARCLAY.
BILLS OF SALE.
/p A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consider-
ation to convey his right and interest in the personal property. The
purchaser must take actual possession of the property. Juries have
power to determine upon the fairness or unfairness of a bill of sale.
COMMON FORM OF BILL OF SALE.
KNOW ALL MEN by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay, of Princeton,
Illinois, of the first part, for and in consideration of Five Hundred
and Ten dollars, to me paid by John Floyd, of the same place, of the
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold, and
by this instrument do convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second
part, his executors, administrators, and assigns, my undivided half of
ten acres of corn, now growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrrell, in the
town above mentioned ; one pair of horses, sixteen sheep, and five cows,
belonging to me, and in my possession at the farm aforesaid ; to have and
to hold the same unto the party of the second part, his executors and
assigns, forever. And I do, for myself and legal representatives, agree
with the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives, to
warrant and defend the sale of the afore-mentioned property and chattels
unto the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives,
against all and every person whatsoever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand, this tenth day
of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Louis CLAY.
BONDS.
A bond is a written admission on the part of the maker in which he
pledges a certain sum to another, at a certain time.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 177
COMMON FORM OF BOND.
KNOW ALL MEN by this instrument, that I, George Edgerton, of
Watseka, Iroquois County, State of Illinois, am firmly bound unto Peter
Kirchoff, of the place aforesaid, in the sum of five hundred dollars, to be
paid to the said Peter Kirchoff, or his legal representatives ; to which
payment, to be made, I bind myself, or my legal representatives, by this
instrument.
Sealed with my seal, and dated this second day of November, one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
The condition of this bond is such that if I, George Edgerton, my
heirs, administrators, or executors, shall promptly pay the sum of two
hundred and fifty dollars in three equal annual payments from the date
hereof, with annual interest, then the above obligation to be of no effect ;
otherwise to be in full force and valid.
Sealed and delivered in
presence of GEORGE EDGERTON. [L.S.]
WILLIAM TURNER.
CHATTEL MORTGAGES.
A chattel mortgage is a mortgage on personal property for payment
of a certain sum of money, to hold the property against debts of other
creditors. The mortgage must describe the property, and must be
acknowledged before a justice of the peace in the township or precinct
where the mortgagee resides, and entered upon his docket, and must be
recorded in the recorder's office of the county.
GENERAL FORM OF CHATTEL MORTGAGE.
THIS INDENTURE, made and entered into this first day of January,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
between Theodore Lottinville, of the town of Geneseo in the County
of Henry, and State of Illinois, party of the first part, and Paul Henshaw,
of the same town, county, and State, party of the second part.
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consider-
ation of the sum of one thousand dollars, in hand paid, the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged, does hereby grant, sell, convey, and confirm unto
the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all and
singular the following described goods and chattels, to wit :
Two three-year old roan-colored horses, one Burdett organ, No. 987,
one Brussels carpet, 15x20 feet in size, one marble-top center table, one
Home Comfort cooking stove, No. 8, one black walnut bureau with mirror
attached, one set of parlor chairs (six in number), upholstered in green
rep, with lounge corresponding with same in style and color of upholstery,
now in possession of said Lottinville, at No. 4 Prairie Ave., Geneseo, 111. ;
178 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Together with all and singular, the appurtenances thereunto "belong-
ing, or in any wise appertaining ; to have and to hold the above described
goods and chattels, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and
assigns, forever.
Provided, always, and these presents are upon this express condition,
that if the said Theodore Lottinville, his heirs, executors, administrators,
or assigns, shall, on or before the first day of January, A.D., one thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six, pay, or cause to be paid, tQ the said Paul
Ranslow, or his lawful attorney or attorneys, heirs, executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, the sum of One Thousand dollars, together with the
interest that may accrue thereon, at the rate of ten per cent, per annum,,
from the first day of January, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five, until paid, according to the tenor of one promissory note
bearing even date herewith for the payment of said sum of money, that
then and from thenceforth, these presents, and everything herein con-
tained, shall cease, and be null and void, anything herein contained to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Provided, also, that the said Theodore Lottinville may retain the
possession of and have the use of said goods and chattels until the day
of payment aforesaid ; and also, at his own expense, shall keep said goods
and chattels; and also at the expiration of said time of payment, if said
sum of money, together with the interest as aforesaid, shall not be paid,
shall deliver up said goods and chattels, in good condition, to said Paul
Ranslow, or his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns.
And provided, also, that if default in payment as aforesaid, by said
party of the first part, shall be made, or if said party of the second part
shall at any time before said promissory note becomes due, feel himself
unsafe or insecure, that then the said party of the second part, or his
attprney, agent, assigns, or heirs, executors, or administrators, shall have
the right to take possession of said goods and chattels, wherever they
may or can be found, and sell the same at public or private sale, to the
highest bidder for cash in hand, after giving ten days' notice of the time
and place of said sale, together with a description of the goods and chat-
tels to be -sold, by at least four advertisements, posted up in public places
in the vicinity where said sale is to take place, and proceed to make the
sum of money and interest promised as aforesaid, together with all reason-
able costs, charges, and expenses in so doing ; and if there shall be any
overplus, shall pay the same without delay to the said party of the first
part, or his legal representatives.
In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto
set his hand and affixed his seal, the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in
presence of THEODORE LOTTINVILLE. [L.S.]
SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 179
LEASE OF FARM AND BUILDINGS THEREON.
THIS INDENTURE, made this second day of June, 1875, between David
Patton of the Town of Bisbee, State of Illinois, of the first part, and John
Doyle of the same place, of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said David Patton, for and in consideration of
the covenants hereinafter mentioned and reserved, on the part of the said
John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, to be paid, kept,
and performed, hath let, and by these presents doth grant, demise, and
let, unto the said John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns,
all that parcel of land situate in Bisbee aforesaid, bounded and described
as follows, to wit :
[Here describe the land.~\
Together with all the appurtenances appertaining thereto. To have
and to hold the said premises, with'appurtenances thereto belonging, unto
the said Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term of
five years, from the first day of October next following, at a yearly rent
of Six Hundred dollars, to be paid in equal payments, semi-annually, as
long as said buildings are in good tenantable condition.
And the said Do} r le, by these presents, covenants and agrees to pay
all taxes and assessments, and keep in repair all hedges, ditches, rail, and
other fences ; (the said David Patton, his heirs, assigns and administra-
tors, to furnish all timber, brick, tile, and other materials necessary for
such repairs.)
Said Doyle further covenants and agrees to apply to said land, in a
farmer-like manner, all manure and compost accumulating upon said
farm, and cultivate all the arable land in a husbandlike manner, accord-
ing to the usual custom among farmers in the neighborhood ; he also
agrees to trim the hedges at a seasonable time, preventing injury from
cattle to such hedges, and to all fruit and other trees on the said premises.
That he will seed down with clover and timothy seed twenty acres yearly
of arable land, ploughing the same number of acres each Spring of land
now in grass, and hitherto unbroken.
It is further agreed, that if the said Doyle shall fail to perform the
"whole or any one of the above mentioned covenants, then and in that
case the said David Patton may declare this lease terminated, by giving
three months' notice of the same, prior to the first of October of any
year, and may distrain any part of the stock, goods, or chattels, or other
property in possession of said Doyle, for sufficient to compensate for the
non-performance of the above written covenants, the same to be deter-
mined, and amounts so to be paid to be determined, by three arbitrators,
chosen as follows : Each of the parties to this instrument to choose one,
180 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
and the two so chosen to select a third ; the decision of said arbitrators
to be final.
In witness whereof, we have hereto set our hands and seals.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in presence of DAVID PATTON. [L.S.]
JAMES WALDRON. JOHN DOYLE. [L.S.]
FORM OF LEASE OF A HOUSE.
THIS INSTRUMENT, made the first day of October, 1875, witnesseth
that Amos Griest of Yorkville, County of Kendall, State of Illinois, hath
rented from Aaron Young of Logansport aforesaid, the dwelling and lot
No. 13 Ohio Street, situated in said City of Yorkville, for five years
from the above date, at the yearly rental of Three Hundred dollars, pay-
able monthly, on the first day of each month, in advance, at the residence
of said Aaron Young.
At the expiration of said above mentioned term, the said Griest
agrees to give the said Young peaceable possession of the said dwelling,
in as good condition as when taken, ordinary wear and casualties excepted.
In witness whereof, we place our hands and seals the day and year
aforesaid.
Signed, sealed and delivered AMOS GRIEST. [L.S.]
in presence of
NlCKOLAS SCHUTZ, AARON YOUNG. [L.S.]
Notary Public.
LANDLORD'S AGREEMENT.
THIS certifies that I have let and rented, this first day of January,
1876, unto Jacob Schmidt, my house and lot, No. 15 Erie Street, in the
City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and its appurtenances ; he to have the
free and uninterrupted occupation thereof for one year from this date, at
the yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly in advance ;
rent to cease if destroyed by fire, or otherwise made untenantable.
PETER FUNK.
TENANT'S AGREEMENT.
THIS certifies that I have hired and taken from Peter Funk, his
house and lot, No. 15 Erie Street, in the City of Chicago, State of Illi-
nois, with appurtenances thereto belonging, for one year, to commence
this day, at a yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly
in advance ; unless said house becomes untenantable from fire or other
causes, in which case rent ceases ; and I further agree to give and yield
said premises one year from this first day of January 1876, in as good
condition as now, ordinary wear and damage by the elements excepted.
Given under my hand this day. JACOB SCHMIDT.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 181
NOTICE TO QUIT.
To F. W. ARLEN,
Sir : Please observe that the terra of one year, for which the house
and land, situated at No. 6 Indiana Street, and now occupied by you r
were rented to you, expired on the first day of October, 1875, and as I
desire to repossess said premises, you are hereby requested and required
to vacate the same. Respectfully Yours,
P. T. BARNUM.
LINCOLN, NEB., October 4, 1875.
TENANT'S NOTICE OF LEAVING.
DEAR SIR:
The premises I now occupy as your tenant, at No. 6 Indiana Street,
I shall vacate on the first day of November, 1875. You will please take
notice accordingly.
Dated this tenth day of October, 1875. F. W. ARLEN.
To P, T. BARNUM, ESQ.
REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE TO SECURE PAYMENT OF MONEY.
THIS INDENTURE, made this sixteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between William
Stocker, of Peoria, County of Peoria, and State of Illinois, and Olla, his
wife, party of the first part, and Edward Singer, party of the second part.
Whereas, the said party of the first part is justly indebted to the said
party of the second part, in the sum of Two Thousand dollars, secured
to be paid by two certain promissory notes (bearing even date herewith)
the one due and payable at the Second National Bank in Peoria, Illinois,
with interest, on the sixteenth day of May, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three ; the other due and payable at the Second
National Bank at Peoria, 111., with interest, on the sixteenth day of May,,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
Now, therefore, this indenture witnesseth, that the said party of the
first part, for the better securing the payment Of the money aforesaid,
with interest thereon, according to the tenor and effect of the said two-
promissory notes above mentioned ; and, also in consideration of the fur-
ther sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said party of the sec-
ond part, at the delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these
presents do grant, bargain, sell, and convey, unto the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all that certain parcel of land r
situate, etc.
[Describing the premises.]
To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the
Tenements, Hereditaments, Privileges and Appurtenances thereunto
182 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Belonging or in any wise appertaining. And also, all the estate, interest,
and claim whatsoever, in law as well as in equity which the party of
the first part have in and to the premises hereby conveyed unto the said
party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, and to their only proper
use, benefit and behoof. And the said William Stocker, and Olla, his
wife, party of the first part, hereby expressly waive, relinquish, release,
and convey unto the said party of the second part, his heirs, executors,
administrators, and assigns, all right, title, claim, interest, and benefit
whatever, in and to the above described premises, and each and every
part thereof, which is given by or results from all laws of this state per-
taining to the exemption of homesteads.
Provided always, and these presents are upon this express condition,
that if the said party of the first part, their heirs, executors, or adminis-
trators, shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, to the said party of
the second part, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, the afore-
said sums of money, with such interest thereon, at the time and in the
manner specified in the above mentioned promissory notes, according to
the true intent and meaning thereof, then in that case, these presents and
every thing herein expressed, shall be absolutely null and void.
In witness whereof, the said party of the first part hereunto set their
hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
JAMES WHITEHEAD, WILLIAM STOCKER. [L.S.]
FRED. SAMUELS. OLLA STOCKER. [L.S.]
WARRANTY DEED WITH COVENANTS.
THIS INDENTURE, made this sixth day of April, in the year. of OUT
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between Henry Best
of Lawrence, County of Lawrence, State of Illinois, and Belle, his wife,
of the first part, and Charles Pearson of the same place, of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration
of the sum of Six Thousand dollars in hand paid by the said party of the
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted,
bargained, and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain, and sell,
unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all the fol-
lowing described lot, piece, or parcel of land, situated in the City of Law-
rence, in the County of Lawrence, and State of Illinois, to wit :
[Here describe the property.]
Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances
thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversion and
reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and profits thereof;
and all the estate, rignt, title, interest, claim, and demand whatsoever, of
the said party of the nrst part, either in law or equity, of, in. and to tht
S. W. BROWNING
FARMER Sc DAIRY,
DUNDEE T P.
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 185
above bargained premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances.
To have and to hold the said premises above bargained and described,
with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs
and assigns, forever. And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, par-
ties of the first part, hereby expressly waive, release, and relinquish unto
the said party of the second part, his heirs, executors, administrators, and
assigns, all right, title, claim, interest, and benefit whatever, in and to the
above described premises, and each and every part thereof, which is given
"by or results from all laws of this state pertaining to the exemption of
homesteads.
And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, party of the first
part, for themselves and their heirs, executors, and administrators, do
covenant, grant, bargain, and agree, to and with the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealing and
delivery of these presents they were well seized of the premises above
conveyed, as of a- good, sure, perfect, absolute, and indefeasible estate of
inheritance in law, and in fee simple, and have good right, full power,
and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell,<and convey the same, in
manner and form aforesaid, and that the same are free and clear from all
former and other grants, bargains, sales, liens, taxes, assessments, and
encumbrances of what kind or nature soever ; and the above bargained
premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons
lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof, the said party
of the first part shall and will warrant and forever defend.
In testimony whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto
set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. .
Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of HENRY BEST, [L.S.]
JERRY LINKLATER. BELLE BEST. [L.S.]
QUIT-CLAIM DEED.
THIS INDENTURE, made the eighth day of June, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, between David Tour,
of Piano, County of Kendall, State of Illinois, party of the first part,
and Larry O'Brien, of the same place, party of the second part,
Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in considera-
tion of Nine Hundred dollars in hand paid by the said party of the sec-
ond part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the said party
of the second part forever released and discharged therefrom, has remised,
released, sold, conveyed, and quit-claimed, and by these presents does
remise, release, sell, convey, and quit-claim, unto the said party of the
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all the right, title, interest,
186 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
claim, and demand, which the said party of the first part has in and to-
the following described lot, piece, or parcel of land, to wit :
\_Here describe the land.~\
To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the
appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging, or in any wise there-
unto appertaining, and all the estate, right, title, interest, and claim-
whatever, of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, to
the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of the said party of the second
part, his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof the said party of the first part hereunto set his-
hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered DAVID TOUR. [L.S.},
in presence of
THOMAS ASHLEY.
The above forms of Deeds and Mortgage are such as have heretofore
been generally used, but the following are much shorter, and are made
equally valid by the laws of this state.
WARRANTY DEED.
The grantor (here insert name or names and place of residence), for
and in consideration of (here insert consideration) in hand paid, conveys
and warrants to (here insert the grantee's name or names) the following
described real estate (here insert description), situated in the County of
in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
QUIT CLAIM DEED.
The grantor (here insert grantor's name or names and place of resi-
dence), for the consideration of (here insert consideration) convey and
quit-claim to (here insert grantee's name or names) all interest in the
following described real estate (here insert description), situated in the
County of in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
MORTGAGE.
The mortgagor (here insert name or names) mortgages and warrants
to (here insert name or names of mortgagee or mortgagees), to secure the
payment of (here recite the nature and amount of indebtedness, showing
when due and the rate of interest, and whether secured by note or other-
wise), the following described real estate (here insert description thereof),
situated in the County of in the State of Illinois.
Dated this day of A. D. 18 .
RELEASE.
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents, that I, Peter Ahlund, of Chicago,
of the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, for and in consideration of
One dollar, to me in hand paid, and for other good and valuable considera-
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. " 187
tions, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed, do hereby grant, bargain,
remise, convey, release, and quit-claim unto Joseph Carlin of Chicago,
of the County of Cook, and 'State of Illinois, all the right, title, interest,,
claim, or demand whatsoever, I may have acquired in, through, or by a,
certain Indenture or Mortgage Deed, bearing date the second day of Jan-
uary, A. D. 1871, and recorded in the Recorder's office of said county,
in book A of Deeds, page 46, to the premises therein described, and which
said Deed was made to secure one certain promissory note, bearing even-
date with said deed, for the sum of Three Hundred dollars.
Witness my hand and seal, this second day of November, A. D. 1874.-
PETER AHLUND. [L.S.]
State" of Illinois, )
Cook County. j ' I, George Saxton, a Notary Public in.
and for said county, in the state aforesaid, do hereby
certify that Peter Ahlund, personally known to me
as the same person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing Release, appeared before me this day in
[ N0 8EAL. AL ] person, and acknowledged that he signed, sealed, and
delivered the said instrument of writing as his free,
and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein
set forth.
Given under my hand and seal, this second day of
November, A. D. 1874.
GEORGE SAXTON, N. P.
GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
I, Charles Mansfield, of the Town of Salem, County of Jackson r
State of Illinois, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing
health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be-
my last will and testament, in manner following, to wit :
First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my oldest son, Sidney H.
Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, of bank stock, now in the-
Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself
in the Town of Buskirk, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, with,
all the houses, tenements, and improvements thereunto belonging ; to*
have and to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assigns, forever.
Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my daughters, Anna
Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two Thousand dollars in
bank stock, in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and also each
one quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in the Town of
Lake, Illinois, and recorded in my name in the Recorder's office in the
county where such land is located. The north one hundred and sixty
acres of said half section is devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise.-
6
188
ABSTRACT OP ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
Third. I give, devise and bequeath to niy son, Frank Alfred Mans-
field, Five shares of Railroad stock in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
and my one hundred and sixty acres of land and saw mill thereon, situ-
ated in Manistee, Michigan, with all the improvements and appurtenances
thereunto belonging, which said real estate is recorded in my name in the
county where situated.
Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my
household furniture, goods, chattels, and personal property, about my
home, not hitherto disposed of, including Eight Thousand dollars of bank
stock in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, Fifteen shares in
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, pos-
session, and benefit of the home farm, so long as she may live, in lieu of
dower, to which she is entitled by law ; said farm being my present place
of residence.
Fifth. I bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield, the
income from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson Street, Chicago,
Illinois, during the term of his natural life. Said building and land there-
with to revert to my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon
the demise of my said father.
Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my wife,
Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may arrange to
relinquish her life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same
may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
And lastly. I nominate and appoint as executors of this my last will
and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, and my eldest son,
Sidney H. Mansfield.
I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shaJ
be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Salem, the
residue of such moneys to revert to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield,
for her use forever.
In witness whereof, I, Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and
testament, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of April,
eighteen hundred and seventy-two.
Signed, sealed, and declared by Charles
Mansfield, as and for his last will and
testament, in the presence of us, who,
at his request, and in his presence, and
in the presence of each other, have sub-
scribed our names hereunto as witnesses
thereof.
PETER A. SCHENCK, Sycamore, Ills.
FRANK E. DENT, Salem, Ills.
CHARLES MANSFIELD. [L.S.]
' ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 189
CODICIL
Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testa-
ment, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be
taken as a part thereof.
Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna
Louise, has deceased November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three,
and whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened
Richard Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch,
and all right, interest, and title in lands and bank stock and chattels
bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will.
In witness whereof, I hereunto place my'hand and seal, this tenth
day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five.
Signed, sealed, published, and declared to'
us by the testator, Charles Mansfield, as CHARLES MANSFIELD. [L.S.]
and for a codicil to be annexed to his
last will and testament. And we, at
his request, and in his presence, and in
the presence of each other, have sub-
scribed our names as witnesses thereto,
at the date hereof.
FRANK E. DENT, Salem, Ills.
JOHN C. SHAY, Salem, Ills.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
May be legally made by electing or appointing, according to the usages
or customs of the body of which it is a part, at any meeting held for that
purpose, two or more of its members as trustees, wardens or vestrymen, and
may adopt a corporate name. The chairman or secretary of such meeting
shall, as soon as possible, make and file in the office of the recorder of
deeds of the county, an affidavit substantially in the following form :
STATE OF ILLINOIS, )
County. j SS '
I, - , do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be),
that at a meeting of the members of the (here insert the name of the
church, society or congregation as known before organization), held at
(here insert place of meeting), in the County of , and State of
Illinois, on the day of , A.D. 18 , for that purpose, the fol-
lowing persons were elected (or appointed) [here insert their names}
trustees, wardens, vestrymen, (or officers by whatever name they may
choose to adopt, with powers similar to trustees) according to the rules
and usages of such fchurch, society or coiiQ-regation), and said
190 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS.
.adopted as its corporate name (here insert name), and at said meeting
this affiant acted as (chairman or secretary, as the case may be).
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this day of , A.D.
18 . Name of Affiant
which affidavit must be recorded by the recorder, and shall be, or a certi-
,fied copy made by the recorder, received as evidence of such an incorpo-
ration.
No certificate of election after the first need be filed for record.
The term of office of the trustees and the general government of the
: society can be determined by the rules or by-laws adopted. Failure to
elect trustees at the time provided does not work a dissolution, but the
-old trustees hold over. A trustee or trustees may be removed, in the
.same manner by the society as elections are held by a meeting called for
that purpose. The property of the society vests in the corporation. The
corporation may hold, or acquire by purchase or otherwise, land not
exceeding ten acres, for the purpose of the society. The trustees have
the care, custody and control of the property of the corporation, and can,
when directed by the society, erect houses or improvements, and repair
and alter the same, and may also when so directed by the society,
mortgage, encumber, sell and convey any real or personal estate belonging
to the corporation, and make all proper contracts in the name of such
ocorporation. , But they are prohibited by law from encumbering or inter-
fering with any property so as to destroy the effect of any gift, grant,
devise or 1 bequest to the corporation ; but such gifts, grants, devises or
bequests, must in all cases be used so as to carry out the object intended
by the persons making the same. Existing societies may organize in the
manner herein set forth, and have all the advantages thereof.
SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION.
' The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been
brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations
not authorized by the publisher ; in order to prevent that as much as possi-
ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such
agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the fol-
lowing statement is made :
A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by
which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ;
,the consideration is concurrent that the publisher shall publish the book
named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price
named. The nature and character of the work is described in the prospectus
and by the sample shown. These should be carefully examined before sub-
scribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay,
ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 191
and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely
employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a commission
for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions
upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher.
Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or
modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out by prospectus
.and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should see that
such conditions or changes are stated over or in connection with his signa-
ture, so that the publisher may have notice of the same.
All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or
,any other business, should remember that the law as to written contracts is,
that they can not be varied, altered or rescinded verbally, but if done at all,
must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contem-
plating sub scribing -should distinctly understand that all talk before or after
the subscription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the
contract.
Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as
-canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a
prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to the
prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other
matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made
in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of payment
T)eyond the time of delivery, nor bind their principal for the payment of
expenses incurred in their buisness.
It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons,
.before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru-
ment, would examine carefully what it is ; if they can not read themselves,
.should call on some one disinterested who can.
6
192 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND ITS AMENDMENTS.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union^
establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be Vested in
a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and
House of Representatives.
SEC. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem-
bers chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of
the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the
age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in
which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the sev-
eral states which may be included within this Union, according to their
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole
number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of
years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons.
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse-
quent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The
number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand,
but each state shall have at least one Representative ; and until such
enumeration shall be made the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled
to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plan-
tations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylva-
nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five,
and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the
Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such
vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
SEC. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two
Senators from each state, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years ;
and each Senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first
election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes-
The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expira-
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 193
tion of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth
year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that
one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any state,
the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age
of thirty years and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he
shall be chosen.
The Vice-President of the United States shall be. President of the
Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro
tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise
the office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When
sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the
President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside.
And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds
of the members present.
Judghient, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of
honor, trust, or profit under the United States ; but the party convicted
shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment,
and punishment according to law.
SEC. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Sen-
ators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the Legis-
lature thereof ; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter
such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by
law appoint a different day.
SEC. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, returns, and
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute
a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to
day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members
in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.
Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its
members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds,
expel a member.
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment,
require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house
on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered
on the journal.
Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
SEC. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compen-
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the
treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason r
194 CONSTITUTION OP THE UNITED STATES
felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their
attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and
returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house
they shall not be questioned in any other place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall
have been increased during such time ; and no person holding any office
under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his
continuance in office.
SEC. 7. ' All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments
as on other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and
the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President
of the United States ; if he approve he shall sign it ; but if not he shall
return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have origi-
nated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and
proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration two-thirds of that
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec-
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all
such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays,
and the names, of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned
by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted), after it shall have
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he
had signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its
return, in which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a
question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the
United States, and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by
him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of
the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and lim-
itations prescribed in the case of a bill.
SEC. 8. The Congress shall have power
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts,
and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United
States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout
the United States ;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States ;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several
States, and with the Indian tribes ;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on
the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States ;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and
fix the standard of weights and measures ;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and
current coin of the United States ;
To establish post offices and post roads ;
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 195
To promote the progress of sciences and useful arts, by securing,
for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their
respective writings and discoveries ;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high
seas, and offenses against the law of nations ;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules
concerning captures on land and water ;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that
use shall be for A longer term than two years ;
To provide and maintain a navy ;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and
naval forces ;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ;
To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and
for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the
United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the
officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the disci-
pline prescribed by Congress ;
To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United
States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the
consent of the Legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful
buildings ; and
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this
Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart-
ment or officer thereof.
SEC. 9: The migration or importation of such persons as any of the
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited
by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight,
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten
dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended,
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may
require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion
to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or rev-
enue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels
bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in
another.
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of
appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of
the receipts and expeditures of all public money shall be published from
time to time.
196 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States : and no
person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the
consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title
of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
SEC. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confeder-
ation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of
credit ; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts
or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary
for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and
imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the
Treasury of the United States ; and all such laws shall be subject to the
revision and control of the Congress.
No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will
not admit of delay.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of
the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term
of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same
term, be elected as follows :
Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof
may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress ;
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
[*The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by
ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of
the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the
persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they
shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government
of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Pres-
ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.
The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ;
and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal
number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately
choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a ma-
jority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like
manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote
shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one
vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be
necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President,
* This clause between.brackets has been superseded and annulled by the Twelfth. amendment.
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 197
the person having the greatest number of votes of the Electors shall be
the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have
equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-Presi-
dent.]
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and
the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same
throughout the United States.
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United
States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible
to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that
office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been
fourteen years a resident within the United States.
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death,
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-Puesident, and the Congress
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabil-
ity, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall
then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis-
ability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com-
pensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive
within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of
them.
Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the fol-
lowing oath or affirmation :
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
SEC. 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the army and
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when
called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective
offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present con-
cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate,
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose
appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be
established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment
of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which
shall expire at the end of their next session.
SEC. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such mea-
sures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may on extraordinary
198 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
occasions convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagree-
ment between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may
adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive
ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United
States.
SEC. 4. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con-
viction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested
in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as the Congress may from
time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at
stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.
SEC. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and
equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and
treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all cases
affecting ambassadors^ other public ministers, and consuls ; to all cases of
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United
States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ;
between a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ-
ent states ; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants
of different states, and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign
states, citizens, or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls,
and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have
original jurisdiction.
In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall
have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions
and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by
jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall
have been committed ; but when not committed within any state, the
trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have
directed.
SEC. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levy-
ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the tes-
timony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason,
but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture,
except during the life of the person attainted.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the
public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And
AND ITS AMENDMENTS.
the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which suck
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
SEC. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges
and immunities of citizens in the several states.
A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime,
who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall, on demand
of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered
up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered
up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
SEC. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ;
but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any
other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states,
or parts of states, without the consent of the Legislatures of the states
concerned, as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful
rules and regulations respecting the territorj r or other property belonging
to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed
as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state.
SEC. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this
Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them
against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu-
tive (when the Legislature can not be convened), against domestic vio-
lence.
ARTICLE V.
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it
necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the ap-
plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call
a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution, when rati-
fied by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con-
ventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi-
cation may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment
which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and
eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth
section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall
be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
ARTICLE VI.
All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adop-
tion of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under
this Constitution as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be
made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made r
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the
land ; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in
the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the mem-
200
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
bers of the several state Legislatures, and all executive and judicial offi-
cers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound
by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution ; but no religious test
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under
the United States.
AETICLE VII.
The ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient
for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying
the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the
United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof we have
hereunto subscribed our names.
GEO. WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
New Hampshire.
JOHN LANGDON,
NICHOLAS GILMAN.
Massachusetts.
NATHANIEL GOEHAM,
RUFUS KING.
Connecticut.
WM. SAM'L JOHNSON,
ROGER SHEKMAN.
New York.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
New Jersey.
WIL. LIVINGSTON,
WM. PATERSON,
DAVID BREARLEY,
JONA. DAYTON.
Pennsylvania.
B. FRANKLIN,
ROBT. MORRIS,
THOS. FITZSIMONS,
JAMES WILSON,
THOS. MIFFLIN,
GEO. CLYMER,
JARED INGERSOLL,
Gouv. MORRIS.
Delaware.
GEO. READ,
JOHN DICKINSON,
JACO. BROOM,
GUNNING BEDFORD, JR.,
RICHARD BASSETT.
Maryland.
JAMES M' HENRY,
DANL. CARROLL,
DAN. OF ST. THOS. JENIFER.
Virginia.
JOHN BLAIR,
JAMES MADISON, JR.
North Carolina.
WM. BLOUNT,
Hu. WILLIAMSON,
RICH'D DOBBS SPAIGHT.
South Carolina.
J. RUTLEDGE,
CHARLES PINCKNEY,
CHAS. COTESWORTH PINCKNEY,
PIERCE BUTLER.
G-eorgia.
WILLIAM FEW,
ABR. BALDWIN.
WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary,
DR. L. A. CRABTREE
DUNDEE.
"'*
: . ',;'
' '
- * *+ -> " ^. - -. -
/-! rt3 A H O
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 203
ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO AND AMENDATORY OP THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several states,
pursuant to the fifth article of the original Constitution.
ARTICLE I.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
ARTICLE II.
A well regulated militia being .necessary to the security of a free
state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
ARTICLE III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be pre-
scribed by law.
ARTICLE IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and-effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio-
lated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by
oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched
and the persons or things to be seized.
ARTICLE V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual
service in time of war or public danger j nor shall any person be subject
for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor
shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
ARTICLE VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ;
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor ; and to
have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
ARTICLE VII.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact
204 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United
States than according to the rules of the common law.
ARTICLE VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
ARTICLE IX.
The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
ARIICLE X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,,
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively*.
or to the people.
ARTICLE XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to-
extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one
of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or sub-
jects of any foreign state.
ARTICLE XII.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name in their
ballots the person to be voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the
person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of
all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-
President, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign
and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person,
having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President,
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ;.
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the
highest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as
President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by
ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be
taken by States, ' the representation from each state having one vote; a
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to
a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a Presi-
dent whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the
fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of
the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-
President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be the majority
of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a major-
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 205
ity, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose-
the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds
of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number
shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the
United States.
ARTICLE XIII.
SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their juris-
diction.
SEC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro-
priate legislation.
ARTICLE XIV.
SECTION 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United
States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws.
SEC. 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several states
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of -per-
sons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed ; but when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice-
President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the execu-
tive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the Legislature
thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being
twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way
abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the num-
ber of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
twenty-one years of age in such state.
SEC. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress,
or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or
military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previ-
ously taken an oath as a Member of Congress, or as an officer of the
United States, or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an execu-
tive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may,
by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability.
SEC. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States author-
ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and boun-
ties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be ques-
tioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall pay any debt
or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the
United States, or any loss or emancipation of any slave, but such debts,
obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.
06
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
SEC. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this act.
ARTICLE XV.
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
SEC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro-
priate legislation.
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT.
NOVEMBER 7, 1876.
COUNTIES.
Haves and
Wheeler,
Republican.
Tilden and
Hendricks,
Democrat.
PeterCopper
Greenback.
Smith,
Prohibition
Anti-Secret 1
Societies.
COUNTIES.
Hayes and
Wheeler,
Republican.
Tllden and
Hendricks,
Democrat.
PeterCooper
Greenback.
Smith,
Prohibition.
Anti-Secret |
Societies.]
Adams
4953
1219
1520
1965
944
3719
441
2231
1209
4530
2501
1814
1416
1329
2957
36548
1355
1145
3679
1928
1631
2129
2715
970
1145
1881
1601
966
4187
703
1695
1996
627
3496
330
1315
4177
3768
2040
6308
1280
1142
363
1495
2218
900
918
1618
3103
3287
2197
1541
1989
2822
39240
1643
1407
1413
1174
1357
1276
2883
466
2265
2421
742
1302
4669
1140
3160
1142
1433
4207
611
1015
1928
2578
2071
41
17
Livingston
Logan
3550
2788
3120
3567
4554
2009
1553
1566
1231
2952
3465
6363
1115
2209
845
2486
3069
1245
3833
4665
1319
1541
1807
3055
1043
646
2357
1410
3912
980
4851
1522
910
2069
1140
4708
3198
2850
978
4372
650
2795
1911
1570
1297
3851
4770
1672
4505
1733
2134
2595
2782
4076
4730
2444
1430
1939
793
2811
1874
4410
1657
1428
1651
3013
3174
1672
1921
5443
800
1383
1316
4040
772
459
2589
1552
2838
1081
5847
1804
1269
3553
786
5891
2758
3171
2155
3031
936
1984
1671
1751
2066
2131
3999
1644
1568
2105
1170
37
268
114
39
209
135
86
20
347
34
518
10
90
7
201
109
28
104
95
5
48
117
35
3
Alexander
Bond
17
43
183
145
'"ill
74
604
207
236
112
132
102
277
38
129
65
746
94
25
161
61
43
57
204
391
282
1
108
770
Macon
16
Boone
2
1
8
'"i
7
'"i
"ii
"*3
'"i
6
9
Macoupin
1
Bureau
Marlon
Oalhoiui
Marshall
Mason
'"
1
Carroll
Cass
Massac
Champaign
McDonough
Christian
McHenry
"8
3
7
Clark ..
McLean
Clay
Meuard
Clinton
Mercer
3
Coles .
Cook
Montgomery
Crawford
Morgan
Moultrle
3
Cumberland . . .
DeKalb...
' 10
3
3
Ogle
8
DeWitt .
Peorla
Douglas
Pope
DuPage
8
Perry....
Edgar
Piatt
Edwards
Pike
1
4
Effingham
Pulaskl
Fay ette
Putnam
14
2
55
27
641
29
115
182
341
96
99
26
44
288
207
138
39
482
469
133
677
41
70
237
Ford .
Franklin
Kicliland
Fulton
'"
1
'"9
'"i
Rock Island.
(rill latin
Saline
Greene
Sangamon
Schuyler
Scott.
Hamilton
Hancock
Shelby
Hardin
134
340
249
106
Stark
Henderson
St. Clair
'"
1
3
2
Henry
4
14
6
Stephenson
Iroqueig
Tazewell
. Jackson
Union
.Jasper
Vermilion
9
1346
1345
2907
1367
5398
2627
1869
5235
2619
6277
1198
3087
1667
2166
2276
893
2850
1363
524
2632
1647
6001
1329
2080
647
'"i'40
61
172
26
309
141
55
514
27
100
Wabash
-Jersey
M
*
"3
Warren
1
.Johnson
Wayne . . .
Kane
5
2
White
'Hi
4
1
Xankakee . . .
Whiteslde
Kendall
Will
1
1
15
Williamson
' i ?,
"2
4
iLaSalle
Woodford
&ee
1
6
Total
275958
-Jo 70 99
16951 130
157
PRACTICAL RULES FOR EVERY DAY USE,
How to find the gain or loss per cent, when the cost and setting price 1
are given.
RULE. Find the difference between the cost and selling price, which
will be the gain or loss.
Annex two ciphers to the gain or loss, and divide it by the cost
price ; the result will be the gain or loss per cent.
Hoiv to change gold into currency.
RULE. Multiply the given sum of gold by the price of gold.
Hoiv to change currency into gold.
Divide the amount in currency by the price of gold.
How to find each partner's share of the gain or loss in a copartnership
business.
RULE. Divide the whole gain or loss by the entire stock, the quo-
tient will be the gain or loss per cent.
Multiply each partner's stock by this per cent., the result will be
each one's share of the gain or loss.
How to find gross and net weight and price of hogs.
A short and simple method for finding the net weight, or price of hoff r
when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa.
NOTE. It Is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs diminished by 1-5 or 20 per cent,
of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by K or 25 per cent, of itself equals the
gross weight.
To find the net weight ar gross price.
Multiply the given number by .8 (tenths.)
To find the gross weight or net price.
Divide the given number by .8 (tenths.)
How to find the capacity of a granary, bin, or wagon-bed.
RULE. Multiply (by short method) the number of cubic feet by
6308, and point off ONE decimal place the result will be the correct
answer in bushels and tenths of a bushel.
For only an approximate answer, multiply the cubic feet by 8 T and
point off one decimal place.
Hoiv to find the contents of a corn-crib.
RULE. Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, or
(207)
208 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
by 4| ordinary method, and point off ONE decimal place the result will
be the answer in bushels.
NOTE. In estimating corn in the ear, the quality and the time it has been cribbed must be taken
Into consideration, since corn will shrink considerably during the Winter and Spring. This rule generally holds
good for cor* measured at the time it is cribbed, provided it is sound and clean.
How to find the contents of a cistern or tank.
RULE. Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the depth (all
in feet) and this product by 5681 (short method), and point off ONE
.decimal place the result will be the contents in barrels of 31 1 gallons.
How to find the contents of a barrel or cask.
RULE. Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length
(all in inches) in REVERSED order, so that its UNITS will fall under the
TENS ; multiply by short method, and this product again by 430 ; point
off one decimal place, and the result will be the answer in wine gallons.
How to measure boards.
RULE. Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) and
divide the product by 12 the result will be the contents in square feet.
How to measure scantlings, joists, planks, sills, etc.
RULE. Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together
(the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide
the product by 12 the result will be square feet.
ffoiv to find the number of acres in a body of land.
RULE. Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide the
product by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is a
remainder) ; the result will be the answer in acres and hundredths.
When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal length,
add them together and take one-half for the mean length or width.
How to find the number of square yards in a floor or wall.
RULE. Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), and
divide the product by 9, the result will be square yards.
How to find the number of bricks required in a building.
RULE. Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22.
The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, height
and thickness (in feet) together.
Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, and two inches
thick ; hence, it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar,
but it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the space.
How to find the number of shingles required in a roof.
RULE. Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if the
shingles are exposed 4 inches, or by 7 1-5 if exposed 5 inches.
To find the number of square feet, multiply the length of the roof by
twice the length of the rafters.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 209
To find the length of the rafters, at ONE-FOURTH pitch, multiply the
width of the building by .56 (hundredths) ; at ONE-THIRD pitch, by .6
(tenths) ; at TWO-FIFTHS pitch, by .64 (hundredths) ; at ONE-HALF
pitch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from
the apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be
taken into consideration.
NOTE. By X or % pitch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof Is to be X or )i the width of the
'building higher than the walls or base of the rafters.
How to reckon the cost of hay.
RULE. Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton,
.and remove the decimal point three places to the left.
How to measure grain.
RULE. Level the grain ; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic
feet ; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to
the left.
NOTE. Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra bushel.
The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by
multiplying the number of bushels by 8.
If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to find
the number of bushels of shelled corn, because it requires 2 bushels of eai
corn to make 1 of shelled corn.
Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments.
In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any
given plot in square }^ards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the
number of rods and acres.
The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now,
.an ordinary -sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, 011
the average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes.
To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to
walk in a straight line ; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line
straight ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote ; and, in walk-
ing, keep these objects constantly in line.
Farmers and others by adopting the following simple and ingenious con-
trivance, may always carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard
measure.
Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger of
the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the
left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink.
To find hotv many rods in length will make an acre, the width being given.
I
RULE. Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the' answer.
210 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
How to find the number of acres in any plot of land, the number of rods
being given.
RULE. Divide the number of rods by 8, multiply the quotient by 5,
and remove the decimal point two places to the left.
The diameter being given, to find the circumference.
RULE. Multiply the diameter by 3 1-7.
How to find the diameter, when the circumference is given.
RULE. Divide the circumference by 3 1-7.
To find how many solid feet a round stick of timber of the same thick-
ness throughout will contain when squared.
RULE. Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, multiply
by the length in feet, and divide the product by 144.
Q-eneral rule for measuring timber, to find the solid contents in feet.
RULE. Multiply the depth in inches by the breadth in inches, and
then multiply by the length in feet, and divide by 144.
To find the number of feet of timber in trees with the bark on.
RULE. Multiply the square of one-fifth of the circumference in
inches, by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to
1-15 according to the thickness of the bark.
Howard s new rule for computing interest.
RULE. The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the interest
on any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the decimal
point two places to the left ; for ten times that time, remove the point
one place to the left ; for 1-10 of the same time, remove the point three
places to the left.
Increase or diminish the results to suit the time given.
NOTE. The reciprocal of the rate is found by inverting: the rate ; thus 3 per cent, per month, in-
verted, becomes % of a month, or 10 days.
When the rate is expressed by one figure, always write it thus : 3-l r
three ones.
Rule for converting English into American currency.
Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence stated in decimals,,
by 400 plus the premium in fourths, and divide the product by 90.
U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND MEASURE.
A township 36 sections each a mile square.
A section 640 acres.
A quarter section, half a mile square 160 acres.
An eighth section, half a mile long, north and south, and a quarter
of a mile wide 80 acres.
A sixteenth section, a quarter of a mile square 40 acres.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 211
The sections are all numbered 1 to 36, commencing at the north-east
corner.
The sections are divided into quarters, which are named by the
cardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The de-
scription of a forty acre lot would read : The south half of the west half of
the south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, north of range 7 west,
or as the case might be ; and sometimes will fall short and sometimes
overrun the number of acres it is supposed to contain.
The nautical mile is 795 4-5 feet longer than the common mile.
SURVEYORS' MEASURE.
7 92-100 inches make 1 link.
25 links " 1 rod.
4 rods " 1 chain..
80 chains " 1 mile.
*
NOTE. A chain is 100 links, equal to 4 rods or 66 feet.
Shoemakers formerly used a subdivision of the inch called a barley-
corn ; three of which made an inch.
Horses are measured directly over the fore feet, and the standard of"
measure is four inches called a hand.
In Biblical and other old measurements, the term span is sometimes
used, which is a length of nine inches.
The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length.
The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length.
A pace is equal to a yard or 36 inches.
A fathom is equal to 6 feet.
A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is strictly
speaking a nautical term, and should be three geographical miles, equal
to 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute miles are said
to be a league.
In cloth measure an aune is equal to li yards, or 45 inches.
An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.796 inches.
A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches.
A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches.
HOW TO KEEP ACCOUNTS.
Every farmer and mechanic, whether he does much or little business,
should keep a record of his transactions in a clear and systematic man-
ner. For the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity of ac-
quiring a primary knowledge of the principles of book-keeping, we here-
present a simple form of keeping accounts which is easily comprehended,,
and well adapted to record the business transactions of farmers, mechanics-
and laborers.
212
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
1875.
A. H. JACKSON.
Dr.
Cr.
.Jan. 10
" 17
Feb. 4
" 4
March 8
8
" 13
" 27
April 9
9
May 6
24
July 4
To 7 bushels Wheat __ . at $1.25
$8
6
1
48
6
17
75
:jo
5
00
as
r,o
$2
18
2
25
4
35
50
00
10
25
00
75
15
By shoeing span of Horses
To 14 bushels Oats at $ .45
To 5 Ibs. Butter .. _ at .25
By new Harrow ..
Bv sharpening* 2 Plows. _
By new Double-Tree.
To Cow and Calf .
To half ton of Hay
By Cash .
By repairing Corn-Planter. .
To one Sow with Pigs . __
By Cash; to balance account . ..
$88
05
$88
05
1 8T5 . CASSA MASON. Dr. Cr .
March 21
" 21
" 23
May 1
1
June 19
26
July 10
29
Aug. 12
12
Sept. 1
By 3 days' labor . ... at $1.25
$6
8
10
2
2
20
18
00
10
00
75
70
00
10
$3
25
12
18
9
75
oo
00
00
00
To 2 Shoats at 3 00
To 18 bushels Corn ... . at .45
By 1 month's Labor .
To Cash
By 8 days' Mowing at $1.50
To 50 Ibs. Flour
To 27 Ibs. Meat . at $ .10
By 9 days' Harvesting at 2.00
By 6 days' Labor .. ._ at 1.50
To Cash ...
To Cash to balance account ._
$67
75
$67
75
INTEREST TABLE.
A SIMPLE RULK YOB. ACCURATELY COMPUTING INTEREST AT AMY GIVBK PER CENT. FOR ANY
LENGTH OF TIMB.
Multiply the principal (amount of money at interest) by the time reduced to days; then divide this product
by the quotient obtained by dividing 360 (the number of days In the interest year) by the per cent, of interest,
Aiidthe quotient thus obtained will be the required interest.
ILLUSTRATION. Solution.
Require the interest of $462.50 for one month and eighteen days at 6 per cent. An 462.50
interest month is 30 days ; one month and eighteen days equal 48 days. $4b2.50 multi- .48
plied by .48 gives $222.0000; 360 divided by 6 (the per cent, of interest) gives 60, and
$22'2.0000 divided by 60 will give you the exact Interest, which is $3.70. If the race of 370000
interest in the above example were 12 per cent, we would divide the $222.0000 by 30 6)360 \ 185000
(because 360 divided by 12 gives 30); if 4 per cent., we would divide by 90; if 8 per
<;ent., by 45: and in like manner for any other per cent. 60/$222.0000($3.70
180
420
420
00
MISCELLANEOUS TABLE.
12 units, or things, 1 Dozen.
12 dozen, 1 Gross.
20 things, 1 Score.
196 pounds, 1 Barrel of Flour.
200 pounds, 1 Barrel of Pork.
56 pounds, 1 Firkin of Butter.
24 sheets of paper, 1 Quire.
20 quires paper 1 Ream.
4 ft. wide, 4 ft. high, and 8 tt. long, 1 Cord Wood.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 213
NAMES OF THE STATES OF THE UNION, AND THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS.
Virginia. The oldest of the States, was so called in honor of Queen
Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made
Iris first attempt to colonize that region.
Florida. Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida on Easter
Sunday, and called the country in commemoration of the day, which was
the Pasqua Florida of the Spaniards, or " Feast of Flowers."
Louisiana was called after Louis the Fourteenth, who at one lime
owned that section of the country.
Alabama was so named by the Indians, and signifies " Here we Rest."
Mississippi is likewise an Indian name, meaning " Long River."
Arkansas, from Kansas, the Indian word for " smoky water." Its
prefix was really arc, the French word for " bow."
The Carolinas were originally one tract, and were called "Carolana,"
after Charles the Ninth of France.
Georgia owes its name to George the Second of England, who first
established a colony there in 1732.
Tennessee is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend," i. e., the
Mississippi which forms its western boundary.
Kentucky is the Indian name for " at the head of the river."
Ohio means " beautiful ; " Iowa, " drowsy ones ; " Minnesota, " cloudy
water," and Wisconsin, " wild-rushing channel."
Illinois is derived from the Indian word illini, men, and l;he French
suffix ois, together signifying " tribe of men."
Michigan was called by the name given the lake, fish-weir, which was
so styled from its fancied resemblance to a fish trap.
Missouri is from the Indian word " muddy," which more properly
applies to the river that flows through it.
Oregon owes its Indian name also to its principal river.
Cortes named California.
Massachusetts is the Indian for " The country around the great hills."
Connecticut, from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long
River."
Maryland, after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First, of
England.
New York was named by the Duke of York.
Pennsylvania means " Penn's woods," and was so called after William
Penn, its orignal owner.
214
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
Delaware after Lord De La Ware.
New Jersey, so called in honor of Sir George Carteret, who was
Governor of the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel.
Maine was called after the province of Maine in France, in compli-
ment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province.
Vermont, from the French word Vert Mont, signifying Green
Mountain.
New Hampshire, from Hampshire county in England. It was
formerly called Laconia.
The little State of Rhode Island owes its name to the Island of
Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly
resemble.
Texas is the American word for the Mexican name by which all that
section of the country was called before it was ceded to the United States.
POPULATION OF THE
UNITED STATES.
POPULATION OF FIFTY
PRINCIPAL CITIES.
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
Total
Population.
CITIES.
Aggregate
Population.
996.992
484,471
560,247
537,454
125,015
187,748
1.184,109
2,539,891
1,680,637
1,191,792
364,399
1,321,011
726,915
626,915
780,894
1,457,351
1,184,059
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland .
Massachusetts
Michigan
New York, N. Y....
Philadelphia, Pa
Brooklyn, N. Y
St. Louis, Mo
Chicago, 111
Baltimore, Md
Boston, Mass
Cincinnati, Ohio
New Orleans, La
San Francisco, Cal
Buffalo, N. Y
Washington, D. C
Newark, N. J
942,292
674,022
396,099
310,864
298. 977"
267,354
250,526
216,239-
191,418
149,473
117,714
109,199
105,059
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York ,
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
439,706
827,922
1,721,295
122,993
42.491
318,300
906.096
4,382.759
1,071,361
2,665,260
90,923
3,521,791
217,353
705,606
1,258,520
818,579
330,551
Cleveland, Ohio
Pittsburg, Pa
Jersey City, N. J
Detroit, Mich
Milwaukee, Wis
Albany, N. Y
Providence, R. I
Rochester, N. Y
Allegheny, Pa
Richmond, Va
New Haven, Conn
Charleston, S. C
Indianapolis, Ind
Troy, N. Y
Syracuse, N. Y
Worcester, Mass
92,829-
86,076
82,546
79,577
71,440
69,422
68,904
62,386
53.180
51.038
50,840
48,956
48.244
46,465
43,051
41,105
40.928
40,226
39,634
37,180
35,092
33.930
33.579
32,260
32,034
31,584
31,413
31 274
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Total States
442,014
1,054,670
38,113,253
Memphis, Tenn
Cambridge, Mass
Hartford, Conn
Scranton, Pa
Arizona ,
( 'olorada
Dakota
1 >i strict of Columbia ,
Idaho
9,658
39,864
14,181
131.700
14,999
20,595
91,874
86,786
23.955
9,118
Paterson, N. J
Kansas City, Mo
Mobile, Ala
Toledo, Ohio
Portland, Me
Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Wachi ngton
Wyoming
Total Territories.
Wilmington, Del
Dayton, Ohio
Lawrence, Mass
Utica, N. Y
Charlestown, Mass
Savannah, Ga
301841
30,473
28,921
28,804
28,323
28.235
28,233
26.766
442,730
Total United States
38,555,983
Fall River, Mass
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
215
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
STATES AND
TERRITORIES.
Area in
square
Miles.
POPULATION.
Miles
R. R.
1872.
STATES AND
TERRITORIES.
Area in
square
Miles.
POPULATION.
Miles
R. R.
1872.
1870.
1875.
1870.
1875.
State*.
50,722
52,198
188.981
4.674
2,120
59,268
58,000
55,410
33,809
55.1145
81.318
37,600
41,346
31,776
11,184
7,800
56,451
83,531
47,156
65.350
75.9P5
112,090
9,280
8.320
47,000
50,704
39,964
95,244
s of Mic
996,992
484,471
560,247
687,464
125,015
187,748
1,184,109
2.539,891
1,680,637
1,191.792
364,399
1,321,011
726,915
6261915
780,894
1,457,351
1,184,059
439,706
827.922
1,721,295
123,993
42,491
318.300
906,096
4,382,759
1,071,361
2,665,260
90,923
higan tak
1,671
25
1,013
820
227
466
2,108
5,904
3.529
3.160
1,760
1,123
539
871
820
1,606
21235
1,612
990
2,580
828
593
790
1.265
4,470
1,190
3,740
Io9
States.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina...
Tennessee
46,000
1,306
29,385
45,600
237,504
10,212
40,904
23,000
53,924
3,521,791
217,353
705,606
1,258,520
818.579
330,551
1,225,163
442,014
1.054.670
5,113
136
1,201
1,520
865
675
1,490
485
1,725
Arkansas
258,239
925,145
California
Texas
Florida
Georgia.
Illinois
Virginia
West Virginia
Indiana
1,350,544
528,349
"857',039
1,236,729
Total States
Territories.
Arizona
Colorado
1,950,171
113,916
104.500
147,490
60
90,932
143.776
121,201
80,056
69,944
93,107
38,113,253
9,658
39,864
14,181
131,700
14,999
20,595
91,874
86,786
23,955
9.118
59,587
Kentucky
Louisiana
392
Massachusetts...
1,651,912
1,334.031
598,429
Dakota
Dist. of Columbia.
Idaho
*
Mississippi
Missouri
"246,280
52,540
New Mexico
Utah
375
New Hampshire.
New Jersey
498
1,026,502
4,705,208
Total Territories.
Aggregate of U. S..
* Included In t
965,032
2,915,203
he Railro
442,730
1,265
North Carolina..
Ohio
38,555,983
ad Mileage
60,852
id.
en in 1874
* Last Censu
of Marylai
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD ;
POPULATION AND AREA.
COUNTRIES.
Population.
Date of
Census.
Area in
Square
Miles.
Inhabitants
to Square
Mile.
CAPITALS.
Population.
China
446,500 000
1871
3 741 846
119.3
Pekln
1,648,800
British Kin pi re
226 817 108
1871
4 677 432
48-6
3 251 800
Russia
81 925 4^0
1871
8 003 778
10 2
667 000
United States with Alaska
38 925 600
1870
I 603 884
7.78
Washington
109,199
36 469 800
1866
204 091
178 7
Paris
1 825 300
Austria and Hungary
35,904 400
1869
240 348
149.4
Vienna
833,900
Japan
34 785 300
1871
149 399
232.8
Yeddo
1 554,900
Great Britain and Ireland
31 817 100
1871
121 315
262 3
3 251 800
German Empire
29 906 092
1871
Ifilt 207
187.
Berlin
825,400
Italy
27 439 921
1871
118 847
230.9
244 484
16 642 000
1867
195 775
85
Madrid
332 000
Brazil
10 000 000
3 253 029
3.07
Rio Janeiro
420,000
Turkey
Mexico
16,463,000
9 173,000
1869
'672,621
761 526
24.4
Constantinople
Mexico
1,075,000
210.300
Sweden and Norway
5 921 500
1870
292 871
20.
Stockholm
136 900
Persia
5 000 000
1870
63 r > %4
7.8
120 (Mil)
Belgium
5 021,300
1869
11 373
441.5
Brussels
314 100
Bavaria
4 sin 400
1871
29 292
165.9
169 500
Portugal
3 995 200
1868
34 494
115.8
224 063
Holland
3 688 300
1870
12 680
290-9
Hague
90,100
>ew Grenada
3 000 000
1870
357 157
8.4
45 000
Chili
2 000 000
1869
132 616
15 1
115 400
Switzerland
2 669 100
1870
15 992
166.9
Berne
36 000
Peru
2 500 000
1871
471 838
5.3
160 100
Bolivia.
2 000 000
497 321
4
25 000
Argentine Republic
1,812 000
1869
871 848
2.1
Buenos Ay res
177.800
Wurtembnrg
1 818 500
1871
7 533
241 4
Stuttgart
91 600
Denmark
1 784 700
1870
14 753
120 9
162 042
Venezuela
I 500 000
M* 238
4.2
47.000
Baden
1 461 400
1871
5 912
247
36,600
Greece
1 457 900
1870
19 353
75 3
43 400
Guatemala
1 180 000
1871
40 879
28.9
Guatemala
40,000
Ecuador
1,300,000
218,928
5.9
Quito
70.000
Paraguay
1 000 000
1871
63 787
15 6
48 000
Hesse
823' 138
2 969
277
30 000
Liberia
718*000
1871
9*576
74 9
3,000
San Salvador
600 000
1871
7 335
81 8
Sal Salvador
15 000
Havti
572 000
10*205
56
20 000
Nicaragua
350 000
1871
58*171
1
10 000
Uruguay
300 000
1871
66 722
6 5
44 500
Honduras
350 000
1871
47 092
7 4
12 000
San Domingo
136 000
17 827
7 6
20 000
Costa Rica
165 000
1870
21 505
7 7
2 000
Hawaii
62.950
7.633
80.
Honolulu
7.633
216
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS,
BY COUNTIES.
COUNTIES.
AGGREGATE.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.
1830.
1820.
Adams -- - - -
56362
10564
I3I52
12942
I22O5
32415
6562
16705
11580
32737
20363
18719
15875
16285
25235
349966
13889
12223
23265
14768
13484
16685
21450
75"5
15653
19633
9103
12652
38291
"134
20277
14938
13014
35935
5H3
12582
35506
25782
19634
11234
17864
15054
27820
11248
39091
24352
12399
39522
21014
60792
12533
27171
3M7I
23053
41323
4707
9815
11678
9938
26426
5144
"733
"325
14629
10492
14987
9336
10941
14203
144954
"551
8311
19086
10820
7140
14701
16925
5454
7816
11189
1979
9393
33338
8055
16093
10379
99 T 5
29061
3759
950i
20660
12325
9589
8364
12965
12051
27325
934 2
30062
15412
13074
28663
18257
48332
9214
17651
11637
14272
26508
2484
6144
7624
7198
8841
3231
4586
7253
2649
3203
9532
4289
5139
9335
43385
7135
3718
7540
5002
14476
3313
5060
1705
4183
3067
1741
1023
2981
1475
1878
7453
3228
37i8
9616
1 020 1
4422
2186
1390
3124
Alexander. - -
626
2931
Bond
Boone
Brown
Bureau ____
Calhoun .. -
logo
Carroll _-_..--
Cass . . _ . . --
Champaign .
Christian
Clark
3940
755
2330
931
Clay
Clinton
Coles .. .
Cook
Crawford _ ... ....
3U7
*2J.
2999"
Cumberland
De Kalb
1697
3247
I?e Witt
Douglas
Du Page
9290
10692
3524
3799
8075
3535
8225
3070
1675
6328
Edgar _
4071
1649
Edwards -
3444
Effingham.
Fayette - -
2704
Ford -.
Franklin
5681
22508
544$
12429
3023
6362
14652
2887
4612
3807
4149
5862
3220
8109
7354
18604
4114
16703
3682
13142
10760
H95I
4083
1841
7405
7674
1763
Fulton .
Gallatin
3155
Greene ...
Grundy ....
Hamilton ... ...
3945
9946
1378
2616
483
Hancock _ - _ ._. . _.
Hardin . .
Henderson
Henry ----
1260
1695
3566
1472
5762
4535
6180
3626
6501
4i
Iroquois ....
Jackson _ ___ __ ..
1828
1542
Jasper
Jefferson . ....
2555
691
Jersey .
Jo Daviess
2III
1596
Johnson
843
Kane ...
Kankakee. .
Kendall
7730
13279
14226
17815
6lI
5.292
1553
5128
Knox
7060
2634
9348
7092
2035
759
2<m
274
Lake .... .
La Salle .- . . .. .-
Lawrence
3668
Lee
Livingston
Loean . .
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
217
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS CONCLUDED.
COUNTIES.
AGGREGATE.
1870.
1860.
185O.
1840.
183O.
182O.
Macon .
26481
32726
44I3I
2O622
16950
16184
95SI
26509
23762
53988
H735
18769
12982
253H
28463
10385
27492
47540
13723
10953
30708
H437
8 75 2
6280
20859
12803
29783
12714
46352
17419
10530
25476
I075I
51068
30608
27903
16518
30388
8841
23174
17599
19758
16846
27503
43013
17329
29301
18956
2539891
13738
24602
3"5I
12739
13437
10931
6213
20069
22089
28772
9584
15042
12832
13979
22II2
6385
22888
366OI
9552
6l27
27249
6742
3943
5587
17205
9711
21005
9331
32274
14684
9069
14613
9004
37694
25112
21470
11181
19800
7313
18336
I373I
12223
12403
18737
29321
12205
24491
13282
3988
12355
20441
6720
5180
5921
4092
7616
14978
10163
6349
5246
7679
6277
16064
3234
10020
17547
5278
1606
18819
3975
2265
3924
11079
4012
6937
5588
19228
10573
7914
7807
3710
20180
, 11666
12052
7615
11492
4690
8176
6953
6825
8925
536i
16703
7216
"773
4415
851470
3039
79 2 6
14433
4742
1849
1122
1990
6221
2125
Vlacoupin
Madison .
13550
Marion .
Marshall .
Mason
Massac
McDonough
5308
2578
6565
4431
2352
4481
449
19547
(*)
McHenry .
McLean
Menard ... .
Mercer. .. .. . _ ......
26
20OO
2953
I27I4
Monroe ..
*2I
I5l6
Montgomery _.
Morgan
Moultrie .
Ogle . .
3479
6i53
3222
Peoria __
w
1215
Perry . .
Piatt
Pike
11728
4094
2396
3316
Pope
2610
Pulaski
Putnam .
2131
7944
^1310
4429
Randolph
3492
Richland .
Rock Island
2610
Saline
Sangamon
14716
6972
6215
6659
1573
13631
2800
7221
5524
9303
4240
6739
4810
5133
7919
2514
10167
4457
4609
12960
2959
Schuyler
Scott
Shelby
2972
Stark .
St.Clair
7078
*5
5248-
Stephenson.. .
Tazewell-. . .. .
4716
3239
5836
2710
308
1675
2553
6091
Union
2362
Vermilion _
\Vabash
Warren .
Washi ngton
1517
1114
4828
Wayne .
White
Whitesides
Will.
Williamson
Winnebago
Woodford .
Total
1711951
476183
157445
*49
55162
PRODUCTIONS OF AGRICULTURE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, BY COUNTIES. 1870.
Improved
Land.
Woodl'nd
Uther un-
improved
Spring
Wheat!
Winter
Wheat.
Rye.
Indian
Corn.
Oats.
JOUNTIES.
Total
Number.
19.329.95a
Number.
5,061.578
Number.
1,491.331
Bushels.
10,133.207
Bushels.
19995.198
Bushels.
2.456,578
Bushels.
129.921,395
Bushels.
42.780.851
Adams
Alexander
287.926
13 836
112,576
17,761
19,370
16,191
947.616
42 658
20,989
30
1,452,905
244 220
759,074
21,627
Bond
145,045
42,613
1,915
700
368 625
6 240
1 064 052
461,097
Boone
137 307
2y,886
2,658
241,042
599
35 871
466 985
579,127
Brown
57,062
35,491
25.608
13,276
117 502
4,742
337 769
70,852
398,611
41,866
15.803
465,236
724
43 811
3 030 404
987,426
37 684
63.443
2.754
221 298
186
234 041
26,234
Carroll
186,864
29,793
33,302
418,073
260
25.721
1.367 965
775,100
Cass
92.902
33,493
6,604
12,165
127,054
2.772
1,146,980
168,784
Champaign
419,368
16,789
58,502
102.577
123,091
45,752
3,924,720
721,375
Christian
241,472
19,803
19.173
18,360
504,041
10,722
1,883,336
383,821
Clark
118 594
102,201
5,420
195 118
7,308
614 5 82
212 628
Clay
146,922
80,612
5,225
1,894
85,737
3,221
1,019,994
269,945
Clinton
150,177
48,868
8,722
500
610.888
1,619
813.257
446,324
Coles
208,337
45,214
3,274
2.651
154,485
8,825
2,133,111
315.954
348.824
19,635
17,337
144,296
4,904
20,171
570,427
1,584,225
105,505
78,350
27,185
60
212 924
15,497
581,964
136,255
Cumberland
75,342
40,334
5,604
550
84,697
14,798
403,075
171,880
DeKalb
334,502
17,722
6,551
398,059
190
21,018
1,023,849
1,087,074
DeWitt
168,539
29,548
17.633
106,493
11,695
11 540
1,311,635
216,756
Douglas ..'
147,633
11,897
7,316
7,683
65,461
9,017
1,680,225
225,074
564,874
17,243
3.851
106,096
693
7,532
331,981
860,809
Edgar
^65,45
66.H03
14,282
13,283
247,360
37,508
2,107,615
290,679
58 912
57,585
830
122 703
528
352 371
129 152
Efflngham
Fayette
120,343
187,196
56.330
93,460
26,206
16.786
77
195,71(1
351,310
19,75!-
25.328
620,24',
962,525
386.073
497,395
Ford
141.228
2,996
63,976
42,571
1,008
11,577
565,671
154,589
Franklin
80,749
3,994
86,710
365
111,324
5.195
653,209
222,426
Fulton
228,132
123,823
4,076
193,669
223 930
131,711
1,508,763
261,390
Gallatin
49 572
68,750
2,565
83 093
512
509,491
27,164
175 408
93,242
29.653
577 400
41E
1 051 31 y
64,029
193,999
6,256
4,505
21,700
180
4,93(
295,97;
269,332
Hamilton
88,996
93,878
3,343
129
92.347
11,67*
735,25;
203,464
Hancock ...
311,517
43,385
18.480
181,378
232,750
133,533
1,510,401
579,599
Hardin
28.117
44,771
107
13
32,306
865
172.651
26,991
Henderson
140,954
34,705
14,243
161,112
69,062
96,430
1,712,901
229,286
Henry
265,904
12,620
31,459
462,379
445
35,76b
2,541,68o
668,367
Iroquols
322,510
22.478
63,498
57,160
10,480
23,25!i
799,811'
430,746
Jackson
78,548
87,642
5,991
89u
329.036
524
611,951
149,931
90 867
67,023
12,250
87 808
9,165
461,345
149,214
118 951
94,888,
778
100 553
5 93^
887 981
285,949
Jersey
94,147
51,427
1,363
558J367
519,120
71.770
JoDaviess
156.517
57 820
82,076
45,779
79 141
282,758
555
92 191
7.1 85
2 468
1,886,82
343 29^
874,016
74,525
Kane
240,120
34,646
399
188,826
325
23.618
674,33:'
785,608
Kankakee.
312,182
10,978
10,598
103,466
480
12,93s
637,39!
772,408
Kendall
164.004
14,244
2,283
90,681
1,249
5,16:
681,267
468,890
Knox
330,829
41,566
25.155
267,764
7 654
113,54',
2,708,31!
787,952
Lake
207,779
21,072
24,399
168,914
221
5.87t
517,35:
699,069
l.uSallr
533,724
48,117
2,356
271,181
2,193
48,30>
3,077,02!-
1,509,642
87,82b
72,738
3,273
264,134
1,12.
656,36:
131,386
Lee
322,212
12,071
7,409
450,793
2.260
14.82S
1,656,978
903,197
Livingston
377 50;;
12,462
41,788
120,206
1,339
26,16:
1 182,69(
659,300
Logan
321,70!)
17,394
408
198,056
40 963
37.232
4,221,641'
490,226
Macon
205 259
18,153
9,115
55,239
196 613
29,22: j
2,214,468
454,648
Macoupin
231.059
81,224
7,343
160
861,398
2,404
1,051,54-1
459,417
257032
89,450
13.675
550
1 207 181
3 68E
2 127 54 fi
475,252
Marlon ..
173 081
61,579
4.142
17365*
1*4 517
1 034 057
389,448
Marshall
166,057
28,260
2,976
106,129
900
36,135
1,182,903
362,604
Mason
209 453
31,739
31,013
73,261
125 628
49,182
2 648 721
272,660
25 151
33,39b
30
72 31t)
544
133 121
22,097
McDonough
261,635
52,547
14,035
273,871
86,146
52 401
1 362 491
280,717
230 5b6
53,293
57.998
401,790
270
29 264
1 145 OOi
910.397
McLean
494,978
40,366
49,087
211,801
10 955
39 824
3 723 37!'
911,127
Menard .
134,173
34.931
13,952
36,152
45 793
4 28:
1 973 881
235,091
Mercer
222.809
45,977
22,588
289,291
13,203
40.771?
2,054,96-
452,889
92 81li
83 369
666
651 767
1 42f
543 718
152,251
276 682
47,804
8 495
59
744891
3 29(,
1 527 898
668,424
Morgan
Moultrie
233,450
144 220
60,217
24,783
1,378
13,112
18,196
17,128
357,523
196 436
5,53. r
6 670
3,198,835
1 753 141
198,724
263,992
Ogle
Peoria
316,883
170 72fi
43,643
48,666
14,913
2,516
497,038
92,361
5,580
31 843
157,504
99 50'-'
1,787,066
969 22^1
141,540
334,892
93 754
68 470
220
:>5D 4.11,
1 OH/
384 44(,
338.760
Piatt...
94,454
5,978
13,897
26,382
39 762
9*,248
1,029'. 725
130,610
Pike
233 785
128,953
9,302
130
1 057,497
25 303
1,399 188
161,419
Pope
55 980
87 754
70 457
2 309
315 958
67,886
Pulaski
19 319
12.516
44 92i
22*
195 73."-
16,511
Putnam
37 271
17 184
4 174
28,137
79(i
7 70'i
334 25!>
86,519
Randolph
140 764
162.274
1.170
450
1,031,022
3.23E
510,081
414,487
75 079
50 618
2 025
150 268
3 401
482 59n
204.634
Rock Island
Saline
155.214
72 309
31,239
70 393
20,755
809
243,541
200
2.279
83.011
20,00?
568
1, 459^65:
531.5H
276,575
69,793
Sangamon
421 748
51 085
19 932
89,304
247,658
23 078
4,388 76^
397,718
Schuyler
96 195
62.477
21,294
56,221
165,724
20,841
440,975
119.359
Scott
85 331
44 633
1,610
18
266 105
93(
752 771
13.463
Shelby...
310,179
74,908
9,314
15,526
452,015
23.68d
2,082,578
637.812
Stark
138 129
12 375
2 783
124,630
30 534
1 149 878
316.726
St. Clair
231 117
76 591
2,016
2,550
1,562 621
1,008
1 423 121
476.851
Stephenson
254,857
43.167
13.701
527,394
2,118
135.362
1.615,679
960.620
Tazewell ...
229 126
45,268
14,846
132,417
72,410
59,027
2,062,053
505,841
Union
75 832
83 606
5 300
180 231
1 737
679 753
124,473
Vermilion...
360 251
53,078
31,122
44,806
249,558
52,476
2,818,027
436.051
Wabash
54 (163
37 558
509
202 201
421,361
110,793
Warren
266 187
27,294
14,583
186,290
5,712
72.212
2,982,853
01. 054
177 592
55 852
1 931
672 486
2 576
836 115
33,398
Wayne
White
Whitesides...,
147,352
92,398
289 809
146,794
78.167
21.823
10,486
869
37 310
266
"'457', 455
164,689
184,321
264
8,665
418
31.658
1,179,291
870,521
2,162 943
404,433
119.653
880838
Will
419,442
24.261
6,335
195,286
1,996
8,030
1.131.458
1,868.682
Williamson
128,448
116.949
1,648
176
170,787
6.228
655,710
180,986
Winnebago
V/oodford ...
241,373
225,504
37,238
25,217
15,237
23.135
408,606
178,139
2,468
108,307
137,985
20.42b
1.237.406
2,154.185
SIR 903
744.581
ELGIN
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
KANE COUNTY occupies a territory of 540 square miles, extending from
McHenry on the north to Kendall on the south, and bounded on the east by
Cook and DuPage Counties and on the west by DeKalb. It originally com-
prised thirty-six townships, eighteen of which are now embraced in DeKalb and
three in Kendall, while one of the others has been divided since the township
organization, leaving sixteen within its present area. It contains nineteen cities,
villages and hamlets, many of the most extensive manufactories in the State,
about 105 miles of railroad in successful operation, and has few equals among
the counties of the entire country in the variety and extent of its resources.
Its chief source of wealth, however, is its rich prairie soil, drained by the
beautiful Fox River, which traverses its eastern range of townships from north
to south, and by several smaller streams and tributaries, the most important of
which are Big Rock, Blackberry, Mill, Ferson's, Tyler's and Kishwaukee Creeks,
Something less than one-fourth of its area is covered with woodland ; and its
timber, when the country was new, was of a superior quality, including black
walnut, hickory and the many varieties of oak, which are still common in its
groves. Its geological deposits which appear to the view are limestone. All
exposures of rock are, with one slight exception, along the banks of the river.
At any point along the valley, a removal of a few feet of soil discloses this
rock, which, at Batavia and vicinity, appears as an excellent building stone.
Flag-stone, of any required surface or thickness, may there be obtained, which
is usually of a buff or reddish yellow hue. An artesian well, bored at the
C., B. & Q. car shops, in Aurora, disclosed, first, 30 feet of alluvial deposit, fol-
lowed successively by 108 feet belonging to the Niagara limestone group, 165
feet to the Cincinnati group, 232 feet to the Galena and Trenton deposits, and,
finally, by 158 feet of the buff and reddish-yellow sandstone. But few fossils
have ever been unearthed in the county, and of these few the remains of a mas-
todon, found near Aurora and now preserved in Jennings Seminary, are the
most important. Further notice of them will be made in the chapter upon
Aurora Townsnip. Peat is extensively ranged over portions of the surface of the
northern townships, especially in Rutland and Hampshire, and in many sections a
222 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
fine quality of brick- clay is obtained, from which brick very similar to the cele-
brated Milwaukee brick is manufactured. Water is found in nearly every
part of the county by sinking wells from ten to fifteen feet below the surface.
As will be inferred from the above statement, the general nature of the sur-
face is level or but slightly rolling, there being but few hills worthy of the name
in the entire county. In summer, the traveler, standing upon the slight eleva-
tions along the river bank, may behold for miles the rolling table lands stretch-
ing far away toward the rising or setting sun, like cultivated gardens, broken oJily
by the occasional groves, the frequent farm houses, with their clustering barn*,
the tall poplars around them or the well-built fences and green hedges.
Having thus briefly noticed the boundaries, the topography and the geologi-
cal features of the country, we hasten to detail, at greater length, its
SETTLEMENT.
There is probably no county in Illinois that has accumulated its population
from such various sources as has Kane County. From first to last there have
been no less than ten distinct and separate nationalities which have furnished,
not individuals only, but colonies, who have made their settlements in the
borders of the staunch old county ; representatives of whom, in greater or less
number, are among the residents to-day.
Beginning with the Hoosiers, who came into the county as early as 1883,
following closely upon the rear guard of Scott's army upon the settlement of
the Sauk, or, as it is commonly known, the Blackhawk war, we find settle-
ments successively of Yankees, from Massachusetts and New York : Scotch,
Irish, Pennsylvania Dutch, Welsh, French, Scandinavians, Germans, and,
lastly, the war gave us, as one of its legacies, Sambo. Gen. Scott pushed the
Indians back with his little army, which cut its way through the Little Woods,
fording the river at the big bend near what is now known as Silver Glen, and
left its trail broad and deep across the prairie through the townships of Elgin,
Plato and Burlington. -
Not only did the artillery and supply trains leave a broad track in their
wake, but Death also traveled with the column, and, under the dread name of
cholera, took captive many prisoners who have never yet been mustered for
exchange, but whose bones have mouldered away on lounded slopes in Plato,
where the mounds may be seen and noted to-day. As Scott solved the Indian
question in Illinois, people from Virginia, Kentucky, Southern Indiana and
Illinois, all called by the general name of " Hoosiers," came into the county,
in big canvas-covered wagons drawn by four or five yoke of oxen, and called
"prairie schooners." They located on the southern side of groves and in
sunny exposures beside streams and springs, and fenced only as much land as
would suffice for a little corn, and gave themselves up generally to the pleasures
of the chase, game being abundant. They were hardy people, fond of pioneer
life, regardless of the forms and ceremonial restraints of advanced civilization,
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 223
but noted for their neighborly kindness and hospitality. They lived a careless,
easy life, and on the irruption of the Yankees, as a general thing, went again
to the border, at that time in Iowa. They were generally inclined to Metho-
dism in their religious views, and took naturally to it when Bishop Asbury's
itinerating preachers came to the front.
The Alexanders came to Geneva from Southern Illinois, about 1835, and
John Tucker, a fine courtly gentlemen from Virginia, came about 1836-7, and
with his sons, Charles and John R., and several daughters, settled in Campton,
on what is still held as the Tucker homestead. Some of the daughters married
into the Corron families, thus connecting two of the oldest families in the
county. Richard J. Hamilton, Col. Strode and Buckner J. Morris, largely
interested at that time in Kane County, also carat from Kentucky, but located
in Chicago. Bird built a log house on his claim near the ravine, just north of
A. M. Herrington's farm house, in Geneva. Haight built his house near the
large spring just opposite the old Webster House that was in Geneva. Crow
built on the east side of the river. Newton Shelby took up the site of East
St. Charles, and sold all of the claim north of the main street to Calvin Ward,
in 1835, for $75. J. M. Laughlin made his claim at Round Grove, east of St.
Charles, and subsequently purchased it of the Government. He married into
the family of Gartons, who lived near him. John Hammers took up the
old Western Enterprise Claim, just east of St. Charles Village, and subse-
quently sold out and moved to Hoosier Grove, northeast of Elgin, where, with
Abe Leatherman, he soon gathered about them a fine sturdy lot of brother
Hoosiers, many of whom are still living in the western part of Cook County,
and make Elgin their market. Wm. Franklin located the claim now known
as the Gray farm, near Laughlin's. and the Stewarts located on the Button
farm. At Dundee, around its sheltering mounds so picturesque and beautiful,
and beside its clear, unfailing springs, Rice and Dewees squatted and built the
Spring Mills, supplied with power by the springs which flow from the mounds,
which subsequently have proven to be valuable sources of wealth in material
for the justly celebrated white brick of Dundee. They also built the usual
accompaniment, in those days, of a grist-mill, a distillery to provide a market
for the corn raised in the county, on the principal that as corn in the raw was
unpalatable, yet if it was worked up into whisky, a little of it could be worried
down.
Wm. Welch also came, an old veteran, whose history reaches back into the
bloody days of Boone, in Kentucky, and who was one of Boone's companions
in many a weary hunt and dangerous campaign. In 1812, Mr. Welch took a
supply train from Blue Lick, Ky., through the unbroken wilderness in Ohio,
Permyslvania and New York, to the army at Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario.
It was a thrilling story to hear "'Uncle Billy " relate this episode in his life.
Benj. Marks, a relative of the Welches, entered large tracts of land in the town-
ships of Elgin and St. Charles at the land sale, the patents for which from the
224 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Government, signed by John Tyler, President, are on record in our Recorder's
office. The Oatmans came early and staid late, Jesse Oatman being still an
honored resident of the town of Dundee. The Ashbaughs, a large family of
large boned, muscular men and women, carne and settled down in the north-
western part of the town, and Andrew, one of the sons, still resides on the old
homestead. The Ashbaughs had a huge Hoosier breaking plow, with which,
and a team of eight yoke of oxen, they broke up prairie in nearly every town
in the northern part of the county. The Ashbaughs and their breaking team
were an institution in the early history of the county, and no record of those
times would be complete without honorable mention of their doings.
Strode, a brother of the Colonel, settled just north of the town line, where
he took up a large tract of land and subsequently bought it of the Government,
and which he held until within a short time ago. John R. Tucker bought a
large tract of land in the northern part of Campton, and added farm to farm
until, at his death, his heirs divided up among themselves as noble a patrimony
as has fallen to any children in the county. On the old Tucker homestead can
be viewed one of the rarest landscapes in this region.
Just south of the house, as the road rises to the summit tow-ard St. Charles,
the beholder stands in the center of a magnificent sweep of prairie and timber.
To the west and southwest stretches a natural basin of prairie, the horizon of
which is bounded by the wooded slopes in the southern part of the town. To
the northwest lie the fertile lands of Burlington, and north and northeast he
looks out over the splendid farms of Plato and Elgin with the city's spires in
the distance. Eastward are the woods on the river, and tl.e slopes beyond in
Du Page County. Southeast, St. Charles nestles on the banks of the Fox, and
the Court House the judgment seat to many a willing and unwilling litigant
shows its white walls, distance lending its enchantments in concealing the
ugly iron spots in its surface which so vex the eye on nearer inspection.
Southward, the view is closed in by the grove of noble old oaks, a portion of
the original forest which has been left standing, thanks to the discovery of coal
and its general use for fuel.
There is another fine view on the old Oatman homestead, north of the
present village of Dundee. The house, a roomy and capacious one, is built at
the foot of a finely wooded bluff nearly a mile from the river, and in front of it,
and reaching to the river, is a magnificent field of bottom land, as level as a
house floor, which takes a circular sweep southward until it is shut in by the
bluff, which, at the distance of nearly a mile, comes down to the river, from
which it rises abruptly from that point to the village two miles below.
These old Hoosier families did not all "go West," however, on the advent
of the Eastern men, but intermarried with the new comers, and raised up chil-
dren, who have become and are a pride to their families and an honor to our
county. Many of our most worthy and honored citizens to-day are repre-
sentatives of those old families. Among them are Jesse Oatman, Thomas R.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 225
Welch and Andrew Ashbaugh, of Dundee; George Hammers, whose daughter
is the estimable wife of D. F. Barclay ; Leatherman and M. J. Amick,
of Elgin; the Corrons, Robert, Joseph P. and Wesley, of Clintonville and
Campton ; J. M. Laughlin, of Round Grove ; Julius Alexander, of Geneva,
beside many others, descendants of the* first white men who came to the county to
stay and make for themselves a local habitation and a name within its borders.
The first ripple of the incoming tide of Eastern immigration from New York
and New England showed itself in 1834 in Kane County, while Waubansie, the
war chief of the Pottowattomies, and his people yet held possession of the
country. In 1835, Capt. C. B. Dodson removed the old chief and his tribe to
Council Bluffs and Kansas, and the beautiful ridge on the west bank of the Fox,
just north of Aurora, in which the tribe had buried its dead for many suns, was
claimed by McNamara" and others ; and soon the bones of the once powerful
tribe were exposed by the plowshare, and the implements of the chase placed
beside the dead warriors gathered as relics or cast aside as rubbish. Waubansie
was the friend of the whites, and strongly resisted his removal from the scenes
of his youthful exploits and the acts of bravery of his later years ; but the decree
was inexorable ; the white man wanted his land, and the old warrior turned from
his home much in the same humor his pale-face brother would if a stronger power
than he could say, " My people want this country, therefore you will move on."
New England and New York gave Kane County a class of men who estab-
lished its reputation for good order on a firm basis, organized its legal existence,
began its system of manufactures which have been so wonderfully developed,
laid the foundation of its excellent schools, built its early churches and gave it its
splendid farms, the real source of all its wealth. Other good men and true have
come in from other parts and nobly helped in the splendid achievements of suc-
cess and fame, who will be named under the heads of other colonizations. Mas-
sachusetts sent of her sons from 1835 to 1840, as follows: The " Hub" gave
us Charles Patten, of the " old corner," C. A. Buckingham, the different Clark
families, Scott and his son Charles, Samuel N. and the family of Marshall
Clark, Peter Sears, Cleveland, Whiting and Haskins at Geneva ; Major Osborn
at Batavia, and Hunt and the Brookses at St. Charles. The Wards and Durants
came from the Connecticut Valley and settled in St. Charles ; the Bunkers of
Geneva and Kaneville were New Bedford men, while the Berkshire hills, gor-
geous in their glories of crimson and gold, gave up the Kingsleys, Wilmarths,
Hoxies, Masons, McClouds, Brownings, Slades, Parkers and Wells, at Dundee
and vicinity, and the Judds at Sugar Grove. The Aments, Alexis Hall, the
Longs, the Severances of Big Rock, who settled in what was called the " Col-
ony " in that township, W. B. Plato at Aurora, and the Danfords five brothers
Eben, the inventor of the double motioned sickles for mowing machines and
the super-heating steam generator, at Geneva, all came from the old Bay State.
Dr. Le Baron, our late worthy and competent State Entomologist, came from
classic Andover.
226 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
From Vermont, whose chief products, say the old geographers, are men and
good horses, came the Bradleys, Corless, Austins, Ordways, Hewitts, Sher-
mans, Wanzers, Lobdells and Dr. Goodwin, of Dundee ; the Ransteads, Buz-
zells, Calvin Pratt, Dr. Tyler and the Abbotts, of Elgin ; Starks and Rich, of/
Rutland ; the Aliens, of Hampshire; the Fersons, father and six boys, S. S.
Jones, Minard, the Wheelers, three brothers, Dick, Adam and Dr. Charles, of
St. Charles; the Conants, Kelseys and Lillies, of Geneva; D. W. Annis, the
Merrills, the Youngs, the Whites and Wheelers,, of Blackberry, and the
McDoles, Paulls, Thompsons, Seaveys and P. Y. Bliss, the old veteran, of
Sugar Grove. Col. Lyon came from Vermont, and so did Harry Boardman,
whose father settled the estate of the hero of Ticonderoga, as the administrator
of the rough old patriot. They both settled at Batavia. Ralph C. Horr, the
first Justice of the Peace in Aurora, and Rob Mathews came from the same
Green Mountain State, and the Angells, who live north of Aurora.
The NCAV Hampshire men were, among others, Dr. Hale, of Dundee ; the
Merrills, Asa, Barzillai and Gil., all of whom have gone to the " undiscovered
country ; " the Manns, of whom Adin and William R. only now remain ; the
Welds, who have three doctors left, and the whole tribe of Kimballs, whose
sons and daughters in and about Elgin are legion. J. P. Bartlett, of Campton,
Ephraim and Otho Perkins and the Dearborns, at St. Charles, and the Pin-
grees, of Rutland, are also to be counted in the list of the Granite State.
Maine gave some Pennys, and St. Charles got them all. The Carrs settled at
Nelson's Grove.
The Nutmeg State, notwithstanding her " blue laws," sent us some splendid
material for government work, among whom we find Charles Hoyt, Seth
Stowell, R. W. Lee and W. G. Hubbard. The first two were prominent citi-
zens of Aurora and Plato, and the latter are still so numbered among the solid
men of Kaneville and Elgin.
Little Rhody remembered and gave from her " ten-acre lot," among others,
the Carpenters, of Carpenterville, and Charles McNamara, who appropriated
Waubansie's cemetery and a large tract beside to his own use, but according to
law, nevertheless.
The Empire State sent out an army, first and last, who not only viewed the
land, but entered in and took possession thereof land sent back for new recruits
to fill up the vacant and waste places. The Genesee Valley, where the finest
cultivated farms in the Union are to be seen, is represented by the Roots, Wil-
sons, Churchills, Smiths, Waldrons, Kemps, Grimes and Lords, who settled in
Batavia, Kaneville and Elgin in 18359. Oneida County gave her quota,
and among them we find the Giffords, Hezekiah, James T. and Abel ; the
Hatchs and the Raymonds, Augustine and George B., of Elgin ; and Isaac
Marlett, of Aurora. About Schenectady and Albany once lived the Wilcoxes,
Mallorys, Kelly, Mansfield, the Pecks, the Lawrences, the Jenneys, Herricks,
Barritts and John Hill, but they all turned their faces westward, and lo ! are
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 227
their names not written in the records of the towns of Elgin, Dundee and
Rutland ?
From the grassy meadows of Orange County, which boasts its high-priced
butter, came good old Father Brewster and took up the magnificent farm that
lies in four townships and two counties, DuPage and Kane. P. R. Wright
came from the Genesee country, and the great metropolis sent us William V.
Plum, of Aurora. The Bairds, Howards, Irwins, Conklins, Ingersols and
Browns, of St. Charles, and the Padlefords and Andersons, of Elgin, came from
Buffalo, and the Truesdalls, Shermans, French, Prudens, Hindsdells, Campbells
and Augustus Adams, of Elgin, and the Dunhams and Mark Fletcher, of St.
Charles, and G. W. Gorton, of Aurora, had their homes in Central New York.
The McCartys, Joseph, Samuel and David, came from Elmira in 1834, and laid
the foundation for the leading city in numbers and political influence of the
county Aurora. The Quakers of Madison County were moved by the spirit of
emigration, and per consequence we find the Teffts, Mitchells, Gilberts and
Knoxs pitching their tents in Elgin and vicinity, but, unlike the Arabs, have
not "folded them and silently stolen away." Dan Smith, of Dundee, came
from near Ogdensburg, and old Gen. McClure from the lake region, and T. H.
Thompson from Tompkins County. Washington County was represented by
the Van Nortwicks, Barker and House at Batavia, and Chemung County by E.
D. Terry, Wyatt Carr, Charles Bates and Burr Winton at Aurora. N. B.
Spaulding, formerly Sheriff of the county, and 0. D. Day, of Aurora, came
from Otsego. The Stolps, of Aurora, came from Syracuse, and George R.
Makepiece from Utica. Edwards, Bosworth and Hunt, of Dundee ; Allen P.
Hubbard, the first Clerk of the Circuit Court; James Risk, once Sheriff; R. C.
Mix, W. H. Hawkins, John Scott, the Gibsons, Sawyer, Anson Pease, Esquire
Rawson and Platt, of Blackberry, were all Knickerbockers. From Plattsburg,
of glorious memory, came America Gates, who had three brothers, the quartette
bearing the name of the four continents, Europe, Asia, Africa and America, and
the Wilders. Old Cortland gave the Aliens and Z. Squires, of Aurora. There
are others, no doubt, who came from these two great sections of the country,
whose names have been omitted ; but we cannot name all of the good men who
have helped to give Kane County her proud position in the Empire State of the
West, for she counts such men by the hundreds among her citizens.
C. B. Dodson and the Herringtons, James and Crawford, came from the
Keystone State, and so did David Dunham. The Lakes, Theodore, who died
January 12, 1876, and Zaphna, who made the town of West Aurora a begin-
ning, were Buckeyes from Ohio.
New Jersey, which, in the early days of which we write, was not the State
of Camden and Amboy, sent Henry Warne, who with his three stalwart boys,
John, Elisha and Gid, made his claim good to many broad acres in Campton
and Blackberry, and Wm. Lance, the centenarian, made his home in the latter
town, in May, 1834, and lived on the old homestead till he fell asleep, with
228 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
a record made up of 104 years of varied experience. Both families are
represented by numerous branches in the county to-day.
New Brunswick cannot be classed with New England, although it is but
just a step from one to the other, but having sent of h'er "blue noses," who
have been eminent citizens of the county, it is not proper that they should be
left out, and we note them now. Th ey were Robert Moody, the old Justice of
St. Charles, whose court was an institution of the early days of the county, and
his brother Archibald, whose estate was the first administered on in the county,
three Young brothers, Samuel, Gideon and Joel, the Grays and J. T. Wheeler,
at St. Charles, and the Stringers and Bishops of EJgin, and Reads of Campton.
Dr. Eastman came from Canada also.
Christopher Payne is said to have been the first actual settler in the county,
though Haight came and took up a claim at Geneva, in June, 1833, but left it
again and did nofreturn till the next year. Payne came in October. 1833,
and located at the head of the Big Woods, just east of Batavia. He came from
the South direct to the county, but was originally from New York State, so that
State has the credit of giving the first settler to the county. Payne came to
Naperville, in 1831. The Winter of 1831-32 was one of unusual severity. No
provisions were to be had any nearer than the W T abash, from whence he came, and
thither he and an other party took up a weary and perilous march of 140 miles
for food. They had ox teams and camped out every night in groves, being
compelled to lay by many days from the fierceness of the winds and the
severity of the weather. They took a bee-line from Naperville to the Wabash,
and finally arrived safely home with food sufficient to last them through the
Winter. He counted that trip the hardest and most perilous undertaking of
his life.
The land of the Druids, Wales, sent a colony of the Cymri into Big Rock,
the pioneers of whom were John Pierce, from South Wales, and Edward
Whildin and Maurice Pierce, from North Wales, the first named coming in the
Spring of 1836, and the latter during the same year, and the settlement of the
town by the Welsh is due more to them than any one else. In 1837, Richard
Roberts and R. Whildin came. In 1840, a large addition was made to the
Welsh .colony, among whom were Morgan Lewis, William Griffith, William
Ashton, Thomas Evans and John Whildin, all from North Wales. Thomas
Meredith, father of our" Tom," came in 1842. The Davis families, the Jones',
Williams', Hughes', Vaughns, Thomas', Michaels and Owens, are all from the
land of the leek.
There was an old Welshman named Manchester, who managed to exist by
his wits, stopping where night found him, and paying for his board and lodging
with his tongue, who used to travel up and down the country in a very early
day, and was in his way a very noted character. He had a panacea for all the
ills flesh is heir to, and whenever any one complained of being sick, no matter
what the symptoms were, whether headache or a sore toe, he invariably gave
HISTORY OF 'KANE COUNTY. 229
his universal prescription, which was : " Keep your head cool, your feet dry
and your heart free from anger and vain ambition, and you will do."
Another branch of the great Celtic race, namely the Irish, colonized at
Rutland. They first came in 1839 or 1840. Owen Burke came to Elgin in
1840, and was there two years before going to his farm. He came direct from
the Green Isle, but at and about the same time, from 1840 to 1842-3, a large
iiumber came in from the canal and settled in and about Rutland. Among
them were the following leading ones : The Farrells, Halligans, Hennessys,
Gallighans, Donohues, Dewires, Clintons, O'Briens, and Coyles. They were
mostly all Catholics, and staunch Democrats. The Hays', Hay dens and Free-
mans are also large freeholders in Rutland. The Irish people have, as is well
known, settled in all parts of the county, but the only Irish colony was in
Rutland and the western part of Dundee. They came by families direct from
the old sod, and built their altars and gathered around them, as in their old
homes they had left in Erin across the sea.
In the north of Ireland, King Robert Bruce established, in the fourteenth
century, colonies of Lowland Scotch, who were descended from the Saxons,
Danes and the old Vikings of Norway, who successively overran and qonquered
the "tight little island" from Land's End to the Highlands. From the de-
scendants of these colonies in the north of Ireland came the Moores, Rileys,
Christies, Eakins, Hunters, Lynchs, Hoods and Atchisons, and settled in the
southern and western part of Rutland.
" Auld Scotia" sent us a direct importation from her lowlands of sturdy,
hardheaded Presbyterians, who took as naturally to Abolitionism, when they
struck the soil of the land of freedom, as they did to the principles of John
Knox. They settled in the towns of Dundee, Elgin and Plato, and came by
families, and the first ones as soon as 1839-40. There was an association
called the "Aberdeen North American Investment and Loan Company," which,
by its manager and agent, W. Taylor, bought large tracts of land in all of the
northern tier of counties in the State. There is an agreement on record in the
Recorder's office of the county between the said company and Taylor, defining
his power and authority, acknowledged before John Blaikee. "Provost and
,Chief Magistrate of Aberdeen, Scotland." At the same time, there were
established some Scottish banks 'in Chicago and Milwaukee, which transacted
the business of the Scotch colonies, beside that of many others. Messrs. Mur-
ray & Brand established one, a private bank, at Chicago, and bought largely of
the lands of Kane County. George Smith, one of the institutions of the
Northwest for fifteen years, had his principal bank at Chicago, which he man-
aged himself, with a branch at Milwaukee managed by Alexander Mitchell.
His bank was known as the " Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insurance Com-
pany," and he issued notes which were always redeemable in gold, and were
justly considered the soundest currency in circulation for ten years or more.
George Smith's vast wealth was pledged for its redemption, by George Smith's
230 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
word, which word, it is needless to say, was never broken, in that particular
at least.
It was the discovery of a counterfeit $10 bill on this bank that took Allan
Pinkerton from the cooper shop and started him on the road which has led to
liis world-wide fame. A stranger came into Dundee one summer afternoon in
1850, and Pinkerton, who was then a Deputy under B. C. Yates, High Sheriff
of the county, going out of his cooper shop on the hill, down into the village,
met him, and, being somewhat struck with his appearance, accosted him casually-,
and soon fell into familiar conversation with him. The stranger was somewhat
wary at first, but Pinkerton's frank, bluif ways and broad Scotch accent reas-
sured him, and he began to be communicative. Pinkerton soon learned enough
to satisfy himself that the stranger had something valuable to discover, too much
so in fact for development then and there, and therefore it was arranged that on
the next day the two should go to some retired spot and the stranger would
unbosom himself to his new friend. An evening of social chat and enjoyment
was spent, and the stranger retired for the night. The next day Pinkerton and
the stranger took their way to the mounds that rear their beautiful rounded
summits to the northwest of the village, and there upon the greensward, beneath
the umbrageous shade of the old oaks, the stranger laid before the canny Scot
several packages of crisp $10 notes on the Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insurance
Company's bank, made from plates engraved by the stranger himself, who pro-
ceeded to develop the whole plan of operations and what he desired his new
friend to do in the premises. Pinkerton's virtue was at once alarmed (?), and
assuming an air of insulted dignity he drew from his pocket a pair of iron brace-
lets, and clapping on the stranger's wrists, had in limbo one of the sharpest
counterfeiters of his day " Old Craig." He brought his prisoner down to
Geneva, where he was locked up. but was never brought to trial, he being fortu-
nate enough to break out and take himself out of the jurisdiction of the court.
From that time Allan Pinkerton left barrel making and gave his attention to
detective business, with what success the whole world knows.
The Scotch families who came into Dundee were the Pinkertons, Robert and
Allan, the Dempsters, Allisons, Binnies, Crichtons, Thompsons, Hills, Alstons,
Egglestons, Archibalds, Griffiths, Howes, Todds, Duffs, McCullucks, Campbells,
Morrisons (Murdoch and his boys), and McAllisters and McQueen.
In Rutland, there is a Grant and a McGregor, descendants, maybe, of the
old clansmen who, meeting at a narrow pass in the highlands of insufficient
width to allow one to pass by the other, refused at each other's bidding to lie
down and let the other pass over his body, but drew their brands and began a
bloody, desperate fight :
' Each looked to sun and stream and plain
As what they ne'er might see again ;
Then foot and point and eye opposed,
In dubious strife they darkly closed."
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 231
But, neither party gaining any advantage, they grappled one another in a
fierce, murderous endeavor to throw each other over the cliff. They could each
say to the other :
" No maiden's hand is round thee thrown ;
That desperate grasp thy frame might feel
Through bars of brass and triple steel !
They tug, they strain, down, down they go,"
to the bottom of the abyss at the foot of the precipice, stark and stiff as " Red
Murdock."
If the Rutland Grants and McGregors are descendants of those plucky
fighters, they have forgotten the old feuds of their ancestors, for the farms of
the two families lie side by side, and, for aught that appears, are the best of
" neebors."
The McCornacks, Alexander and William, true as steel to their principles
of right, and the Glens, also made their homes in Rutland, and the Sheldons,
Shirras, Whites and Thomas Martin settled in Elgin, and so also did the
Frazers, descendants of the old Gaelic Highlanders. Walter Wilson and his
son, John C., came in 1834 from Glasgow, and located west of St. Charles
village about two miles, and John C. is living near his original farm yet. He
says the family lived in their wagon all one season, till they got their cabin up,
and then they had no floor but mother earth for two years after, and the first
panel door brought into county he brought in 1836, from Chicago.
Robert Moody, although coming from New Brunswick into the county,
was a full-blooded Scot. There came a colony of Scotchmen and settled
southwest of Aurora, but they are all in Kendall County now. They gave
their old home names to their localities, and so we find, on the maps of the
county, McGregor and Rob Roy Slough and Creek. Rob Roy Slough was
quite a noted landmark in the early records and surveys of the county.
The Scotch colony has given the world another man whose fame has reached
as wide a range as Pinkerton's William Dempster, the sweet ballad singer,
whose strains and melodies have entranced courts of Kings and Presidents and
charmed the common people everywhere. Wherever the language of music is
understood, there have Dempster's Scottish songs found him friends and admir-
ers. As we think of him, it almost seems as if we could hear the plaintive
warblings of "Highland Mary," blending with the stirring notes of "Bonnie
Dundee."
The Scotch colonists in Dundee were great sticklers for their religious views ;
and though they, for a while, sat under Father Clarke's mild, persuasive preach-
ing, when Mr. Davis came into the pastorate they began to grow uneasy, and,
finally, went off by themselves and established a church, and have worshiped
in their own forms ever since.
Peter Innes, also, came from the land of Wallace and Bruce in an early
day, and settled in Aurora, and has been long noted for his strict integrity and
232 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
temperance principles. Peter says his worst fault is building houses for other
people to inhabit. Another loyal son of the land of the thistle, and who glories
in the tartan and the memories of historic Scotland, is Malcolm Robert Bruce,
of Aurora, for aught we know a lineal descendant of King Bobby himself. He
has as much persistence as the ancient Bruce had, as his well-fought contests
with the city authorities of Aurora over his LaSalle street front will witness.
He had some experience, too, in the rebellion of 1848, in Ireland, with Mitchell,
O'Brien and their compatriots.
In the town of Hampshire and the western part of Kaneville, there is
dwelling a sturdy, thriving class of worthy citizens, known as Pennsylvania
Dutch. The first ones came into the county as early as 1844 or 1845. Old
John Wales, the old "Justice of the Peace," entered land in Hampshire as
early as June, 1845. Mr. Wales did as much, or more probably, to induce the
settlement of his people in Kane County, than any one else. He was followed
by Aurand, Litner, the Reams brothers, Becker, Munch, the two Klicks, Kearn,
Gift, Ebert, Wertwine, Hubner, Swartzenderfer, Gilkerson, Getzelman, Levy,
Shallenberger, Waidman, Hauslein, Zeigler, Heins, Tyson, Damn, Kemmer-
ling, Deuchler and Garlic. They or their immediate descendants are still liv-
ing in Hampshire and vicinity.
In 1850 or soon afterward, they organized a church, called and known as
the Evangelical Association of North America, and built a house of worship.
Those who settled in Kaneville and the adjoining portions of DeKalb
County were summed up by Dr. Potter thus : " Runkel, Schneider, Wolf and
Platt, Biser, Hummel and Gerlack, Zeigler, Lintner, Labrant, Mower, Kaler,
Kessler, Schweitzer, Sower, Ramer, Eberly, Kulp and Grimm, Myers, Haish
and Mose Hill, the slim Berrier, Bartmess, Rowe and Shoop, with Koonz and
Cuter fill the group."
The doctor used his license as a poet to make Mose Hill do duty in the
euphony of the rhyme, but he was neither slim nor a Dutchman.
Besides those named in the doctor's versification, there were Van Valken-
burg, Harter, Gusline, Gusler, Keyser and George Dauberman, all in Kane-
ville. They came in 1846 and afterward, buying their land of Uncle Sam in
the Fall of the first named year. Their religion is the same as that of
their Hampshire brethren, and they have a church just across the line from
DeKalb County. They hold their camp meetings alternately at Lone Grove
and Pigeon Woods, and attend them en masse. They are devoted pietists, and
get up considerable excitement in their revival meetings, which are held every
Winter. 'A description of their family worship may be interesting here. When
the day's work is over, the father or head of the house reads some portion of
the Scriptures, and then all, large and small, join in singing a hymn, after
which they all kneel and the head of the family offers a prayer. He closes his
petition, when the mother takes up the supplication and pursues it to such
length as she chooses, and when she closes, the oldest child, whether male or
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 233
female, offers his or her prayer, and is succeeded by the whole flock more or less,
according to age, down to the lisping infant who can just say, " Now I lay me
down to sleep," when all respond with a hearty amen, and arise and prepare
for bed. They usually use their native tongue in their worship, and, although
not understood at all scarcely by their English speaking guest, who may be a
witness to their solemn order, yet the fervor which characterizes their exercises
never fails to interest the beholder.
In and near Aurora there settled some of the Mohawk Valley Dutchmen,
and among them we find the Grays, Wagners, Adam Phy, Kecks and Van
Alstines. The Van Sickles and Van Fleets came from New Jersey.
The old Vikings of Norway and Sweden, whose descendants are known as
Scandinavians, Danes and Finns, are numerously represented in Geneva, St.
Charles, Elgin, Campton and Virgil. Among the first ones were Gunner,
Anderson and Anderson Gunderson, who furnished much litigation for the
Circuit Court, and merriment as well, when the title of the various suits they
had upon the dockets were called, and Andrew Peterson, John Hokanson and
Carl Olson. In 1853-5, the great body of Swedes came first to Geneva and St.
Charles.
Eben Danford was then in full blast, making his double motioned iron
reapers and mowers at Geneva, and many of the Swedes settled on the east
side of the river. They also settled at St. Charles, buying up the Little Woods
in small tracts and clearing off the stumps, and have now snug little home-
steads all over that once famous neck of woods. They pushed west almost
into Campton and Virgil, and north into Elgin, and have made most excellent
citizens. Some of our best artisans are Swedes, as the National W T atch Fac-
tory at Elgin, and the car shops at Aurora, and various other manufactories of
the county will abundantly testify. Among the noted ones are C. P. Gronberg,
the reaper inventor ; B. Kindblade, who will make anything from a cambric
needle to an electric engine or piano-forte ; Peterson, the watchmaker ; Rys-
trom, the carriage manufacturer ; and another Peterson, in Geneva, who makes
ladies' fine shoes. The leading men among these are the Lungreens, Peter and
sons (Charles and August), Peterson, England, Nord and Abrahamson, at St.
Charles, and A. P. Anderson, at Batavia, who is by, the way, a shining example
of what industry and continuity will do for a man to gain him a competency.
But a very few years ago Anderson was a journeyman tailor in Geneva, and
to-day he is the owner of as fine a stone block as there is in Batavia, besides
other good property. He has attended strictly to business, and is now reaping
the fruits of his active, judicious efforts ; also B. Kindblade, of Batavia; An-
drew Rystrom, formerly one of the city fathers of Geneva ; and Landborg, the
blacksmith, at the latter place. 'This people are, as a general thing, frugal and
industrious, and make the best of help on the farm, in the manufactory, or in
mercantile pursuits. The Swedish girls are noted fpr their tidiness and skill
in domestic affairs, and many of them have become so far metamorphosed into
234 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Yankees that they have married into Yankee families, and are mixing up their
blood with the genuine Bunker Hill crimson. They were at first Lutherans
(or a branch of that denomination") in their Religious affiliations, and great
sticklers for their church rules and demands. They paid their big and little
" collects" with a promptness that would make the face of a tax collector in
this year of grace radiant with joy. Christmas is their great holiday. Their
churches then are trimmed with festoons and wreaths of evergreens, and ser-
vices begin as early as two or three o'clock Christmas morning, and last all
day, and for the whole week succeeding. They have a central church at
Geneva, whither they come from all directions every Sunday, rain or shine.
There has been, within the past three or four years, quite a secession from the
Lutheran Church to Methodism among them.
A mistake which occurred at the Circuit Clerk's office of Kane County,
some years ago, sent two brothers into their new allegiance with different family
names, which are still maintained. B. and Frank Kindblade were brothers, but
when Frank made his declaration of intention to become a citizen of this glo-
rious republic, by reason of his meager knowledge of the English language, he
gave his name as Kimball as near as he could be understood, and when his final
certificate was issued Frank became known no more as Kindblade, the name his
brother bears, but Kimball.
The ancestry of this people is an honorable one, and of which they may well
be proud. The Scandinavian race has given to the world some of its greatest
intellects, in science, literature and the arts. Tycho Brahe, the founder of prac-
tical astronomy and instructor of the great Kepler, and Linnaeus, the great bot-
anist, whose works are the standard in that science to-day, lead the grand pro-
cession. Ericsson, the master mechanic and inventor of the caloric engine and
various other helps for man, as well as the projector and constructor of the
"cheese box on a raft" that met, the Confederate ram, Merrimac, in Norfolk
Bay, and sent her back from her work of destruction to her covert, crippled and
disabled, giving joy to millions of loyal hearts, many of whom look upon the
little Monitor's appearance just at the opportune moment as something scarcely
less than providential, is also an honored member of that procession.
In music, this fair-haired and blue-eyed race has given us a divine trinity,
viz. : Ole Bull, the incomparable violinist ; Jenny Lind, the Swedish nightingale,
whose warblings have entranced the world, and Christine Nilsson, the matchless
queen of song, before whose throne millions have bowed and worshiped.
In literature, the gifted and noble woman, Fredrika Bremer, whose books
are read in almost every tongue, stands out like a beacon on a mountain top ;
and what child is there who has not laughed and cried by turns ovter the fairy
tales of the northern magician and king of youth, Hans Christian Andersen,
whose gentle, loving life has been crowned with a happy, serene and peaceful close?
The first white men who came into the wilderness of the Northwest were
Pere Marquette, the great Jesuit missionary, Joliet, the merchant, and La Salle,
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 235
the trader and explorer. The' first two explored the Mississippi as far south as
Arkansas in 1673, arid returned by way of the Illinois to Chicago, then an
Indian village. The latter spent the Winter of 1680 near Peoria. Marquette
died on the shore of Lake Michigan. When the fur trade was opened, the
French voyagers became the avant couriers of the new commerce, and intermar-
ried with various Indian tribes, and trapped and hunted and acted as guides to
the later expeditions. French families came in very early, and made settlements-
at the sites of Dubuque, Mackinaw, Green Bay, St. Louis and Kaskaskia.
There are several reservations in Cook County set off to the French half breeds ;
one on the Aux Plaines is known now as the Lafrombois tract or reservation.
There are others to ''Billy Caldwell," Robinson and Miranda. One of them
covered the present site of Wilmette, and was called Ouilmette.
The Baubiens came very early to Chicago, while it was but a garrison, in
fact. Mark Beaubien is now living at Naperville. The French have settled
in Kane County in but one locality Aurora. There quite a large colony has
settled first and last, commencing in 1845 and running up to 1855, and later
even. We find the LaClares Peter and Alexander buying land in the Big
Woods, then a large body of magnificent timber, in 1845. Leon Mayeaux
sometimes spelled Layon Mayo, Layean Mayeau, Layhew Mayhew, and Layo
Mayhew came about the same time, and so did old Stephen Mowrey. Among
the earlier French settlers at Aurora may be named Touissaint, La Tranquilitte,
Peter Leplant, Charles Benoit (sometimes spelled Benwire and Benway), Lean-
der Baltasand, the Leveques, Bernard Tonnar, Francis Nadeau, Alfred Deslau-
riers, Frank Sylvester, Ed. Vouchee, Louis Lebont, Joseph Robere, Louis
Suviner, Peter Brasseaux, Louis LeBeaux, James Jaquenon, Jean Baptist
Hubert, Joseph Ratelle, Benoit Moisant, Joseph Lamoureaux, Louis Laplanck,
U. Laundre, Nick Presche, and last, though by no means least, C. F. Jauret,
the Master Mechanic of the Chicago, Burlington Quincy Railroad, and
inventor of some contrivance for use on railways which is being extensively
used. The religion of our French citizens is generally Catholic.
The Durants of St. Charles and Raymonds of Elgin are descendants of
some of the old Huguenot families of France.
The German immigration, which began in the Northwest about 1836, with
a single family, has become an irruption. Commencing on the shore of Lake
Michigan, the ever increasing army has moved steadily westward in an un-
broken phalanx, through Cook, Lake and Du Page Counties into Kane, with
but few interruptions. Here and there it has met a community of original
settlers, which has resisted its advance, but it speedily flanked it, and passed on
to new conquests beyond, leaving the garrison behind to beleaguer and captur e
by detail the few outposts remaining, and take full possession of the land.
The western towns of Cook County, which twenty years ago had scarcely a
German inhabitant, are now mostly occupied by them. Nearly every sale of a
farm in the counties above named, including the eastern portion of Kane
236 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
County, is made to a German. The eastern portion of Dundee, Elgin, Geneva,
Batavia and the Big Woods or what was once that fine body of timber are
almost wholly occupied by this energetic, pushing, thriving race of Saxons.
They have subdued the once famous Big Woods, and what, but twenty years
ago, was one solid body of splendid oak, hickory and maple, is now finely cul-
tivated farms, with scarcely a stump to be seen to tell the story of what was
once there. The German is found everywhere, and in all kinds of business.
He makes money, and is satisfied to make but a little, but he contrives, in what-
ever business he enters, to make his income exceed, be it ever so little, his out-
go ; hence, we hear of no German paupers. The German is given to sociality,
and hence he spends his money freely among his friends, especially with his
own family, if he has one. Father, mother and children enter alike into the
pleasure "of the hour, whatever it may be. The Germans have attained to such
prominence in numbers in Kane County, they have become important factors
in politics, especially in Dundee, Elgin and Aurora. Scarcely an election is
held in those towns, at which there is not some German elected to an office.
They support, cheerfully, the public school, and such as are church members
are zealous and consistent.
John Glos settled in St. Charles, where, for several years, he followed his
trade of cabinet making, at which he was an adept. He came, in 1836, direct
from Germany, to which he never returned until the year 1874, when he went
to revisit the scenes of his boyhood in the Fatherland which all Germans love,
no matter how pleasant their surroundings are here, nor how many years may
have passed since they left "dear Bingen on the Rhine." Mr. Glos has held
many offices of trust in Du Page County, in which his residence has been for
the greater portion of his sojourn in this country. The first German who
came to Kane County was John Peter Snyder, who still resides at North
Aurora.
Levi Footh, a Bohemian, drove stage from Chicago to Galena, through El-
gin, in 1839-40, for Frink & Walker. He subsequently purchased Govern-
ment lands in Virgil, where he now resides, together with several brothers who
have since joined him from his native land.
Joseph Kapis came to Elgin in 1845, and worked in the woolen factory and
subsequently also bought land in Virgil.
Jacob Mueller (now known as Jacob Miller) so well known as the manufac-
turer of cigars at Aurora, first located at Elgin in 1853 or thereabouts.
Martin Straussel came into Elgin in 1848, from Chicago, where he came
about 1840.
Schweigert bought land in Section 1 of Aurora, in 1846, right in the heart
of the Big Woods, and Adam Hartmann, in 1848, located near him.
A large number of Germans came into Kane County in 1848. Among
those who are or have been prominent and leading men among them, are the
following in addition to those above named : At Elgin, Joseph Pfordreshei',
ELGIN .
HISTORY OF KANE COUNT V. 230
Charles Siedel, William Damisch, Christopher Sohle, Fred Fehrman, Adolph
Sass, Joe Pabst, Henry Bierman, William Heideman and the Adlers.
In Dundee, whither they first came in 1853, Fred Haas, proprietor of the
celebrated Spring Mills, Henry Plinke. the Lutheran Minister, and Hagen,
proprietor of the brick yards, and Geo. Pfisterer.
The Schochs, a large family and their relatives, settled in the east part of
Geneva and adjoining toAvn in Du Page, with several other families from the
same part of Germany.
Fred Drahms, a, fine mechanic, came from the shores of the Baltic Sea, and
settled in Geneva as early as 1854. His son, August, went into the United
States service during the rebellion, while he was a mere boy, so small that his
cavalry overcoat dragged on the ground. He subsequently studied for the min-
istry and is now an eloquent divine, located near San Francisco.
In Aurora, the largest number of Germans settled, coming in from 1850 and
on. Among them are the following notable ones: The large family of Lies,
with their, relations ; John Plein, and Reising, the Youngles brothel's, and a
score or more of the Cassalmans and their kindred, Frieders as many more,
Freidweiler, Joseph Deimel, the Wolfs, Lugg, of the firm of Lugg & Plein ;
John and Joseph Reisiug. the merchants; Chas. Blasey, the brewer: Dr.
Jassoy, Weise, Encke. Hammerschmidt, Breeswick, John Adam Brunnen-
meyer, John Joseph Scharschug, Eitelgeorge, Felsenheld, Morris Henoch,
Fred Rang, George Pfaffle, Henry Fickensher, Rutishauser, Goldsmidt, the
Metzners, Canisius, Staudt & Karl, the druggists; Rev. Ernst, Henry Buhre,
the Lutheran minister; Nicholas Stenger, Leins, the exquisite painter who deco-
rates the Pullman palace cars at the car shops, and whose handiwork may be seen
and enjoyed in the beautiful frescoes in Staudt's drug store; and lastly Gus
Pfrangle, the worthy Postmaster at Aurora.
In Sugar Grove we find two sturdy farmers, John Banker and Nicholas
Henkes, and Ruteshell and Ohlinger are their neighbors across the line in
Blackberry.
A. T. Fischer bought the Elliott farm in Campton, a splendid property,
valued at $20,000.
In Plato, Adam and Randolph Bode, Reibel. Betzlinger and Ripberger and
others are the representatives of the Northern Goths that overran Rome.
Hampshire Collectors gather taxes from Kasermann, Schweiger, Reinike,
Shetter Blazer, and others from the Rhine ; and in Burlington, George E.
Schaiver, Grallemont and Meith pay tribute. Anton Loser, J. F. Thonvarth
and others are leading merchants in Aurora.
Among the Germans who have occupied public positions in Kane County,
may be named Charles J. Metzner, for several years State's Attorney for the
Twenty-eighth Circuit, and his brother Carl, Clerk of the Aurora Court of
Common Pleas; John Reising, Supervisor of Aurora; John Plain. Collector,
and August Pfrangle, Postmaster of the same city.
240 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
The tenth and last colonization in Kane County is that of our American:
citizens of African descent, the bulk of whom came in as contrabands of war
during the- rebellion caused on their account. There have been colored person*
abiding among us ever since the county was organized, in 1836 ; but who the-
first one was that cast his shadow on, and left his footmark in, the soil of old
Kane, it is hard to tell. The first one came by the underground railroad, but,
not liking the country, went immediately to Canada. Not being deemed worthy
of consideration before they were entitled to suffrage, they existed simply as-
hewers of wood and drawers of water to the Philistines with whom they sojourned-
But times change if men do not, and the day came round when " the might was.
with the right," and Sambo was a voter. At once he rose to the level of hid
citizenship, and from obscurity and disregard he passed into notice and consid-
eration. Candidates at once included him among their friends, and shook
hands with him and " cow-shedded " him and "stood treat" and cajoled and
flattered him, and tried to induce him to vote for them, just the same as thev
did his white compeers.
The colored people have the privilege of the schools now, and the rising
generation which is coming on thick and fast ought to be intelligent and
influential. Many of the young men among them are educating themselves,
and by the excellent progress they have already made, give promise of more-
than average ability. Young Brown, of .Aurora, and Terrell, of Geneva,
are good specimens of their class, and are studious and industrious, and ar&
bound to rise. The colored people are settled mostly in the river towns of the
county. They have churches at Elgin, St. Charles, Batavia and Aurora, which
are well attended.
While there never was a regular colony of Englishmen settled in Kane-
County, yet there have been, in various localities, individuals, sporadic cases r
from the land upon whose empire the sun never sets, who are entitled to hon-
orable mention in this history. John Smith, with his boys, Henry and sunny-
hearted Tilden, were Englishmen, and lived just east of Dundee village, on the-
fann where Tilden and his father died, and on which Henry now resides.
James Knott & Sons were merchants in Elgin, and established an unblemished
reputation for integrity and financial ability. Ed. Merrifield also lived east of
the city for many years. The father to Ed. and Vinnie Lovell was an En-
glishman, and gave to Elgin two remarkably fine sons. Ed. is a rising young-
lawyer, and Vincent S. (which was his father's name before him) is an equally
promising journalist, having held a prominent position on the Albany Argus
for several years. John Lovell, an uncle of the above named young men, live*
in Plato, and has been and is a prominent citizen of the town. The Meads r
Greeks, Marshalls, Pitwoods and Christian came to St. Charles. Dr. Mead
became an eminent physician, and surgeon, and was most successful in the-
treatment of insane persons, and many of his ideas have, since his removal from
the country, been incorporated in the management of our hospitals for the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 241
insane. This Dr. Mead must not be confounded with Dr. Thompson Mead, of
Batavia, who was a Yankee, or at least American born. Dr. John Thomas, an
Englishman, came first to Virginia, thence to Kendall County, and then to St.
Charles, where he established, in 1841, a newspaper and called it the St.
Charles Patriot, Fox River Advocate and Kane County Herald. If the edi-
torials in the paper were as long proportionately as its name, there was more
work done on it, editorially, than on all the papers in the county now. Ward
Rathbone was an early settler in Geneva, and prominently known throughout
the county. Later on, in 1844-9, there came four brothers from Halifax, En-
gland, named James, Joseph, John and Benjamin Wilson. Three of them
settled in Geneva, and one in Virgil, but he subsequently moved to Geneva.
Two of the brothers were printers, and published successively the Geneva Mer-
cury and Advertiser and Kane County Republican. Joseph was clerk for
an Charles Patten at the " Old Corner " for twenty years. Benjamin published
interlinear translation of the Greek Testament, translated and compiled by him-
self, called the "Emphatic Diaglot." It is a valuable assistant to the student.
In Batavia, Joel and J. 0. McKee and George B. Moss located very early.
Joel McKee and Moss run, for several years, the flouring-mills at the north
end of the town. Mr. McKee's reputation and character were as white and
pure as his flour. He was a Christian gentleman in every sense of the word,
and when he died Kane County lost one of her really good and true men. Mr.
Moss was very much of a gentleman, and died highly respected by all who
knew him. Both gentlemen left sons who are now residents of the county.
The McKees were not Englishmen, but were from the Bruce colonies in the
north of Ireland. James Risk, formerly Sheriff of the county, also came from
the latter locality, as did Dr. 'H. M. Crawford, of St. Charles. Shepherd
Johnston, known as the banker Johnston, and Richard Summers, settled in Big
Rock. Johnston was the father of Shepherd Johnston, Jr., for a long time
Secretary of the Board of Education of Chicago, and Charles Johnston,
formerly Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Aurora. Summers was
father of the well-known Dick Summers, " mine host " of the Richmond, in
Chicago, for many years before the big fire of October, 1871.
W. B. West and Peter H. Johnson settled in Blackberry, although subse-
quently Mr. West came to Geneva. Mr. West was widely known, having been
engaged in banking for many years. He was one who made as good a bargain
for himself as he could, but, when once his word was given, it was sure to be
made good in the time promised. He never oppressed a man nor pushed him,
when he showed any disposition to keep his obligations, and was ever willing
to extend the time of payment when the debt could not readily be met at ma-
turity, and that, too, when the security was not A 1. His judgment was most
excellent, and he met with but few losses in business. Out of a personal estate
left by him of $200,000 there was but a small amount that proved worthless,
and that, too, after a banking business of forty years. A daughter of Mr.
242 HISTORY" OF KANE COUNTY".
West married Hon. T. N. Ravlin, Representative to the State Legislature from
Kane County for two terms, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for
several years. His only surviving son is at present in California, engaged in-
atlas publishing, with Thos. H. Thompson, a son of another old settler of Kane
County, in Dundee. Mr. West was once beguiled, and he often laughinglv
told the story, though at his own expense. Charley Sexton, a "dead beat,"
who once lived in Geneva, went to Mr. West to get his note for 50 discounted
for sixty days, offering to take $25 for it and leave his watch as security. Mr.
West did not exercise his usual caution in examining the security offered, but
discounted the note and laid the-" collateral" away in his safe. When the
note matured, Sexton was non est, and Mr. West, on examination, fourid the
watch left as security to be worth about five dollars. Mr. West acknowledged
himself fairly beaten for once, and charged the loan up to profit and loss.
Peter H. Johnson has one of the finest farms in Blackberry. Johnson's
Mound, the highest point of land in the county, is situated on the farm, and
Mr. Johnson's dwelling is built on a commanding point on the side of it, and
overlooks the country for miles around. It is a great summer resort for pic-
nics and excursions. Major J. H. Mayborne, also an Englishman, came to
this country in 1825. From that date until 1846, he remained in the State of
New York, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and study of law. Removing
thence to Chicago, he remained there until 1848, when he made his home in
Geneva, where he has since been well known as an able and honorable attorney.
His services, during the war of the rebellion, ^'ere important, and he held, at
ts close, the rank of Major, by which title he is still familiarly known. Since
then, he has held the important civil office of State Senator for four years, and
was elected Supervisor in 1872, a position which he still retains. He is re-
garded throughout the county ;>.s a man of fine legal attainments, and is well
known beyond his own immediate section. Mark Yeoman and the Sharps,
Reads and Henrys settled in Virgil. Benjamin Boyes, a prosperous merchant
in Geneva, came from England to Geneva in 1844, but only stayed till the
following Spring, when he went into the town of Northfield, Cook County,
where he remained until the year 1863, when he returned to Geneva and
embarked in the mercantile business. The first job of work he did in Geneva
was to make a pair of boots for David Howard, who was at work at that time
(1S44) building the stone flouring-mill on the west side of the river. Mr.
Boyes had worked one month at the shoemaker's trade in England, but still
tried his hand at boot making, and Mr. Howard looked at the work rather
doubtfully, but thought they would answer to wear in the water, and accepted
them. Mr. Boyes did not make any more boots. We do not know of a descend-
ant of the heroic John Sobieski, of unhappy Poland, in Kane County, unless
it be our worthy citizen, David L. Zabriskie, of St. Charles. He may be. for
auc'ht we know, a true descendant of t-he iron-crowned kinjj' but if he is not
o o
ho is every whit as gallant and courteous a gentleman.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 243
The great agglomeration of people, from the different nations of the earth,
who have made their homes in Kane County, is "what has made the old county
what she is ; has transformed the virgin prairie and primeval forests into well
tilled farms, thriving villages and busy cities ; has brought her from a wilder-
ness, traversed only by the feet of the red man in pursuitr7>f game or his
enemies, to her rank among the foremost counties in the Empire State of the-
West. Coming from different countries, speaking different tongues, having dif-
ferent tastes, following different customs, yet all have had but one aim, to make
the home of their adoption prosperous and happy. To that end they have-
subdued her soil, enlarged her manufactories, established her beneficent insti-
tutions, enhanced her value and extended her political influence, until now, in
proportion to her area, she has no superior and but few equals among her sister
counties in the State. She has furnished statesmen for the halls of Congress,
and Generals and leaders for the armies of the nation. No one class of her
varied population can claim all of her virtues, nor is it to be charged with all
the vices incident to communities and people. In the war of the rebellion, all
classes sprang forward to uphold the flag with rare and noble unanimity, and
bore it on to victory on many blood-stained fields. All, all have -borne aloft
the shield of old Kane, and sung pagans to her praise.
The native American mind tends to self government as naturally as the
babe turns to the maternal font for nourishment ; and the early organization of
Kane County into a body corporate with a legal existence, while there were
less than two hundred legal voters within its borders, is proof of that proposition.
At the time of the first election in Kane County, there was none of the large
foreign population in the county which has subsequently settled in it, save the
Youngs and Wheeler, of New Brunswick, Germans, and John Glos and John
P. Snyder; also Walter Wilson and the Moodys from bonnie Scotland. The
organization, with the above exceptions, was entirely the work of the American
born population. Kane County, at that time, included in its limits its present
territory, all of DeKalb County, a portion of McHenry as now organized, and
a portion of Kendall County, but the first election was held at Geneva, in the
log house of Jarries Herrington. The election was for county officers to put
the machinery of a legal existence into operation, and there were 180 votes
polled. For the office of Sheriff, James Herrington, the father of our Repre-
sentative to the General Assembly, received 91, and B. F. Fridley, whose
home was then in Oswego, 89 votes. Asa McDole received 115 votes for
Coroner, while his opponent, Haiman Miller, received 58. Relief Duryea had
96 votes for Recorder of Deeds, the office at that time and up to 1849 being a
distinct and separate one from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Calvin
Pepper one vote. Mark W. Fletcher received 141 votes for County Surveyor,
and Col ton Knox 29. The vote for County Commissioners, which was the
style of county government then, was as follows: Solomon Dunham 155, Eli
Barnes 172, Ebenezer Morgan 119, E. D. Terry 22, Ira Minard TO, Allen P.
i
244
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Hubbard "2. Allen P. Hubbard, Nathan Collins and John Griggs were the
Judges, and James T. Wheeler and Selden M. Church, Clerks of the election.
The three Judges are dead, Mr. Wheeler is living on his old homestead just
north of St. Charles village. Of the candidates voted for, Fridley and Fletcher
are living in the county, the first in Aurora and Fletcher on his original farm
north of St. Charles on the east side of the river. The most, if not all, of the
others are dead.
There seemed to be something wrong about this first election, for on the 1st
day of August following another general election was held for the same officers,
which resulted differently. There were also members of Congress and the
General Assembly elected at the same time, and the facilities for voting were
increased wonderfully. Instead of all being required to come to Geneva to
vote, there were nine voting precincts, viz.: Ellery, which. comprised a portion
of Kendall County; Orange, which was in the central part of DeKalb and
western part of Kane County; Syckamore (as it is spelled on the returns);
Pleasant Grove, in the southern part of the present territory of McHenry
County; Kishwaukee, southwest part of Kane and part of Kendall ; Somonauk,
in DeKalb: Fox River at Aurora, or McCarty's Mills, as it was then called;
Sandusky at Geneva, extending from Clybourne's to near Elgin, and west to
what is now Kaneville ; and Lake, which included everything north of the last
precinct named, to the county line. At this election there were 351 votes
polled, as follows:
FOR CONGRESSMAN.
William L. May 285
JohnT. Stewart 66
FOR STATE SENATOR.
William Stradden.. 298
George W. Howe 50
FOB REPRESENTATIVE.
Fenry Madden 189
John W. Mason 148
FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas H. Thompson (Dundee) 323
Claudius Townsend (Aurora) 324
Mark Daniels (Geneva) 235
Eli Barnes 65
Jesse C. Kellogg 22
FOR SHERIFF.
Benjamin F. Fridley 225
Samuel Cory 102
Ira Minard 5
FOR RECORDER OF 1>EED*.
David Dunham 2^5
Elijah S. Town ,.. 35
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
Mark W. Fletcher 242
Levi Lee 84
Horatio Gibson 5
FOR CORONER.
Asa McDole..... 324
The abstracts of, this election are signed by R. C. Horr. Jonathan Kimball,
Justices of the Peace, and Mark W.Fletcher, Clerk of the County Commission-
ers' Court of Kane County.
Where Mr. Fletcher got his appointment, the records of the county do not
show at present, as the records of the County Commissioners have not been in
the County Clerk's office far several years, but his bond being filed June 6, 1S3>,
would appear to show that he must have been appointed by the Commissioners
themselves. He was not elected by the people until the Fall of 1837, when he
was elected both Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court and Clerk of the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 245
Circuit Court, and held both offices until 1846, when Josiah L. Warner was
elected to the former office, and he was Clerk only of the Circuit until December,
1848, when he was succeeded by Charles B. Wells, and his long term of official
service expired, and he retired to his farm, Cincinnatus-like, surrounded by
children and children's children, and enjoying a quiet and serene voyage down
the current, into the broad expanse of a limitless ocean.
Both of the Justices certifying the abstracts are dead, and nearly all of the
persons voted for likewise Fridley, Fletcher and Town only living in the county
iit the present tune.
At this election, the Sandusky Precinct cast 95 votes, Lake 25 (Mr. Thomp-
son, with his well known modesty, refraining from voting for himself and getting
but 24), and the Fox River Precinct 78. These comprised all or pretty much
all of the present territory of Kane County. This was the election which
really set up our county government, and from which it has grown to its present
splendid proportions.
Ralph C. Horr and Ebenezer Morgan were elected Justices of the Peace
some time previous to July 30th, for that day they, together with Mr. Fletcher,
County Commissioners' Clerk, certify to the abstract of votes of a special
election, held at T. H. Thompson's house, in Lake Precinct (Dundee and
Elgin), for two Justices and Constables, when -Wanton Parker was elected
Justice in Dundee, and Jonathan Kimball in Elgin, and Seth Green, Constable
in the former place, and Samuel J. Kimball in the latter; 85 votes being
cast.
The Judges at that election were Thomas H. Thompson, Jonathan Kim-
ball and Thomas Deweese, and the Clerks Isaac Fitts and Wanton Parker. In
the Orange District, they elected, on the 1st of August, Mark Daniels, Justice,
and Joel Jenks, Constable. On the 7th November following, the people of
Lake Precinct wanted more justice, or law, and so they called their Constable,
Seth Green, to the bench, giving him a unanimous vote of 29 ballots ; and at
McCarty's Mills they had quite a spirited contest over the office, giving B. F.
Phillips 39 votes and Jonathan Benney 20 ; George W. Gorton, too, had 44
votes for Constable, against 7 votes for Harry White. Ira Minard and Elijah
S. Town had, in the meantime, been elected Justices in the central part of the
county, and signed ,the November abstracts.
Since the 1st of June, the few voters in the county had been keeping track
of the various elections which had been held ; but an important one was com-
ing, to which, important to them as these had been, they were but as a tallow
dip to a gas jet. The Presidential campaign of 1836 was in full vigor, and
"Young Hickory" was pushing the Whigs hard On the 7th of November,
the election was held, at which there were only 334 votes polled. The
Pleasant Grove returns are not on file. That precinct cast 10 votes in August.
The Democratic electors received 235 votes, and Whigs 03. There was an-
other set of electors, who received 4 votes, but who they favored is not stated.
246 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Lake Precinct cast 42 votes, only 10 for the Whigs. Sandusky cast 118 votes,
97 of which were for the Democratic ticket. Fox River Precinct (Aurora) cast
Tl votes, and 19 of them were against " Matty Van." Orange gave the Dem-
ocrats all but 4 out of 26 votes, and these 4 did not go to the Whigs, but were
the only ones in the county cast for the odd lot.
New names appear on, the poll lists at this 'election which have not been
seen before. The Sandusky poll was presided over by Judge Isaac Wilson,
William Van Nortwick, father of Hon. John Van Nortwick. Read Ferson,
Mark W. Fletcher and James T. Wheeler were the Clerks. On the Fox River
(Aurora) list are the names of Bob Mathews, N. B. Spalding, the Isbells, Nick
Gray, Ayers, Van Fleets, Charles Bates and Daniel Eastman.
To close up the year in good shape, the people in the center of the county
held an election for Constables, and managed to get up a nice little fight while
it lasted. Wm. B. Arnold and Asahel P. Ward received 21 votes to 18 for
David Howard and Charles Ballard.
In 1837, the elections were still frequent. The newly organized county
was rapidly filling up, and special elections for Justices and Constables were
held in various precincts, and, August 7th, an election for county officers was
held, at which two new officers Were added to the roster of the county govern-
ment, viz., County Treasurer and Probate Justice of the Peace. The first
election of County Clerk by the people was also held at that time. The vote
was as follows : Isaac Wilson "(father of Hon. I. G. Wilson) received 122 votes
for County Treasurer, Joseph W. Churchill had 114 votes for County
Commissioner, and Mark W. Fletcher had 119 votes for Clerk of the County
Commissioners' Court.
There were but four precincts where votes were cast Fox River, Sandusky,
Lake and Fairfield. The latter precinct included Campton, Plato and vicinity,
and cast twenty-two votes. Elias Crary, Joel Harvey (father of George P.
Harvey, E. E. and J. D. Harvey) and James Corron were Judges, and Stephen
Archer and Henry K. Bartlett were Clerks. Joel Harvey and H. R. Bartlett
divided the vote for Justice of the Peace, Harvey leading his competitor a
single vote. There was not much canvassing necessary in those days, and can-
didates' purses were not exhausted before they made their election sure. David
Dunham received a single vote in the county for Commissioner, and that was
given in Fairfield by one William Bennett. The voters, in those days, had to
declare their preferences openly, as all voting was viva voce. There was no
dodging nor smuggling in votes, but every man, when he came to the poll, de-
clared the man of his choice, and down it went on the poll list opposite his
name. Doughfaces had to run a gauntlet that settled their affinities indisput-
ablv. At the Sandusky Precinct, Calvin Ward and John W. Russell were
elected Constables. At Aurora, Asa McDole was elected Justice of the Peace
over E. D. Terry, who received twenty-one votes. There were nineteen men
who declined to vote for county officers, who voted for their own neighbors to
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 247
dispense justice to them. John Griggs, Sr.. was elected Justice in Fairfield.
in June. Nathan H. Dearborn was elected Justice, David Howard, Constable,
at Sandusky, March 31st, receiving fifty-eight votes, and, in October following,
Hendrick Miller was elected Justice, and James Brown Constable, in the same
precinct. The latter was a genius in his way. He used to own the farm that
Eben Danford now owns. He was once called upon to arrest a suspected
criminal, and he summoned a posse to assist in the grave undertaking. They
assembled and went into the old hotel, where the object of the august array of
the dignity of the people of the State of Illinois was unconsciously smoking,
and the Constable thus addressed him : " We arrest and distrain you in the
name of the people. Have you any weapons about you ? " The apprehended
said he had a jack-knife. " You will please pass it over, then, and go with me
and this 'ere poss. Julus (to one of the po?se). you go ahead and I'll bring
up behind." And the procession filed away to the county jail.
In December, Elgin held her first election as a separate constituency, elect-
ing James T. Gifford, Justice, and Eli Henderson, Constable, and casting 42
votes, among them nine Kimballs and two GUFords, and the heads of the
tribes of Merrill, Mann, Jenne, Renwick, Lovell, Welch, Stone and Ranstead.
In Dundee (still called Lake), Dr. John R. Goodno was elected to the
bench, and John Oatman, Jr., Constable. On the poll list of .the latter place
are the names of the Carpenters, E. W. Austin and Gen. McClure.
On the 1st; day of May, 1837, the question of a division of the county,
forming De Kalb County out of the three ranges west of the present county
line and as that county is now organized, was submitted to the people of the
county 1 . The election resulted in 171 votes for and 83 votes against division.
Sandusky Precinct gave 43 votes for and 30 against. Somonauk, in the terri-
tory to be set off, voted solidly against the division 13 votes. Kishwaukee
gave 2 votes against, and Sycamore 8 the same way, and Orange, in the same
territory, solidly for division. Sandusky was the only precinct voting on the
question in the present territory of the county. This was the beginning of the
troublesome question of county division in Kane County. That question, and
the removal of the county seat, was almost constantly a bugbear in the eyes of
the people, until they got a $100,000 Court House as a rider of the question,
and that broke down the nag and spoiled him for any future race, and Geneva
breathed free, being rid of a horrible nightmare.
In 1838, the towns began to get into their present boundaries on the river,
and new precincts were. established. Charleston, as St. Charles was first called,
held its first election in August, which was the general election for State
officers, Congressmen, county officers, etc. 101 votes. In December, Alex-
ander H. Baird was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held uninter-
ruptedly nearly, if not quite, thirty years. He is now in Kansas. Dundee
gained its present name this year, and elected Zephaniah M. Lott Constable,
over his competitor, E. W. Vining, casting 40 votes. Deerfield Precinct come*
248
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
in, too, which embraced Rutland and Hampshire. On the 6th of August, an
election for two Justices was held, and John Van Velzer, Thomas H. Whitte-
more and Elijah Rich each received 11 votes. The County Clerk put their
^names in his hat and shook them up and drew out the lot to settle which two of
the three should have the honors and emoluments of the office, and Rice and
TVhittemore.were the lucky men. Philo Noble and William Robbe were elected
to execute their commands. Rock Precinct, including Big and Little Rock,
elected Archibald Sears aa its Judge, in June. In Sandwich, Calvin Rawley
was elected Constable in March. He was a character known far and wide by
his peculiarity of wearing a sword when in the discharge of his official duties.
If he was called on to arrest or summon or subpoena a person, he buckled his
good sword on, and, with all the dignity of the commonwealth resting upon his
shoulders, he read the warrant or writ in a manner so impressive he com-
manded the respect and risibilities of his auditor in equal degree.
August 6th, 1888, the general election was held, at which the vote in the
county was as follows :
. FOR GOVERNOR.
Thomas Carlin, Democrat 511
Cyrus Edwards, Whig 323
FOF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. ,
Stiason H. Anderson, Democrat 511
FOR ASSEMBLY.
Jos. W. Churchill.Democrat 231
Geo. W. Howe, Whig 339
S. S. Jones, ~ 1
FOR SHERIFF.
B. F. Fridley, Democrat 552
Leonard Howard, Whig 129
W. A. Davidson, Whig... 321 Wm. L. Church, Whig 122
FOR COITNTY COMMISSION ER3.
Colton Knox, Democrat 405
Jra Minard, Democrat 432
Geo. E. Peck, Democrat 519
Thomas H. Thompson, Whig 343
A. P. Hubbard, Whig 418
James McClure, Whig 295
FOR CORONER.
Asa McDole, Democrat 452
Samuel Sterling, Whig 340
FOR CONGRESS.
Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat 517
John T. Stuart, Whig 311
FOR STATE 3ENATK.
Alien H. Howland, Democrat... 248
William Stadden, Democrat. 256
John W. Mason, Whig 315
i At this election, St. Charles supported her own citizen, Leonard Howard,
against B. F. Fridley, giving him 92 votes out of her 103 polled. Mr. Minard
also led his colleagues Knox and Peck, getting 100 votes, while T. H. Thomp-
son had but 6. It looks as though the candidates traded then as they do now
sometimes. But in Dundee Mr. Minard received 48 votes to Mr. Thompson's
24. and they were both splendid men. Fridley carried off every vote in Dun-
dee, while Churchill had only the Democratic poll, 51. f Elgin stood 47 Demo-
cratic to 26Whig, Sandusky 84 to 57, Aurora 129 to 69, St. Charles 59 to 45,
Rock Precinct 55 to '27, Fairfield (Plato and Campton) 34 to 9, and Deerfield,
the present and for years past the stronghold of the Democracy in Kane
County (Rutland), gave 14 Whig to 9 Democratic votes. Since then, a differ-
ent population has moved into that territory. Fridley received every vote,
however, and he was the onlv scratch on the ticket. The returns from Dundee
4 "
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 249
have on them the names of I. C. Bosworth and Dempster, Grant and Rankin,
the first comers of the Scotch colony.
Caleb A. Buckingham, one of the Boston company, kept the poll list at
Geneva in his very neat chirography. On the list are the names of Joshua E.
Ambrose, the Baptist missionary, and John N. Donals, the father of the present
Mrs. James C. Baird, of St. Charles, and whose claim was just south of the
Judge Lockwood homestead, and included 160 acres of the best timber in the
Big Woods, which remained intact up to three or four years ago, when Mrs.
Baird sold it to L. P. Barker, who has bought and cleared off more acres of
solid timber, in that grove, than any other man. The Batavia and Black-
berry people all voted at Sandusky then. On the Fox River list, the names of
three Stolps, J. G., John, Jr., and Joseph, appear; also a Knickerbocker. Plato
Judd, and Isbells and a long array of familiar names, and some entirely unfa-
miliar, they have disappeared long ago from the records of the county.
Silas Reynolds was one of the Clerks of election. The next county election
was held in August, 1839, the Democrats electing their candidates by a vote of
about 550 to 265 Whig. N. B. Spalding was elected County Commissioner ;
David Dunham, Recorder ; Joel Harvey, Treasurer ; Peter J. Waggoner,
County Surveyor; Horace N. Chapman, Probate Justice, and M. W. Fletcher,
County Clerk. Fletcher received 787 votes ; Calvin Ward, 4, and R. V. M.
Croes, 1 vote for the latter office. Thomas H. Thompson, of Dundee ; Charles
S. Clark, of Geneva; Harry Boardman, of Batavia; ISTehemiah King, of Au-
rora, and A. P. Hubbard, of Batavia, were the Whig standard bearers. Local-
ities in those days cut no figure, but the best men they could pick up were taken,
irrespective of locality.
At the August election in 1839, several of the precincts elected Justices
and Constables. In Sandusky there were six candidates for Justices, but
Charles Ballard, at Batavia, and C. B. Dodson, at Clybourne's, won the
titles and emoluments. Dr. Pierre A. Allaire was elected in Ellery Precinct,
now Oswego. N. B. Spaulding, who had changed his residence from Aurora
to Dundee, was elected Justice in Lake Precinct, against seven other compet-
itors; I. C. Bosworth, now of Elgin, receiving a single vote. His partner,
Alfred Edwards, now deceased, also received a similar token of his fitness for
the constabulary force. Burgess Truesdell was elected Justice in Elgin, and
"Father" Crary, as he was called in later years, received the same position in
Fairfield (now Campton and Plato). Robert Corron was chosen to read the
greeting of the people of the State of Illinois to unwilling hearers, in the same
bailiwick. William B. Plato was elected to dispense justice to those dwelling
where Aurora now sits a queen.
Blackberry held her first election, as a separate precinct, January 8, 1839,
and elected Samuel Platt and Roswell W. Acers Justices; but in August she
voted again for the same officers, and chose William B. West ami Mr. Platt.
Mr. West then gained his cognomen of " the 'Squire," which he held until his
250 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
death. The unique signatures of David Wheeler and Mr. West are appended
to the returns, and show but little change in all the years of their busy lives.
A vacancy occurred in the office of Coroner, and a special election was or-
dered, in November, 1839, to fill it, at which David Livingston was elected,
receiving 79 votes, to 69 for James T. Gifford. of Elgin : Bosworth, 4 ; Ed-
wards. 2 ; and Eaton Walker, 2 the three latter all being in Dundee. Drs.
Tefft and Root, of Elgin, each also received a vote, and Mr. Plato had 2. This
election possessed little interest to the people, but Blackberry, having lately
come to her privileges of an independent constituency, did not neglect the
opportunity thus offered to make her record among the archives of the county,
and she sent in her returns for the day's work, with just five names upon them,
to wit: Abner Ravvson, David Wheeler, W. B. West. Marcus White and
Hiram S. Reed, and these were the Judges and Clerks who certified to the
returns.
In those days, any citizen of the county could vote anywhere he happened
to be, and at this election, C. B. Dodson, David Dunham and James Brown,
all residents of Sandusky Precinct, are found voting in Fairfield Precinct ; and
as Mr. Gifford received every vote cast, the query is raised whether or no they
were out on an electioneering trip. Sandusky, also, gave all of her votes to
Mr. Gifford, but McCarty's Mills were too much for him, and the candidate
from the south part of the county won the contest.
The election of August, 1840, for county officers was very closely contested,
1,291 votes being polled, of which James Risk received 647 and Leonard How-
ard. 623 for Sheriff; lt Bob " Mathews, 679, and Elijah Lee, 511, for Coroner ;
William B. West, 693, and Nathan C. Mighell, 598, for County Commissioner ;
Dr. Henry A. Miller, 687, and James Brown, 605 votes for County Treasurer.
The last two candidates were from Geneva ; Messrs. West and Mighell from
the rural- districts the "back towns." "Bob" Mathews was from Aurora;
Lee and Risk from Batavia, and Howard from St. Charles. Locality had its
influence at that election, sure.
At a special election August 15, this year (1840), Robert Moody was
elected Justice of the Peace, and many laughable stories are told of his court,
which was a great institution in those early days. S. S. Jones and B. F. Frid-
ley were practicing attorneys in the palmy days of Justice Moody, and were
almost invariably pitted against each other in the numerous cases they had
before the hard-headed Magistrate, whose strong common sense made up any
deficiency there might have been in his legal knowledge. " Shortage " in the
latter respect was excusable in those early days, when statutes were not as
plenty as now, where jobs are so easily smuggled into their printing- On one
occasion, when the two lawyers had a trial in his court, before a jury, after the
testimony was in and arguments made, the court began to instruct the jury
after the manner of Judge Ford, the then presiding Judge of the Circuit
Court. Mr. Fridley interposed and said he must not instruct the jury. The
HISTORY OF KANE COUNT!'. 251
court asked why not. Jones, seeing the point for fun, said, certainly, it was
quite proper that the court should instruct. Again Fridley interfered, and
again the court replied, ."-Sure, Judge Ford instructs the jury, and why
shouldn't I ? " " Certainly, certainly," said the mischievous Jones, " the court
can instruct the jury." Again the Justice essays to lay down the law, and
again is opposed by the persistent Fridley. At length the court, with his
Scotch temper fully roused, says, in his broad Scotch accent, " Weel, Muster
Fredley, sin ye are sae strenuous about it, ahll note instruct the jury; but one
thing ah wull say, ye've made a vera bahd case o' it."
At the August election, Sugar Grove comes in with her first returns as a
separate independency, under her baptismal name, which has never been changed.
She cast 84 votes, and elected her first Justice and Constable, Isaac S. and Ira
H. Fitch being the honored recipients of her official favors, respectively.
The Presidential contest of 1840, between Van Buren and Harrison, brought
out 1,584 votes, and the military prestige and the high tide of song of
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too,
With them we can beat little Van,
Oh! Van, Van, Vun is a used up man,"
carried the county for the Whigs by 36 majority. Among the familiar names
on the list of Electors are those of John A. McClernand on the Democratic
ticket and Abraham Lincoln and "Buck" Morris on the other. Washington
Precinct, now Plato, comes to the front and brings her first oifering of separate
self-government. Among the returns of this election she cast 47 Whig and 32
Democratic votes, and elected Joel Root and John S. Lee Justices of the Peace.
St. Charles cast 97 Democratic and 93 Whig votes. The poll book, which was
made by James T. Wheeler, is a perfect model of neatness. It is ruled on
blank paper, and the names of the Electors printed on the head of the sheet
with a pen, and the names of the voters written with great care, and not a blot
appears on it from first to last.
The Fox River Precinct cast 118 Democratic and 113 Whig votes, Elgin 110
to 97 the same way; Sandusky cast 70 to 77 the other way; Dundee gave the
Democrats 49 votes and the Whigs 119; Sugar Grove cast 62 votes and gave
the Whigs 33 of them; but Blackberry led her sister town 4 votes and gave 42
of them to the opposite party; Deerfield (Rutland) gave but 12 of her 52 votes
to the farmer of North Bend, but Fairfield more than paired off with her Vy giving
44 of her 59 votes to the hero; Big and Little Rock reversed the list again
and counted up for the Kinderhook Fox 94 votes to 50 for his military competitor.
At the election of August, 1841, another office was enrolled upon the county's
official roster, that of School Commissioner. Ira Minard received 506 votes to 437
csst for C. B. Dodson. There were 959 votes polled, and Allen P. Hubbard was
elected County Commissioner, Bela T. Hunt Treasurer and William C. Kimball
Coroner. James II. Ralston received 497 votes against 476 for John T. Stew-
art and 28 for Frederick Collins for Congress.
252 HTSTORT OF KANE COUNTY.
Dundee " outgrew its territorial name of Lake, and took upon herself her
new name. The name could not have been distasteful to the Scotchmen whose
homes were within her borders. The poll list is made out by Charles B. Wells,
and though a younger looking, chirography, it is no neater or more uniform
than the Captain's is, now albeit thirty-seven years of hard labor have occupied
his head and hand since- then. : --/;'r4
p-:The election of August, 1842, was for State and County officers and As-
semblymen, and also for or against a Convention to amend the Constitution.
There were 1,240 votes polled. Thomas Ford, the Democratic candidate for
Governor, received 750 ; Joseph Duncan, the Whig candidate, 457, and Chas.
W. Hunter, the first standard bearer in the county of the old Liberty party, re-
ceived -32 votes. Thirteen of the Liberty votes were cast in St. Charles, and were
John L. Wilson, Dean Ferson, Robert Moody, Jr., Millen Bennett, D. W. El-
more, Samuel Young, Isaac Preston, Justin Crafts, Robert Moody, Sr., Lu-
cius Foote, Reuben Beach, Calvin Ward and Thomas Barland. Elgin gave
but 6 votes for the Old G-uard, and they were J. H. Scott, Hezekiah Gilford.
John W. Hoagland, Abel Walker, Calvin Carr and Ralph Grow. Geneva
and Batavia (Sandusky) had 3 votes for the Abolitionists, and they were those
of Sylvanus Town, John Gregg and Joseph Worsley. Aurora had 10 men
who were brave enough to stand up for freedom for all, black or white, and
they were C. Cook, S. K. Ball, B. H. Smith, D. W. Moffitt, Edwin Lockwood,
Benjamin Howell, Kimball Favor, Dr. Huson Root, Isaac M. Howell and Lu-
cian Farnam.
The Liberty party had a regular ticket in the field, but not all of the votes
polled for Governor were given for the rest of the ticket, the votes being cast
more by way of protest than anything else. James T. Gifford received 7 and
Sylvanus Town 8 votes for Senator. The county voted 623 votes for, to 171
against the Convention. Ira Minard received a majority of the votes for Sena-
tor. McHenry, DeKalb and Kane Counties composed the Senatorial District,
and Mr. Minard was elected. DeKalb cast 401 votes and McHenry 750 ;
Kane casting more than both.
N. B. Spaulding was elected Sheriff, Shepherd Johnston County Commis-
sioner, and Wm. C. Kimball Coroner. Franklin Precinct was set off at this
election, and comprised Virgil in its territory. There were 39 votes polled,
and Simeon Bean and Henry Krows were elected the first Justices, and Milton
Thornton and John V. McKinley, Constables. There were 27 Democratic
and 12 Whig votes polled. In October of the same year, the people of the
county chose L. Howard Probate Justice of the Peace over S. S. Jones, his
competitor. St. Charles, whose citizens they both were, gave Howard a ma-
jority of 61. The poll was but 530 votes. Previous to the election of August,
1842, Kendall County had been organized, the three southern towns of Kane
County taken into the territory of the new county, leaving Kane County as it
it is at present constituted.
HISTORY OF KASE COUNTY. 253
The election of August, 1843, -was for Congressman and county officers.
Long John Wentworth was the Democratic candidate, on his first term, and
beat Giles Spring, his Whig competitor, 247 votes in Kane County. There-
were 1,468 votes polled, and the Abolitionists had gained a large per centage
during the year, casting 175 votes. Fletcher was elected County Clerk ; G.
W. Gorton, Recorder ; S. S. Jones, Probate Justice ; E. R. Allen, Treasurer ;
and Dr. Hale, School Commissioner, but he would not serve, and a special
election was held in the Fall, and Wyatt Carr elected. Thomas E. Dodge was
elected County Commissioner. Burlington took her place among her sister
towns in the county at this election, and elected Ebenezer Norman and J. C.
Ellithorp her first Justices.
The Presidential election of 1844 was hotly contested. The Democrats
carried the day by just one vote less than a majority over Whigs and Aboli-
tionists. The Democratic poll was 1,046, the Whig 748, and the Liberty vote
299. There are familiar names on the list of Electors. Govs. Wood and
French, W. A. Richardson, Col. Dement, Isaac X. Arnold and Judge Purple
were among the Democratic Electors, while S. Lisle Smith and J. J. Brown,
the brilliant orators, Abraham Lincoln, U. F. Linder, whose names are house-
hold words, were among the Whigs. , Owen Lovejoy, it is needless to say, was
one of the Liberty men.
S. Lisle Smith and Lincoln were passionate admirers of Henry Clay, the
candidate of the Whigs for the Presidency. Smith's eulogy on Clay at Niagara
Falls, at the obsequies of the dead statesman, is said to be one of the finest
productions in the way of pure eloquence of the age. Smith was quick at re-
tort and repartee, and a fine speaker on the stump, and always ready to make a,
speech. Once, while going down the lakes, he was called on to make a speech,
and as his forte was politics, and the campaign was hot, he naturally made a
partisan speech, which did noc suit the Democratic part of his audience, and
they gathered in the back end of the cabin of the steamer, and at last expressed
their dissent to Smith's sentiments by hissing. No sooner had he heard this
sign of disapproval than he stopped abruptly in his argument, and began a^
eloquent recital of the formation of man and his situation in Eden. W.'th
glowing and impassioned eloquence he pictured to his rapt auditors the tempta-
tion and fall of man. He then drew another scene, the presentation of the Son
as a sacrifice for sin, the acceptance of the ~oflfer, His life on earth, ofld His
tragic death. "But," said the speaker, his eye kindling as he spoke, and his
audience in almost breathless silence, '" Death could not hold Him, the fetters
of the grave were broken, the rock was rolled away, the Redeemer came forth
in immortal youth and vigor, and all heaven rejoiced and all liell hissed. Re-
member that, my hearties, all keli hissed." There were no further interrup-
tions to that speech.
John J. Brown used to practice in our Circuit Court in early days, and as
late as 1849-50. He was an able advocate, merciless in his sarcasm, and could
254 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
give and take with the best at the bar or in the hustings. U. F. Linder was
known by an expression that was in common use by him, as "For God's sake"
lander. He was a voluble and frothy talker.
At the election in August, 1844, N. B. Spalding was elected Sheriff; Win.
C. Kimball, County Commissioner; Charles Metcalf. Treasurer, and N. H. Dear-
born, Coroner. There were 1,641 votes polled, and the Liberty men cast 268 of
them, but the Democracy had a handsome majority over both the opposing par-
ties. There were some of the best men of the county candidates for office that
Summer. See what an array of men are here: For Sheriff, ^. B. Spalding.
Gilman H. Merrill and James T. Wheeler; County Commissioner, Wm. C.
Kimball, Allen P. Hubbard and Joel McKee ; Wm. G. Hubbard for County
Treasurer, and Clement H. Goodwin for Coroner. The candidates for Con-
gress were John Wentworth, Buckner S. Morris and John H. Henderson.
Long John labored fafthfulHr for his constituents, whether of his political faith
or not. Any of them was promptly attended to, to the most minute detail,
from a package of seeds to a harbor appropriation. Therefore, he held his
position for term after term. His accommodating ways paid him, at elections,
heavv interest.
/
In August, 1845, Royalton (Kaneville) was set off into a separate constit-
uency, and elected Milton M. Ravlin and John Bunker Justices, and R. W.
Lee and Robert Carter Constables, to set the judicial life in motion. At the
election there were "only county officers elected, and the rote was small and
scattering, the successful candidates fretting but about 400 votes; Silas Rev-
V
nolds, of Sugar Grove, was elected County Commissioner ; Alfred Churchill,
School Commissioner, and James Hotchkiss, County Treasurer.
August, 1846, was a general State and Congressional election, ajid a full
vote was polled, 1,857 votes. The Liberty men, from a so-called handful of
fanatics, beneath the notice of the other two parties, had become the second in
numbers, casting 533 votes for Owen Lovejoy for Congress, against the Whigs'
poll of but 414, and the Democratic vote of 910. Later on, in 1848, this
strength was utilized by a coalition of the Whigs and Abolitionists, that put C.
L Wells into the Circuit Clerk's office, and gave B. C. Yatcs the shrievalty.
The election of August, 1847, was hotly contested. Three tickets were in
the teld, and each drew its full party support, varied in some instances accord-
ing to the popularly or unpopularity of the several candidates. For Delegates
to the Convention to amend the State Constitution, there were nine good men in
the field, the district of which Kane County was a part being entitled to three
members. B. F. Fridley, Wm. B. Plato and Isaac G. Wilson, were the Dem-
ocratic candidates and received 783, 831 and 720 votes respectively. Augustus
Adams, of Elgin ; Thomas Ju-ld, of Sugar Grove, and Alfred Churchill, were
the candidates of the Whigs, and polled 1,144,1,051 and 971 votes respect-
ively. Allen Pinkerton, Nicholas Hard and J. P. Bartlett were the Liberty
men, and received 200, 315 and 318 votes respectively.
GENEVA.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTV. 255
.
The county officers elected were Josiah L. Warner, Whig, County Com-
missioner's Clerk, over A. M. Herrington, Democratic, by 35 majority ; Alex-
ander V. Sill, Whig, Probate Justice, over S. S. Jones, by a majority of 199 ;
Elijah H. Swartout, Recorder, over Joel McKee, Liberty, by 377, and over G.
H. Merrill, Whig, by 203 majority. Thomas H. Whittemore beat 'his Whig
competitor, Thomas H. Thompson, 95 votes, for County Commissioner, and
Thomas A. Scott, Democrat, was elected County Treasurer and Assessor by a
majority over James Brown, the Whig candidate, of 225. Mr. Scott, who was
then and is now a worthy citizen of Geneva, says the County Commissioner re-
fused to furnish him with blank books for his use in taking the assessment of
the county, but made him take foolscap paper and tie the sheets together in lieu
thereof. The stationery bills of a whole year then were not equal -to a month
now, but there was not anything like the use of it then as now. Then the vote
of the county was but 2,000 and now it is three times as many.
James Carr, the Democratic candidate for County Surveyor, led all of his
colleagues, he receiving 1,037 votes, to 727 for William A. Tanner and 32*3
for W. R. Mann. John W. Hapgood beat Thomas Judd 7 votes in the race
for School Commissioner. At this election, the townships or precincts were
complete as they now stand, except Geneva and Batavia were still called San-
dusky Precinct, and voted at Geneva. Hampshire was set off into a separate
precinct, and Deerfield (Rutland) was changed to Jackson.
In 1848, there were four general elections, the first one on March 6th, on
the adoption of the new Constitution, which the Convention had framed and sub-
mitted to the people for their approval, and the separate provisions to be voted
on independently. The second was the regular August election of State and
county officers and members of the Legislature. The third and first judicial
election held in the county, for Judges and Clerks of the Supreme and Circuit
Courts, in September; and the fourth and last, the Presidential election, in
November.
At the constitutional election in March,. there were 1,108 votes cast for the
adoption, and 348 for the rejection of the new organic act, On the two-mill
tax, for the support of schools, there were found 221 persons with hardihood
and ignorance enough to vote no, but 1,176 saw its benefits and voted aye.
The returns of Burlington did not 'get in in time to be canvassed. Sugar
Grove, which has to-day one of the best public schools in the State, had 2 votes
against the two-mill tax; Jackson (Rutland), 26 ; Little and Big Rock, 2;
Dundee, 25 ; Sanclusky, 42 ; Hampshire, 5 ; Royalton, 5 ; Fairfield, 4 ; Black-
berry, 19 ; St. Charles, 20 ; Washington, 6 ; Franklin, 6 ; Aurora, 36 ; and
Elgin, 25. These towns would hardly vote so to-day.
At the August election there was a coalition between the Whigs and
Abolitionists, but it did not succeed in placing in office any one except B. C.
Yates, and his success was attributable as much to his personal popularity as
to the coalition. He had the highest vote of any candidate at the election,
256 HTSTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
1,034. . He was a Whig, but several of the Whigs voted against him out of
personal friendship to Jim Hotchkiss, his competitor. Mr. Pluto had the next
highest vote, 079, for State Senator, against J. F. Farnsworth. -who received
but 393. From the vote the Abolitionists on the ticket received, it looks al-
though the Whigs did not fully carry out their agreement. Dr. Dyer, the
candidate for Governor, received but 416 votes, and L. C. P. Freer, candi-
date for Secretary of State, 414, and the balance of the State officers received"
the same.- The candidates for Congressmen were Wentworth, J. Y. Scam-
mon and Owen Lovejoy. Scammon was a Whig and received 543 votes, and
Lovejoy, the Liberty candidate, got the straight Abolition vote, 418. For
Assemblyman, the Whigs voted for their man, and the Abolitionists for theirs.
John Scott, of Plato, and John King, of Aurora, were candidates for County
Commissioner, and Scott received 897 votes to 720 for King. Seth Marvin
got the regular Democratic vote for Coroner, 909, and <_>eo. B. Paine, of
Batavia. the Whig vote. Andrew Pingree had 899 votes for County Surveyor,
and Adin Mann, 679. Batavia voted separately, at this election, from Geneva,
and cast 229 votes. Mr. Plato was elected Senator, and E. W. Austin and
Horace W. Fay, Representatives. The district was composed of De Kalb and
Kane Counties.
The new Constitution made radical changes in the government of counties, ter-
minating the County Commissioners' Court in 1849, and establishing the County
Court, consisting of one Judge and two Associates, after the manner of Ver-
mont, which led D. W. Annis to remark that the duty of the Associate Justice
was to keep the Hies off the Chief Justices. New Justices of the Supreme
Court were elected, and also Circuit Judges to hold the Circuit Courts, the
Supreme Court Justices having formerly held the Circuit Courts, and then
altogether in banque- they formed the Supreme Court, and decided upon the
legality or illegality of their own decisions in the courts below. The duties of
the Supreme Court Justices were onerous, and not very liberally compensated,
$1,200 per annum being paid previous to 1848, but reduced to $1,000.
The new Constitution went into effect April 1, 1848, and the first election
held under it was held September 4th, at which election Theophilus L. Dickey,
a most courteous and genial gentleman of good legal standing and a Henry
Clay Whig, from Kentucky, was chosen Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit,
in which Kane County was situated.' Benj. F. Fridley was his competitor.
Dickey made a most excellent Judge, dispatched business rapidly, and rarely
made an erroneous decision. He took but few cases under advisement, but
decided them off hand, his ready memory of the law doing him efficient service
in that respect. At one time during his term of office, while holding court in
McHenry County, Joel H. Johnson, the Clerk of the Court, was sick, and he
sent to Chas. B. Wells, then Clerk in Kane County, to act in his behalf at
Woodstock. Mr. Wells responded, and in two days' time Judge Dickey called
and disposed of finally, or for the term. 150 cases, and Mr. Wells himself, with-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 257
but any assistance, had the record fully written up, ready for the Judge's sig-
nature, on the morning of the third day, and the court adjourned.
Judge Dickey was fond of a good story (and is now, and can tell one most
charmingly), and often relaxed his dignity, while on the bench, to indulge in
something more than a broad grin at the sallies of wit that passed between the
counselors at the bar. He had been accustomed to see something of the sports
of the ring, in his residence in Kentucky, and one day, while trying a case in
the first court house built in the county, on the present site of the Swedish
Church in Geneva an old frame building, standing as late as 1850 before
Judge Ford, he saw through the window the long, brawny arm of one of the
members of the bar of Kane County, then, as now, raised up, with a clinched
orown fist at the end of it, in the act of descending upon some object. For-
getting the awful presence of the court whom he was addressing, he sprang
upon the table to get, a better view of the owner of the fist, and shouted out as
he saw it descend heavily on the sconce of a brother limb of the law, " A fight '.
a fi'jht ! by Jupiter ! " find rushed out of the oourt room, amid the laughter of
the bar. The squabble was over by the time he reached the scene of hostilities,
and, coming back into court, he made a graceful apology for his impulsiveness,
saying that he "never could see fight without desiring to take a hand in it
himself." He took, in later years, a hand in a fight of larger dimensions, mak-
ing an honorable record at the head of a regiment of cavalry in the War of the
Rebellion.
Judge Caton was elected, at that same election, the Justice for the Third
O
Division of the Supreme Court, and Lorenzo Lelarid, Clerk. B. C. Cook was
chosen State's Attorney for the Ninth Circuit, and Charles B. Wells, Clerk of
the Circuit Court and ex officio Recorder of Kane County; Benjamin F. Hall,
of Aurora-, the founder of the Aurora Beacon, and subsequently lost on the
Lady Elgin, on Lake Michigan, was his Democratic competitor. Mr. Wells
received 693 votes and Hall, 643. The office of Recorder of Deeds did not
attach to the Circuit Clerk, however, until September, 1849, when E. H.
Swarthout's term of office expired.
The fee for recording then was eight cents per folio of 100 words, a regu-
lar form of warranty deed costing eighty-one cents, or, as it was expressed cab-
alistically on the instrument. "6-6." The forms of deeds, since then, have
kept pace with the increase of fees, until both are as long as the purse. Those
were the pslmy days of the gray goose-quill, the sancl-box, the wafer and blue
foolscap ; but these things are now kept in some old smoke-browned antiquary's
cabinet, having given way and made place for '* Gillot's No. 404," blotting
pad, mucilaged envelopes and cream-laid legal cap. Then, the clerks plodded
over the miscellaneous record, taking everything in its turn, whether warranty
O
or quit-claim, trust-deed or mortgage, articles of agreement or satisfaction piece,
and spread them at length on the plain white page, numbered by the copyist as
he went alon^. Now. the different kinds of instruments and their name is
258 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
legion have each their separate form printed, and the blanks are filled up with
neatness by the white fingers of dainty misses.
In the good old days of "Fletch " and Ford, when the jackknife and Vir-j
ginia plug used to pass back and forth between Clerk and Judge as the docket-
was being called and cases tried, the floor of the Clerk's office was diversified
with lakelets and pools of the juice of the half masticated weed, and the water
vie?:, embellished witfi islets of the refuse quids. Now, this office is carpeted
with ingrain, upon which the footfalls of the houris that hold their court therein
are not heard. Then, the atmosphere was thick and nauseating with the smoke
from villainous pipes and more villainous tobacco; now, the odor is of mignon-
ette and jockey club. Then, it was hard to distinguish between judicial swear-
ing and the non-judicial oaths that were administered. There are none now but
legal oaths in those precincts sacred to the goddesses who dispense to us the
luxuries of summons, subpoenas, attachments, ne-exeats. mandamuses, certiorates
and fee bills.
The Presidential election of 1843 brought out the largest vote that had at
that time been polled in the county, 2,858 votes being cast. Of these the Free
Soil candidates, Van Buren and Adams, carried away the largest number
1,220; Old Zach Taylor came next, and scored 855, while Cuss and Butler had
a moiety of 783. S. A. Huribut, U. F. Linder and 0. H. Browning were
among the Electors on the Whig ticket; S. S. Hayes, still true to his early
teachings, was one of the Democratic electors, and Wm. B. Ogden, Thomas
Hoyne and Jonathan Blanchard were among the Free Soilers.
The vote in the several towns was as follows :
Whig. Dem. Free Soil. ,
Genera 60 44 4H
Dundee '. 74 68 131
Hampshire 06 41 45
Burlington 18 41
Batavia 53 53 73
Sugar Grove 6*2 IS 35
Blackberry 24 18 40
St. Charles 162 141 159
Fairfield (Campion) \.. 21 19 50
Jackson (Rutland) ...". 8 47 13
Jefferson {Big, Rock) 12 35 35
Franklin (Virgil) 21 23 38
Royalton (Kaneville) 24 12 18
Washington (Plato) 20 16 37
Fox River (Aurora) 100 60 240
Elgin -\ 140 147 222
855 783 1 ,220
Geneva heH her first separate town election this year, and elected Allen P.
Hubbard Justice, and Nathan P. Herrington Constable.
In 1849, the only general election was the regular one on November 6, at
which the question of township organization was submitted and adopted by a
vote of 1,786 to 34, and county officers were elected as follows : I?.-iac G.
Wilson, County Judge; Andrew J. Waldron and Marcus White, Associate Jus-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNT Y. 259
tices; James Herrington, County Clerk; Joseph Kimball, School Commissioner;
D. M. Green. County Treasurer, and Andrew Pingree, County Surveyor.
There were three tickets in the field, as in 1848, but the old ship swung back
to her Democratic moorings, where she remained without change until the gale
of 1856, when she broke away from her fastenings and scudded into the Repub-
lican harbor, from which she has not ventured at any general election since,
although she has made several trial trips at off years, and -has become somewhat
uncertain on a simple county issue to anxious nominees of the conventions.
Judge Wilson received the largest number of votes at the election of 1849, given
to any candidate 1,037, being but, three more than Mr. Yates received the
year before, on the opposite ticket for Sheriff. A. P. Hubbard, Whig, received
7-4 votes, and J. F. Farnsworth 320; James Herrington received 811 votes
for County Clerk, T. C. Moore 719, and Paul R. Wright. 548. Both of the
latter gentlemen were subsequently elected to the office of Circuit Clerk, Mr.
Wright in 1850. and Mr. Moore in 18t>0. Mr. Wright AYMS an old-line Aboli-
tionist, and was the first one of that original party ever elected to a county office
in the county. Mr. Wright, despite the opprobrium attached to his political
faith, received a handsome plurality at the election of November, 1849, in Elgin,
where he resided, and was, of course, best known. In Dundee, also, he led his
competitors. Mr. Moore's vote of 30 majority in Batavia, where he lived, also
shows in what estimation his friends held him. Mr. Herrington also led his
party ticket at his home in Geneva.
Tn the Spring of 1850, the first Board of Supervisors was elected, and
were as follows : Aurora, Russell D. Mix ; Batavia, M. M. Mallory : Geneva,
William Cheever; St. Charles, F. H. Bowman; Elgin, J. W. Brewster: Dun-
dee, T. H. Thompsom ; Rutland, E. R. Starks; Plato, John S. Lee; Camp-
ton, J. P. Bartlett; Blackberry, R. W. Acers; Sugar Grove, E. D. Terry;
Big Rock, J. D. Dunning ; Kaneville, M. M. Ravlin : Virgil, J. H. Snook ;
Burlington, Cyrus Phelps ; Hampshire. Julius A. Starks.
The first meeting was held June 4, 1850. and William Cheever, of Geneva,
was chosen the first Chairman. The members were not at home on the powers
of the Board, but they made a bold front, and resolved they were equal to any
emergency that might arise in relation to business heretofore done by the
County Commissioners' Court or County Court, and voted to proceed at once
to the performance of their duties, " promptly, cautiously and with the utmost
economy." Then they appointed a committee to get the opinion of Judge Wil-
son, of the County Court, on the power of the Board to settle with the Sheriff,
who was, and had been prior to 1850, the Collector of Taxes. The committee
reported, the next morning, that Judge Wilson held that the Supervisors had
not power to organize until the first Monday after the general election in No-
vember, 1850, and until that time the management of the fiscal concerns of the
county remained with the County Court. But the members of the Board did
not acquiesce in his honor's views, but went on as they had already resolved,
^60 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY".
and took measures for a settlement with the Sheriff, and allowed bills and drew
jurors, and adjourned until the annual meeting, in November.
The first town meetings held in the county, in 1850, placed the county gov-
ernment in the present system, the workings of which are familiar, and com-
pletes the history of the organization of the civil life of the county.
The first court held in. the county was a term of the Circuit Court begun on
the 19th day of June, 1837. It was held by Hon. John Pearson, one of the
Justices of the Supreme Court, in the log house of Mr. James Herri ngton,
which stood by the big spring that flows out of the ledge, jiut under the lower
terrace, in Geneva. (This old homestead served for hotel, school room, court
room, church and public hall for many years.) Alonzo Huntington was State's
Attorney in attendance on the court, and Allen P. Hubbard was Clerk the first
day, but on the second day Mark W. Fletcher received the appointment from
Judge Pearson, and took possession of the office, which he held until the elec-
tion of 1848, when he was succeeded by Charles B. Wells. SeMen M. Church,
however, was the first appointed Clerk, but before court was held he removed
to Rockford, and Mr. Hubbard received the appointment, from Judge Ford,
September 21, 1836. Mr. Hubbard took his official oath before E. S. Towne,
Justice of the Peace. B. F. Fridley was the Sheriff, and gave bonds in 10,000 %
with Jel Jenks, George W. Gorton, Nick Gray and Dr. Madden as his securi-
ties. George W. Gorton was his Deputy. Asa McDole was the Coroner.
The first Grand Jury impaneled in the county was at this term, and were
as follows: Isaac Wilson. Foreman; Sidney Kimball, Allen Ware, J. T.
Wheeler, Wm Van Nortwick, Samuel McCarty, Nicholas Gray, Edward Keys,
James Squires, B. F. Phillips, 0. W. Perkins, Ansel Kimball, Wallis Hotch-
kiss, John Van Fleet. W. T. Elliott, John Ross, Friend Marks, Solomon Dun-
ham, Marshall Stark, George Johnson and Lyman Barber. The grand inquest
found five indictments three for larceny and two for riot. The noting grew
out of claim fights in the southwest part of the county, and the parties indicted
appeared at the second term of the Court, held in September following, and
confessed that they could not deny the charges of the indictment against them,
and prayed the mercy of the Court, which they received in the shape of $5.00
fine, and costs of court. This procedure on their part was a little different
from "Hank" McLean's plea to the indictment found against him in the
McHenry Circuit Court for malicious mischief. McLean had a little ranch up
above Algonquin, which he had enclosed with an apology for a fence made of
brush, and such material as he could get together without much effort. His
neighbor kept a flock of sheep, and the fence did not prove to be much of un
obstacle to their long legs, and they bothered McLean somewhat, by breaking
into his garden. He chased them out several times: and at last, losing his
temper, he managed to kill one of the depredators. This raised a storm; and
at the next setting of the Circuit, the aggrieved neighbor went before the Grand
Jury, and laid his complaint before that body, and they found an indictment.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 261
The State's Attorney got hold of the real state of facts, and desiring some sport,
drew up a most elaborate indictment. He charged that the defendant, one
Henry, alias Hank, McLean, against the peace and dignity of the people of the
State of Illinois, with malice aforethought and evil intent, did, with clubs,
bludgeons, guns, pistols, swords and other murderous instruments, beat, bruise,
wound, maim and do to death, certain animals, to-wit : sheep, lambs, rams,
wethers and ewes, of the property of Atkinson, living then and there in the
peace of the people. As soon as the indictment was filed in the Court, it was
whispered around that there would be fun on the trial, and McLean was ordered
to be ready, and an early day set for the hearing. The business of the Court
was pushed through rapidly, and the afternoon of the term, when everybody
was jolly and ready for fun, the case of the people vs. Henry S. McLean was
called and the defendant arraigned, the indictment slowly and meusuredly read
t>y the Clerk, and then the Court, in solemn judicial dignity, asked the ques-
tion, "Is the prisoner at the bar guilty or not guilty in manner and form as
charged in the indictment?" McLean then arose from his half bent, slouch-
ing position, and standing erect, replied, "May it please the Court, if I should
say I am not guilty, I should lie ; and if I should say I am guilty in manner
arid form as charged in the indictment, I should tell a d d sight bigger lie;
therefore, I stand mute ! " The roar that shook the building, at this plea, so
disturbed the blind and steady handed goddess, she dismissed the case, and her
devotees adjourned to the hotel for a jolly wind up of the judicial proceedings.
The first Petit Jury of the county was as follows : Calvin Ward, Reed
Person, Benj. II. Smith, E. K. Mann, S. H. Hamilton, James Latham, Charles
Latten, John V. King, Jas. Ferson, John W. Douglas, Asa Merrill and Gideon
Young. The term lasted three days, and there "were in the time five jury
trials, four changes of venue granted, fourteen judgments, amounting to 5,400,
rendered, twenty suits continued, and five dismissed. The first order entered
on the record was a rule to "plead by to-morrow morning," entered June 19,
1837, in the suit of Hugh C. Gibson and three female Gibsons vs. G. W. and
Harrison Haynes and John Miller. The same order was entered in the case of
seventeen plaintiffs vs. Thomas G. Getman, Thayer and the Haynes. The same
seventeen plaintiffs recovered one cent damages and their costs of suit against
the defendants.
Ransom Olds, Aaron Burbank, Jona. Kimball, Elizur Burbank and D. W.
Elumre failed to respond to the process of the court, and attachments were
ordered against ihem, but they catne in at a subsequent term and purged them-
selves of their contempt, and were dismissed with the costs. On motion ot
Jas. M. Strode, Jacob B. Mills was allowed to practice as an attorney in the
court, and H. N. Chapman was similarly privileged on the motion of Giles
Spring. John Douglas was the first alien who renounced his allegiance to his
native country, and took Uncle Sam for his future Ci'esar. He was a Scotch*
man, and tiled his declaration on the second day of the court.
262 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
The second terra of the court was held in September, 1837, by Judge
Thomas. At this court, the afterward famous controversy of Anson Pease vs. John
Peter Schneider, and John Peter Schneider vs. Anson Pease, first made its
appearance .on the docket, from which it did not disappear until after 1S-~>0.
It grew out of the claim of the water power at Schneider's, now known as North
Aurora. Pease was a litigous fellow, and a local rhymester, whose habitat was-
Aurora, in the early days, thus done him up in verse :
" Is-c M-r-l-t and Anson Pease
Are the very d 1 to laugh and tense,
Of whisky punch they'll drink enough
To fill Fox River from bluff to bluff."
The County Commissioners' Court had charge only of the fiscal concerns of
the county, allowed the bills, levied the taxes and settled with the Sheriff, who was
Tax Collector then. The first session of the court was in 1836, and the court
was composed of Thomas H. Thompson, Claudius Townsend and Mark Daniels,
County Commissioners, with Mark W. Fletcher, as Clerk.
The Elgin bar has ever been noted for its legal and forensic ability.
Among its honored names are the first ones who came to the village, while it
was yet a hamlet of but a few houses, and who practiced in the old Thirteenth
Circuit, viz. : E. E. Harvey, who went into the military service at the call for
volunteers in the Mexican war, and gave his life for the country, dying in
Mexico; P. R. Wright, formerly Circuit Clerk, and now a resident of Cali-
fornia; I. G. Wilson, Judge of the old Thirteenth, and afterward the Twenty-
eighth Circuit Court, and now an eminent member of the Chicago bar ; Chas.
H. Morgan, formerly Judge of the Elgin and Aurora Courts of Common Pleas,
and later U. S. Judge in one of the Territories ; Edmund Gifford, also a Judge
in New Orleans ; and last, though not least, Sylvanus Wilcox, who so worthily
occupied the bench of the Twenty-eighth Circuit. Judge Wilcox is the only
one of the above named eminent lawyers who has an abiding place in Elgin.
The Probate Court, as first organized, was a very simple institution, con-
sisting solely of a Probate Justice of the Peace, who was his own Clerk. No-
Sheriff or Bailiff guarded his tribunal or made his presence awe-inspiring by
his cry of "Oyez ! oyez ! " but in the simple guise of a Justice of the Peace,
he settled the estates of the dead, dividing them among the living according to-
law or the will of the decedent.
The first estate administered upon in the county was that of Archibald
Moody, who died July 27, 1836. Letters of administration thereon were
granted .to Lydia C. Moody, his widow, by Mark Daniels, Probate Justice,
June 6, 1837, which was the first recorded act of the court. The Administra-
trix gave bonds in the sum of 2.000, with Gideon Young as security.
The first will probated in the court was that of Warren Tyler, of St. Charles.
It was dated September 10, 1837, and admitted to record on the testimony of
Thomas P. Whipple and Mark Fletcher, November 6, 1837, /this being the
HISTORY OP KANE COUNTY. 263
second act of the court, and the first act of Isaac Wilson, Probate Justice.
Diadema Tyler and Thomas P. Whipple were appointed Executors, and gave
bonds in the sum of $6,000, with Reed Ferson and Ephraim Perkins security.
The principal bequest was 360 acres of land, to which decedent held a claim
under the claim laws of the country.
The first letters of guardianship issued were to Moses Shelby, as guardian
of Rebecca Gillespie, on November 5, 1838, with Thomas P. Whipple as secu-
rity in $200 bonds.
The old seal^of the Probate Court was a copper block, with a weeping wil-
low and tomb stone, emblematic, in those days, of the grief for the dead, but in
the present it is more impressive of the cost of the funeral, and the wasting of
the estate in settlement.
The Probate Justices gave way to the County Court in 1849, when Isaac
G. Wilson, a son of the Isaac Wilson who performed the last two official acts
above mentioned, was elected County Judge under the new Constitution, and
James Herrington, County Clerk. These officers were elected in November,
18-19. commissioned in December, and held the first term of the County Court,
for county business, the following January, commencing on the 10th day of the
month, 1850. The court was composed of Isaac G. Wilson, County Judge:
Andrew J. Waldron and Marcus White. Associate Justices, and James Her-
rington, Clerk. The court allowed pauper bills to the amount of $138 ; court
expenses, $165. and miscellaneous bills, $13. The court also granted John D.
\Yygant, of Batavia, and William G. Webster, of Geneva, grocers' licenses for
a year for $25 each. It is needless to say the groceries to be sold were wet gro-
ceries. The bonds of the County Judge, County Collector and Justices and Con-
stables were approved, except some that were informal, which were rejected and
new ones filed. Roads were ordered reviewed and re-located, and an order passed
that no more bills for the laying of roads would be allowed by the court. A.
P. Hubbard and Thomas A. Scott were appointed a committee to examine into
the financial condition of the county, and report its status at the March term
of the court, which they did, and their report ordered printed ; but it is not
recorded nor on file, and whether the county had much or little indebtedness,
we cannot now know.
Gen. Elijah Wilcox, of Elgin ; Dr. D. D. Waite, of St. Charles, and W. B.
Gillett, of Sugar Grove, were appointed a committee to divide the county into
towns, according to the terms of Section 6 of the law of 1849, relating to
township organization. They made a report and divided the county as it now
stands, except as to the division of Geneva and Batavia, which was effected sub-
sequently. They called Rutland, Jackson ; Plato, Homer, and Virgil, Frank-
lin, but they were soon after changed as they are now known, E. R. Starks
giving the name of his native town in Vermont to Jackson, and the town of
Homer being honored with the name of our then worthy citizen and State
Senator. Plato.
264 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTV.
Orsemus Wilson, Esq., Poor Master of Batavia, was directed to get Schultz,
a pauper, boarded for less than 1.25 a- week, if he could. Wm. R. Parker,
Justice of the Peace, was told to hold oil and not to issue any capias against
Alvin Hyatt, whom he had found guilty of an assault and battery, and fined
$15. The Court selected a Grand and Petit Jury for the March term of the
Circuit Court, and adjourned. The last term of the court for county business
was held June 3, 1850, and then the Supervisors took the purse strings of the
treasury in hand, and have held them ever since.
The first settlement of the Treasurer of the county was made December 1,
1838,- and the whole amount of funds received by him was $548.54, including
thirty license fees, and fines. His compensation was $10.87. The County
Treasurers, from 1836 to 1841, received as the total amount of revenue of the
county during the time the sum of $3,982.07. The commissions amounted to
47. They couldn't afford to pay much to make their election sure. David
Dunham was Recorder of Deeds from August 1, 1836, to September 1. 1843 ;
but that wns not much of a bonanza, for he used to write up his records in his
store on rainy days, and other times when business was not pressing. The
whole seven years of his official term are comprised in the first three books of
the Recorder's office, and number 997 instruments.
The first tax levied in the county was in the year 1836, and was laid on
personal property only, real estate not being taxable until 1847, five years after
the land sales in 1842. The amount of the levy -\vas about eight hundred dol-
lars, and B. F. Fridley was Sheriff and ex officio County Collector, a?ul John
Griggs was County Assessor. The first tax levied after real .estate became taxable
was in 1847. The assessment o f lands and village lots amounted to $446,185,
and of personal property to $321,320. The taxes levied were for State purposes,
2,839: county purposes, $2,302.54, and for roads, $1,535.01. Total, $6,677.29.
The first instrument recorded in the county was an agreement for a deed be-
tween James Crow and Wallace Hotchkiss, for lands which said Crow claimed
300 acres of prairie and 160 acres of timber. The prairie land was on the
east side of the Fox River, in Batavia, and the timber was in the Big Woods.
The amount of purchase money was $2,000. This instrument was filed for
record January 23, 1837, and recorded in book 1, page 1.
The first village plat recorded was that of Geneva, on May 8, 1837, at 11
o'clock A. M., in Book 1, page 9 ; and St. Charles or as it was then called
and recorded, Charleston filed her plat the same day, at 2 o'clock P. M., and
it follows Geneva in the same book, on page 11. The first deed recorded is one
from Richard J. Hamilton and James Herrington, by Mark W. Fletcher, their
attorney in fact, to Kane County, for a block of ground in Geneva, known as
the public square. This was the original courthouse block, on which the origi-
nal court house was built.
The first mortgage fded for record was f- denJ from James Herrington to
Jacob Miller, both of Geneva, July 5, 1837. It conveys a two-thirds interst
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 265
in 110 acres of timber on the east side of the river, in Geneva, and was the
original ciaini of Haight and Bird. Miller gave Harrington an agreement to
re-convey on the payment of 300 in one year, with 1*2 per cent, interest,
quarterly. This was the only way security could be given on real estate, as
the laws of the United States made it unlawful to mortgage the land until
patents were issued for it.
Large tracts of land were entered at the land sale, by parties in trust for
others, and bonds given for deeds in payment of the sums advanced, and such
interest as was agreed upon. Right here comes to mind an incident growing out
of that practice, partially in Elgin, which shows that the confidence game was
practiced in early times as well as later in that city.
In Western New York lived, in 1840-41 and later, a man named William
Mills, familiarly known and called by many of the early settlers in Elgin, as
"Billy" Mills. He was a rioted man amon.sr the people of Elgin, ia those
early days, and was a man of wealth and good report. Some time in the Spring
of 1845 or 1846, a genteelly dressed and self-possessed gentleman came into
the stage house at Tibbals', in Elgin, and represented himself to be a nephew
of "Billy" Mills, of New York. He had come out to loan money and make
investments, and wanted a good room, regardless of expense, and so Tibbals
put the best room of his really good hostelry at his service, and treated him as
the nephew of as prime a favorite as Billy Mills ought to be shown.
The news of the arrival of a nephew of Billy Mills was soon noised abroad,
and the fact that he had lots of money to loan and invest was as soon known.
He was at once the center of attraction. The funnel's who had bought their
land through others, and were paying 18 to 24 per cent, for the accommoda-
tion, immediately began to negotiate with the nephew of his uncle for loans to
pay up the said advances, and at much lower rates of interest. Many, too,
sought for further accommodations, to reloan the money at an advance on the
rate the nephew charged. The days of Spring lengthened into Summer, and
the Summer heats began to strengthen, and still the nephew basked in the sun-
shine of " Uncle " Billy's fame and prestige, without a cloud or passing shower
to disturb his tranquility. He suggested to his host, from time to time, that he
was ready to pay his bill on_presentation *' expected another remittance from
Uncle Billy soon ; had loaned Deacon a little cash to take up the mort-
gage on his farm ; would be all right as soon as another letter came." etc.
Tibbals said it was all right, and continued to feed him in good style and diive
him around the country behind a pair of spanking bays. One day, which he had
set for fulfilling his engagement, the people came with their bonds and mort-
gages drawn up in the most approved ^tyle, tricked out in sealing wax and red
tape, to get the money to consummate the projects of their hearts, and move
into the splendid castles in Spain which many of them had already erected. But
the mails had failed to come in, and the disappointed ones were put oft" till an-
other day. The day came, and with it again came the people and their seen-
266 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
rities, and also a letter from Billy Mills himself, to some one whose suspicions
had been aroused and had communicated with Mills in regard to the u nephew,"
stating that the "nephew" was no relative of his, but was imposing on the
good people of Elgin. The people looked foolish, as their castles disappeared,
and especially those who had indulged in such rosy dreams of money loaning.
But Tibbals, when the truth flashed upon him, was furious. If " our army
swore terribly in Flanders," then Tibbals was worthy of a full Brigadier's com-
mission in it. He mounted in hot haste his buck-board, and drove off at a slash-
ing pace to Geneva to get sundry writs of capias, ne exeat and attachment,
whereby he might get indemnity for the outlay he had made for the said
nephew's comfort. The writs were duly issued and served upon the boarder,
with an unknown alias, and in due course of time the trial came on before the
Circuit Court and a jury. John J. Brown, the eloquent advocate in Chicago,
at rhat time Avas retained by the defendant, and interposed a plea of non compos
mentis. He did not try to rebut the evidence that was piled up by the prosecu-
tion, but rather sought to make the testimony stronger bv the cross-examination
* */
The evidence being all in, and the counsel for the plaintiff having closed his
case, the defense took the floor and began one of those impassioned appeals t<>
the jury for which Mr. Brown was so noted. He showed conclusively to the
jury and audience that the defendant, instead of being harassed by grasping
creditors and unfeeling bailiffs, should be tenderly cared for by Christian men
and women ! The Court was convulsed with suppressed laughter, the jury and
audience were in tears, and Tibbals himself rose and, wiping his eyes, stalked
out of the court room, muttering to himself, " I'll be d d if I knew I was such
a wretch as to prosecute such a poor fool as that ! "
Among the first things established in the county for the general good, wan
the Yankee institution the public school. With the yearning for a wider acre-
age and larger gains, was the kindred spirit of knowledge how to attain to and
use the increased facilities when they should be in hand. And so, by the time
the settlers, in 1834, had built their shanties and staked out their claims, they
looked for the school master, and. lo ! . he was in their midst, and from the land
where the pedagogue, male and female, is indigenous Vermont. In the fall of
1834, a Mr. Knowles was enthroned in East Batavia, with the hazel brush as a
scepter, to rule over and teach nine infantile subjects. The throne room was in
a log cabin on Col. Lyon's claim, about one mile east of the river, and was the
first school house built in the county. The school ma'am was but a short way
behind, and her name was Prudence Ward, and her kingdom was in Ira E.
Tvler's.Iog house, in St. Charles, and she beijan her reign in 1835. This vear,
v O < *>
too, a Mr. Livingston taught school in East Geneva. The female pedagogues
multiplied in the land greatly, so much so, that the male of the species, for a
season, became extinct. Miss Charlotte Griggs, in Plato; Mi>s Amanda Cochrane,
in Dundee; Miss Harriet Giffbrd, in Elgin, and Mrs. Sterling, of Geneva, being
the first teachers in their respective localities, all before the close of the year 1837.
HISTORV OF KANE COUNTY. 267
The first teachers' institute or normal school held in the county was con-
vened in 1850, at the old court house in Geneva, under the fostering care of
Father Brewster, who was the School Commissioner. Prof. Sweet was
the Director,, and John B. Newcomb, of Elgin ; Achsah Waite, of St. Charles ;
Miss Fox, of Elgin, and Miss Kidder, afterward the wife of D. L. Eastman, of
St. Charles, were chief assistants. The mystery of a minus quantity " one
less than nothing" was lucidly explained by Miss Waite to many whose lives
since then have been striking illustrations of the theorem. The first institute
will never be forgotton by those who participated in it. The Marys and Fannys
and Williams and Johns, how they did parse but never declined the verb
"to love ! " How they rattled on about the uttermost parts of the earth, and
yet thought the sweetest place on earth was just there in the class. How the
problem of two and two make four was solved in a twinkling, when the class in
arithmetic was ordered to the Unitarian Church, and Mary Ann, of Big Rock,
and the little black-eyed Miss W., from Sugar Grove, paired off with the young
schoolmasters of Aurora. A certain cosy farm house in the southwestern part
of the county will tell how two of these former mathematicians solved that other
more difficult problem of life, and demonstrated that three from two raakejEpe/
- Newcomb drilled us all fn phonetics, and Sweet " elocuted " for our benefit, and
we followed in concert until such a howl rose up the Genevans rushed to see
what lunatic asylum had turned its inmates out for a holiday. The school-
ma'ams that were, and those that would, be, came in such numbers they could
not all be accommodated at the residences of the people ; but Father Brews ter
God bless the good old man was equal to the occasion, and so he called for
supplies of bedding and rations, and soon the dancing hall of the Geneva House
then occupied and kept by Mr. Sterling was transformed into a dormitory
and kitchen, and the girls added to their theories the additional accomplishment
of practical living. As we think of the two hundred and more girls, old and
young, then present, we ask, with Holmes,
"Where are the Marys and Anns and Elizas.
Living and lovely of yore?
Look in the columns of old Advertisers
Married and Dead by the score."
Elgin claims the first academy and the first college in the county. The
academy was chartered in 1839, but was not opened until 1855, when the col-
lege was built and transferred to the academy, and the two companies merged in
one.
The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. N. C. Clarke, in
1834, in the log house of Christopher Payne, the first actual settler in the
county, east of Batavia. Mr. Clarke was one of the early missionaries sent
out into the West to tell the "glad tidings" to the pioneers, and gather them
into church societies and Sunday schools. He was one of God's noblemen, of
u kindly, affectionate manner, truthful and sincere, and one who drew nu-n to
268 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY
better things by his own gentle and consistent ways quite as much as by his
persuasive exhortations. No breath of suspicion ever attainted him, but he
seemed to stand on the mountain top, in the clear sunlight of truth and moral-
ity, always, 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.
His colleagues were Elder J. E. Ambrose and Elder Kimball. These men
traveled on foot or on horseback, among the early settlers around Chicago, stop-
ping where night overtook them, and receiving the hospitalities of the cabin,
without money or without price. Reverently asking the blessing of God upon
all that they did, their lives were .simple and unostentatious, their wants few and
easily satisfied ; their teaching plain and unvarnished, touched with no elo-
quence save that of their dailv living, which was seen and known of all men.
L -^ *f
Though of different religious seers one being a Congregationalist, one a Bap-
tise, and the pther a Methodist yen 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, and thus, finally, to reach the best of all, God and
heaven. They were not only physicians for the soul's cure, but they sometimes
ministered to the body's ailments. They married the living, and buried the
dead; they christened the babe, admonished the young and warned the old:
they cheered the despondent, rebuked the wilful and hurled the vengeance of
eternal burnings at the desperately wicked. When other orators were scarce,
they sometimes mounted the rostrum on the Fourth of July, and highfaluted
for the edification of the people, like other patriotic mortals. Wherever they
came they were welcome, and notice was soon sent around to the neighbors and
a meeting was 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."
Father Clarke, in St. Charles, and Elder Ambrose, in Elgin, finally settled
down and were located over respective congregations of their own faith, and
Elder Kimball, the Methodist, in Blooniingdale. Father Clarke has gone to
his rest, sincerely mourned by all who had ever known him.
The first church in the county was organized in Batavia, in 1835. It was
of the Congregationalist faith, and another one of the same faith was organ-
ized in Elgin, in 1836. The first Methodist Episcopal churches were organ-
ized in Aurora and Elgin, in 1837. The Baptists organized a society in 1836,
in St. Charles. The Unitarians organized a society in Geneva, in 1837, and
about that time the Universalists organized one in St. Charles. The first
Roman Catholic gathering was probably in Rutland, though Aurora claims the
first church up as late as 1848, or after. The first Congregational minister in
the county was Father Clarke; the first Baptist. Elder Ambrose; the first
Methodist, Rev. William Kimball: the first Unitarian. A. II. Conant, and the
first Universalists, Andrew Pingree and William Rounseville. The first church
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 269
buildings erected exclusively for worship were those of the Congregationalists-
in Batavia and Dundee, in 1840, though the Universalists began theirs in 1838,
but it was not finished until 1843. Aurora built her first church in 1843, for
the Methodists, and Elgin hers, in 1840, for the same society, and Geneva, for
the Unitarians, in 1843. In 1850, there were eighteen church edifices, valued
at $30,000, and capable of seating about five thousand persons. The first
Sunday school in the county was organized in Batavia, in 1835, but the schools-
multiplied rapidly, one being organized wherever children could be gathered in,
even if there were not a half a dozen to begin with.
Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal Church, the founder of Jubilee College, at
"Robin's Nest," near Peoria, held a service under the ritual of that church,
in St. Charles, in 1838, in the school house then standing on the corner near
Dr. Crawford's present residence. It was quite a noted event in those days.
The Bishop was a tall and large man, had white hair and was a very fine look-
ing old man, and in his Episcopal robes of scarlet was an august looking person-
age. The Episcopalians in St. Charles at that time were Dr. Thomas P.
Whipple and R. V. M. Croes, the latter a son of an Episcopal clergyman, of
New York City. The Bishop was entertained by Dr. Wliipple. The Herring-
tons, at Geneva, and Joseph W. Churchill, at Batavia, were also Episcopalians.
Churchill was a bluff, nervous fellow, and much attached to the forms of his
church. One Sunday, as he and his daughter were going to church, he a.4ced
her if she had got her prayer book. She said, "No father, I forgot it,'"
Churchill blurted out : '"Forget your prayer book ! Go f.nd get it ! You might
sis well be in as in an Episcopal church without a prayer book."
There was a time when a great religious awakening swept over the com-
munity, and Father Clarke, assisted by two clergymen from Boston or
thereabouts, had charge of the revival. Naughty rumor had been busy with
the names of the two men from the old Bay State, and it was whispered that
one of them had found it convenient to leave his creditors to get their just
claims paid by suffering fifty per cent, loss on the same ; while of the other it
was said that he, had literally taken to himself a wife, in that he had taken a
wife of some other man, and she was then with him in the (then) village of
Elgin. These rumors Avere subsequently found to have more than a mere sab-
stratum of truth.
While the religious awakening was at its height, Mr. Clarke and the two
assisting ministers called pastorally on the people, and, among others, visited
Mr. P. G. Patterson, and talked with him kindly, admonishing him to try and
reform. Patterson listened patiently and quietly to his visitors, and at length
Mr. Clarke asked him what he thought of what had been said. Patterson, look-
ing up to Mr. Clarke, said, feelingly : " Mr. Clarke, you are a good man and a
kind neighbor, and I thank you for your visit, but, as for the other gentlemen, all
I have to-say is, I pity twenty shitting* to the pound, and live with my own ivife.
The interview closed abruptly, for there was no room fur further argument.
270 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
; ,v^ ; . AURORA TOWNSHIP.
Had ancient mythology been ransacked, it -would have been impossible
to have found a name containing a more pleasing and purely imaginative history
. than the one which this township bears ; and it may be added with equal truth
that the picturesquenessof the valley, stream, prairie and hill with which it is di-
versified renders it worthy to be associated with a conception which was the person-
ification of ideal beauty. Forty -four years ago, however, the Eos of the Greeks,
the Aurora of the Latins, shed her smiles over its fields, now marked with farm-
house, granary, mill and village, and beheld only a wilderness. Its broad acres
were uncultivated, its forests then magnificent allowed to run to waste anJ
only serving as a home for the Indian and the wolf and their wild neighbors.
But the Sac and Fox War was precipitated, and then all was changed. Scott's
army was sent in pursuit of the cowardly wretches, who had glutted their
vindictive hate with the blood of women and children, and a new era was
ushered in.
SETTLEMENTS.
Among the earliest ones to avail himself of the return of peace and of the
measures on foot to move the friendly Indians under Waubansie from the State.
was Jacob Carpenter, who came to Chicago from Logan County, Ohio, in No-
vember, 1832. In December of the following year, having spent the Summer
and Fall at Naperviile, which then contained some half a dozen families, he
took up land and built a log house on the east side of Fox River, about half a
mile from the spot now occupied by the village of Montgomery. This house
was the first in Aurora Township and one of the first in Kane County, and was
occupied by Carpenter and his family the week before Christmas.
In the following April, Elijah Pierce, Carpenter's father-in-law, also from
Logan County, followed him to the new country, and built a second shanty on
the same side of the river and nearer the bank than Carpenter's, where for years
he kept entertainment for man and beast. There the stage horses on the Chi-
cago & Galena Road were regularly changed as long as the route ran by way
of Montgomery. His accommodations were not as good as may now be found
at the Palmer House, or even in Aurora, but they were the best which could
then be obtained nearer than Naperviile. His shanty had one room, which
served as kitchen, dining room, sitting room, parlor and bedroom; and Mr. Wm.
T. Elliott, who came from Tioga County, N. Y., and took up an adjoining
claim in June, 1834, says that he has seen forty people men, women and
children packed away in promiscuous order for the night, upon the floor of
that room.
At that time, no Government surveys had been made anywhere in the
..vicinity. All were squatters, and all were obliged to go to Ottawa, for the trans-
action of any public business.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 271
Mr. Elliott, our worthy informant, who still resides, at the age of 67, upon
his original claim, is responsible for being the author of the first romance which
the annals of the county furnish. He "was a goodly stripling then," and,
casting his eyes around among the damsels of the land, he saw none so comely as
Rebecca Pierce. It may be a matter of doubt if the country afforded any other
damsel during the first year of his residence, but, be that as it may, we have it on
good authority that Rebecca was fair and seventeen, and willing to place her head
in the matrimonial slipping-noose, .but here the cruel parent who figures in all
romances interposed his veto. It is not material what reasons he urged or even
if he urged any at all. His refusal produced the usual effect, and everything
went on in the regular order found in any one of Mrs. Southworth's novels.
"Win. T. said " Wilt thott cleave unto me in spite of Pa Pierce ? " and Rebecca
answered " I will." The next morning a youth might have been seen wend-
O * G
ing his way along the road which led to Ottawa. He raised his eyes and saw
a man approaching. It was Mr. Pierce, the last person whom he cared to meet.
Mr. Pierce advised him in a friendly manner, as parents are apt to assume in such
circumstances, to make no more attempts to obtain his daughter, as they would
be useless, and receiving from Mr. Elliott the gratifying assurance that he would
have Rebecca or die in the attempt, he went on his way rejoicing, perhaps.
On reaching Ottawa, forty miles from home, the ardent lover proceeded at once
to the office of the County Clerk, whose reign extended over a vast territory,
but small population, and asked for a marriage license. The lady's age was
demanded and the license promptly refused. The Clerk, however, at the request
of Mr. Elliott, examined the marriage law, and informed him that he might
marry, if he would publish a notice of his and the lady's intentions two weeks
previous, in church. He, therefore, returned disappointed and discouraged.
Fortune seemed to favor him now, for as he approached his cabin he met that
zealous and exemplary pioneer u Father Clark," to whom he unbosomed him-
self, and was told that he should be " cried in meetia' come next Sunday."
Father Clark published him. as agreed, in Xaperville, and, in due time, tidings
came to the enraged parent, who vowed that the marriage should never take
place. Now, Mr. Pierce went to Chicago for nearly all the groceries used in
his business as landlord. Thinking that only one week had expired since the
announcement of marriage, he left home with a light heart, it may be supposed,
and chuckling, as he rode along over the ruts, to think that the man who so
yearned to call him u Father," had walked to Ottawa and back for a marriage
license in vain. Win. T. and Rebecca, meanwhile, were chuckling, too, for on
this morn the two weeks had expired. In the afternoon, Rebecca went visiting.
There was no suspicion, as her lover, who had a field of wheat near by, had passed
the house at noon with his cradle upon his shoulder. Later in the afternoon
he returned, met Miss Pierce, and Father Clark united them. "When the
unreasonable father returned, he felt greatly discomfited, and, though not a man
givento unseemly mirth, some say that he danced a horn-pipe many times around
cl
979
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
his shanty, but/having thus become calm, he reasoned, after a night's sleep,
that it would be the part of wisdom to make no more disturbance. Accord-
ingly, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott commenced housekeeping, and their marriage,
which occurred August 3, 1835, was the first in Aurora Township.
Their daughter Emeline now Mrs. Joseph Denny, of Aurora whose
birth occurred August 5, 1836. was the first white child born within the limits
of the present township.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are among the most respected of the early settlers,
and, to all appearances, will witness a score more of years of the progress
the town, which- they first found containing less than a half dozen of
dwellings.
Land was not dear in those early times, and, as proof of this, it may be
stated that Mr. Pierce bought a. claim of 380 acres, most of which is now within
the city limits, for 7.00. This tract was afterward owned by B. F. Fridley,
who came to Aurora in 1835, and is still living in the city.
On the 20th of September. 1836, Thomas Carpenter died, after a short
illness. It is a fact worthy of note, that he was the first settler in Aurora
Township, and the first who died there outside of the present city limits. He
was also one of the very first who settled in the county, and was only four
months later than Christopher Payne, the earliest pioneer.
Another very early settler in this township was John Peter Snycler. a Ger-
man, from Erie County, Penn., who arrived in Chicago with his family July
10, 1832. Finding all the country around in confusion from the recent Indian
atrocities, and the efforts of the Government to suppress them, he took passage to
Michigan, instead of unloading his goods, and remained there until the follow-
ing September, and then returned to Chicago, where he lay ill for two weeks or
more. He then went to Naperville, where he found a settlement already
established, and stayed thore during the Winter and the following Summer,
and, being a millwright, put up a small saw-mill for one of the Napers. Dur-
ing his first Fall there (1832), he had explored the country around North
Aurora, in company with Lansing Sweet, a brother-in-law of the Napers, but,
fearing the Pottawattornies, had made no claim. In the Fall of 1833, in com-
pany with his brother, John Nicholas more popularly known as ' Peter John,"
who now lives near Piano, Kendall County he took up a claim on Blackberry
Creek, and built another saw-mill. Indeed, they seem to have had a peculiar
fondness for such work, for, according to John Peter, he and " Peter John "
were located, iu the Fall of 1834, on land now occupied by the North Aurora
Manufacturing Company's Works, hanvnering away at still another saw-mill.
When he arrived there in 1834, he says that the McCartys had commenced
their improvements below. Certainly, the country was indebted to the Snyders
for some valuable improvements, for after the first explorers have located in a
new country, the greatest benefit i? conferred, not by the one who erects a
school house or a church, but by tho man who builds a mill. They precede all
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 273
other improvements, and are the beacon-lights in the van of civilization. The
dam across the river at North Aurora was also built by the Snyders.
The first mill was burned a number of years after its completion, and John
Peter built another, which is still standing.
Meanwhile other settlers had located in the country around, and at first
taking up claims by squatter, right, and afterward purchasing of the Govern-
ment, the township had become rapidly settled.
In the Fall of 1835, Daniel Gray, from Montgomery County, N. Y., visited
the West, where his brother, Nicholas, had located the previous Spring, on a
farm now within the limits of Kendall County. Pleased with the new country,
he made immediate preparations to settle there, and in the Fall of 1836, having
removed his family from New York, he built the first frame house in the village,
which he named from the county he had left. It was located in the south part
of the place, near the west bank of the river, was about 22x38 feet, and, having
been moved from its original site, is still used as a dwelling.
MANUFACTURES AND BUSINESS.
Daniel Gray was a man of indomitable energy and entei^prise. Mills and
manufactures sprung up at his bidding, as by magic, and Montgomery, al-
though the little village has still good prospects for the future, would doubtless
have had a far more brilliant history had he lived. No sooner had he settled
in the place than he commenced improvements on a grand scale. A store,
foundry, reaper and header manufacturing shop over one hundred feet in
length, a second foundry built of stone, and one of the best stone grist-mills in
the country, appeared in rapid succession, furnishing employment for thirty or
more hands, and Mr. Gray was making preparations for still more extensive
business operations, in the establishment of a manufactory of stationary engines,
^vhen, in the Winter of 1854, he died. The store had .burned a number of
years previous. The stone foundry has subsequently been used for a short
time as a manufactory for cotton batting, but is now- idle, as is the large build-
ing formerly used as a manufactory. The flouring mill is now doing a good
business, and running twenty-four hours in the day. Hord, Emmons & Co.
are the present proprietors, the manufactured article enjoys a good reputation
throughout the West, and is shipped in sacks to all parts of Northern Illinois.
A large cheese factory, built in 1874, and which, we are informed, is doing
a good business for the farmers, stands on the opposite side of the street. The
place also has a small sash and blind factory, two stores and an excellent stone
depot for the Chicago, Burlington <k Quincy Railroad, which crosses Aurora
Township from east to west, and passes along the edge of the village.
Turning now for a moment to North Aurora, we find several small manu-
factories there which deserve brief mention. The grist-mill, a good wooden
building, was commenced in 18H2 : the &;ish, door and blind factor}' was built
some fifteen years ago ; the foundry, now employing about fourteen hands, was
-14 HISTORi" OF KANE BOUNTY.
erected in the Spring of 1874, and a large and elegant building, to be used as-
u store, was puc up the same year. All are owned by the North Aurora Man-
ufacturing Company. A cheese factory of magnificent dimensions, the prop-
erty of J. H. Boswell, was built in 1875. It has used 6,500 pounds of milk
during the past Summer (1877), and manufactured cream cheese, which was-
shipped to Liverpool,. England, during a part of the season.
The station is thirty-five miles west of Chicago, on the old State Road. It
has two stores ; the one on the east side, built in 1874, the other occupying
one end of the cheese factory. The place is four miles from the city of Aurora,
on the branch railroad which connects Aurora with Batavia, on the east side
of the river. The railroad company have built a depot there.
Like Montgomery, North Aurora has excellent water power, and there are
a number of residences, in the immediate vicinity, on either side of the river.
About half ?i mile distant, John Peter Snyder still resides, looking o.s young as-
many men at 45 ; although he claims to be 76. and says he has kept his youth
30 well beoause he had such easy times when the country was new. The exten-
/ */
sion connecting Aurora with Batavia and Geneva, by way of the "West Side,
crosses the township within half a mile of North Aurora
SCHOOL HOUSES.
As early as 1839, a small frame school house stood in Montgomery, and
the first term was taught in it by a young lady. Mrs. Ellis, then Mrs. Car-
penter, now residing in the village, stales that her little boys went there to
school as early as the winter of 1838. The teacher was paid by subscription.
The house is now used us a dwelling by Mr. Harrison Young. Another
school was started, at quite an early period, near North Aurora, and others
followed throughout the districts more remote from the river, until the adoption
of the School Law brought about the present condition. A fine public school
building, erected some twenty years ago, stands in Montgomery.
POST OFFICES.
An attempt was made by the settlers near Montgomery to obtain a post
office as early as 1836, but the stage route being changed about that time, the
attempt was given up for rail ten years. At length, when the manufactories
established by Daniel Gray had made the village of sufficient importance, the
project was renewed, and Hiram Border was commissioned the first Postmaster.
This post office, and the one at North Aurora, established January 18, 1869,
with A. II. Stone as its first Postmaster, are the only ones in the township.
The village of Montgomery was at first surveyed not long after Daniel
Grav's arrival, and it was then laid out at a spoi: somewhat below its present
site. Ir was in this original plat that the school building was put up, and it
has not been removed to the position of the more modern place. The earliest
riaee within its present corpora^ limits was that of Ralph Gray, in lo-t-l> ;
EDITOR ft PUBLISHER ST. CHARLES LEADER
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 275
the earliest death within the same bounds was that of De Witt, a son of Daniel
Gray, in the Fall of 1844. The
GEOLOGY
of Aurora Township may well be mentioned, as it contains some fossil remains
which render it interesting to the student. These have been, for the most part,
found in a variety of its limestone, of which two are found, one of which is
quarried for building purposes. The huge granite boulders which abound
throughout the prairie country, and are generally referred to the Drift Period,
are occasionally seen in all parts of the township, being often formed of a con-
glomerate, but not unfrequently of pure granite. They are popularly called
"hard heads." Brick clay is common in several sections, and there are sev-
eral beds of good sand for building purposes. But by far the most interesting
trophies which can be ranged under the head of geology were unearthed by the
workmen on the railroad, as they were excavating, about a quarter of a mile
above the depot, within the city limits, in the Fall of 1850. These were the
tusks of a mastodon, and eight molar teeth. Supposing the first tusk to be a
stick, it was nearly destroyed by them, but the second was obtained in an al-
most perfect state of preservation, and measures nine feet in length. The
largest tooth weighed seven and a fourth pounds. The tusk and several of the
teeth are preserved in Jennings Seminary.
SOLDIERS.
In common with the other townships of the county, Aurora furnished her
full quota during the late Rebellion. It is beyond our limits to trace the
record of all of those brave men who hastened to protect their country in her
hour of need. Their names are enrolled in indelible characters upon the
pages of fame, and, though the bones of many of them bleached upon the
Southern plains, and their bodies rotted in prison pens or fell on the field of
battle, yet their memory will live forever among the good and true.
NAME, POSITION, ETC.
Aurora Township occupies the most southeasterly position of the townships
of Kane County. It is bounded on the north by Batavia, on the east by Du
Page County, on the south by Kendall, and on the west by Sugar Grove Town-
ship. It is known as Township 38, North Range 8 east of the Third Princi-
pal Meridian, and its population, by the last census, was 2,033. Its assessed
valuation will be found in connection with the following sketch of the
CITY OF AURORA.
Within the bounds of the above described Congressional Township there
has arisen, within forty-three years, a city which, while it exceeds in size all
the others along the banks of Fox River, is surpassed by none of them in the
beaut} 7 of its location.
276 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
On the 25th of November, 1833,* Joseph McCarty, a millwright, living
in Chemung County, near Elmira, N. Y., left his home, in company with a
single companion, one Jeffry fBeardslee, to seek his fortune in the West. Un-
like so many others who have left Eastern homes with a similar object in view,
he had mapped out a definite course before starting, and decided upon the
exact spot where he designed to locate. Proceeding across the country to the
head waters of the Alleghany, where a sufficient stop was made to construct a
" dug-out" of suitable dimensions to convey two passengers and a small chest
of tools down the river, the young men launched their rude craft, and floated
leisurely toward the mouth of the stream so aptly described by the elegant and
poetic Frenchmen in the name which they applied to it, " Beautiful." Their
journey to Pittsburgh was exceedingly arduous during much of the way, owing
to its frequent interruptions from rapids and mill-dams, where they were
obliged to land and unload their boat, and drag it over the country to a point
below. But they at length arrived there without serious accident, and, aban-
doning their pirogue and taking passage on a small steamer, they pushed on
toward the Mississippi. It may be well to state here that their destination was
the head of navigation on the Illinois River, where Mr. McCarty, deceived by
the inaccurate maps of the State, supposed that he would find excellent water
power and mill privileges, where he believed that a great city would eventually
arise ; but on reaching Cairo it became evident to him that it would be impos-
sible to complete their journey until the following Spring, as all nature furnished
indubitable signs of the speedy approach of winter. They accordingly went
into winter quarters at Cape Girardeau, then a thriving town, where it would
seem from various entries in Mr. McCarty's account book that they worked at
odd jobs during the cold weather to pay for their board. At the opening of
Spring they continued their journey to the Illinois, and up the stream to the
place selected, where they discovered that it was not the desirable position
represented, and that it had already been claimed by a party which had pre-
ceded them but a few weeks. They .accordingly directed their journey to
Ottawa, then an insignificant settlement of a few small houses, where, hearing
of a good site for a mill up the Fox, McCarty hired a prospector, Robert
Faracre by name, to accompany them ; and following the course of the river
they arrived, on the first day of April, 1834, at the Indian village occupied by
Waubansie, chief of the Pottawattomies, and two or . three hundred of hi&
warriors, just north of the present site of the city of Aurora, on the west side of
the river, on what was afterward known as the McNamara farm. The banks
of the river, which have long since been stripped of much of their sylvan
glory, were then thickly wooded, and along the east side the native forest trees
had attained a remarkable size in many places, and formed a continuous wood
* Entry in an old account book, in handwriting of J. McCarty.
f The orthography as written at that time in an old account book.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 277
extending from the vicinity of the present city to Batavia. This forest, after-
ward known as the "Big Wood," the Indian village, and the whole of the land
now occupied by the city of Aurora, had been included in a tract ten miles square,
set apart by the United States Government as an Indian reservation, but had
subsequently been purchased by treaty with Waubansie and his tribe, just
pievious to the arrival of McCarty, Beardslee and Faracre, as recorded above.
On approaching that part of the river bank opposite Stolp's Island, a landscape
of unusual beauty was presented to their view. The river there wound gradu-
ally to the west from the almost direct southerly course above, and, continuing
to a point some five hundred yards below the southern extremity of the island,
assumed in a graceful curve its former direction. The ripples dancing over
the limestone bed were as clear as
" The bright waters of that upper sphere,"
while the tangled shrubs with which the margin of the island was covered, the
stately and grand forests of oak which rose gloomily along the eastern bank,
all contributed to form a delightful picture to the eye of the eastern voyageurs,
accustomed from their earliest remembrances to such scenes, but wearied for
weeks with gazing over the trackless and uninterrupted prairies, which stretch
away across the country which they had just traversed. The natural fall, too,
and the island partially obstructing the channel, formed the advantages which
they had sought so long, and McCarty immediately laid claim to about 360
acres on the east side, and proceeded to make good his title by erecting thereon
a log cabin about 10x12 feet in dimensions ; and later, in order to enjoy the
entire right to the water power, he took up another claim of about 100 acres
on the opposite side of the river, on which he built a similar shanty. The log
house on the east side was the first dwelling within the limits of the city, and
was located about seventy-five feet directly east of the spot where the old grist-
mill stands. The nearest white settler at that time was Elijah Pierce, who
lived three miles down the river with his family, at the place now occupied by
the village of Montgomery. The nearest neighbor on the east was not less
than ten miles away. Naperville contained a few families, and there was a
family living on Rock Creek, about twelve miles west of the Indian village ;
while still another, arriving about the same time as McCarty and Beardslee,
put up a shanty in the vicinity of Batavia. The Indians displayed consider-
able curiosity in the proceedings of their white neighbors, and frequently
visited them, begging bread, tobacco and whisky. They were friendly, and at
the time of Black Hawk's raid, two years previous, Waubansie had warned the
scattered settlers of the impending danger, thus meriting, if he did not receive,
their eternal gratitude. During the Summer of 1834, McCarty and his men
occupied the shanty upon the east side, doing their own cooking, with the
exception of their bread, which was prepared by Mrs. Pierce, down the river,
and carried home in flour sacks. In the meantime, a dam had been commenced and
278 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
was steadily progressing, and the timbers for a saw-mill having been prepared, the
neighbors within a radius of fifteen miles were invited to the raising. It is
said that about a dozen men came. In October, a more convenient house was
commenced, and the first settlers were thinking of making a gigantic stride in
the direction of an advanced civilization, by inhabiting a dwelling 14x18, when
their numbers were augmented by the arrival of Samuel McCarty, a younger
brother of the one who then owned Aurora. Some weeks previous, Joseph
McCarty had sent him a glowing account of the wilderness where he had
pitched his tent, and he had immediately settled his business as a millwright,
in Chemung County, and, taking the most direct route for Illinois, had arrived
at Waubansie's reservation on the 6th of November, 1834, three weeks from
the day of his departure from home, having journeyed a part of the distance in
the same stage with the late Ira Minard, one of the pioneers of St. Charles.
Previous to his arrival, his brother had purchased for him, of a squatter, a
claim of 400 acres south of his own, for which he paid the sum of $60. Of
this squattei- we can obtain no satisfactory information, no reference to him
occurring in the early records of these times, save in ' this connection only,
and he was doubtless one of those wandering characters who appear in all new
countries, but who vanish like the native animals before the advance of civil-
ization, and his biography has no connection with the rise, and progress of
Aurora. In the following December, as the pioneers were sadly in need of a
hostess, Stephen A. Aldrich and family* were received into their dwelling,
Mrs. A. being the first white woman known to have trodden the pathless wilds
of Aurora. The city then contained eight inhabitants, viz. : the two McCartys,
Beardslee, Faracre, Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich, and two small children.
During the same month and year, R. C. Horr, who had previously emi-
grated, with his family, from Canada to a point further south, came to the res-
ervation with the intention of removing his household goods thither if the pros-
pect appeared favorable. Finding the place all that he had anticipated, he
bought of the McCartys the first acre of land sold by them, which was situated
where some of the principal business houses in the city have since arisen, and
paid for it the sum of $2.00, agreeing, also, to build thereon a dwelling and a
tannery, the former of which was subsequently erected; but Mr. Horr, meet-
ing with reverses in business, failed to fulfill the stipulation in regard to the
latter. He removed his family in the Spring of 1835, and became a useful
member of the growing settlement, being elected the first Justice of the Peace.
As the Aldriches remained but a short time in Aurora, Horr may be consid-
ered the first permanent settler after the McCartys.
Under the successive blows and joint exertions of all the male members of
the settlement, the mill and dam were soon completed. An old mill-book, now
in the possession of Samuel McCarty, shows that the first sawing was done for
Mr. Wormley, of Oswego, 111., on the 8th day of June, 1835.
* They afterward removed to Sangamon County, Illinois.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 279
In the same year, a tide of emigration from the East reached Fox River,
and gave the first promise of prosperity to the little settlement then known as
McCarty's Mill.
We notice upon the old mill-book, referred to above, the names of R. C.
Horr, James Leonard, Levi and George Gorton, B. F. Phillips, the first cabi-
net maker in the place, Joseph and Lyndorf Huntoon, Winslow Higgins, Will-
iam Brown and Mr. Barker ; beside whom we may mention Dr. Eastman, the
first settled physician, and wife, R. M. Watkins and wife, Seth Read, Theodore
Lake, Charles Bates, Elgin Squires, William T. Elliott, Peter Mills, E. D.
Terry, Richard Terry and many others, in the years immediately following, if
our space would permit.
The Higginses, who arrived in August, 1835, and settled on the east side
of the river, and the Huntoons, who came immediately after, were the earliest
of these. They came direct from Naperville, Canada, and were connected by
marriage, Mrs. Higgins being a daughter of Joseph Huntoon and a sister of
Lyndorf. They brought three horses, two cows and a yoke of oxen with them,
and at once set about constructing a frame house, which was completed during
the year, and was the first dwelling of the kind erected in the place. It stood
on the present site of E. R. Allen's warehouse, was an exclusively home-made
structure, Mr Higgins having manufactured the shingles from red oak, the ma-
terial which formed the entire building, and was about 16x20 feet in dimen-
sions, two small wings being subsequently attached. It has since been removed
to North Broadway, opposite the round-house, where it still remains. About
the same time, a frame building was finished by Samuel McCarty, whi ch is still
in existence, having been somewhat reconstructed.
It is difficult for us now, with the conveniences and luxuri es of the metrop-
olis at our doors, to realize the many privation-? which the pioneers were often
obliged to undergo at that comparatively recent date. They had to go to Otta-
wa or Chicago for all their supplies. The nearest grist-mill was forty miles
down the river, at a place then called Green's Mill, now Dayton. The coun-
try swarmed with Indians, who stole their horses, and with wolves, who confis-
cated the smaller domestic animals ; the settlers often knew by experience
the meaning of hunger, and they shook with the ague from December to June.
Shortly after the arrival of the Higginses and Huntoons, they found them-
selves one morning without horses, while the fresh tracks indicated that they
had been taken in the direction of Chicago. There was one remaining steed
in the place, which Mr Huntoon mounted, and hurried away on the trail of
the thieves. They were easily followed from the tracks, as none of the Indian
ponies were shod, while those which they had stolen left deep impressions in
the soft sod at nearly every step. Mr. Huntoon pursued them to the Indian
encampment, within sight of the agency, but there lost track of them. He
then applied to the Indian agent, describing the property, which was recovered
after a thorough search.
280 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Complaint was made to the Chief in command, who proposed that his dis-
honest subjects should be rigidly punished ; but upon a reconsideration of the
circumstances, both the agent and Mr. Huntoon concluded that, since the Indi-
ans were so vastly superior to the settlers in numbers that they could have an-
nihilated them if their resentment was aroused, it was deemed prudent to allow
the thieves to depart, after a sharp reprimand.
But few difficulties of this kind occurred, however, as the Pottawattomies left
the country during the following Fall ; and Mr. Burr Winton, who is now living
in Aurora, at the age of 76, and who came to the place October 9, 1836, states
that the last Indian had gone when he arrived.
But some of the other embarrassments due to their isolated position, and
the diseases peculiar to all of the Western country at the time of its first set-
tlement, were not to be overcome with as much ease. The ague afflicted all
alike, and Dr. George Higgins, now a practicing physician in Aurora, a son of
the early settler, and who was only a small boy when he accompanied him from
Canada, gives some doleful accounts of his father's sufferings with the disease
which reduces its victim to a skeleton, but, according to popular belief, never
kills.
A Miss Squires, who lay sick with the ague, in the lower room of Mr. Mc-
Carty's house, while the workmen were shingling it, stated, in good faith, that
she shook so severely that they were frightened from the roof. The two
Huntoon families and the Higginses eleven in all occupied one and the
same dwelling for a time after their arrival, and the doctor states that on one
occasion, during their first year in the new country, their grain which had been
carried to Green's mill failed to return as soon as they had expected it, and the
last article of food in the house was devoured. In this strait, the grandmother,
whom he represents as one of the keen, scheming Yankee women who never
failed to suggest an invention adapted to the demands of any emergency, sifted a
small quantity of bran, mixed it with water (the cows were dry), and cooked a cake,
which he says was the most delicious morsel that he ever tasted. This process was
repeated three times, and she was finally reduced to the necessity of mixing
and baking the portion of the bran which would not go through the seive, be-
fore the grist arrived. But famine never stalked into the settlement after
the first year's crop was harvested, and the stories told of the fertility of that
virgin soil are almost incredible. In 1886, Mr. Higgins hired an acre of land
of the McCartys, upon which he planted potatoes, agreeing to take three-
fourths of the crop as his share. His share was 300 bushels. Benjamin
Hackney, who arrived in the settlement several years later, raised forty-two
bushels of winter wheat to the acre, weighing about sixty-two pounds to the
bushel, which was the eleventh crop on the same land.
After 1835, settlers flocked into the place by scores, and from that date its
destiny was manifest. In this year, the original plat of the city was laid out,
the survey of which must have occurred late in the Fall, as Mr. Samuel Me-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 281
Carty, who superintended it, and who is still an honored resident of the city,
states that the ground was frozen to such an extent that some difficulty was ex-
perienced in driving the stakes. The village, as first laid out, extended from
Flag street, on the north, to Benton, on the south, and some six blocks back
from the river.
It was in this year, also, that the first public religious services were held in
the settlement, the first sermon being delivered by a Congregational clergyman
from Ottawa, in Mr. Horr's house. Rev. Mr. Springer, of the Methodist
Church, followed close in his track and preached occasionally during the Fall
and Winter of 1836-7. The year 1835 is likewise memorable as the one in
which death first appeared in the village. A Miss Elmira Graves, an invalid,
brought from the East by her friends, with the hope that a change of climate
would effect a cure, died late in the Fall, and was buried near the corner of
Benton and La Salle streets, a point then believed to be beyond the possible
limits of the city, but now nearly in the heart of it.
In the same year, the water power, with the McCarty claim on the West
Side, was sold for $500, to Z. Lake. Two saw-mills were subsequently built
upon it, the last of which stood upon the site now occupied by the ruins of the
Black Hawk Mills. The rapid increase in the population from the arrival of
immigrants during the Fall of 1835, and "the Spring and Summer of 1836,
made it apparent to the least enterprising that some immediate steps should be
taken toward supplying the want ef a grist-mill. Hauling grain forty miles
was an item of labor which could ill be afforded by men dependent upon their
daily toil, and, accordingly, in 1836, the McCarty brothers commenced, and
afterward, having formed a partnership with Robert Miller, finished the long-
wished-for institution during the following year, the first grist being ground in
-it February 8, 1837.
Previous to this date, Aurora had had a school. Her first settlers had
come from a portion of the country proverbial for the dissemination of
knowledge among its inhabitants, and where the school teacher was considered
as essential a factor in the body politic as the farmer or the mechanic. Ac-
cordingly, it has been a matter of some controversy to determine when the first
school was started, and it seems to be admitted on all hands that it is difficult
to point to a time, after the first boy or girl appeared in the town, when there
was not one.
According to Mr. Burr Winton, a man by the name of Livings, from Syracuse,
N. Y., appeared in the settlement, early in the Winter of 1836, and told the set-
tlers that they ought to have a school. This axiom was readily received, "but,"
said they, "we have no house." A small slab shanty stood near the river, on
the East Side, and Mr. Livings, pointing to it, said that it might well be turned
into an alphabet dispensary, and that he would willingly teach there, for
three months, if the settlers would assure him twenty-five pupils, at $1.50 each.
A subscription paper was circulated and the required sum pledged, but, on
282 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
opening the school, only fourteen children appeared, the entire juvenile force
of the village. The school, however, progressed for several weeks, but
the measles breaking out among the pupils, it was closed before the three
months had expired. The pedagogue betook himself from Aurora to Chicago,
where he was subsequently found dead in a hay loft, having committed suicide.
Two rude houses were subsequently erected, one on the East and the other
on the West Side, in the former of which a Miss Julia Brown taught the first
term, and has frequently been incorrectly cited as the first teacher in the place.
Men were generally employed as teachers in the Winter, and women in the
Summer, and, for a number of years, rude huts, built for the purpose, or rooms
in private dwellings, were used as school rooms.' The teachers were generally
paid by subscription, the present elaborate school law being then unknown.
Three Directors were appointed, in Aurora, at an early day, and Burr Winton,
one of the first board, says that he was obliged to pay a teacher for one quarter,
amounting to about twenty-eight dollars, from his own private purse.
The old State Line Road between Chicago and Galena crossed Fox River,
previous to 1836, at Gray's (now Montgomery), and there was no road between
Naperville and Aurora. The mail for McCarty's Mill, as Aurora was then
called, was obtained at Naperville.
In the above mentioned year, however, Samuel McCarty and some of his
men staked a road to that place ; also west to Big Rock, and erected rude
bridges where they were needed. Mr. McCarty then consulted with the mail-
contractor, offering to board his drivers and teams a month, gratis, if he would
take the new route. The offer was accepted, and Mr. Winton, who was then
living in Mr. McCarty's house, relieved him of part of his agreement, and
boarded the drivers during the month himself.
It was then proposed to have a post office, and at the suggestion of Mr. Win-
ton, a meeting (November, 1836) of the citizens was called to take action in re-
gard to it. Mr. R. C. Horr was chosen Chairman, and, the assembly declaring
themselves in favor of Mr. Winton as their Postmaster, a petition was drawn
up, and, with their signatures appended, together with that of the nearest Post-
master, according to a common custom, and presented to the proper authorities ;
and in March, 1837, Mr. Winton entered upon the duties of the office, which
he held for ten years, with honor, at the expiration o which time he resigned.
It would be natural to suppose that the institution which the pioneers had
sought for so long would have received liberal patronage, and that an extra mail-
bag might have been required to carry the messages which would pour hourly into
its letter-boxes, but such was not the fact, and Mr. Winton states that he be-
lieves that the amount due the Department, from the office, during the first
quarter, did not exceed $10.00. It must be recollected, too, that it cost twenty-
five cents to send a letter then.
Some difficulty arose in deciding upon a name for the office, a part of the in-
habitants being in favor of perpetuating the memory of the friendly old Chief
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 283
of the Pottawattoraies, by calling it Waubansie, and various other proposals
were made, but Mr. E. D. Terry having suggested Aurora, Homer's "rosy-
fingered" goddess received the honor, and the village as euphonious and classic
a name as could have been conferred upon it.
In the Fall of 1836, a hotel, 16x31, was put up on the present site of the
Tremont House, by E. D. & Richard Terry.*
Up to this time, plastered walls were unknown in the place, but as it was the
general belief that some approach to metropolitan elegance should be attempted
in the new building, the limestone with which the river banks abounded were
collected in sufficient quantities and burned in a log fire. When this difficulty
in obtaining lime was thus overcome, another appeared in the fact that there
was neither a plasterer nor trowel nearer than Chicago. There was a black-
smith, however, in the person of Mr. King, on the West Side a true son of
Vulcan who could make anything which taxed the ingenuity of the heathen
patron of his art, except a thunderbolt ; and, an old saw being presented to
him, a trowel speedily appeared therefrom, with which Richard Terry plastered
the walls.
At a period a little later, James Leonard put up a building on the West Side,
on River street, which was used as a hotel, but in those days every man wha
had ten square feet of spare room, kept tavern.
In the Fall of 1836, a bridge was built across the east channel of the river,
by voluntary subscription, but being a light wood structure it was swept away,
by a freshet in the following Spring.
In the Spring of 1838, a subscription paper was circulated to obtain funds
to rebuild the bridge. This document is still in existence, and stipulated that
the amount subscribed should be paid in four separate payments, the first to be
made on the first of April, the second on the first of June, the third in July,
and the fourth in August. It cost about $2,000. The McCartys headed the
list with $500. This bridge was in turn swept away, and was again rebuilt
across the east channel in 1843 (by subscription list).
Aurora was now on the highway to prosperity, with taverns, stores, shops,
a post office, schools, stage route, and everything which betokens the thriving
village, when the financial storm of 1837 swept over the country. All North-
ern Illinois was flooded with worthless Michigan securities, and many of the
inhabitants of the coming city suffered in common with settlers in all parts of
the State, but they eventually arose above the tempest.
The progress of Aurora was at no time stayed, the tide of immigration con-
tinuing as before and valuable additions were received this same year to the
population, among which we may mention J. G. Stolp, who came from Onon-
daga Co., N. Y., in the Spring ; Geo. McCullum, Robert Mathews and his fam-
ily, Isaac Marlett, Wm. V. Plum, Clark Wilder, Messrs. Sawtall, Wallace and
Campbell.
* Now living in another county.
284 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Various important topics seem to have agitated the village during the year,
prominent among which was the temperance question. A society was organ-
ized early in the Winter, with E. D. Terry as President, and Perseus Brown,
also known as " Dr." and "Cooper" Brown, as Secretary, and Dr. 0. D.
Howell (then a school teacher), acting under its direction, delivered the first
temperance lecture in the town. Spirituous liquor was then as common an
article of trade as cut nails or calico prints, and the society did not pretend to
inculcate total abstinence among its members, but simply the temperate use of
alcoholic drinks. But there was one in the society, Mr. Brown, the worthy
Secretary, who was as radical in his denunciation of drink and the drunkard
as are any of our modern teetotalers. He would neither use the beverage him-
self nor in any possible way, however remote, would he assist any one to use it.
If a man brought him a barrel to repair, he had been known to ask for what
purpose he wished to use it, and if he replied " to hold whisky," some other
cooper than " Cooper " Brown must mend it. This eccentric but conscientious
man was drowned some years later, by accident, in Fox River.
The year 1837 also witnessed the building of a carding mill on the upper
end of the island, by J. G. Stolp, which was subsequently moved to a point
further down the river, where the business developed into its present propor-
tions, Stolp's Woolen Mills being now known throughout the West.
In 1838, Mr. Winton suggested the feasibility of purchasing a Town
Library ; and, as the suggestion was favorably received, an association was
formed for that purpose, each member paying $2.00 for a share. One hundred
dollars were thus raised and expended in the purchase of popular and instruc- .
tive works, Harpers' Family Library forming an important part of them.
Although the interest in the library diminished to a considerable extent, at one
time, it has never been allowed to perish, and during the last fifteen years has
been increased by successive additions, until at the present time it contains up-
ward of two thousand volumes, embracing all the various departments of litera-
ture and science, standard works upon history and philosophy, complete sets of
the books of all the best writers of romance and books of reference, many of
of which are to be found in no private library in the city. A great advance
was made in its history in the fall of 1864,* when a number of the most influ-
ential and intelligent men in the city conceived the plan of establishing a read-
ing room in connection with it. Previously, the few books which had been
collected had been generally kept in the private house of the Librarian, and had
often become scattered and many of them lost ; but since the date above named,
the library has steadily increased.
CHURCHES.
In the Fall of 1837, the first church in the place was organized under the
direction of the Methodist Episcopal Conference. Rev. Worthington Wilcox
was its first pastor, and the first meeting of the society was held at the house
* In that year it was chartered.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 285
of Samuel McCarty. Its first church edifice was erected in 1843, the mem-
bership at that time having increased from seven or eight to between thirty and
forty. The names of the first Board of Trustees were Samuel McCarty, C. H.
Goodwin, Mr. Brown, C. F. Goodwin and John Gilson. The present imposing
stone edifice was commenced in 1871 and dedicated December 27th, 1874. It
cost about $50,000, and will seat 1,200. Before the Methodists had commenced
their first building, the Universalists had established a society, August 8, 1842,
and in the same year had built a church. Its rst pastor was Rev. G. W.
Lawrence. Their elegant stone building now standing, on the East Side, at the
corner of Main street and Lincoln avenue, was erected in 1866. If the moral
status of a city is to be measured by the number of its churches, Aurora will
rank high among her sister cities, for no less than nineteen buildings dedicated
to the worship of God now rise in her midst. The first Baptist organization
commenced its existence March 29, 1844. It was established about two miles
from the city, in a little school house in Mr. Vaughn's neighborhood. There
were at first only ten members, and Rev. J. Blake officiated as pastor. About
1847, they decided to hold their services in the village, and in 1851 commenced
to build a church, which was completed in the following year, and is still occu-
pied by them. Catholic priests from Elgin and Chicago were in the habit of
visiting the few members of their church who had settled in Aurora, as early
as 1848. They frequently held meetings in school houses or in private dwellings,
but it was not until 1849 or 1850 that Bishop Vandeveld purchased of Austin
Mann nineteen acres of land for church purposes. This property was situated
on Broadway, and is now a part of the tract occupied by the tracks and build-
ings of the C., B. & Q. Railroad. A church was erected on this tract about
30x40, and, after standing there about a year, was blown down. Father La
Bell was the pastor. It was afterward raised again and occupied a short time,
but Messrs. Hall having donated to the church two. lots, located on the corner
of Pine and Spruce streets, and two more lots having been purchased, a stone
building, 102 feet in length by 42 in width, was erected in 1855-6. This
edifice remained a number of years ; a pleasant parsonage was built near it,
and the society was becoming independent, when it took fire and burned down.
A Cathedral was then built on Fox street, which is still occupied. The Ger-
man Catholics met for a time with their English-speaking brethren, but in 1859
they resolved to erect a separate building, where they might hold worship
in the language of " vaterland." Accordingly, two lots were purchased, where
the church and parsonage now stand, the former ' being built during the year
1860. It is about 50x100 feet. Rev. Father Westkamp was the first pastor.
The membership of each of these Catholic Churches is very large. The
French Catholics built a church about eight years ago, and are still occupying it.
In 1868, forty-three members removed, by letter, from the First M. E.
Church to form the Galena Street Church, on the West Side. They now have
a fine edifice and are in a prosperous condition. The German Evangelical
286 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Society built, in 1858, on Watson street, on a lot donated by Benjamin Hackney.
As their building was small and the society had prospered from the first, they
purchased the old building on Main street, of the Universalist Society, after it
had been abandoned by the original owners, and have held their services there
ever since. On the 4th of November, 1860, the Free Methodists organized a
society in Aurora. They occupied a hall on Broadway as a place of worship
for three years ; but in October, 1863, they dedicated a commodious brick
church on Lincoln avenue. A parsonage was subsequently built, and the soci-
ety is now prosperous. The present Presbyterian organization was started in
1858. In June, 1859, Rev. A. Hamilton took charge of the society as the
first pastor. During the Fall and Winter of 1861, a small house of worship
was built. Later they divided, and built a small brick church on the East
Side.
The First Congregational Church was organized in the Presbyterian form,
with seventeen members, June 10, 1838, but was changed in name and govern-
ment July 1, 1848. Its substantial stone building, on the corner of Main and
Park streets, was dedicated in January, 1857.
On the 1st of July, 1858, a colony of thirty, from the First Congregational
Church, left its fold to form the New England Congregational Church. A
house was built on Locust street, and Rev. George Hubbard, their first min-
ister, commenced his labors therein in March, 1859.
Twenty-seven members from the First . Baptist Church assembled on the
2d day of June, 1857, in the old Congregational Meeting House, and or-
ganized the Second or Union Baptist Church. A call was forthwith extended
to Rev. Lewis Raymond, of Sandusky, Ohio, and the pastorate was accepted
by him. At the close of the first year, they numbered 110, and now form one
of the permanent religious societies of the place. The old Congregational
Church was purchased and enlarged by them.
The Episcopal Church is situated on South Lincoln avenue, No. 19. Rev.
W. C. Hopkins is rector. It is an old organization, having been commenced
on the 25th of May, 1850, under the superintendence of Rev. Henry Safford.
The German Lutherans first assembled, as a society, in Aurora, December
5, 1853. Rev. C. H. Buhre officiated as their first pastor. They struggled
along until 1855 without a meeting house, holding their religious services, a
part of the time, in the third story of a building then owned by Mr. Harroun,
afterward purchased by Thomas Russell ; but in that year they put up the
edifice still occupied by them, on the corner of First avenue and Jackson
street, on land given them by Benjamin Hackney.
There is also a Swedish branch of the Lutheran Church, with the church
building located at 29 Galena street.
Rev. J. Schaefer organized the German Methodist Church, in 1859, with
only six members, as follows : Messrs. Bauman, Stoll, Eitelgeorge, Wissinger,
Ziegler, Shoeberlien and Schmidt. In two years, the membership increased to
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 287
thirty. The church building was erected during that time. It is located at
62 Fox street.
Aside from the above, there is the African Methodist Episcopal Church,
which was organized in July, 1868, and the African Baptist Church, which
was organized the year previous.
EDUCATION
has received no less attention than religion, and Aurora was the very first city
in the State to adopt a system of public schools. Her first pioneer efforts in
this direction have been already mentioned.
Late in the Fall of 1839, the earliest substantial school building was erected
in the public square, on the East Side, at a cost of over $300, which was
raised by private subscription. The building was put up under the manage-
ment of Col. Brown, and it was also used for religious assemblies. The first
pedagogue who occupied it was a Mr. Moffat. This house eventually became
too small, and in 1847, when the number of children in the district was 346, it
was thought time to have a new building, but, owing to successive delays in
levying money, and various misunderstandings, the proposed house was not
completed until 1851. In 1854, it was found to be too small, and an addition
was made to it.
Later, a school house was built in the northern part of the city, and, in
1862, two smaller buildings were put upon the lot where the main building stood.
In 1863, another school house was demanded, and it was urged by many of
the citizens that it should be an expensive one, sufficiently ample to supply the
demands of a rapidly increasing population. In the Fall of 1864, it was
decided that a new site should be purchased and a building of suitable dimen-
sions erected. This building, which was of brick, 74x96 feet and four stories
high, was dedicated, with appropriate public ceremonies, on the 5th day of
September, 1866.
There are now five school houses on the East Side, as follows : The East
Branch, a small wooden building, at the corner of New York and Smith streets ;
the Indian Creek School, wood, two rooms ; the Brady School, corner of Supe-
rior and Union streets, brick, two stories high, with eight rooms ; the Young
School, located at the corner of Fifth street and Center avenue, a brick build-
ing, three stories high, having twelve rooms ; and the Central School, brick,
four stories high, and containing fifteen rooms, besides an office used by the
Board of Education. Over two thousand pupils are enrolled, and thirty teach-
ers are employed.
It would be interesting to note some of the peculiarities of the able system
which has been adopted by W. B. Powell, the Superintendent, but our space
will not admit of it.
It will be understood that the above-mentioned buildings are all on the
East Side, and that the remainder of the city is under a separate management.
288 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
The first school on that side is said to have been opened in 1836, by Miss An-
geline Atwater, afterward Mrs. N. B. Spalding, in an old log house on the
bank of the river. There were only eight or ten pupils, but the building was
not large enough to accommodate even that number. In 1839, a small frame
building was constructed for a school house, on land then owned by Mr. R.
Wilder.
The West Side steadily filled up, and again and again the cry was raised by
the youngsters for more room, and as often a new school house was given them.
In 1852, the school attendance was about one hundred and sixty. In 1867, it
was 650. The district is now managed under the School Law of 1872, and it
boasts sixteen school rooms, with facilities for accommodating 800 pupils.
It remains to notice but one other institution of education, viz., Jennings
Seminary.*
As early 'as 1850, Rev. John Clark, an old and honored member of the
Rock River M. E. Conference, advanced the idea of establishing a denomina-
tional institution in Aurora, for the education of youth in all branches pertain-
ing to a liberal education. His plan at first met with but little favor, but still
he continued to advance it among the citizens of the town and elsewhere, with
the utmost persistence, from year to year, until at length the attention of some
of the leading citizens was obtained. Mr. Clark, however, did not live to see
the accomplishment of his earnest desires, for, on the llth of July, 1854, while
in charge of a Chicago pastorate, he was called from this world to his final re-
ward.
But other able men continued his work, and in February, 1855, a charter
was obtained from the Legislature for the institution, requiring, however, that
$25,000 should be subscribed, for the erection of the proposed building. In
February, 185,6, this sum had been promised, and the Trustees proceeded to
take proposals for the work.
It would be uninteresting to trace the entire history of its progress, and the
many threatened failures before the building was finished. It is sufficient to
state that the year 1857 had passed before the magnificent pile which now rises
on a beautiful knoll, on South Broadway, and overlooks the entire city, was
completed.
The entire cost of house and grounds exceeded $70,000. The main build-
ing is 125x40 feet, while a wing extends on the rear, 75x45 feet, and, aside
from this, there is a side building, 40x30 feet. The roofs are fire-proof,
and the main building is separated from the rear building by fire-proof par-
titions.
G. W. Quereau was elected its first Principal, in October, 1858 although
there had previously been a small school in a portion of the house and sus-
tained the duties of his position with eminent success until his resignation, in
1873. Rev. C. E. Mandeville was elected to fill the vacancy. The seminary
* Named from Mrs. E. Jennings, of Aurora, its most liberal patron.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 289'
was closed a year ago for repairs, but was re-opened for the Fall term of the
present year (1877) under the superintendence of Rev. M. E. Cady. The cur-
riculum comprises an English course, an academic course, the college pre-
paratory course, a scientific and commercial course, eclectic course and musical
course.
None but the most accomplished and thorough teachers are employed, and
Jennings Seminary ranks ampng the best denominational institutions in the
West.
MANUFACTURES AND RAILROADS.
But to return to 1837, from which we digressed to trace the educational and
religious history of Aurora. In that year, George McCollum built, on his pres-
ent stand, a carriage and plow manufactory, which was subsequently operated
in the exclusive manufacture of wagons and carriages, and is still in successful
operation. From ten to fifteen men are employed. Mr. McCollum came from
Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1836, and worked for King, the first blacksmith
in the town, during a part of that year. A larger carriage shop was estab-
lished fourteen years ago, on the East Side, by Brown & Meyer, who are now
doing the most extensive business of the kind in the vicinity.
During the years 1839-43, inclusive, numerous settlers flocked to Aurora r
among whom we notice the names of 0. D. Day, Wyatt Carr, R. C. Mix,
Charles Hoyt and the Hall brothers. Hoyt came from Cleveland, 0., in the
Spring of 1841, and having bought of Zaphua Lake the land along the west
bank of the river, with an undivided half of the water power, built thereon a
four-story grist-mill, 40x50 feet in dimensions, and carrying four sets of stones.
R. C. Mix was the millwright. This, at the time, was the largest flouring mill
on Fox River, and was a landmark all over the West. The flour made ranked
with the best in the market, and Blackhawk Mill continued in successful opera-
tion, with scarcely a day's interruption, until the morning of October 26, 1875,
when the building was destroyed by fire. It was then owned by R. A. Alex-
ander.
Mr. Hoyt had sold it, in 1856, to Squires & Whitford, and had erected, on
the land now occupied by Hoyt & Brothers Manufacturing Company, a small
shop for the manufacture of stave machinery. The building was subsequently
used by Reeves & Carter, manufacturers of the Grouberg Reaper, and later by
Carter & Pinney, as a general repair shop, and came into the possession of the
present proprietors, sons of Charles Hoyt, in the Fall of 1868. Since then,
having been much enlarged, it is devoted to the manufacture of all kinds of
wood-working machinery planers and matchers, chain-feed surfacers and re-
sawers being a specialty. Over forty hands are usually employed.
In 1847-8, some of the enterprising business men of Aurora proposed to
connect their town by railroad with the Galena & Chicago road, now known as
the Galena Division of the Chicago & Northwestern. Hon. L. D. Brady, then
290 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
a member of the Legislature, secured a charter for the Aurora Branch Railroad
Company. In 1850. the road was commenced, and finished in the Fall of
1851, having cost, with an engine, two passenger and twelve freight cars, about
|100,000. Stephen F. Gale, of Chicago, was its first President. In 1852,
the charter was so amended that it empowered the company to extend the
road "in a southwesterly direction, on the most practicable route, to a point
fifteen miles north of LaSalle, and where such extension may intersect any
railroad, built or to be built, northward from the town of LaSalle, in LaSalle
County, and there to form a connection with any such railroad." The name
was then changed to The Chicago & Aurora Railroad, and a conjunction being
formed with the Military Tract and Peoria & Oquawka roads, direct railroad
communication was opened between Aurora and the Mississippi in 1855.
Since this date, her railroad facilities have increased to a remarkable extent,
tracks having been laid as follows : First, the main line extension, running
direct between Aurora and Chicago, which, with the road running west, now
forms the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road; then the
Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Road, built by C. H. Force & Company,
to which Aurora subscribed $60,000, the terminus of which is Streator ; the
Chicago & Iowa Road, running west to the Mississippi by way of Rochelle,
and built by F. E. Hinckley, the citizens of Aurora taking $100,000 stock,
and finally an extension of the Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Road, to
Geneva, along the west side of the river. Occupying many acres of ground,
on the East Side, on Claim street and Lincoln avenue, are the extensive shops,
tracks and depots of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The shops
alone give employment to over eight hundred hands. Volumes might be written
describing these manufactories and the perfect and systematic order which is to be
found in every department of them, but we have only the space to say that the
various parts, both wood and iron, of locomotives and coaches are here constructed,
and advise the reader to visit them himself. On the 18th day of May, 1873,
the greater part of the works were destroyed by fire, involving a loss of a
quarter of a million of dollars, but they were immediately rebuilt on a more
extensive plan than before. The company is one of the most prosperous in
the country. The general agent of its complex business at Aurora is Mr.
Wm. H. Hawkins, one of the early settlers, who came to the town in 1837.
The Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Company also deserves mention as
contributing essentially to the business prosperity of the city. It was organ-
ized in 1869 by a joint stock company, under a charter from the Legislature.
Its founders were Chas. L. Burphee, Daniel Volentine, Geo. W. Quereau, 0.
N. Shedd, D. W. Young, Chas. Wheaton, Samuel McCarty, J. G. Stolp, M.
L. Baxter, Wm. Lawrence, Wm. J. Strong and James G. Barr. The capital,
at the present time, is $100,000. They employ sixty-five hands. The build-
ing, which is situated on the island, covers 20,000 square feet of floors, and
their rolling mill is the only one of the kind found west of Cincinnati. The
. -
ELGIN.
-
V.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 239
Charles Siedel, William Damisch, Christopher Sohle, Fred Fehrman, Adolph
Sass, Joe Pabst, Henry Bierman, William Heideman and the Adlers.
In Dundee, whither they first came in 1853, Fred Haas, proprietor of the
celebrated Spring Mills, Henry Plinke. the Lutheran Minister, and Hagen,
proprietor of the brick yards, and Geo. Pfisterer.
The Schochs, a large family and their relatives, settled in the east part of
Geneva and adjoining town in Du Page, with several other families from the
same part of Germany.
Fred Drahms, a fine mechanic, came from the shores of the Baltic Sea, and
settled in Geneva as early as 1854. His son, August, went into the United
States service during the rebellion, while he was a mere boy, so small that his
cavalry overcoat dragged on the ground. He subsequently studied for the min-
istry and is now an eloquent divine, located near San Francisco.
In Aurora, the largest number of Germans settled, coming in from 1850 and
on. Among them are the following notable ones : The large family of Lies,
with their relations ; John Plein, and Reising, the Youngles brothers, and a
score or more of the Cassalmans and their kindred, Frieders as many more,
Freidweiler, Joseph Deimel, the Wolfs, Lugg, of the firm of Lugg & Plein ;
John and Joseph Reising, the merchants; Chas. Blasey, the brewer; Dr.
Jassoy, Weise, Encke. Hammerschmidt, Breeswick, John Adam Brunnen-
meyer, John Joseph Scharschug, Eitelgeorge, Felsenheld, Morris Henoch,
Fred Rang, George Pfaffle, Henry Fickensher, Rutishauser, Goldsmidt, the
Metzners, Canisius, Staudt & Karl, the druggists; Rev. Ernst, Henry Buhre,
the Lutheran minister; Nicholas Stenger, Leins, the exquisite painter who deco-
rates the Pullman palace cars at the car shops, and whose handiwork may be seen
and enjoyed in the beautiful frescoes in Staudt's drug store; and lastly Gus
Pfrangle, the worthy Postmaster at Aurora.
In Sugar Grove we find two sturdy farmers, John Banker and Nicholas
Henkes, and Ruteshell and Ohlinger are their neighbors across the line in
Blackberry.
A. T. Fischer bought the Elliott farm in Campton, a splendid property,
valued at $20,000.
In Plato, Adam and Randolph Bode, Reibel. Betzlinger and Ripberger and
others are the representatives of the Northern Goths that overran Rome.
Hampshire Collectors gather taxes from Kasermann, Schweiger, Reinike,
Shetter Blazer, and others from the Rhine ; and in Burlington, GeQrge E.
Schaiver, Grallemont and Meith pay tribute. Anton Loser, J. F. Thorwarth
and others are leading merchants in Aurora.
Among the Germans who have occupied public positions in Kane County,
may be named Charles J. Metzner, for several years State's Attorney for the
Twenty-eighth Circuit, and his brother Carl, Clerk of the Aurora Court of
Common Pleas ; John Reising, Supervisor of Aurora ; John Plain, Collector,
and August Pfrangle, Postmaster of the same city.
240 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
The tenth and last colonization in Kane County is that of our American
citizens of African descent, the bulk of whom came in as contrabands of war
during the rebellion caused on their account. There have been colored persons
abiding among us ever since the county was organized, in 1836 ; but who the
first one was that cast his shadow on, and left his footmark in, the soil of old
Kane, it is hard to tell. The first one came by the underground railroad, but,
not liking the country, went immediately to Canada. Not being deemed worthy
of consideration before they were entitled to suffrage, they existed simply as
hewers of wood and drawers of water to the Philistines with whom they sojourned.
But times change if men do not, and the day came round when " the might was-
with the right," and Sambo was a voter. At once he rose to the level of his
citizenship, and from obscurity and disregard he passed into notice and consid-
eration. Candidates at once included him among their friends, and shook
hands with him and " cow-shedded " him and "stood treat" and cajoled and
flattered him, and tried to induce him to vote for them, just the same as they
did his white compeers.
The colored people have the privilege of the schools now, and the rising
generation which is coming on thick and fast ought to be intelligent and
influential. Many of the. young men among them are educating themselves,
and by the excellent progress they have already made, give promise of more
than average ability. Young BroAvn, of Aurora, and, Terrell, of Geneva,,
are good specimens of their class, and are studious and industrious, and are
bound to rise. The colored people are settled mostly in the river towns of the
county. They have churches at Elgin, St. Charles, Batavia and Aurora, which
are well attended.
While there never was a regular colony of Englishmen settled in Kane
County, yet there have been, in various localities, individuals, sporadic cases,
from the land upon whose empire the sun never sets, who are entitled to hon-
orable mention in this history. John Smith, with his boys, Henry and sunny-
hearted Tilden, were Englishmen, and lived just east of Dundee village, on the
farm where Tilden and his father died, and on which Henry now resides.
James Knott & Sons were merchants in Elgin, and established an unblemished
reputation for integrity and financial ability. Ed. Merrifield also lived east of
the city for many years. The father to Ed. and Vinnie Lovell was an En-
glishman, and gave to Elgin two remarkably fine sons. Ed. is a rising young
lawyer, and Vincent S. (which was his father's name before him) is an equally
promising journalist, having held a prominent position on the Albany Argus
for several years. John Lovell, an uncle of the above named young men, lives
in Plato, and has been and is a prominent citizen of the town. The Meads,
Greeks. Marshalls, Pitwoods and Christian came to St. Charles. Dr. Mead
became an eminent physician and surgeon, and was most successful in the
treatment of insane persons, and many of his ideas have, since his removal from
the country, been incorporated in the management of our hospitals for the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 241
insane. This Dr. Mead must not be confounded with Dr. Thompson Mead, of
Batavia, who was a Yankee, or at least American born. Dr. John Thomas, an
Englishman, came first to Virginia, thence to Kendall County, and then to St.
Charles, where he established, in 1841, a newspaper and called it the St.
Charles Patriot, Fox River Advocate and Kane County Herald. If the edi-
torials in the paper were as long proportionately as its name, there was more
work done on it, editorially, than on all the papers in the county now. Ward
Rathbone was an early settler in Geneva, and prominently known throughout
the county. Later on, in 18449, there came four brothers from Halifax, En-
gland, named James, Joseph, John and Benjamin Wilson. Three of them
settled in Geneva, and one in Virgil, but he subsequently moved to Geneva.
Two of the brothers were printers, and published successively the Geneva Mer-
cury and Advertiser and Kane County Republican. Joseph was clerk for
an Charles Patten at the " Old Corner " for twenty years. Benjamin published
interlinear translation of the Greek Testament, translated and compiled by him-
self, called the "Emphatic Diaglot." It is a valuable assistant to the student.
In Batavia, Joel and J. 0. McKee and George B. Moss located very early.
Joel McKee and Moss run, for several years, the flouring-mills at the north
end of the town. Mr. McKee's reputation and character were as white and
pure as his flour. He was a Christian gentleman in every sense of the word,
and when he died Kane County lost one of her really good and true men. Mr.
Moss was very much of a gentleman, and died highly respected by all who
knew him. Both gentlemen left sons who are now residents of the county.
The McKees were not Englishmen, but were from the Bruce colonies in the
north of Ireland. James Risk, formerly Sheriff of the county, also came from
the latter locality, as did Dr. H. M. Crawford, of St. Charles. Shepherd
Johnston, known as the banker Johnston, and Richard Summers, settled in Big
Rock. Johnston was the father of Shepherd Johnston, Jr., for a long time
Secretary of the Board of Education of Chicago, and Charles Johnston,
formerly Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Aurora. Summers was
father of the well-known Dick Summers, " mine host " of the Richmond, in
Chicago, for many years before the big fire of October, 1871.
W. B. West and Peter H. Johnson settled in Blackberry, although subse-
quently Mr. West came to Geneva. Mr. West was widely known, having been
engaged in banking for many years. He was one who made as good a bargain
for himself as he could, but, when once his word was given, it was sure to be
made good in the time promised. He never oppressed a man nor pushed him,
when he showed any disposition to keep his obligations, and was ever willing
to extend the time of payment when the debt could not readily be met at ma-
turity, and that, too, when the security was not A 1. His judgment was most
excellent, and he met with but few losses in business. Out of a personal estate
left by him of $200,000 there was but a small amount that proved worthless,
and that, too, after a banking business of forty years. A daughter of Mr.
242 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
West married Hon. N. N. Ravlin, Representative to the State Legislature from
Kane County for two terms, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for
several years. His only surviving son is at present in California, engaged in
atlas publishing, with Thos. H. Thompson, a son of another old settler of Kane
County, in Dundee. Mr. West was once beguiled, and he often laughingly
told the story, though at his own expense. Charley Sexton, a "dead beat,"
who once lived in Geneva, went to Mr. West to get his note for $50 discounted
for sixty days, offering to take $25 for it and leave his watch as security. Mr.
West did not exercise his usual caution in examining the security offered, but
V
discounted the note and laid the "collateral" away in his safe. When the
note matured, Sexton was non est, and Mr. West, on examination, found the
watch left as security to be worth about five dollars. Mr. West acknowledged
himself fairly beaten for once, and chai'ged the loan up to profit and loss.
Peter H. Johnson has one of the finest farms in Blackberry. Johnson's
Mound, the highest point of land in the county, is situated on the farm, and
Mr. Johnson's dwelling is built on a commanding point on the side of it, and
overlooks the country for miles around. It is a great summer resort for pic-
nics and excursions. Major J. H. Mayborne, also an Englishman, came to
this country in 1825. From that date until 1846, he remained in the State of
New York, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture and study of law. Removing
thence to Chicago, he remained there until 1848, when he made his home in
Geneva, where he has since been well known as an able and honorable attorney.
His services, during the war of the rebellion, were important, and he held, at
ts close, the rank of Major, by which title he is still familiarly known. Since
then, he has held the important civil office of State Senator for four years, and
was elected Supervisor in 1872, a position which he still retains. He is re-
garded throughout the county as a man of fine legal attainments, and is well
known beyond his own immediate section. Mark Yeoman and the Sharps,
Reads and Henrys settled in Virgil. Benjamin Boyes, a prosperous merchant
in Geneva, came from England to Geneva in 1844, but only stayed till the
following Spring, when he went into the town of Northfield, Cook County,
where he remained until the year 1863, when he returned to Geneva and
embarked in the mercantile business. The first job of work he did in Geneva
Wjas to make a pair of boots for David Howard, who was at work at that time
(1844) building the stone flouring-mill on the west side of the river. Mr.
Boyes had worked one month at the shoemaker's trade in England, but still
tried his hand at boot making, and Mr. Howard looked at the work rather
doubtfully, but thought they would answer to wear in the water, and accepted
them. Mr. Boyes did not make any more boots. We do not know of a descend-
ant of the heroic John Sobieski, of unhappy Poland, in Kane County, unless
it be our worthy citizen, David L. Zabriskie, of St. Charles. He may be, for
aught we know, a true descendant of the iron-crowned king ; but if he is not
he is every whit as gallant and courteous a gentleman.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 248
The great agglomeration of people, from the different nations of the earth,
who have made their homes in Kane County, is what has made the old county
what she is ; has transformed the virgin prairie and primeval forests into well
tilled farms, thriving villages and busy cities ; has brought her from a wilder-
ness, traversed only by the feet of the red man in pursuit of game or his
enemies, to her rank among the foremost counties in the Empire State of the
West. Coming from different countries, speaking different tongues, having dif-
ferent tastes, following different customs, yet all have had but one aim, to make
the home of their adoption prosperous and happy. To that end they have
subdued her soil, enlarged her manufactories, established her beneficent insti-
tutions, enhanced her value and extended her political influence, until now, in
proportion to her area, she has no superior and but few equals among her sister
counties in the State. She has furnished statesmen for the halls of Congress,
and Generals and leaders for the armies of the nation. No one class of her
varied population can claim all of her virtues, nor is it to be charged with all
the vices incident to communities and people. In the war of the rebellion, all
classes sprang forward to uphold the flag with rare and noble unanimity, and
bore it on to victory on many blood-stained fields. All, all have borne aloft
the shield of old Kane, and sung paeans to her praise.
The native American mind tends to self government as naturally as the
babe turns to the maternal font for nourishment ; and the early organization of
Kane County into a body corporate with a legal existence, while there were
less than two hundred legal voters within its borders, is proof of that proposition.
At the time of the first election in Kane County, there was none of the large
foreign population in the county which has subsequently settled in it, save the
Youngs and Wheeler, of New Brunswick, Germans, and John Glos and John
P. Snyder; also Walter Wilson and the Moodys from bonnie Scotland. The
organization, with the above exceptions, was entirely the work of the American
born population. Kane County, at that time, included in its limits its present
territory, all of DeKalb County, a portion of McHenry as now organized, and
a portion of Kendall County, but the first election was held at Geneva, in the
log house of James Herrington. The election was for county officers to put
the machinery of a legal existence into operation, and there were 180 votes
polled. .For the office of Sheriff, James Herrington, the father of our Repre-
sentative to the General Assembly, received 91, and B. F. Fridley, whose
home was then in Oswego, 89 votes. Asa McDole received 115 votes for
Coroner, while his opponent, Haiman Miller, received 58. Relief Duryea had
96 votes for Recorder of Deeds, the office at that time and up to 1849 being a
distinct and separate one from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Calvin
Pepper one vote. Mark W. Fletcher received 141 votes for County Surveyor,
and Colton Knox 29. The vote for County Commissioners, which was the
style of county government then, was as follows: Solomon Dunham 155, 'Eli
Barnes 172, Ebenezer Morgan 119, E. D. Terry 22, Ira Minard 70, Allen P.
244
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Hubbard 2. Allen P. Hubbard, Nathan Collins and John Griggs were the
Judges, and James T. Wheeler and Selden M. Church, Clerks of the election.
The three Judges are dead, Mr. Wheeler is living on his old homestead just
north of St. Charles village. Of the candidates voted for, Fridley and Fletcher
are living in the county, the first in Aurora and Fletcher on his original farm
north of St. Charles on the east side of the river. The most, if not all, of the
others are dead.
There seemed to be something wrong about this first election, for on the 1st
day of August following another general election was held for the same officers,
which resulted differently. There were also members of Congress and the
General Assembly elected at the same time, and the facilities for voting were
increased wonderfully. Instead of all being required to come to Geneva to
vote, there were nine voting precincts, viz.: Ellery, which comprised a portion
of Kendall County; Orange, which was in the central part of DeKalb and
western part of Kane County ; Syckamore (as it is spelled on the returns) ;
Pleasant Grove, in the southern part of the present territory of McHenry
County ; Kishwaukee, southwest part of Kane and part of Kendall ; Somonauk,
in DeKalb; Fox River at Aurora, or McCarty's Mills, as it was then called;
Sandusky at Geneva, extending from Clybourne's to near Elgin, and west to
what is now Kaneville; and Lake, which included everything north of the last
precinct named, to the county line. At this election there were 351 votes
polled, as follows:
FOR CONGRESSMAN.
William L.May 285
JohnT. Stewart 66
FOR STATE SENATOR.
William Stradden 298
George W. Howe 50
FOR REPRESENTATIVE.
Henry Madden 189
*John W. Mason 148
FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Thomas H. Thompson (Dundee) 323
Claudius Townsend (Aurora) 324
Mark Daniels (Geneva) 235
Eli Barnes 65
Jesse C. Kellogg 22
FOR SHERIFF.
F . Fridle 226
*
Ira Minard
FOR RECORDER OF DEEDS.
David Dunham 2^5
Elijah S. Town 35
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
Mark W.Fletcher , 242
Levi Lee 84
Horatio Gibson 5
FOR CORONER.
Asa McDole...., 324
The abstracts of this election are signed by R. C. Horr, Jonathan Kimball,
Justices of the Peace, and Mark W. Fletcher,' Clerk of the County Commission-
ers' Court of Kane County.
Where Mr. Fletcher got his appointment, the records of the county do not
show at present, as the records of the County Commissioners have not been in
the County Clerk's office far several years, but his bond being filed June 6, 1836,
would appear to show that he must have been appointed by the Commissioners
themselves. He was not elected by the people until the Fall of 1837, when he
was elected both Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court and Clerk of the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 245
ircuit Court, and held both offices until 1846, when Josiah L. Warner was
elected to the former office, and he was Clerk only of the Circuit until December,
1848, when he was succeeded by Charles B. Wells, and his long term of official
service expired, and he retired to his farm, Cincinnatus-like, surrounded by
children and children's children, and enjoying a quiet and serene voyage down
the current, into the broad expanse of a limitless ocean.
Both of the Justices certifying the abstracts are dead, and nearly all of the
persons voted for likewise Fridley, Fl'etcher and Town only living in the county
.at the present time.
At this election, the Sandusky Precinct cast 95 votes, Lake 25 (Mr. Thomp-
son, with his well known modesty, refraining from voting for himself and getting
but 24), and the Fox River Precinct 78. These comprised all or pretty much
all of the present territory of Kane County. This was the election which
really set up our county government, and from which it has grown to its present
splendid proportions.
Ralph C. Horr and Ebenezer Morgan were elected Justices of the Peace
some time previous to July 30th, for that day they, together with Mr. Fletcher,
County Commissioners' Clerk, certify to the abstract of votes of a special
election, held at T. H. Thompson's house, in Lake Precinct (Dundee and
Elgin), for two Justices and Constables, when Wanton Parker was elected
Justice in Dundee, and Jonathan Kimball in Elgin, and Seth Green, Constable
in the former place, and Samuel J. Kimball in the latter; 35 votes being
cast.
The Judges at that election were Thomas H. Thompson, Jonathan Kim-
ball and Thomas Deweese, and the Clerks Isaac Fitts and Wanton Parker. In
the Orange District, they elected, on the 1st of August, Mark Daniels, Justice,
and Joel Jenks, Constable. On the 7th November following, the people of
Lake Precinct wanted more justice, or law, and so they called their Constable,
Seth Green, to the bench, giving him a unanimous vote of 29 ballots ; and at
McCarty's Mills they had quite a spirited contest over the office, giving B. F.
Phillips 39 votes and Jonathan Benney 20 ; George W. Gorton, too, had 44
votes for Constable, against 7 votes for Harry White. Ira Minard and Elijah
S. Town had, in the meantime, been elected Justices in the central part of the
county, and signed the November abstracts.
Since the 1st of June, the few voters in the county had been keeping track
of the various elections which had been held ; but an important one was com-
ing, to which, important to them as these had been, they were but as a tallow
<lip to a gas jet. The Presidential campaign of 1836 was in full vigor, and
"Young Hickory" was pushing the Whigs hard On the 7th of November,
the election was held, at which there were only 334 votes polled. The
Pleasant Grove returns are not on file. That precinct cast 10 votes in August.
The Democratic electors received 235 votes, and Whigs 93. There was an-
other set of electors, who received 4 votes, but who they favored is not stated.
246 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Lake Precinct cast 42 votes, only 10 for the Whigs. Sandusky cast 118 votes,
97 of which were for the Democratic ticket. Fox River Precinct (Aurora) cast
71 votes, and 19 of them were against " Matty Van." Orange gave the Dem-
ocrats all but 4 out of 26 votes, and these 4 did not go to the Whigs, but were
the only ones in the county cast for the odd lot.
New names appear on the poll lists at this election which have not been
seen before. The Sandusky poll was presided Over by Judge Isaac Wilson,
William Van Nortwick, father of Hon. John Van Nortwick. Read Ferson,
Mark W. Fletcher and James T. Wheeler were the Clerks. On the Fox River
(Aurora) list are the names of Bob Mathews, N. B. Spalding, the Isbells, Nick
Gray, Ayers, Van Fleets, Charles Bates and Daniel Eastman.
To close up the year in good shape, the people in the center of the county
held an election for Constables, and managed to get up a nice little fight while
it lasted. Wm. B. Arnold and Asahel P. Ward received 21 votes to 18 for
David Howard and Charles Ballard.
In 1837, the elections were still frequent. The newly organized county
was rapidly filling up, and special elections for Justices and Constables were
held in various precincts, and, August 7th, an election for county officers was
held, at which two new officers were added to the roster of the county govern-
ment, viz., County Treasurer and Probate Justice of the Peace. The first
election of County Clerk by the people was also held at that time. The vote
was as follows : Isaac Wilson (father of Hon. I. G. Wilson) received 122 votes
for County Treasurer, Joseph W. Churchill had 114 votes for County
Commissioner, and Mark W. Fletcher had 119 votes for Clerk of the County
Commissioners' Court.
There were but four precincts where votes were cast Fox River, Sandusky,
Lake and Fairfield. The latter precinct included Campton, Plato and vicinity,
and cast twenty-two votes. Elias Crary, Joel Harvey (father of George P.
Harvey, E. E. and J. D. Harvey) and James Corron were Judges, and Stephen
Archer and Henry K. Bartlett were Clerks. Joel Harvey and H. R. Bartlett
divided the vote for Justice of the Peace, Harvey leading his competitor a
single vote. There was not much canvassing necessary in those days, and can-
didates' purses were not exhausted before they made their election sure. David
Dunham received a single vote in the county for Commissioner, and that was
given in Fairfield by one William Bennett. The voters, in those days, had to
declare their preferences openly, as all voting was viva voce. There was no
dodging nor smuggling in votes, but every man, when he came to the poll, de-
clared the man of his choice, and down it went on the poll list opposite his
name. Doughfaces had to run a gauntlet that settled their affinities indisput-
ably. At the Sandusky Precinct, Calvin Ward and John W. Russell were
elected Constables. At Aurora, Asa McDole was elected Justice of the Peace
over E. D. Terry,, who received twenty-one votes. There were nineteen men
who declined to vote for county officers, who voted for their own neighbors to
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 247
dispense justice to them. John Griggs, Sr., was elected Justice in Fairfield,
in June. Nathan H. Dearborn was elected Justice, David Howard, Constable,
at Sandusky, March 31st, receiving fifty-eight votes, and, in October following,
Hendrick Miller was elected Justice, and James Brown Constable, in the same
precinct. The latter was a genius in his way. He used to own the farm that
Eben Danford now owns. He was once called upon to arrest a suspected
criminal, and he summoned a posse to assist in the grave undertaking. They
assembled and went into the old hotel, where the object of the august array of
the dignity of the people of the State of Illinois was unconsciously smoking,
arid the Constable thus addressed him : " We arrest and distrain you in the
name of the people. Have you any weapons about you ? " The apprehended
said he had a jack-knife. " You will please pass it over, then, and go with me
and this 'ere poss. Julus (to one of the posse), you go ahead and I'll bring
up behind." And the procession filed away to the county jail.
In December, Elgin held her first election as a separate constituency, elect-
ing James T. Gifford, Justice, and Eli Henderson, Constable, and casting 42
votes, among them nine Kimballs and two Giffords, and the heads of the
tribes of Merrill, Mann, Jenne, Renwick, Lovell, Welch, Stone and Ranstead.
In Dundee (still called Lake), Dr. John R. Goodno was elected to the
bench, and John Oatinan, Jr., Constable. On the poll list of the latter place
are the names of the Carpenters, E. W. Austin and Gen. McClure.
On the 1st day of May, 1837, the question of a division of the county,
forming De Kalb County out of the three ranges west of the present county
line and as that county is now organized, was submitted to the people of the
county. The election resulted in 171 votes for and 83 votes against division.
Sandusky Precinct gave 43 votes for and 30 against. Somonauk, in the terri-
tory to be set off, voted solidly against the division 43 votes. Kishwaukee
gave 2 votes against, and Sycamore 8 the same way, and Orange, in the same
territory, solidly for division. Sandusky was the only precinct voting on the
question in the present territory of the county. This was the beginning of the
troublesome question of county division in Kane County. That question, and
the removal of the county seat, was almost constantly a bugbear in the eyes of
the people, until they got a $100,000 Court House as a rider of the question,
and that broke down the nag and spoiled him for any future race, and Geneva
breathed free, being rid of a horrible nightmare.
In 1838, the towns began to get into their present boundaries on the river,
and new precincts were established. Charleston, as St. Charles was first called,
held its first election in August, which was the general election for State
officers, Congressmen, county officers, etc. 104 votes. In December, Alex-
ander H. Baird was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held uninter-
ruptedly nearly, if not quite, thirty years. He is now in Kansas. Dundee
gained its present name this year, and elected Zephaniah M. Lott Constable,
over his competitor, E. W. Vining, casting 40 votes. Deerfield Precinct comes
248
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
in, too, which embraced Rutland and Hampshire. On the 6th of August, an
election for two Justices was held, and John Van Velzer, Thomas H. Whitte-
more and Elijah Rich each received 11 votes. The County Clerk put their
names in his hat and shook them up and drew out the lot to settle which two of
the three should have the honors and emoluments of the office, and Rice and
Whittemore were the lucky men. Philo Noble and William Robbe were elected
to execute their commands. Rock Precinct, including Big and Little Rock,
elected Archibald Sears as its Judge, in June. In Sandwich, Calvin Rawley
was elected Constable in March. He was a character known far and wide by
his peculiarity of wearing a sword when in the discharge of his official duties.
If he was called on to arrest or summon or subpoena a person, he buckled his
good sword on, and, with all the dignity of the commonwealth resting upon his
shoulders, he read the warrant or writ in a manner so impressive he com-
manded the respect and risibilities of his auditor in equal degree.
August 6th, 1838, the general election was held, at which the vote in the
county was as follows :
FOR GOVERNOR.
Thomas Carlin, Democrat 511
Cyrus Edwards, Whig 323
FOF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Stinson H. Anderson, Democrat 511
W. A. Davidson, Whig 321
FOR CONGRESS.
Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat 517
John T. Stuart, Whig 311
FOR STATE SENATE.
Allen H. Rowland, Democrat 248
William Stadden, Democrat 256
W. Mason, Whig 315
FOR ASSEMBLY.
Jos. W. Churclull,Democrat 231
Geo. W. Howe, Whig 339
S. S. Jones, 1
FOR SHERIFF.
B. F. Fridley, Democrat 552
Leonard Howard, Whig 129
Wm. L. Church, Whig 122
FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Colton Knoi, Democrat 405
Ira Minard, Democrat 432
Geo. E. Peck, Democrat 519
Thomas H. Thompson, Whig 343
A. P. Hubbard, Whig 418
James McUlure, Whig 295
FOR CORONER.
Asa McDole, Democrat 452
Samuel Sterling, Whig 340
At this election, St. Charles supported her own citizen, Leonard Howard,
against B. F. Fridley, giving him 92 votes out of her 103 polled. Mr. Minard
also led his colleagues Knox and Peck, getting 100 votes, while T. H. Thomp-
son had but 6. It looks as though the candidates traded then as they do now
sometimes. But in Dundee Mr. Minard received 48 votes to Mr. Thompson's
24, and they were both splendid men. Fridley carried off every vote in Dun-
dee, while Churchill had only the Democratic poll, 51. Elgin stood 47 Demo-
cratic to 26Whig, Sandusky 84 to 57, Aurora 129 to 69, St. Charles 59 to 45,
Rock Precinct 55 to 27, Fairfield (Plato and Campton) 34 to 9, and Deerfield,
the present and for years past the stronghold of the Democracy in Kane
County (Rutland), gave 14 Whig to 9 Democratic votes. Since then, a differ-
ent population has moved into that territory. Fridley received every vote,
however, and he was the only scratch on the ticket. The returns from Dundee
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 249
have on them the names of I. C. Bosworth and Dempster, Grant and Rankin,
the first comers of the Scotch colony.
Caleb A. Buckingham, one of the Boston company, kept the poll list at
Geneva in his very neat chirography. On the list are the names of Joshua E.
Ambrose, the Baptist missionary, and John N. Donals, the father of the present
Mrs. James C. Baird, of St. Charles, and whose claim was just south of the
Judge Lockwood homestead, and included 160 acres of the best timber in the
Big Woods, which remained intact up to three or four years ago, when Mrs.
Baird sold it to L. P. Barker, who has bought and cleared off more acres of
solid timber, in that grove, than any other man. The Batavia and Black-
berry people all voted at Sandusky then. On the Fox River list, the names of
three Stolps, J. G., John, Jr., and Joseph, appear; also a Knickerbocker, Plato
Judd, and Isbells and a long array of familiar names, and some entirely unfa-
miliar, they have disappeared long ago from the records of the county.
Silas Reynolds was one of the Clerks of election. The next county election
was held in August, 1839, the Democrats electing their candidates by a vote of
about 550 to 265 Whig. N. B. Spalding was elected County Commissioner ;
Da,vid Dunham, Recorder ; Joel Harvey, Treasurer ; Peter J. Waggoner,
County Surveyor ; Horace N. Chapman, Probate Justice, and M. W. Fletcher,
County Clerk. Fletcher received 787 votes ; Calvin Ward, 4, and R. V. M.
Croes, 1 vote for the latter office. Thomas H. Thompson, of Dundee ; Charles
S. Clark, of Geneva ; Harry Boardman, of Batavia ; Nehemiah King, of Au-
rora, and A. P. Hubbard, of Batavia, were the Whig standard bearers. Local-
ities in those days cut no figure, but the best men they could pick up were taken,
irrespective of locality.
At the August election in 1839, several of the precincts elected Justices
and Constables. In Sandusky there were six candidates for Justices, but
Charles Ballard, at Batavia, and C. B. Dodson, at Clybourne's, won the
titles and emoluments. Dr. Pierre A. Allaire was elected in Ellery Precinct,
now Oswego. N. B. Spaulding, who had changed his residence from Aurora
to Dundee, was elected Justice in Lake Precinct, against seven other compet-
itors ; I. C. Bosworth, now of Elgin, receiving a single vote. His partner,
Alfred Edwards, now deceased, also received a similar token of his fitness for
the constabulary force. Burgess Truesdell was elected Justice in Elgin, and
"Father" Crary, as he was called in later years, received the same position in
Fairfield (now Campton and Plato). Robert Corron was chosen *to read the
greeting of the people of the State of Illinois to unwilling hearers, in the same
bailiwick. William B. Plato was elected to dispense justice to those dwelling
where Aurora now sits a queen.
Blackberry held her first election, as a separate precinct, January 8, 1839,
and elected Samuel Platt and Roswell W. Acers Justices ; but in August she
voted again for the same officers, and chpse William B. West and Mr. Platt.
Mr. West then gained his cognomen of " the 'Squire," which he held until his
250 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
death. The unique signatures of David Wheeler 'and Mr. West are appended
to the returns, and show but little change in all the years of their busy lives.
A vacancy occurred in the office of Coroner, and a special election was or-
dered, in November, 1839, to fill it, at which David Livingston was elected,
receiving 79 votes, to 69 for James T. Gifford, of Elgin ; Bosworth, 4 ; Ed-
wards, 2 ; and Eaton Walker, 2 the three latter all being in Dundee. Drs.
Tefft and Root, of Elgin, each also received a vote, and Mr. Plato had 2. This
election possessed little interest to the people, but Blackberry, having lately
come to her privileges of an independent constituency, did not neglect the
opportunity thus offered to make her record among the archives of the county,
and she sent in her returns for the day's work, with just five names upon them,
to wit: Abner Rawson, David Wheeler, W. B. West, Marcus White and
Hiram S. Reed, and these were the Judges and Clerks who certified to the
returns.
In those days, any citizen of the county could vote anywhere he happened
to be, and at this election, C. B. Dodson, David Dunham and James Brown,
all residents of Sandusky Precinct, are found voting in Fairfield Precinct ; and
as Mr. Gifford received every vote cast, the query is raised whether or no they
were out on an electioneering trip. Sandusky, also, gave all of her votes to
Mr. Gifford, but McCarty's Mills were too much for him, and the candidate
from the south part of the county won the contest.
The election of August, 1840, for county officers was very closely contested,
1,291 votes being polled, of which James Risk received 647 and Leonard How-
ard, 623 for Sheriff; " Bob " Mathews, 679, and Elijah Lee, 511, for Coroner ;
William B. West, .693, and Nathan C. Mighell, 598, for Coun'oy Commissioner ;
Dr. Henry A. Miller, 687, and James Brown, 605 votes for County Treasurer.
The last two candidates were from Geneva ; Messrs. West and Mighell from
the rural districts the "back towns." "Bob" Mathews was from Aurora;
Lee and Risk from Batavia, and Howard from St. Charles. Locality had its
influence at that election, sure.
At a special election August 15, this year (1840), Robert Moody was
elected Justice of the Peace, and many laughable stories are told of his court,
which was a great institution in those early days. S. S. Jones and B. F. Frid-
ley were practicing attorneys in the palmy days of Justice Moody, and were
almost invariably pitted against each other in the numerous cases they had
before the hard-headed Magistrate, whose strong common sense made up any
deficiency there might have been in his legal knowledge. " Shortage " in the
latter respect was excusable in those early days, when statutes were not as
plenty as now, where jobs are so easily smuggled into their printing. On one
occasion, when the two lawyers had a trial in his court, before a jury, after the
testimony was in and arguments made, the court began to instruct the jury
after the manner of Judge Ford, the then presiding Judge of the Circuit
Court. Mr. Fridley interposed and said he must not instruct the jury. The
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 251
court asked why not. Jones, seeing the point for fun, said, certainly, it was
quite proper that the court should instruct. Again Fridley interfered, and
again the court replied, " Sure, Judge Ford instructs the jury, and why
shouldn't I ? " " Certainly, certainly," said the mischievous Jones, " the court
can instruct the jury." Again the Justice essays to lay down the law, and
again is opposed by the persistent Fridley. At length the court, with his
Scotch temper fully roused, says, in his broad Scotch accent, " Weel, Muster
Fredley, sin ye are sae strenuous about it, ahll note instruct the jury ; but one
thing ah wull say, ye've made a vera bahd case o' it."
At the August election, Sugar Grove comes in with her first returns as a
separate independency, under her baptismal name, which has never been changed.
She cast 84 votes, and elected her first Justice and Constable, Isaac S. and Ira
H. Fitch being the honored recipients of her ofiicial favors, respectively.
The Presidential contest of 1840, between Van Buren and Harrison, brought
out 1,584 votes, and the military prestige and the high tide of song of
" Tippecanoe and Tyler too,
With them we can beat little Van,
Oh! Van, Van, Van is a used up man,"
carried the county for the Whigs by 36 majority. Among the familiar names
on the list of Electors are those of John A. Me demand on the Democratic
ticket and Abraham Lincoln and "Buck" Morris on the other. Washington
Precinct, now Plato, comes to the front and brings her first offering of separate
self-government. Among the returns of this election she cast 47 Whig and 32
Democratic votes, and elected Joel Root and John S. Lee Justices of the Peace.
St. Charles cast 97 Democratic and 93 Whig votes. The poll book, which was
made by James T. Wheeler, is a perfect model of neatness. It is ruled on
blank paper, and the names of the Electors printed on the head of the sheet
with a pen, and the names of the voters written with great care, and not a blot
appears on it from first to last.
The Fox River Precinct cast 118 Democratic and 113 Whig votes, Elgin 110
to 97 the same way; Sandusky cast 70 to 77 the other way; Dundee gave the
Democrats 49 votes and the Whigs 119; Sugar Grove cast 62 votes and gave
the Whigs 33 of them; but Blackberry led her sister town 4 votes and gave 42
of them to the opposite party; Deerfield (Rutland) gave but 12 of her 52 votes
to the farmer of North Bend, but Fairfield more than paired off with her by giving
44 of her 59 votes to the hero ; Big and Little Rock reversed the list again
and counted up for the Kinderhook Fox 94 votes to 50 for his military competitor.
At the election of August, 1841, another office was enrolled upon the countv's
official roster, that of School Commissioner. Ira Minard received 506 votes to 437
cast for C. B. Dodson. There were 959 votes polled, and Allen P. Hubbard was
elected County Commissioner, Bela T. Hunt Treasurer and William C. Kimball
Coroner. James H. Ralston received 497 votes against 476 for John T. Stew-
art and 28 for Frederick Collins for Congress.
252 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Dundee outgrew its territorial name of Lake, and took upon herself her
new name. The name could not have been distasteful to the Scotchmen whose
homes were within her borders. The poll list is made out by Charles B. Wells,
and though a younger looking chirography, it is no neater or more uniform
than the Captain's is, now albeit thirty-seven years of hard labor have occupied
his head and hand since then.
The election of August, 1842, was for State and County officers and As-
semblymen, and also for or against a Convention to amend the Constitution.
There were 1,240 votes polled. Thomas Ford, the Democratic candidate for
Governor, received 750 ; Joseph Duncan, the Whig candidate, 457, and Chas.
W. Hunter, the first standard bearer in the county of the old Liberty party, re-
ceived 32 votes. Thirteen of the Liberty votes were cast in St. Charles, and were
John L. Wilson, Dean Ferson, Robert Moody, Jr., Millen Bennett, D. W. El-
more, Samuel Young, Isaac Preston, Justin Crafts, Robert Moody, Sr., Lu-
cius Foote, Reuben Beach, Calvin Ward and Thomas Barland. Elgin gave
but 6 votes for the Old Guard, and they were J. H. Scott, Hezekiah Gifford,
John W. Hoagland, Abel Walker, Calvin Carr and Ralph Grow. Geneva
and Batavia (Sandusky) had 3 votes for the Abolitionists, and they were those
of Sylvanus Town, John Gregg and Joseph Worsley. Aurora had 10 men
who were brave enough to stand up for freedom for all, black or white, and
they were C. Cook, S. K. Ball, B. H. Smith, D. W. Moffitt, Edwin Lockwood,
Benjamin Howell, Kimball Favor, Dr. Huson Root, Isaac M. Howell and Lu-
cian Farnam.
The Liberty party had a regular ticket in the field, but not all of the votes
polled for Governor were given for the rest of the ticket, the votes being cast
more by way of protest than anything else. James T. Gifford received 7 and
Sylvanus Town 8 votes for Senator. The county voted 628 votes for, to 171
against the Convention. Ira Minard received a majority of the votes for Sena-
tor. McHenry, DeKalb and Kane Counties composed the Senatorial District,
and Mr. Minard was elected. DeKalb cast 401 votes and McHenry 750 ;
Kane casting more than both.
N. B. Spaulding was elected Sheriff, Shepherd Johnston County Commis-
sioner, and Wm. C. Kimball Coroner. Franklin Precinct was set off at this
election, and comprised Virgil in its territory. There were 39 votes polled,
and Simeon Bean and Henry Krows were elected the first Justices, and Milton
Thornton and John V. McKinley, Constables. There were 27 Democratic
and 12 Whig votes polled. In October of the same year, the people of the
county chose L. Howard Probate Justice of the Peace over S. S. Jones, his
competitor. St. Charles, whose citizens they both were, gave Howard a ma-
jority of 61. The poll was but 530 votes. Previous to the election of August,
1842, Kendall County had been organized, the three southern towns of Kane
County taken into the territory of the new county, leaving Kane County as it
it is at present constituted.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 253
The election of August, 1843, was for Congressman and county officers.
John Wentworth was the Democratic candidate, on his first term, and
7
beat Giles Spring, his Whig competitor, 247 votes in Kane County. There
were 1,468 votes polled, and the Abolitionists had gained a large per centage
during the year, casting 175 votes. Fletcher was elected County Clerk ; G.
W. Gorton, Recorder ; S. S. Jones, Probate Justice ; E. R. Allen, Treasurer ;
and Dr. Hale, School Commissioner, but he would not serve, and a special
election was held in the Fall, and Wyatt Carr elected. Thomas E. Dodge was
elected County Commissioner. Burlington took her place among her sister
towns in the county at this election, and elected Ebenezer Norman and J. C.
Ellithorp her first Justices.
The Presidential election of 1844 was hotly contested. The Democrats
carried the day by just one vote less than a majority over Whigs and Aboli-
tionists. The Democratic poll was 1,046, the Whig 748, and the Liberty vote
299. There are familiar names on the list of Electors. Govs. Wood and
French, W. A. Richardson, Col. Dement, Isaac N. Arnold and Judge Purple
were among the Democratic Electors, while S. Lisle Smith and J. J. Brown,
the brilliant orators, Abraham Lincoln, U. F. Linder, whose names are house-
hold words, were among the Whigs. Owen Lovejoy, it is needless to say, was
one of the Liberty men.
S. Lisle Smith and Lincoln were passionate admirers of Henry Clay, the
candidate of the Whigs for the Presidency. Smith's eulogy on Clay at Niagara
Falls, at the obsequies of the dead statesman, is said to be one of the finest
productions in the way of pure eloquence of the age. Smith was quick at re-
tort and repartee, and a fine speaker on the stump, and always ready to make a
speech. Once, while going down the lakes, he was called on to make a speech,
and as his for.te Avas politics, and the campaign was hot, he naturally made a
partisan speech, which did noc suit the Democratic part of his audience, and
they gathered in the back end of the cabin of the steamer, and at last expressed
their dissent to Smith's sentiments by hissing. No sooner had he heard this
sign of disapproval than he stopped abruptly in his argument, and, began a.n
eloquent recital of the formation of man and his situation in Eden. With
glowing and impassioned eloquence he pictured to his rapt auditors the tempta-
tion and fall of man. He then drew another scene, the presentation of the Son
as a sacrifice for sin, the acceptance of the offer, His life on earth, and His
tragic death. " But," said the speaker, his eye kindling as he spoke, and his
audience in almost breathless silence, "Death could not hold Him, the fetters
of the grave were broken, the rock was rolled away, the Redeemer came forth
in immortal youth and vigor, and all heaven rejoiced and all hell .hissed. Re-
member that, my hearties, all hell hissed." There were no further interrup-
tions to that speech.
John J. Brown used to practice in our Circuit Court in early days, and as
late as 1849-50. He was an able advocate, merciless in his sarcasm, and could
254 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
give and take with the best at the bar or in the hustings. U. F. Linder was
known by an expression that was in common use by him, as " For God's sake"
Linder. He was a voluble and frothy talker.
At the election in August, 1844, N. B. Spalding was elected Sheriff; Wm.
C. Kimball, County Commissioner; Charles Metcalf, Treasurer, and N. H. Dear-
born, Coroner. There were 1,641 votes polled, and the Liberty men cast 268 of
them, but the Democracy had a handsome majority over both the opposing par-
ties. There were some of the best men of the county candidates for office that
Summer. See what an array of men are here: For Sheriff, N. B. Spalding,
Gilman H. Merrill and James T. Wheeler; County Commissioner, Wm. C.
Kimball, Allen P. Hubbard and Joel McKee ; Wm. G. Hubbard for County
Treasurer, and Clement H. Goodwin for Coroner. The candidates for Con-
gress were John Wentworth, Buckner S. Morris and John H. Henderson.
Long John labored faithfully for his constituents, whether of his political faith
or not. Any of them was promptly attended to, to the most minute detail,
from a package of seeds to a harbor appropriation. Therefore, he held his
position for term after term. His accommodating ways paid him, at elections,
heavy interest.
In August, 1845, Royalton (Kaneville) was set off into a separate constit-
uency, and elected Milton M. Ravlin and John Bunker Justices, and R. W.
Lee and Robert Carter Constables, to set the judicial life in motion. At the
election there were only county officers elected, and the vote was small and
scattering, the successful candidates getting but about 400 votes. Silas Rey-
nolds, of Sugar Grove, was elected County Commissioner ; Alfred Churchill,
School Commissioner, and James Hotchkiss, County Treasurer.
August, 1846, was a general State and Congressional election, and a full
vote was polled, 1,857 votes. The Liberty men, from a so-called handful of
fanatics, beneath the notice of the other two parties, had become the second in
numbers, casting 533 votes for Owen Lovejoy for Congress, against the Whigs'
poll of but 414, and the Democratic vote of 910. Later on, in 1848, this
strength was utilized by a coalition of the Whigs and Abolitionists, that put C.
B. Wells into the Circuit Clerk's office, and gave B. C. Yates the shrievalty.
The election of August, 1847, was hotly contested. Three tickets were in
the field, and each drew its full party support, varied in some instances accord-
ing to the popularity or unpopularity of the several candidates. For Delegates
to the Convention to amend the State Constitution, there were nine good men in
the field, the district of which Kane County was a part being entitled to three
members. B. F. Fridley, Wm. B. Plato and Isaac G. Wilson, were the Dem-
ocratic candidates and received 783, 831 and 720 votes respectively. Augustus
Adams, of Elgin ; Thomas Judd, of Sugar Grove, and Alfred Churchill, were
the candidates of the Whigs, and polled 1,144, 1,051 and 971 votes respect-
ively. Allen Pinkerton, Nicholas Hard and J. P. Bartlett were the Liberty
men, and received 200, 315 and 318 votes respectively.
GENEVA.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 255
The county officers elected were Josiah L. Warner, Whig, County Com-
missioner's Clerk, over A. M. Herrington, Democratic, by 35 majority ; Alex-
ander V. Sill, Whig, Probate Justice, over S. S. Jones, by a majority of 199 ;
Elijah H. Swartout, Recorder, over Joel McKee, Liberty, by 377, and over G.
H. Merrill, Whig, by 203 majority. Thomas H. Whittemore beat his Whig
competitor, Thomas H. Thompson, 95 votes, for County Commissioner, and
Thomas A. Scott, Democrat, was elected County Treasurer and Assessor by a
majority over James Brown, the Whig candidate, of 225. Mr. Scott, who was
then and is now a worthy citizen of Geneva, says the County Commissioner re-
fused to furnish him with blank books for his use in taking the assessment of
the county, but made him take foolscap paper and tie the sheets together in lieu
thereof. The stationery bills of a whole year then were not equal to a month
now, but there was not anything like the use of it then as now. Then the vote
of the county was but 2,000 and now it is three times as many. .
James Carr, the Democratic candidate for County Surveyor, led all of his
colleagues, he receiving 1,037 votes, to 727 for William A. Tanner and 326
for W. R. Mann. John W. Hapgood beat Thomas Judd 7 votes in the race
for School Commissioner. At this election, the townships or precincts were
complete as they now stand, except Geneva and Batavia were still called Sari-
dusky Precinct, and voted at Geneva. Hampshire was set off into a separate
precinct, and Deerfield (Rutland) was changed to Jackson.
In 1848, there were four general elections, the first one on March 6th, on
the adoption of the new Constitution, which the Convention had framed and sub-
mitted to the people for their approval, and the separate provisions to be voted
on independently. The second was the regular August election of State and
county officers and members of the Legislature. The third and first judicial
election held in the county, for Judges and Clerks of the Supreme and Circuit
Courts, in September; and the fourth and last, the Presidential election, in
November.
At the constitutional election in March, there were 1,108 votes cast for the
adoption, and 348 for the rejection of the new organic act. On the two-mill
tax, for the support of schools, there were found 221 persons with hardihood
and ignorance enough to vote no, but 1,176 saw its benefits and voted aye.
The returns of Burlington did not get in in time to be canvassed. Sugar
Grove, which has to-day one of the best public schools in the State, had 2 votes
against the two-mill tax; Jackson (Rutland), 26 ; Little and Big Rock, 2;
Dundee, 25 ; Sandusky, 42 ; Hampshire, 5 ; Royalton, 5 ; Fairfield, 4 ; Black-
berry, 19 ; St. Charles, 20 ; Washington, 6 ; Franklin, 6 ; Aurora, 36 ; and
Elgin, 25. These towns would hardly vote so to-day.
At the August election there was a coalition between the Whigs and
Abolitionists, but it did not succeed in placing in office any one except B. C.
Yates, and his success was attributable as much to his personal popularity as
to the coalition. He had the highest vote of any candidate at the election,
256 HISTORY OF KANE COtfNTY.
1,034. He was a Whig, but several of the Whigs voted against him out of
personal friendship to Jim Hotchkiss, his competitor. Mr. Plato had the next
highest vote, 979, for State Senator, against J. F. Farnsworth, who received
but 393. From the vote the Abolitionists on the ticket received, it looks as
though the Whigs did not fully carry out their agreement. Dr. Dyer, the
candidate for Governor, received but 416 votes, and L. C. P. Freer, candi-
date for Secretary of State, 414, and the balance of the State officers received
the same. The candidates for Congressmen were Wentworth, J. Y. Scam-
mon and Owen Lovejoy. Scammon was a Whig and received 543 votes, and
Lovejoy, the Liberty candidate, got the straight Abolition vote, 418. For
Assemblyman, the Whigs voted for their man, and the Abolitionists for theirs.
John Scott, of Plato, and John King, of Aurora, were candidates for County
Commissioner, and Scott received 897 votes to 720 for King. Seth Marvin
got the regular Democratic vote for Coroner, 909, and Geo. B. Paine, of
Batavia, the Whig vote. Andrew Pingree had 899 votes for County Surveyor,
and Adin Mann, 679. . Batavia voted separately, at this election, from Geneva,
and cast 229 votes. Mr. Plato was elected Senator, and E. W. Austin and
Horace W. Fay, Representatives. The district was composed of De Kalb and
Kane Counties.
The new Constitution made radical changes in the government of counties, ter-
minating the County Commissioners' Court in 1849, and establishing the County
Court, consisting of one Judge and two Associates, after the manner of Ver-
mont, which led D. W. Annis to remark that the duty of the Associate Justice
was to keep the flies off the Chief Justices. New Justices of the Supreme
Court were elected, and also Circuit Judges to hold the Circuit Courts, the
Supreme Court Justices .having formerly held the Circuit Courts, and then
altogether in banque they formed the Supreme Court, and decided upon the
legality or illegality of their own decisions in the courts below. The duties of
the Supreme Court Justices were onerous, and not very liberally compensated,
$1,200 per annum being paid previous to 1848, but reduced to $1,000.
The new Constitution went into effect April 1, 1848, and the first election
held under it was held September 4th, at which election Theophilus L. Dickey,
a most courteous and genial gentleman of good legal standing and a Henry
Clay Whig, from Kentucky, was chosen Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit,,
in which Kane County was situated. Benj. F. Fridley was his competitor.
Dickey made a most excellent Judge, dispatched business rapidly, and rarely
made an erroneous decision. He took but few cases under advisement, but
decided them off hand, his ready memory of the law doing him efficient service
in that respect. At one time during his term of office, while holding court in
McHenry County, Joel H. Johnson, the Clerk of the Court, was sick, and he
sent to Chas. B. Wells, then Clerk in Kane County, to act in his behalf at
Woodstock. Mr. Wells responded, and in two days' time Judge Dickey called
and disposed of finally, or for the term, 150 cases, and Mr. Wells himself, with-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 257
out any assistance, had the record fully written up, ready for the Judge's sig-
nature, on the morning of the third day, and the court adjourned.
Judge Dickey was fond of a good story (and is now, and can tell one most
charmingly), and often relaxed his dignity, while on the bench, to indulge in
something more than a broad grin at the sallies of wit that passed between the
counselors at the bar. He had been accustomed to see something of the sports
of the ring, in his residence in Kentucky, and one day, while trying a case in
the first court house built in the county, on the present site of the Swedish
Church in Geneva an old frame building, standing as late as 1850 before
Judge Ford, he saw through the window the long, brawny arm of one of the
members of the bar of Kane County, then, as now, raised up, with a clinched
brown fist at the end of it, m the act of descending upon some object. For-
getting the awful presence of the court whom he was addressing, he sprang
upon the table to get a better view of the owner of the fist, and shouted out as
he saw it descend heavily on the sconce of a brother limb of the law, " A fight !
a fight ! by Jupiter ! " and rushed out of the court room, amid the laughter of
the bar. The squabble was over by the time he reached the scene of hostilities,
and, coming back into court, he made a graceful apology for his impulsiveness,
saying that he " never could see fight without desiring to take a hand in it
himself." He took, in later years, a hand in a fight of larger dimensions, mak-
ing an honorable record at the head of a regiment of cavalry in the War of the
Rebellion.
Judge Caton was elected, at that same election, the Justice for the Third
Division of the Supreme Court, and Lorenzo Leland, Clerk. B. C. Cook was
chosen State's Attorney for the Ninth Circuit, and Charles B. Wells, Clerk of
the Circuit Court and ex oificio Recorder of Kane County ; Benjamin F. Hall,
of Aurora, the founder of the Aurora Beacon, and subsequently lost on the
Lady Elgin, on Lake Michigan, was his Democratic competitor. Mr. Wells
received 693 votes and Hall, 643. The office of Recorder of Deeds did not
attach to the Circuit Clerk, however, until September, 1849, when E. H.
Swarthout's term of office expired.
The fee for recording then was eight cents per folio of 100 words, a regu-
lar form of warranty deed costing eighty-one cents, or, as it was expressed cab-
alistically on the instrument, "6-6." The forms of deeds, since then, have
kept pace with the increase of fees, until both are as long as the purse. Those
were the palmy days of the gray goose-quill, the sand-box, the wafer and blue
foolscap ; but these things are now kept in some old smoke-browned antiquary's
cabinet, having given way and made place for " Gillot's No. 404," blotting
pad, mucilaged envelopes and cream-laid legal cap. Then, the clerks plodded
over the miscellaneous record, taking everything in its turn, whether warranty
or quit-claim, trust-deed or mortgage, articles of agreement or satisfaction piece,
and spread them at length on the plain white page, numbered by the copyist as
he went along. Now, the different kinds of instruments and their name is
258 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
legion have each their separate form printed, and the blanks are filled up with
neatness by the white fingers of dainty misses.
In the good old days of " Fletch " and Ford, when the jackknife and Vir-
ginia plug used to pass back and forth between Clerk and Judge as the docket
was being called and cases tried, the floor of the Clerk's office was diversified
with lakelets and pools of the juice of the half masticated weed, and the water
view embellished with islets of the refuse quids. Now, this office is carpeted
with ingrain, upon which the footfalls of the houris that hold their court therein
are not heard. Then, the atmosphere was thick and nauseating with the smoke
from villainous pipes and more villainous tobacco ; now, the odor is of mignon-
ette and jockey club. Then, it was hard to distinguish between judicial swear-
ing and the non-judicial oaths that were administered. There are none now but
legal oaths in those precincts sacred to the goddesses who dispense to us the
luxuries of summons, subpoenas, attachments, ne-exeats, mandamuses, certioraris
and fee bills.
The Presidential election of 1848 brought out the largest vote that had at
that time been polled in the county, 2,858 votes being cast. Of these the Free
Soil candidates, Van Buren and Adams, carried away the largest number
1,220; Old Zach Taylor came next, and scored 855, while Cass and Butler had
a moiety of 783. S. A. Hurlbut, U. F. Linder and 0. H. Browning were
among the Electors on the Whig ticket; S. S. Hayes, still true to his early
teachings, was one of the Democratic electors, and Wm. B. Ogden, Thomas
Hoyne and Jonathan Blanchard were among the Free Soilers.
The vote in the several towns was as follows :
Whig. Dem. Free Soil.
Geneva 60 44 46
Dundee 74 68 131
Hampshire 56 41 45
Burlington 18 41 38
Batavia 53 53 73
Sugar Grove 62 18 35
Blackberry 24 18 40
St. Charles 162 141 159
Fail-field (Campion) 21 19 50
Jackson (Rutland) 8 47 13
Jefferson (Big Rock) 12 35 35
Franklin (Virgil) 21 23 38
Royalton (Kaneville) 24 12 18
Washington (Plato) 20 16 37
Fox River (Aurora) 100 60 240
Elgin 140 147 222
855 783 1,220
Geneva held her first separate town election this year, and elected Allen P.
Hubbard Justice, and Nathan P. Herrington Constable.
In 1849, the only general election was the regular one on November 6, at
which the question of township organization was submitted and adopted by a
vote of 1,786 to 34, and county officers were elected as follows: Isaac G.
Wilson, County Judge; Andrew J. Waldron and Marcus White, Associate Jus-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 259
tices; James Herrington, County Clerk; Joseph Kimball, School Commissioner;
D. M. Green, County Treasurer, and Andrew Pingree, County Surveyor.
There were three tickets in the field, as in 1848, but the old ship swung back
to her Democratic moorings, where she remained without change until the gale
of 1856, when she broke away from her fastenings and scudded into the Repub-
lican harbor, from which she has not ventured at any general election since,
although she has made several trial trips at off years, and has become somewhat
uncertain on a simple county issue to anxious nominees of the conventions.
Judge Wilson received the largest number of votes at the election of 1849, given
to any candidate 1,037, being but three more than Mr. Yates received the
year before, on the opposite ticket for Sheriff. A. P. Hubbard, Whig, received
724 votes, and J. F. Farnsworth 320; James Herrington received 811 votes
for County Clerk, T. C. Moore 719, and Paul R. Wright, 548. Both of the
latter gentlemen were subsequently elected to the office of Circuit Clerk, Mr.
Wright in 1856, and Mr. Moore in 1860. Mr. Wright was an old-line Aboli-
tionist, and was the first one of that original party ever elected to a county office
in the county. Mr. Wright, despite the opprobrium attached to his political
faith, received a handsome plurality at the election of November, 1849, in Elgin,
where he resided, and was, of course, best known. In Dundee, also, he led his
competitors. Mr. Moore's vote of 30 majority in Batavia, where he lived, also
shows in what estimation his friends held him. Mr. Herrington also led his
party ticket at his home in Geneva.
In the Spring of 1850, the first Board of Supervisors was elected, and
were as follows : Aurora, Russell D. Mix ; Batavia, M. M. Mallory ; Geneva,
W T illiam Cheever ; St. Charles, F. H. Bowman ; Elgin, J. W. Brewster ; Dun-
dee, T. H. Thompsom ; Rutland, E. R. Starks ; Plaito, John S. Lee ; Camp-
ton, J. P. Bartlett ; Blackberry, R. W. Acers ; Sugar Grove, E. D. Terry;
Big Rock, J. D. Dunning ; Kaneville, M. M. Ravlin ; Virgil, J. H. Snook ;
Burlington, Cyrus Phelps ; Hampshire. Julius A. Starks.
The first meeting was held June 4, 1850, and William Cheever, of Geneva,
was chosen the first Chairman. The members were not at home on the powers
of the Board, but they made a bold front, and resolved they were equal to any
emergency that might arise in relation to business heretofore done by the
County Commissioners' Court or County Court, and voted to proceed at once
to the performance of their duties, " promptly, cautiously and with the utmost
economy." Then they appointed a committee to get the opinion of Judge Wil-
son, of the County Court, on the power of the Board to settle with the, Sheriff,
who was, and had been prior to 1850, the Collector of Taxes. The committee
reported, the next morning, that Judge Wilson held that the Supervisors had
not power to organize until the first Monday after the general election in No-
vember, 1850, and until that time the management of the fiscal concerns of the
county remained with the County Court. But the members of the Board did
not acquiesce in his honor's views, but went on as they had already resolved,
260 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
and took measures for a settlement with the Sheriff, and allowed bills and drew
jurors, and adjourned until the annual meeting, in November.
The first town meetings held in the county, in 1850, placed the county gov-
ernment in the present system, the workings of which are familiar, and com-
pletes the history of the organization of the civil life of the county.
The first court held in the county was a term of the Circuit Court begun on
the 19th day of June, 1837. It Was held by Hon. John Pearson, one of the
Justices of the Supreme Court, in the log house of Mr. James Herrington,
which stood by the big spring that flows out of the ledge, just under the lower
terrace, in Geneva. (This old homestead served for hotel, school room, court
room, church and public hall for many years.) Alonzo Huntington was State's
Attorney in attendance on the court, and Allen P. Hubbard was Clerk the first
day, but on the second day Mark W. Fletcher received the appointment from
Judge Pearson, and took possession of the office, Avhich he held until the elec-
tion of 1848, when he was succeeded by Charles B. Wells. Selden M. Church,
however, was the first appointed Clerk, but before court was held he removed
to Rockford, and Mr. Hubbard received the appointment, from Judge Ford,
September 21, 1836. Mr. Hubbard took his official oath before E. S. Towne,
Justice of the Peace. B. F. Fridley was the Sheriff, and gave bonds in $10,000,
with Joel Jenks, George W. Gorton, Nick Gray and Dr. Madden as his securi-
ties. George W. Gorton was his Deputy. Asa McDole was the Coroner.
The first Grand Jury impaneled in the county was at this term, and were
as follows: Isaac Wilson, Foreman; Sidney Kimball, Allen Ware, J. T.
Wheeler, Wm. Van Nortwick, Samuel McCarty, Nicholas Gray, Edward Keys,
James Squires, B. F. Phillips, 0. W. Perkins, Ansel Kimball, Wallis Hotch-
kiss, John Van Fleet, W. T. Elliott, John Ross, Friend Marks, Solomon Dun-
ham, Marshall Stark, George Johnson and Lyman Barber. The grand inquest
found five indictments three for larceny and two for riot. The rioting grew
out of claim fights in the southwest part of the county, and the parties indicted
appeared at the second term of the Court, held in September following, and
confessed that they could not deny the charges of the indictment against them,
and prayed the mercy of the Court, which they received in the shape of $5.00
fine, and costs of court. This procedure on their part was a little different
from "Hank" McLean's plea to the indictment found against him in the
McHenry Circuit Court for malicious mischief. McLean had a little ranch up
above Algonquin, which he had enclosed with an apology for a fence made of
brush, and such material as he could get together without much effort. His
neighbor kept a flock of sheep, and the fence did not prove to be much of an
obstacle to their long legs, and they bothered McLean somewhat, by breaking
into his garden. He chased them out several times; and at last, losing his
temper, he managed to kill one of the depredators. This raised a storm ; and
at the next setting of the Circuit, the aggrieved neighbor went before the Grand
Jury, and laid his complaint before that body, and they found an indictment.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 261
The State's Attorney got hold of the real state of facts, and desiring some sport,
drew up a most elaborate indictment. He charged that the defendant, one
Henry, alias Hank, McLean, against the peace and dignity of the people of the
State of Illinois, with malice aforethought and evil intent, did, with clubs,
^bludgeons, guns, pistols, swords and other murderous instruments, beat, bruise,
wound, maim and do to death, certain animals, to-wit : sheep, lambs, rams,
wethers and ewes, of the property of Atkinson, living then and there in the
peace of the people. As soon as the indictment was filed in the Court, it was
whispered around that there would be fun on the trial, and McLean was ordered
to be ready, and an early day set for the hearing. The business of the Court
-was pushed through rapidly, and the afternoon of the term, when everybody
was jolly and ready for fun, the case of the people vs. Henry S. McLean was
called and the defendant arraigned, the indictment slowly and measuredly read
"by the Clerk, and then the Court, in solemn judicial dignity, asked the ques-
tion, "Is the prisoner at the bar guilty or not guilty in manner and form as
charged in the indictment?" McLean then arose from his half bent, slouch-
ing position, and standing erect, replied, "May it please the Court, if I should
say I am not guilty, I should lie; and if I should say I am guilty in manner
and form as charged in the indictment, I should tell a d d sight bigger lie;
therefore, I stand mute ! " The roar that shook the building, at this plea, so
disturbed the blind and steady handed goddess, she dismissed the case, and her
devotees adjourned to the hotel for a jolly wind up of the judicial proceedings.
The first Petit Jury of the county was as follows : Calvin Ward, Reed
Ferson, Benj. H. Smith, E. K. Mann, S. H. Hamilton, James Latham, Charles
Latten, John V. King, Jas. Ferson, John W. Douglas, Asa Merrill and Gideon
Young. The term lasted three days, and there were in the time five jury
trials, four changes of venue granted, fourteen judgments, amounting to $5,400,
rendered, twenty suits continued, and five dismissed. The first order entered
on the record was a rule to "plead by to-morrow morning," entered June 19,
1887, in the suit of Hugh C. Gibson and three female Gibsons vs. G. W. and
Harrison Haynes and John Miller. The same order was entered in the case of
seventeen plaintiffs vs. Thomas G. Getman, Thayer and the Haynes. The same
seventeen plaintiffs recovered one cent damages and their costs of suit against
the defendants.
Ransom Olds, Aaron Burbank, Jona. Kimball, Elizur Burbank and D. W.
Elmore failed to respond to the process of the court, and attachments were
ordered against them, but they came in at a subsequent term and purged them-
selves of their contempt, and were dismissed with the costs. On motion of
Jas. M. Strode, Jacob B. Mills was allowed to practice as an attorney in the
court, and H. N. Chapman was similarly privileged on the motion of Giles
Spring. John Douglas was the first alien who renounced his allegiance to his
native country, and took Uncle Sam for his future Caesar. He was a Scotch-
man, and filed his declaration on the second day of the court.
262 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
The second term of the court was held in September, 1837, by Judge
Thomas. At this court, the afterward famous controversy of Anson Pease vs. John
Peter Schneider, and John Peter Schneider vs. Anson Pease, first made its
appearance on the docket, from which it did not disappear until after 1850.
It grew out of the claim of the water power at Schneider's, now known as North
Aurora. Pease was a litigous fellow, and a local rhymester, whose habitat was
Aurora, in the early days, thus done him up in verse :
" Is-c M r 1-t and Anson Pease
Are the very d 1 to laugh and tease,
Of whisky punch they'll drink enough
To fill Fox River from bluff to bluff."
The County Commissioners' Court had charge only of the fiscal concerns of
the county, allowed the bills, levied the taxes and settled with the Sheriff, who was
Tax Collector then. The first session of the court was in 1836, and the court
was composed of Thomas H. Thompson, Claudius Townsend and Mark Daniels,
County Commissioners, with Mark W. Fletcher, as Clerk.
The Elgin bar has ever been noted for its legal and forensic ability.
Among its honored names are the first ones who came to the village, while it
was yet a hamlet of but a few houses, and who practiced in the old Thirteenth
Circuit, viz. : E. E. Harvey, who went into the military service at the call for
volunteers in the Mexican war, and gave his life for the country, dying in
Mexico; P. R. Wright, formerly Circuit Clerk, and how a resident of Cali-
fornia ; I. G. Wilson, Judge of the old Thirteenth, and afterward the Twenty-
eighth Circuit Court, and now an eminent member of the Chicago bar ; Chaa.
H. Morgan, formerly Judge of the Elgin and Aurora Courts of Common Pleas,
and later U. S. Judge in one of the Territories ; Edmund Gifford, also a Judge
in New Orleans ; and last, though not least, Sylvanus Wilcox, who so worthily
occupied the bench of the Twenty-eighth Circuit. Judge Wilcox is the only
one of the above named eminent lawyers who has an abiding place in Elgin.
The Probate Court, as first organized, was a very simple institution, con-
sisting solely of a Probate Justice of the Peace, who was his own Clerk. No
Sheriff or Bailiff guarded his tribunal or made bis presence awe-inspiring by
his cry of " Oyez ! oyez ! " but in the simple guise of a Justice of the Peace,
he settled the estates of the dead, dividing them among the living according to-
law or the will of the decedent.
The first estate administered upon in the county was that of Archibald
Moody, who died July 27, 1836. Letters of administration thereon were
granted to Lydia C. Moody, his widow, by Mark Daniels, Probate Justice,
June 6, 1837, which was the first recorded act of the court. The Administra-
trix gave bonds in the sum of $2,000, Avith Gideon Young as security.
The first will probated in the court was that of Warren Tyler, of St. Charles.
It was dated September 10, 1837, and admitted to record on the testimony of
Thomas P. Whipple and Mark Fletcher, November 6, 1837, this being the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 263
second act of the court, and the first act of Isaac Wilson, Probate Justice.
Diadema Tyler and Thomas P. Whipple were appointed Executors, and gave
bonds in the sum of $6,000, with Reed Ferson and Ephraim Perkins security.
The principal bequest was 360 acres of land, to which decedent held a claim
under the claim laws of the country.
The first letters of guardianship issued were to Moses Shelby, as guardian
of Rebecca Gillespie, on November 5, 1838, with Thomas P. Whipple as secu-
rity in $200 bonds.
The old seal of the Probate Court was a copper block, with a weeping wil-
low and tomb stone, emblematic, in those days, of the grief for the dead, but in
the present it is more impressive of the cost of the funeral, and the wasting of
the estate in settlement.
The Probate Justices gave way to the County Court in 1849, when Isaac
G. Wilson, a son of the Isaac Wilson who performed the last two official acts
above mentioned, was elected County Judge under the new Constitution, and
James Herrington, County Clerk. These officers were elected in November,
1849, commissioned in December, and held the first term of the County Court,
for county business, the following January, commencing on the 10th day of the
month, 1850. The court was composed of Isaac G. Wilson, County Judge ;
Andrew J. Waldron and Marcus White, Associate Justices, and James Her-
rington, Clerk. The court allowed pauper bills to the amount of $138 ; court
expenses, $165, and miscellaneous bills, $13. The court also granted John D.
Wygant, of Batavia, and William -G. Webster, of Geneva, grocers' licenses for
a year for $25 each. It is needless to say the groceries to be sold were wet gro-
ceries. The bonds of the County Judge, County Collector and Justices and Con-
stables were approved, except some that were informal, which were rejected and
new ones filed. Roads were ordered reviewed and re-located, and an order passed
that no more bills for the laying of roads would be allowed by the court. A.
P. Hubbard and Thomas A. Scott were appointed a committee to examine into
the financial condition of the county, and report its status at the March term
of the court, which they did, and their report ordered printed ; but it is not
recorded nor on file, and whether the county had much or little indebtedness,
we cannot now know.
Gen. Elijah Wilcox, of Elgin ; Dr. D. D. Waite, of St. Charles, and W. B.
Gillett, of Sugar Grove, were appointed a committee to divide the county into
towns, according to the terms of Section 6 of the law of 1849, relating to
township organization. They made a report and divided the county as it now
stands, except as to the division of Geneva and Batavia, which was effected sub-
sequently. They called Rutland, Jackson ; Plato, Homer, and Virgil, Frank-
lin, but they were soon after changed as they are now known, E. R. Starks
giving the name of his native town in -Vermont to Jackson, and the town of
Homer being honored with tlie name of our then worthy citizen and State
Senator, Plato.
264 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Orsemus Wilson, Esq., Poor Master of Batavia, was directed to get Schultz,
a pauper, boarded for less than $1.25 a week, if he could. Wm. R. Parker,
Justice of the Peace, was told to hold on and not to issue any capias against
Alvin Hyatt, whom he had found guilty of an assault and battery, and fined
$15. The Court selected a Grand and Petit Jury for the March term of the
Circuit Court, and adjourned. The last term of the court for county business
w r as held June -3, 1850, and then the Supervisors took the purse strings of the
treasury in hand, and have held them ever since.
The first settlement of the Treasurer of the county was made December 1,
1838, and the whole amount of funds received by him was $548.54, including
thirty license fees, and fines. His compensation was $10.87. The County
Treasurers, from 1836 to 1841, received as the total amount of revenue of the
county during the time the sum of $3,982.07. The commissions amounted to
$47. They couldn't afford to pay much to make their election sure. David
Dunham was Recorder of Deeds from August 1, 1836, to September 1, 1843 ;
but that was not much of a bonanza, for he used to write up his records in his
store on rainy days, and other times when business was not pressing. The
whole seven years of his official term are comprised in the first three books of
the Recorder's office, and number 997 instruments.
The first tax levied in the county was in the year 1836, and was laid on
personal property only, real estate not being taxable until 1847, five years after
the land sales in 1842. The amount of the levy was about eight hundred dol-
lars, and B. F. Fridleywas Sheriff and ex officio County Collector, and John
Griggs was County Assessor. The first tax levied after real estate became taxable
was in 1847. The assessment o f lands and village lots amounted to $446,185,
and of personal property to $321,320. The taxes levied were for State purposes,
$2,839; county purposes, $2,302.54, and for roads, $1,535.01. Total, $6,677.29.
The first instrument recorded in the county was an agreement for a deed be-
tween James Crow and Wallace Hotchkiss, for lands which said Crow claimed
300 acres of prairie and 160 acres of timber. The prairie land was on the
east side of the Fox River, in Batavia, and the timber was in the Big Woods.
The amount of purchase money was $2,000. This instrument was filed for
record January 23, 1837, and recorded in book 1, page 1.
The first village plat recorded was that of Geneva, on May 8, 1837, at 11
o'clock A. M., in Book 1, page 9 ; and St. Charles or as it was then called
and recorded, Charleston filed her plat the same day, at 2 o'clock P. M., and
it follows Geneva in the same book, on page 11. The first deed recorded is one
from Richard J. Hamilton and James Herrington, by Mark W. Fletcher, their
attorney in fact, to Kane County, for a block of ground in Geneva, known as
the public square. This was the original court house block, on which the origi-
nal court house was built.
The first mortgage filed for record was a deed from James Herrington to
Jacob Miller, both of Geneva, July 5, 1837. It conveys a two-thirds interst
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 265
in 110 acres of timber on the east side of the river, in Geneva, and was the
original claim of Haight and Bird. Miller gave Harrington an agreement to
re-convey on the payment of $300 in one year, with 12 per cent, interest,
quarterly. This was the only way security could be given on real estate, as
the laws of the United States made it unlawful to mortgage the land until
patents were issued for it.
Large tracts of land were entered at the land sale, by parties in trust for
others, and bonds given for deeds in payment of the sums advanced, and such
interest as was agreed upon. Right here comes to mind an incident growing out
of that practice, partially in Elgin, which shows that the confidence game was
practiced in early times as well as later in that city.
In Western New York lived, in 1840-41 arid later, a man named William
Mills, familiarly known and called by many of the early settlers in Elgin, as
"Billy" Mills. He was a noted man among the people of Elgin, in those
early days, and was a man of wealth and good report. Some time in the Spring
of 1845 or 1846, a genteelly dressed and self-possessed gentleman came into
the stage house at Tibbals', in Elgin, and represented himself to be a nephew
of " Billy " Mills, of New York. He had come out to loan money and make
investments, and wanted a good room, regardless of expense, and so Tibbals
put the best room of his really good hostelry at his service, and treated him as
the nephew of as prime a favorite as Billy Mills ought to be shown.
The news of the arrival of a nephew of Billy Mills was soon noised abroad,
and the fact that he had lots of money to loan and invest was as soon known.
He was at once the center of attraction. The farmers who had bought their
land through others, and were paying 18 to 24 per cent, for the accommoda-
tion, immediately began to negotiate with the nephew of his uncle for loans to
pay up the said advances, and at much lower rates of interest. Many, too,
sought for further accommodations, to reloan the money at an advance on the
rate the nephew charged. The days of Spring lengthened into Summer, and
the Summer heats began to strengthen, and still the nephew basked in the sun-
shine, of " Uncle " Billy's fame and prestige, without a cloud or passing shower
to disturb his tranquility. He suggested to his host, from time to time, that he
was ready to pay his bill on presentation "expected another remittance from
Uncle Billy soon ; had loaned Deacon a little cash to take up the mort-
gage on his farm ; would be all right as soon as another letter came," etc.
Tibbals said it was all right, and continued to feed him in good style and drive
him around the country behind a pair of spanking bays. One day, which he had
set for fulfilling his engagement, the people came with their bonds and mort-
gages draAvn up in the most approved style, tricked out in sealing wax and red
tape, to get the money to consummate the projects of their hearts, and move
into the splendid castles in Spain which many of them had already erected. But
the mails had failed to come in, and the disappointed ones were put off till an-
other day. The day came, and with it again came the people and their secu-
266 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
rities, and also a letter from Billy Mills himself, to some one whose suspicions
had been aroused and had communicated with Mills in regard to the "nephew,"
stating that the "nephew" was no relative of his, but was imposing on the
good people of Elgin. The people looked foolish, as their castles disappeared,
and especially those who had indulged in such rosy dreams of money loaning.
But Tibbals, when the truth flashed upon him, was furious. If " our army
swore terribly 'in Flanders," then Tibbals was worthy of a full Brigadier's com-
mission in it. He mounted in hot haste his buck-board, and drove off at a slash-
ing pace to Geneva to get sundry writs of capias, ne exeat and attachment,
whereby he might get indemnity for the outlay he had made for the said
nephew's comfort. The writs were duly issued and served upon the boarder,
with an unknown alias, and in due course of time the trial came on before the
Circuit Court and a jury. John J. Brown, the eloquent advocate in Chicago,
at that time was retained by the defendant, and interposed a plea of non compos
mentis. He did not try to rebut the evidence that was piled up by the prosecu-
tion, but rather sought to make the testimony stronger by the cross-examination.
The evidence being all in, and the counsel for the plaintiff having closed his
case, the defense took the floor and began one of those impassioned appeals to
the jury for which Mr. Brown was so noted. He showed conclusively to the
jury and audience that the defendant, instead of being harassed by grasping
creditors and unfeeling bailiffs, should be tenderly cared for by Christian men
and women! The Court was convulsed with suppressed laughter, the jury and
audience were in tears, and Tibbals himself rose and, wiping his eyes, stalked
out of the court room, muttering to himself, " I'll be d d if I knew I was such
a wretch as to prosecute such a poor fool as that ! "
Among the first things established in the county for the general good, was
the Yankee institution the public school. With the yearning for a wider acre-
age and larger gains, was the kindred spirit of knowledge how to attain to and
use the increased facilities when they should be in hand. And so, by the time
the settlers, in 1834, had built their shanties and staked out their claims, they
looked for the school master, and, lo ! he was in their midst, and from the land
where the pedagogue, male and female, is indigenous Vermont. In the fall of
1834, a Mr. Knowles was enthroned in East Batavia, with the hazel brush as a
scepter, to rule over and teach nine infantile subjects. The throne room was in
a log cabin on Col. Lyon's claim, about one mile east of the river, and was the
first school house built in the county. The school ma'am was but a short way
behind, and her name was Prudence Ward, and her kingdom was in Ira E.
Tyler's log house, in St. Charles, and she began her reign in 1835. This year,
too, a Mr. Livingston taught school in East Geneva. The female pedagogues
multiplied in the land greatly, so much so, that the male of the species, for a
season, became extinct. Miss Charlotte Griggs, in Plato; Miss Amanda Cochrane,
in Dundee ; Miss Harriet Gifford, in Elgin, and Mrs. Sterling, of Geneva, being
the first teachers in their respective localities, all before the close of the year 1837.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 267
The first teachers' institute or normal school held in the county was con-
vened in 1850, at the old court house in Geneva, under the fostering care of
Father Brewster, who was the School Commissioner. Prof. Sweet was
the Director, and John B. Newcomb, of Elgin ; Achsah Waite, of St. Charles ;
Miss Fox, of Elgin, and Miss Kidder, afterward the wife of D. L. Eastman % of
St. Charles, were chief assistants. The mystery of a minus quantity " one
less than nothing" was lucidly explained by Miss Waite to many whose lives
since then have been striking illustrations of the theorem. The first institute
will never be forgotten by those who participated in it. The Marys and Fannys
and Williams and Johns, how they did parse but never declined the verb
"to love ! " How they rattled on about the uttermost parts of the earth, and
yet thought the sweetest place on earth was just there in the class. How the
problem of two and two make four was solved in a twinkling, when the class in
arithmetic was ordered to the Unitarian Church, and Mary Ann, of Big Rock,
and the little black-eyed Miss W., from Sugar Grove, paired off with the young
schoolmasters of Aurora. A certain cosy farm house in the southwestern part
of the county will tell how two of these former mathematicians solved that other
more difficult problem of life, and demonstrated that three from two make five!
Newcomb drilled us all in phonetics, and Sweet " elocuted " for our benefit, and
we followed in concert until such a howl rose up the Genevans rushed to see
what lunatic asylum had turned its inmates out for a holiday. The school-
ma'ams that were, and those that would be, came in such numbers they could
not all be accommodated at the residences of the people ; but Father Brewster
God bless the good old man was equal to the occasion, and so he called for
supplies of bedding and rations, and soon the dancing hall of the Geneva House
then occupied and kept by Mr. Sterling was transformed into a dormitory
and kitchen, and the girls added to their theories the additional accomplishment
of practical living. As we think of the two hundred and more girls, old and
young, then present, we ask, with Holmes,
"Where are the Marys and Anns and Elizas,
Living and lovely of yore ?
Look in the columns of old Advertisers
Married and Dead by the score."
Elgin claims the first academy and the first college in the county. The
academy was chartered in 1839, but was not opened until 1855, when the col-
lege was built and transferred to the academy, and the two companies merged in
one.
The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. N. C. Clarke, in
1834, in the log house of Christopher Payne, the first actual settler in the
county, east of Batavia. Mr. Clarke was one of the early missionaries sent
out into the West to tell the "glad tidings " to the pioneers, and gather them
into church societies and Sunday schools. He was one of God's noblemen, of
a kindly, affectionate manner, truthful and sincere, and one who drew men to
268 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY
better things by his own gentle and consistent ways quite as much as by his
persuasive exhortations. No breath of suspicion ever attainted him, but he
seemed to stand on the mountain top, in the clear sunlight of truth and moral-
ity, always, 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.
His colleagues were Elder J. E. Ambrose and Elder Kimball. These men
traveled on foot or on horseback, among the early settlers around Chicago, stop-
ping where night overtook them, and receiving the hospitalities of the cabin,
without money or without price. Reverently asking the blessing of God upon
all that they did, their lives were simple and unostentatious, their wants few and
easily satisfied ; their teaching plain and unvarnished, touched with no elo-
quence 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 Bap-
tist, 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, and thus, finally, to reach the best of all, God and
heaven. They were not only physicians for the soul's cure, but they sometimes
ministered to the body's ailments. They married the living, and buried the
dead ; they christened the babe, admonished the young and warned the old :
they cheered the despondent, rebuked the wilful and' hurled the vengeance of
eternal burnings at the desperately wicked. When other orators were scarce,
they sometimes mounted the rostrum on the Fourth of July, and highfaluted
for the edification of the people, like other patriotic mortals. Wherever they
came they were welcome, and notice was soon sent around to the neighbors and
a meeting was 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."
Father Clarke, in St. Charles, arid Elder Ambrose, in Elgin, finally settled
down and were located over respective congregations of their own faith, and
Elder Kimball, the Methodist, in Bloomingdale. Father Clarke has gone to
his rest, sincerely mourned by all who had ever known him.
The first church in the county was organized in Batavia, in 1835. It was
of the Congregationalist faith, and another one of the same faith was organ-
ized in Elgin, in 1836. The first Methodist Episcopal churches were organ-
ized in Aurora and Elgin, in 1837. The Baptists organized a society in 1836,
in St. Charles. The Unitarians organized a society in Geneva, in 1837, and
about that time the Universalists organized one in St. Charles. The first
Roman Catholic gathering was probably in Rutland, though Aurora claims the
first church up as late as 1848, or after. The first Congregational minister in
the county was Father Clarke; the first Baptist, Elder Ambrose; the first
Methodist, Rev. William Kimball ; the first Unitarian, A. H. Conant, and the
first Universalists, Andrew Pingree and William Rounseville. The first church
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 260
buildings erected exclusively for worship were those of the Congregationalists
in Batavia and Dundee, in 1840, though the Universalists began theirs in 1838,
but it was not finished until 1843. Aurora built her first church in 1843, for
the Methodists, and Elgin hers, in 1840, for the same society, and Geneva, for
the Unitarians, in 1843. In 1850, there were eighteen church edifices, valued
at $30,000, and capable of seating about five thousand persons. The first
Sunday school in the county was organized in Batavia, in 1835, but the schools
multiplied rapidly, one being organized wherever children could be gathered in,
even if there were not a half a dozen to begin with.
Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal Church, the founder of Jubilee College, at
"Robin's Nest," near Peoria, held a service under the ritual of that church,
in St. Charles, in 1838, in the school house then standing on the corner near
Dr. Crawford's present residence. It was quite a noted event in those days.
The Bishop was a tall and large man, had white hair and was a very fine look-
ing old man, and in his Episcopal robes of scarlet was an august looking person-
age. The Episcopalians in St. Charles at that time were Dr. Thomas P.
Whipple and R. V. M. Croes, the latter a son of an Episcopal clergyman, of
New York City. The Bishop was entertained by Dr. Whipple. The Herring-
tons, at Geneva, and Joseph W. Churchill, at Batavia, were also Episcopalians.
Churchill was a bluff, nervous fellow, and much attached to the forms of his
church. One Sunday, as he and his daughter were going to church, he asked
her if she had got her prayer book. She said, "No father, I forgot it,"
Churchill blurted out : " Forget your prayer book ! Go and get it ! You might
as well be in as in an Episcopal church without a prayer book."
There was a time when a great religious awakening swept over the com-
munity, and Father Clarke, assisted by two clergymen from Boston or
thereabouts, had charge of the revival. Naughty rumor had been busy with
the names of the two men from the old Bay State, and it was whispered that
one of them had found it convenient to leave his creditors to get their just
claims paid by suffering fifty per cent, loss on the same ; while of the other it
was said that he had literally taken to himself a wife, in that he had taken a
wife of some other man, and she was then with him in the (then) village of
Elgin. These rumors were subsequently found to have more than a mere sub-
stratum of truth.
While the religious awakening was at its height, Mr. Clarke and the two
assisting ministers called pastorally on the people, and, among others, visited
Mr. P. G. Patterson, and talked with him kindly, admonishing him to try and
reform. Patterson listened patiently and quietly to his visitors, and at length
Mr. Clarke asked him what he thought of what had been said. Patterson, look-
ing up to Mr. Clarke, said, feelingly : " Mr. Clarke, you are a good man and a
kind neighbor, and I thank you for your visit, but, as for the other gentlemen, all
I have to say is, I pay twenty shillings to the pound, and live with my own wife."
The interview closed abruptly, for there was no room for further argument.
270 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
AURORA TOWNSHIP.
Had ancient mythology been ransacked, it would have been impossible
to have found a name containing a more pleasing and purely imaginative history
than the one which this township bears ; and it may be added with equal truth
that the picturesqueness of the valley, stream, prairie and hill with which it is di-
versified renders it worthy to be associated with a conception which was the person-
ification of ideal beauty. Forty-four years ago, however, the Eos of the Greeks,
the Aurora of the Latins, shed her smiles over its fields, now marked with farm-
house, granary, mill and village, and beheld only a wilderness. Its broad acres
were uncultivated, its forests then magnificent allowed to run to waste and
only serving as a home for the Indian and the wolf and their wild neighbors.
But the Sac and Fox War was precipitated, and then all was changed. Scott's
army was sent in pursuit of the cowardly wretches, who had glutted their
vindictive hate with the blood of women and children, and a new era was
ushered in.
SETTLEMENTS.
Among the earliest ones to avail himself of the return of peace and of the
measures on foot to move the friendly Indians under Waubansie from the State,
was Jacob Carpenter, who came to Chicago from Logan County, Ohio, in No-
vember, 1832. In December of the following year, having spent the Summer
and Fall at Naperville, which then contained some half a dozen families, he
took up land and built a log house on the east side of Fox River, about half a
mile from the spot now occupied by the village of Montgomery. This house
was the first in Aurora Township and one of the first in Kane County, and was
occupied by Carpenter and his family the week before Christmas.
In the following April, Elijah Pierce, Carpenter's, father-in-law, also from
Logan County, followed him to the new country, and built a second shanty on
the same side of the river and nearer the bank than Carpenter's, where for years
he kept entertainment for man and beast. There the stage horses on the Chi-
cago & Galena Road were regularly changed as long as the route ran by way
of Montgomery. His accommodations were not as good as may now be found
at the Palmer House, or even in Aurora, but they were the best which could
then be obtained nearer than Naperville. His shanty had one room, which
served as kitchen, dining room, sitting room, parlor and bedroom; and Mr. Wm.
T. Elliott, who came from Tioga County, N. Y., and took up an adjoining
claim in June, 1834, says that he has seen forty people men, women and
children packed away in promiscuous order for the night, upon the floor of
that room.
At that time, no Government surveys had been made anywhere in the
vicinity. All were squatters, and all were obliged to go to Ottawa, for the trans-
action of any public business.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 271
Mr. Elliott, our worthy informant, who still resides, at the age of 67, upon
his original claim, is responsible for being the author of the first romance which
the annals of the county furnish. He "was a goodly stripling then," and,
casting his eyes around among the damsels of the land, he saw none so comely as
Rebecca Pierce. It may be a matter of doubt if the country afforded any other
damsel during the first year of his residence, but, be that as it may, we have it on
good authority that Rebecca iv as fair and seventeen, and willing to place her head
in the matrimonial slipping-noose, but here the cruel parent who figures in all
romances interposed his veto. It is not material what reasons he urged or even
if he urged any at all. His refusal produced the usual effect, and everything
went on in the regular order found in any one of Mrs. Southworth's novels.
Wm. T. said " Wilt thou cleave unto me in spite of Pa Pierce ? " and Rebecca
answered " I will." The next morning a youth might have been seen wend-
ing his way along the road which led to Ottawa. He raised his eyes and saw
a man approaching. It was Mr. Pierce, the last person whom he cared to meet.
Mr. Pierce advised him in a friendly manner, as parents are apt to assume in such
circumstances, to make no more attempts to obtain his daughter, as they would
be useless, and receiving from Mr. Elliott the gratifying assurance that he would
have Rebecca or die in the attempt, he went on his way rejoicing, perhaps.
On reaching Ottawa, forty miles from home, the ardent lover proceeded at once
to the office of the County Clerk, whose reign extended over a vast territory,
but small population, and asked for a marriage license. The lady's age was
demanded and the license promptly refused. The Clerk, however, at the request
of Mr. Elliott., examined the marriage law, and informed him that he might
marry, if he would publish a notice of his and the lady's intentions two weeks
previous, in church. He, therefore, returned disappointed and discouraged.
Fortune seemed to favor him now, for as he approached his cabin he met that
zealous and exemplary pioneer " Father Clark," to whom he unbosomed him-
self, and was told that he should be " cried in meetin' come next Sunday."
Father Clark published him. as agreed, in Naperville, and, in due time, tidings
came to the enraged parent, who vowed that the marriage should never take
place. Now, Mr. Pierce went to Chicago for nearly all the groceries used in
his business as landlord. Thinking that only one week had expired since the
announcement of marriage, he left home with a light heart, it may be supposed,
and chuckling, as he rode along over the ruts, to think that the man who so
yearned to call him " Father," had walked to Ottawa and back for a marriage
license in vain, Wm. T. and Rebecca, meanwhile, were chuckling, too, for on
this morn the two weeks had expired. In the afternoon, Rebecca went visiting.
There was no suspicion, as her lover, who had a field of wheat near by, had passed
the house at noon with his cradle upon his shoulder. Later in the afternoon
he returned, met Miss Pierce, and Father Clark united them. When the
unreasonable father returned, he felt greatly discomfited, and, though not a man
given to unseemly mirth, some say that he danced a horn-pipe many times around
cl
272 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
his shanty, but. having thus become calm, he reasoned, after a night's sleep,
that it would be the part of wisdom to make no more disturbance. Accord-
ingly, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott commenced housekeeping, and their marriage,
which occurred August 3, 1835, was the first in Aurora Township.
Their daughter Emeline now Mrs. Joseph Denny, of Aurora whose
birth occurred August 5, 1836, was the first white child born within the limits
of the present township.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are among the most respected of the early settlers,
and, to all appearances, will witness a score more of years of the progress
the town, which they first found containing less than a half dozen of
dwellings.
Land was not dear in those early times", and, as proof of this, it may be
stated that Mr. Pierce bought a claim of 380 acres, most of which is now within
the city limits, for $7.00. This tract was afterward owned by B. F. Fridley,
who came to Aurora in 1835, and is still living in the city.
On the 20th of September, 1836, Thomas Carpenter died, after a short
illness. It is a fact worthy of note, that he was the first settler in Aurora
Township, and the first who died there outside of the present city limits. He
was also one of the very first who settled in the county, and was only four
months later than Christopher Payne, the earliest pioneer.
Another very early settler in this township was John Peter Snyder, a Ger-
man, from Erie County, Penn., who arrived in Chicago with his family July
10, 1832. Finding all the country around in confusion from the recent Indian
atrocities, and the efforts of the Government to suppress them, he took passage to
Michigan, instead of unloading his goods, and remained there until the follow-
ing September, and then returned to Chicago, where he lay ill for two weeks or
more. He then went to Naperville, where he found a settlement already
established, and stayed there during the Winter and the following Summer,
and, being a millwright, put up a small saw-mill for one of the Napers. Dur-
ing his first Fall there (1832), he had explored the country around North
Aurora, in company with Lansing Sweet, a brother-in-law of the Napers, but,
fearing the Pottawattomies, had made no claim. In the Fall of 1833, in com-
pany with his brother, John Nicholas more popularly known as " Peter John,"
who now lives near Piano, Kendall County he took up a claim on Blackberry
Creek, and built another saw-mill. Indeed, they seem to have had a. peculiar
fondness for such work, for, according to John Peter, he and " Peter John"
were located, in the Fall of 1834, on land now occupied by the North Aurora
Manufacturing Company's Works, hammering away at still another saw-mill.
When he arrived there in 1834, he says that the McCartys had commenced
their improvements below. Certainly, the country was indebted to the Snyders
for some valuable improvements, for after the first explorers have located in a
new country, the greatest benefit is conferred, not by the one who erects a
school house or a church, but by the man who builds a mill. They precede all
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. ' 273
other improvements, and are the beacon-lights in the van of civilization. The
dam across the river at North Aurora was also built by the Snyders.
The first mill was burned a number of years after its completion, and John
Peter built another, which is still standing.
Meanwhile other settlers had located in the country around, and at first
taking up claims by squatter right, and afterward purchasing of the Govern-
ment, the township had become rapidly settled.
In the Fall of 1835, Daniel Gray, from Montgomery County, N. Y., visited
the West, where his brother, Nicholas, had located the previous Spring, on a
farm now within the limits of Kendall County. Pleased with the new country,
he made immediate preparations to settle there, and in the Fall of 1836, having
removed his family from New York, he built the first frame house in the village,
which he named from the county he had left. It was located in the south part
of the place, near the west bank of the river, was about 22x38 feet, and, having
been moved from its original site, is still used as a dwelling.
MANUFACTURES AND BUSINESS.
Daniel Gray was a man of indomitable energy and enterprise. Mills and
manufactures sprung up at his bidding, as by magic, and Montgomery, al-
though the little village has still good prospects for the future, would doubtless
have had a far more brilliant history had he lived. No sooner had he settled
in the place than he commenced improvements on a grand scale. A store,
foundry, reaper and header manufacturing shop over one hundred feet in
length, a second foundry built of stone, and one of the best stone grist-mills in
the country, appeared in rapid succession, furnishing employment for thirty or
more hands, and Mr. Gray was making preparations for still more extensive
business operations, in the establishment of a manufactory of stationary engines,
when, in the Winter of 1854, he died. The store had burned a number of
years previous. The stone foundry has subsequently been used for a short
time as a manufactory for cotton batting, but is now idle, as is the large build-
ing formerly used as a manufactory. Ti^ flouring mill is now doing a good
business, and running twenty-four hours in the day. Hord, Emmons & Co.
are the present proprietors, the manufactured article enjoys a good reputation
throughout the West, and is shipped in sacks to all parts of Northern Illinois.
A large cheese factory, built in 1874, and which, we are informed, is doing
a good business for the farmers, stands on the opposite side of the street. The
place also has a small sash and blind factory, two stores and an excellent stone
depot for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which crosses Aurora
Township from east to west, and passes along the edge of the village.
Turning now for a moment to North Aurora, we find several small manu-
factories there which deserve brief mention. The grist-mill, a good wooden
building, was commenced in 1862 ; the sash, door and blind factory was built
some fifteen years ago : the foundry, now employing about fourteen hands, was
274 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
erected in the Spring of 1874, and a large and elegant building, to be used as
a store, was put up the same year. All are owned by the North Aurora Man-
ufacturing Company. A cheese factory of magnificent dimensions, the prop-
erty of J. H. Boswell, was built in 1875. It has used 6,500 pounds of milk
during the past Summer (1877), and manufactured cream cheese, which was
shipped to Liverpool, England, during a part of the season.
The station is thirty-five miles west of Chicago, on the old State Road. It
has two stores ; the one on the east side, built in 1874, the other occupying
one end of tlie cheese factory. The place is four miles from the city of Aurora,
on the branch railroad which connects Aurora with Batavia, on the east side
of the river. The railroad company have built a depot there.
Like Montgomery, North Aurora has excellent water power, and there are
a number of residences, in the immediate vicinity, on either side of the river.
About half a mile distant, John Peter Snyder still resides, looking as young as
many men at 45, although he claims to be 76, and says he has kept his youth
so well because he had such easy times when the country was new. The exten-
sion connecting Aurora with Batavia and Geneva, by way of the West Side,
crosses the township within half a mile of North Aurora
SCHOOL HOUSES.
As early as 1839, a small frame school house stood in Montgomery, and
the first term was taught in it by a young lady. Mrs. Ellis, then Mrs. Car-
penter, now residing in the village, states that her little boys went there to
school as early as the winter of 1838. The teacher was paid by subscription.
The house is now used us a dwelling by Mr. Harrison Young. Another
school was started, at quite an early period, near North Aurora, and others
followed throughout the districts more remote from the river, until the adoption
of the School Law brought about the present condition., A fine public school
building, erected some twenty years ago, stands in Montgomery.
POST OFFICES.
An attempt was made by the settlers near Montgomery to obtain a post
office as early as 1836, but the stage route being changed about that time, the
attempt was given up for full ten years. At length, when the manufactories
established by Daniel Gray had made the village of sufficient importance, the
project was renewed, and Hiram Border was commissioned the first Postmaster.
This post office, and the one at North Aurora, established January 18, 1869,
with A. H. Stone as its first Postmaster, are the only ones in the township.
The village of Montgomery was at first surveyed not long after Daniel
Gray's arrival, and it was then laid out at a spot somewhat below its present
site. It was in this original plat that the school building was put up, and it
has not been removed to the position of the more modern place. The earliest
marriage within its present corporate limits was that of Ralph Gray, in 1843 ;
ELGIN.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 293
above, with the Aurora woolen-mills, mentioned on another page, completes
the history of the great manufactories of Aurora. There are several other
less noted establishments, but, although each are of importance to the city,
and one, at least, employs a number of hands, we can scarcely be expected to
notice in a history of the county.
DEATH OF JOSEPH MCCARTY.
Before the wonderful progress which we have recorded had been made,
and ere the hum of machinery and the scream of the locomotive had resounded
through the busy city, its founder, Joseph McCarty, was quietly sleeping in his
grave. In 1839, while working in the field, he was suddenly attacked with
hemorrhage of the lungs. All possible medical assistance was rendered, but
from that day he steadily declined. Being advised to seek a more genial cli-
mate, he took with him a friend, Mr. Enoch Terry, still living in the city, and
proceeded to the South, where, after wandering in vain in search of health and
strength, he died, near the center of the State of Alabama, at the age of
thirty-one.
In 1842, Theodore Lake laid out the village of West Aurora. To illus-
trate the rapidity with which real estate arose about that time, we may cite a
single case of its transfer. Benjamin Hackney bought a farm on the East Side
in 1844, for which he paid $2,500, and after dividing it into town lots, sold it
for |50,000.
NEWSPAPERS.
The newspaper history of Aurora has been quite interesting. The first
publication was a Democratic sheet called " The People s Platform" issued by
Isaac Marlett about 1846, but soon removed to St. Charles, then a more impor-
tant town than Aurora. " The Weekly Beacon " first appeared June 1, 1847,
and was then edited by the Hall Brothers, M. V. and B. F., the former a
Whig, the latter a Democrat. It was accordingly conducted on neutral princi-
ples, and at one time had two departments, in which the politics of both of the
respective parties were advocated. B. F. Hall finally disposed of his share in
the concern, when it became a Whig paper. In 1853-4, James W. and Dud-
ley Randall purchased it, and soon after removed the office to the East Side.
It then passed through various hands in rapid succession, as follows : William
Goldy, a good job printer ; the late N. S. Greenwood, of Waterman, DeKalb
Co., an intelligent farmer ; George Brewster, a Chicago editor ; until, on
the 6th of September, 1856, " The Daty Beacon" appeared, with Hon. A. C.
Gibson as editor. The editorship was next assumed by Mr. Brewster, who was
followed by one Day, and Day by Augustus Harman, who continued its publica-
tion until the consolidation of the Beacon and G-uardian, July, 1851, when
J. W. Randall and Simon Whitely became proprietors of the Republican
L'nion, as the newspaper was named. This joint proprietorship lasted but a
294 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
single month, when Mr. Whitely took the materials of the old G-uardian, a
Democratic sheet which had been established by him in 1852, to his old quar-
ters and resumed separate publication under the title of the Republican. The
creditors of Mr. Randall took possession of the old Beacon office, and it was
sold to pay debts. In September, 1857, Augustus Harman, who had been
editor, and 0. B. Knickerbocker, who had been the compositor for J. W. Ran-
dall, came into possession of the Beacon material and revived its publication.
They continued in partnership until June, 1848, when Mr. Harman retired,
and, with Miss Ellen Beard, who afterward became Mrs. Harman, commenced
the publication of the Reformer. On the 1st of January, 1859, Mr. George
S. Bangs formed a partnership with Mr. Knickerbocker, and the Beacon was
enlarged. This proprietorship continued until March, 1866, when Bangs sold
his interest to Knickerbocker, and, in October of the same year, J. H. Hodder
purchased an interest in the paper, and it has been issued since that date under
the proprietorship of Knickerbocker & Hodder. For the history of the Bea-
con we are indebted to its editor. The Aurora Herald was established in
1866, by Thomas E. Hill, and is one of the permanent institutions of the city.
Its present proprietor, Pierce Burton, purchased it in 1871. The Aurora
Daily Neivs was first issued on the 18th of March, 1874, by Messrs. Sieg-
mund & Faye. On the 1st of February, 1876, Mr. W. B. Hawkins, formerly
editor of the Indianapolis Courier, purchased a half interest in the establish-
ment. It is the only daily paper published in the city. The Aurora Volks-
freund was established in the Winter of 1868, by Peter Klein, its present editor
and publisher, and is the only German paper published in the Fox River Val-
ley. Klein & Siegmund were the first proprietors, but in the Summer of 1871,
Mr. Klein bought out Mr. Siegmund. It is a handsome sheet, and seems des-
tined to become eminently successful.
FLOOD.
The year 1847 witnessed the greatest flood which has devasted the banks of
Fox River since their first settlement. A sudden thaw late in the Winter broke
up the ice while it was still thick, and Stolp's Island was completely submerged,
while the saw-mill, Eagle Mills, Moore & Howe's wagon factory and the sash
factory of Reader & Merrill were all more or less damaged. The total loss-
was estimated at $100,000.
ORGANIZATION AND INCORPORATION.
In 1845, the village of East Aurora was organized. Her first board of
officers were elected to hold office until 1847, and were Daniel Eastman, Presi-
dent; Daniel McCarty, Perseus Brown, Luke Wheelock and P. J. Wagner,
Trustees. In 1854, West Aurora was incorporated under the general law, and
elected Myron V. Hall, President ; D. B. Waterman, B. Street, George Mc-
Collum and A. Richardson, Trustees. A charter was obtained, incorporating
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 295
both sides under one city government, during the session of the Legislature for
1856-7, and the first election under the new order was held the first Tuesday
of the following March, resulting as follows : For Mayor, B. F. Hall ; for
' Aldermen, J. D. Clark, W. V. Plum, Holmes Miller, J. B. Stolp, William
Gardner, R. C. Mix, L. Cottrell and S. L. Jackson. The present Mayor is
F. L. Bartlett.
COURT HOUSE.
A portion of land on the island was deeded by J. G. Stolp for a Court
House, and the ground was broken for the foundation in July> 1859. It was
not until 1865 that it was sufficiently completed for the reception of the post
office, and during that year the portion of the work which still remained unfin-
ished was performed. Most of the work was done in 1864. The building is
an imposing stone structure, and was erected at a cost of over $69,000. It
contains the post office, court room, a public hall, jail, library room and several
other well-finished apartments, rented as offices, and is an honor to the city and
a source of commendable pride to its citizens. In 1868, the old wooden
BRIDGES
were removed one to Montgomery, the other to North Aurora, where they
now span the river ; and in the following year the beautiful and substantial iron
ones now crossing the stream at Aurora were put up by the town.
MEMORIAL BUILDING.
Shortly after the war, the ladies of Aurora, by various means, commenced
raising funds for the erection of a soldiers' monument. Years passed, and
successive additions were made to the amount in the hands of their treasurer,
until, in 1876, it was resolved to put the original design into execution, or in
some other manner devote their savings to the perpetuation of the memory of
the brave sons of the town who had given their lives in the defense of their
country. Accordingly, architectural designs were obtained, and a small but
beautiful stone memorial building was raised upon the island just east of the
Court House, at a cost of about four thousand dollars, where it now stands, an
appropriate mausoleum. It is intended to use it as a library building, when
completed, and the Grand Army of the Republic proposes to place a statue
upon the pedestal, upon its summit, which will cost $1,000 or more.
POSITION, RESOURCES, ETC.
Aurora is beautifully situated, at a favorable point for commerce and manu-
factures, on the gently undulating hills which slope from either bank of Fox
River, at a point about forty-five miles from its mouth. It covers an extent of
two and a half miles north and south by two and a fourth miles east and west.
Its water power is extensive and unfailing ; it possesses excellent quarries of
296 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
building stone, in positions easily accessible ; and, in general, its natural ad-
vantages are unsurpassed. Its population, by the census of 1870, was 11,162,
since which time it has materially increased, and may safely be estimated at
the present time (1876) at upward of thirteen thousand. The assessed valua-
tion of its property, in connection with that of the township, was $4,394,431,
and it contains, aside from the institutions which we have enumerated, palatial
residences and business blocks, hotels, mills, shops, a fire company, a police
force, various orders, and all the organizations and advantages usually found in
a city of its size and importance.
BATAVIA TOWNSHIP
forms the southern portion of Town 39 north, Range 8 east of the Third Prin-
cipal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by Geneva, east by Winfield, Du
Page County ; south by Aurora, and west by Blackberry, and is crossed from
north to south by Fox River, and by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the
Fox River Valley and a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroads.
Its surface is well watered by small tributaries of the Fox, and diversified, like
that of the entire tier of towns along the valley of the river, with low hills,
rolling prairies, and occasional patches of woodland.
SETTLEMENT.
To Batavia and the village in the heart of it belongs the honor of the first
settlement in the county that of Christopher Payne, in the Summer and Fall
of 1833, a further account of which will be found in the sketch of the village.
His claim was on the east side of the river, and his house within the village
limits. Some doubt has arisen about Payne's settlement being the first, sev-
eral of the old settlers, and among them E. S. Town, Esq., declaring that
Payne himself had told them that he had entered the county in June, 1833,
and had there found Daniel S. Haight living upon a claim upon the present
site of Geneva, afterward owned by James Herrington. But Capt. C. B.
Dodson, than whom there can be no higher authority, explains this apparent
anachronism by the assurance that Payne had repeatedly told him that he had
broken land near the head of Big Woods, in the Summer of 1832, but had
made no regular claim at that time, and had left the county and remained at
Naperville until the Indian war had ceased. In September of the following
year, his family settled at Batavia. Haight, meantime, had left the county,
but subsequently returned and was on his claim in the Spring of 1834. As a
house was ready, in September, 1833, to receive Payne's family, it is tolerably
certain that he had taken up his claim early in the Summer. From these
facts, and the general belief of early settlers, we shall agree with previous
writers upon the subject, and consider Payne's settlement the first in Kane
County.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 297
Col. Joseph Lyon, from the Empire State, settled in Batavia early in 1834,
and remained in the village throughout its settlement and progress until 1875,
when he left for Stockton, California, his present home. Few men have ever
possessed more fully the esteem of their townsmen. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and was, for a number of years before his removal to California,
the oldest settler in the county. Capt. C. B. Dodson, now the oldest, settled
at Clybournville, a mile and a half south of Batavia village, in June, 1834.
But Clybournville was only a prospect then, and is only a memory now. No
sooner had Capt. Dodson settled than he commenced building the first saw-mill
in the county, at the mouth of Mill Creek, and the first store, for trade with
the Indians. In the same year, a partnership was formed between himself and
Mr. Clybourn, of Chicago, and the settlement at the mouth of the creek was
named in honor of Capt. Dodson's partner. Great preparations were made to
trade with the Indians, and an old hunter, one Caldwell, from Michigan, was
kept^n the swamps with the redskins, as an agent. The store was often filled
with the skins which were purchased for almost nothing and sold for but little
more. A young Indian chief was obtained to stay in the store, for the purpose
of teaching the American clerk his language, and for communicating with his
own race as few of them understood the English language well and Capt.
Dodson himself soon learned to speak the Pottowattomie vernacular with nearly
as much fluency as his mother tongue. His life has been a remarkably event-
ful one, both before and after his arrival in Illinois. It required no small
amount of courage and determination to settle almost the only European
amid hordes of the hereditary enemies of the white race, conciliated within a
comparatively recent period, and well aware that the government was plotting
"to cheat them out of their land. Capt. Dodson Avas well acquainted with Wau-
bansie and Shabbona, and describes the former as a man of splendid personal
appearance, who always carried a long spear as a badge of his exalted position
in his tribe. He never spoke the language of the conquering race well, but
independently used his own, whether in conversation with his tribe or with
others. In 1835, Dodson & Clybourn took a contract from the Government to
remove the Indians to Council Bluffs and Kansas. Waubansie lingered upon
his hunting grounds, reluctant to go, until many of his friends had left, but was
at length induced to leave at the solicitation of Capt. Dodson. He was the last
of his tribe to go, however, and it may be doubted if he would have gone at all,
had not the squaws been induced to take their places in the wagons prepared for
them, and the journey commenced. Then he followed, and left the valley of
Fox River forever. Previous to their departure, Col. Lyon had made an un-
successful attempt to civilize one of them. The result illustrates the lazy na-
ture of the race. Neuqua, eldest son of Waubansie, was an intelligent young
man and a general favorite among the settlers. As he wandered into a field one
day, where Col. Lyon was at work, the latter staked out a small piece of land
plowed and -ready to plant, and told him that if he would put the seed in the
298 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
ground, he should have the entire crop for his trouble. The idea pleased him,
and he promised to be on hand the next morning. True to his pledge, he ap-
peared at the time designated, but with him came a dozen or more squaws, with
hoes upon their shoulders. Col. Lyon remonstrated, informing him that the
bargain was that he should perform the work himself, and intimated that the
land was not staked out to afford him an opportunity to give practical illustra-
tions of Avoman's rights. But in vain was the attempt. Neuqua replied, " Me
hunt the meat, squaw hunt the corn," and would not touch a hoe. This chief
is said to have raised a regiment of Pottawattomies in Kansas, and assisted the
Northern army in Missouri during the late war.
We have it from the authority of 'Squire Town, that James Vanatta was
located upon a claim east of Batavia village, previous to January, 1834, and
one Corey, about the same time, was settled on a tract adjoining. During the
latter part of December, 1833, James Nelson took up a claim and built a cabin
in a grove known to the early settlers as Nelson's Grove, about two miles west
of the village, and moved into his house in January, 1834. The place is now
known as the Carr farm. John Gregg, the first blacksmith in the township,
settled on what is now known as the Griffith place, east of the village, early in
the Spring of 1834. His services were in great demand, as he was an excel-
lent workman, and the prairie breakers used to come to his shop from Rockford
a journey which required a week to perform and return to get their plows
repaired.
The first death in the township was that of a child of one Myers, who kept
house for Capt. Dodson in 1834, and the first death of an adult, that of Mrs.
Ward, in the Fall of the same year.
Settlers flocked in during 1835, 1836 and 1837, and before the close of
the year 1838 we find, aside from those already mentioned, J. W. Churchill,
William Van Nortwick, Joel McKee, James Risk, James Rockwell, Dr. D. K.
and Horace Town, William Vandeventer, Isaac Wilson, George Fowler and
James Latham, all permanently located in Batavia. Clybournville, although it
was proposed to locate the county seat there in 1836, never became more than
an exceedingly small hamlet, but Batavia village, just north of it, attained the
position which the cluster of shanties at the mouth of Mill Creek never gained.
The history of that village is the history of Batavia Township, since little of
historical importance has transpired in the latter since its settlement. Its fer-
tile farms passed from squatter claims to Government purchases without excite-
ment, or injustice to any man, since the settlers had formed regular claim or-
ganizations, in common with the other townships, and each tract was purchased
and retained by the original owner at a dollar and a quarter per acre. From
that day to this, the quiet but steady occupation upon which all others depend
has been pursued and abundantly rewarded. The assessed valuation of its land
in 1876 was $665,007.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 299
EDUCATION
has received more than usual attention in this township, and it claims the first
school in the county. This was taught in a log house on Col. Lyon's claim, a
mile east of the village, in the Fall of 1834. The teacher was a Vermonter,
by the name of Knowles, and the average number of pupils in attendance,
nine. The estimated valuation of school property in Geneva and Batavia, for
the year 1876, was $70,000, nearly $40,000 of which is- contained in Batavia.
WAR RECORD.
There came a time in Batavia' s history when the usual uneventful course of
daily pursuits was broken, and every patriotic soul burned with indignation
the day when the wires proclaimed throughout the land that the national flag
had been fired upon. Then did the township first in the county in settlement,
schools and progress of every description take her place among the first in the
defense of the country. Three companies were enrolled in the village during
the war one for the Forty-second, one for the Fifty-second and one for the One
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois regiments. Among the officers from
Batavia may be mentioned Col. E. D. Swain, now in Chicago ; Major H. K.
Wolcott, and Col. D. C. Newton, still residents of Batavia ; Major Adin Mann
and Capt. E. S. Stafford, since removed West, and F. P. Crandon, who enlisted
in the First Maryland Cavalry. The names of those who fell upon the numer-
ous Southern battle fields, or perished in those cursed prisons, we have not the
statistics to obtain ; but wherever their graves may lie scattered though they
may be throughout the South, or removed to Northern cemeteries a grateful
nation honors them.
" And freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell a weeping hermit there."
CITY OF BATAVIA.
The manufacturing village of Batavia is situated on both banks of Fox
River, about two miles by rail from Geneva, and seven miles from Aurora.
The first claim taken up within its limits, which is also generally considered
the first in the county, was made by Christopher Payne, in October, 1833,
on the east side of the river. Much dispute has occurred concerning Payne's
nativity, some contending that he was a North Carolinian, and others that he
entered the county from nearly every point of the compass ; but E. S. Town, Esq.,
who settled on the West Side, in June, 1834, upon the plaee now occupied by
C. W. Porter, and who was well acquainted with Payne, and possesses an
excellent memory of early events, states that he had frequently told him that
he hailed from the Empire State, but had been a wanderer nearly all his life.
Like the celebrated character whose name, with a varied orthography, he bore,
he could say that the world was his home. He came from North Carolina to
300 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Illinois ; and Capt. Dodson states that he entered Kane County and broke land
in 1832, but left during the Indian troubles. He was a pioneer by nature,
ever hovering on the outer edge of civilization, and seldom remaining long
enough in one place to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He had been in Naper-
ville previous to settling in Kane County, but had not remained there long.
He claimed that he had first entered the county and broken some land near the
head of " Big Woods," but that his family had not come until the following year
(1833). According to Mr. Town, he was one of the roughest men in the
world, but possessed of a generous and kind nature. Capt. Dodson also states
that he was one of nature's noblemen. He was extremely hospitable, and his
little sixteen square log shanty, the first in Batavia, was frequently crowded
with strangers. It has long been torn down and forgotten. It may also be
considered the first tavern in the place, as Payne there entertained all the
explorers who sought his door as long as he remained in Batavia, and it was
the general and only resort. When Mr. Town, Harry Boardman,* afterward
well known in Batavia, and a gentleman whose name has no connection with
this history, visited the "Big Woods," in June, 1834, they found Payne
comfortably located with his family, a parcel of land under cultivation, and a
yoke of oxen. That night there were sixteen lodged in his house. As Mrs.
Payne was spreading the blankets upon the floor for the guests, one of them
remarked that he could not imagine where she could dispose of them all, to
which the good woman replied that there would be plenty of room as she had
lodged twenty-three there by tucking her children under her own bed. Mr.
Town settled in the same month (June, 1834), on the West Side, and during
the same year the settlement was increased by the arrival of Col. Lyon, James
Latham, Joel McKee, James Risk, Titus Howe, and Wm. Vanderventer, all of
whom took up claims near the preseut corporation limits. Col. Lyon arrived
on the 24th of April, 1834, and remained in town during its settlement and
much of its progress, but is now residing in California. James Latham like-
wise removed to California, where he died. Joel McKee died at his residence
near Batavia some years ago. James Risk emigrated to Kansas, and Howe
and Vandeventer are in their graves. Howe was the first to utilize the water
power of the town, by building a dam and a frame for a saw-mill at the lower
end of the island in 1835, but the dam was carried away in a flood the follow-
ing Spring. The property was purchased by Van JSTortwick, Barker, House &
Co., and the saw-mill removed and operated by them further up the stream.
In 1835, a number of families settled in and about Batavia, among them
Judge Wilson, William Van Nortwick and his son, John, and J. W. Churchill.
The first was the father of Hon. Isaac G. Wilson, well known through the
county, and located on the claim taken by Christopher Payne, the latter re-
moving to parts unknown, according to his usual custom. The house which
Judge Wilson erected is now occupied as a residence by Frank Snow, on the
* Died near Naperville, 1877.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 301
original site. To Wilson, who emigrated from Batavia, N. Y., the name of the
town and village is due.
William Van Nortwick located on the West Side, and is long since deceased.
His son is one of the most prominent manufacturers in Batavia, or in the State.
J. W. Churchill has emigrated west.
The settlement of the country occupied by the present village had not been
completed, by any means, in 1838, for Mr. J. Rockwell, who came in that year,
and is now living in the place, says that there were not more than a half dozen
families within its limits at the time of his arrival. Among them were Horace
Town, deceased, and (jr. W. Fowler, still one of the prominent business men of
the place.
During the earliest years of the occupation of the "Head of Big Woods,"
the nearest post office was Naperville. Letters came to that point for settlers
in all parts of the region now known as Kane County, and some are now in
existence directed "Naperville, Head of Big Woods," and "Naperville,
McCarty's Mill." Owing to mistakes which frequently occurred, where so
little was known of the country, it was often more convenient to receive mes-
sages from civilization at the Chicago office, and Mr. Town states that during
his first year in Batavia he went there for his newspaper. But the settlers had
not long to endure this inconvenience before a post office was established at
Geneva ; and in 1842, Judge Wilson was appointed the first Postmaster in
Batavia.
A school was opened as early as 1835, and possibly in 1834, in a small log
house. One Cleghorn was the earliest pedagogue.
In 1835, Father Clark preached the first sermon, in a grove near Payne's
residence ; and in June, of the same year, Joel McKee established the first
store in town, on the West Side, near the northern line of the present corpora-
tion.
The first resident physician in the town was Dr. D. K. Town, the commence-
ment of whose practice there dates from 1839. He is still a resident of the
place, although retired from practice.
In 1835, J. W. Churchill located in the village as the first attorney, and
in the following year was elected to the State Senate. He removed to Daven-
port, Iowa, about 1853.
The original plat of the village was laid out upon the East Side, in 1837, by
Van Nortwick, Barker, House & Co. ; that of the West Side in 1844, by John
Van Nortwick.
A bridge was constructed in 1837 across the Fox River, and paid for by
subscription ; and in 1843, a second one, further up the stream. In 1854, the
bridge from the East Side to the island was built, of the stone for which Batavia
is so justly noted. In 1857, owing to some deficiency in its structure, a por-
tion of it was carried away by a freshet, but it was immediately rebuilt by the
town, in its present durable form, with six arches. It has cost $9,000,
302 HISTORl" OF KANE COUNTY.
but has outlasted all the other bridges of its day in Kane County, and is the
only stone bridge ever built across Fox River. Preparations are now being
made to erect a similar one from the island to the west bank, and the materials
are already on the ground.
In 1836, an election was held at the house of Judge Wilson, at which Mr.
E. S. Town and the late Ira Minard, of St. Charles, were elected Justices of
the Peace for Sandusky Precinct, which included Batavia, Geneva and St.
Charles, and was bounded by no definite lines. Mr. Town was thus the first
Justice in Batavia.
In the following year, the first hotel in the village if we except Payne's
house was opened by Charles Ballard, where ^ the Revere House now stands.
The first child born in the town, and probably the first in the county, was 10,
Dodson Vandeventer, still a resident of Batavia, who dates from October 1834.
MANUFACTURES.
Since the events recorded above, and within forty years, Batavia has taken
an enviable position among the villages of the West. Her manufactures have
found their way, not only to all parts of the United States, but to nearly every
country on the globe ; and in certain special products she not only leads the
county and State, but the world.
After purchasing the water power of Titus Howe, and removing the saw-
mill, Van Nortwick, Barker, House & Co. built, near the site of the Challenge
Mills, in 1837, the Batavia Mills, and operated them for a number of years,
in custom work. Alison House then purchased them, and in 1850 they were
purchased of his heirs by McKee & Moss. An extensive business was carried
on until 1872, when the establishment burned down, and has never been re-
built. It contained three run of stones, and a capacity of 500 barrels of flour
per week. The principal proprietor, Mr. Joel McKee, died a few years later.
An obituary writer in the Aurora Beacon paid a splendid tribute to his integrity
by the simple statement, "Grain carried to his mill always held out well."
Saw-Mitts. In 1844, John Van Nortwick erected a saw-mill upon the
island. A planing-mill was attached to it at a later date, and the whole oper-
ated for several years, then sold to L. & D. Newton, and finally purchased by
John Van Nortwick, the original proprietor, in whose possession it remains.
Barrel Factory. In 1854, an old building which had previously been used
as a distillery, standing upon the east side, nearly opposite the office of the
Batavia News, was enlarged and converted into a barrel factory by Hoyt &
Smith, who continued operations some two years, employing from twenty to
twenty-five men. The company then failed, and the property passed into the
hands of E. S. Town; was used for a time by A. Palmer, as a manufactory of
sorghum, then by J. W. Eddy, as a flax factory, and was at length burned
down, about 1864.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 303
Wagon and Carriage Factory. This extensive establishment was founded
in 1854, by L. Newton & Co. Only thirty-six wagons and thirty-five buggies
were made during the first year. The business, however, was gradually enlarged
in 1857, the firm name was changed to Newton & Co., and in 186 f 8 a great addi-
tion was made to their works, which included a magnificent stone front build-
ing, sixty feet square and three stories high, erected at a cost of $12,000. In
December, 1872, during one of the coldest nights of the year, about two hun-
dred feet were burned from the rear of the works, but the proprietors immedi-
ately rebuilt, and in the following year the Company was incorporated, with
Levi Newton, President ; D. C. Newton, Vice President, and H. K. Wolcott,
Secretary. Since then, from eighty to one hundred hands have been em-
ployed, and during the year 1877, 1,500 farm wagons, 200 spring wagons
and about 100 other carriages were taken from the shops. The work ranks
in quality with the best in the market.
Island Mills. The Island Mills, named from the location on the southern
part of the business section of the island, were put up as flouring-mills, in 1859,
by Town, Pierce & Payne. After passing through various hands, they became
(June 30, 1873) the property of the Batavia Paper Manufacturing Company,
who lease to H. Cogger. A steady business is obtained and a good grade of
flour made. The building, like so many others in the village, is of Butavia stone.
Pump Manufactory. Messrs. Norris & Doty are the manufacturers of A
No. 1 Pump, and are also engaged in doing a general business in wood-work.
The manufacture of pumps is a long established industry in Batavia.
Batavia Paper Manufacturing Company. The fine stone buildings occu-
pied by this company were originally put up (about 1851) by the Fox River
Manufacturing Company, for the construction of box cars. They laid idle
until May, 1862, when they were purchased by Rowland & Co., and converted
into a paper mill. About 1866, the mill passed into the possession of the Chi-
cago Fiber & Paper Company, which subsequently went into bankruptcy, and
the property was bought, in August, 1870, by the present owners. The main
building is formed of cut stone, is two stories high, with basement, and 150
feet long. The ground area of the combined buildings, aside from the sheds
and warehouses, is 30,760 square feet. More than half of the buildings are of
stone. Print paper has been made since 1862 ; from sixty to eighty hands are
employed, and six tons of paper manufactured daily. The leading Chicago
journals are or have been at various times supplied wholly or in part there.
Two paper machines in the main building cost $25,000, and the establishment
is the largest one of the kind in Illinois, or throughout the West beyond the
Indiana and Ohio boundary. It is under the management of an incorporated
company, of which John Van Nortwick is President.
The U. S. Wind Engine $ Pump Company was started in 1853, for the
manufacture of the Halliday Wind Mill, pumps, feed mills, and fixtures. It is
said to be the largest and best wind mill factory in the United States, and ships
304 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
the manufactured article to all parts of the civilized world. Mr. Daniel Halli-
day, the inventor of the mill, is one of the best known -and most respected busi-
ness men in the country, and has contributed largely to the prosperity of the vil-
lage. One hundred men are employed on an average in the shops. The com-
pany is incorporated and John Van Nortwick is the President.
Challenge Mills. The Challenge Mill Company, engaged in the manufac-
ture of the Nichols Wind Mill, feed mills, corn shellers, and pumps, com-
menced operations under the proprietorship of Burr & Armstrong, in 1867.
Two hands performed the work at the commencement, but in 1869 the business
was enlarged, and from that date to 1871, from thirty to fifty men were em-
ployed. On the 10th of March, 1872, the building was destroyed in the con-
flagration which also consumed the Batavia Mills. The loss of the Challenge
Mills was in the neighborhood of $45,000, $20,000 of which was covered by
insurance, but only $150 of the insurance was ever obtained. The company
immediately commenced building on a larger scale than before, and on the
afternoon of April 24, one month and fourteen days from the time of the de-
struction, the wheels were again set in motion. The number of men employed
varies from twenty-five to sixty, and the mills made are too well and favorably
known to need any praise.
Batavia Foundry. In 1867, Mr. A. N. Merrill started a small foundry at
Batavia. Mr. D. R. Sperry subsequently purchased an interest in the concern,
and in 1869 bought out Merrill. The foundry is now worked under the name
of D. R. Sperry & Co., and has been engaged for some time in job work.
From thirty to fifty hands are employed, and the hollow-ware and other pro-
ducts shipped enjoy a wide-spread reputation.
Osgood $ Shumway's Foundry. In the Summer of 1872, Merrill & Shum-
way commenced the foundry business in the stone building on the island now
occupied by Osgood & Shumway. The firm was changed to Merrill & Osgood
for a period of less than a year, and in 1875 became known under its present
name. A machine shop is attached to the foundry, and the number of tons of
iron used in the works during the past year (1877) is 600. From thirty to
forty men are employed. The business is principally contract work. There
are, aside from the above, two other small foundries in the village.
The Batavia Manufacturing Company is engaged in the construction of
Nichols' Centennial Wind Mill, a patent tire-shrinker and several the or small but
standard articles. The company has but recently commenced on the island, near
Osgood & Shumway's foundry, but the quality of the articles which are presented
for the public patronage make the prospects of success extremely probable.
Cheese Factory. A cheese factory has been opened in a substantial stone
building, upon the ruins of the old flax-mill, during the past season (1877).
Its cheese is highly recommended by competent judges of the merits of the
article, and we are told that the factory has been generally patronized by the
farmers of the immediate vicinity.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 305
QUARRIES.
To her quarries, next to her great manufacturing interests, has Batavia been
indebted for her prosperity. In about 1842, Z. Reynolds opened the first on
the West Side, since which time no less than ten have been operated success-
fully, so far as success depended upon finding a quality of stone adapted to all
building purposes. It is obtained from two inches in thickness to three feet and
three inches, and of as large an area as can be moved. Single blocks eight to
ten inches thick, nine feet wide and twenty feet long have been shipped from
the quarries to Chicago. It is a quality of limestone, and equal to any lime-
stone quarried for building.
Extensive kilns have been built by J. T. & F. P. Brady above one of the
quarries which had not proved a financial success ; and from the limestone,
which lies ten feet deep above the building stone, they are manufacturing an
excellent quality of lime.
A history of the quarries and their successive transfers from owner to owner
to the present time would not interest the general reader. Hundreds of hands
have found employment in them, and they have not only contributed to the
prosperity of the place by bringing wealth from outside and furnishing employ-
ment for its laborers, but by placing at convenient distances, and for a merely
nominal sum, a material with which to build its schools, churches, manufactur-
ing establishments, business blocks, many of its private residences and the side-
walks of its principal streets, lasting as the eternal hills.
RAILROADS.
The 0., 0. & F. R. V. Railroad and the C., B. & Q. are sufficiently noticed
in the chapter upon Aurora. Each enter Batavia, and each have depots within
the corporation limits. In 1873, the Chicago & Northwestern Road, wishing
to use the Batavia stone for building its extensive shops in West Chicago, laid
a track from Geneva to Batavia and opened a convenient and handsome depot
there on the 5th of May. Many of the citizens, who had hitherto shipped
their freight over the other roads, immediately commenced business with the
Northwestern, and it now furnishes a thoroughfare for the transportation of
more than half the freight that leaves the village. The entire business of the
branch track amounts to $40,000 per annum ; that of the C., B. Q., from
Batavia, $19,000, and the Fox River Valley, about $7,200. Nine trains leave
the Batavia depots daily.
The business of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at the C., B. & Q.
depot, amounts to about $50.00 per month.
SCHOOLS.
West Side, The West Side School is situated in District No. 5, which ex-
tends from the Aurora line across the line which separates Batavia from the
town of Geneva. A building was erected near the present site, about 1852, at
306 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
a cost of some $1,200 ; but as it became unsuitable to the requirements of
the growing village, it was determined by the citizens to erect a structure
which should be an honor to their enterprise and' intelligence as long as time
permitted it to stand. Accordingly, in 1867, the imposing pile, which is the
first object to greet the eye on approaching the village, was commenced and
completed in the following year, at a cost of $27,100. It contains four depart-
ments, five teachers are employed, and 216 pupils receive instruction there.
Present Principal, A. S. Barry.
East Side. The East Side School, although less ambitious in its architec-
ture, is a large structure of the same durable material, completed in 1860 at a
cost of about nine thousand dollars. It is located in District No. 6. Six
teachers are employed in its several departments, and 472 pupils are in attend-
ance. 0. T. Snow is the present Principal.
CHUKCHES.
Congregational. Mention has already been made of the early preaching
of Rev. N. C. Clark, whose first sermon in Kane County was delivered in Au-
gust, 1834, at the house of Christopher Payne. During the following year,
the old records state that he again preached in an old school house on the east
side of the river, within the limits of a farm now owned by Spencer Johnson ;
and that on the 8th of August, 1835, the Congregational Church, known as
"Big Woods Church," was first organized as a Presbyterian church, with
fourteen members. This was the first organized religious denomination in Kane
County. On the 29th of January, 1841, the first Presbyterian Church was dedi-
cated in the village, and on the llth of November, 1843, the change was made in
name and form, and the church became Congregational. Later, members were
dismissed to assist in the organization of churches at Elgin, St. Charles,
Geneva and Aurora. In 1853, the old building was enlarged ; and in 1856,
the second house of worship was erected, at a cost of about thirteen thousand dol-
lars, being at the time of its completion the best church edifice on Fox River.
The old building was afterward purchased by the Catholics. The membership of
the Congregational Church has been increased from the original fourteen to 200.
The Methodist Episcopal denomination was one of the very earliest to
appear in Batavia, as in nearly every other new country. The building now oc-
cupied by them was erected in 1852, and cost $4,000. Present membership, 177.
Baptist. The Baptist Church, called at first the Regular Church of Christ,
at Big Woods, was organized June 16, 1836. Its first members were Isaac
Wilson and Susanna Wilson, his wife, Major Osborn and Sophia Osborn, his
wife, Hiram Park, Maless'on Haynes, Levi Ward, Fanny Wilson, Silas T.
Ward, William E. Burt and Lydia Hurlburt. Elder R. B. Ashley was its first
pastor. After the Congregationalists had built a church, the Baptists occupied
it alternately with them for a number of years, but, in 1850, they built the
house of worship which they still occupy. The present membership is 110.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 307
Episcopal. Many years ago, an Episcopal Church was formed in Batavia,
and, in process of time, a wooden building was put up ; this occurred about
twenty years ago, but the building, being poorly constructed, was blown down.
The organization, however, still exists, and meetings are held in Buck's Hall,
the Rector from Geneva, Rev. N. J. O'Brian, officiating. Present member-
ship, sixty-eight.
Catholic. The Catholics organized about 1855, and have since occupied
the old Congregational Church. Several years ago, an effort was made to-
erect a new building, and the foundation was"* laid on the East Side, but it
remains unfinished to date.
The Grerman Methodist Episcopal organization was formed in Batavia
under the name of the German Evangelical Association of North America,
about 1860, and their building erected in 1866, which they still occupy. It
stands on the east side of the river, and is a small but well-built wooden edifice.
Colored Methodist Episcopal. No sooner had the result of the late war
decided the future destiny of the colored population in this country, than a
number of that race flocked to Batavia and, in 1865, put up a small wooden
church. Present membership, about twenty-five.
The Disciples organized in the village with eleven members, in December,
1852, and reorganized in February of the following year. M. W. Lord was
the first preacher. In 1867, they had attained sufficient strength to build a
church, and have continued steadily increasing.
Swedenborgian. In the Fall of 1868, a Swedenborgian organization wa&
formed in Buck's Hall, under the leadership of H. 0. Snow. There were but
fifteen members at first, but their numbers have increased slowly, and at present
the membership is about twenty-three. In the Fall of 1874, they purchased a
lot on the West Side and made preparations to build, but the financial crisis
occurring about the same time, and several of the members suffering thereby,
the project was postponed and the lot sold. The society still meets regularly
in the original place of worship.
The Free Will Baptists undertook to form a permanent society in the place
a few years ago, but, being few and weak in numbers, never attempted to build r
and at length discontinued preaching.
Swedish Methodist Episcopal. In September, 1870, Rev. August Wei-
gren preached to a small Swedish congregation in the village. In the follow-
ing year, a church having been organized, efforts were made to build, the result
of which was the little brown wood church on the West Side, completed in 1872.
There are now about thirty-six members.
Independent Sivedish Evangelical Lutheran. Four members of this branch
of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Batavia, used to meet in pri-
vate houses for worship in 1870. There were no other members of that organi-
zation in the place, but others came, and in 1872, they rented Fowler's Hall,
and in 1876, built a small wood church on the West Side. Rev. I. N. San-
308 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
gren was their first preacher. The organization is still small, numbering not
more than sixteen members.
Swedish Lutheran. Fifty-two members were dismissed, in 1872, from the
Swedish Lutheran Church, in Geneva, to organize a church in Batavia. The
old stone school house was purchased and converted into a very comfortable
house of worship, in which Rev. Mr. Lyndale, the resident Pastor in Geneva,
preached once in two weeks. The members steadily increased, and at the
present time the membership is one hundred, enjoying regular preaching weekly
from a resident Pastor, Rev. Mr. Ternstadt.
In the Spring of 1835, a Union Sabbath School, the first in the county,
was organized in Batavia.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
About ten years ago, a society, formed by the young people of the village
for literary purposes, commenced a library. The use of the volumes was lim-
ited to members of the organization, and outsiders were not allowed to remove
them from the shelves. Several of the intelligent business men feeling the
need of a collection of books to which all should have free access, the society was
induced to contribute its collection to that purpose, and with liberal subscrip-
tions in money from many of the citizens, 700 volumes were obtained. This
number has been increased, by general subscriptions, to 1,000. The rules of
the association are exceedingly liberal. Any one a resident of the village or a
stranger above fourteen years of age, is allowed to remove a volume at a
time and retain it for two weeks. It contains many valuable works of romance
and books of reference, history and biography. Its officers are John Van Nort-
wick, President; J. 0. McClellan, Vice President; Wm. Burnham, Treasurer;
F. H. Buck, Librarian. It is supported by subscription, some of the citizens
contributing largely for its increase and support. Its President has given $100
annually since its organization.
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.
E. S. and Dr. D. K. Town were, from the commencement of the village,
among the most enterprising in the promotion of every object which was
projected for its prosperity, and accordingly, in 1853-4, they built, with the
assistance of others, prominent among whom were John Van Nortwick, Joel
McKee and Rev. Stephen Peet, an institution of learning, on the West Side,
which enjoyed, for about ten years, a high reputation. The adoption of the
school law rendered the continuation of the school less essential to the welfare
of Batavia, and the building was, therefore, sold and fitted for a private asylum
for the insane It is built of cut stone; cost, originally, some $20,000.
and $10,000 have since been expended upon re. It commands a beau-
tiful view, and is thus appropriately named. The grounds connected with the
building are under excellent cultivation, and the green-houses cover an area of
HON IRA MINARD (DECEASED)
ST CHARLES.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 311
10,000 square feet. No serious accident has occurred since the hospital was
opened. It is under the medical care of Dr. R. J. Patterson, formerly Med-
ical Superintendent of the Indiana State Hospital for the Insane, late Medical
Superintendent of the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane, and formerly Pro-
fessor of Medical Jurisprudence in the Chicago Medical College.
The institution is arranged with special reference to the treatment of
patients who possess means to defray their expenses, and one of the main ob-
jects sought is to give the entire establishment the character of a home, and
not a prison. Hence the insane and useless restraints which are often thrown
around the unfortunate patient in other hospitals are here removed, together
with everything revolting to the senses, while luxury and elegance abound on
all sides. "Who enters here bids hope farewell" needs not to be engraved
above its doors, as upon a majority of the so-called asylums, and the patient
who cannot recover under the kind treatment of its genial owner and Superin-
tendent may be said to be indeed incurable.
THE PRESS.
About 1852, a Democratic campaign paper, called the Expositor, was
started in Batavia, by James Risk and others, but, before becoming firmly
established, it died a natural death. Subsequently, a second attempt, by other
parties, to establish a paper proved equally futile ; but, in 1869, Messrs. Roof
& Lewis issued the first copy of the Batavia News, which has been published
ever since. In May, 1870, Mr. 0. B. Merrill purchased Roof's interest, and,
in October of the same year, was bought out by Mr. Lewis, its present editor
and proprietor. It claims to be independent in politics, is a six-column quarto,
30x44, and is printed on a steam power press. Circulation, 480. The Fox
River Times was issued by Roof, Gates & Fox, in the Summer of 1876, and
was an eight-column folio, surpassing, in the neatness of its typography, every
other paper on Fox River. It died in less than three months.
INCORPORATION. f
Batavia was incorporated as a village in April, 1856. Its first Trustees
were John Van Nortwick, Orsamus Wilson, M. N. Lord, D. U. Griffin and
George E. Corwin. Few villages possess greater advantages, natural or
artificial. Aside from those which have been mentioned are its excellent
water power and its favorable distance from the great city of Chicago, while it
already contains the common protections and social organizations of large cities
a fire company, cornet band, Masonic Lodge, and various other associations.
GENEVA TOWNSHIP.
Geneva occupies the northern part of Town 39, North Range 8 East of the
Third Principal Meridian, and contains Geneva village, the county seat. The
township is north of Batavia and south of St. Charles ; is crossed from east to
312 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
west by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, along the west side of Fox
River by the Fox River Valley Road and the St. Charles branch of the
Chicago & Northwestern.
SETTLEMENT.
Settlements were made along the river banks a year, at least, before those
in the country east and west, the first being within the present corporation
limits, and mentioned in the sketch of Geneva village. Fox River was no
chain of stagnant mill ponds then, but clear as a New England brook meander-
ing from its home in the mountains. Its banks were not less beautiful than
now, though that beauty was of a milder type. Forests covered the rolling
table lands, which were too low to be called hills by the eastern explorer, and
too rugged to be designated as prairies by the Western pioneer. The deer still
rambled along its slopes, and were hunted by men as wild as they ; and all
nature strove to present a combination of varied objects picturesque as fancy
can portray, and charming even to the eyes of the settlers who had wandered
there from the hills and valleys of the Quaker State, unsurpassed in their
majesty and romantic beauty. The living sources of information concerning
the settlement of this township can give no record of its events in which they
participated previous to April, and but a limited one previous to June, 1834.
All prior events are obtained from what was told them when they came by
settlers then in the country, and from exceedingly limited and often unreliable
written accounts. Such men as Haight, Crow, Corey and Andrew Miles were
not literary in their habits. They never questioned whether the " pen was
mightier"' than anything or not, nor dreamed that they were making history .-
And had they foreseen the future they would no doubt have contented themselves
with forming its past without recording it. A drink of whisky or a fight had
more charms to them than the perpetuation of their memory by posterity, and
had their immortality depended upon themselves, their names would have been
stricken from the county records in 1837. They were- a brave, a hardy, an
honest class of men, and their vices were such as were common to the border,
and which civilization would have removed and replaced, possibly, by more
degrading ones. They drank to excess, they fought like Bengal tigers, but
always in what they considered a fair way, and deceit or fraud were utterly
foreign to their natures. Their word was more binding to them than any
written obligation, and countless thousands could be safely trusted in their
hands. They were honest men " the noblest works of God." Haight's
record will appear in the sketch of Geneva village. Of Crow little is known,
except that he took up a claim on the east side of the river in 1833, or early in
1834, sold early, and had left the township in the Spring of 1835. Samuel Corey,
one of the stalwart Hoosiers from the Wabash, lived on the place now owned by
George Acers, on the north edge of Batavia, in June, 1834, wherehehad been
living for several months at least Capt. C. B. Dodson states that he often
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 313
transacted business for him, and that he had trusted him with large sums of gold,
and had found him always reliable and trustworthy, but apparently as careless as he
was honest. He would ride off over the country with two or three thousand dollars
in his saddle-bags, and stopping at one of the rude Hoosier houses would hangup
his saddle, wealth and all, out doors for the night. On being cautioned against
such a reckless course, he claimed that none would steal traps that the owner
appeared to consider worthless. An accident illustrative of his reckless
character occurred to him in 1834, and nearly ended his life. One day Capt.
Dodson appeared in his presence ready for ajourney. " Where are you going ?"
said Corey ; to which Dodson replied, " To the first wedding in the country,
that of Volney Hill," who lived in Du Page County. Corey answered him
with an oath that he was going too, as he had a pair of steelyards that he had
borroAved of Capt. Naper, and which he must return ; "and, by G ," he
added, " I'll give you the worst race you were ever led." Dodson informed
him that he would be happy to have him undertake it, and mounting their
horses they started off at a desperate speed. But Corey, hampered with the
steelyards, was soon brought up against a tree, knocked senseless from his
horse, and lay like one dead upon the ground. On being restored, his first
word was an oath, and an assurance that he would go to the wedding anyhow ;
but he was more seriously injured than he at first supposed, was confined to
his bed for several days, and wisely refrained in the future from horse races
when trammeled with anything more than his own weight. Miles, who is repre-
sented by our worthy informant as a good-natured, lazy and ignorant native of
Indiana, had taken up a claim upon the East Side, and was living in a miser-
able shanty, upon Capt. Dodson's arrival, but was bought out by him previous
to 1835. He was one of the earliest settlers in the county, and was doubtless
upon his claim late in 1833. But the earliest living informant regarding this
region is Mrs. C. B. Dodson, then Miss Warren, who was one of a party of six
from near Warrenville, Du Page County, who explored Geneva in a lumber
wagon in April, 1834. The party was induced to make the journey from the
representations of Frederick Bird, her brother-in-law, who had previously
been along the banks of Fox River, and described Geneva as " the most beauti-
ful country that lay out doors." He settled in the same year on the farm now
owned by Eben Danford, and was residing there in April, 1835, but about that
time sold his claim to Samuel Sterling, removed to the vicinity of Rockford, where
he subsequently died. He was a native of New York. Capt. Dodson states that
upon his settlement at the mouth of Mill Creek, in June, 1834, Wheeler was living
upon the Curtis farm, and he represents him as very similar in character to
AndreAv Miles, and a native of the same State. According to Hon. James
Herrington, the Curtis place was occupied in the Spring of 1835 by Allen
Ware, a bachelor from Virginia, who is portrayed by him as in rather better
circumstances than his neighbors, living in a comfortable cabin, with a barn
good for those days near by, and an orchard of young apple trees near ,his
314 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
door. Just below this place, in June, 1834, lived another Hoosier, Arthur
Aken, but his claim was sold early, and he continued with so many of his class
to break land for others to cultivate. Ware also left before the country had
emerged from its original wild state. Capt. Dodson further states that Edward
Trimble, from the Pan Handle part of the Old Dominion, was living on the
East Side, upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Sterling, when he arrived in the
country, and that during, the same year (1834) his marriage to a daughter of
Christopher Payne occurred at the house of the bride's father, where he
(Dodson) had the pleasure of dancing at the wedding, on the puncheon floor.
Every township claims the first death, marriage and birth in the county, but
our informant assures us that this is without doubt the first of the numerous
first weddings. Trimble left the country in 1836, and was subsequently killed
by Indians in the far West. His brother, William Trimble, settled in the
village. The same reliable informant tells us that one Latham settled between
Payne and Miles in Batavia, early in 1834, and that late in 1833, James
Nelson, the settler in honor of whom Nelson's Grove was named, had built a
cabin there, and that the Bowmans and Lairds, from Pennsylvania, had
squatted among the Pottawattomies, in Aurora Township, in the same year.
These earliest settlers were, as has been seen, mainly from Indiana. Sev-
eral of them were in the country in 1833, and of these it may now be consid-
ered impossible to state which was first. From a statement made by Payne to
'Squire E. S. Town and others, Haight is generally considered to have pre-
ceded the others ; but, in regard to the priority of time of several of the earliest
of those in the present township of Geneva, nothing positive can be stated.
They were a simple and generous people, honest themselves, as has been stated,
and, as is often the case among such people, believing in the honesty of every
one. An illustration of this faith in others is given by the authority who has
already been so frequently quoted. Col. Archer, of Indiana, formerly
from Kentucky, was a great man in 1836, for he held the high position of an
Illinois & Michigan Canal Commissioner, compared with which the Governor
of one of the Western States was as a mole hill to the Pharos of Alexandria ;
but this potentate was a Hoosier. He was a gentleman, however, possessed of
a nature which won the friendship both of the low and mighty ; was possessed
of an ample fortune, and an only daughter, whose name was Eliza, whose chief
delight was to squander it. This girl was, in many respects, unique among
her sex, not in being spoiled by her parents, but in the possession of a stature
almost gigantic, a foot which would rival in magnitude a plantation negro's, and
a disposition to which fear was utterly unknown. With all these shocking de-
formities, Eliza Archer possessed the feminine characteristics of a handsome
face and form. Previous to her importation to Chicago, where she was attend-
ing school, at the time this incident commences, she had whiled away her
leisure hours by riding wild colts, barebacked and unbridled, over the southern
fields, and in frightening her unhappy father in various other ways, too shock-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 315
ing to the modern belle to be here narrated. At school, she did precisely as
she pleased lavished money in reckless profusion upon her person, neglected
her studies, took off her shoes and stockings in recitation, appeared barefooted
in the school room, and was generally decidedly independent. Still, Miss
Archer was a good young lady, and the above are merely slight eccentricities
which her friends readily forgave.
Capt. Dodson took a contract, during the year, 1836, to construct the
canal, and became acquainted with Col. Archer. At that time, Dodson owned,
aside from his Clybournville and Geneva property, a mill on the Kishwaukee,
which he wished to dispose of previous to signing the contract. Accordingly,
he stated to the Colonel that he would like to wait a few days before concluding
their arrangements regarding the canal, and told him that he was going on a
journey Westward the next morning. " How far are you going?" said Col.
Archer." To Rock River." "Do you know my daughter, Eliza?" Dodson,
who had met her while visiting his future wife, who attended the same school,
replied that he did. " Well, then," said Archer, "she is going to Rock River,
too; can't you take her?" Dodson said he was going horseback. "Just the
way she goes," said the Cononel. A party of Chicago's "upper ten" had
determined to leave the town the next day on an exploring trip across the
prairie, and Capt. Dodson was anxious to accompany them as far as their paths
lay in the same direction. The prospect of being delayed by Miss Archer was
not at all agreeable, but, rather than displease the genial Colonel, he consented.
While eating dinner on the next day, the party passed, and, soon after, Capt.
Dodson followed with the lady, who had filled her saddle-bags with provisions
for the journey, and hurried on to overtake the advanced company, whom they
came up with just in the edge of town. Miss Archer's shoe was down at the heel,
as usual, as they approached, and hovered -over the surface of the earth like a
gigantic snow-shoe or a small canoe suspended in the upper air from her
*oe. Col. Hamilton, one of the party, noticing its peculiar appearance, she
explained by saying that those shoes were "old Whitlock's," her land-
lord's, and that she had given him hers, as his own were too small for
him.
Col. Hamilton informed them that the best road to their destination was by
way of the old army trail, across Kane County, and soon after, the company
separated, the two who were bound for Rock River taking the course desig-
nated. At night, they drew up at Kent's House, at Mecham's Grove, where
the young lady amused the company with her wit and passed for Dodson 's
wife, until bedtime dispelled the illusion.
Arriving, the next day at noon, at the cabin of a Mr. Gifford, many miles
west of their lodging place of the previous night, the stubborn damsel refused
all entreaties to stop and take dinner, and, hurrying her horse past the place
to a grove a mile or more away, dismounted from her horse, " Packenham,"
and, having secured him, proceeded to unburden the saddle-bags and eat.
316 II [STORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Capt. Dodson followed her example. Then mounting their horses, Miss Eliza
held hers long enough to observe that she was dying with thirst, and then
" loosed him with a sudden lash ;
Away ! away ! and on they dash,
Torrents less rapid and less rash.
Town, village none were on their track,
But a wild plain of far extent,
And bounded by a forest black "
They rode till their thirst was insupportable, their tongues swollen and they
ready to drop from their steeds, when, turning his eye to the left, Capt. Dodson
noticed a little lake almost hidden in the trees, which they had approached and
nearly passed. Wheeling his horse, he reeled to the bank and drank as if
whole waves could never satisfy him. His rash friend, too, with even less than
her usual modesty, stretched herself at full length, drowned her thirst, and then
declared that Packenham should go into the water and get cool. But our
informant had noticed that the shore was formed of a thin muck, which sunk
beneath the slightest pressure, and told her, in decided terms, that she must not
attempt to ride in, as the horse could not possibly turn without falling. This
was enough to determine her to ride in, if all Illinois opposed her, and in she
went, for, on attempting to regain the shore, Dodson's words were verified ; the
horse went down and, having her shoe in the stirrup, Miss Archer sailed, with
her costly wrappings, into the mud and water ; but, regaining her hands and
feet at the moment Packenham arose, she scrambled out ahead of him just in
season to escape being trodden beneath his hoofs. "There," she laughed, as
she arose from the mud, "I've lost old Whitlock's shoe." But, to shorten a
long story, they arrived at the Rock River without any further adventures, Miss
Archer having ridden, incrusted in mud, from the little lake in the condition in
which she emerged from her involuntary baptism, swam the river, and she was
welcomed by her friends on the opposite shore. Mr. Dodson left their house
the next day, traveled to his destination, and, after selling his mill property,
returned for the lady, whom he had warned to be ready, that he might not be
delayed. But upon his arrival she had made no preparation to return, and
after her horse had been led to the door she suddenly concluded, at the solicita-
tions of her friends, that she would not go. The suggestion of the persecuted
Dodson that her father would expect her and require an explanation from him
were of no avail, and he was obliged to leave without her. Miss Archer made
her appearance some ten days after his arrival in Chicago, greatly to the relief
of the Colonel and Capt. Dodson, the latter of whom had, until then, been
treated with marked coldness since his arrival without her. This journey was,
probably, the most romantic of the early ones across the country.
Capt. Dodson, the first of the early settlers now living in the county, still
resides in the village of Geneva. Mrs. Dodson is also living. Miss Archer
subsequently married a planter, and lives in one of the Southern States, and
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 317
we are informed that Col. Archer, her father, now more than 80 years of age,
was a member of the last Illinois Legislature.
The wonderful strides which have been made in forty years ia the progress
of all parts of the county connot be better appreciated than by observing that
upon that memorable drive whole townships were passed without the appearance
of a house, fence or single evidence of civilization, and there was not a railroad
then in the entire State of Illinois. The absence of wood and water deterred,
for several years, settlers from locating in Geneva Township east and west of
the cluster of pioneers along the river. Particularly on the West Side, where a
small prairie stretched away into the present Township of Blackberry, was this
absence of woodland calculated to discourage Eastern men ; but before the close of
the year 1839 the real value of this section was seen to be superior, in many re-
spects, to any other in the township, and the land had been generally taken up.
Its value has greatly increased since then, not merely from its being settled
and cultivated, but from the disappearance of many of the sloughs, which for-
merly rendered large tracts along Mill Creek worthless. This creek was
reported by the Government Surveyors as a navigable stream for steamers a
statement too prodigiously absurd to require comment, and conclusive evidence
to any one who has attempted to cross it, excepting by the regular highways,
that the author of it had been "ditched" there. Among the earliest of the
immigrants to perceive that the prairie land was worth taking up were a Mr.
Cheever, on the place now known as the Lilly Farm ; William Sykes, who set-
tled about 1839 southwest of the village, upon the present Town place ; Lyman
German, about 1837, on the East Side, upon land now owned by Messrs. Joy
Woolston, while John R. Baker was on the banks of the " stream navigable
for steamers " previous to the sale of Government land. Scotto Clark, who came
from Boston in 1837, and purchased from Wheeler, also Peter Sears, who were
early settlers upon the East Side ; Robert Lester, originally from the nor.th of
Ireland, later from Canada, settled in the same year upon the same side, having
purchased of Julius Alexander, then residing upon the tract, and is living there
still, while Eben Danford purchased the old Bird place, upon the opposite side,
which is his residence to this day.
FIRST DEATH AND BIRTH.
Andrew Mills died in 1836, and was the first adult buried in the old village
cemetery.
In 1835, the first birth in the township occurred, being in the family of
Edward Trimble.
EARLY ROADS.
In these early times there were few routes of travel, but the whole country
lay open to the tramp, and he could take his choice for a footpath. The high-
way was bounded by the rising sun on the east and the setting sun on the west,
318 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
instead of fences as now, but there were a few main paths from important points,
which even then were followed with little variation. These were at first trails,
the origin of which must be sought beyond the limits of history, amid the tra-
ditional lore of the Kickapoos or the Pottawattomies, the later occupants of the
soil. They existed when the first white wanderer entered Kane County, and
for aught that is known to the contrary, some of them were old when La Salle
sailed down the Illinois River in the Winter of 1679-80.
The most noted and doubtless the only one of these trails through Geneva
extended from Chicago westward to Geneva village, past the present site of the
cheese factory, south of the big spring, near Haight's old house, and thence on
across the township to Galena. This trail was traveled by the Herringtons, in
1835, and by the earlier settlers, and, a part of it at least was at a later date
surveyed and regularly laid out, thus becoming the permanent thoroughfare.
The road from Geneva to St. Charles, on the West Side, was surveyed by
Mark Fletcher, in ]838. It is now one of the most beautiful drives in the
country, is graveled from St. Charles to Batavia, and is always good, whatever
may be the condition of the highways in other parts of the country. No road
in Northern Illinois traverses a more beautiful country or one in which wealth
has been more generally expended upon every home. Scarcely a poor dwell-
ing appears throughout the entire drive the grounds around nearly all are
under excellent cultivation, while the .same uninterrupted elegance and wealth
continue to Aurora, a distance of eleven miles. The road follows the various
curves of the river during almost the entire distance, and, seen with its ripples
sparkling in a Summer's sun, through the occasional openings in the foliage, it
recalls to the pleasure seeker the days when a deeper mantle of leaves over-
hung its banks and no manufactories or mills blackened its wavelets.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Geneva was taught in the Winter of 1835-36, by Mrs.
Samuel Sterling, on the place now owned by E. Danford, north of the village.
The school house was the Samuel Sterling residence, built of logs, and, unlike
the other houses in the neighborhood, had a stone floor of the original limestone
flagging, lying just as the last universal convulsion had left it. It stood on the
river bank where the ledge lies but a short distance below the surface of the
ground. Mrs. S. was hired by Mr. Herrington, and paid by subscriptions
from the few settlers in the vicinity, and ruled over about a dozen pupils.
The next schools were located in the village, and will be noticed under the
proper head.
After the school law went into operation, Geneva became intimately con-
nected with Batavia, in the management of her public institutions of learning,
and several of her districts lie partly in one township and partly in another.
There are now nine school districts in the two townships, all of which are
supplied with houses and are generally under competent management.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 31i>
The estimated valuation of the school property in Geneva Township and
village is about $30,000. In no one of the institutions indicative of an ad-
vanced civilization has progress been more apparent than in the facilities for
education in this and the adjoining townships.
Forty years ago, there were only two schools within an extent of a, dozen
miles up and down the river and directly westward to the vicinity of Dixon,
and these two were in operation during only four or five months in the year.
COUNTY POOR HOUSE.
The county poor farm is situated on the East Side, and extends slightly be-
yond the township line of Batavia. It was formerly owned by E. Lee, and the
house, once occupied by his family as a dwelling, was fitted for the first poor
house, but being found inconvenient for the purpose, both in size and structure,
a substantial stone building was put up in 1872, at a cost of about $15,000.
The farm occupies 180 acres.
CITY OF GENEVA.
As common, in townships containing county seats, the history of Geneva
centers in the village of the same name, which lies two miles, by rail, from
Batavia, and nearly the same distance from St. Charles. Its streets are laid
out with more regularity than those of any other village or city in Kane
County, and, though not noted for manufactures or the amount of business
transacted in them, they are marked by elegant homes, the owners of which
are many of them engaged in business in Chicago, and have never en-
deavored to render the village a bustling, noisy place, but simply a quiet
suburban retreat a
" Sweet auburn, loveliest village of the plain."
Its society is considered among the most cultivated and accomplished in
the county, and several of its old families, as the Dodsons, Pattons, Herring-
tons, Alexanders and others, have resided within its limits for many years and
remember the time when the village contained not a dozen dwellings. An old
record of town plats in the Recorder's office shows that the place was surveyed
May 8, 1837, by Mark W. Fletcher, County Surveyor, and that the proprie-
tors were, then, James Herrington and Richard Hamilton. The original plat
contained some 300 acres on the nearly level plain upon the West Side. To
Daniel S. Haight, already mentioned, the honor of making the first
SETTLEMENT
is due. An authority of unimpeachable veracity* affirms that Haight was mak-
ing improvements on the bank of the river in June, 1833, and another equally
good informant states that early in the same month and year, Haight and
* E. S. Town, Esq., of Batavia, who obtained his information from Payne.
320 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
James Brown, who subsequently settled at Nelson's Grove, came on a pros-
pecting tour to the banks of Fox River 'valley. The former was one of the
most respectable of the Hoosier pioneers is represented as a tall and well-
formed man honest, and not given to drunkenness. The early settlers, always
selected a position near some good spring as a site for building, and Haight's
shanty of unhewn poles or small logs stood just west of where the cheese
factory now stands, near one long distinguished from others in the vicinity as
the "Big Springs." There is abundant proof that he resided there early in
1834, but whether he ever regarded Geneva as his permanent abode may be
doubted, since in the Summer of that year he left and was absent in Chicago
and Naperville several weeks, returning in the Fall and selling to James Her-
rington in the Winter of 1834-5. He subsequently removed to Rockford, laid
the foundation of the town on the east side of the river, lived and died there.
The next house within the present village limits was put up by. Arthur Akin,
near Me Wayne's spring. James Herrington came from Meadville, Pennsyl-
vania, with his family, consisting of his wife, five boys and two girls, in May,
1833, and stopped in Chicago, where Mary, a third daughter, was born. The
great metropolis of the West was then chiefly noted for its low groggeries, and
Mrs. Herrington, wishing to educate her family under more moral influences,
strongly objected to remaining. No civilization was, in her opinion, preferable
to the type there found, and accordingly, in April, 1835, the family removed
to the place purchased of Haight the previous Winter. This excellent lady
(Mrs. Herrington) is still living in the village, at the age of seventy-eight, pos-
sesses a remarkable memory concerning the settlement from 1835, and has been
of great service in furnishing items of early history for this chapter. The
Herrington residence was built further up the bank, west of Haight's little
dwelling and just south of a solitary tree, now standing, which has since
grown there. The building was, for a long time, the most ambitious structure
to be found in a circuit of many miles, and was built of hewn logs, and on the
plan of those so frequently described as "double log houses" in the History of
Western Pennsylvania, where the Herrington family were prominent and
where the name is still met with among the records of some of the early insti-
tutions of Mercer County. A painting of the house is still in existence, in
which it is represented as a long, homely structure, with two low stories, while
three chimneys project two or three feet from the ridge of the roof and a low
porch overhangs the five windows upon the east side. The dwelling was con-
structed almost wholly of oak, but had a good white-ash floor and butternut
shingles. All the settlers, in 1836, and the years immediately following, found
shelter and refreshments therein; there the first election and court in the
county were held, and there it was decided what the name of the county seat
should be. It was, in short, the first hotel in the village, and in many respects
the most important house in the county. It has long been torn down and re-
moved. Mrs. Herrington states that the first meal in their new house was
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 321
cooked and eaten upon a pile of logs, near the spring, which was doubtless a
more agreeable place to dine than Haight's vacated shanty, which was con-
verted into a store (the first in the place) in the same year, and furnished with
a stock pf goods by Mr. Herrington. L. M. Church was the first clerk who
sold to the people of Geneva and vicinity, and was followed in the same store
by David Dunham, who remained with Mr. Herrington until elected County
Recorder. Indians were numerous, and encamped on the island just below.
They were excellent customers, when they possessed any article of exchange,
but most audacious thieves, and one of them, commonly known as " Indian
Jim," after selling his horse for a drink of whisky, to Augustus Herrington*
now Solicitor for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad returned the next
night and stole the beast.
/- - Nothing could surpass the river and its wild scenery then. Not an old
settler speaks of it without becoming immediately enthusiastic. Hour after
hour, in the calm days of Summer, the swarthy Pottawattomie fisherman might
be seen in bis light canoe, erect as the spear of a single prong which he poised
in his hand, as he glided over the quiet surface of the stream. A thousand
fantastic forms appear on either bank as he floats along past the bubbling
spring upon his right and the little emerald-crowned island rising like a water
nymph on the left ; but his eyes are blinded to all but the finny swarms that
revel in the transparent element below. Ten, fifteen, or even twenty feet are
no security from his keen eye and unerring aim. and monsters which are never
drawn from that river in the present degenerate days were then secured daily.
If a single dam presented for a time obstructions to the str6ams of life which
ascended from the Mississippi in the Spring, it was merely a temporary one,
broken by every flood ; and the old settlers say that it was not unusual to ob-
tain, in Fox River, fish weighing sixty or seventy pounds.
In 1836, a number of immigrants flocked to Geneva, and in the same year
Kane County was organized, and named from Hon. Elias K. Kane, one of the
first United States Senators from Illinois, upon its admission to the Union, in
1818.
Clybournville contested for the honor of being the county seat with Geneva,
but all know the result. Geneva, or Herrington 's Ford, as it was then called,
was obviously a more central point, and besides, it had a post office established
the year previous, under the name of La Fox, with James Herrington as first
Postmaster. " Daddy " Wilson carried the mail on horseback between Naper-
ville and Geneva, and made the trip once in two weeks. That belonging to
Geneva was carried in his pockets, and they were never weighed down. Sev-
eral of the settlers, like those of Aurora, were anxious to have their village
called Waubansie, but, as in the sister town, a name much more agreeable to
the ears was chosen, at the suggestion of Dr. Dyer, formerly from Geneva, N.
Y., and now living in Chicago.
United States District Attorney, under Buchanan.
322 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
During this same year, James Herrington erected a more convenient store-
house in the village. Crawford Herrington, a brother of James, had settled, in
the Summer of 1835, upon the claim taken by Arthur Akin, and his son,
James, born early in 1836, was probably the first child born in the village.
Margaret Herrington, a sister of Hon. James Herrington, and whose birth
occurred November 3, 1836, was the first female child born in the place, and
the first birth after the village was laid out.
During the same memorable year, N. R. Spaulding, living on the present
Clark Wilder farm, in Aurora, came with his betrothed bride, Miss Angelina
Atwater, to Geneva, and was married in the village. Their marriage license is
said to have been the first granted in the county.
The first sermon in Geneva was preached during the same year, in James
Herrington's house, by Rev. N. C. Clark. In that year, Logan Ross settled in
the village, and the clink of the anvil was first heard there. Running horses,
foot-racing, wrestling and fighting were at that time the principal amusements
of the place, and in all the athletic sports Ross was known far and wide as the
champion.
The year 1837 witnessed the building of the first court house, a small
wooden edifice, used until the erection of the stone building, still standing upon
the original site, but vacant since the completion of the magnificent structure
commenced in 1856, and now occupied for the dispensation of justice. The
lower story is used as a jail.
The second building was commenced in 1843, and completed in 1844, and
cost the county only the small sum of about $800, since the citizens generally
assisted in labor and by furnishing materials; but the house now occupied has
cost the county not less than $125,000. Wm. Derby was the contractor.
Twelve sessions three of the Circuit and nine of the County Court are held
therein yearly.
The year 1837 is likewise memorable as the year of the arrival in the vil-
lage of a colony, consisting of Caleb A. Ruckingham, Charles Patten and Scotto
Clark, from Roston, with Abram Clark, brother to the latter, and his wife, from
Westminster, Vt., who left the former place on the 13th of September, by way of
the canal to Ruffalo, and thence by steamer to Chicago, arriving on Fox River,
at Geneva, upon the 1st day of October. All settled within the present limits
of the village, Scotto Clark building just north of where Mr. Relden now lives,
and his brother and family living in the same dwelling, and keeping house for
him ; while Ruckingham opened the first law office in the place, and practiced
with great success for a time, but died in Chicago in 1840, before attaining the
eminence to which his brilliant talents would have promoted him but for his un-
timely decease.
In the Winter of 1837-8, Scotto Clark and Charles Patten returned East,
the latter for a stock of merchandise, which, upon his return, in the following
May, he placed in a small store upon the corner where the block which he now
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 323
occupies has since been raised. One Isaac Claypool then had a small stock of
goods in the village, but remained in business but a short time.
Among Geneva's prominent men were Dr. Henry Madden, afterward widely
known in the county and State. Dr. Henry A. Miller, who married a daughter
of Judge Wilson, of Batavia, was the first resident physician in Geneva, and had
a wide practice throughout Kane County. At the time of Patten's arrival, Mark
Daniels, one of the early purchastrs, was living in the place ; also, Hendrick
Miller, Avho built in the village the first distillery on Fox River. Julius Alex-
ander, from Southern Illinois, located within the present corporation limits, in
July, 1837, upon the East Side, where he built a blacksmith shop the same year.
There were several arrivals in 1838, among them John Chambers, from
Tompkins County, N. Y., and Peter Sears, who was part owner of the claim
purchased by Scotto Clark, on the East Side, and came from Boston with the
family of the latter.
About the same time, the first bridge was constructed at Herrington's Ford,
by Gilbert & Sterling, but was swept away before completion. Several built
since then have met the same fate, and one, erected in 1857, at a cost of $22,-
000, was removed to make way for the elegant iron structure, 522 feet long,
built in the Winter of 1868-9 ; cost, $16,000. The first dam was built early
in 1837, and was immediately followed by a saw-mill, on the East Side, which
Mr. James Herrington referred to in a communication to the Chicago Demo-
crat, in May of that year, as "nearly completed." Sterling, Madden & Dan-
iels were the builders. In 1844, Howard Brothers built the first grist-mill,
upon the opposite bank.
In 1839, the village lost by the death of James Herrington, one of its most
energetic and able business men, and as has been seen, one of its earliest settlers.
SCHOOLS.
The first building in the village used exclusively for school purposes was
the wing of the present elegant stone house, and was built upon the same site
in 1855. Later, a brick building was put up upon the East Side. Previous
to 1873, each side was a part of a separate district, but in that year the build-
ing upon the West Side was erected, at an expense of $25,000, the two districts
were consolidated, and the old brick building has since been used as a primary
department. Both schools are now under the efficient management of Mr. C.
E. Mann, the County Superintendent of Schools and one of the most success-
ful teachers in the State. The large school contains five departments. Aver-
age attendance on both sides, 234 ; total enrollment, 335.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal. In 1837, Hiram G. Warner, a local preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal denomination, preached to a small congregation in Geneva
in the old court house. In the following year, Revs. Wilson and Gaddis
324 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
visited the town, and a class was formed consisting of three members living in the
present limits of the village, whose names were Alison Abbott, Julius Alexander
and Marietta Warner, and for some time services were held in the tavern owned
by one Hendrick Miller and kept by James Hotchkiss. The class was at
length added to the St. Charles Circuit, embracing Aurora, Batavia and St.
Charles. In 1844, the first measures toward building a house of worship were
taken by Rev. E. C. Springer. A lot was procured from the county, deeded
to the Trustees in 1850 for one dollar, and in the same year a building was put
up, which was occupied for twenty years, when, in 1870, a larger and more
convenient house was first thought of. In the following year, the matter
received general attention from the members ; in 1872, the ground was broken
for the foundation, and before the end of the year services were held in the
new building, which was not finished, however, until 1874. It is a stone
structure, and by far the finest church in the place. Present membership, 110.
Episcopal. The records of this church date back to 1838, when Rev. A.
H. Cornish, one of the missionaries, addressed a congregation containing only
eight members, but no pastor was located in the village until 1855, when Rev.
J. H. Waterbury settled there, and a stone building was shortly erected, cost-
ing $8,000. The present membership is twenty-six. W. J. O'Brian is Rector,
in connection with church at Batavia.
Congregational. This was one of the earliest religious societies in the vil-
lage, having received its first start from the ministration of Rev. N. C.
Clark, as recorded upon another page. It now contains a large and wealthy
membership and a good house of worship.
Unitarian. The constitution of this society was formed in Geneva, and
signed by twenty-two members, in 1842. Rev. Augustus Conant occasionally
officiated as pastor. Efforts were immediately made to build a church, and on
the 24th of January, 1844, the stone one now occupied was dedicated. Rev.
Mr. Conant continued his labors as pastor until 1857. In 1874, the church
building was repaired, and is now well adapted to the purpose for which it was
designed. Rev. R. L. Herbert is the present pastor. The membership is
about fifty.
The Disciples at one time attained the position of an established organiza-
tion in Geneva, but of late years the society has been on the decline, and now
numbers only a dozen members.
Free Methodist. About thirteen years ago, a Free Methodist Church was
organized within the corporation, and a small stone building erected, where
services were regularly held for several years, but, being encumbered, it was sold,
in 1873, to the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Society, and the members allied
themselves with the Free Methodist Society at St. Charles.
The Swedish Lutheran Church was established about 1852, in St. Charles,
and a building put up a year later. Rev. Erlan Carlson, now pastor in Andover,
first officiated to th society, which then contained about fifteen members.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 325
About 1855, the Church made Geneva its central point. In 1862, Mr. Carl-
son was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Sederstam, now in charge of a pastorate in
Minnesota, and, in 1867, he was in turn followed by Rev. C. Lendell, now
preaching in Chicago. Rev. C. H. Lodergren. the present pastor, followed in
1874. There are now 250 members.
Swedish Methodist Episcopal. Years ago, traveling preachers of the
Swedish Methodist Episcopal denomination occasionally addressed diminutive
gatherings of their people in Geneva. A society was formed, with some sixteen
members, about 1866, but dwindled away until there were but three members.
It revived, however, under the preaching of Rev. Albert Errickson, and now
boasts about sixty members, who enjoy regular weekly preaching from a resi-
dent pastor, Rev. S. B. Newman.
MANUFACTURES.
In 1850, Eben Danford obtained a patent for the Danford Reaper and
Mower, of which he was the inventor, and commenced the manufacture of the
machines about 1851, upon the East Side, in partnership with Capt. J. D.
Webster ; some fifty men were employed ; but in 1857 the company failed.
Danford & Howell opened a foundry in the vacated buildings in 1862, but dis-
solved partnership about four years later. The business was then continued in
the same site a number of years by W. H. Howell, who at length erected, at a
cost of $18,000, including tools, the buildings which he still occupies upon the
West Side. From thirty-five to forty hands are employed. The " Geneva
Fluting Iron" (of which W. D. Turner is the inventor), smoothing irons, pumps
and various fixtures are manufactured.
The flouring-mills of Geneva form the most important business interest of
the village. Three companies are in successful operation Bennett Brothers &
Coe upon the East Side, and John Burton on the West Side, who are employed
in merchant work ; James T. Hards on the West Side, engaged in the custom
business. Elards and Burton occupy separate parts of the same mill the one
built by Howard Brothers. In ,1868, it was repaired by Smith, Hards &
Wright, and was used both as a merchant and custom mill. Later, the mer-
chant portion, which occupies the north end of the building and contains four
sets of stones, was used by Smith & Wright, while Hards confined his business
to the other portion, which contained but two sets. Smith & Wright's portion
subsequently passed into the hands of the present proprietors. Half of the
brick mill owned by Bennett Brothers & Coe was erected as a paper mill by
Alexander & German in about 1846. It then passed into the hands of 0. M.
Butler, was then owned by C. B. Dodson, and purchased from him by the
present owners. An addition of equal size was made of brick on the north
side of the original part in 1868, and in its furnishings is considered the best
flouring establishment on Fox River. It contains nine sets of stone and a
capacity for manufacturing one hundred barrels of flour per day.
326 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Geneva was organized under the general statutes in 1856, later by special
charter, and is governed by a President and a board of four Trustees. Capt.
C. B. Dodson was the first President.
AVAR RECORD 1860-65.
An independent cavalry company was organized in the village by Capt.
C. B. Dodson, in 1861, and was assigned as a body-guard to General Steel,
remaining with him until discharged. William Wilder, now in Honolulu, was
First Lieutenant ; John Bundy, afterward Major, and now editor of the Re-
ligo-Philosophical Journal, Second Lieutenant, and Charles Herrington, after-
ward killed in the employ of the C., B. & Q. Railroad Company, Orderly
Sergeant. Company D, of the Fifty-second Illinois, and Company G, of the
One Hundred and Forty -first, were, also, enrolled in the place. In the former,
Judge Isaac G. Wilson, now in Chicago, was Colonel ; Nathan Herrington,
now of Blackberry, Captain ; Louis H. Everts, First Lieutenant, who returned
as Major, and is now principal partner in the firm of L. H. Everts & Co., of
Philadelphia, one of the leading publishing companies in the East. In this
regiment, Joseph Kessler returned as Lieutenant and C. B. Wells, Commissary.
Company G, of the One Hundred and Forty-first, was enlisted by Captain
Charles Herrington. George Gilman, from Blackberry, where he still resides,
First Lieutenant ; Chester Steward (deceased), Second Lieutenant.
Aside from these, Hon. J. H. Mayborne now one of the most eminent
members of the Kane County bar went to the war as Paymaster, with the
rank of Major; Thomas Clark as Captain in a colored regiment, and Frank
Clark as a Lieutenant. Four of the sons of James Herrington, Nathan,
Alfred, Charles and Thaddeus (deceased), served their country through its years
of peril, and returned in safety ; and there were many more, who occupied
lower ranks, but rendered equally efficient service, to whom their country will
forever remain indebted.
THE PRESS.
In 1851, the Wilson Brothers established a small sheet in Geneva called
The Advertiser. In about 1867, the name was changed to The Geneva Repub-
lican, which passed into the possession of S. L. Taylor in 1870, and was sold
to Tyrrell & Archer in the following year. Tyrrell left the company in 1873,
when the paper went into the hands of McMaster, Archer & Wheeler, who
published it until 1875, when Charles Archer became the sole proprietor and
editor. It is a neatly printed folio, 24x36, circulation about 500.
The Chicago $ Northwestern Railroad, already mentioned in the foregoing
sketch of the township, has an excellent stone depot in the village, 112 feet in
length, and corresponding in its other dimensions.
The population of the village, as nearly as can be estimated from returns
examined, is about 1,670.
/ L>y x /
N. E.PLATO TOWNSHIP.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. b29
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
Settlements were made in St. Charles Township early in 1834. John M.
Laughlin, now residing at Round Grove, just across the boundary line of St.
Charles, within the limits of Du Page County, was living in Coles County, 111.,
in the Spring of 1834. Setting out from thence to visit his native home in
Virginia, he retraced his way through Lawrence County, Indiana, where he
found a colony preparing to make a settlement in Northern Illinois. Possessed
of an adventurous spirit, and being urged by several of the company to cast his
lot with them, and assist in driving their cattle, he complied, and to him we are
indebted for a history of the settlement which followed. The party consisted
of Elijah Garton and family, comprising wife and six unmarried children ; John
W. Gray and wife, who was a daughter of Garton ; Albert Howard and family
of six children, Thomas Steward and four children, and our informant. They
were far better prepared than most emigrant parties for life on the prairies, as
Garton drove 100 sheep, an equal number of cattle, six pairs of oxen, and eight
span of horses, to Round Grove, where they arrived on the 8th of May. Garton
settled upon the south side of the timber, in St. Charles, and immediately com-
menced a log cabin on the edge of the prairie, which is still remaining in a tol-
erable state of preservation the oldest house in the township. Gray settled in
Du Page County, where Laughlin now lives, and Howard on the northAvest
corner of the grove, on land at present occupied by Mark W. Fletchei . Early
in the same Spring, Rice Fay, from the "Bay State," took up his claim and
built a little below the site now occupied by the residence of John Keating, at
Fayville, but did not settle until the following Fall. His tract lay upon Scott's
old trail, which crossed the township from east to west. About the same time,
a man named Brigham, a bachelor, settled upon the west of Fay. One of the
Trimbles was then living just within the edge of St. Charles, south of the
Geneva line.
Summer passed, and early Autumn found several other squatters and per-
manent settlers in different parts of the township. Foremost of these arrivals
w.-is that of Friend Marks and family, from the State of New York, who
squatted on the farm now owned by George Plummer, and built at the north-
east corner of the grove. Then followed William Arnold, from Indiana, who,
with wife and children, located not far from the present site of John C. Wil-
son's stone house, where he laid claim to about four hundred acres ; and Alex-
ander Laughlin, from the same State, who took up the tract now owned by
Moses Colton. Walter Wilson and family, from Glasgow, Scotland, founp
their way to the Western wilds in the same year, and, stopping a few days at
Jacksonville, whither his son and son-in-law Thomas Wilson and Thomas Barlan
had wandered in 1833, they then proceeded together to St. Charles Township,
where they arrived early in September, and settled on the place since known as
330 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
the Ponsonby farm, on Section ly. Marks had at that time completed the
body of a large house at Plummer's Grove, but it was still roofless ; while
Arnold's family were living in their wagon, on the West Side, near the site now
occupied by. the residence of William McWilliams ; and Alexander Laughlin
had but just arrived.
Wild was the life they led then. Not a road, or even cow path, crossed St.
Charles, and, with the exception of the one in the northern part of the town-
ship, no very clearly marked trails. Just before the arrival of the Wilson
family, John C. and Thomas had been sent ahead to spy out the land, and, in
company with a gentleman of color, who bore the appellation of Harry, they
crossed the river at Payne's, and, following up until they came to a little brook
flowing into a creek, took up their claim. While they were exploring the land,
Harry wandered away up the river and became lost in the woods. Night came
on, and he was unable to retrace his steps. Picking his way in the darkness
and through the mazes of the forest, he suddenly observed a light ahead of
him, and a few moments later, came to a halt near a camp of Pottawatomies,
The warriors, wrapped in their blankets, lay dozing around their camp fires in
lazy abandonment, while the hard working, abused and greasy looking squaws
waited upon them, bringing sticks to replenish the embers, or now and then
throwing a fresh morsel of dog flesh or a plump rat or gopher into the boiling
kettle, while snarling curs contested for the refuse morsels, It was a romantic
scene, as the curling smoke arose in serpentine windings and mingled with the
dark leaves of the oak or the maple foliage gilded by the early frost. And
Harry crept nearer, until the crackling of a stick brought the watchful dogs
with angry yelps to his heels. "Ugh!" grunted the warriors, and with one
single motion stood before him. Questions were asked and answered satisfac-
torily, and the terrified African was invited to partake of their hospitality. All
night he lay among them, scarcely daring to stir, for whenever he turned upon
his hard bed or moved hand or foot a bark from the dogs was immediately
responded to by a grunt from some suspicious warrior, and the attention of the
whole company was immediately fixed upon him. Never, he used to affirm,
after his return, did he pass so restless a night. Sleep left his eyelids, and
upon the earliest break of day he arose and followed the river and creek back
to the Wilson claim.
Charles B. Gray, now on the southeast' corner of Section 23, who came to
the township in May, 1835, states that he has seen a column of Indians march-
ing in single file, according to their usual custom, which extended from the
corner near the residence of William Matteson eastward to Round Grove. They
were always treatedj with wholesome respect by the settlers, and never com- -
mitted more serious depredations than by occasionally stealing corn and pump-
kins. They were not addicted to anything akin to modesty, however, and one
of the company which Mr. Gray mentions left his column, and approaching the
point where he stood observing them, requested a donation of watermelons, and
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
331
as this festive fruit was not to be obtained, contented himself with confiscating
the cucumbers in the vicinity.
Indian camps were located upon the present site of the city of St. Charles,
and our informant states that he has seen 200 warriors, squaws and papooses
where the clink of the hammer and anvil and the hum of the milU are now
heard. And other native vagrants were not less numerous throughout the
township.
Wolves carried off the sheep, howled beneath the cabin windows, and were
shot within twenty feet of the doors. Mr. Laughlin states that during the year
after their arrival, one of Mr. Garton's cattle died, was dragged forth upon the
prairie, and seven wolves successively shot while devouring the carcass. Fifty
deer were frequently seen in a single herd, and the same informant states that
he shot them upon the Garton farm in numbers too great to present to the
skeptical eye of the modern reader. 'He had brought from the South two mag-
nificent grayhounds, which, to use his own expression, " could run down any
animal that ever walked ;" and in brilliant colors does he portray the excitement
of the chase as witnessed from the old cabin door. Pointing out the deer,
bounding leisurely along the prairie, to his canine companions, they would
leave him as an arrow let loose from the bow. They seemed to fly, only touch'
ing the ground at every tenth or twelfth spring. Soon the deer, becoming
alarmed at the approaching messengers of death, quickens his pace, and anon
makes his strongest and swiftest bounds, but an in vain. The hounds are upon
him, and one of them seizing him by the muzzle, he is flung to the earth, while
the other fastens his jaws upon his throat, and he roams the prairies no more.
Shortly after the Wilson settlement, but during the same Fall, a colony arrived
from New Brunswick, consisting of Mrs. Young, Stephen and Joel Young and
his sister Jerusha, D. C. Young, Robert Moody, wife and two children ; Samuel
Young, wife and one child, and J. T. Wheeler, having left home in July and
landed in Chicago the 19th of September. The last settled upon a farm upon
the West Side, just north of the city, and still resides there. Robert Moody
and Samuel Young located within the limits of the present city, and will be
mentioned on another page, while Joel Young took up his abode upon the
present Park's farm, between St. Charles and Geneva. The company stopped
between Naperville and Warrenville, with Gideon Young, who had previously
settled there, but who removed in the Spring of 1835 to the farm now owned
by A. G. Fowler. John Kittridge, from New Hampshire, was building a house
upon the farm now owned by N. C. Joy, in the Fall of Wheeler's arrival, and
the latter, with Joel Young, obtained their bread there of Mrs. Kittridge, while
Wheeler's house was being put up. They slept on the ground. In the same
Fall, T. A. Wheeler, from Vermont, visited the township and took up a claim
now owned by heirs of Joseph Switzer,but being injured in assisting James
T. Wheeler to build his house, he returned to his eastern home and sent out
hi* brother Richard to hold his claim. He afterward returned, and the brothers
332 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
both lived many years in the township. Richard is now living in Michigan,
while his brother's widow resides upon a farm on Section 26, east of the city,
owned by her husband previous to his decease. The land upon that side along
the timber was generally taken up in 1834. Joseph Pemberton, a bachelor,
from Coles County, Illinois, settled early upon the place now owned by Ben-
jamin Vinicke and Joseph Crawford; also a bachelor located with one Lee, on a
claim which included the present Disbro farm. Nathan Perry took up the land
now owned by Mark Dunham during the same year, and built thereon an
exceedingly primitive cabin, with neither glass, nails nor boards in the entire
structure. The inconveniences incident to the isolated position of the settlers
at that time can scarcely be exaggerated. During the Winter of 1834, supplies
began to fail the party from Lawrence County, and Garton and Howard drove
to La Fayette, on the Wabash, with ox teams, to replenish their store. During
the greater part of the distance, the temperature was between twenty and thirty
degrees below zero. Much of the prairie which is now arable and contains
some of the most valuable land in the country then lay throughout a large
part of the year submerged beneath the waves, and when, in the following
June, Laughlin made a journey to Chicago with two yoke of oxen, he was
obliged to wade the entire level country east of Oak Ridge and swim the Des
Plaines River. Wm. Welch, from Michigan, and his son-in-law, Tucker, also
James Davis, all found homes on the East Side in 1834. During the year
1835, settlers and land speculators poured into the township in swarms, and by
the close of the year 1837, we consider it safe to state that there was not an
acre of land worth taking, in St. Charles, unclaimed. To accommodate the
herd of immigrants westward and bring custom to his doors, Friend Marks
broke a road during rainy days from his house to Herrington's Ford, in 1835.
This track was traveled for many years, was probably the first regularly laid
road in the township, and led to the first tavern, at Mark's. The unfortunate
landlord fell into the hands of land sharks when the Government sale took
place, lost his claim, left the township and shortly afterward died. Walter Wilson
died in the township some ten years ago. His son, John C., lives on the
southwest section, on a farm recently purchased of Hugh Huls, having
remained upon the first claim over twenty years, and erected nearly all the
Buildings now standing thereon.
Thomas Wilson married the only daughter of Alexander Laughlin, removed
with him to Whiteside County, after remaining a short time in St. Charles
Township, and is still living, although Mr. Laughlin has been dead several
years.
William Arnold sold his claim to Levi Brown, about 1840, and removed to
the banks of Rock River, where he died the same year. The honest old pio-
neer. Garton, and his wife both rest in the ancient graveyard near the camp
ground. But the earliest death in the township was that of Stephen Young,
who departed this life May 8, 1835, was buried on the north line of the J. T.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 333
Wheeler farm, and afterward removed to the first burying ground in the city,
which stood on the site of the West Side school. The first sermon delivered
upon the west side pf the township was preached at his funeral by a Congrega-
tional clergyman named Perry, a relative of the Perrys upon the East Side,
then living upon the Mark Dunham farm. He subsequently preached a num-
ber of times at Mr. Wheeler's house. Religious services had previously been
initiated at the house of John Kittridge, by the organization of a Bible class,
early in the same year. There were not more than seven members at first, hut
their numbers increased, as time went on, and the services, which originally
embraced merely singing, prayer and the study of the Scriptures, were rendered
more interesting for those who participated in them by the reading of a sermon
every Sunday. The place of worship, too, was frequently changed, as the
country filled up, and each family of those who attended was expected to furnish
accommodations occasionally.
At that time, the borders of Person's Creek were entirely covered by a thick
growth of blue beech, and in this wood the Indians were encamped. While the
Wheeler family were away at church, one Sunday, a party of these red skins
came to the house, and, with their usual modesty, demanded a pipe and tobacco
of Mrs. Young, who was, ere this, Mr. Wheeler's mother-in-law by his marriage
with her daughther, Jerusha, at Warren ville, on the 1 5th of the preceding Jan-
uary. Mrs. Young answered their importunity by lending them her own pipe,
for she was an elderly lady, and addicted to the use of the narcotic weed. The
Indians smoked until satisfied, and then walked away without returning it. But
the brave old lady was not to be baffled in this manner. Following them and
shouting at the top of her voice until they halted, she immediately seized the
pipe, which was held in the mouth of one of the astonished warriors, and ordered
him to give it up. The coAvardly always feel awed by the bravery of the
brave, and an Indian is a coward by nature. Therefore, instead of resisting
and walking on, or hurling the old lady to the earth, he quietly yielded, and
Mrs. Young returned with the precious property, from which the sweet incense
arising soon testified to the satisfactory result of the only collision between one
of the representatives of the white and Indian races recorded in the annals of
St. Charles Township.
In the Fall of 1835, death visited the Garton family, and Alzira, a twin
sister of Mrs. C. B. Gray, was laid in the grave the first in the old burying
ground at Round Grove.
In the same year, Rev. N. C. Clark, also Rev. Jesse Walker, a missionary
to the Pottawattomies and Kickapoos, preached several times at the house of
Elijah Garton, and in January, of the same year, John M. Laughlin married
Emily, the daughter of Elijah Garton, at the house of the bride's father. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Hubbard, Baptist preacher, from War-
renville. This was the first marriage in the township. The earliest birth was
that of a child of Samuel Young, in the Spring of the same year.
334 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
On the 8th of May, upon the day of Stephen Young's death, Solomon
Dundam, from the State of New York, arrived on the place now owned by his
son Mark. Mark Fletcher also purchased the farm where he still resides, in the
same season, but remained a number of years in Geneva before settling upon it.
The year 1835 was rendered memorable by the arrival of Daniel Marom,
the first blacksmith in the township, who built a shop in the timber at Norton's
Creek. Also, of Thomas Steward, in the Fall, while Nathan Pierce, whose son,
James Pierce, is now a resident of Aurora, was an early settler upon the Hoag
place.
In 1836, crowds came, and from that date the history of St. Charles be-
comes one of a whole community and no longer of individuals. But there was
one who settled in June of that year, upon the farm now owned by his son, who
deserves special notice Rev. D. VV. Elmore, a graduate of Union College, a
man of splendid education and of opinions far in advance of his age, who pur-
chased 100 acres at Fayville, of one Brigham, a bachelor, who had squatted
there the previous year and built a log house. The pet object of Mr. Elmore's
life was the establishment of an industrial or manual-labor school, in which im-
pecunious young men might obtain the means for a liberal education by working
certain hours in each day upon a farm connected with the proposed institution.
For this purpose, he took Up 300 acres of land adjoining the Brigham claim,
wrote much and talked more upon the subject, but, to their shame be it said,
many of his cotemporaries regarded his philanthropic schemes as the- dreams of
a visionary, and his hopes were never realized. While working in the field, on
the 29th day of July, 1854, a terrific storm arose, lightning struck upon three
separate places on his farm, and, one of the bolts having pierced him, he passed
forever beyond the disappointments of this world.
A majority of the remaining American settlers in the township came from
1837 to 1845, and among them may be mentioned, in the former year, Amos
Stone, from Massachusetts, now of Belle Plaine, Iowa, who located upon land
in Sections 4 and 5, worked his farm by day and made shingles for a living by
night, until the roofs of nearly all of his neighbors' houses were furnished ; the
Bisbys, in the same year, in the western part of the township ; George Plum-
mer, who settled where he now lives, in 1844 ; Harlow Hooker, in October,
1839; Stephen Fellows, deceased; and Robert Lincoln, deceased, on the farm
now occupied by his sons.
A colony of Swedes arrived about 1852, which has since received occasional
additions by new emigrations from the Scandinavian Peninsula. Among the
v O
first of this race who appeared in the township may be mentioned Charles Sam-
uelson, now a resident of Elgin ; John Colson, at present with L. C. Ward, of
St. Charles ; and, in 1853, Peter Lungreen and sons, August, who is also with
Ward, and Swantey, who has since removed to Elgin.
One of the earliest stone houses in the township was erected by D. W. El-
more, in 1841, at Fayville, and is' still occupied as a dwelling. Rice Fay's
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 335
stone house, now owned by John Keating, was put up shortly after, and stran-
gers were frequently entertained there during the following years. Much his-
torical and romantic interest centers around this section. Villages without a
name are sometimes found by the wanderer through the earth's broad expanse,
but here we find no less than three names without a village.
Shortly after Mr. tlmore's arrival, he laid out a number of lots at the bend
in the river, and named the position Asylum ; a few of the lots were purchased,
a post office established named Fayville, and kept, at different times, by Messrs.
Fay, Nelson, Wait and Elmore, and a small saleratus factory started by Elmore
& Burdick, which, however, continued in operation but a short time. The post
office was discontinued, and, at a later date a another established and called Sil-
ver Glen, which has met a similar fate.
During the most halcyon days of the place, which people once dreamed
would arise, a stone house, which now stands in ruins, a little west of John
Keating's mansion, was put up and occupied several years, for various purposes,
being used at one time by Russell & Calhoun, as a blacksmith shop, and then
passing into the hands of a man named Acres, whose spouse kept a low
groggery therein and sold " reaming sweets that drank divinely," to the youth
far and near. After making night hideous with their unholy orgies, for a
number of weeks, and disturbing the slumbers of good people, the den was at
length closed, and the inmates turned upon the cold world, in consequence of
an unusually sanguinary drunken row, in which a young man working for Mr.
Elmore was killed.
Tradition says that, after hearing of the affair, a reverend father of the
Catholic Church visited the spot, and, indignant at the brutal lawlessnes of cer-
tain of his flock, who had been frequent visitors at the house, cursed it in the
name of his God, and no man, continues our informant, has ever inhabited it
from that day to this. The roof is fallen in, and its deserted walls stand, a
habitation for the owl and the bat.
"And over all there hangs a cloud of fear ;
A sense of mystery the spirit daunted,
And said, as plain as whisper in the ear, ' ,
' The place is haunted.' ' '
The region is peculiarly interesting to an admirer of the beauties of nature.
The ground is rugged on both sides of the river, which makes an abrupt curve
to the west a mile above, and at this point resumes its southerly course. Sev-
eral little islands darken the transparent stream, and one, the upper, is covered
with a luxuriant growth of low reeds and willows ; a natural but thin covering
of trees softens the rude angles in the hills, from whose rocks two noisy brooks,
one above and the other below the Elmore farm, leap from successive terraces,
forming sparkling cascades, on their way to the river; and the resi-
dences in the vicinity all of stone quarried from the ledges which form their
adamantine foundation present, when seen through the leafless branches of
336 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
December, and contrasted with the shadows of the trees inverted in the still
water, along the river bank, a view as pleasing, in all its outlines, as any
which will be found in a journey through the country
Far away to the north, the smoke wreaths from the manufactories of
Elgin may be seen in a clear day, while the spires of St. Charles rise on the
south.
The earliest saw-mill outside of the city limits was erected about 1845, by
Lewis Norton, on Norton Creek. The builder left his home in the following
year for the Mexican War, and but little work was ever performed in the new
building.
Claim organizations were common in St. Charles previous to the land sale,
and were productive of some good and some evil results. Jumping of claims was
never tolerated, and records are not wanting of settlers visiting a pseudo-claim-
ant en manse, and leveling his shanty to the ground, or setting fire to it. On
the other hand, a great evil was done when Section 16, which the government
had set apart for school purposes in each township, was sold to claimants in St.
Charles for the mere pittance of ten shillings per acre, thus cheating the town
out of not less than $9,600.
Schools were organized, as elsewhere in the county, long before there was
any regular district organization. In 1839, a little log school house stood just
inside the line of the fence now surrounding Jerome Elmore's yard. Schools
were taught later in various houses within the neighborhood, for a time in an
old log building on the present Foley place, in the deserted stone house and in
Amos Stone's barn. But in 1857, a stone house, expressly designed for school
purposes, was built in Fayville, or District 2, as it had then become, and is
standing there to this day. A wood building was erected not far from the resi-
dence of Harlow Hooker (District No. 3,) at a very early day, but was replaced,
in 1876, by a new house, the most elegant one in the township, at a cost of
$1,500. District No. 1, on the road to Elgin, on the west side of the river,
contains an old wood building, valued at $600. District No. 9 has a brick
building, in good condition, worth $800, built ten or twelve years ago. District
No. 4 has a wood building, on the West Side, valued the same as District No. 9,
and District No. 6 contains the neat white school house opposite the Widow
'Wheeler's place, valued at the same sum. The entire school property of the
township may be estimated at $5,100.
The assessed valuation of the township in 1877, at fifty cents on a dollar,
was : Real estate, $472,836 ; personal property, $71,464.
In 1851, the cemetery, now owned by William Irwin, was laid out upon
the 'East Side. It contains ten acres, and is beautifully located, thirty-two feet
north of the corporation limits. The lots are laid out ten by twelve feet, a
road, fifteen feet wide, surrounds it upon the inside of the fence, and two of the
same width cross it, one from east to west, the other from north to south. The
grounds are well shaded, and several beautiful monuments arise among the trees.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 337
The manufacturing interests of the township are confined to the products of
the dairy. In the Spring of 1869, Martin Switzer opened a cheese factory
near his place, on the west side of the river, and operated it until October,
1876, when it was sold to Robert Wright, and worked by him until May, 1877,
and 'was then closed.
The Spring Brook Factory was first built and operated in 1867, by Mr.
Larkin ; was then continued, with rather indifferent success, by various parties,
until purchased by Newman & Thompson, who, in 1876, built a new factory
upon the old site, and supplied it with all the modern improvements. It stands
in the front rank among establishments of the kind, and is doing an excellent
business.
The township is noted principally for grain raising and the manufacture of
butter and cheese. It lies south of Elgin, north of Geneva, east of Campton
Township and west of Du Page County, and is crossed on the northeast cor-
ner by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
CITY OF ST. CHARLES.
SETTLEMENT.
Dean Ferson is now the earliest settler living in St. Charles city or town-
ship. Starting with his brother Read from Weathersfield, Windsor County,
and Ira and George Minard from Windham County, Vermont, he came to Chi-
cago in September, 1833. After stopping a few days, Read and the Minards
returned, the former appearing again in Chicago in the following May, and Ira
Minard in August. Shortly after Read Ferson's arrival, and during the same
month, the two brothers set out for Fox River, crossed at Batavia, stayed over
night with Nelson at the Grove, thence passed to Geneva, where they stopped
with Daniel S. Haight, and next day, coming to St. Charles, took up the
claim where the stone house owned by George Ferson now stands, on the west
side of the river, and built a log shanty. There were at that time six houses
in the present corporation limits, including Ferson's, wholly or partially com-
pleted. First; of these was the nearly finished hut belonging to one Chunn^
and standing near the little run on the east side of the river. Of the owner
but little is known, excepting that he came early in 1834 possibly late in
1833 and left before the county had been generally settled. The body of a
log house built by a man named Crandall, from Ohio, stood near the present
site of the residence of Capt. Bowman, was purchased by James Herrington,
and subsequently sold to one of the Youngs. Another roofless cabin, built by
a native of the Buckeye State, who had left the country and never returned to
make good his settlement, stood just east of the place recently purchased by
George Minard of Gen. J. F. Farnsworth. Ephraim Perkins Avas located upon
the East Side, just west of the George Minard place, and William Franklin had
338 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
a log house upon the Bridges farm. Evan and Newton Shelby laid claim to
all East St. Charles about the time of the arrival of the Ferson brothers, who
assisted the former, late in May, in building his log house, which stood near
the place now owned by Dr. Crawford. This was the seventh house in the
future city. The Shelbys and Franklin* had left their homes in Indiana just
previous to the Garton and Laughlin party, but were overtaken by them at
Lockport, Indiana. Franklin's house may be considered the first permanent
residence in the place, since, if there were any settlers previous to him, they
never completed their dwellings, and left within a year after arriving. It may
also be stated that there was not a settler within the limits of the city with
the very doubtful exception of Chunn previous to the Spring of 1834.
Franklin sold his claim early, and located upon the farm now owned by Charles
B. Gray. All of these old dwellings were torn down many years ago. Ira
Minard arrived with his wife in October, 1834, returned East, but came back
in the following December, and lived with Read and Dean Ferson until April,
1835, when he built a cabin upon a claim where the State Insane Asylum now
stands, at Elgin, and removed there. But in the following year, we find him
again in St. Charles, which thenceforth became his home until his recent death.
His name, however, was well known in business circles throughout Northern
Illinois, and the field of his operations was never limited by any narrow town-
ship bounds. He moved to a small log house upon the river bank, on the
East Side, in the Spring of 1836, and about the same time purchased the part
of the Shelby claim lying south of Main street, while the part north of that
street, bordering upon the river and comprising about nine acres, was sold by
Calvin Ward, from Massachusetts who had obtained it from Evan Shelby to
Minard, Ferson and Hunt.
Ward had settled with his family, in the Fall of 1835, in a cabin near the
position now occupied by Doyle's blacksmith shop, his purchase being the part
of the Shelby claim lying north of Main street and extending from the public
square to the river.
B. T. Hunt came from Massachusetts, in 1836, and is still in business in St.
Charles.
The West Side was settled by Robert Moody, Gideon, Samuel and Joel
Young, although claims had previously been made upon the land as above men
tioned.
In May, 1835, Warren Tyler and his son Ira D., with their families, from
Cayuga County, N. Y., moved to Naperville, and in the following August con-
tinued their journey to St. Charles, where they settled the former upon the
claim purchased of John Hammers, a very early settler upon the East Side,
where he had built a " double log house," without nails or glass; and the latter
upon a tract previously taken up by a squatter named Isaac Rice. Both settle-
ments were upon the extreme eastern limits of the present city.
*John M. Laughlin.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 339
Alexander Ferson, father of Read and Dean, came with his large family in
June of the same year, and settled in the township near the present Bryant Du-
rant place. Among his sons were Robert and George, now engaged in the grain
business in the town.
In 1836, the settlement was further increased by the arrival of Leonard and
David Howard ; William G. Conklin, in July ; Joseph Sibley, John Andrus and
the Bairds, all from Buffalo ; Horace Bancroft and Dr. Nathan Collins, N: H.
Dearborn, in the Summer, from Plymouth, N. H. ; Asa Haseltine, from Ver-
mont, in the Fall, and William Dickinson. Valentine Randall was also an early
settler about this time.
Leonard Howard's first settlement was made at Geneva, on a claim purchased
of Edward Trimble, but he was frequently in St. Charles, from the time of his
arrival in Kane County ; and in 1837, having sold to Scotto Clark and purchased
a claim of Gideon Young upon the West Side, he settled thereon. He now re-
sides upon the East Side, having taken a prominent part in the building up of
the town. His brother is also living.
William G. Conklin also resides upon the East Side. Sibley is now in Kan-
sas ; John Andrus, the Bairds, N. H. Dearborn and William Dickinson are still
residents of St. Charles. ; Horace Bancroft recently died in Michigan, and Ha-
seltine many years ago in St. Charles.
Among the settlers, about 1837, may be mentioned James Lovell, now in De
Kalb County ; Rev. N. C. Clark (deceased) ; Keyser, of pottery notoriety, and
John Scott, who died during the past year (1877).
The Pennys, from Maine, were early in the town ; and John Glos, the first
German settler.
1838 brought, in March, Aaron Blanchard, well known throughout the city.
In June, the late S. S. Jones ; while Asael Bundy and Abel Millington came
during the same year.
Dr. DeWolf came from Western Pennsylvania, in 1840.
P. J. Burchell (deceased), R. J. Haines and Judge Barry were early comers ;
while William Marshall, from England, commenced as a blacksmith in the vil-
lage, in 1848, with scarcely a penny, and now owns a good farm between St.
Charles and Campton.
But long ere this latter date, scores of immigrants had arrived, whose names
cannot now be given ; and it becomes inconvenient to form complete lists of the
settlers later than 1836.
NAME.
The town was christened Charleston,* by Minard and Ferson, but since it
was afterward discovered that there was another Charleston in Coles County, a
meeting was called in 1839, to re-christen the village. Various names were
suggested, and many of the New Yorkers were in favor of Ithaca, while John
* From Charleston, N. II.
340 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
Glos, the enterprising German already mentioned, was positive that none of
his countrymen could ever be induced to immigrate to a place the name of which
was cursed with a th sound, and suggested one which he considered more eupho-
nious, but upon which there arose a diversity of opinion. At length, S. S.
Jones having mentioned the name of " St. Charles " as a compromise, it re-
ceived a majority of the votes, and St. Charles it remains.
FIRST MARRIAGE, BIRTH, BURIAL, ETC.
Dean Ferson and Prudence Ward were married at the log house of the
bride's father, by the Rev. D. W. Elmore, September 14, 1836 being the first
couple married in the place.
On Christmas Day, 1887, David Howard's first child was born and named
Frances Christmas, in honor of the holiday. This was the first birth within
the present corporate limits.
The old grave yard upon the East Side was given to the town by Ephraim
and Otho W. Perkins, Minard, Ferson and Hunt, in 1838 ; and the first person
buried there was James Wright, in the Fall of the same year.
S. S. Jones, one of the ablest men who has called St. Charles "home," was
its first attorney ; was subsequently editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal,
was eminently successful both as a lawyer and a writer, but met a violent death
in 1876.
The earliest physician in the town was Dr. Nathan Collins, the date of
whose arrival has already been mentioned.
Several professional men appear in the new town about the same time and
a little later, among them Lawyer Miller, Mr. Clark, the first resident clergy-
man, Doctors G. W. Richards, Waite, DeWolf, and Crawford.
The name of Dr. Richards is now remembered by the early settlers, from
the riot which his practices occasioned and which resulted in the death of him-
self and one of his students. The doctor was a man of undoubted ability, but
extremely independent and radical in his views. He neither feared his fellow
man nor regarded their prejudices, and where it was possible to choose between
two lines of action preferred to astonish and shock rather than to conciliate.
He had opened a medical school at St. Charles, where it had long been rumored
by many of the people that his students were possessed of hyena proclivities.
At length positive proof was obtained that the body of a Mrs. Runyon, a young
married lady, who had recently died near Sycamore, had been removed from
the grave and taken to his dissecting table ; the robbers were tracked to Rich-
ards' doors, and the indignant father and husband of the deceased spread the
story of the outrage throughout the northern part of DeKalb County. An
armed mob, composed of some of the most respectable citizens of that county,
joined by a delegation from Geneva, swelling the ranks to about three hundred,
marched to the doctor's residence, formed in the street in line of battle, and
appointed a committee to wait upon him and demand the body. They were
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. ,341
not only refused but treated with the utmost contempt. Shots were exchanged ;
John Rood, one of the doctor's students, was mortally wounded through the
body, and Richards was so iujured by a ball through one of his lungs that he
died, in Dubuque, four years later, from its effects. There has been some diver-
sity of statement regarding the person responsible for the first shot, but it is
the general belief that it was fired from the house. After these warlike meas-
ures, it was promised that the body should be given up to the friends of the
deceased. A number of the students and others were despatched to remove it
from the place where it had been secreted and it was delivered to the relatives
at a designated spot between St. Charles and Geneva. The school was closed,
and the young student who was wounded died a few days later.
EARLY DWELLINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
A company under the name of Minard, Ferson & Hunt was formed in 183b,
and laid the foundation of the new town. A store* built by them in the Spring
of the year, where Minard & Osgood's Block now stands, was the first frame
building in the place. During the same season, the company built a dam
across the river, and erected a saw-mill on the East Side, just above where the
ruins of the carding mill now stand. The old building remained there a
number of years, but was taken down about 1850. The earliest frame dwelling
house was erected by N. H. Dearborn, just opposite the present site of the
bank. The building is still standing, and used as a barn. Minard, Ferson &
Hunt's old store is also in existence.
In 1841, the first brick dwelling in the place was built by B. T. Hunt,
from a kiln of brick manufactured by John Penny in the public square, upon
the East Side.
The earliest hotel had been raised four years previous, by David Howard,
and, with an addition upon the west end, was known in later years as the the
St. Charles Hotel, and kept by the late P. J. Burchell. William Knight
kept tavern in it for a time, and was followed by B. T. Hunt, who completed
and dedicated it on the 4th of July, 1838, by the first public ball in St. Charles.
The Western Enterprise and Franklin Houses were built about 1840. The
former, by James Mead, is now used as a barn by Edgar Dunning ; the latter, a
brick building, is standing upon the West Side.
The Mallory House, formerly the Howard House, was built by Leonard
Howard, in 1848, and, having been in the possession of various parties, is now
kept by B. D. Mallory. It is a brick building, of convenient dimensions.
The intelligence of the early settlers in this city is denoted by the circum-
stance that one of the first schools in the county was taught there in the Fall
and Winter of 1835-36. The building was Hammer's old log house, then
owned by Warren Tyler, and the teacher was Prudence Ward, now Mrs. Dean
Ferson.
* Thomas E. Dodge was the builder.
342 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
A little slab school house was built in the Winter of 1836-37, on Pierce
& Adams' corner, and. in 1839, the citizens raised by subscription a sufficient
fund to build a single-story frame school house on Lot 5, Block 23, just west
of the Universalist Church, and hired as their first pedagogue a young man
named Knox, who had been clerk in the store of Minard, Ferson & Hunt.
While employed in his new vocation, Mr. Knox died. Other teachers took
his place, and schools were continued during the following years until the build-
ing became inconvenient. Several successive private or public schools Avere
then opened one in the basement of the Methodist Church, another in the
Universalist, and others in the Baptist and in this manner education was
obtained under difficulties, until 1854-55, when the Public School building
was put up on the West Side. Two years later, the one on the East Side
was erected. Both are of brick, large and convenient. The former, in
District No. 8, is valued at $16,000 ; the latter, in District No. 7, is val-
ued at $15,000.
Some difficulty was experienced by the early settlers in obtaining a' post
office, as St. Charles was not upon any regular mail route. It was at length
voted, however, to obtain the mail from Elgin, at the expense of the citizens.
The first Postmaster, Horace Bancroft, was appointed in 1837, and brought
the first mail from Elgin in his pocket handkerchief. His office stood upon
the present site of McKeever's store, and was built by Leonard Howard. The
Postmasters who followed were, in their order of succession, C. A. Brooks,
P. J. Burchill, J. T. Durant, P. C. Simmons, Albert Hayden and A. V. Lill ;
the latter, one of the early settlers, was appointed in 1861, and has retained
his position, with honor, for seventeen years.
Bancroft was also the -first blacksmith in the village, and made the irons for
the first saw-mill, which was in operation in November, 1836. He likewise
had an ear for other melody than anvil choruses and brought the first piano to
.the place.
Abel Millington was a man of more than ordinary energy, and had no
sooner settled in the growing town than he commenced, in the Spring of 1838,
the erection of one of the most essential elements to its success, a grist-mill,
upon the West Side, upon a claim purchased of Gideon Young. The foundation
was laid by Leonard Howard. Unfortunately for the town, Mr. Millington
died in the Fall of the same year. The mill is now owned by R. J. Haines.
The original plat of the town was surveyed and laid out for *Ira Minard,
Read Ferson, Calvin Ward and Gideon Young, in the Spring of 1837, by
Mark W. Fletcher, County Surveyor. Numerous additions have since been
made upon both sides of the river.
The earlier settlers of the town crossed the river by means'of a ferry ; but
in the Summer of 1837, business had increased to such an extent that a bridge
was deemed a necessity, and accordingly a wooden structure was raised, at a
* We give the names of the proprietors as they are given upon the plat in the Recorder's Office.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 34$
cost of about $700. It was subsequently carried away, and several have since
been built in the same place, one of which was put up about 1857, at a cost of
$5,000, and was replaced, at a cost of $8,500, by the elegant iron one which
still spans the river.
About 1838, Joseph Keyser, from Pennsylvania, who arrived in the town
the previous year, started a pottery, and commenced the manufacture of brown
earthenware, on the south side of the lot now owned by J. S. Christian. But
the business not proving as remunerative as he had expected, he loaded his
goods into a small boat, and, with his family, sailed down the river, and was
seen in St. Charles no more.
A. N. Locke built a carding-mill in 1837, which for a time succeeded,
and gave employment to about twenty-five hands, but is now standing va-
cant, upon the East Side.
Ira Minard took an active part at this time in all the enterprises for the
promotion of the welfare of the town, was elected one- of the first Justices
of the Peace, in 1836, and to the State Senate in 1842. In the latter year,
he started, in company with L. B. Flint, a castor and linseed oil manufactory,
between the paper-mill and Miller's blacksmith shop ; but the business was
unsuccessful, and the building was sold for a store, to 0. M. Butler, about
1850, and burned down some years later.
In 1840, Read Ferson built a blacksmith shop on the East Side, which was
converted, in the following year, into a paper-mill, by William Debit. Paper
is said to have been made in it for some time by hand, but Debit soon quit
the business, when the property was owned for a short time by R. J. Haines
and P. C. Simmons, and at length by Butler & Hunt, who first fitted it with
suitable machinery. The West Side paper-mill was built by Butler & Hunt,
1847-8, and was subsequently greatly enlarged, but was nearly destroyed by
fire in the Summer of 1856. It was repaired, however, and great additions
made ; was employing eighty hands, and making 7,000 pounds of print paper
per day, when it was again burned, February 5, 1866, and has never been re-
built. The stone walls alone are standing, and the property has been in liti-
gation for ten years. The East Side grist-mill was built about 1845, by E. C.
Chapman.
The first house of worship was the little school house upon Adams &
Pierce' s corner, which was used by all societies, and was soon abandoned for
school purposes. Father Clark first preached in it, but long before its erection,
and some say as early as 1 834, there had been preaching in the vicinity. On
the 4th of March, 1837, the Congregational Church was organized, Avith nine
members, to wit : Robert Moody, Elizabeth Moody, Alexander Ferson, Abigail
Ferson, Dean Ferson, Prudence Ferson, John Fisk, Calvin Ward and Abby
Ward. The meeting for organization and the first communion service was held
at the log house of Robert Moody. Father Clark met for worship with this
small flock for nearly a year, in private houses. His pastorate continued for
344 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
three years and a half, during which time he gathered a church of about twenty-five
members. In July, 1841, he resigned, to accept a call from the church at Elgin.
In 1842, preparations were made to build, which resulted in the completion of
the present edifice, in November, 1848. In 1844, twenty members were dis-
missed, to form a church at Wayne Center; and in 1851, eight more were dis-
missed to form the church at Campton. Present membership about 140.
The Baptist Church was organized in the Winter of 1835. in the house of
John Kittredge, and comprised, during the years immediately following, mem-
bers from St. Charles, Dundee, Elgin and Campton, who held their central point
at Rice Fay's double log house, at Fayville. While meetings were held there,
churches were organized, at Elgin, Dundee and Campton (then Fail-field), from
this single germ. The parent church was then moved to St. Charles, where the
building now occupied was erected, about 1853, and repaired and enlarged in
the Summer of 1876.
A Universalist society existed in the place at a very early day, and the build-
ing commenced in the Fall of 1839 was the first in the place, and probably the
first in the State. Rev. William Roundsville, who organized the society, was
the first pastor. Preaching was held for a time in the old school house, previous
to building, and Rev. A. Pingree, now of Pingree Grove, Avas active in establish-
ing the organization. It ran down, however, about 1857, and for years the
building has been closed.
The Methodist Episcopal Society was one of the first formed in the village,
and commenced a church building about 1843, which has since been, greatly im-
proved. As its early records have been lost, or destroyed, we have no means of
obtaining an extended account of the organization of the society. It is prosper-
ous, and one of the largest religious denominations in the city.
In 1859, according to the statement of a reliable Free Methodist, a number
of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church became unusually noisy from
''getting blessed." The pastor, D. C. Howard, unused to such a racket, under-
took to keep them quiet, but signally failed. They objected to his interference ;
a meeting was called to take their case in hand, and twenty-one of them were
expelled. Organizing immediately, under the celebrated Dr. Redfield, they re-
solved themselves into a Free Methodist Church. Their building was originally
an elevator, belonging to T. A. & R. A. Wheeler, and standing just north of
where S. S. Jones' vacated elevator now stands. It was purchased of the orig-
inal owners June 20, 1860, and is still used as the house of worship. There are
now between fifty and sixty members.
In 1843, mass was held in the house of Michael Flannery, by Father Keegan ;
but previous to this date. Father O'Donnell, from Joliet, had visited the Catholics
of St. Charles occasionally, and administered to their spiritual wants. In 1851,
a stone church, the only one of this material in the place, was commenced, on
the West Side. The membership is large, and the number on the increase.
The first bell in the town was placed upon the Congregational Church, in 1847.
JAMES MANN
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 347
THE PRESS.
Journalism commenced in Kane County with the publication at St. Charles
of a small sheet devoted mainly to the presentation of certain religious views of Dr.
John Thomas, its editor, who had moved to the place from Kendall County, and
brought a small press with him. It was short lived, however, and about the
Fall of 1841, Dr. Thomas commenced the publication of the St. Charles Patriot,
Fox River Advocate and Kane County Herald, which eventually failed per-
haps from a lack of vital energy to keep its name before the public but after
continuing a number of years. In' the fall of 1842, it was burned out and the
press destroyed, but Ira Minard purchased another for the good of the place,
and the paper was issued as The Fox River Advocate for some time, by Dr. D.
D. Waite. The Prairie Messenger was started in 1846, by Smith & Kelsey,
changed hands several times, and went down like its predecessors. In the years
which followed there successively appeared The People's Platform, The Demo-
cratic Platform, The Kane County Democrat, The Democratic Argus, The
/St. Charles Argus, and The St. Charles Transcript. It should also be men-
tioned that a Universalist paper was started in January, 1842, by Rev. William
Rounsville and Seth Barnes ; was continued for about a year, when it was
removed to Chicago, where it was published in the following years under the
title of The New Covenant. The St. Charles Transcript commenced its career
under S. L. Taylor, March 1, 1871. Having received a bonus of about $400
from the Citizens of the town in consideration of its establishment, the editor
placed it under the able management of Samuel W. Durant, to whom whatever
merit it possessed was due, as but a small part of Mr. Taylor's energies were
devoted to it. In July, 1871, it was purchased by Tyrrell & Archer, who pub-
lished it until June, 1873, when it was sold to Frank McMaster and H. N.
Wheeler. It was then a seven-column folio, with a circulation of about 300.
The name was changed to The Northern Grranger in the same Fall, and again
to The St. Charles Leader, in December, 1874, when it was enlarged to a six-
column quarto. Since then it has been steadily increasing in influence and im-
portance, and in November, 1875, was for the first time issued from a cylinder
power press, having been previously struck off on one of the dimunitive and
bungling hand concerns. In 1876, one of its able editors, Frank McMaster,
sold his interest to his partner, who remains the sole editor and proprietor. In
June, 1877, a new departure was taken in country journalism, by introducing
upon its title page an elegant engraved heading, the design being one of especial
local interest. In politics the Leader is Democratic, its circulation is about
1,200, while its rank among the papers of the county, in energy, vigor of thought
and the independence of its views, is clearly indicated by its title. Its office is
also one of the best in the county in the convenience of its equipment for news-
paper and job work. In September, 1874, a dimunitive publication was com-
menced by Tyrrell, the former editor of the Transcript, but it went out after a
six months' struggle.
348 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
FIRES.
Several destructive fires have occurred aside from those already mentioned.
Two stores have been destroyed upon the site of the building afterward erected
by Minard & Osgood, and now occupied by W. F. Osgood & Co. ; and a con-
flagration, in 1843, destroyed the buildings west of Hunt's Mills. Epidemics
have also visited the place and spread destruction in their track, and at this
point a few brief remarks upon the prevailing
DISEASES
of the county when first settled, and their modifications and successors, will not
be irrelevant to the subject under consideration, since no other town in the
county suffered as much from them at one period as did St. Charles, although
its location is generally speaking extremely healthful. As in other regions
of the West, intermittent and remittent bilious fevers sorely afflicted the
pioneers, and probably shortened the lives of many; yet, when "there were
scarcely well people enough to take care of the sick," the mortality from the above
diseases was surprisingly light. Their effect was rather to postpone improvements
and retard labor. But pernicious fevers properly belong to a lower latitude.
Dysentery and erysipelas were far more malignant and fatal than now. About
1847, the intermittents began to give way to typhoid fevers rare previously
and, though generally mild, the latter carried off quite a number, until about-
1857, when diphtheria and cerebro-spinal diseases displaced it to a marked extent.
From 1857 to the present time, diphtheria has made many households desolate ;
while its ally and next of kin, scarletina, has been increasing the bills of infantile
mortality. It would seem that the most striking change of diseased action
was a relief from bilious and malarious maladies, and an increase of those affect-
ing the blood and nerves. Since the abatement of malaria, consumptive disease is
also probably a little on the increase. These discouraging statements are more
than offset, however, by the increasing vigor of the general population, and by
the, rapidly diminishing death rate from infantile dysentery and cholera in-
fantum, which are not one-fourth as prevalent nor one-tenth as fatal as in 1845.
Then, these complaints commenced in May, but now, they are deferred until
August, and "Dr. Frost" comes to the relief of the juvenile sufferers. On the
whole, the health of the people has steadily improved since the first settlement,
and St. Charles and the vicinity are now and ever have been as salubrious,
at least, as any locality in the State. Malarious diseases yielded to the lower-
ing of the beds of the river and water courses, constantly going on, thus in-
creasing the rapidity of their currents ; the cultivation of the soil, the thinning
of the densest strips of timber, prairie fires, better water, and other causes ; and
the hope will be doubtless realized that blood and nervous diseases will also yield
to hygiene when more generally taught in the public schools.
The above meager notice will be more complete by adding a short account
of the visit of Asiatic cholera to Kane County, which first appeared in Aurora
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 349
in 1849, and, invading all the river towns with more or less fatal results, disap-
peared in 1854. It may be safely estimated that from three hundred to three
hundred and fifty victims yielded to the cold embrace of the destroyer in the
above period, within the limits of the county. Two-thirds of these were foreign
emigrants, who brought the seeds of the disease with them. This was notably
the case in St. Charles, where the Swedes suffered the most the cholera
decimating a small colony. We have it on the best authority that cholera killed
far more people than is now commonly imagined, as its presence was often de-
nied by well meaning people, and physicians denounced for calling public atten-
tion to genuine cases. This policy was sometimes suicidal. It was at first
hoped and believed that -Dr. Eastman, a talented physician, of Aurora, had hit
upon an efficient treatment, but events proved that no physician in the county
or elsewhere could boast of signal success in staying its ravages where it had
once appeared ; and more than one of Dr. Eastman's own family fell victims to
the epidemic. A few dozen sporadic cases, so-called, occurred in Elgin,
Batavia, Clintonville, and even in Geneva, during the Summers of those five
years, and quite a number of them were fatal ; but, in 1852, St. Charles had
to bear the brunt of the disease, which appeared there in its most malignant
form.
The name of Dr. H. M. Crawford deserves honorable mention here for his
faithful treatment of the sufferers, and for the warning which he sounded in
season and in the face of strong opposition, thus preventing, in a great measure,
the fearful spread of the contagion which must otherwise have occurred. No
doubt there are many who daily walk the streets of St. Charles whose lives
were saved by him at that time ; and he risked his own for the .public welfare,
as so many zealous physicians have done from time immemorial. As already
mentioned, the Doctor was one of the last of the early settlers, having sailed
from Ireland, where he had received a thorough education at various colleges,
and arrived in New York in the Spring of 1848. Forming an unexpected
liking for the Americans, he made the tour of the States, and, being delayed in
St. Charles by a snow storm, in the Fall of the above year, he was induced to
settle in the town and practice his profession. He soon established a reputa-
tion, scarcely paralleled in the State, as a surgeon and physician, and his prac-
tice has been unsurpassed, at least for devoted and laborious philanthropy. In
July, 1852, a case of cholera occurred on the East Side, the patient being one
of the first arrivals of a considerable body of Swedes. Dr. Crawford, who was
called to attend him, quietly advised his immediate isolation, and also the sep-
aration of the sick from the well in other families suspecting the existence of
cholera germs among them. The suggestion was disregarded. "It is only
typhus" said some, and the cold pestilence was allowed to take refuge by other
firesides. As many as 1 a dozen of those exposed to the contagion took refuge
in an abandoned cooper's shop, which was soon a hospital, while other houses
occupied shortly presented the same appearance. Dr. Crawford and one faith-
350 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
ful nurse stood to their posts, night and day, unaided and alone, for nearly a
week, until some benevolent ladies came to the rescue with full hands and kind
hearts, and the village authorities, with their eyes now opened by the death of
some five citizens and nearly twice as many Swedes, hastened to establish a
hospital, and appointed Dr. Crawford as physician in charge. These hastily
improvised shanties stood on the Aldrich place (then woods), north of the town,
and, although the death rate was high, the needed generosity of the St. Charles
people was nobly exhibited, and all done which could be done under the cir-
cumstances.
The nurse who assisted Dr. Crawford in the first outbreak sacrificed her life
to save her suffering friends and neighbors, and the writer regrets his inability
to ascertain her name. After a first attack of cholera, she relapsed from go-
ing to her work too soon and despite the best efforts of her physician, succumbed
among those she had helped to save. The annals of the human race present few
instances of a more exalted heroism than that exhibited by this nameless woman,
and her memory should be forever embalmed in the hearts of the citizens of St.
Charles. The glory of the conqueror or the statesman is mean and contempt-
ible compared with hers, for personal interest could have had nothing to do with
her devotion. When the inevitable decay which awaits all that man can build
has become the last inhabitant of the village in which she suffered and died, and
its shapely masses of material shall have crumbled back into the original dust
from whence they arose, let her faithfulness be remembered. Especially should
her own countrymen honor her with an immortality which the granite shaft or
marble mausoleum can never confer. Let them teach her story to their children as
soon as they are old enough to understand the meaning of words, as one of the
rarest recorded exhibitions of philanthropy, and let them in turn continue its rehear-
sal to their offspring, from generation to generation, down to the most distant ages.
At least seventy-five persons lost their lives at this time in the city and
township of St. Charles alone ; and it is clear that as many more would have
died had it not been for the heroic devotion of a few who made an unselfish effort
in their behalf.
During this epoch, several cases of an amusing as well as tragic character
occurred. One illustrates the toleration of u heroic " and even poisonous doses
by cholera patients. John Maguire, living east of St. Charles, came home from
Chicago in the clutches of the prevailing disease. His son hastened to St..
Charles, only to see Dr. Crawford taking his departure, on a fleet horse, in a
furious rain storm. A vial dropped unbroken from his pocket in a pool of water,
and, seeing that he could not overtake the doctor, the young man hied home
with the medicine. The father, in the agony of the disease, seized the vial as
the son approached and swallowed at a dose the contents, viz., one oz. of lauda-
num and an equal amount of creasote. He is still living, in the State of Iowa.
A powerful Swede, fifty years of age, would trust to nothing but prayer and.
water, and waded, while in cholera, into the middle of the river and raising his
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 351
hands in supplication to Heaven, fell into the deep water. He was rescued from
the stream only to die of the disease in a few moments after being conveyed to
the old "cooper shop " for medical treatment.
A family of Pennsylvania^ by the name of Camp, consisting of husband,
wife and six children, passed through St. Charles, westward, in July of the fol-
lowing year, when they were attacked with cholera on the road west of the town.
Three, including Mr. C., died on the road in a deserted log shanty, which stood
above King's Mill Creek, near where Lake's cheese factory now stands, in
Campton Township. When under the shelter of this poor refuge the balance
of the family were gathered, the insatiable monster was not at all contented
with his havoc, but immediately siezed upon all the others. The neighbors
bravely flocked to their assistance. Dr. Crawford was called, and at the end of
three days and nights of unremitting labor pronounced all safe, with careful
management. One interesting and beautiful girl of 19, who had hung trem-
blingly in the balance between life and death for three days, was cheerful again
and convalescent. The mother was ordered to see to it that no food should be
given unless by the hand of the doctor, and she was not to be raised in the bed.
But no sooner did the uncontrollable sleep overcome for a few minutes the giver
of this order, than the poor girl, yielding to the morbid desire for food, per-
suaded her mother to fetch her a tin cup of bread and milk, a large spoonful of
which she greedily swallowed. A faint cry awoke the doctor, whose head had
rested against a projecting log, the cup was snatched from the trembling hand
and the head quickly lowered, but all efforts at resuscitation were unavailing,
and Annie Camp, like a rosebud stricken from the stem by some rude blast,
was laid with her father and three brothers on the north bank of the little
stream.
RAILROADS.
The railroad history of this city is of melancholy interest. After the Chi-
cago & Galena Railroad Company had extended their track from Chicago to
Turner Junction, the people of St. Charles began to discuss the prospect of ob-
taining a further extension to their own town. Ira Minard was active in advo-
cating the feasibility of the plan, and subsequently liberal in securing its opera-
tion.
In 1849, a road was commenced from the city to connect with the Chicago
& Galena track, three miles northwest of the Junction ; and on the 12th of Decem-
ber, in the same year, the first train entered St. Charles, and the scream of the
locomotive was heard for the first time in Kane County, or in the Fox River Valley.
In the following August, the Chicago & Galena Road completed their track to
Elgin, and changed their route from St. Charles to that place. The citizens of
St. Charles, seeing that the salvation of their town depended upon the thorough-
fare which they had opened, took the matter into their own hands and ran two
trains a day from their town to the Junction. Ira Minard controlled it until
352 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
October, 1856, when it passed into other hands. The depot stood upon the
East Side, just east of the position now occupied by the Free Methodist Church.
B. D. Mallory was the Agent from August to November, 1850, and Leonard
Howard from the latter date until 1857.
In 1853, Minard and others obtained a charter for the St. Charles & Galena
Air Line Road, into w r hich the charter previously granted for the Branch Track
was merged. Ira Minard became President of the company, and heavy stock
was taken all along the line ; while at Galena the people contributed handsomely,
as the road would, when completed, furnish them a competing thoroughfare with
the Chicago & Galena Road and the Illinois Central, as well as a more direct
route to Chicago.
The Chicago & Galena Road, commenced with the ostensible purpose of ex-
tending to Galena, had never approached nearer that town than Freeport, but
from there had depended upon the Illinois Central track. The inhabitants of
the place, groaning under the monopoly of a single thoroughfare, rejoiced at the
prospect of completion. In an evil hour, one E. C. Litchfield, from Cazenovia,
N. Y., appeared in St. Charles, representing that he and his friends possessed
sufficient means to build the railroad if he was allowed to take a controlling interest
in the stock. He was permitted to subscribe for it, the thoroughfare was commenced
and graded from Chicago to St. Charles, /the culverts were generally built ;
also, the piers and abutments for a bridge across Fox River, and the track was
laid for nine milos from Chicago. Minard had staked his whole ample fortune,
$80,000, upon the success of the enterprise, while hundreds of poor men all
along the line had taken stock for all they owned. It must be understood that
Litchfield had promised that the road should be finished, and that it should not
previously pass out of his hands into the possession of the Chicago & Galena,
or any other competing line.
Never was a villainous scheme more successfully executed. When the con-
troller 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 Minard that he had concluded to sell his stock
to the Chicago & Galena Company, and promised to make ample reparation
for any personal inconvenience which such a course might occasion him, if he
would raise no objections. He was thus permitted to take his choice when
there was no choice to take. The refusal and loss of his property could not
have helped his friends, who were already ruined, nor saved 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 for the interest
of the Chicago & Northwestern Company to continue it ; $700,000, paid by the
hard-working farmers and industrious mechanics across the State, was lost, and
many families reduced from wealth to poverty, and the useless piers stand to
this day in Fox River, appropriate monuments to the perfidy of E. C. Litch-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 353
field. Minard has been unjustly blamed for his course in the disaster, but it is
sufficiently apparent from the above that he was guiltless. The loss of the
railroad was the severest blow ever given to the prosperity of St. Charles. It
nearly annihilated the village for more than fifteen years. She had arisen tri-
umphantly from pestilence and repeated conflagrations, but now many false proph-
ets gravely shook their heads and quoted, with a dolorous whine, Byron's line,
" 'Tis Greece, but living Greece no more,"
and declared that she would never rise again. But prophets are sometimes
mistaken, as the sequel shows ; and intelligent manufacturers were not so blind
to their interests as to overlook such water power as the river affords at this point,
nor were families of means and culture, who chanced to visit the town, unsus-
ceptible to the charms of its natural surroundings. Glancing carelessly from
the hill, on the West Side, up the river beyond the great stone piers, " to him
who in the love of nature holds communion with her visible forms," the view is
one which will never be forgotten. And then, where in Northern Illinois can
the spot be found which rivals in beauty the grounds on the opposite bank,
belonging to L. C. Ward, with the residence which rises above them, recalling in
its commanding position and graceful architecture the stories of the Alhambra ?
Such scenery had its effect, and the town gradually awoke. In 1870, in con-
sideration of an agreement entered into with the * Chicago & Northwestern Rail-
road, by which the company promised, for the sum of $35,000, to be paid by
the citizens of St. Charles, to build and operate perpetually a track connecting
the place with the main line at Geneva, trains again entered the village. The
entire cost of the road, including right of way, exceeded $45,000. The depot
still used is a reconstructed dwelling, built by Capt. Richard Sargent. Since
the completion of this track, business, which had already given some indications
of reviving, has more than doubled, and the town may be considered in a more
prosperous condition than ever before. In 1875, the place, which had formerly
been under village government, became a city under the general statutes, and
elected a Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The first Mayor was Dr. J. K.
Lewis, one of the early physicians, the son of an old settler, and a man in
every way qualified to hold the position.
MILITARY RECORD.
Few cities of its size in the State present a more brilliant war record than
St. Charles. The names of all her soldiers appear upon another page in this
work, but a few deserve special notice. Among these Gen. J. F. Farnsworth
occupies the front rank. By him the Eighth Illinois Cavalry was organized, in
1861, a regiment the most active of all the cavalry regiments in the Army of
the Potomac. The General went out as Colonel, but was subsequently promoted.
J. S. Van Patten, now in the Kane County Bank, was Quartermaster. Com-
* The new name for the old Chicago & Galena Railroad
354 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
pany A was raised in the city, and Company I in the county. Of the former,
William G. Conklin (Second Lieutenant in the Sixth Illinois during the Mexi-
can war) went as Captain, was promoted to the office of Major and resigned.
The Colonel of the regiment (Farnsworth) served from 1861 to 1863, was in all
the battles in front of Richmond, in 1862 ; at Antietam, Fredericksburg, South
Mountain, and many of the smaller cavalry skirmishes, but in 1863 resigned to
take his place in Congress, where he had been a Representative for four years
before the outbreak of the rebellion, and where he remained for ten years after
leaving the army. Previous to the great struggle, he had figured in the organ-
ization of the Republican party, was a strong Abolitionist and contributed in
no small measure toward the Anti-slavery movement. He still resides in St.
Charles. It should here be mentioned that Capt. Conklin did gallant service
in the Mexican Avar, as did Lieut. Lewis Norton, now in California. Thirty-
four men of the ninety-four who enlisted for that struggle in the company
formed in St. Charles, were killed or died of diseases contracted during their
absence. In the Seventh Regiment (war of rebellion) we notice the names of
George Sill and D. B. Chamberlin, still residents of the place. The Seven-
teenth Illinois Cavalry also rendezvoused at St. Charles in the Fall of 1863,
where they were organized by Gen. Farnsworth. In the Thirty -sixth A..H'
Barry, well known at the Kane County bar and at present a resident of Elgin,
was Major, and John Elliott, one of the first Board of Aldermen in St. Charles,
was First Lieutenant. The latter was captured by the rebels and had many
thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes. The laws of the South were at
that time the "Laws of Draco," and on one occasion Mr. Elliott was delivered
to the civil authorities for some trivial offense and sentenced to be hanged. He
escaped by breaking through a box-car, in which he was confined, and still pre-
serves an unbroken spinal column in the city where he enlisted.
In the Fifty-second, Capt. F. H. Bowman, now in the hardware business,
H. N. Wheeler, editor of the St. Charles Leader, and Frank McMaster, now in
Colorado, may be mentioned.
Dr. H. M. Crawford went as Surgeon in the Fifty-eighth, and found abun-
dant scope for his high talents at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, where he earned an
enviable record. At the battle field, the the regiment was broken up and deci-
mated, and the doctor was assigned to the post of Chief Operator and to the
charge of general hospitals, until its re-organization, in 1864. At the hospitals
of Monterey and Corinth, he exerted himself so arduously in the care of the sick
and wounded, that his health became seriously impaired. By a leave of absence,
however, after the second battle of Bull Run, it was recruited, and he returned
to the appointment of Chief Surgeon in Hospital No. 4, in Jackson, Tenn., and
was subsequently promoted to Chief of Hospitals at La Grange, Tenn., where
he again injured his health by his unremitting labor for the comfort of his
patients. Light duties at Vicksburg were imposed in place of the laborious
ones at La Grange. He was next Brigade Surgeon on Sherman's raid to
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 355
Meridian, then Division Surgeon on Red River Expedition, and was Chief
Operator for A. J. Smith's corps after Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou. From
thence he again joined his regiment, and, after filling various other appointments
with credit to himself, was honorably discharged in the Spring of 1865.
N. T. Roach was Commissary in the same regiment.
Capt. Richmond, now of Chicago, was a favorite of the One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh, and well deserving of the good will of his regiment, while
Samuel W. Durant attained an honorable record in the same regiment a&
Quartermaster.
ST. CHARLES TO-DAY.
The cloud of desolation which at one time threatened to envelop all the
interests of the town has, as we have seen, passed by, and the streets, from the
crevices of whose sidewalks the grass was beginning to grow, are now thronged
daily with life and activity, while several important manufactories are in suc-
cessful operation. Prominent among these is the Hardware Company, repre-
sented and controlled by S. L. Bignall, which gives employment tofifty-five men,
and melts 1,000 tons of iron a year. The iron business was commenced about
1844, by Burdick & Clark, who built a small foundry, which subsequently
passed into the hands of John Lloyd, who remained sole proprietor or partner in
the business until his death, when, after some changes in ownership, it became
the property of S. L. Bignall & Co., who sold, in 1876, to the S. L. Bignall Hard-
ware Company, the stock company by which it is now owned. Pumps, wind-
mills, grind-stone fixtures, sad irons, corn shellers, and various articles for
which Mr. B. possesses letters patent are manufactured. The buildings have
recently enlarged to more than triple their original size, and the foundry and
machine shops, combined, rank as one of the great manufactories of Fox River.
Brownell & Miller's paper mill, which is the old Debit mill enlarged, is oper-
ated in the manufacture of straw wrapping paper, of which about a car load is
shipped weekly to Chicago. The quality is said to be as good as any in the
market, and the company employ eighteen hands. The present proprietors
purchased the building of 0. M. Butler in 1867, and Mr. Miller states that it
was the first manufactory of the kind west of the Ohio.
The St. Charles File Company J. P. Doig and J. T. Gallagher com-
menced operations in St. Charles in June, 1877, in the large stone shop back
of Haines' mill, having previously been in the same business, between six and
seven years, N in Chicago, and gained in the meantime a No. 1 reputation for
their files, which have, in a great measure, superseded the English ones, with
which the Western market was previously stocked. They employ twenty-two
skilled workmen.
Louis Klink's Wagon and Carriage Shop, commenced in 1866, was the
first establishment of the kind which has made that industry successful in St.
Charles. His sales during the past year amounted to $20,000. The Doyles
356
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
also have a similar manufactory, upon the east side of the river, and are consid-
ered excellent workmen.
St. Charles Mills, on the East Side, and already referred to, were purchased
from William G. Conklin, in September, 1877, by A. Fredenhague, who oper-
ates them for both custom and merchant work. The building contains three
run of stones, and four hands are employed.
R. J. Haines' mill, upon the West Side, has received mention upon another
page-
One of the great interests of the city is the dairy business, and farmers for
a circuit of five miles send milk here to supply the cheese and butter factories.
The building of the St. Charles Dairymen's Association, upon the East Side,
one of the finest cheese factories in the United States, was erected in the Spring
of 1872, cost $11,500, and has since received additions and improvements to
the amount of $3,500. The association was chartered by the State, in April,
1877, and operates the factory for the patrons, making and selling the products,
and deducting from the market price two and one-half cents per pound for the
manufacture of cheese, and five cents for butter.
The following statistics will convey to the reader a clear understanding of
the extent of its patronage :
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1877.
No. Pounds No. Pounds. No. Pounds
M'lk Cheese ' Butter ;
Received. ; Made. , Made.
|No. Pounds
Milk
Received.
1
No. Pounds
Cheese
Made.
No. Pounds
Butter
Made.
January
192,000 ,
215.000
288,000
319,000
502,000
652,000
14,907
16,037
21,511
22,841
40,883
54,331 i
5,443
5,800
7.325 '
7,611
8.388
9,356 ,
July
...J 609,000
48,994
45,009
35,402
28,000
24,000
24,000
8,993
8,564
10,751
9,000
7,750
7,750
February
August
....! 548 000
March
September
1 465 000
April
October
. i 360 000
May
.. ' 310 000
June
December
1 300,000
Within the past Summer (1877), Martin Switzer has erected, upon the West
Side, on the bank of a never-failing spring-brook, a stone cheese factory of vast di-
mensions, which will doubtless eventually obtain much of the patronage of that
part of the township. As it has only been operated a part of the season, no
fair estimate of the amount of its yearly business can be presented.
Leaving now the manufactories for the mercantile interests of the town, we
find several large and elegant business blocks : W. F. Osgood's, L. C. Ward's
and the one built on the West Side by John Gloss, during the Summer of 1877 ;
also, on the East Side, the gigantic pile of stone which William Irwin, one of
the early settlers, has been more than a score and a half of years in rear-
ing. " You'll never again see the man," observed its honest and industrious
builder, as he pointed to it, " who has piled up such a mass of material as that
with his own fingers ; " and we left him, convinced of the truth of his
statement.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 857
ELGIN TOWNSHIP.
Solitary wanderers, returning to New England firesides, from prospecting
tours to the Great West, in 1832-3, were regarded with a feeling akin to
superstition by the neighbors, who flocked to hear their reports. The inter-
est manifested by the dwellers beyond the sea, for the navigators from the New
World, in the early part of the sixteenth- century, could not have far exceeded
theirs, for they beheld in the voyagers, whom they quizzed with Yankee perti-
nacity, men who had reached the end of the world and had seen sights never
before beheld by any but the semi-barbarous trappers, Indians, a few explorers
and military expeditions. Even those who studied the primary geographies,
among those Eastern hills, at a more recent date, can remember when Indiana
was regarded as the last State within the confines of civilization, while Minne-
sota was the grand "jumping off place" "that undiscovered country from
whose bourne no traveler returned." No reports from the West could be too
exaggerated to find ready believers ; and despite his proverbial shrewdness, many
a credulous Yankee was firmly convinced that herds of wild buffalo thundered
through the streets of Chicago by day, and 'prairie wolves howled under the
windows of Peoria by night. Stories of the climate and soil were equally ex-
aggerated and one of these, portraying Michigan as the long lost Garden of
Eden, at length reached, in 1833, a little village in New Hampshire, where there
lived, in rather straitened circumstances, a young man by the name of Isaac
Stone. With a friend, E. K. Mann, he took his carpet bag and bid farewell to
the Green Mountains, the White Mountains and the purling brooks of those
mountains, and went forth in quest of the fortunes that were to be obtained in
Michigan, "without money and without price."
In process of time, the young men reached a place called White Pigeon
Prairie, and there they halted, and, having hired as laborers to the farmers of
that country, remained until the following year, when they were attacked with
intermittent and bilious fevers, and, if Mr. Stone is not mistaken in this part
of his narrative, "shook down two or three log shanties," and thus rendered
themselves unpopular. " I liked the country," said he, " and I liked the peo-
ple, but I never did like ague," and therefore they left the State; Mann,
wlio.se condition had become dangerous, returning to his Eastern home, and Mr.
Stone proceeding to Chicago.
Finding nothing in that place to induce him to remain, he continued West-
ward, and after much wandering up and down the country, found himself, early
in the Spring of 1835, upon the bank of Fox River, at Elgin, where he says
that he found a pioneer named Ransom Olds,* residing in the northern part of
* Further investigation has convinced us that Mr. Stone's statement concerning this man is correct ; and Ran-
som Olds' cabin was the first one erected by a white man within the present limits of Elgin city or Township.
He arrived there early in 1835, and left the town years ago.
358 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
the present city limits, in a finished 'log house, upon a claim afterward owned
by Reuben Jenne. Proceeding southward, he came to the claims taken by the
Giffords, who will be further mentioned in the chapter upon the city. These men
were building their first log cabin. Mr. Stone further states that Olds sold his orig-
inal claim about a year later, and took up the land now owned by Oscar Lawrence.
Journeying from the river to the west, Mr. Stone came to the tract where
he now resides, a mile and a half from the spot afterward occupied by the post
office of Udina, and being pleased with the situation and convinced that it was
far enough removed from the river to insure freedom from the prevailing dis-
eases of Michigan, he staked out a large claim and built his cabin.
A little later, Mr. Mann, who had recovered and learned of his comrade's
settlement, made his appearance and took up his abode in the same cabin, hav-
ing previously come to an agreement in regard to a division of the claim, when
either one should take unto himself a wife. Thus they lived several years, par-
ticipating in the hardships of their wilderness home ; and here for a time we will
leave them to follow the fortunes of other settlers in the township.
While Stone and Mann were in Michigan, an enterprising young man from a
section far removed from New Hampshire was preparing to settle in the same
Western State, which seems to have had peculiar attractions for pioneers from
every part of the country. This man was Joseph P. Corron, of Nicholas Co.,
Va. (now West Virginia), who left his home in 1834, and proceeded to the Wol-
verine State, remaining a year in Cass County, and then, with a brother-in-law,
Jacob Amick, and one John Donalds, betook himself to the Fox River, which he
reached at Batavia, April 28, ] 835. Donalds had been at this place in the
previous year, and taken a claim a little below the present site of the village.
Early in the history of the settlement, he left his land and traversed almost the
entire West, from Texas to Oregon, and never returned. Mr. Amick took up a
claim at Plato Corners, in the Spring of 1836.
From Batavia, Mr. Corron journeyed to the Garton settlement at Round
Grove, and thence to the land where he now resides, near South Elgin, and
took up the claim which joined one just taken by Mr. Laughlin, who now occu-
pies the old Garton farm.
At this time, George Tyler was living just north of Elgin, on land now
owned by McNeal and McAllister ; and later in the Summer of 1835, John
Spitzer located in St. Charles Township. Still later, in the Fall of the same
year, Mr. Corron was rejoiced at the arrival of neighbors, Anson Leonard, from
the State of Ohio, and a man named Duncan, from New York, who took up
adjoining claims.
In October, 1835, Mr. Corron married Miss Hannah A. Tucker, the
daughter of a family who had settled just the other side of the township line on
the south. The marriage ceremony was performed in Chicago.
In the meantime, other settlers were coming ; and prominent among them
was Dr. Joseph Tefft, still an honored resident of the city of Elgin. Leaving
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 3~>9
Madison Co., N. Y., with a colony composed of himself and wife, his father and
family, Dr. Nathan Collins and family, and P. C. Gilbert, with their teams,
he had stopped for a time at a place known as. Yankee Settlement, upon the
Des Plaines River, and from thence the male members of the company went West,
prospecting crossed Fox River at Aurora, the'n visited the small settlement at
Blackberry, and afterward returning to the river, followed it to Herrington's
store on the present site of Geneva, where they were assigned a lodging in the
storeroom, and left there during the night. Dr. Tefft still expresses himself
astonished at the unsuspicious nature of a man who would trust entire strangers
alone with his valuable stock of goods. From this point they struck north, to
the settlement of Ira Minard, on the present Asylum farm, and finally settled
in the vicinity ; Dr. Collins taking a claim upon the west side of the river,
where South Elgin now stands. Dr. Tefft was upon the opposite side, and
Jonathan Tefft, his father, another about a mile east of Elgin, within the pres-
ent limits of Cook County. This was late in the Fall of 1835. The party
had passed the Kimball emigrants, when on their way to the Des Plaines, but
upon arriving in their cabins in December, they found them already located in
Elgin.
Great annoyance was experienced by the Teffts and Collinses, from the delay
of their goods, which had been shipped to Chicago. Many times they went to
that frog pond by the lake to inquire for them, but for a long time no tidings
were received, and they failed to arrive in port until the following June, when
the most of them were found to be spoiled from a bath taken during a gale in
Lake St. Clair. Such a loss at that period of the settlement was almost irre-
parable. Supplies of all kinds were obtained at the expense of long journeys
to some of the earlier established towns ; and some, flour for example, could
not be obtained at any reasonable price. But the peopling of Elgin progressed
steadily, the settlers contenting themselves with the coarsest kind of fare in the
absence of the comforts of their Eastern homes ; and the last months of the
year 1836 found cabins dotting the prairie from South Elgin to Dundee.
Early in that year, Asa Gifford, now a resident of Cook County, had located
on a claim south of and adjoining that of his brother, Hezekiah, who was the
first claimant in the Bluff City, although not the first to build there. During
the Spring of the same year, Truman Gilbert settled upon the farm which he
still occupies, at South Elgin.
Though far inferior, now, in population, the prospects of that village were
fully as good then as were those of Elgin. 'A number of settlers had clustered
around it, shops and mills arose nearly as early as in the place whicli was des-
tined to eclipse it, and for more than two years the only physician in the vicinity
was settled there. A school house also arose in the edge of the woods, just east
of the place, upon the Laughlin claim, in 1837 ; and there Miss Maria Tefft
gathered the little boys and girls from throughout the neighborhood and taught
them the three R's ("reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic"), until she herself entered
360 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
the matrimonial school as the wife of E. K. Mann, in the following year. The lit-
tle log school house was erected by Isaac Spest and Thomas Mitchell, who pur-
chased the Laughlin claim, in 1836 ; Joseph and James Corron, the latter
having settled near his brother's claim, in the same year; and the Teffts.
James Corron has been years in his grave, and the same may be said of Thomas
Mitchell. Mrs. E. K. Mann also died long ago, in Beloit, Wis., and her hus-
band, more recently, in extreme poverty, in Kane County.
In the Fall of 1836, a dam was commenced by Gilbert Tefft, about eighty
rods below the present one, at South Elgin, and the place which it was hoped
would arise was called Clintonville, from De Witt Clinton, the eminent New
Yorker. During the Winter, the dam was finished, but was carried away the
next Spring. It was well built, but a mistake was made in constructing it
upon the sand instead of placing it on the rocks above. In the following year,
therefore, a second one was commenced by Gilbert, Tefft & Collins, and this
time placed in the proper position. As a result it remained, and, in 1838, a
saw-mill was built upon the East Side, and was soon in operation removing the
forests in the neighborhood ; and three frame dwellings soon took the place of
log ones. And now a long period ensued, when Clintonville remained station-
ary. True, about 1838, the industries of the settlement were increased, as
well as the noise, by the arrival of Samuel Hunting, a blacksmith, but further
than this little worthy of note occurred until July 3 and 4, 1847, when the
village was laid out on the West Side for Dr. Tefft and B. W. Raymond, by
Adin Mann, County Surveyor. It was the design of Mr. Gilbert, who laid out,
the East Side somewhat later, to build up a temperance town, and he therefore
ascertained the intentions of purchasers previous to selling them lots. The first
one which he disposed of was bought by a young mau in whom he had perfect
confidence, but was immediately deeded to one Nathan Williams, from Elgin,
who put up a distillery near the line afterward taken by the railroad, and com-
menced the manufacture of liquors. Rather discouraging for temperance. It
was likewise discouraging for the village, and may be said to have partially
paralyzed it. ,Its history henceforth became one of distilleries for a number of
years. Williams was was in the center of the place, and the owner not making
the business successful, soon sold ; and others followed him, each successive
owner* leaving the buildings in a worse condition than the last, until hopes were
entertained by temperance people that the business would never be revived in
them. About this time, one Mason, from Chicago, appeared upon the scene,
purchased the decaying buildings for a trifle, and rebuilt them at an enormous
expense. Probably not less than $50,000 was devoted to the preparation for
the manufacture of alcohol. But he had scarcely commenced operations when
officials detected him in an attempt to defraud the Government, and his plans
were suddenly nipped in the bud. The buildings again went to waste, and
were at length burned down, having been supposed to have taken fire from a
passing locomotive.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 361
But previous to these events, a man of great enterprise had become iden-
tified with the village, and did much to make it an important town. About
1848, G. M. Woodbury proposed to the owners of the place to take the water-
power and keep the dam in repair forever, and erect a flouring-mill upon either
side, upon condition that he should -be granted mill sites and water privileges.
The offer was accepted, and a stone mill, 40x60 feet, and three stories high,
arose upon the East Side, in accordance with the terms of the contract. The
privilege upon the opposite side was sold to H. Brown, and the agreement in
regard to it was likewise fulfilled. Woodbury attached a stone distillery to his
mill about 1850, and operated both for several years ; but subsequently left the
township, and the property was in litigation until a comparatively recent period.
In 1849, a store was built by Woodbury upon the East Side, and supplied
with a stock, such as is usually found in country establishments of the kind.
The building is now standing, and used as the office of the Steel Company.
While the foregoing events were taking place, a settlement was being estab-
lished at Udina, commenced in 1836 by one of the Merrills, from the Granite
State, and followed by his father, brothers and uncle, their names being Richard,
two Asas, Gilman and Jesse. Richard died after a short residence in the West.
As their settlement was upon the Chicago and Galena stage route, they had the
benefit of stages in 1837, and of a post office, which was named Udina, about a
year later. Asa Merrill was the first Postmaster, and his office was a log house,
standing where John and James Robinson now live. Not one representative of
the family can now be found in the vicinity of their old settlement. The post
office was the first in Elgin Township. The office at South Elgin, or Clinton-
ville as it was then called, was established about the time that the railroad was
laid. The first preacher was one of the itinerant representatives of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, who traveled through the county in 1835. The first
birth was that of a child of Sidney Kimball, born in November, 1837, in a house
situated on land now owned by C. H. Larkins. Returning to South Elgin, we
find a bridge constructed across the river at the point where Woodbury Mill
stands, about 1850. A portion of it was subsequently carried away by a
freshet, and repaired. Later, the entire structure was removed and the present
iron one erected. In 1852, a paper-mill was commenced in this village, by Dr.
Erastus Tefft, and operated for several years, first in the manufacture of
wrapping and later for roofing paper ; but at length it collapsed. During all
the early years of the history of this village, B. W. Raymond took a prominent
part. Dr. Joseph Tefft, however, is the most closely identified with its rise
and progress. Dr. Collins soon removed to St. Charles, and left him the only
physician in the township. A physician's practice then varied considerably
from that of the present day. The doctor's extended from the south line of
the township northward for twenty miles or more, and so far east and west.
There were no good roads, and his journeys were made upon an old gray horse,
which the settlers still living remember well. He rode at all seasons, and was
362 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
often obliged to swim streams, as bridges were unknown in the township when
he begun his practice, or cross trackless prairies in the darkest nights, with no
landmark but, the light from some distant cabin, glimmering like a sickly fire-
fly, or befogged will-o'-the-wisp. In 1859, the Free Methodist Society had
sprung up and become sufficiently strong to erect the church edifice still stand-
ing in South Elgin. About this time, the dairy business began to receive
attention. Previously there were not over 800 cows in the entire township.
Now there are at least 12,000. The country, which was every acre of it
claimed at that time, produced only about 4,000 pounds of butter and 1,000
pounds of cheese per annum. Now there are 2,000,000 pounds of cheese, and
550,000 pounds of butter made annually in the same area. Aside from the
vast amount of milk required in the manufacture of these luxuries of civiliza-
tion, three car loads are sent daily to Chicago, and the condensing factory uses
the milk from 1,000 cows. The first butter factory in the West was the one at
Elgin, now under the management of the Elgin Butter Company. Now the
reputation of both the butter and cheese of this city is known from Liverpool
to San Francisco, and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The cheese factory
at Udina was erected by a stock company, composed of the farmers in the
neighborhood, in 1870, and has been in operation ever since. Only a small
business has been done during the years 1876 and 1877, owing to the financial
troubles, which have injured all the industries of the country. The factory at
South Elgin was opened in the Spring of 1873, by Tefft & Hoag, the present
proprietors, in a building now occupied as a store by Charles Hoag. In March,
1874, the building now used Avas put up, and there the great celebrity of the
butter and cheese manufactured by the company has been attained. The factory
possesses peculiar advantages from having three large springs near at hand, of
unusual size and containing water at a very low temperature, while the amount
of milk received compares favorably with that of any other factory in the
United States. A variety store was opened in Udina some fifteen years
ago by Wesley Fletcher, and is now used as a dwelling by Milton Harger.
There is now but one store in that part of Elgin, and it is kept by Charles
Bean.
The South Elgin Fork Factory commenced operations April 1, 1875, under
the proprietorship of James H. Gifford. Ten hands are employed, and 200 dozen
hay, manure and spading forks manufactured per month. The business has proved
successful and the forks hold a high rank in the market. Iron rakes are like-
wise made in great numbers. The machinery of the establishment is operated
by water power.
In 1876, the South Elgin Steel and Malleable Iron Works commenced the
manufacture of skates and small castings, under the control of a joint stock
company, with an authorized capital of $15,000. At one time about thirty
men were employed. The foundry was entirely new, with blast furnace and
capacity for forty molders. A very superior skate was made, probably the best
UNIVERSALIST MINISTER OF PINGREE GROVE
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 365
in the market for the price, but owing to general mismanagement, as all the
stockholders freely admit, the machinery and buildings were recently sold at
Sheriff's sale.
Mr. Panton, the present owner of the West Side Flouring-mill, has a cheese
and butter-tub factory which gives employment to six coopers and which con-
tains machinery operated by a shaft extending from the adjoining mill.
Another general cooper shop, in the same village, is owned by Charles
Klock steam being the motive power and requires the services of twelve
workmen. According to the testimony of Mr, Hoag, of the neighboring fac-
tory, Mr. Klock makes a very superior butter tub.
Aside from the above, South Elgin possesses a tannery, owned by Gahan &
Hutchins, employing five men : also three stores, two on the East and one on
the West Side.
It now remains for us simply to notice the progress made in the schools of
the township since the days when its institutions of learning were limited to
the little log school house in the grove near South Elgin. There are now nine
school districts outside of the city limits, all of which contain comfortable
houses and support schools during the greater part of the year. They are
numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11. District No. 2 contains a brick edi-
fice a number of years old. All the other houses, including No. 8, the one in
South Elgin, are built of wood. The estimated valuation of school property is
$25,300.
Elgin Township is Congressional Township 41, North Range 8, East of the
Third Principal Meridian. It contains thirteen and a half miles of railroad ;
Fox River crosses it further to the east of the center than in any of the other
river townships in the county. Tyler Creek traverses its northern sections ;
while other small streams flow from the center southward. It is thus well
watered, but contains little waste land and is peculiarly adapted to the dairying
business, which has been pursued by the inhabitants with such magnificent
results.
CITY OF ELGIN.
With some unimportant changes in the relative positions of the savage hordes
who occasionally made it their hunting ground, the land now occupied by the
city of Elgin remained, in the early Spring of 1835, as it had been since the
discovery of the continent.
Early explorations had been confined to the east and south, and, though
Scott's army had cleared the way three years previously, the vast resources of
this valley were at that date undeveloped ; no cabin appeared with the curling
smoke from the fire of the pioneer, and no claim lines betokened the earliest
settlement. Desolation reigned in the midst of the "Garden of the World,"
and silence, interrupted only by the chirp of some feathered songster, the bark
366 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
of the prairie wolf or the triumphant yell of the dark hunter, as he brought
down the vigilant buck.
But the settlers were on their way, and in order to fully comprehend the
immediate causes which led to the peopling of Elgin, it will be necessary to
retrace our steps to the previous year, when there dwelt in the county of
Oneida, State of New York, a man by the name of Hezekiah Gifford. Having
heard of a land in the West, fertile beyond all that he had ever seen, wealthy
in water privileges, and abounding with ample supplies of wood, " a land of
streams," of fields already cleared for the harvest and waiting for the plowman,
he sold his property in the East and repaired to Buffalo. Taking passage
thence on a steamer for Detroit, with a Mr. Duryea, with whom he had formed
an acquaintance in Buffalo, he arrived, after a stormy voyage, went by stage
thence to St. Joseph, when he boarded a schooner and was landed in due time
safe in the native mud of Chicago. That city now the pride of the West was-
then scarcely a suitable dwelling-place for a colony of prairie dogs or gophers.
Its dirt-begrimmed cabin walls and vile streets, in which pigs and geese wal-
lowed in filthy happiness, presented no attractive features for any higher orders
of creation ; while in place of theaters during the week, and churches on Sun-
days, the inhabitants enjoyed daily dog-fights and drunken rows. There were,
however, some good and law-abiding citizens even in that hamlet, and the gen-
erally depraved condition was owing, in great measure, to the lower classes of
emigrants who sought refuge there, and the reeking saloons which were kept
open for their especial benefit. While wending his way along the streets of
this "beautiful West," Messrs. Gifford and Duryea descried a man approach-
ing with a yoke of oxen, and hailing him ascertained that his name was Ferson r
and that he lived upon the banks of Fox River, the goal for which they had
started when they left New York. They accordingly secured places in his cart r
and, taking the old army trail, after a weary journey, in which they were fre-
quently obliged to walk, were at length landed at the log hut owned by Mr.
Ferson and his brother, on the west side of the river, where St. Charles now
stands. Having partaken of their hospitality in the shape of some good veni-
son steaks and coffee, and obtained the rest of which they were so sorely
in need, they proceeded down the river, following an Indian trail to Aurora,
where they found a lone cabin and its owner, Joseph McCarty, near by digging
granite boulders to form the first dam. From this point, they went to the pres-
ent site of Yorkville, thence to Indian Creek and Somonauk, and finally to
the vicinity of Blackberry, where they found a man by the name of Hollen-
beck, comfortably settled; and having taken up claims near him, returned to
New York, where Mr. Gifford directed his steps to the home of his brother,
James T. Gifford, in Yates County, and related the story of his adventures.
In such vivid colors did he portray the beauties of the Fox River country,
that James T., who was a man of unusual energy, determined to sell his farm at
the earliest opportunity and emigrate West in the Spring. Meanwhile, Heze-
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 367
kiali visited his father's family, in Oneida County, and some friends, in Che-
nango County, where he married, and, returning to his brother, who had dis-
posed of his property during his short absence, both started with a team and
lumber wagon, \vhich was loaded with tools and provisions for man and beast,
and arrived in Chicago on the 24th day of March, 1835, having driven the
entire distance. Having received glowing accounts of a place then called Mil-
waukee Bay, now Milwaukee, they directed their course northward from Chicago
with a man named Goodwin ; they did not meet a single soul on the way, and
were so poorly supplied with the necessaries of life, they were obliged to divide
their few biscuits with their horses. Arriving at their destination, they ascer-
tained, to their great disappointment, that all the land about the present city of
Milwaukee had been claimed, and accordingly formed the determination to pro-
ceed southwesterly to the country visited by Hezekiah in the previous season.
The horses which they had ridden from Chicago were accordingly delivered to
Mr. Goodwin, who was about to return, and the Giffords took up their line of
march across the country, but were soon obliged to return, having lost their
way ; and, wandering to the south of Milwaukee, reached the lake at the
site of the present city of Racine. Here they became acquainted with one Jack
Jumbeau, one of the waifs which the earlier French occupancy had left upon the
shore of life, a half-breed trader and trapper, and a fair type of the coureurs du
bois, so frequently alluded to in Parkman's admirable History of the Conspiracy
of Pontiac. Jack told them that he knew the country well, and that by taking the
trail from his door they would reach Fox River in half a day. They, therefore,
made the attempt again, and this time successfully, for, at the period stated by
the trapper, the stream appeared in the distance, and they were soon upon its
solitary banks. Following it to the south, they walked for miles without meet-
ing a sign of human habitation or of life until, as they were beginning to be
wearied by their tedious journeyings, they discovered a lone Indian in a canoe,
whom they hailed and induced to convey them to the opposite bank. Their
inquiries of this dusky Charon in regard to settlers were answered unsatisfac-
torily, and, night coming on, they slept upon the ground without supper. Upon
the earliest break of day, they were up and on the march. Creeks were waded
and marshes crossed, yet still nothing but a wilderness spread out before them.
At length, after they had been some thirty hours without a morsel of food,
Hezekiah Gifibrd observed a small hut in the distance. With quickening paces
they hastened to obtain the succor which it promised, but the " ancient mari-
ner's " disappointment awaited them. There were no children playing near its
doorway, no obstreperous cur ran out to meet them. " The silence was un-
broken," and when they shouted, there was no response. Approaching and
peering in, they beheld the body of a dead Pottawattomie warrior, in a sitting
posture, wrapped in his blanket and adorned with many trinkets, indicative of
his rank and importance. This was all that the hut contained, and it was
merely a rude sarcophagus, common among the Indian tribes. Their feelings
368 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
can better be imagined than told, for they were nearly famished, and starva-
tion stared them in the face.
Weakened by hunger and travel, they continued southward. Night again
settled around them, and with it rain, and they awoke, wet and chilled, from a
sleep disturbed by the howling of wild animals near their cold couch. Early in
the day, they came to Nipersink Creek, in the present county of McHenry, and
were obliged to wade the stream, which was waist-high, holding their clothes
above their heads. Having reached a point near the present town of Algon-
quin, they were rejoiced at the sight of a human figure moving in the distance.
Approaching, they found, to their great joy, that the stranger was a white
man, who was at the time engaged in the pioneer employment of splitting rails,
and informed the travelers that he worked for Samuel Gillan, whose cabin was
near. James Gifford was so rejoiced to hear this that he exclaimed in ecstacy,
" Oh, now we'll have a good meal ! " and the hired man conducted them to the
door, where they were kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Gillan, and were soon
enjoying the good meal anticipated. After a refreshing sleep and a hearty
breakfast, they left the dwelling of their liberal host, and a few miles further
brought them to the present' site of the city of Elgin, where they were enchanted
with the beauty of the scenery the rapidity of the clear stream, the woodland
on either bank, almost free from underbrush, and the fields as beautiful as if
already waiting the harvest and here they determined to locate. Accordingly,
James T. laid claim to the land still known as " James T. Gilford's plat
of Elgin," Avhile his brother took up a tract further south, upon the same side
of the river (east), and including the grounds now occupied by the National
Watch Factory. Having learned from Mr. Gillan that a Mr. Welch was living
at the head of Little Woods, within the present limits of St. Charles Township,
they then proceeded to his place, as a mere act of courtesy, and afterward re-
turned to Chicago for their horses and wagon. As they were about to leave
that place, two days after, on their return, a man stopped them on Randolph
street ; stated that his name was Joseph Kimball ; that he was looking for a
mill site ; inquired if they knew of a good location, and their place of residence.
On being told that they came from Fox River, the gentleman inquired the way
there, received his directions, and the GiffbrJs started for their claims. It may
here be mentioned that James T.'s cabin was built within the present limits of
the little triangular square near the present residence of Mr. Davidson.
A description of the mode of constructing the houses in the Elgin of that
day may not be uninteresting, as contrasted with the modern architecture. The
shanties were built of logs, unhewed, and consisted of one or two rooms, accord-
ing to the amount of time at the disposal of the builder. In case there were
two, they were known as double log houses, and were constructed by piling up
two pens side by side. The roofs were f shingles, two feet long and more,
split from oak logs, and generally unshaved, and, there being no nails in the
settlement, they were bound down by poles laid across them and extending the
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 369
full length of the roof, each tier of shingles resting upon two similar poles
which formed the rafters, and ran lengthwise, instead of obliquely, as in these
dangerous days. The first binding-pole, and the nearest to the eaves, was held
in its place by resting upon two or more wooden pins driven through the
shingles, the next one depending for support upon several sticks of proper
length, the lower ends of Avhich rested upon the lower pole, while the upper
ends formed a base. Thus the entire row of poles were held in position by the
pins underneath the lower one. The floors (when they had any) were of
puncheons, and the doors, of the same material, were hung upon wooden
hinges. Uncouth as these first cabins must have been, they are said to have
afforded excellent shelter for the inmates. The grotesque roofs seldom leaked,
and the corn dodgers eaten by their ample fire-places tasted (according to the
testimony of the old settlers) as good as the finer fare of the present day by a
modern coal stove, behind the solid protection of brick walls.
Mr. Hezekiah Gifford's cabin was built near where the residence recently
owned by George S. Bowen stands. The Giffords had not long returned from
Chicago when Samuel J., G. W., Russell and Jonathan Kimball, parties with
whom Joseph Kimball had communicated, made their appearance at the settle-
ment, and announced their intention of making claims in the vicinity. The two
previous settlers were, of course, rejoiced at this prospect of having near neigh-
bors, gave the visitors a hearty welcome, and the claim lines were soon staked
out, Mr. Samuel J. Kimball choosing the land now owned by Walter and Joseph
Kimball, his house being still in existence near the residence of the latter;
while Mr. Jonathan Kimball also took up a tract upon the West Side, within
the present corporation limits. G. W. Kimball settled at first a number of
miles south, but subsequently moved to Elgin, where he has since died. Russell
Jumball also settled within the city limits, but removed at an early day. Mr.
Joseph Kimball, who had made the inquiries of the young men in Chicago, died
while on a journey East for his family. During the early Spring of this year,
the Giffords went to a small settlement upon the banks of the Du Page and
purchased four yoke of oxen, and from thence James T. went to Chicago, where
he found his brother ,Asa* and Mrs. Hezekiah Gifford, who had just arrived
from the East. Accompanying him back to Fox River, Mrs. Gifford was for
six weeks the only white woman in the settlement. She had but just established
herself in her new home when a company of the " noble sons and daughters of
the forest" called upon her not for the purpose of paying their respects, as
civilization would have suggested to their untutored minds but to beg for flour
and other supplies, which the savage is unable to obtain save by trade with the
settlers. Often they would bring her fish and venison, which they would offer
to exchange for these products so rare among them as to be regarded as dainties,
and on one occasion when the lady was alone a band of about twenty walked
into the cabin and one essayed to help himself to flour. Mrs. Gifford, although
* Now living in Cook County.
370 HISTORY OF KANK COUNTY.
nearly frightened to death, assumed a bold air, and gave the audacious gentle-
man a push which sent him reeling across the cabin and produced shouts of
laughter from his companions, who always admire a brave "squaw." They
soon left the dwelling without taking further liberties, but meeting Mr. Gifford,
were conducted back and presented with all the flour that he could spare.
Indeed, it may well be doubted if any could be dispensed with for a less impor-
tant consideration than the friendship of the savages, for the scarcity of mills
throughout the country was sorely felt at this time. Journeys were made to
Green's Mill (now Dayton), and a settlement near Joliet, where a set of mill
stones had been attached to a saw-mill, but both of these buildings- were contin-
ually crowded with customers, and grain was not unfrequently stored in them
for a week, awaiting the proper time for grinding. As a previous writer has
suggested, they "ground slowly," like the mills of the gods, but, unlike them,
not particularly small. But Mr. James T. Gifford, equal to any emergency,
conceived the idea of constructing a cheap substitute, for pulverizing the wheat
and corn nearer home. An immense stump was hollowed out to form a mortar,
within which a huge pestle was fitted, and attached to a long pole, balanced
upon a post like the well-sweep which raised the "old oaken bucket;" and here
the grain was pounded as occasion demanded.
And now the settlers began to feel the need of a road to the outer world,
and accordingly one was staked to Meacham's Grove, since known as Blooming-
dale. Late in the same Spring, James Gifford visited his former home in the
East, and upon his return was accompanied by his family, consisting of hi*, wife
and five children, and also by his two sisters, Experience and Harriet, the latter
of whom still resides in Elgin.
In June, 1835, P. J. Kimball, Sr., settled upon the spot where Mr. Bor-
den's dwelling now stands, and with him came two ladies rare accessions to
the Fox River settlements then Mrs. Kimball and her daughter. And now
the hope, presumptuous though it at first seemed, began to dawn that there
might one day be a town in that beautiful valley, and Mr. James T. Gifford
startled his brother and sister-in-law one day by saying, without previous warn-
ing, u What shall we call the town ? " Hezekiah arose in astonishment, while
his wife nearly fainted, but, regaining her breath, she gasped some reply which
indicated that she was not a credulous woman and was not to be imposed upon.
" Well," said James T., " I have a Scotch name for it, and a short one,
' Elgin.' ' It should here be observed that Mr. Gifford was very fond of the old
tune by the same name, which Burns has immortalized, and likewise of old
" Dundee," and that he had previously applied the latter to a small village in
New York. But Mrs. Gifford could not recover in a moment, and now ven-
tured to inquire if they really supposed stages would ever run there. " To
be sure we do," replied both the brothers, and, in 1837, the energetic James
T. having laid out in the previous year the Gale.na road as far as Belvidere,
Mrs. Gifford saw two stages pass in one day into Elgin. Mr. Gifford had
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 371
labored diligently to secure the passage of the stages through the town, as there
was some effort made to establish the line by way of St. Charles. He even
went to Washington and spent several weeks there, at his own private expense,
presenting inducements for a mail route through his place. His labors were
signally successful, and the place formerly know as State Road became legally
Elgin. The first post office was established in his house in January, 1837, the
mail being carried a short time from Chicago on horseback. The same log
building served also as the first school house in the Summer of 1836, Miss
Harriet Gifford being the " wielder of the birch and rule." Her juvenile mon-
archy contained but ten subjects, who are said to have been governed with skill
and kindness.
Religious exercises commenced in Elgin upon the first Sunday after the
arrival of the Gifford family, when Miss Harriet Gifford read a sermon in her
brother James' log cabin. Later, regular services were held each Sabbath in
the same dwelling, conducted by Russell Kimball or Deacon Philo Hatch, the
latter having settled upon the East Side, upon the lot since known as the Webb
place. The James T. Gifford house seems to have been the first public build-
ing for all purposes preaching, courts and public meetings and was even
of more importance than town houses to larger places.
On the 4th of July, 183b', the first celebration of the people of Elgin, or
" State Road," as it was still called, occurred, as follows : The road previously
blazed to Meacham's Grove was such that the wayfaring man might err therein
unless diligent attention was given to the blazed trees through the woodland and
the furrows across the prairie. Accordingly, several teams were attached to a
fallen tree at Elgin, and the settlers, turning out en masse, drove them to a
point half way between the two places, leaving a deep track the entire way,
and were there met by a delegation from the grove with a similar path marker,
and all were refreshed by an Independence dinner of corn cake, cold bacon and
coffee.
At an election held for Lake Precinct, at the house of Thomas H. Thomp-
son, within the limits of the present township of Dundee, on the first day of
the same month, Jonathan Kimball was chosen Justice of the Peace, and S. J.
Kimball Constable for Elgin.
On the 10th of October following, the first election in the town of Elgin
was held, at the public House of Hezekiah Gifford, erected the same year, upon
the site afterward occupied by the Presbyterian Church. Political life, thus
commenced, received new vigor on the 9th of October, in the following year,
when the second election in the place occurred at the same hotel, which was
then owned by Eli Henderson. On this occasion, James T. Gifford was elected
Justice of the Peace, and Eli Henderson, Constable.
The year 1836 is remembered as the date when the first religious society
was regularly organized in the town. In February of that year, Rev. John H.
Prentiss, of Joliet, and Rev. N. C. Clark, then of Naperville, met, by invita-
372 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
tion, a small congregation at the house of J. T. Gifford, where, after a sermon
by the former gentleman, it was determined to form a church as soon as con-
venient.
In the following May, the determination was carried into effect, under the
direction of Father Clark, of the Congregational denomination. Mr. Clark
subsequently removed to Elgin, where he enjoyed for many years the love and
reverence of all his townsmen, and died lamented by all.
The first male white child born in Elgin appeared upon the stage of life
November 28, 1836, and is now well known to the citizens of the place as
Joseph Kimball. The first death, that of Miss Mary Ann Kimball, a daughter
of P. J. Kimball, occurred in May of the same year ; and the first marriage,
at the house of Jonathan Kimball, when his daughter was joined in wedlock
with Sidney Kimball. It will be observed from the above that the Kimball
family was sufficiently numerous to form a respectable hamlet by themselves.
The first cemetery was situated upon land now owned by Mrs. Horace
French, and there the body of the lady mentioned above was buried. The later
burying ground was laid out in 1844, and the remains of many of those depos-
ited in the former ground were disinterred and removed there. Through the
care of a former sexton of this necropolis, a perfect record has been kept of all
bodies deposited therein a volume which cannot be too highly appreciated.
In 1836, the Indians left, to the great joy of the settlers ; for, although
friendly and generally harmless, they were a source of constant dread to the timid,
and were more bold and impudent in their importunity than the tramps who
now traverse the country, from Maine to California. The thought that a
licensed rattlesnake sleeps upon the doorstep is not pleasant to a brave man,
even if he knows that the reptile may be propitiated by an abundance of food,
and by carefully observing the rule to go around him ; and a very similar senti-
ment may be said to have existed in the minds of the early pioneers toward
their red neighbors. They dared not use them otherwise than respectfully.
Their demand for " pennyack," " quashkin " and " goonatosh " always received
an answer of peace and a liberal donation, even if the settler had scarcely
enough of these supplies to last his own family a single day, for he knew that
the slightest insult would rouse the war hounds from the lair. Despite all the
sentiment which has been wasted upon them, a careful study of their habits,
from the most favorable reports of those acquainted with them, will convince
any sane man that the " abused " Pottawattomies were, even in the most favor-
able ligut in which we can view them, a lazy rabble of armed thieves and va-
grants. In the. year of their departure, the Elgin people received a terrible
fright, by a courier arriving in the village, from the north, with a report that
the Chippeways had dug up the hatchet, and were on their way toward Fox
River in overwhelming numbers. A public meeting was called and measures
of defense at once taken, but the Indians failed to make an appearance, and the
settlement was troubled with reports of them no more.
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 373
In the Fall of 1836, a frame addition was made to Gifford's Tavern, which
was originally of very moderate dimensions for a public house, being only 16x24
feet. Until April, 1875, this addition was standing.
Not long after this, the Elgin House, kept for many years by a man by the
name of Tibballs, was erected by William S. Shaw, at the corner of Chicago
and Center streets, where it was considered one of the most magnificent hotels
in the West. A part of it is now the Elgin House, kept by William Spend-
love. Tibballs left Elgin when the railroad came, confident that grass would
thenceforth grow in the streets ; and in the Spring of 1851, the hotel was con-
verted into a seminary, under the management of Misses E. and E. E. Lord,
now of Chicago.
The closely contested election for Governor, in 1837, and the Congressional
contest between Stephen A. Douglass and John T. Stewart, aroused a vast
amount of enthusiasm in Elgin, and nearly every legal voter is supposed to have
cast his ballot. The election was held at Eli Henderson's house, and resulted
in 47 votes for Carlin and Anderson, Democratic candidates for Governor and
Lieutenant Governor ; while Edwards and Davidson, Opposition, received 26
votes. The number cast for Douglas was 45, to 26 for Stewart. The Con-
gressional District included nearly all Northern Illinois.
In 1837, Mr W. C. Kimball came to the growing hamlet and set about
developing its resources with Mr. S. J. Kimball and James T. Gifford. A dam
was built across the river by Folsom Bean, a mill-race dug upon the West Side
by Mr. Kimball and upon the east by Mr. Gifford, while the former put up a
saw-mill and the latter quite a good grist-mill, which stood for years at the head
of the race. Later, it was used for a slaughter-house, and finally burned by
incendiaries. An old settler states that it required all the men then living be-
tween St. Charles and Alconquin to raise the saw-mill. It is still standing.
In June, 1838, Dr. Tefft, who, as has been heretofore seen, had been in the
township since 1835, removed to the village, where he built the first frame house
in the place, upon land now occupied by the market. About the time of his
arrival, another physician, Dr. Elmore, settled upon the place now occupied by
Mr. Carpenter. In the following year he commenced keeping hotel in the house
built by Hezekiah Gifford for that purpose, and left the town shortly after.
About the same year, one Judd, Elgin's first blacksmith, made his appear-
ance in the village. Previously, a brother of Judd had preceded him and burned
a coal-pit for the coming smith. While engaged in this work, a small shanty
provided for his accommodation caught' fire and burned down. This was the
first conflagration in Elgin. The blacksmith left about 1839, and was followed
by another worker in iron and steel Jason House by name.
Several other arrivals should be noticed at this^time, among them B. Healy,
the first harness-maker ; Harvey Raymond, Burgess Truesdell, Alfred Hadlock,
William Shaw, John and Vincent Lovell. Elgin people, as we have seen, had
suffered great inconvenience, during the early years of the settlement, from the
374 HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
lack of a bridge. On one occasion, it is said that two young ladies, who Were
visiting upon the West Side, were obliged to take off their shoes and stockings
and wade the river to reach the opposite bank. Such a state of affairs began to
appear extremely scandalous to the village, and the citizens resolved upon the
immediate erection of a bridge. A rude wooden structure was accordingly
raised in 1837, one of the abutments standing immediately in front of, and
within two or three feet of, Healy's shop, so much has the channel of the stream
been narrowed since that day. In 1849, the bridge was carried away by a
freshet, and was replaced by a more substantial one of the same material, which
remained until 1866, when it was removed for a handsome iron one. The Elgin
people now imagined that they had secured for themselves a permanent bond
between the river banks, and one which would defy alike the wear of time and
the fury of the elements. What, then, was their disappointment when it went
down beneath the weight of a drove of cattle, and when, after being replaced, a
portion of the new structure shared a like fate on the 4th of July, 1869. The
curse of Sisyphus seemed to have been imposed upon them ; but they bravely
recommenced their work, and this time with success, for, after the third
attempt, the bridge has held itself in place. A new iron bridge of different
design was constructed in 1870 -from a point near the watch factory to the oppo-
site side.
Mercantile enterprise was first displayed in Elgin by the appearance, in 1836,
of a frame store on Block 9, upon the north side of Chicago street. In the
same year in which it was raised, Samuel Stoars commenced selling goods in a
small log store, and was soon after joined in business with F. Bean, the partner-
ship continuing for several years. The dam, built by the latter, went out the
following April, but was replaced by another during the Summer.
Chicago was now beginning to rise from the mud, and a market could
generally be found there for all the Western products. A reliable authority
states that from 1838 onward, wheat never sold for less than thirty cents, nor corn
for less than twenty cents per bushel, and pork was often firm at $1.50 ; and at
that time prices seldom rose far above these figures. Let farmers who complain of
the present hard times read this and be happy. As early as 1835, Mr.
J. T. Gifford had sketched a plan of that part of the city now known as
J. T. Gifford's plat of Elgin, extending from Division street on the north,
to Prairie street on the south, and from Chapel street to the east bank of the
river ; but there is no record of a survey among the plats in the Recorder's
office until August 3, 1842, where we are informed that a described tract upon
the east side of the river was regularly laid off in lots and streets, for the proprietor,
James T. Gifford, by J. P. Wagner, County Surveyor. On the 12th day of Feb-
ruary, in the following year, a similar service was performed by the same gentle-
man for W. C. Kimball, the proprietor of the West Side. Settlers for all points
West had been pouring into Elgin almost daily for more than a year, when, in
1838, B. W. Raymond and his partner, S. N. Dexter, appeared in the village
HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY. 375
and bought one-half of the J. T. Gifford claim. To Mr. Raymond Elgin is
greatly indebted for many of the improvements which followed, for although
not an actual resident, he displayed a remarkable interest in its progress,
contributed liberally for the establishment and support of the Elgin Academy,
was for a long time one of the leading merchants, was a partner in the foundry
of Augustus Adams & Co., instrumental in establishing the woolen mill built
by S. N. Dexter, in 1844, and in securing the location of the watch factory, of
which he became President. During the year 1838, the Baptists, who had met
for some time in the house of Hezekiah Gifford, organized a society under the
Rev. J. E. Ambrose, and for several subsequent years met with other religious
organizations in a frame building, 25x30 feet, which stood at the northeast cor-
ner of Du Page and Geneva streets, and is still well remembered by the Elgin
people as the Elgin Chapel. It was raised principally through the liberality of
Mr. Gifford, and was used both for church and school purposes, and was sur-
mounted by a small tower, and the first bell hung in the village. Several
denominations were nurtured during their infancy within its walls. We will
have occasion to allude to it again. From 1839 to 1840, no extensive ' enter-
prises were launched, but the steady growth of the town continued during the
interval, and new arrivals constantly appeared. In the latter year, great interest
was taken in the Presidental election, the Whig element having attained con-
siderable strength in the village. As a list of the voters may be of interest as
illustrative of the increase in the population during five years, and the political
changes since that day, we give the following as recorded. The names prefixed
with a W. represent those who voted the Whig ticket :
Colton Knox, Edward E. Har 
