++ ,0 c ° " " -• o o > W : • W ***** "W < o *V "W ^ 5V J- * •. ^<3* > /J '''o V* "• A ,* v cr 5> v^ ? O* . s • • , ^•..» iN ^ 5 V "v- q> o t* V ~^~ ,v HISTORY OF Du Page County. ILLINOIS. 4B BY BUFUS BL.A.ISrOHIJLi^ID. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO... HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, Lakeside Building. 1882. PREFACE. A FTER several months of laborious research and persistent toil, the history of Du Page County is complete, and it is our hope and belief that no subject of general importance or interest has been overlooked or omitted, and even minor tacts, when of sufficient note to be worthy of record, have been faithfully chronicled. In short, where protracted investigation promised results commensurate with the undertaking, matters not only of undoubted record, but legendary lore, have been brought into requisition. We are well aware of the fact that it is next to impossible to furnish a perfect history from the meager resources at the command of the historian under ordinary circumstances, but claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our engagements. Through the courtesy and assistance generously afforded by the residents of Du Page, we have been enabled to trace out and put into systematic shape, the greater portions of the events that have transpired in the county up to the present time, and we feel assured that all thoughtful persons interested in the matter will recognize and appreciate the importance of the work and its permanent value. A dry statement of facts has been avoided, so far as it was possible to do so, and anecdote and incident have been interwoven with plain recital and statistics, thereby forming a narrative at once instructive and entertaining. To the many friends who have contributed special portions of the matter herein contained, and to those who have assisted Mr. Blanchard with dates and other memoranda, our thanks are due, and we trust thai the earnest endeavors that we have exercised to present our patrons with a work worthy in all respects will, in part, repay them for their kindness. November. 1882. 0. L. BASKIN & CO. ... ■ CONTENTS. PART I. HISTORICAL. page. CHAPTER 1.— Du Page a Spanish Possession— The French Take Possession of the Northwest — The Country Comes Under English Rule — George Rogers Clarke—Territorial Subdi- visions — First Conveyance of Land in Du Page County — The Pottawatomies — Great American Treaty of 1833— The Chicagou Portage — The Removal of the Indians — Their Present Condition — Origin of the name Du Page- Spanish Conquest and Its Aims — Baron de Carondelet — \ I The Spanish Close the Lower Mississippi — County Organ- ization and Subdivision — Northern Limits of Illinois — The French Traders — Act Organizing Du Page County .. 11 CHAPTER II.— The Pioneer— Stephen J Scott— The Scott Set- tlement — Blodgett Hauley — Bailey Hobson, the First Set- tlor of Du Page County — Building the First Cabin — i . ing a Slough — Williard Scott — Social Entertainments — Corn Pancakes — The Napers — First Ground Plowed — The First School — Joseph Naper — John Naper — The First Stove— Christopher Paine— The First Saw-Mill— Home- made Spinning Wheels and Looms — Cold Winter of 1830- 31 — Portage to Chicago — The Lawtons — The Pottawato- mies — Flight to Fort Dearborn — Horrible Massacre at Indian Crt-ek— Exploits of Col. Beaubien 25 CHAPTER III.— Capt. Paine arrives at the Naper Settlement — Fort Paine Built — Jumes Brown Shot by the Indians — Expedition to Half Day's Village — Maj. William Whistler Arrives at Fort Dearborn — ('apt. Paint's Company Return to Danville — Gen. Scott arrives at Chicago—The Cholera —Gen. Scott Encamps on the Desplaines— Gen. Scott at Fort Paine — Gen. Scott's Army at Rock Island — John K. Clark — Black Hawk Sent to Fortress Monroe — His Death — Poll-Lists — The Pre-emption House — Claimants — The Prairie Schooner— The First Grist-Mill — Fowler's Grap- ple with the Wolf— The Pioneer of Pioneers — Early Preachers 42 CHAPTER IV — Public Land Surveys— The Land Claim Sys- tem — Necessity for the Higher Law — The Big Woods Claim Protecting Society — The Land Pirate Company — Land Speculators— Indian Burying Grounds — The Fox River Country — Method of Grinding Corn — Indian Vil- lages—Indian Agriculture — Indian Modes of Travel — The Country North, East and South of the Du Page Set- tlements— The Du Page County Society for Mutual Pro- tection — The Hognatorial Council 55 CHAPTER V.— First Introduction of Slavery into th. I of Virginia — First Anti-Slaver; Literature — Southern Origin of Anti-Slavery Societies— Action of th.- Quakers — "The Genius of Universal Emancipation " — Early Abo- litionists—The Old Federal Party— Origin of the Den crntic and Whig Parties — Origin of the Republican Party — Gov. Coles — Elihu B. Washburne — Stephen A. Douglas —Abraham Lincoln — The Western Citizen Introduces Abolitionism into Chicago — Its Effect— Illinois the First State to Take Political Action in the Abolition Movement — John Brown — Fort Sumter 68 CHAPTER VI.— Record of Du Page County in the War of th* Rebellion 90 CHAPTER VII.— The First Election— County Commissioners' Court— The County Line Surveyed — The County Divided into Precincts — Townships Organized — List of County and Town Officers— Valuation of Taxable Property — The First Grand Jury— Public Schools— The Old Stage Coach —Railroads — Removal of the County Seat — The County Fair— Geology of the County 139 CHAPTER VIII.— Milton Township — Its First Settlors — Wheaton — How It Received Its Name — The Galena A Chicago Union Railroad — Churches uf Wheaton — Pi. »- neer School — Stacy's Corners — Babcock Grove — Prospect Park— Its Churches, , 163 CHAPTER IX— Downer's Grove Township— The Old Indian Boundary — Cass — Pierce Downer — Thomas And r us— Chicago Reminiscences — The Village of Hinsdale — Brush Hill Memories — Clarendou Hills — Fredericksburg — Downer's Grove Village — An Ox Toim Hitched to an Oak Log— What Grew Out of It— The Underground Rail- road 194 CHAPTER X— Naporville Township— List of Early Settlers— Village of Naperville— Churches— Schools— Manufacto- ries— The Northwestern College — Temperance Move- ments — Newspapers— Fire Department — Military Com- pany—Nurseries—The Lodges— Bank— Stone Quarry 212 CHAPTER XL— Lisle To wnship— The First Settler— His Hardi- hood—Thanksgiving—A Female Pow-wow — The Old Grist Mill — The Chronic Pioneer — nis Generosity 240 CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER XII.— York Township— Origin of Its Name— Its Early Settlers — The Deeplaines BrMged — Sunday Service on Slab Seats — The Pioneer School Mistress — The Widow- er's Cabin — Praying Watches — Suicide — Bursting Forth of a Spring — Elnihurst — German Evangelical Seminary — Lombard 246 CHAPTER XIII.— Winfield Township— Warrenville— Water Cresses — Their Consequences — Newcomers and Distant Neighbors — Parties and Raisings — Railsplitting — Fourth of July— The Schoolgirl's Handkerchief— The Old Saw- Mill— The Hotel and Dancing Hall— What was in a Trunk yet up to this time no use had been made of it except to build a fort and establish a trading- post there. The first special conveyance of lands within the limits of Du Page Count}- from the Indians to the United States was made Au- gust 24, 1816. The Pottawatomies (who then held the whole of Du Page County) uniting with the Ottawas and Chippewas in making a grant to Ninian Edwards, William Clark and Auguste Chouteau acting in behalf of the United States. The cession included the southeast corner of Lisle Township, all of Downer's Grove except the northwest corner and the southeast corner of York. The whole cession was a strip of land which the Government bought for the purpose of con- structing a military road on it from Chicago to Ottawa to facilitate the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, a scheme to which pub- lic attention had early been called. Says Mr. Edwards : " Having been one of the Commis- sioners who treated for this land, I personally know that the Indians were induced to believe that the opening of the canal would be very ad- vantageous to them, and under authorized ex- pectations that this would be done, they ceded the land for a trifle." (See Edwards' History of Illinois, page 99.) 14 HISTORY OF BU PAGE COUNTY. The Pottawatomies, or Peuteowatamis as they were sometimes called, were found b} - the French adventurers along the shores of Lake Michigan when the country was first discovered by them. The position they held was a com- manding one as to localitj', as it is known that their hunting-grounds extended at one time all around the Southern extremity of Lake Michi- gan, though shared at various times with the Ottawas, the Cherokees and the Miamis. When Alouez was exploring the shores and islands of Lake Superior, even before the inte- rior of the country had been entered except by Nicolet, he met a delegation of 300 Pottawato- mies at Chagouamigon (an island in Lake Su- perior) as early as 1668. Among them was an old man of 100 winters. Says the relation : He appears to have been a great " medicine man " among his tribe, and was regarded by them as a wonderful prophet. He could fast for twenty days, and often saw the Great Spirit. This venerable seer died while on the island on his visit to Alouez here. Father Marquette makes frequent mention of the Pottawatomies in his journal, which he kept, in the winter of 1674-75, at "Chicagou,'' and to them and the Illinois tribes was he in- debted for many acts of kindness extended to him during his detention at Chicago on account of sickness. This tribe continued to be the transcend- ent Indian power along the Southern shores of Lake Michigan from its first discovery till the final removal of all the Indians from the country by Col. Russell in 1836. They took sides with the British in the war of 1812, and struck heavy blows against the Americans in that war, of which the massacre at Fort Dear- born and other casualties in the early part of that war bear testimony. They had joined with other tribes in ceding six miles square at the mouth of Chicago River to the Americans at the treaty of Greenville in 1795, as alreadj* told, and when the progress and development of the country demanded fur- ther cessions of territory, it was to them chiefly that the Government looked as the highest au- thorit}* to apply to for the purchase of needed lands. As late as 1833, they had only sold to the United States Government the small part of their Illinois hunting-grounds contained within the limits of the treaty of 1816, and up to this time they owned, perhaps, in common with the Ottawas and Cherokees, all that part of North- ern Illinois which lies east of Rock River and northwest of the strip of land ceded by the three tribes in 1816. Settlers were coming in- to the country and staking out their claims, knowing full well that the Government would soon extinguish the Indian title. Under this pressure, the United States Gov- ernment summoned the Pottawatomies, Ottawa and Chippewa, tribes to a great council to be held at Chicago in September, 1833. This was the greatest event the little then mushroom town had ever seen. Besides the interest the Indians felt in the treaty, there were scores of white men gathered around the spot to put in various speculative claims as to property al- leged to have been stolen by the Indians, or to. bring in enormous charges for services ren- dered to the Government by virtue of contracts of an indefinite character. The Government had made immense prepa- rations to feed the Indians, of whom three tribes were on the ground with their squaws and pa- pooses stretched on boards or slung in pocket- shaped blankets. After several days of palaver in which the whims of the Indians were artfulby humored, and the bright side of their natures had been brought to the front by those arts which had the result of years of practice, the Indians finally affixed their sign to the treaty, by which they sold the entire northeastern portion of Illinois (an area embracing more than ten of its present counties, among which Du Page was one) to HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 15 the Government. G. B. Porter. Thomas J. V. Owen and William Weatherford, in behalf of the Government, negotiated the treaty. It bears date of Chicago. September 20, 1833. It was the last treaty of importance ever held with the Indians in the Northwest, and was the instrument by which the Indian title to the country became extinguished after its joint oc- cupation b} r the red and white races (the latter including the French) ever since 1673, more than a century and a half. At no other place in America had the In- dians lingered so long after the advent of the whites, and it is not strange that a great variety of associations had sprung up between the triple alliances of native, French and English races, as they had mingled together at the " Chicagon " portage. Here was the great carry- ing-place between the immense prairie country to the southwest, and the lakes and along the shores of Lake Michigan, from " Chicagou " to the straits. Indian canoes were frequently passing to and fro during the summer season, and Mud Lake and the Desplaines River was in this direct line of travel. The first interest that drove the American element to Chicago was the Indian trade, and the American Fur Company was its first representative. Most of those engaged by this company were men bred on the frontier, and felt no repugnance toward the Indians, but on the contrary not a few felt a friendship for them, strengthened by years of companionship in the fascinating sports of border life, which not only level social distinc- tions, but accept a good fellowship through a rough exterior, intolerable to the uninitiated civilian, whose motto is " the tailor makes the man.'' Many of the Indians could make nice discriminations in issues when natural rights were at stake, and the higher law to them was a tribunal from which there was no appeal. This is not too much to say of them till they were brutalized by bad whisky, and their morals corrupted by the vices without being elevated by the virtues of the whites. The former they could imitate, but the latter were sealed books to them. The amount of goods dispensed to them at Chicago to fulfill treaty stipulations, was often very large, and in order to distribute them equitably, men were chosen for the service whose personal acquaintance with the Indians would enable them to do it in the most satisfactory manner. On these occasions the hugh piles of goods, consisting largely of In- dian blankets were dispensed by peace-meal to the different Indian families, according to their necessities, but sometimes a discarded Indian lassie, whose place had been substituted by a white wife, came in for an extra share of finery as an offset for lacerated affections — a cheap way of satisfying such claims. Nowa- days it costs as many thousand dollars as it did then \ards of cheap broadcloth. The removal of the Pottawatomies from the country was effected in 1835-36, as before stated by Col. J. B. F. Russell. Previous to the death of his widow, which took place in the present year 1882, she al- lowed the writer to take items from her hus- band's journal, and the following is one of the items : " The first party of Indians left Chicago Sep- tember 21, 1835, with the Chiefs Robinson, Caldwell and La Fromborse, and proceeded to their place of rendezvous twelve miles from Chicago, on the Desplaines — a place of meeting usual on such occasions. I met them in coun- cil and presented to them the object of the meeting, and the views of the Government re- lative to their speedy removal to their new country. They wished to defer answering what I had said to them for two days, to which I consented. Sunday, 28th, provided teams and transportation for the removal of the Indians.'' The journal next proceeds to detail the par- ticulars of his thankless toil in satisfying the real and whimsical wants of his captious charge, who honored him with the appellation of father, 16 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. and vexed him with complaints continually. Their course lay westward through Du Page Count}', and their first stopping place was on Skunk River, in Iowa. Patogushah started with his band to winter at this place. His was the first party to start independent of Govern- ment assistance. Robinson had command of a separate part}-, Caldwell another, Wabunsie another, and Holliday another, and Robert Kin- zie and Mr. Kirchival assisted Mr. Russell in superintending the whole. Fort Des Moines lay on their route to Fort Leavenworth, near which was their reservation on the Missouri River. They were to draw their supplies from the fort as stipulated by the Government at the treaty, after they had settled themselves in their new home adjacent to it. Two years after their settlement, owing to feelings of hostility which the frontier settlers felt toward them, they were removed to Council Bluffs, from whence, after remaining a few years, they were again removed to the Kansas Territory, where they now live, diminished in numbers from 5,000 at the time they left Illi- nois to less than half that number, but the}- are now in a prosperous condition. The report from the office of Indian affairs in Kansas Sep- tember 1, 1878, says : " The Pottawatomies are advancing in education, morality, Christian- ity and self-support. A majority of them have erected substantial homes, planted fruit trees, and otherwise beautified their surroundings. The average attendance at a school which the Government has provided for them is twenty- nine, from an enrollment of forty-four. The school buildings are well supplied with facili- ties for boarding and lodging the pupils, and also for teaching the females household duties. This reservation contains 77,357 acres of laud in Jackson County. Their wealth in individual property amounts to $241,050. On their farms they have reapers, mowers, planters, cultiva- tors, and other agricultural machinery, all of the latest approved patterns. Such is the history, and present condition of the people we drove from the soil of Du Page County, or rather our civilization obliged them to sell out to us, in- asmuch as we were mutually unendurable to each other. The bones of their fathers are now a component part of the dust beneath our feet, with no stone to perpetuate their memory, except those of Alexander Robinson and Sha- bonee, both of whom were esteemed by all who knew them for their many manly and benevo- lent traits of character, and whose lofty virtues deserve historic acknowledgment. A tomb- stone marks the grave of each, which is still beheld with respect by many who well remem- ber them. As already stated, ere the Indians had left the country, their grounds had begun to be claimed by the pioneer settlers, and his plowshare had already scarred the soil never before turned up to the mellowing influence of the sun. The Du Page River had, from time imme- morial, been a stream well known. It took its name from a French trader who settled on this stream below the fork previous to 1S00. Hon. H. W. Blodgett, of Waukegan, informs the writer that J. B. Beaubien had often spoken to him of the old Frenchman, Du Page, whose sta- tion was on the bank of the river, down toward its mouth, and stated that the river took its name from him. The county name must have the same origin. Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard, who came into the country in 1818, informs the writer that the name Du Page, as applied to the river then, was universally known, but the trader for whom it was named lived there before his time. Mr. Beaubien says it is pronounced Du Pazhe (a having the sound of ah, and that the P should be a capital). This was in reply to Mr. Blodgett's inquiry of him concerning the matter. The county organization of the great North- west grew into, or, rather, was, reduced into its present conditions by successively subdividing the immense areas over which its first courts HISTORY OF DI7 PAGE COUNTY. 17 held jurisdiction after Territories and States had been established. After the conquest of the Illinois county- by Gen. George Rogers Clark, in 1778, according to the old Virginia claim, the whole Northwest was a part of her territory. This claim rested on her original charter from King James (which, ac- cording to the view taken of it by Thomas Paine, was absurd). But, without discussing its merits, let us record the commendable part this State took to preserve the fruits of Clark's conquest. In the spring succeeding it (1779), Col. John Todd, under a commission from Patrick Henry, then Governor of Virginia, came to Vincennes, on the Wabash and Kaskaskia, 111. (over both of which places the American flag waved), for the purpose of establishing a temporary govern- ment, according to the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of Virginia, bearing date of October, 1778. On the 15th of June, 1779, he issued the following proclamation : Illinois Countt, To Wit: Whereas, from the fertility and beautiful situation of the lands bordering on the Mississippi, Ohio, Illi- nois and Wabash Rivers, the taking up of the usual quantity of land heretofore allowed for a settlement by the Government of this country : I do therefore issue this proclamation, strictly en- joining all persons whatsoever from making any new settlements upon the flat lands of the said rivers or within one league of said lands, unless in manner and form of settlements as heretofore made by the French inhabitants, until further orders herein given. And in order that all the claims to lands in said county may be fully known, and some method provided for perpetuating by record the just claims, every inhabitant is required, as soon as conven- iently may be, to lay before the person, in each district appointed for that purpose, a memorandum of his or her land, with copies of all their vouchers; and when vouchers have never been given or are lost, such depositions or certificates as will tend to support their claims — the memorandum to mention the quantity of land, to whom originally granted, and when; deducing the title through the various occupants to the present possessor. The number of adventurers who will shortly overrun this country renders the above method necessary, as well to as- certain the vacant lands as to guard against tres- passes, which will probably be committed on lands not on record. Given under my hand and seal at Kaskaskia the 15th day of June, in the third year of the Common- wealth, 1779. John Todd, Jr. The foregoing is the first official act of the Americans to organize civil government over the Northwest. The Virginia cession of 1784, rendered it a nullity, aud the entire coun- try with its 2,000 French^inhabitants, and its 10,000 Indian population was virtually under no national jurisdiction during a period of several years. Even when St. Clair was appointed Gov- ernor in 1787, the English still held possession of Detroit, Michilimacinae, St. Joseph on Lake Michigan, Prairie du Chien and Sandusky, and contrary to treaty stipulations, retained these posts till July, 1796. This retention did not bring on any conflict of authority between St. Clair and Lord Dorchester, who then, as Governor of Canada, extended his rule over all the towns on the upper lakes, and Oswego on Lake Ontario. The reason for this was because Washington gave instructions to St. Clair to do nothing which might oflend the English, but wait until amicable negotiations should secure our rights. The attitude of Spain was then a constant menace and threat against the North- west. This power held the mouth of the Mis- sissippi River, and all the Territory on its west side indefinitely — perhaps to the Pacific coast, (if she could circumvent the English in her claims to what she ultimately held there). Early in 1779, war was declared between these two powers ; and the Spanish of St. Louis, in then- zeal to strike a blow at the English, formed an expedition against the British post at St. Joseph, under command of Capt. Don Eugenio Pierre. It started January 2, 1781, with a force of sixty-five men, surprised and took the place, and by virtue of this conquest made an attempt (absurd as it was fruitless) to annex the tcrri- 18 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. tory intervening to Spain, which would be all Northern Illinois. Balked in this attempt at the treaty of Paris, which established the Mis- sissippi as our Western boundary, Spain sub- sequently closed the port of New Orleans against the commerce of the Northwest, and contrary to treaty stipulations of 1795, retained possession of Natchez and one other port on the east bank of the Mississippi, at the same time forbidding the navigation of the river to the western people, except on condition that they would secede from the Atlantic States and make themselves an independent nation under protection of the Spanish Government. These were the conditions on which they might secure the Mississippi as a thoroughfare to the seas. Gen. James Wilkinson, after the death of Gen. Wayne, succeeded to the command of the United States forces in the West, and to him the Baron de Carondelet, the Spanish Govern- or of Louisiana, sent a messenger named Thomas Powers, with a request that he would send no force against the posts on the east bank of the Mississippi, held by Spain, but would wait for the delivery of the posts till the matter could be negotiated amicably. Powers, at the same time, tried to bribe the people of the Northwest to declare themselves independent, and offered them $100,000 and the free navigation of the Mississippi if they would do so — a paltry sum whereby to corrupt a State, even if the State were capable of the treachery, and its record serves rather to reveal the low Spanish esti- mate of patriotism than any honor of which an American need be proud, for having rejected the bribe. Orders were issued for the arrest of Powers, as soon as the nature of his mission became known to Washington, but he evaded pursuit and found his way back to his master, the feeble old dotard, who was Spanish Gov- ernor of New Orleans at the time. Great as his folly was in attempting to divide the union of the States, the matter was a cause of much solicitude and anxiety in the minds of our statesmen at the time, and it required their utmost exertions to prevent armed expeditions from the Northwest from going down the river and forcing a passage to the gulf. John Ja3 r , one of our ablest men, couuseled mod- eration, under an assurance that by waiting a short time, the force of events would secure our rights without war. These rights on the Lower Mississippi were not secured fully till 1798, during the summer of which year the Spaniards reluctantly gave up their forts on the east bank of the Mississippi, and Gen. Wilkinson erected Fort Adams on the spot occupied by one of them, which was just above the thirty-first degree of north latitude. From that time henceforward, the navigation of the Mississippi was never closed against the commerce of the Northwest, till by the rebels in 1861, who kept it closed three years, when b}' the courage of not a few Du Page County soldiers, with others, it was opened. It has already been stated that the whole Illinois country had been officially organized as Illinois County by action of the Governor of Virginia in 1779, which became annulled in 1781 when that State ceded the Northwest to the United States. Then there followed a hiatus in organized government here till St. Clair, who was ap- pointed Governor in 1787, had established courts in the Northwest the next year, in 1788. These courts did not extend their jurisdiction to the Illinois country till 1790, at which time Illinois Territory became organized as one of the four counties in the Northwest, and was named St. Clair County, and was represented in the Territorial Legislature held at Fort Washington (Cincinnati), by Shadrack Bond. On May 7, 1800. when the Territory of In- diana was set off, which embraced both of the present States of Illinois and Indiana, the same general laws which had hitherto prevailed in the Northwest were continued in operation in HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 19 Indiana Territory, and no civil subdivisions into new counties were made, till the 28th of April, 1809, at which time Illinois Territory was set off and divided into two counties — Randolph and St. Clair — by Nathaniel Pope, Secretary under Ninian Edwards, its Governor. St. Clair County embraced its Northern por- tion, including the present county of Du Page, which then had only transient white inhabitants in the employ of French fur traders. The next change in counties made was Sep- tember 14, 1812, when Governor Edwards es- tablished the county of Madison, which em- braced the whole portion of the territory north of a line extending along the south side of the present county of Madison due eastwardly to the Wabash River, which included the present county of Du Page. No further civil divisions were made while Illinois remained a territory, but an issue came up, on bringing it into the Union, of vital im- portance not only to the localit}' of Du Page and its adjacent counties, but to the nation itself. The terms by which the Northwest was ceded by Virginia to the United States pro- vided for the number of States into which it might be subdivided, which was to be five at most, and the ordinance also provided that in the event of five States being made of the ter- ritory, two should be constituted out of the territory north of a due east and west line drawn through the territory, intersecting the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. This being the law, the people of Illinois had no expectation that the northern boundary of the State could go farther north than this point when it should apply for admission into the Union. Wisconsin Territory had already been set off in 1805, with its southern limits on a line due west from the southern limits of the lake, in accordance with what nobody had yet questioned as the construction of the law. Thus matters stood when it was proposed to bring Illinois Territory into the Union, in 1818. Judge Nathaniel Pope then analyzed the whole situation, and, by the force of his logic, explained away the legal objections to the extension of the State of Illinois to a point farther north than the act of cession from Virginia had provided as just told. First let us state his arguments for the change, and these were the substance of them : Lake Michigan, connected by water communi- cation with the Eastern States, and iudissolu- bly bound the interests of the country adjacent to it to them. The Mississipppi River and its tributaries exerted the same in- fluence in a southern direction with the South. Give Illinois a good frontage on Lake Michi- gan, with the port of Chicago the terminus of the canal to be built, and a mighty State would be formed, holding the destinies of both sec- tions within its grasp — the middle link in the chain, and the strongest one. Here was an object worth working for, and he laid the case before Congress to bring it about. He con- tended that Illinois could claim the whole of Wisconsin if Congress chose to give her such dimensions, inasmuch as the ordinance left it optional with the United States to divide the territory into only' three States, in which case Indiana must reach from the Ohio River to the British possessions, and Illinois from Cairo to the British possessions. But that Wisconsin was powerless to establish a boundary which should conflict with the powers of the United States, who had power to embrace her whole area within the limits of Illinois. He carried his measure through both Houses, and the northern line of Illinois was established on the parallel of 42° 30', where it now is. If he had failed in this, Du Page County would mnv have been a part of Wisconsin, and perhaps Illinois would not have had so strong a Union element when the issue came up in 1861 whether the United States was to be divided or reut in two. 20 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. The following are Judge Pope's words on the subject, which, as we look back upon the events which have since taken place, seem to have been prophetic : " A very large com- merce of the Center and South would be found both upon the lakes and upon the rivers. As- sociations in business, in interest and of friend- ship would be formed, both with the North and the South. A State thus situated, having such a decided interest in the commerce and in the preservation of the whole confederacy, can never consent to disunion ; for the Union cannot be dissolved without a division and disruption of the State itself." Du Page County is a part of this strip of laud, the title of which was held in dispute be- tween the States of Illinois and Wisconsin, and on the decision of the issue which decided the question of ownership to it, being a momentous one ; for it must not be forgotten that when the " tug of war " came in the Legislature of the State as to vital questions on sustaining the Union, the loyalists had nothing to spare in or- der to turn the scale, and then it was that the influence of the part of the State which laid be- tween its northern line and a line drawn due west from the southern limits of Lake Michigan, suddenly arose into prominence, and verified the arguments that Judge Pope made in 1818 in favor of the line of 42 3 30', as the northern line of the State ; and here it should not be omitted, that the influence of our Mr. Lincoln himself, potent as it was, in the immaculate foot-prints which he had left behind in the State, before he left it for the White House, though it had an equal share with the northern tier of counties in preserving the unconditional loyalty of the State, was barely sufficient. These remin- iscences are no dream ; they are founded on reality, and must ever stand as a memento that our county, together with adjacent ones, was in that crisis the local hinge on which the issue turned, and to record this in history' is but an act of justice. Crawford County was among the first organ- ized on the admission of the State into the Union, and included all the territory north of its present locality. It was soon reduced in its area by the organization of Clark County, whose dimensions extended from its present boundary over the entire northern part of the State like its predecessor, which had in turn been laid out on a grand scale, and reduced in proportion as the progress of settlements had made it neces- sary to subdivide the great northern wilderness into new counties. The next change in counties affecting the northern part of the State was January 31, 1821, under Gov. Bond, at which time Pike County was organized, which took in all the ter- ritory in the State north of the southern line of the present Pike County, the Illinois and the Kankakee Rivers. Du Page was then a part of Pike County till the 28th of January, 1823, when the county of Fulton was established, comprising all of Pike County except the portion south of the north line of the present Fulton County, which change brought Du Page under the jurisdiction of Ful- ton County, of which Lewistown was the county seat. All these civil changes were previous to any- permanent white settlement, and there is no record that any of the traders or Indians whose erratic habits gave a temporary residence in what is now our county, ever applied to the constituted authorities for any purpose. Why should they? If any of the traders had a dis- pute, they settled it on the spot, perhaps by a " knock down argument," or if they wanted to marry any of the brunette beauties of the prai- rie, first they must be accomplished in the manly arts of hunting, or their chances would be slender of winning them. Next (to do the Indians justice), if any of the daughters of the higher-minded class of Indians had made themselves indispensable to the happiness of any of the traders, either French or American, HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 21 it required no small measure of circumspec- tion to gain the father's consent to the marriage, and to do this a sound body and a reasonable discrimination of the principles of justice on the part of the suitor was necessary. These essentials being satisfactory ar- ranged, the marriage itself was only a promise of fidelity on both sides, and did not in the es- timation of these sons of the wilderness need the record of official authority either to make it binding or to strengthen its force. A few of these marriages were permanent, and the writer has interviewed the offspring of some of them who are now esteemed members of society amongst us. Peoria County was the next civil division under which Du Page fell. It was organized June 13, 1825, with the following boundaries: " Beginning where the line between Town- ships 11 and 12 north intersects the Illinois River ; thence west with said line to the range line between Ranges 4 and 5 east ; thence south with said line to the range line between Townships 7 and 8 ; thence east to the line be- tween Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence south to the middle of the main channel of the Illinois River ; thence up along the middle of the main channel of said river to the place of be- ginning." On the 7th of December, the county was divided into three Election Precincts, of which Alexander Woolcott, John Kinzie and John Baptiste Beaubien were Judges. John Dixon was Clerk of the county, and so remained till his resignation, May 1, 1830, when Stephen Stillman was appointed. Cook was the next organized county of the now reduced area of Northern Illinois wilder- ness. It took in at first the present counties of Lake, McHenry, Will, Du Page and Iroquois, the act organizing it bearing date of March 1, 1831. It had three voting precincts — the Chi- cago, the Hickory Creek and the Du Page, the latter of which included the present county of Du Page and portions of Will. Ou the 8th of the same mouth. Samuel Miller Gohlson Kircheval and James Walker were sworn in as Commissioners, who promptly pro- ceeded to legislate for the wholesome regula- tion of the infant county. Prominent among the laws they passed were those regulating the prices of spirituous liquors, which they took as good care should not be extortionate, as did the French Revolutionists the price of bread during the Jacobin Reign of Terror in France. It was "ordered that the following rates be allowed to tavern-keepers, to wit : Each half pint of wine, rum or brandy, 25 cents ; each pint of wine, rum or brand}', 37-J- cents ; each half pint of gin. 18f cents ; pint of gin, 31^ cents ; gill of whisky, 6^ cents ; half pint of whisky, 12£ cents ; pint of whisky, 18f cents. For each breakfast and supper, 25 cents ; each dinner, 37£ cents ; each horse feed, 25 cents ; keeping horse one night, 50 cents ; lodging for each man per night, 12£ cents ; for cider or beer, one pint, 6^ cents ; one quart of cider or beer, 12£ cents." The Commissioners also soon issued permits to Alexander Robinson, J. B. Beaubein and Madore Beaubein to sell goods, who, added to six merchants already established in the county, made nine. From the records of the same j'ear, 1831, subsequent to those already men- tioned, appears the name of Joseph Naper, of Naper settlement, who, it appears, was then a licensed merchant and the first in the present county of Du Page. Such are the first laws ever enacted to pre- vail over this county after settlers came to it. At that time, Chicago, Canal Port, Naperville, Desplaiues, Keepotaw and Thornton, were re- ported as the towns of Cook County. It was named after Daniel P. Cook, the same who, with the election of Shadrack Bond for Governor, in 1818, had been elected Attorney General. To him the country along the canal owes a lasting obligation. At a session of the Legislature, January 17, 1825, a law was passed incorpo- 22 HISTORY OF DTT PAGE COUNTY. rating the Illinois & Michigan Canal Associa- tion, with full power to build the canal. By the seventh section of their charter, it was pro- vided that all immunities, etc., hitherto made by the General Government to facilitate the building of the canal, should revert to the asso- ciation to which the State had granted the char- ter to build it. This excess of State authority to dispose of the large amount of land (ever}' alternate section of a strip sis miles wide on each side of the canal, which the Government had given to aid in building it), by placing the lands at the disposal of a private company, was not looked upon with favor by the General Govern- ment, and, had it not been for the efforts of Mr. Cook, the State would have lost the lands, and the canal project would have been indefinitely postponed. He was then Member of Congress, and, seeing the danger, he used his powerful in- fluence among his constituents to have the act repealed which the State had passed. In this he was successful, and the corporations were obliged to surrender their charter. We come now to the organization of Du Page County — the last subdivision of Cook. In 1838, this was considered and talked over by the peo- ple, and a plau to make four counties out of the area of Cook was looked upon with favor. To effect this object, committees were appointed from each respective locality proposed as the territory to be occupied by them. It was first proposed by the Commissioners to create one county of nine townships in the northwest corner of Cook, which, had it been done, would have taken the three present town- ships, viz., Wayne, Bloomingdale and Addison, together with the present townships of Hanover, Schaumberg, Elk Grove, Barrington, Palatine and Wheeling in Cook, for one of the four new counties. Du Page County was to come im- mediately south of this, and take in nine town- ships, in which case Naperville would have been not very distant from the center of the county. For some cause not known to the writer, the Commissioners appointed to mature this plan of subdividing Cook County never met at the ap- pointed place of rendezvous, which was to have been at a certain hotel in Chicago. The conse- quence was, the subject of setting-off Du Page County came before the Legislature under differ- ent forms, and the action of that body specified the limits of the county according to the act of which the following is a copy : Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assem- bly : That all of that tract of country lying within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencing on the east line of Kane County at the division line between Sections 18 and 19, in Township 37 north, of Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, pur- suing the same line eastward until it strikes the Desplaines River; thence following the said river up to the range line between Township 11 and 12 east, of the Third Principal Meridian; thence north on said line to the township line between 40 and 11; thence west on said line to the east line of Kane County; thence south on the east line of Kane County to the place of beginning, shall constitute a new county by the name of Du Page; provided al- ways that no part of the county above described, now forming a part of Will County, shall be in- cluded within the said county of Du Page, unless the inhabitants now residing in said part of Will County shall, by a vote to he given by them at the next August election, decide by a majority of legal voters that they prefer to have the said territory make a part of the said county of Du Page. Sec 2. An election shall be held at the Pre- emption House, in Naperville, on the first Monday in May, next, by the qualified voters of said county, for county officers, who, when qualified, shall hold their offices until the next general election ; said election shall be conducted and returns thereof made to the Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of Cook County, as in other cases, and said Clerk shall give certificates of election; and when said County Commissioners shall be elected and qualified, the said county of Du Page shall be duly organized. S. M. Skinner, Stephen J. Scott and Loren J. Butler, are hereby appointed Judges of said election. Sec. 3. Said county of Du Page shall be at- tached to the Seventh Judicial District, and the HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 23 Judge of said circuit shall fix the terms of said court therein, two of which shall be held in said county annually at Napcrville, where the County Commissioners may direct, until the county build- ings are completed. Sec. 4. For the purpose of locating the per- manent seat of justice for said county of Du Page, the following-named persons are hereby appointed Commissioners, to wit: Ralph Woodruff, of La Salle County ; Seth Read, of Kane County, and Horatio G. Loomis, of Cook, who, or a majority of them, shall meet at the Pre-emption House, in Xa- perville, on the first Monday of June, or within thirty days thereafter, and first being duly sworn by some Justice of the Peace, shall proceed to locate the seat of justice for said county at the most eligi- ble and convenient point, provided the said Com- missioners shall obtain for the county from the claimant a quantity of land, not less than three acres, and $3,000 for the puqjose of erecting county buildings, which sum shall be secured to the County Commissioners and paid out under their direction for the purposes aforesaid. Sec. 5. The Commissioners appointed to locate said county seat, shall each be allowed the sum of §3 per day for each day by them necessarily em- ployed in the performance of that duty, to be paid out of the treasury of said county. Sec. 6. The qualified voters of the county of Du Page, in all elections except count}- elections, shall vote with the district to which they belong until the next apportionment, and shall in all respects be entitled to the same privileges and rights as in general belong to the citizens of other counties in this State. William L. D. Ewing. Speaker of the Mouse of Representatives. S. H. Anderson, Speaker of the Senate. Approved February 9, 1839. Tho. Caklin. State of Illinois, ) Office of Secretary of State, f I, Alexander P. Field, Secretary of State, do h by certify the foregoing to be a true and perfect copy of "An act to create the county of Du Paffe," now on file in my office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of State at Vandalia February 18, 1839. [l. b.] A. P. Field, Secretary of Statt . Previous to the passage of this act. there had been considerable canvassing of public opinion as to the division of Cook Count}-, and among those who took part in this discussion was Mr. J. Filkius, who owned property in Wheeling— the northern part of Cook County. His plan, as well as that of many others, was to create a county in the northern part of Cook, which should include the present three northern townships of Du Page County, with Wheeling for the county seat. and in accordance with this proposition, a representative from Naperville and one from the southeastern part of Cook County had agreed to meet at a certain hotel in Chicago to agree on some concert of action in the matter. The Naperville representative was promptly at the place of rendezvous, but the others did not attend, and no systematic plan of action was determined on. Pending these ambitious schemes, which local interests as well as real necessities set on foot, the citizens of Chicago were in a flutter of perturbation lest they should lose some of their territory, doubtless feeling their ability to govern more instead of being shorn of a part of what they then had. A convention now being about to assemble at Vandalia, to take into consideration plans for public improvements, it was necessary for the Chicagoans to call a public meeting to appoint delegates to attend it. Such a call at Chicago would then, as well as now, bring out their big guns as well as a full regiment of small arms to make a rattle of musketry after the cannons had been shot off ; or, in other words, to do the cheering after the orators had spoken. In obedience to the call, a meeting assembled on the 3d of December. 1836, and, as the pith of a woman's letter may be found in the postscript, so the chief object for which this meeting was called, was reserved for the closing business. After a few vehement speech- es had been made, the animus of which was to protest against any further division of Cook County, resolutions were adopted in accord auce with these sentiments, and a committee 24 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. of three was appointed to circulate a petition to be sent to the Legislature, expressive of the will of the people of Cook County on the subject. Unfortunately for the people of Chicago, Joseph Naper was then representing Cook Count}- in the Legislature, and it was like strik- ing on a drum that wouldn't sound, to talk "such stuff'' to him. He himself was a power, and two of the most influential members of the Senate were his strong friends. One of these was Peter Cartwright, of Carlinville, who had all the Methodists in the State at his back, and the other was old John Harker, from Union Count}', who was regarded by the Egyptians as a host. Nothing more was beard about the county to be set off from the northern part of Cook — it being probably thought best not to amputate another limb from her body at that time. It is worthy of record that of the committee appointed at the Chicago meeting, Gurdon S. Hubbard was one, but for some reason best known to himself, he declined to serve. Per- haps Mr. Hubbard, in advance of any of the rest, saw the impolicy as well as impractica- bility of the scheme in question. He came to Chicago in 1818, and is still an active man at the place, which has grown from a post of the American Fur Company to what it now is under his eye. As might be supposed, the petition was like seed sown in stony ground. In due course of legislation, Du Page County was organized as per the act already stated, the first section of which gave the inhabitants of the three northern tiers of sections in Will County, the power to choose by a popular vote, in the following August, to which county they would belong. Had the election taken place immediately, it is almost certain that the people of the territory in question would have annexed themselves to Du Page County, to whose inter- ests at Naperville they had been allied by his- toric as well as social relations from the first; but the time between the passage of the act and the August election, which was to cast the die, was utilized by the Will County inter- ests and a formidable opposition to the Du Page interests was the result. To add to the discomfiture of the Du Page advocates, some one brought a bottle of whisky into the arena on election day, which roused the indignation of the teetotalers of the Will County interests, and brought out their full force with their thunder thrown in. The autumn sun dipped into the western green, the polls were closed, votes counted, and one majority for Will County was the re- sult. There wasn't much poetry about the canvass. It need not be claimed that Johnny, with the love of his inamorata in his heart, voted to please his would-be father-in-law or any such kind of moonshine. It was a sharply defined local and temporal issue, and for a small one, large results have grown out of it ; for had the county limits extended south of Naperville, as the original bill intended, no attempt would ever have been made to re- move the county seat, or if made, would not have been successful. The parties authorized by the fourth section of the act creating the new county to locate the county seat, met on the 17th of June, 1839, at the Pre-emption House in Naperville, and lo- cated it at that place. At the same time, a deed was executed to the county of an undi- vided half of the public square on which the county buildings were erected the same year by voluntary subscription from the citizens of Naperville to the amount of 15,000. Subse- quently, the small brick buildings were built for storing the records, etc. In vain may the records of any State in the Union be searched for a parallel in eventful epochs involving vital political questions which locally came up within their jurisdiction as has been thrust upon the State of Illinois, and the country around Chicago has been the pivot upon which these issues have turned. This is HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 25 only a just conclusion to deduce from the events of this chapter. The next will begin with the pioneer work begun in Du Page County under a new order of things destined to subordinate wild nature to the uses of man, and reproduce old-settled and time-honored institutions on a generous scale, there to multiply under the fostering hand of nature. This has been done, but let us take a retrospective view of the proc- ess by which it was accomplished while the living witnesses of it are still on the historic stand to testify. CHAPTER II. THE PIONEER— STEPHEN J. SCOTT— THE SCOTT SETTLEMENT— BLODGETT HAULEY— BAILEY HOB- SON, THE FIRST SETTLER OF DU PAGE COUNTY— BUILDING THE FIRST CABIN— CROSSING A SLOUGH — WILLIARD SCOTT — SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENTS — CORN PANCAKES — THE NAPERS— FIRST GROUND PLOWED— THE FIRST SCHOOL— JOSEPH NAFER — IOHN NAPER— THE FIRST STOVE— CHRISTOPHER PAINE— THE FIRST SAW-MILL— HOME-MADE SPINNING WHEELS AND LOOMS— COLD WINTER OF 1830-31 —PORTAGE TO CHIC AGO-THE LAWTONS-THE POTTAWATOMIES —FLIGHT TO FORT DEARBORN— HORRIBLE MASSACRE AT INDIAN CREEK— EXPLOITS OF COL. BEAUBIEN. WITHIN the memory of men now living the whole of Du Page County was an immaculate tablet on which to make the first footprints of progress in the form of agricult- ure, architecture and public works. In ancient times, when new countries were settled, it was done by nations who sent out colonies under the especial guardianship of a king's viceroy, and this was the case with the first new coun- tries settled in America from Europe. All this became changed when the American nation became the owner of the vast plains of the West. Then settlements began to be made on private account for the first time in the world's history, and such a conception of human rights put in such universal practice, as it was here, brought into being a class of men different from any hitherto known. They were the creation of their period in their habits, character and their self-sustaining powers. They valued themselves not for what their fathers had been, but for what they themselves were. It takes a few generations for mental force to gather and turn the thoughtsof men into new channels, and, by the time Northern Illinois was settled, the thoroughbred pioneer, in his floodtide of glory, came upon the scene. He is the man referred to— the incarnation of freedom in its broadest sense, the man who is a law unto himself, who takes a short cut to the ends of justice regard- less of technicalities ; the man who evinces himself more by what he does than b}' what he says, and scorns unfair distinctions not based on merit. To describe the American pioneer would re- quire the imagery of romance and the force of the drama. Behold him, as he turns his face to the West, his gun on his shoulder, his dog by his side, his horses harnessed to the wagon that contains his household goods, his wife and babies, behind which follow at a slow pace his cattle, driven by his young sons, whose keen eyes often dart their irrepressible humor from beneath a tattered hat brim. This is the true pioneer. His step is firm ; his glance is keen ; his whole appearance commands respect, though his garments may be of the coarsest stuff. To him belongs a singular fame, for he 26 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. is the first to lay the dimension stone of a social fabric which is to grow up where he plants the seed, and become a lasting mon- ument to perpetuate his memory. The first of these pioneers who became ulti- mate residents of Du Page County were Steph- en J. Scott, who came with his family from Maryland, and made a claim on the lake shore just north of the present site of Evanston, in 1826. The place was then and is still known as Grose Point. It is an elevated sand ridge, making an abrupt bauk on Lake Michigan, but not composed of a soil adapted to the growth of the cereals, which is probably the reason why Mr. Scott left the place and took up a claim at the fork of the west branch of Du Page River, which he did in the autumn of 1830, with his family, among whom were his sons, Willard and Willis. This became known as the Scott settlement, and was the first beginning made which drew to the place other settlers. Its locality was just south of the Du Page County line in the present county of Will, but accretions to it soon extended up the stream, within the pres- ent limits of the county. Early in the following June, 1831, Isaac P. Rlodgett came from Amherst, Hampshire Co., Mass., and settled at the fork, his son Henry now Judge Blodgett, of Chicago, being then nine years old. Pierce Hawley also came to the place about the same time, and, in the summer of the next year. 1831, Robert Strong, Rev. Isaac Scarrett Capt. Henry Boardman and Isaac Stockwell came to the Scott settlement, and became per- manently identified with the interests of what was then known as the Du Page Country. These were near neighbors to the settlement began the same 3 - ear just above them on the Du Page, and soon the little gap of unclaimed land that intervened between them was filled up with new-comers. But the first actual settler in the count}- now named Du Page was Bailey Hobson. His widow is still living in Naperville, and the following is a brief narrative of the events of her experiences in coming to the place, as re- ported to the writer in June, 1882. Mrs. Clarinda Hobson was born in Georgia in December, 1804. The family emigrated to Orange County, Ind., in 1812, where she was married to Mr. Hobson in 1821. In 1830, they removed to the present site of New- ark, 111., remaining there the succeeding winter, when, in the following November of the same year, Mr. Hobson went to the Du Page River, about two miles below the present site of Naperville, and marked out his claim, consisting of about five hundred acres, lying on both sides of the river. This done, he returned to his temporary home to make the necessary preparations for building a habitation on his Du Page River claim. To this end, he again went to the place with a load of shakes (clapboards) with which to make a roof for his intended cabin, and a hired man accompanied him to help cut and haul to the ground the logs necessary for its walls. The}' had only worked one day, when the cold was so intense they were obliged to abandon their plans and turn their course toward home, which they reached in safety after two days' toiling over the bleak prairie with an ox team. With the opening of March, 1831, the work wa^ again resumed by sending Lewis Stewart, brother of Mrs. Hobson, to the place to cut the logs for the cabin, while Mr. Hobson himself was to follow with the ox team and wagon loaded with their household goods. A new dilemma now arose. More than a hundred In- dians had just encamped hard by their house for the purpose of making maple sugar in an adjacent grove, and she dare not stay with her five children alone in their midst. Meantime, her husband's duties were imperative. He must go to the new home to get the house ready for the opening of spring. s/U HISTORY OF DIT PAGE COUNTY. 29 In this emergency, Mrs. Hobsou formed the resolution to transport her family to a small settlement a few miles distant at what was then called Weeds', and now Hollenback's Grove. Besides the family, were two horses and four- teen head of cattle, the same stock that had been driven from their home in Indiana. Ac- cordingly, her husband started off with their furniture, and she, with the family and their flock, by a different route, to reach a temporary abiding place. On the way, she had a danger- ous slough to cross, where the track was buried beneath the flood, so deep that she dare not trust ber little ones on the horse alone, but took them across one or two at a time on her own horse and set them on the opposite bank till they were all safely landed. The fourteen cattle were then driven over and all herded safely in the grove, where they were kept on browse and what grass they could find on the early spring sward. Here she remained awaiting her hus- band's return to take the family and their stock to their new home. A few days brought this about, notwithstand- ing the hardships he had encountered in camp- ing out on the open prairie on his way. and other discomforts not easily imagined by those who read of them nowadays. March was nearly spent when they arrived at their home. It was a rough log cabin with a puncheon floor, but no windows. The lack of them was the smallest of their grievances, for the unchinked crevices between the logs let in light enough. Willard, the son of Stephen J. Scott, who had recently married the oldest daughter of Mr. Hawley, was then living in the same log cabin with his father, and their families being the nearest neighbors to the Hobson family, occa- sional visits were made between them, and the hospitalities of the wilds exchanged in true pio- neer style. Their entertainments did not con- sist of the modern aesthetic styles of serving their dishes, or of the epicurian qualities of them, but were simplified down to actual ne- cessities. Corn seems to have constituted their entire material for bread ; nor had they vege- tables or fruits the first year, and the corn it- self was in the ear, as it grew at Weeds' (now Holderman's) Grove, from whence it had to be transported by ox teams. The problem now was how to convert it into meal, the solution of which, however, did not task the ingenuity of a true pioneer to its ut- most by any means. The first process was to shell it ; the next to immerse it in hot water to start the hulls. It was then put into an iron kettle and pounded with the head of an iron wedge (the tool used for splitting rails) till it was made into meal. The next process was to put this meal into cold water and float the hulls off, and the meal was ready for use. It was made into a batter with water only, and fried like pancakes, or. for variety's sake, spread on a wooden board and turned up to a fire to be baked into bread. Sifting this meal when dried left its coarsest portions for hominy, which gave them varieties improvised out of corn. Such was the first household and home made in this county, of which a faithful witness in the person of Mrs. Hobson is still among us in the full enjoyment of her mental faculties. The next who came to the county were the Napers. They were men of broad ambition like the pioneers who had preceded them in the Scott settlement. While residents of Ohio, they had owned a sailing vessel on the lakes, named the Telegraph, which they had sold, agreeing to deliver it in Chicago in the sum- mer of 1831, and in this vessel on its passage to this place they came with the families of John Murray. Lyman Butterfield, Henry T. Wdson and a Mr. Carpenter. It set sail from Ashta- bula, Ohio, in June, landing them in Chicago in time to reach Du Page eariy in July. The spring preceding, Joseph Naper had been to the place, made a claim and hired men to come from Chicago and put up a log cabin b " 30 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. where Naperville now stands. The building was made ready and also ten acres of ground " broke," as per a contract with Mr. Scott, on the arrival of the colony, for such in substance, was the Naper settlement. The season was too far advanced to plant corn, and in its stead, buckwheat was sown on seven acres of it, and the balance planted with rutabaga turnips. This, together with a few acres of ground planted by Mr. Hobson, constituted the first tillage of the soil of this county, unless some of its red owners, with the assistance of their loving brothers — the French — had raised scan- ty patches of corn, beans or pumpkins on it, which is quite probable, for as early as 1790 the Indians had cultivated extensive fields on the Maumee, and also on the Wabash, and more than half a century before had, with the aid of the French, plowed and planted fields in Southern Illinois, and also reaped considerable income from working the lead mines of Galena on their own private account, all of which goes to show that the inevitable crops of corn so essential to their existence had ere this been planted by them on the fertile lauds of the Du Page. Mr. Naper's buckwheat crop was a bountiful one, and in the autumn drew to the place countless numbers of prairie chickens to get a taste of the kind of food then so new to them. The Naper and Scott settlements, being as they were in such close proximity to each other, with a reciprocity of interest in all mat- ters pertaining to the welfare of newly-settled countries, began in September following the arrival of the Naper colony, to lay plans for the education of their children. To this end, preparations were made to build a schoolhouse which should accommodate both settlements, and the following subscription paper was drawn up by John Murray, father of our present County Judge, to obtain support for and to es- tablish the school. The original document is now in possession of William Naper, now a clerk in Messrs. Scott & Co.'s dry goods store (son of Joseph Naper, deceased): September 14, 1831. We, the undersigned, whose names are hereto affixed, do agree to hire Lester Peet to teach a school in our respective district for the term of four months, for the consideration of $12 per month. Said teacher doth agree, on his part, to teach a regular English school, teaching spelling, writing, arithmetic and English grammar, if required. And the understanding is, that said teacher is to board with the scholars. School is to commence by the loth of November next. N. B. — Each subscriber doth agree to pay his proportionable part of the teacher's wages, accord- ing to the number of scholars that he subscribes for or sends, and it is likewise understood that Joseph Naper, Christopher Paine and Bailey Hobson be and are a committee to superintend said school, and to see that there is a suitable house built in due season, etc. Joseph Naper, six scholars; H. T. Wilson, two scholars ; Richard Sweet, two scholars ; Daniel Landon, one scholar ; James Green, one scholar ; Bailey Hobson, one scholar ; John Naper, one scholar; John Manning, one scholar; Daniel Wilson, one scholar ; Christopher Paine, three scholars ; John Murray, two scholars; Edward A. Rogers, one scholar. Ere this school had been established, both the Naper and Scott settlements had been re- enforced by new arrivals, as appears from such names not mentioned in the history found among the subscribers to support the school. But ere we proceed, let us give to the Napers an historic recognition of their many worthy traits of character. Joseph Naper, the oldest of the two brothers, began his career as a cabin boy on a steamer on Lake Erie. In this occupation he was con- tinually exposed to danger, which accounts for the bold and daring resolution which character- ized him throughout his life. He remained on the lakes till he rose to the distinction of Cap- tain of a steamer on Lake Erie which plied be- tween Buffalo and Detroit from 1828 to 1830. As has already been told, he came to the Du Page HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 31 in 1831, and here he soon established a repu- tation as a generous benefactor to all who came within the reach of his liberality. He donated land to all who wished to come to the place and build on it, and to those who owed him debts which could not be paid without distress, he always extended clemency, and sometimes forgave the debt entirely. John Naper was also a sailor in his tender years like his older brother, and as soon as he was old enough commanded sailing vessels on Lake Erie, and remained in this employment till 1830. The two were in partnership together in their Du Page colony, bringing with them to the place the ironwork for the saw-mill to be erected here, and also a stock of goods with which to open trade. Whatever may be said of the oldest brother as to both his courage and generosit}', may also be said of John, " and," says Judge Murray, " the latter (John) had more dash than his older brother. His weight was about 200 pounds, his limbs muscular, and his whole frame almost as elastic as a circus tum- bler." Mr. P. F. W. Peek, afterward well known in Chicago, came to the Du Page a few weeks after the arrival of the Napers, and formed a partnership with them in storekeeping, which was the first establishment of the kind in the country around. The Sauk war, which followed the next year, discouraged Mr. Peck, and the partnership between him and the Napers was dissolved by mutual consent, the latter giving to Mr. Peck three lots, each 80x165 feet, on South Water street, Chicago, for his interest in the store. It was not without misgiving that this otfer was accepted, but it laid the founda- tion for the princely fortune which he ultimately amassed. From Judge Murray, also, the writer has learned of the versatile and useful talents of Christopher Paine which are worthy of record, inasmuch as he was a remarkable representa- tive of pioneer ingenuity. To him the whole settlement looked for de- vising ways and means to accomplish ends. Mr. Naper set about building a mill in the au- tumn of 1831, and to Mr. Paine was confided the building of the dam. This he did by first laying logs, next stone and after these the buckwheat straw from the ground sowed in the summer to help hold the dirt in its place when laid on the logs and stone. The dam served its purpose, and in the spring of 1832 Mr. Na- per's mill — the first ever built in Du Page River — was in running order. A grist-mill was needed perhaps more than a saw-mill, and Hawley conceived the idea of building it. But how to get the mill stones — •'that was the rub." He laid the case before Mr. Paine. He scratched his head and " his jaws wagged with increased rapidity while he kept up an incessant expectoration," (says Mr. Murray), and exclaimed "By Jinks, I can make them " (the stones). He then selected two good bowlders from the grove, and hammered and pecked on them till he had fashioned them into upper and nether mill stones. The stone chisels to do this were probably made by Isaac Blodgett, who was a blacksmith in the Scott settlement, of whom mention has already been made. The mill was a success. It was propelled by ox power, by means of a sweep. Each neighbor brought his grain to it and ground it with his own team. As to the toll, no one now knows how it was paid. Probably it was a free mill, but without doubt Mr. Paine was rewarded for the service he had rendered the neighborhood. The same year he introduced the culture of flax, and made the necessary machinery — the spinning wheel and loom — with which to make it into cloth. His wife, not less ingenious than her husband, spun the flax and wove it into a handsome cloth, coloring a part of the yarn or thread, and weaving into the fabric a bright plaid check. Of this cloth she made suits for the whole family, including herself and her husband. 32 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. They were the admiration of the neighbor- hood, but they were thought to be rather cool for winter, though Mr. Paine at that season wore a warm buckskin sack, tanned and made by himself, from beneath which the check linen vest showed conspicuously, and is still remembered by the old settlers of Naperville. Mr. Paine was a model of generosity. "Would divide his last potato," says Judge Murray, "with any one in need." In the fall of 1832, he sold out and settled on the Fox River at the present site of Batavia, where he was subse- quently bought out by Judge Wilson. He then went to Geneva Lake, Wis., where he started a saw mill. From thence, after again selling out, he went to Duck Creek, Wis., and again built a saw mill. Here he remained, still dispensing his utilitarian labors with a generous hand, till he died, respected bj* all who knew him. Returning again to the Naper settlement, the severity of the winter of 1830- 31 should not be left without a record. Snow fell to an average depth of four feet, and the cold was intense from November till April, with but little cessation. The wild turkeys all died for want of forage ; and, up to that time, the country was full of wild hogs bred from those left by the garrison when Fort Dearborn was abandoned in 1812. These all died also, for they could not penetrate the deep snow for acorns in the groves, and the last one starved to death. The deer fared better because they could live on browse, but many of them died also. Mr. Willard Scott, banker in Naperville, the son of Stephen J., is the authority for the above ; and further states that for the next four years suc- ceeding the winter of 1830-31, he had often passed from the Desplaines River through Mud Lake into the Chicago River with the barges of the American Fur Company. John Baptiste Beaubien was their agent there at that time, to whom some of the In- dians brought their furs to sell, packed on the backs of ponies, but most of them sold their furs to the traders, who had transient stations throughout the country. Bernardus Lawton was one of these traders, whose station was at Plainfield, but his headquarters were at Chi- cago. David Lawton lived on the Desplaines, where he kept a tavern at the present site of Riverside from previous to 1830 till his death. Both were highly esteemed alike b}- whites and Indians. Says Mr. Scott : " Ber- nardus had an Indian wife, who was a sensible and discreet woman, who ever enjoyed the con- fidence of her husband." From the very first the Pottawatomies, who were frequently at the Naper settlement, had always been friendly, and highly esteemed Mr. Scott, with whom their acquaintance had been of several years' duration, and likewise held the Naper brothers in like favor, though their ac- quaintance had been shorter. The same may be said with regard to all the old settlers with whom the writer has conversed, all of whom speak kindly of the Pottawatomies. Wuj' should they not ? They had settled on land that the Indians never had sold, and the}- made no attempt to molest them, but treated them with kindness. In speaking of an interview with the In- dians, says Mrs. Hobson : " The Pottawatomies frequently called at our house, and were always friendly up to the spring of 1832, when strange appearances began to be manifest. On one occasion, three Indians came to her house when no one but her two youngest children were with her. Two of them seemed friendly as usual, but the third betrayed himself to be of a strange tribe, and wore a rueful counte- nance. He would not eat of the food she placed before the visitors, which behavior, so eccentric in an Indian, boded no good intent. Besides this, she plainly saw that it required an effort on the part of the two friendly Potta- watomies to prevent an outbreak on the spot." When the three left, she saw him conceal a HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 33 carving knife under his blanket, with which she had been cutting off some dried beef for her visitors, and, as they were departing, she in- formed the two friendly Indians of the theft. They promptly took the knife from the culprit, and restored it to Mrs. Hobson, meanwhile evidently rebuking the faithless vagabond for his perfidy ; and, at the same time, apologizing to Mrs. Hobson by repeating to her " me-o-net ' — no good Indian, pointing to the stranger. He was doubtless a Sauk, who had come among the Pottawatomies to influence them to take up the hatchet against the whites. Two days after this adventure at the house of Mrs. Hobson, the real alarm came. Its incidents are so well told in Richmond & Vallette's Early History, that their relation of it has been transferred to these columns by permission of Col. Henry Vallette : " Never was a ' good time come ' hailed with more gladness than was the spring of 1832 by the infant colon}-. A prospect of reward for past hardships was before them. All was busy preparation for the approaching seed time. The labor of breaking and fencing went briskly for- ward, and in due time the new-fledged grain came peering from the mellow ground. But long before the growing fields stood ready for the sickle of the glad harvester, the little band were obliged to relinquish their cherished antici- pations, and flee from their new homes for the safety of their lives. " The news of the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war caused great excitement in the settle- ment, and the alarm was heightened by the arrival of Shata, an express from the Pottawat- omies, who were friendly to the whites, with the intelligence that a party of Sac Indians were committing depredations among the set- tlers on Fox River, some ten miles distant, and that the houses of Cunningham and Hollenback had been burned to the ground, and their prop- erty entirely destroyed. Aware of their ina- bility to carry on a successful warfare with the Indians, as the colony was in an almost defense- less state, and, being liable to an attack from them at any moment, the settlers decided to send their families, with all possible haste, to Chicago, where old Fort Dearborn offered its protection to 'any fearing the incursions of the savages. The settlement was now the scene of universal disorder and alarm. Bustle and con- fusion were the order of the hour. Men were hurrying to and fro in eager pursuit of their wives and children, while weeping wives and crying children were hurrying with equal ra- pidity and greater anxiety in pursuit of their husbands and fathers. Order was at length, in some degree, restored, and while the women were engaged in packing such articles of cloth- ing and provision as they would require for the journey, the men were actively fitting out teams to convey them awa\\ " Early in the afternoon of the 18th of May, the train started for Chicago. But the family of Christopher Paine, who lived near the place of S. & D. Babbitt, consisting of his wife and six children, were, in the general confusion in- cident to their hast}' departure, left behind. The family were sent in advance of the train, with directions to wait at a short distance from the settlement for its arrival. Concealing them- selves in a thicket bj- the roadside, near the farm now owned by Capt. John Sargent, and not hearing the company as it passed, they were obliged to remain in their place of con- cealment during the night, which must have been one of fearful anxiety to the mother, as the imaginative dangers of her situation mag- nified, while watching over her houseless and defenseless children. Thej' returned in safety to the settlement next morning, but much ex- hausted by fatigue and hunger. " The following incidents relating to the alarm and sudden flight of Mr. Hobson's family, have been kindly furnished by one of its members. Mr. Hobson. with Mr. Paine and son, had just seated themselves at their noonday meal, relat- 34 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. ing, in the meantime, the intelligence they had received while working in the field ; that a band of Indians were advancing, and were then only thirty miles distant, when the}- were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Paine's eldest son, who rushed into the house, bareheaded and breathless, informing them that Specie and Ament had just arrived from the Au Sable grove, having run their horses down, and per. formed a part of the journey on foot, to bring the alarming intelligence that a body of Indians had that morning passed through Hollenback's Grove, killing several settlers, and burning every thing in their path. Upon this intelligence, immediate preparations for safety were consid- ered expedient. Hobson and Paine arose from the table, leaving the dinner uutasted. Mr. Paine, accompanied by his sons, started in great haste for their home, while Mr. Hobson pre- pared to ride up to the Naper settlement to see what the inhabitants there had concluded to do, but his wife and children, clinging to him, begged him not to leave them ; whereupon he saddled the horses, and after seeing the wife and children all mounted, except the eldest son who was to accompany them on foot, they started together. They directed their course through the east end of the grove, and coming upon a rise of ground, beheld a man on horseback, about a mile distant. It immediately occurred to Mr- Hobson that this was an Indian sp}-, but it proved to be one of a small party of scouts sent out from the settlement. He, however, directed his wife and children to hasten out of sight. They rode into the grove and dismounted. Mr- Hobson came up soon after, threw the saddles into a thicket, turned the horses into a neigh- boring field, and made all possible haste to se- crete his family ; directing them to use every precaution to evade pursuit, and not to tangle nor bruise the grass and weeds as they went along. Having done this, his attention was next directed to his clog, a faithful and valuable animal. ' You have been,' said he, ' my com- panion and protector for years ; you have never been unfaithful to a trust, nor given me cause to question your fidelity — always the first to welcome, foremost to defend. But now you ma}- betray us, and, saddening as the thought may be, I must be reconciled to the thought of putting you to death.' So, taking the unsuspect- ing victim, he went to a cabin near by, which had been but recently occupied by the family of Mr. Seth Wescott, his object being to pro- cure an ax with which to do the deed at which his very soul shuddered. It was supposed that the famity of Mr. Wescott had received the alarm, and fled. What then was his surprise to meet him at the threshold of his door, with gun in hand, just starting out on a hunting ex- pedition. At Mr. Hobson's solicitation, the dog was shot ; but he died not, as many pass from life, without a tear to consecrate the event, or a heart to embalm the memory of the de- parted soul — his loss was sincerely lamented. Mr. Wescott made immediate preparation to join the settlers, and Mr. Hobson, fearing that the report of the gun might have alarmed his family, hastened to meet them. Accompanied by his wife, he then returned to the house to make preparations, in case it should become necessaiy for them to desert their home. The box had been removed from the wagon, but with his wife's assistance he was enabled to re- place it, and after completing their arrange- ments, thej- again set forth, Mrs. Hobson with some food to seek her children in the grove while her husband went to the settlement to see what preparations were being made there. On his arrival he found that the families, with a part of the men, had gone to Chicago. He informed those that remained of the condition of his family, and of his anxiety that they should set out that night, in hopes of overtaking the advance party. Capt. Naper, Lieut. King, and Specie volunteered to return with him to the place where he had concealed his family. They were all mounted except King, who was on JCJ, (^/^Z^U^C fc/^^£<4> HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 35 foot. Having found the family in their hiding place, it was a matter that required considerable mathematical skill to determine how they were to be conveyed. It was at length decided that the two eldest children should be placed on the horse of Mr. Hobson ; that Capt. Naper should take two more on the horse with him ; and that Mrs. Hobson, assisted by King, should go on foot, earryinsr the youngest child, then two years old. They pressed on toward the north end of the grove, where Mr. Hobson had agreed to meet them with his team. Emerging from the grove they had yet half a mile to go, and Mrs. Hobson being fatigued from the journe} - , one of the children was taken from Capt. Naper's horse and placed on the horse with the two others, while Mrs. Hobson mounted behind Capt. Na- per. They started again, one horse carrying Capt. Naper, with his huge Kentucky rifle, to- gether with Mrs. Hobson, one child, and sundry and divers trappings. It is supposed that the gallant Captain never presented a more formid- able appearance than he did while riding along on that memorable occasion, with his burnished steel glistening in the moonbeams, although he has. since that day, been the hero of at least three decisive battles. " They arrived in safety at the place appointed to meet Mr. Hobson, who soon came up with his oxen and wagon, bringing with him such things from the house as he could hastiby pick up in the dark. The announcement of " all aboard " soon followed. Mr. Hobson gave up his horse to Mr. King, who returned with Capt. Naper to the settlement, while the vehicle con- taining the family moved on its slow and weary way. The night was cold, and rendered still more uncomfortable by a heavj* fall of rain ; but wet and cold are of minor consideration when compared with the horrors of an excited imagination, which transforms every tree and shrub into a merciless Indian foe, with toma- hawk and scalping knife in hand, ready to com- mit their deeds of cruelt}' and slaughter. Pass- ing a night of the most intense fear and anxiety, the}- arrived at Brush Hill at sunrise. Crossing the O'Plain, they found a habitation, the only one on the whole route. They journeyed on and soon reached the " Big Prairie," the distance across which is about ten miles. Crossing this prairie was the most tedious part of the way. The wheels, during a greater part of the dis- tance, were half imbedded in the marshy soil, rendering it almost impossible for the team to move on, even with an einpty wagon. The chil- dren became sickened from exposure and thirst. Being unprovided with a drinking vessel, Mrs. Hobson frequently took the shoe from her foot and dipped the muddy water from the pools by the roadside, which they drank with much ap- parent satisfaction. They plodded on at a slow pace, and reached their destination at a little before sunset, much exhausted by hunger and fatigue, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Hobson having tasted food for more than thirty-six hours. They were safely quartered in Fort Dearborn, and here we leave them, and return to the settlement. " Some fifteen or twenty men remained be- hind, when the settlement was abandoned by the families, in order to protect, if possible, their dwellings and other property, from the depreda- tions of the Indians, should they come to de- stroy them. They quartered themselves in the log house of Capt. Naper, and kept vigilant guard during the night. On the following morning the settlers were visited by Lawton, an Indian trader, living on the O'Plain, in company with three Indians and a half-breed, named Burrasaw. They brought no news, but came to gather further particulars in relation to the threatened invasion of the Sacs. As the set- tlers had heard nothing of their movements since the departure of Shata's express, it was resolved that a party, joined by Lawton and the three Indians, should go to the camp of the Pot- tawatomies. near the Big Woods, some ten miles distant, for information. Two men, 36 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. named Brown and Murphy, had been placed on patrol that morning, and were out on the prairie, a little west of the settlement. The party setting out for the Big Woods determined to test their courage, and for that purpose, sent the three Indians in advance of the main party. As soon as the Indians came in sight of the patrol, they gave a most terrific war-whoop, and darted on after them with the fleetness of so many arrows. The patrol, seized with sudden consternation, sprang to their horses and fled in the wildest dismay — first toward the north, but being intercepted by some of the company, whom they took to be savages, they wheeled and took an opposite direction. In this course they were again intercepted by the three In- dians. Concluding they must be surrounded, they came to a halt, laid down their arms, and were about to sue for mercy, when they chanced to discover in the features of their vengeful pursuers a striking likeness to those they had left at the settlement. The fact soon dawned upon them that they had been successfully hoaxed, and their duties ' on guard ' terminated with that adventure. '' The company advanced toward the Big Woods. As they drew near the timber, an In- dian was observed mounted on a hoi - se, who, on seeing them, turned and fled. The three In- dians made instant pursuit ; overtaking him before he had gone far, they made themselves known as friends, and detained him until the company came up. Lawton understood the dialects of several Indian tribes, and in a con- versation with him ascertained that he belonged to the Pottawatouiies, who were encamped only three miles distant. The Indian said the whole of his tribe were drunk, and it would be danger- ous for the company to visit them. However, after brief consultation, they decided to pro- ceed to the encampment, and the captured In- dian led the way. Although the appearance of the company in the camp caused some little ex- citement among that portion of the tribe who were sufficiently sober to entertain an emotion of any kind, yet they were received with no ap- parent indications of hostility. On examination, the testimony of the Indian was full} - substan- tiated. Indians were found in a state of beastly intoxication in even' part of the camp; while others were enjoying the pastime in the most picturesque, amusing and fantastic series of per- formances that can be imagined. Dancing, singing, whooping and screeching, delightfully mingled, formed the grand offering which there went up at the shrine of bad whisky and worse tobacco. One fellow, who seemed to be of a decidedly pugnacious turn, was lying on the ground, face downward, with his hands secured behind him, Samson like, with green withes. Frantic with rage, he seemed to utter the most vehement and fearful denunciations against all who came near him. Upon inquiry, it was as- certained that the fellow had violated an im- portant law in their code respecting these orgies, which law forbids 'a brother knocking a brother down,' and he was suffering the penalty affixed. " The company were summoned into the presence of the chiefs, who gave them a friendly and courteous reception. A council was called, and Lawton and Burrasaw were admitted to the ring. The consultation lasted for two or three hours, and the ' outsiders ' were becoming rather impatient. An old Indian woman, known to Capt. Naper, while passing near him, uttered in his ear the word ' Puc-a-che,' which, being both literally and liberally interpreted, signifies ' Be off.' And the Captain began to think it time to heed the advice. " Inquiry was made in relation to the delib- erations of the council, and Lawton responded, that 'there were 300 Sac Indians in the Black- berry timber, some four miles distant, and,' said he, ' you will see them if you wait here an hour.' These Indians will not fight them, but will " stop them by talk," if they can, from burning your settlement.' The Captain signi- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 37 fied no inclination to hold an interview with 300 Sac Indians, but suggested the propriety of retreating to the settlement as soon as pos- sible, and sending the most valuable property there to Chicago. This plan received the ac- quiesence of all the company, and after making arrangements with Lawton to send an express to notify them of auy immediate danger from the Sacs, the settlers returned. The packing of their goods was immediately commenced. All the articles which were inconvenient to convey were lowered into a well partly dug, and all was soon ready for loading the wagons. The horses had been harnessed, and were then feeding at a stable some ten or fifteen rods from the h'ouse. Capt. Naper was in the house tying the corners of a quilt, which contained the remnant of clothing left behind by his fam- ily, when a man rushed wildly into the room, shouting at the top of his voice, " the Indians are upon us!" The whole company took in- stant alarm and with the exception of Captain and John Naper, beat a precipitate retreat to a thicket of hazel bushes, which, in those days, flourished in prolific exuberance on the soil now known as Jefferson avenue. The two Napers were somewhat unlike the redoutable Mr. Sparrowgrass, who was proue to pull trig- ger and make inquiries afterward. They de- cided that inquiry should take the precedence, and if it came to that, why they could run sunn . "As the horses were near, they removed the harness and put on the saddles, that they might be in readiness in case of emergency. They had scarcely accomplished this, when Alanson Sweet came galloping up on his fierce charger, exhorting them to instant flight, if they valued their lives. ' There are at least 500 Indians upon us, 7 said he, ' and they are not more than fifteen rods off.' Alanson rode away, but the Napers resolved to investigate. They walked in the direction from which Sweet said the Indians were approaching, and soon came upon a rise of ground which had con- cealed the Indians from view, when lo ! the dusky visage of their friend Lawton appeared before them. He was at the head of about fifty brawny Pottawatomies, and had come to warn the settlers of immediate danger. Mes- sengers were sent out to gather in the fugitives, that all might listen to Lawton's story. He said that at least sixteen of the Sacs, and how many more he did not know, had crossed Fox River ; that the Pottawatomies could not stop them. They were determined to attack the settlements, and their ' talk ' could not pre- vent them. The settlers, upon this, abandoned all idea of saving their property, but deter- mined to make every effort to save the wife and children of Paine, who were still in the settlement. The horses were attached to a light covered wagon, in which the family was placed, and the whole company set out that night for Chicago. John Naper insisted upon going on foot, and divested himself of every- thing in the shape of attire, except his shirt and pantaloons. He was earnestly entreated to ride, but upon his assuring the party that ' he could outrun any Sac Indian in the na- tion," further importunity was deemed useless. They reached the O'Plain, and encamped for the night without taking their horses from the wagon, that they might be ready to move on at a moment's warning. They had hastened on, through fear of being cut off on the north- ern trail by the Indians, and being much worn with fatigue, all hands slept pretty soundly till next morning. The journey was then resumed, and the party arrived at Chicago before noon, on the 20th day of May. A company of twen- ty-five men was raised during the day, to re- turn to the settlement. It consisted chiefly of settlers, accompanied by Capt. Brown and Col. Hamilton. They started on Saturday, May 21, and passed the night at Lawton's. Next day they went on to the settlement, where they found everything undisturbed. Leaving the 38 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. settlement under the guardianship of several friendly Indians, the company proceeded to Plainfield, where they found the settlers safely quartered in a fort, which they had just com- pleted. They then started for Holderman's Grove, to ascertain the condition of the settlers there. Meeting Cunningham and Hollenback on the way, the}' were informed that it would be of no use to go farther, as their property had been destroyed. Notwithstanding, they proceeded to Holderman's Grove. From this place they sent an express to Ottawa, to notify the settlers of the safety of their property, and also sent a messenger to Chicago to apprise their friends of their own safety. The party remained at Holderman's house during the night. Early next morning the express re- turned from Ottawa, bringing the intelligence of the massacre at Indian Creek. The party immediately went to Ottawa, and thence pro- ceeded to the scene of the bloody tragedy. What they there witnessed was too appalling to be described. Not less than fifteen bodies, of men, women and children were lying there, cut and mangled in the most shocking manner. It was ascertained that they were the families of Messrs. Hall, Davis and Pettigrew, and that two daughters of the Hall family, Silvia and Rachel, the one about seventeen and the other about fifteen years old, were carried off as pris- oners. The party of Indians immediately re- treated into the Winnebago country, up Rock River, carrying the scalps of the slain and their prisoners with them. 'Indian wars are wars of a past age. They have always been characterized by the same ferocity and cruelty. To desbribe this massacre is only to repeat what has been written a hundred times ; but a brief account of it may not be deemed inap- propriate in this place. The Indians were about seventy in number. They approached the house, in which the three families were as- sembled, in the daytime. They entered it suddenly, but with little notice. Some of the inmates were immediately shot down with rifles, others were pierced through with spears or dispatched with the tomahawk. The In- dians afterward related, with an infernal glee, how the women had squeaked like geese when they were run through the body with spears, or felt the sharp tomahawk entering their heads. All the victims were carefully scalped, their bodies shockingly mutilated ; the little children were chopped to pieces with axes, and the bodies of the women were suspended by the feet from the walls of the houses. The young women prisoners were hurried, by forced marches, be- yond the reach of pursuit. After a long and fatiguing journey with their Indian conductors, through a wilderness country, with but little to eat, and being subject to a varietj- of fortune, they were at last purchased by the chiefs of the Winnebagoes, employed by Mr. Gratiot for that purpose, with $2,000, in horses, wampum and trinkets, and were returned in safety to their friends.' " The company assisted in burying the dead and returned with sad hearts to Ottawa. There they found Col. Stillman's command, consisting of about two hundred men, under Col. John- son. The settlers, or Capt. Rrown's company, as it was called, encamped on the north side of the river, near where the city of Ottawa now stands. Capt. Brown's company being so small, he requested Col. Johnson to send an escort with his party to Chicago, as it was expected that the}' would be attacked by Indians on their return. Col. Johnson refused to send men for that purpose, but paraded his company and called for volunteers. Maj. Bailey and twelve privates volunteered to go. But the company being still very small, Col. Johnson agreed to send a detachment up the river and meet Maj. Brown's company at Green's mill. Upon this assurance, the settlers left Ottawa and followed the river up as far as Green's, but no tidings came to them of Col. Johnson's detachment. Returning to Holderman's Grove, they found HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 39 everything laid waste. The settlement there was a scene of complete devastation and ruin. They proceeded to Plainfield, and found the garrison in the state of great alarm, occasioned by the news of the massacre at Indian Creek. The women, who appeared the more courageous, provided the company with a good supper, and they remained there until next day. In the morning the settlement was abandoned, and all started for Chicago, except a preacher by the name of Paine. He refused to accompany thenii as he had, from some cause, conceived the no- tion that the settlers at Chicago had all been murdered. He started in the direction of Hol- derman's Grove, but was found murdered some days afterward, with one scalp torn from his head and another from his face. Paine was wont to wear a very heavy beard, which ac- counts for the scalp being taken from his face. There is a tradition of this brutal affair, which informs us that the Indians cut off Paine's head and carried it with them, supposing, from 'the appearance given to the face by its long beard, that they had killed one of the gods of the whites. " The settlers all reached Chicago the same day on which they left Plainfield. " The Scott families, which should have been noticed in another place, did not abandon their claims at the Forks, until some time after the inhabitants fled from the settlement. A son of Robinson, an Indian chief of the Pottawatomie tribe, was living with them, and they knew that, in case of actual danger from the Sacs, the boy would be taken away. When he was removed, they concluded there would be no safety in re- maining longer, and thereupon followed in the trail of their affrighted neighbors, to Fort Dear- born." The writer will here state that from Judge Blodgett himself he has learned that Half Day, a Pottawatomie chief, attended a council held at this time at Waubonsies village (now Au- rora), in which Black Hawk's emissaries were trying to persuade the Pottawatomies to come to his assistance. This they declined to do, advising the Sauks at the same time to aban- don their warlike designs, but in vain. Half Day then left the council and hastened to the house of Mr. Blodgett, warning him of the impending danger, when he promptly set about starting for Fort Dearborn with his fam- ily, at the same time dispatching 3'oung Henry, then ten years old, to the various families in the Scott settlement, to warn them. of the dan- ger, and thev all retreated together to the fort. This in no wise conflicts with the statement of Richmond and Vallette, but would go to show that warning to them came from a different messenger than the one who brought the un- welcome news to the Naper settlement. ■■ Xot long after, a scouting party of twenty- five horsemen started for the settlement; their object being to ascertain whether any of the enemy had been there, and to look after the property of the settlers. This expedition was placed under the command of Col. Beaubien. They left Chicago in the morning, and at noon reached the O'Plain River, where they found Robert Kinzie, with fifty Indians under his com- mand. " An arrangement was made, by which it was agreed that the Indians, under Capt. Kinzie, should proceed by the direct trail to the settle- ment, and the mounted company should pro- ceed to the same place by way of Capt. Board- man's, to look after the property there. " It was expected that the latter party would arrive at the settlement some time before the former. Beaubien's company urged their horses on as fast as possible, and in a few hours ar rived at Ellsworth's Grove. The skirt of tim- ber, which then extended over nearly the whole area of the present village of Naperville, con- cealed the settlement from their view, but to their surprise, and we might add, to the dismay of some, smoke was seen rising from the place where Naper's house was situated. A halt was 40 HISTORY OF DU PAOE COUNTY. called, and by some of the company, most will- ingly obeyed. A hasty consultation followed, and John Naper, who was ever ready to ' don armor and break a lance ' in the cause of his friends, volunteered to ride around the point of timber and ascertain whether the settlement was in the possession of friend or foe. In case he could meet with friends, he was to discharge his rifle, to notify his waiting and anxious com- rades of that fact. But if foes were encoun- tered, he was to return immediately to the com- pany. His progress was watched with no small degree of interest, until he passed behind the point of timber, out of sight. Soon the reports of two guns were heard, and Naper did not make his appearance. Iu all probability he was shot, and the alarm among the company increased. There was no means of telling how numerous the enemy might be, nor how soon the sharp report of the rifle might be their own death- knell. " Two of the company, one of whom was mounted on a pack mule, and the other on a diminutive pack pony, belonging to the Ameri- can Fur Company, manifested considerable un- easiness, as they had found by actual experi- ence that neither of their animals was very remarkable for speed, and knew that in case of flight they must inevitably fall in the rear, and become an easy prey to their pursuers. They considered discretion as the better part of valor, and ' self-preservation the first law of nature,' and, suiting their action to the consideration, hobbled off toward the East Branch timber. They had not gone far when they were dis- covered by Col. Beaubien, who rode on after them, loudly vociferating, ' Halt ! halt !' They did not heed the command, but concentrated all their efforts to get out of his way. Beaubien put spurs to his horse and soon ran them down. Coming up to them, he drew a pistol, and, pre- senting it, uttered the effective condition and conclusion, ' You run ? By gar ! you run, me shoot you !' The argument was irresistible, and the fugitives were captured and brought back. R. N. Murray, who was with the com- pany, being well mounted, started to go and ascertain what had become of Naper ; but he had gone only a short distance when John made his appearance and gave the signal that friends were in the camp, which signal was greeted with a shout as joyous as an}' that ever broke the silence of that grove. On entering the settlement, it was ascertained that the In- dians under Capt. Kinzie had accomplished 'the journey before them, and had fired the two guns as a salute to the gallant Naper, as he rode fearlessly into the camp. The company had been out all day, and were ver} T hungry, but nothing could be found at the settlement in the way of provisions. Among the cattle feeding on the prairie was a fine, fat steer, belonging to R. M. Sweet, and it was decided that it should be slaughtered for their evening's re- past. The cattle were all very wild, and ran off in fright whenever they were approached, so that the only method of securing the young steer was by shooting it. The Indians being anxious to undertake this part of the project, about fifty of them were provided with rifles, and they sallied forth toward the place where the herd was feeding, capering and cutting all kinds of antics as they went along. As they approached the herd, their victim was singled out, and two or three shots were fired without taking effect. The affrighted animal ran bellow- ing over the field, closely pressed by his assail- ants, who kept up a continual fire upon him, until the whole round had been discharged. " Of the fifty shots directed toward the ani- mal, none proved mortal. A rifle ball, how- ever, more fatally lodged, sent a tremor through his frame, and caused him to slacken his pace. The chase continued for some time, when the animal, in attempting to cross a slough, became mired and was easily taken. ' War seemed a civil game,' compared to the uproar that fol- lowed the fall of this hero. And as they bore HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 41 him upon their shoulders triumphantly into the camp, one would have supposed, from the infer- nal jelling and screeching of those Indians, which " ' Embowel'd with outrageous noise the air,' that Milton's deep-throated engines were again let loose with a certainty. They all shared the triumph, and each celebrated the capture of the steer as his own special achievement. Nothing could exceed the vainglorious vaporing of these rude sons of the forest, as they strutted about and exulted in the heroism of the adventure. The animal was properly dressed, and portions of the meat were prepared for supper, of which all partook with a good degree of relish. " After supper, the log store was broken open and found to contain, among other things, a good supply of the two staple articles of pioneer mer- chandise, viz., rum and tobacco. These were dealt out profusely to the Indians as a reward for their valorous conduct in the evening chase. The company remained at the settlement during the night. In the evening, to vary the monotony a little, thej" prevailed upon the Indians to get up a war dance. This performance, when dra- matically considered, is strictly tragic, but it must be admitted that the ' bill ' for that even- ing had a fair sprinkling of the comic. Scalping scenes and tomahawk scenes were presented in the most approved Indian fashion, to the infinite amusement of a small but ' highly respectable audience.' At a late hour, the whole company retired, each individual selecting his ' site ' with- out respect to the complexion of his neighbor. " In the morning the company under Beaubien arose with an impatient desire to meet the ene- my. They had slept off the fatigue of the pre- vious day, and their desire for conflict returned with redoubled force with the restoration of their bodily energies. They resolved upon committing havoc among the Sacs, and fearing that they might, in some unguarded moment, slay some of their friends, the Pottawatomies, by mistake, they went again to the old log store and procured a piece of cotton sheeting, which they tore into small strips and tied arouud the head and waist of each friendly Indian. Thus decorated, they left the party of Capt. Kinzie, and started for the Big "Woods. The prairies were scoured, but not an Indian, nor trace of an Indian, was to be found. " The company returned to the settlement sadly dejected at the ill success of their Quix- otic adventure, and started for Chicago on the following morning. Nothing transpired on the way worthy of notice, except that the company rode as far as Brush Hill, constantly expecting to suffer the inconvenience of being shot, through the carelessness of one of its members, a young man then fresh from New York City, but now an individual of some distinction in Chicago City. He accidentally discharged his piece three times before reaching Brush Hill. The guns were strapped to the saddles in a horizontal position, and the chances were that the young man's ran- dom shots would take effect, if he was allowed the range of the whole company much longer. Arriving at Brush Hill and attempting to dis- mount, bang ! went his gun again. This aroused the ire of Col. Beaubien. He could endure it no longer, and commanded the youth to surrender up his arms. This the young man stoutly re- fused to do, whereupon Col. Beaubien made a violent descent upon him, threw him down, and after a short struggle, succeeded in wresting the gun from his grasp, after which there was no more ■ firing on parade ' that day." 42 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. CHAPTEE III. CAPT. PAINE ARRIVES AT THE NAPER SETTLEMENT— FORT PAINE BUILT— JAMES BROWN SHOT BY THE INDIANS— EXPEDITION TO HALF DAY'S VILLAGE— MAJ. WILLIAM WHISTLER ARRIVES AT FORT DEARBORN— CAPT. PAINE'S COMPANY RETURN TO DANVILLE— GEN. SCOTT AR- RIVES AT CHICAGO— THE CHOLERA— GEN. SCOTT ENCAMPS ON THE DESPLAINES —GEN. SCOTT AT FORT PAINE— GEN. SCOTT'S ARMY AT ROCK ISLAND— JOHN K. CLAKK— BLACK HAWK SENT TO FORTRESS MONROE— HIS DEATH —POLL LISTS— THE PRE-EMPTION HOUSE — CLAIMANTS— THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER— THE FIRST GRIST-MILL— FOWLER'S GRAPPLE WITH THE WOLF — THE PIONEER OF PIONEERS — EARLY PREACHERS. PENDING these excitements, Black Hawk, with his army, were encamped on the Rock River, north of Dixon, and Gen. At- kinson, who held chief command of the volun- teers, was stationed at Ottawa; and inasmuch as the new settlers on the Du Page had no means of knowing the real situation, they thought it no more than a prudential measure, warranted by the circumstances, to build a fort, into which the settlers might take refuge in case of a sudden invasion. Accordingly, Capt. Joseph Naper. Capt. H. Boardman and ten or twelve others, about the middle of June, started for Ottawa to get assistance from Gen. Atkinson to do this. He granted their request, and detailed Capt. Paine, of Joliet, with a com- pany of fifty volunteers from Danville, to assist in the work. These, with the company of men comprising the settlers on the Du Page, under command of Capt. Joseph Naper, soon com- pleted the work. The following is the muster-roll of the Du Page Company : Muster-roll of a company of mounted volun- teers in the service of the United States in de- fense of the northern frontier of the State of Illinois against the Sac and Fox Indians, from the County of Cook, in said State, in the year 1832, under command of Capt. Joseph Naper. Joseph Naper, Captain ; Alauson Sweet, First Lieutenant, now living at Evanston, 111. ; Sherman King, Second Lieutenant, afterward a resident of Brush Hill, 111.; S. M. Salsbury, First Sergeant, dead ; John Manning, Second Sergeant ; Walter Stowell, Third Sergeant, afterward removed to Newark, 111.; John Na- per, Fourth Sergeant, died in Naperville ; T. E. Parsons, First Corporal ; Lyman Butterfield, Second Corporal ; Israel P. Blodgett, Third Corporal, dead ; Robert N. Murry, now County Judge of Du Page County. Privates— P. F. W. Peck, William Barber, Richard M. Sweet, John Stevens, Jr., Calvin M. Stowell, John Fox, Denis Clark, Caleb Foster, Augustine Stowell, George Fox, T. Parsons, Daniel Langdon, William Gault, Uriah Paine, John Stevens (dead), SethWescott (dead), Henry T. Wilson (now ninety-four years old, living at Wheaton), Christopher Paine, Bailey Hobson, Josiah H. Giddings (living in Wisconsin), Anson Ament, Calvin Ament, Edmund Harrison, Wil- lard Scott (now living in Naperville), Prez Haw- ley, Peter Wicoffe. The fort was situated on the spot now occu- pied by the house of Lewis Elsworth. It was a stockade of about 100 feet square, surrounded by pickets set in the ground, on two diagonal corners of which were two block-houses, pierced HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 43 with port-holes so as to command the prairie in every direction. While constructing the block-house, " shakes " (clapboards or shingles) had to be used for covering. A quantity of these had already been riven out from oak tim- ber in Sweet's Grove, two and one-half miles dis- tant, and Capt, Paine detached two men with a team to haul them to the ground. It was driven by James Brown, and a young man named Buckley accompanied him to assist in loading. Arriving at the grove, they had to pass through a pair of bars, and Buckley jumped from the wagon to take them away, proceeding thence directly toward the pile of shakes. Brown drove on toward the spot, when, on entering the grove, he was fired on by a party of Indians who laid in ambush for the purpose of cutting off any one who might be so unfortunate as to cross their path. Three balls pierced his breast, and he fell. The horses, which were spirited animals, took fright. and, running, with great force thrust the end of the tongue of the wagon two or three inches into an oak tree. The three Indians who did this dastardly work now came up, scalped their victim, cut the horses loose from their confined position, mounted them and fled, two of them on one horse and the third on the other. Young Buckley, who witnessed the cruel fate of his companion, fled to the fort, breathless and stupefied with terror. On his arrival, it was several minutes before he could speak, but his blanched face and protruding tongue told his story in advance, all but the detail. His feet were bare, but he could not remember hav- ing pulled off his boots, which he must have done to lend speed to his flight. As soon as he could give an account of the affair, a com- pany of ten or twelve men well mounted started in pursuit. Passing by the spot where the un- fortunate young soldier laid still warm, but a lifeless corpse, they kept on the track of the vagabonds who had slain him. and followed them to a grove near the present residence of Judge Drummond. Night overtook them here, and while the pursued could flee, the pursuers could not follow their tracks. Thus balked of their purpose, the party returned, taking up the body of Brown on their way and conveying it to the fort. He was buried with the honors of war on a rise of ground about twenty rods from the fort, and subsequently his remains were re- moved to the cemetery at Naperville, where a monument perpetuates his memory. He was one of the Danville volunteers. The night after this unfortunate occurrence, under the impression that a large force of hos- tile Sauks must be not far distant, Capt. Naper and Alanson Sweet started for Fort Dearborn at Chicago to get a re-enforcement ; but Gen. Williams, who held command there, after con- ferring with his subordinate officers, instead of granting him the men refused, on the ground that he deemed it unsafe — a reply illy calcu- lated to re-assure the little band already there, and especially the two scouts who had alone ventured through a country supposed to be beset with foes. The two scouts returned to Fort Paine, and no further move was made till the 4th of July, when a scouting part}', under command of Capt. Boardman, consisting of about twenty well-mounted men, started out on a reconnoissance to Ament's Grove, eight miles below Oswego. There they encamped at the deserted house of Mr. Ament, who, with his family, had taken refuge within the walls of Fort Dearborn. During the night, rain had fallen, making a mold for footprints in the well-frequented trail that led past the place, and careful exami- nation the next morning revealed the tracks of two Indians. Of course, in the distempered imaginations of the raiders the}' must be Sauks, and they followed them about fifteen miles to the village of a friendly Potta- watomie chief. While yet a mile distant from the village, the figure of an Indian on top of one of the tents was plainly discernible, 44 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. evidently on the watch for his pursuers. The place was soon gained, but all was silent as the grave in the deserted place. Careful exami- nation now traced the fugitives to the river bank opposite au island. Had the harm- less but unlucky fleers been found, they would have been shot at sight. This they well knew; and, instead of either attempting to hold a parley with the scouts or to run away before their fleet horses, stealthily climbed a tree on the island and concealed themselves amid its foliage. In vain their pursuers searched for their tracks along river bank and trail. No trace of them could be found, and the party returned to Fort Paine. Some weeks afterward, two friendly Pottawatomies told the story to Alex- ander Robinson, giving poiut to the recital by describing the astonishment of their pursuers as to the mysterious way by which their tracks had been concealed. They had circumvented White Eagle, as they called Mr. Scott, and that was glory enough for them. Let us now return to Fort Dearborn. Here fugitives from the Hickory Creek, Naper, Scott and Walker's Grove settlements had gathered into close quarters, and nearly all of them des- titute of food and a change of clothing. This would have been uo especial grievance to sav- ages, but to the people here assembled, who had been bred in the midst of plenty, nothing but the value which a cultured citizen places on life could make it endurable. While these fugitives were amusing them- selves as best they could to kill the long days of July, the sound of a cannon broke the si- lence of the morning. All eyes turned toward the lake, and there was an approaching sail. Succeeding puffs of smoke, with a corresponding number of reports, after brief intervals, threw the town into transports, and almost everybody flew to the beach. The vessel approached the mouth of the river, cast her anchor and low- ered her boats. Into these the soldiers leaped, and soon came rowing up Chicago River amidst the huzzas of the assembled spectators. This was a small command under Maj. Will- iam Whistler, the son of the same who had built the first Fort Dearborn in 1803-04. He came as an advance to Gen. Scott to make prep- arations for his arrival. Those who were shel- tered in the fort were required to leave it. For a short time, some still lingered around outside, but most of them returned to their homes, and the Naper settlement began to as- sume its former appearance again. Capt. Paine's company of volunteers left Fort Paine on the 10th of July, as the danger by this time was considered past, as it had been in reality long before, for Black Hawk for many days with his whole army had been in full retreat northwestwardly in Wisconsin. 'Twas on the 8th of July, at 2 o'clock, dur- ing the small hours of morning, that the inhab- itants of Chicago were awakened by an outcry in the streets. Gen. Scott's army had arrived at the place and his soldiers were dying with the cholera. When the broad light of morning came, says an eye-witness, hardly a resident was to be seen in the streets for nearly all had fled. Dr. De Camp, the army physician, prompt- ly called on those who had the courage to re- main to allay their fears, and to assure them that the disease would be confined to the garri- son. Indian Robinson (chief of the Pottawat- omies), John Miller (a tavern-keeper at the fort) and Benjamin Hall, at present residents of Wheaton, III, remained at their respective posts, but the town, so recently the scene of bustle and confusion, presented the solemnity of a graveyard. In a few days the fleers began to return, but kept aloof from the fort where the disease was making such havoc that there were scarcely well ones enough to take care of the sick and bury the dead. Ninety of the soldiers fell vic- -tims ere the contagion had spent its force, and HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 47 ■were buried just outside of the fort without the usual military honors of a soldier or even the civil usages of a coffin. When the last spark of life was supposed to be gone out, the corpse was hastened to the grave which was ever ready tn receive the victim, where stood two grave- diggers with immobility in their faces and spades in their hands to interpose a few feet of earth between the decaying mass of contagion and the living world above ground. While this decimating process was going on, Gen. Scott was in no condition to take the offensive, but soon the disease exhausted all the material on which it could work, and abated. A camp was then established on the Desplaines River, where such soldiers as were still suffering from the effects of cholera could recruit their strength preparatory to a march across the country to the Mississippi River. This done, Gen. Scott, with twelve men as a body guard, and two wagons drawn by horses, started across the country for Fort Armstrong on Rock Island ; Fort Paine, on the Du Page, lay on his route, and here he arrived on the 20th of July, about the middle of the afternoon, and spent the first night on his journey. He conversed very agreeably with the citi- zen soldiers at the fort, and started on his way ea iiy the next morning, taking a straight course for Dixon, across the open prairie, which led him directly across Du Page County. It is worthy of notice hero that Luther Nichols, a well-known resident of Chicago till his death in 1881, was one of the soldiers who accom- panied him. Mr. Nichols was also the last surviving soldier of Fort Dearborn who went through that fearful ordeal. The writer called on him but a few months before his death, and the following is the substance of his story, which verifies what has already been stated. He came to Chicago, with his wife and one child (as a soldier), in the service of the United Slates Infantry, under the immediate charge of Maj. Whistler. On their arrival, they found Fort Dearborn crowded with fugitives from the adjoining country, who had fled to the place for refuge from the Rlack Hawk Indians. They were ordered to leave at once, and obeyed the summons with reluctance, as their fears were not yet allayed from the danger of Indian scalp- ing parties. A few days after their arrival, Gen. Scott came and brought the cholera. Maj. Whistler then left the fort and built bar- racks for his men at the foot of the present site of Madison street. Here they remained during the prevalence of cholera, and assisted in burying the dead of Scott's army. Soon after Gen. Scott's arrival, several of the dead bodies of such soldiers as had died on the pas- sage (of which eighteen had been thrown into the lake), were driven by the winds ashore on the beach south of Chicago, where he (Mr. Nichols) with six of the company, were ordered to go and bury them. It was a loathsome task, but quickly done. Their graves were soon dug in the soft sands of the shore, into which their bodies were tumbled and hastily covered, from which place they have never been resurrected. Mr. Nichols witnessed Gen. Scott's treaty with the Sauks, at Rock Island, where their miserable remnant made their signs to relin- quish their homes forever. They were subdued, humbled, and so emaciated by hunger and hard marching as to look like skeletons with leath- ern sacks drawn over them. There was much carousing and hilarity among the soldiers. Mr. Davenport, after whom the city opposite was named, kept a grocery and drinking saloon in Rock Island, half a mile above Fort Armstrong, where both officers and soldiers made them- selves merry on whisky, which was said to be of a good brand, but of its quality Mr. Nichols could not judge from his own knowledge. These simple facts from the lips of this hon- est old man have not only an historic but a mural force. Had he been intemperate, like some of his comrades, he would not have been tin last survivor <;/' Fort Dearborn, lie was 48 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. born in Otsego Count}', N. Y., in 1805 ; enlist- ed in the regular service in 1828 ; was honora- bly discharged at Fort Dearborn in the fall of 1833, and remained in Chicago till his death, in 1881. After the departure of Gen. Scott on his way to Rock Island, the command of the main bod}' of the army devolved on Col. Cum- mings. Many of the men still lay in a feeble condition, encamped at the present site of Riv- erside on the Desplaines. In a few days, they were ready to take up their march, all but four or five soldiers. These were carried in the wagons, and the army started up the Desplaines River to the present site of May wood ; thence in a direct line through Gilbert's Grove on the Du Page. They crossed the Fox River three miles below where Elgin now stands. Thence through a Winnebago village where Beloit, Wis., now is. The track they made has since been used as a highway, and called the army trail, but the same trail was a well-known route before Scott's army traveled it. It was an old Indian trail from Chicago to the Winne- bago village where Beloit now stands, from time immemorial. Scott's army were ordered to follow it, and they obeyed to the letter, cut- ting a wagon road through groves where it led that they could easily have gone around. The train waited a week for dispatches at the Indian village, and, after these came, they bent their course down the Rock River to Rock Island. It was probably the result of the bat. tie of Bad Ax that turned the course of the army toward Rock Island instead of toward the locality where Black Hawk's army were fighting like wild beasts at bay. At the battle of Bad Ax, most of his men were dispatched to the happy hunting grounds, and many of their squaws and papooses also went with them, embarking from the fatal island in the Mississippi River where, from the steamer Black Warrior, and from the company of Capt. Taylor (afterward President of the United States), a deadly fire was kept up on them till the last wretch who had taken refuge there was killed, of whatever sex or age they might be. Robert N. Murray had enlisted in the serv- ice of Col. Cummings as teamster, to sit in one of the fifty wagons of which the train was j composed and hold the ribbons. After the first da} T 's ride, he run over a hornets' nest, which gave the teams that immediately fol- lowed any benefits that might result. The retaliation for this disturbance of their home was prompt and decisive, as it was indis- criminate, for it fell not on the teams that had run over them, but on those that followed. Maddened into fury by their stings, the horses ran away and broke several wagons, and two days' detention to make repairs was the result, all of which was charged to accident (?). Far- ther along, young Murray was promoted from driving the baggage wagon, to which he had first been assigned, to driving the carriage of the Colonel himseif, who held command of the whole train. This promotion could not have been the result of Murray's bold charge on the hornets nest, for his modesty forbade that he should plume himself, and he said nothing about it to any one till he became County Judge; when he revealed the reminiscence to the writ- er, which is hereby transferred to these columns as a fresh bit of history to illustrate the jocular spirit of the times that then prevailed. In the summer of 1836, Dr. Teffts, of Elgin, was passing the spot where this event occurred, and there lay in the prairie grass, the bones of a skeleton beside the army trail. Without doubt they were those of a soldier buried here during the detention, and dug up by the wolves after the train was out of sight, who, hyena-like, had made a hideous repast from his diseased flesh. These relics may now be seen in Dr. Teffts' of- fice. It may want explanation how Gen. Scott, while at Chicago, learned of the progress of the war, and the locality of the erratic combatants engaged in it — a knowledge so essential to him HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 49 (the Commander-in-Chief), before any steps could be taken from his position at Fort Dear- born. To get this information, he employed a man acquainted with the country to go to Dix- on, on Rock River, which was supposed to be Gen. Atkinson's base. The name of the intrepid scout thus employed to communicate with Gen. Atkinson was John K. Clark, an early " habitant " of Chicago, still remembered by a few of its early settlers. His mother was a captive, who had been taken in childhood by the Shawnees from the Virginia frontier during Dunmore's war in 1774, and subsequently became the wife (after the Indian fashion) of John Kinzie, the founder of the city of Chicago (in the American sense). Clark was the oldest son of this discarded wife after her marriage to a worthy Scotch gentleman. He executed the mission of Gen. Scott with fidelity, taking along with him two half-breeds, equally courageous, to assist in any emergency that might befall him on the way. Stealthily he traversed the open prairie which intervened between Chicago and Dixon, passing through the northern part of the present county of Du Page, avoiding all trails and Indian lodges lest he might be captured by - emissaries of Black Hawk, who were then supposed to be prowling about for stragglers. When he re- turned with a message from Gen. Atkinson and presented it to Gen. Scott, he with his comrades received a liberal reward, but the two half- breeds tarnished their laurels by a carousal, and, before they recovered from the effects of it, died with cholera. Mr. Benjamin Hall, now living in Wheaton, saw them but a few minutes before they were taken down. After the arrival of Gen. Scott's army- at Fort Armstrong, the fifty teams accompanying it were sent back to Chicago, young Murray being one of the drivers. They had been pur- chased at Milan, Ohio, but were sold at Chi- cago on Government account for the most they would bring. The Indian prisoners were sent to Jefferson barracks just below St. Louis on the 9th of September. Here Black Hawk, who was among them, remained till April 26, 1833, when he was sent to Fortress Monroe, since which time worse men than he have been con- fined there. On the 4th of June following, he was sent back to the small relic of his tribe, then removed west of the Mississippi River. On his way, he was received with ovations in all the large cities through which he passed. Ladies of high rank flattered him with compli- ments, which, if anything could astonish an In- dian, must have been a surprise to this old weather-beaten warrior at the contrast pre- sented between the treatment he had received at the hands of the white men who first drove him from his village with no provocation, and the kind sympathy of these elegant ladies. Not to be outdone by' them in courtesy, he re- sponded to their pleasant words and smiles in as good English as he could : " Pretty Squaw, Pretty sqnaw." On returning to his country, he was restored to his tribe as a chief subordinate to Keokuk. His last days were spent in quietude, where his good squaw attended to his wants till death caused him to be " Admitted to that equal sky To which his faithful dog shall bear him company." This was October 3, 1S38. He was buried in a sitting posture, near the present village of Towaville, in Wapello County-. A mound six feet high was raised over the grave of this ill- starred chieftain who must ever stand recorded as the last native defender of the soil of the Northwest. Thus ended all danger from Indian troubles, for no fears were entertained on ac- count of the Pottawatomies, though still more numerous than the whites throughout Northern Illinois. In justice to the memory of Black Hawk, it should not be omitted here that according to the testimony of Gov. Reynolds, who was in the war and an eye witness, it appears that the 50 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. first hostile shot was fired at one of Black Hawk's men. who was one of five to convey a flag of truce to the camp of the Americans. Two of these white-flag bearers were captured and killed bj- the volunteers, and Stillman's disgraceful defeat was the result of this affair, on which occasion a little handful of Indians gave chase to 240 volunteers, and killed 11 of them in revenge for their attack upon the five truce- bearers. The massacre at Indian Creek soon followed, which for hellish cruelty has never been ex- ceeded in the annals of Indian warfare. Two of the Indians engaged in it were supposed to be, and probably were veritably identified after- ward, and a bill for murder against them was found in the Court of the Grand Jury at Ottawa. The criminals were placed in the hands of George E. Walker, then County Sheriff of La Salle Count}' ; but as their trial was postponed six months, and, in the meantime, the tribe to which the two criminals belonged had been re- removed beyond the Mississippi River, Mr. Walker released them on their own pledge that they would return at the next term of court, he himself signing their bail. On the appointed daj-, in stalked the two In- dians with the air of their brethren when they sing their death song ; but, owing to the floods, the judge could not appear, and the court again adjourned over to another term. The two In- dians again returned to their tribe, supposing the matter done with. In this they were mis- taken. Mr. Walker was called upon to produce them at the next session of court, and he started immediately and alone across the country, reached the tribe, and the two criminals re- turned without hesitation with him ; were tried and acquitted for want of identification satis- factory to the jury. Mr. Walker died in 1874, at No. 34 Indiana avenue, Chicago, greatly esteemed b}- all who knew him. This information was direct from bis truthful lips before he died. During the absence of ttie settlers at Naper's colony, they had disturbed nothing which had been left behind, and when the fleers returned they found the warm meals that some of them had left on the table untasted, now worse than cold hash. The sacrifices that had been made by, the hasty stampede into Fort Dearborn of the Naper settlers, were more than offset by the widespread fame and notorietj' which the affair had given throughout the country, which soon began to induce emigration not only into the entire northern portion of the State ; and among the other wonders that first surprised new comers, was the wonder that so fertile a coun- trj - accessible as it was to the world outside, had so long remained unnoticed. The following poll lists are copied from the original documents, which are now in the hands of William Xaper, son of Joseph Naper. They are authentic records of the names of settlers then in and contiguous to the Naper settle- ment : A poll book of an election held in the Scott Gen- eral Precinct in Cook County, 111., on Monday the 6th day of August, 1832. voters' names. Joseph Naper, P. F. W. Peek. Harry Boardman, Israel P. Blodgett, Stephen M. Salesbury, Robert Strong, John Manning, Walter Stowell, Seth Wescott, R. M Sweet, John Naper, Harry T. Willson, Pierce Hawley, Peter WycofE, Willard Scott, Bailey Hobson. Isaac Scarritt, At an election held at the house of Joseph Naper in the Scott Precinct, in the count}' of Cook and State of Illinois, on the 6th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, the following-named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names, for the following described offices to wit: Joseph Duncan had 14 votes for Representative to Congress. Jonathan H. Pugh had 2 votes for Representative to Congress. James N. Strode had 13 votes for Senator. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 51 James W. Stephenson had 3 votes for Senator. Benjamin I. Mills bad 16 votes for Representative. Stephen B. Forbes had 17 votes for Sheriff. Elijah Wentworth, Jr., had 16 votes for Coroner. Rufus Brown had 17 votes for County Commissioner. Harry Boardman had 16 votes for County Commis- sioner. Holder Sisson had 16 votes for County Commis- sioner. James Walker had 1 vote for County Commissioner. Certified by us, Joseph Naper, Harry Boardman, Stephen M. Salesbury. Attest: Judges of Election. John Manning, 1 clerks of Election. Setti Wescott. \ J A poll book of an election in the Scott General Precinct in Cook County, 111., on Saturday the 6th of October, 1832. voters' names. Daniel London, Lyman Butterfield, Joseph Nager, John Manning, Harry Boardman, Christopher Payne, John Murray, Peter Wycoff, Alanson Sweet. Caleb Foster, Asahel Buckley, John Naper, Sherman King. Pierce Hawley. S. M. Salesbury. At an election held at the house of Joseph Naper in the Scott General Election Precinct in the Flag- Creek District, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, on the 6th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two, the following-named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names, for the following described offices to wit: Stephen M. Salisbury had 10 votes for Justice of the Peace. John Murray had 2 votes for Justice of the Peace. John Manning had 1 vote for Justice of the Peace. Sherman King had 1 vote for Justice of the Peace. Willard Scott had 14 votes for Constable. William Laird had 12 votes for Constable. John Murray had 1 vote for Constable. Sherman King had 1 vote for Constable. Certified by us. Joseph Xaper, Harry Boardman, John Murray, Judges of Election. Attest : Alanson Sweet, > John Manning, Clerks of Election. Soon after the election, says Judge Blodgett, Henry Pomeroy, Samuel Goodericb, Hiram Standish and Capt. John Barber settled at what was at this time called the Hawley and Scott settlement, which by the next year was so much extended by new-comers as to nearly fill up the gap between it and the Naper settle- ment. Among this class of settlers who came after the Black Hawk war and became permanent res- idents was John Stephens, who in July, 1832, bought out a claim of P. F. W. Peck, a part of which lies within the present corporate limits of Naperville. He remained on it till his death in 1862. Philinda, his daughter, mar- ried William Laird the next year, 1833, and went to the Fox River to live. Mr, Laird died in 1834, when Mrs. Laird returned to her father's house at Naperville, where she married Hiram Fowler in 1844. She and her husband are now (1882) both living in Naperville, and from them the writer learned the date of the erection of the first hotel in Naperville, as well as being the first in the county of Du Page. It was the Pre-emption House, the frame of which was put up by George W. Laird, brother of William. He sold it to John Stephens, who partly fin- ished and rented it to Mr. Crocker, and subse- quently to Mr. Douglas, Mr. Aldrich, and lastly to Messrs. Munson & Webster, after which he sold it to Gen. Bill. When the frame of this old landmark was raised, the event was one of no small magni- tude in the estimation of those interested. On all such occasions in that day. the inevitable bottle is passed around at seasonable intervals, and it appears that on this occasion a vein of sentiment inspired at least one mind, and found vent in the following lines, which were spoken by Nathan Allen from the ridge pole of the frame when finished. "This place once a wilderness of savage and owls. Where the red man once roamed and the prairie wolf howled, 52 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. This house now erected the place to adorn, To shelter the living and babes yet unborn. We'll name it " Pre-emption"— a law that's complete, For the use of George Laird who says he will treat." The author's name is not known, hut nobody will accuse him of plagiarism, for the lines them- selves were too naively put together to allow grounds for such a charge, painting as no other language could the spirit of the days of 1834 at the Naper settlement. Michael Hines, who came to the place the next year (1835), arrived on Temple's line of stages, passing Barry's Point, nine miles west of Chicago, where the Widow Barry kept a hotel ; Lawton's, on the Desplaines ; Brush Hill, where Mr. Fuller kept a log hotel, and Richard Sweet's, a hotel one and a half miles east of Naperville. Says Mr- Hines : " The Pre-emption House was then the only building on the low grounds. On the ele- vated grounds were log houses where the Na- pers, Mr. Strubler, Dr. White, Dr. Potter and Alexander Howard, who kept the post office, lived. There was one store also at the time. Mr. Hines is now Justice of the Peace in Na- perville. But the country all round was filling up with settlers, and it may with truth be said that its agricultural growth was more rapid than its increase in trading interests, for the reason that the first wants of the settler were simplified down to his necessities, and until the farmers of any new country get revenues from their farms, their villages will improve slowly. The on]}* public surveys that had yet been made in the county- were of the lands south- east of the old Indian boundary line, which only took in about fifty sections in the south- east corner of the present county, but settlers could not wait for surveys. They were on the ground, and when they saw a piece of land that suited them, the}- took possession of it, or, at least, as much of it as they felt their ability to pay for when it came to be surveyed and brought into market by the Government. To define the limits of their claims, the}- plowed a furrow around them on prairies, and blazed the trees to define claim lines in the groves. The first claims thus made were for lands comprising both prairie and timber in requisite proportions; water also being an important consideration, lands on the Du Page River, or those on which spring's were found, were the first sought for. All lands of this description, for many miles around the Naper settlement, were under claim as early as 1835, but plenty of open prairie had not been taken possession of previous to 1839. The second hotel built in the Naper settle- ment was the New York House. It was not at first intended for a hotel, but for a wagon and blacksmith shop, for which purpose it was used for a year or more, when it was metamorphosed into a house of entertainment, by removing the forges which once stood where now the billiard table stands in this establishment, which is still like the Pre-emption House, one of the links that connect the early day to the present. R. N. Murray was its first proprietor. While the house inside had been purged of every ves- tige of blacksmith's cinders — honorable in their place, but not appropriate in a hotel, still the old swings for shoeing oxen outside remained for some years — after their mission had ended — there standing as a huge memento of the early methods of transportation by these slow, but faithful animals, with their cloven hoofs plated with iron. During all this time, Naperville was the cen- ter of attraction. Here was a saw mill, stores, shops and two taverns, and it was on the great highway that led from Chicago to Ottawa, and thence to Yandalia, the capital of the State. This road was traveled by a constant stream of prairie schooners, as they were called. They were large Pennsylvania wagons covered with canvas, drawn by oxen. Slowly they moved along, with their ponderous burdens followiug the beaten track over the great ocean of waving grass, that was omnipresent, with nothing to HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 53 relieve its monotonous grandeur (if the ex- pression is admissible) but here and there a grove. When night overtook them, their drivers fed the oxen from the prairie and berthed him- self in the wagon after having eaten his cold boiled ham and corned bread, seasoned with a swallow from his flask (if he had not joined the teetotalers) to tone up his spirits with his di- gestion. Xaperville was a far-famed stopping-place for these travelers, and some of its early resi- dents have informed the writer that more than fifty of these " prairie schooners " anchored there during the season of travel every night. Whisky was 20 cents per gallon, and they hud merrj' times. Far along the verge of the grove their shouts rent the air. and their camp-fires gleamed through the darkness till a late hour- The teams from the West were loaded with grain for the Chicago market, and those from the East with goods to supply the necessities of farmers, such as salt, leather, plows and other indispensables. Besides this travel through the place, there was a large travel from every direction to it, to bring corn and wheat to a grist-mill, which Bailey Hobsou and Harry Boardmau had fin- ished in running order in 1835. This was the first and only one of the kind that went by water in a large scope of country around, and here the farmers came with their grists, and also took the occasion to do a little shopping at the stores. It was a great event in the place when this mill went into operation ; every one wished to help the enterprise along, and let it not be for- gotten that in this benevolent work Miss Lucy Standish made the bolt cloth, and ingeniously put it on the reel. She is cousin to the wife of Mr. F. Mather, a resident of Wheaton, and a true descendant of Old Cotton Mather, the great foe to Salem Witches. Whether Miss Standish is related in any way to the celebrated Miles, the writer cannot say. but it is certain that she is not his direct descendant, as he died a bache- lor, after an unsuccessful courtship, resulting from the blunder of sending an agent to do his courting, who won the lady on his own account, and left poor Miles a lonesome monument of the old adage, that " faint heart never won fair lady." Albeit the memory of Miles Stand- ish is embalmed in history, for his pugnacious feelings toward the Indians, who never commit- ted an offense against him. His humble name- sake, Miss Lucy, whose ingenuity in making the first bolt cloth that ever separated bran from flour in this county, still lives among us, worthy to be represented in these pages. In the good old times when she was in the hey- day of her vigor, almost everybody partook of the "rough and ready" spirit. If anything difficult or dangerous was to be done, there was little shirking. Nobody was afraid of soiling their kid gloves. It's doubtful if there was such a thing in the county. Hiram Fowler, who still lives as a resident of Xaperville, now far advanced in years, de- lights to rehearse the tales of early life there, and amongst other reminiscenses, has a wolf story, which, though familiar to his fellow-citi- zens, will bear printing for the benefit of those who have not heard him tell it. In 1836, his home was a mile and a half above Xaperville, on the bank of the Du Page, from which, late one afternoon, he rode to the town on horseback to buy some groceries. On his return, his dog encountered a wolf some distance ahead of him, and he well knew, from the fierce snapping and yelping, that a battle was going on between the two. Hastening to the spot, he dismounted, but he had no weapon, not even a stick with which he could take part in the evenly matched fight. But, unarmed as he was, he ventured to give the wolf a kick in the head, or rather make the attempt to, when the defender caught the toe of his boot, and cut a hole through the upper with a single snap, his tooth passing between two of Mr. Fowler's toes. 54 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY Nothing daunted by the failure of this first charge upon the enemy, he next grappled with him, catching him by the hind foot and swing- ing him around so violently that he could not turn the biting end to defend himself. Mr. Fowler saw his advantage, hung to him with the grip of a giant, swinging him furiously with one hand, while with the other he seized the bridle of his horse and leaped upon his back, still clinging to the wolf. He now galloped to the home of Mr. Bird, half a mile distant, who came to his assistance and dispatched the wolf. Besides the permanent settler who plants himself on the soil of a new country and grows up with the country, is another class of men, of whom it may with truth be said, lose the end in the means to acquire that end. They are the incarnation of the true pioneer, and their love for settling on the broad face of nature, untarnished by the devices of clans or even the restraints of conventionalism, amounts to a passion, or, as some would say, " a hobby." These men are almost always generous and self-sacrificing, abhor technicalities and scorn thieves. They take a short cut toward what they consider a principle of justice, though it may be across fields of jurisdiction. Mr. Lewis Ellsworth, a well-known citizen of Naperville, tells the writer an anecdote as to one of these men, named Stout, who had made a claim on the west side of the East Branch of the Du Page, Lisle Township, Section 11. 'He had a large field of corn near the road where the travel went from the back country to Chicago, and it was a frequent occurrence that passers with loaded wagons would take corn from his field to bate their teams. When informed of this, he replied that it was all right, as he felt so strongly imbued with the principle of hospi- tality that he felt no desire to put a stop to what the mildest name other people would have given to it would be a trespass. But Mr. Stout came from a backwoods place in Indiana, where the generosity of the neighborhood would for- bid one to charge pay for a horse feed, and he could not bring himself to such a practice. Soon after this, there came an avalanche of settlers and the machinery of law and society was put fairly in motion. Then he left for a new field on which to bask in the sunshine of immunity from restraints. Those who have lived in frontier places can best understand the eccentricities of these men. The writer once knew one of them to move six or eight miles and build a new cabin at the spot because his cow had chosen her range there, which whim would be like the tail wag- ging the dog instead of the dog the tail. Without drawing any comparison between these men and Oscar Wilde, who stands at the other end of the pole, it is justly due to them to say that, with all their idiosyncracies ; they possess points out of which the romancer and the poet weaves the brightest colors into his fabric. Cooper's Leather Stocking was one of them, and Longfellow's Lover of Evan- geline was another. One other class of the early day deserves mention, anil that is the preacher. The reverend pioneer was no aesthetic. He rode an ambling pony from settlement to set- tlement, and quartered on the hospitality of the people as he went along, which was always a steadfast dependence, for no one would turn anybody away, especial^' a preacher. He was always very much at home, and, if his coat often wanted a few stitches to make it present- able to an audience, he did not hesitate to ask the mistress of the household whose circle he honored with his presence to do the necessary needle work. His sermons, if not elegant, were effective, and laid the foundation for more learned and perhaps more effeminate preachers to reap where he sowed the seed. Rev. S. R. Beggs was one of these early preachers, and has written a book relating his early experiences, from which the following HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 55 quotations are taken as good authority to show the methods and mission of the early preacher. On page 91, he says: " I thanked him, and attended morning devotions. The thanks and prayers of the Methodist minister in those days always settled the reckoning with their hosts." On page 10S, continues Father Beggs, in 1S34 : "I was re-appointed to Des- plaines Mission (this included the Du Page country), and I returned with renewed zeal, which in this case was the more necessary, as the rage for speculation was just commencing among both settlers and emigrants. It was an earnest struggle, and it sometimes seemed impossible to hold the attention of the sinner long enough to impress him with the great claim which the Gospel had on him. Those who would not come out to church I followed to their houses, conversing with them on the highways and by the wayside. It was a doubt- ful struggle ; but by the help of the Lord and His efficient instruments — in the persons of Brothers Walker, E. Scarriott and F. Owens — I saw many souls converted and believers strengthened. My worldly goods increased, so that, if one could use the paradox, I was cursed with blessings. Three years be- fore, I owned a horse and $60, now my farm of 240 acres was nearly paid for, and I had four horses, seven cows and forty hogs." On page 229, in speaking of Rev. Mr. See, Father Beggs continues : " I knew him well, and as a good preacher, and if he ■ got into the brush,' as the pioneers used to say, when one was at a loss how to go on with his sermon, it was no more than others did who made preten- sions to greater advantages when trying to preach without a manuscript, and at last did not get the brush cleared away after all, as did Father See. Indeed, I have often thought of the story of one of the ' regular succession,' who, while preaching, suddenly discovered that 'third- ly ' had been blown out of the window, by means of which he lost the thread of his ideas, and came to a full stop. And " (continues Father Beggs, in defending Mr. See from an attack made on him for ' slaughtering the king's En- glish ' ), ■' thank God, he slaughtered sin, also." CHAPTER IV. PUBLIC LAND SURVEYS— THE LAND CLAIM SYSTEM— NECESSITY FOR THE HIGHER LAW— THE BIG WOODS CLAIM PROTECTING SOCIETY— THE LAND PIRATE COMPANY"— LAND SPECULATORS —INDIAN BURYING GROUNDS— THE FOX RIVER COUNTRY"— METHOD OF GRINDING CORN— INDIAN VILLAGES— INDIAN AGRICULTURE— INDIAN MODES OF TRAVEL— THE COUNTRY NORTH, EAST AND SOUTH OF THE DU PAGE SETTLEMENTS— THE DU PAGE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR MU- TUAL PROTECTION— THE HOGNATORIAL COUNCIL. THE public lands of the United States are ordinarily surveyed into rectangular tracts. bounded by lines conforming to the cardinal points. These tracts are designated as town- ships, sections, half-sections, quarter-sections, half-quarter-sections, quarter-quarter-sections, and lots. They have, as nearly as may be, the following dimensions : A township is six miles square; a section is one mile square ; a half- section is one mile long and one-half mile wide ; a quarter-section is one-half mile square; a half-quarter-section is one-half mile north and south, and one-fourth mile east and west ; a quarter- quarter -section is one -fourth mile square ; a lot is one of the subdivisions of such part of a fractional section as is not susceptible 56 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. of division into quartcr-quarter-sections, and contains, as nearly as may be, the quantity of a quarter-quarter-section. This plan of survey is called the rectangular system. It has been in operation since the latter part of the last century. Since its in- auguration, it has undergone modifications con- tributing much to its completeness. The later surveys are, therefore, much more systematic and regular than the early ones. In applying this system to any portion of the public lands, a base line, on a parallel of lati- tude, and a principal meridian intersecting it, are established as the necessities and con- venience of the survey may require ; and they are laid down and marked with great care. Other lines are then run corresponding to these, and so that the last ones are, as nearly as may be, six miles apart each way. The rectangular tracts thus formed are the townships, and subdivisions of these form the sections and fractions of sections. A line of townships extending north and south is called a range. The ranges are desig- nated by their number east or west of the principal meridian. The townships in each range are named by their number north or south of the base line. This will be understood by observing upon the map of Illinois that a principal meridian is laid down from the mouth of the Ohio River northward through the State, and that in the northeast corner of Washington County it in- tersects a base line on the parallel of thirty- eight and a half degrees. This principal meridian and base line, it will be seen, are each numbered both ways from the point of inter- section. This is the third of the established permanent meridians of the land survey. Springfield, for instance, is thus found to be in Township 10 north, in Range 5 west, of the Third Principal Meridian. The Fourth Principal Meridian begins at the mouth of the Illinois River and intersects a base line at Beardstown. All of the State west of the Illinois River, and west of the Third Principal Meridian northward from where it crosses the Illinois River, is numbered from this fourth meridian. The Second Principal Meridian extends from the Ohio River, in Crawford Count}', Ind., through the State. It intersects the base line in Orange County. The portion of Illinois east of Range 11 east of the Third Principal Meridian, north to the south line of Township 31, is numbered from this Second Principal Meridian, all the rest is num- bered from the Third Meridian, and Du Page County is included in this territory. The public surveys had been extended through the entire southern and central portions of the State of Illinois long before Du Page County or the northern part of the State had been settled, and on no part of the public domain of the wild and unsurveyed territory of the United States had so many complex conditions crossed the path of the settler as here. That this country had so long remained comparatively unknown to the world outside, was due to the fact that the Indian title to it had not been extinguished till the social antagon- isms of the white and red races were brought fac,e to face with each other, and demanded action to prevent violence. The Pottawatomies had been no idle observers of the manner by which their red brethren east of them had been driven from their lands. The}' had seen these tribes take up the hatchet, and though led by such renowned chiefs as Pontiac, Little Tur- tle and Tecumseh, had been vanquished and almost annihilated in the unequal combat that followed their efforts to defend their soil from the first inroads of the settlers. Hoping to avert such a calamity, they attempted to do it by submission, and in accordance with this policy never molested the settlers who came among them, nor could Black Hawk's emissa- ries with all their bravado induce them to change their peaceful policy. For this reason HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 57 the Government could have no quarrel with them, and there was no necessity to extinguish their title to their lands till social influences under the conditions of peace as already stated made it essential to the best interests of both the red and white races to do so. This is why public surveys in Northern Illinois had been retarded so long. The consequence was that the settlers, in their haste to secure the best lands, were obliged to take possession of them in a state of nature, and establish the limits and boundaries of their farms themselves, which limits of course would have to be changed to suit the lines made by the survey- ors when they came to be made. To adjust these limits whose section lines left portions of two or more men's claims in one section, in- volved nice distinctions in the natural princi- ple of justice, with no precedent or rule as a guide. This was only one of many other com- plications to be solved on principles of equity and fair dealing growing out of land claims. The primary object of the settlers was to secure homes for themselves, while for the rights of the land speculator who came here to take possession of the land to speculate on and en- rich himself on its enhanced value growing out of their labor, the}- cared nothing. He did not come within the pale of this protection; on the contrary, he was regarded with jealousy, and had a thorny path to travel when he came in collision with their interests. But the foremost object of the settlers was to guard against " claim jumping." This was an attempt on the part of some interloper to take possession of some parcel of land within the limits of a claim already made. The lim- its were marked by a furrow in the prairie, and in the groves by marking the trees in a similar manner to the way in which public surveyors • blaze " their lines through the woods in tim- bered countries. To adjust all the disputes liable to grow out of all these circumstantial points, it was thought expedient to organize a society and appoint a committee of referees with plenary power to settle all issues that compromise had failed to harmonize between parties interested- To this end, on the 6th of February, 1836, a meeting of claim-holders was convened at the house of Mr. A. Culver, who lived on the eastern side of the Big Woods, which lies partly in the southeastern corner of Du Page County and also beyond to the west in Kane County. At this meeting, Dr. Levi Ward, Frederick Stolp, A. E. Carpenter, William J. Strong and Charles Sidders were appointed a committee for the purpose required. These gentlemen constituted a court of justice from whose decision there was in substance no ap- peal. Not that the}' or their constituency held themselves in a position of defiance to law- They only made a law unto themselves to pie- pare for an emergency for which the laws of the land had not made provision. They only protected themselves in their natural rights to land before it was surveyed, as the Government protected pre-emptors after surveys had been made. It is true that certain contingencies were lia- ble to come up with them not possible to pre- emptors of public lands, and for these contin- gencies they did not hesitate to provide, as the sequel will show ; and here the historian would be at default if he did not record the fact that in no case has the decision of this self-consti- tuted court been accused of injustice. The so- ciety formed at the house of Mr. Culver was called " The Big Woods Claim Protecting So- ciety," of which John Warne was Secretary. It was the first of the kiud in the couuty and consisted of ninety-seven members, including officers, all of whom, so far as tradition and reports go, were stalwart, justice-loving men. who would neither commit an offense against justice nor submit to one, quite a number of whom are still living. As an historic record, a list of those who first 58 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. joined the society is inserted : John Warne, A. E. Carpenter, James Dyer, John Hosier, Joseph Fish, J. M. Warren, John Maxwell, Cornelius Jones, John Ogden, Phineas Giaves, William Hall, David Crane, James Brown, Frederick Stolp, Nelson Murray, Taylor S. Warne, Jesse B. Ketchum, Barton Eddy, David MeKee, J. S. P. Lord, Joseph Wilson, Warren Smith, Henry M. Waite, Lyman King, Luther Chandler, Gilbert S. Rouse, S. H. Arnold, Jos- eph Stolp, Reuben Austin, Charles Arnold, Levi Leach, Elihu Wright, Nahan Beardsley, S. Hurlbut, Darias J. Lamphear, Walter Ger- main, John B. Eddy, John Gregg, Samuel Mosier, Orriu W. Graves, B. Tubbs, Jr., Joseph Thayer, Thomson Paxton, L. Ward, Charles Brown, Charles Sidders, James Hymes, Nathan Williams, William J. Strong, Robert Hopkins, Jesse Graves, John Stolp, Allen Williams, A. Culver, Thomas N. Paxton, Dennis Clark, Amander P. Thomas, Alfred Churchill, R. S. Ostrander, A. W. Beardsley, George Laird, George C. Howes, Samuel Paxton, William Williams, George Monroe, Harvey Higbee, N. H. Thomas. Euos Coleman, Linus L. Coleman, Eli Northum, Zerah Jones, Reuben Jones, George S. Blackman, Blackmail & Winslow, William E. Bent, J. B. & E. Smith, Ira Wood- man, Alden S. Clifford, William Hill, John Fox, Nathan Williams, Alanson Arnold, Eleazer Blackman, Aurin Ralph, John Sidders, Russel Whipple, Sheffield Mills, Jonas Lamphear, Will- iam R. Currier, Manus Griswold, Isaac Barnes. These gentlemen bound themselves, in the pe- nal sum of $1,000 each, to protect and assist each other in their respective claims, as per the decisions of the committee they had appointed to represent and define their rights. Their meetings were to be twice a year, or oftener if necessary, and the next one met on the Gth of August, 1836, at the house of Thomas Paxton. This was by the provisions of their compact to be the date of their annual meet- A new committee was chosen at this meet- ing, consisting of William J. Strong, Thomson Paxton, John Gregg, Warren Smith and Fred- erick Stolp. At this meeting, it was made the duty of the Secretary to record the description of each claim of the different members, who were to give the same to him within ninety days. Tiie meeting was adjourned to meet again at the same place on the 1th of February the suc- ceeding year. As already stated, the Big Woods' Claim Protecting Society was the first one of its kind established here ; but previous to its organiza- tion a company of land speculators had entered the Big Woods, and laid claim to several sec- tions of its best timbered land, and for the better security of their lands had built a rail fence around it. The gentlemen composing this so- cietj- gloried in the name of the Land Pirate Company, but their piratical exploits in monop- olizing the timber wanted for the use of the settlers never achieved sufficient notoriety to be lionized as marine highwaymen were by Byron in " The Corsair," for not long after the forma- tion of the Big Woods Society the fence they had built around their claim disappeared, and nobody ever knew who hauled the rails away any more than it was known who, under the guise of Indian plumes and paint, only sixty years before this event, had went aboard the English ships in Boston Harbor, and emptied their tea chests into the sea. One of these tea destroyers survived till about the date of this Big Woods Company's birth, having in his lat- ter j-ears revealed his identity, and, perhaps, some of those who moved away the offending rails, by means of which it was hoped to retain the timber of the Big Woods, may yet tell how it was done, and who did it. Possibly the old veteran of Boston Harbor had set them up to the business. Land speculators at the time of the formation of this society, were almost as numerous as the actual settlers. The}' made a business of mark- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 59 ing out claims in a similai manner to settlers, and, after making slight improvements on them, selling these claims to settlers at a large profit. Against this grievance there was no remedy, for it was optional with the settler to purchase his claim or go farther West and make one from the great domain westof the Fox River, between which and the Rock River no claims had been made, except along their immediate banks. The land south of the Indian boundary line having been surveyed about the year 1 *'-Ui. came into market in 1835. Much of it rested under claims, and a collision of iuterest came up when the land was offered for sale at the land office in Chicago. Speculators began to bid on it as high as $10 or $15 per acre, and quite a num- ber of actual settlers lost the lands on which they had settled and made improvements : but the sale had not proceeded long till the claim- ants asserted their rights, backed up by too for- midable an array of force and influence for the speculators to set at defiance, and no more bid- ding on lands under a settler's claim was ven- tured on. The same year, in 1835, the lands along Fox River were partly under claims, and from Joseph Tefft, M. D., a present resident of Elgin, the writer has learned the extent of set- tlements from the present site of Aurora, then known as Waubonsie's Village, to Elgin at that time. Mr. Tefts came from Madison County, N. Y., and, after making a short stop at a place called the Yankee settlement, on the Desplaines River, he passed through Xapervillc. and thence to the Fox River, in the autumn of 1835. Where Aurora now is, he found on the west bank of the river a log cabin, where Mr. Wilde lived on land he had claimed. On the east bank were some settlers also, but not more than two or three. Two and a half miles up the river was the Indian burying-ground, where mounds like those in our cemeteries were raised over graves. Here were newly - made graves, for the country was still occu- pied by a remnant of Waubonsie's subjects. Besides those buried in the ground was the body of a child, incased in birch bark, attached to the limb of a tree far above their reach, where it swung to and fro in the wind. This custom of depositing the remains of young children in trees, thus incased, was not unusual among the Indians. Perhaps it was to rock them to sleep. A Mr. McNemar then owned a claim at the place, including the Indian ceme- tery. Farther along, a man named Clybourne had a saw mill on a branch of the Fox River coming in from the west, near the present site of Batavia. At the present site of Geneva lived James Herringtou, who then kept a store at the place, depending on custom from settlers from a large radius of country around. At the present site of St. Charles lived Mr. Fer- sons, father of Reed Fersons, on the west side of the river. Four miles to the north lived Rice Fay. who came to the place the year be- fore, and had raised a few vegetables and some corn for family use. Not long afterward, Mr. Teffts having made a claim and settled a sh< irt distance above him on the river, he came to his cabin to buy a few potatoes, but no per- suasion could induce him to sell them ; but, just before leaving, he gave him some, in which respect he was not unlike many other pioneers. Mr. Fay had a large family, and ground all their cereals for bread in a coffee mill during the winter of 1835-36. Farther up, where the army trail crossed Fox River, lived Mr. Kendall in a log cabin on his claim. Above him, Ira Minard had a claim on the ground now occupied by the Elgin Insane Asylum. Mr. Minard, Reed Fersons and B. T. Hunt were the founders of St. Charles. At Elgin was a log cabin on the west side of the river where Jonathan Kimball lived, who was subsequently Justice of the Peace at Elgin. Phineas Kimball lived on the east side, imme diately north of the present site of the depot. 60 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. North of him lived Ransom Olds, and the next who came were James T. Clifford, the founder of Elgin, who built a house near where Mr. Or- lando Davidson now lives ; Hezekiah Gifford, who built a house where George S. Bowen lives, and Dr. Tefft, who settled in South Elgin and now lives in Elgin. There had been a large Indian village be- tween the present city of Elgin and Dundee, where about three acres of laud still bore the marks of their rude agriculture. Similar signs were also apparent at South Elgin, where even some of the tent poles of the Indians were standing where their, frail tenements had but recently stood. When the inhabitants of these places changed their residence for a winter's hunt, or to make a visit to a neighboring town, sometimes they all went together, with the papoose baby- straped to a board which was lashed to the back of the mother. The next two oldest put one each into saddle-bags, and thrown across the back of the pony as we used to take a grist to mill in the olden time. The father then mounted the pony, and then all were ready for a march, the patient squaw having the hardest part, as she tugged the papoose along by the side of her lord, whose leggings her hands had ornamented with porcupine quills or beads. Fox River was then full of fish, which were caught by the settlers and sometimes salted down for table use in the winter. Bej-ond these beginnings on the river-bank westwardly, was a waste of prairie presenting no attraction to the settler till the Rock River was reached. To the north no settlements had been made till the vicinity of Green Bay and Fort Howard was reached. To the east was the mushroom town of Chicago, waiting the completion of the canal as a voucher for ultimate grandeur. Be- tween this germ cell of a city and the Du Page was first a dismal swamp, drained in its western verge by the Desplaines River, on the banks of which Mr. Barnardus Lawton had established a hotel that old settlers still hold in grateful remembrance. Southward of the Du Page settlement — we must remember that at this date of which we now speak, 1835, it belonged to Cook County — was a country settled more and more densely the farther one went, till he reached Edwards County, opposite St. Louis. These were the surroundings of what is now Du Page County, when the claimants of land here first put down their stakes, not to be pulled up again, and united their wisdom in council at the Big Woods, for the purpose of uniting their muscle, if necessary, to protect each other in getting deeds of the lauds which their labors were about to make valuable. In this there was no law but the higher law to protect them, and this they were bound to employ. That dis- putes, and what are called old-claim feuds, arose, is true, but they had their origin in the same misconception of the principles of justice that give rise to law suits now, and not in the action of the league. A society having similar objects in view as the Big Woods Society, was formed in Naper- ville October 28, 1839. It was called the Du Page County Society for Mutual Protection. For a record of. this society, we quote from Richmond & Vallett's History : Russell Whipple was called to the Chair, and James C. Hatch appointed Secretary. Whereupon the following report was read to the meeting: At a meeting of the settlers of Du Page County, held at Naperville on the 29th of September last, to take measures for securing their rights and interests to and in their respective claims, a committee of ten was appointed to draft rules and regulations to pre- sent for the consideration of this meeting, in com- pliance with which, said committee respectfully beg leave to present the following: Situated as we are upon Government lands, which have, by the industry of the settlers, already be- come highly valuable, and inasmuch as our claims lie in such a variety of shapes, and are of such dif- ferent dimensions that they cannot in any manner correspond with the Government survey, it appears necessary, in order to prevent the most fearful con- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 61 sequences, that the lines of our respective claims should be established previous to the Government survey, and we ourselves bound by the strong arm of the law, to reconvey, as hereinafter mentioned, to our neighbors, whenever these lands are sold by the order of the General Government, so as to keep our claims as they are now established; and to ac- complish this end, we recommend the following regulations: First. We do hereby form ourselves into a so- ciety, to be called the Du Page County Society for ■ Mutual Protection, and agree to be governed by such prudent rules and by-laws as the society may hereafter adopt, not inconsistent with the laws of the country; and that we will make use of all hon- orable means to protect each other in our respective claims, as may hereafter be agreed upon and re- corded; and that we will not countenance any un- just claim, set up by speculators or others ; and we declare that the primary object of this society is to protect the inhabitants in their claims and bounda- ries, so that each shall deed and redeed to the other as hereinafter mentioned, when the Government survey does not agree with the present lines, or lines which may hereafter be agreed upon. Second. That there be a committee of five ap- pointed at this meeting, three of whom may form a board of arbitration, to decide from legal testimony, all disputes respecting the lines or boundaries of any claim to which they may be called together, with the costs of the arbitration, and the party or parties who shall pay the same: Provided, It does not ap- pear that such dispute has previously been decided, by an arbitration held by the agreement of the par- ties, which shall be a bar against further proceed- ings of said committee, except as to matter of costs. Third. That each of the said committee shall be entitled to .$1 per day, for each day official}- en- gaged. \ Fourth. That in all cases where the parties cannot establish their lines, either by reference to their neighbors or otherwise, either part}- may, at any time, by giving to the other ten days' notice of his or her intention, call out at least three of the board of arbitration, to decide the same, and their decision shall be final. Fifth. That there shall be one Clerk appointed at this meeting, who shall keep a fair record of all transactions of this association, and also of all de- scriptions of claims presented to him for record: Provided, That there is attached thereto a certificate from all who have adjoining claims, certifying to the correctness of such description, or a certificate signed by a majority of any arbitration, met to es- tablish any line or lines of said claim; and that the said Clerk shall be entitled to 25 cents for recording each claim and certificate. Sixth. That it shall be the duty of every settler to present to he Clerk, a definite description of his or her claim, either from actual survey or other- wise, and also to set his or her hand and seal to a certain indenture, drafted by Giles Spring, Esq., of Chicago, for this society. Seventh. That there be a committee of three in each precinct appointed at this meeting, for the pur- pose of carrying into effect the sixth regulation. Eighth. That the settlers on the school lands ought to obtain their lands at Government prices. Ninth. That we will firmly and manfully pro- tect all who conform to the above regulations pre- vious to the 1st day of January, 1840. Which report and regulations were unanimously adopted, and ordered to be embodied in a consti- tution. Thereafter, on motion, a committee of six was appointed by the chair, to nominate a board of ar- bitration and Clerk, viz., Lewis Ellsworth, Elihu Thayer, Luther Hatch, Cornelius Jones, Job A. Smith and David S. Dunning; who, having retired, returned and reported Lyman Meacham, Erastus Gary and Stephen J. Scott Board of Arbitration, and P. Ballingall, Clerk; which nominations were ap- proved of. Whereupon, it was moved and adopted, that the following persons be the precinct committee, viz. : Naperville Precinct — Stephen J. Scott, Henry Goodrich, Nathan Allen, Jr. Webster Precinct — John W. Walker, James C. Hatch, Pierce Downer. Deerfield Precinct— Luther Morton, Perus Barney, Moses Stacy. Washington Precinct — Lyman Meacham, Smith D. Pierce, Capt. E. Kinny. Orange Precinct — Job A. Smith, William Kim- ball, Luther F. Sanderson. DuPage Precinct — Warren Smith, Lorin G. Hul- bert, Alvah Fowler. Big Woods Precinct — John Warne, Levi Leach, William J. Strong. Besolced, That this meeting adjourn till the first Monday in January, 1840. Rossell Whipple, Chairman. James C. Hatch. Secretary. At a meeting of the "Du Page County Society for Mutual Protection," held at Naperville. the 6th day of January, A. D. 1840, in pursuance of ad- 62 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. journment, Russell Whipple took the chair, when, on motion of Mr. George Martin, it was Resolved, That the time for recording the claims of the members of this society, in order to secure the benefits of the ninth resolution of the meeting held on the 28th of October last, be extended till the 1st da}' of March next. On motion of Mr. James C. Hatch, Resolved, That the claims belonging to members of this society which lie on the line of or in another county shall be entitled to record and protection, on the member complying with the fifth regulation. On motion of Mr. Lyman Meacham, Resolved, That when a claim belonging to a mem- ber of this association shall border on that of a non- resident, or that of a person out of the State, or on land not occupied, the same shall be recorded if a certificate from the adjoining claimants be attached thereto, certifying to such non-residence, absence or non-occupancy, and that there is no dispute concern- ing the same. On motion of Mr. William J. Strong, Resolved, That any member of this society who, in an arbitration, fails to establish his claim before the Board of Arbitration, shall pa}' the costs thereof within six days from the decision being pronounced, and failing to make such payment, he shall cease to be a member of this society. Resolved, That this meeting adjourn until the first Mondav in March next. P. Ballingall, Clerk. At a meeting of the society held at Naperville, on the 6th day of January, A. D. 1840, in pursuance of adjournment, Stephen J. Scott was appointed Chairman. Resolved, That James Johnson and Isaac B. Berry be allowed another trial in their arbitration with Harry T. Wilson, on condition that said Johnson and Berry pay one counsel fee and the whole costs of the arbitration. Resolved, That the Board of Arbitrators shall have power to fill all vacancies occasioned by death, re- moval or otherwise, between this time and the first Monday in May next. Resolved, That the resolution offered by William J. Strong, and passed at last meeting, be and is hereby repealed. Resolved, That the line between Ephraim Collar and Timothy E. Parsons is hereby declared to be the road leading from ■ to , laid by But- terfield, Church and Arnold, as the same has been recorded. Resolved, That this meeting adjourn till the first Monday in May next. P. Ballingall, Clerk. At a meeting of the Du Page County Society for Mutual Protection, held at Naperville, on Monday. the 4th day of May, A. D. 1840, pursuant to adjourn- ment, John Stevens was appointed Chairman and James F. Wight Clerk pro ton., when, on motion of Mr. P. Downer, Resolved, That the time for settling and recording claims of the members of this society lie extended to the first Monday in June next. Resolved, That this meeting adjourn to the first Monday in June next, then to meet at Naperville. J. F. Wigiit. Clerk pro tern. At a meeting of the Du Page County Society for Mutual Protection, held at Naperville, on Monday, the 1st day (being the first Monday) in June. 1840, pursuant to adjournment, Capt. John Stevens was appointed Chairman. Patrick Ballingall, Esq., having resigned the office of Clerk of this society, on motion of Mr. Hunt, Uesblved, That James F. Wight lie ami is hereby appointed Clerk of this society, in the place of P. Ballingall, Esq., resigned. Resolved. That the time for settling and recording claims of the members of this society be extended until the first Monday in September next. On motion of Mr. James C. Hatch, Resolved, That the Clerk hereafter record no cer- tificates of claims unless it is certified that they are the only claimants adjoining the claim or claims offered to be recorded, or, for want of such certifi- cate, that the applicant shall make oath that no other person except those named in such certificate adjoin him. Resolved, That the Clerk shall notify all persons whose claims are recorded (without their having signed the settler's bond) that they sign the said bond, or they will not be protected by this society. Resolved, That this meeting adjourn to the first Monday in September next, then to meet at the Pre-emption House, in Naperville, at 1 o'clock P. M. James F: Wight, Clerk. At a meeting of the Du Page County Society for Mutual Protection, held at Naperville, on Wednes- day, the 3d day of March, 1841, Hon. Russell Whip- ple was called to the Chair, and Morris Sleight ap- pointed Secretary. After the object of the meeting had been stated by Stephen J. Scott, the following persons were ap- Q). S\r-f-^tKc (DEC EAS ED) HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY 65 pointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of tUe sense of this meeting, viz.: Luther Hatch, Stephen J. Scott, William J. Strong and Isaac Clark. On motion of N. Allen, Jr., Esq., Alymer Keith was appointed Clerk of this society, to record claims and the certificates for the same, and to keep the settlers' book, in place of James F. Wight. Resolved, That the time for recording claims be extended to the first Monday of September, 1841. The committeee appointed to draft resolutions reported the following, which were adopted, with one or two dissenting votes: Whereas, It is generally believed that the public lands on which we hold settlers' claims will be shortly offered for sale, and in order that each claimant may obtain and feel secure in the pos- session of his just claim, it is deemed necessary that there be a uniformity of action and feeling on the subject, and believing that the proving up of pre- emption claims will have a tendency to create ex- citement and confusion, if not to interfere with the rights of others; therefore be it Resolved, 1. That we will not prove up our pre- emption claims, even when justly entitled to do so, except in cases where it may be deemed necessary to secure the claimant ; but that we will not do so with- out the consent of a committee to be appointed by this union or the several towns, to settle disputes. Resolved, 2. Tnat any person who shall attempt to obtain a pre-emption, and thereby seize upon any part of any other person's claim, shall be deemed a dishonest man, not entitled to the protection of this union, and shall not be allowed to purchase any other land in this county, if this union can pre- vent it. Resolved, 3. That when the inhabitants of any township shall guarantee to those on the school sec- tion, and entitled to a float, that they shall have their claim at ten shillings per acre, then, in such case, if they shall obtain, or attempt to obtain, a float, or lay one upon any other claimant's just claim, they shall be considered no better than a thief or a robber, and shall have no protection from this union. Rosolved, 4. That it is the duty of this association to take measures to secure to claimants on the school section their claims at government price. Resolved, 5. That the protection of this union will not be extended to any person who shall either take or purchase a school section float, except the town- ship refuse to guarantee, as in the third resolution. Resolved, 6. That the several townships in this county call meetings, and make arrangements and adopt such measures as may be thought necessary with regard to their claims at the approaching land sale. Resolved, 7. That the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded by the Secretary to the land office in Chicago, and ask of the Register and Receiver to act with regard to lands in this county on the spirit of the resolutions here passed. Resolved, 8. That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary and pub- lished in the Chicago papers. Subordinate claim societies were organized in each of the precincts of the county ; the set- tlers pretty generally joined them, and many difficulties were adjusted by this means among the squatters. The hard times which followed the crisis of 1836 and 1837 discouraged specu- lation somewhat, and but fevv were able to pur- chase the land which they had improved, and some were unable to do that. The pledges made by the members of the claim societies were uniformly carried out, and all honorable men gave no cause of complaint to their neigh- bors. In a few cases some less scrupulous refused to deed lands in their possession to the rightful owner, and, in consequence, quarrels and some suits at law were the result. We subjoin a few instances, showing how summarily a certain class of claim difficulties were disposed of. Many more might be added, but let these suffice. Two neighbors owned adjoining claims, and at the time of the organization of the claim society, their land was being surveyed by the Government surveyor. One of the men hap- pened to be a member of the societj-, and the other, not. It so happened that the random line, run by the surveyor, cut off a portion of the claim of the first, and left it in such a man- ner that the other would be entitled to a pre- emption upon it. When he discovered this, he refused to deed the land to the one who claimed it. Persuasion was used in vain. He thought he had the advantage of his neighbor, and de- termined to keep it. In a few days, however, D 66 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. matters assumed a different light, and then the line was established so as to give back to the society man not only what he claimed, but also a large corner from his neighbor's tract, and now he was entitled to a pre-emption. The ob- stinate man was thus induced to join the socie- ty, and take upon himself the obligation to " deed and re-deed." After being kept in sus- pense for awhile, by way of punishment, his land was again restored to him. There were many of the settlers who did not join the claim societies, but among all bona- fide settlers there prevailed a determination to pro- tect each other. The first trouble arising from '•claim jumping," was in 1836, or thereabouts, respecting the claim of a Mr. Frothingham, in the town of Milton. A family of squatters came on and took possession of a portion of his claim, without leave or license, and were deter- mined to remain there in spite of entreaty or physical force. The settlement was apprised of this state of affairs, and a company of about fifty horseman proceeded to the cabin of the in- corrigible squatters, who, on seeing them, broke for tall timber, leaving but one occupant in the cabin, an old lady who had passed the running point. The sum of $17 was raised among the company to indemnifj- the family for sundry outla3 - s which they had made upon the prem- ises. This the old lady received upon condi- tion that the family should quit the claim without delay. To expedite the execution of her part of the contract, the settlers fell to work and assisted in the removal of the furniture from the house, and in clearing the premises of everything that belonged to the family. After this had been done, the house was torn down and the rubbish thrown into a heap near by, preparatory to kindling a bonfire, when the " meeting " was called to order and several stump speeches, of a decidedly inflammatory character, were made. We are not in posses- sion of the minutes of those speeches, but have been informed that the Hou. Nathan Allen figured quite conspicuously in this part of the exercises. His speech on that occasion is spoken of as being one of his most felicitous and pointed " efforts." When the speech-mak- ing had subsided, fire was set to the heap of promiscuous ruins, and the hut of the interlop- ers was soon reduced to ruins. The conduct of the settlers in this case proved a warning to future intruders, and claim-jumping was rarely heard of in that part of the county afterward. A man from Plumb Grove happened to be on his way to the Naper settlement, and passed near the place while the affair just described was taking place. Seeing the smoke ascend from the spot, and hearing the universal uproar among the settlers, he concluded at once that a party of Indians was there, killing and laying waste. Turning from the beaten track which led near the house, he made a circuit around the " marauders," and lashing his horses to their utmost speed, rode to the settlement, warning everybody to flee for their lives. The cause of his fright was pretty generallj - under- stood, and therefore he did not succeed in get- ting up a very serious alarm. A few years after, a contention arose respect- ing the Tullis claim, which was situated in the same neighborhood. Under a pre-emption law passed about that time, a man by the name of Harmond undertook to pre-empt a portion of the claim of Mr. Tullis, who had already ob- tained possession of it under a former pre- emption act. In order to comply with the provisions of the later act, Harmond built a pen of small poles near the center of his claim, stayed in it only one night, and started immedi- ately for Chicago, to prove his pre-emption. On his return, he commenced making repairs upon an old block-house which was already built upon his " quarter," and being asked why he was doing it, replied that he had pre-empted that claim, and was going to live there. This aroused the indignation of the neighboring squatters, who called a meeting to take into HISTORY OF ~DV PAGE COUNTY. 67 consideration the conduct of Mr. Harmond. He, being present, was advised to relinquish his claim, but he positivel}- refused to do it. and at the same time threw out some pretty savage threats against the settlers, in ease the} - at- tempted to remove him b}- force. After a long consultation, it was concluded that the building on the premises should be torn down if he did not abandon it without delay. At this decis- ion. Harmond became greatly exasperated, and. having his rifle with him, threatened to fire upon ''the first man who should tear off a board." Whereupon a fearless Quaker gentle- man stepped forth and remarked to Mr. Har- mond that if he designed to put that threat into execution he had better begin by shooting at him, as he considered himself a mark of suffi- cient magnitude for a claim jumper to shoot at, anyhow. The old Quaker was soon joined by Lyman Butterfield, who addressed Mr. Har- mond in pretty much the same straiu, inform- ing him that if he was not willing to waste his powder on one man, he would offer the addi- tional inducement of placing his own body in fair range, so that he might at least kill " two birds with one stone.'' But Harmond could not be prevailed upon to shoot, and so the party proceeded to the disputed claim, tearing down the house, and removing every vestige of former occupancy. Before ten minutes had elapsed, after the decision of the council of settlers, this was done, and Mr. Harmond was sent on his way to other parts, not rejoicing, but uttering the most awful denunciations against such ungentlemanly treatment. In justice to a numerous class of our early settlers, we deem it appropriate to introduce here a brief notice of a society which was formed in 1834, and known as the " Hognatorial Coun- cil." We have ransacked all the dead languages we ever heard of in order to obtain for our readers some clew to the origin ofthisjwnoiiicit. but have been signally defeated in the under- taking. Its origin is altogether too obscure for us, and we leave the task of tracing it to pro- fessional archaeologists. The object of the " council " seems to have been the settling of a peculiar class of claim difficulties, which were not taken cognizance of by the bona fidt claim committee, and its operations were designed to burlesque the proceedings of that committee, as well as to ridicule courts in general. All disputes brought before the " Hognatorial " were settled in a summary and satisfactory manner. We can illustrate this remark with but one instance, which occurred in the south part of the county. A man by the name of Clark, who was firmly grounded in Midship- man Easy's doctrine of " what belongs to my neighbor belongs also to me." made a " claim ' upon another man's land, lying somewhere on the Du Page River. Finding that peaceable and quiet possession was impossible, he applied to a gentleman who happened to be posted in " hognatorial matters " for advice. He was, of course, advised to bring the matter before the " Hognatorial Council," as that was the only reliable tribunal having jurisdiction over such grievances. His case was prepared by Nathan Allen, a man of superior legal attainments, and upon a certain day the Hognatorial Council room was crowded to witness the proceedings in the case. Allen opened the case by giving to the jury a plain, unvarnished statement of the facts, and closed it by a most pathetic ap- peal to their sense of justice in behalf of his wronged and injured client. Several witnesses were called upon to testify, and the upshot of the testimony was that Mr. Clark hail a claim commencing at a certain point on Du Page River, but in what direction his lines ran from that point it was impossible to ascertain. Sev- eral hours were occupied in examining wit- nesses, during which time Clark kept a boy running to and fro between the '-council cham- ber " and his house, to inform his wife of the different phases which the case assumed as the trial progressed. At length the testimony was 68 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. all in, the closing argument made, and the case submitted to the jury. There was but one point left for the jury to act upon, and that re- lated particularly to the boundary of Clark's claim. They were out but a short time, and re- turned the following verdict : " We, the jurors in this case, decide that Mr. Clark is justly en- titled to a piece of land lying on the Du Page River, and described as follows, to wit : Com- mencing at a certain point on the east bank of said river, and running perpendicular to the horizon straight hj>." This was enough for Clark. He hastened to communicate the result to his waiting, anxious wife, and afterward pro- ceeded to the tavern and got ingloriously drunk over the result of his victorious suit. CHAPTER V. FIRST INTRODUCTION OF SLAVERY INTO THE COLONY OF VIRGINIA— FIRST ANTI-SLAVERY LITERA- TURE— SOUTHERN ORIGIN OF ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETIES— ACTION OF THE QUAKERS— "THE GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION —EARLY ABOLITIONISTS— THE OLD FEDERAL PARTY— ORIGIN OF THE DEMOCRATIC AND WHIG PARTIES— ORIGIN OF THE RE- PUBLICAN PARTY — GOV. COLES— ELIHU B. WASHBURNE — STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS— ABRAHAM LINCOLN— THE "WESTERN CITIZEN" INTRODU- CES ABOLITIONISM INTO CHICAGO— ITS EFFECT— ILLINOIS THE FIRST STATE TO TAKE POLITICAL ACTION IN THE ABOLI- TION MOVEMENT— JOHN BROWN— FORT SUMTER. THE history of the war of the rebellion has been written by several of the ablest men our country has produced as political econo- mists and authors ; and while these men have given us the fundamental principles that ruled in the issue, and even told how these principles gathered force in the councils of the nation, none of them have made an historical record of the special events from the first, which, step by step, produced the cause for which the issue came into being. Nor have they biographically sketched the men who were the instruments by which the great change in public opinion was wrought, that finally became an " irrepressible conflict." to be decided by the sword only. This as yet unwritten chapter in history maybe appropriately introduced here to precede the war record of Du Page County. Among the first American anti-slavery lit- erature to be found since we became a nation are some tracts in the private library of George Washington, which library was purchased by some Boston gentleman, and presented to the Boston Athenajum for preservation, where they may now be found. Next in order, exclusively anti-slavery, may be cited an oration upon the moral and political evils of slavery, delivered at a public meeting of the Maryland Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, July 4, 1791, by George Buchanan. M. D., member of the American Philosophical Society, Baltimore ; printed by Philip Edwards, 1793, and re-printed by Robert Clark & Co., Cincinnati, in 1873, as an appendix to an address b} 7 William F. Poole on early anti-slavery opinions, delivered before the Cincinnati Literary Club in 1872. Dr- Buchanan's oration was a forcible argument against slavery, for which he received a vote of thanks from the society before whom it was de- livered. He was born near Baltimore, Septem- ber 19, 1763, and died at Philadelphia of yellow fever in 1807, while in the discharge of his duties as a physician. In Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, which were HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 69 written in 1781-82, occur paragraphs condem- ning slavery in forcible language, and canvassing different plans for its extinction. In these sen- timents Mr. Jefferson was sustained by a very respectable constituency of Southern men, among whom was George Wythe, of William and Mary College. Says Mr. Poole in his address already re- ferred to : " There never has been a time since 1619, when the first slave ship — a Dutch man- of-war — entered James River, in Virginia, when in our country there were not persons protest- ing against the wickedness and impolicy of the African slave trade, and of the do'mestic slave system. Slavery was introduced into the American colonies against the wishes of the settlers by the avarice of British traders, and with the connivance of the British Government. In 1772, the Assembly of Virginia petitioned the throne of England to stop the importation of slaves, using language as follows : ' We are encouraged to look up to the throne and implore your Majesty's paternal assistance in averting a calamity of a most alarming nature. The importation of slaves into the colonies from the coast of Africa hath long been considered as a trade of great inhumanity, and under its present encouragement, we have great reason to fear, will endanger the very existence of your Maj- esty's dominion." No notice was taken of the petition by the crown, from which it is manifest that slavey was enforced upon America by the mother country. Even while the first crude thoughts of the American Revolution were revolving in the minds of our fathers, an anti-slavery society was formed by the Quakers at Sun Tavern in Philadelphia, April 14, 1775. The next year, 1776, the Quakers disowned such of their members as continued to hold slaves over the lawful age. Patrick Henry in a letter dated January 18, 1773, to Robert Pleasants, afterward President of the Virginia Abolition Society, said : "Be- lieve me I shall honor the Quakers for their noble efforts to abolish slavery. * * * I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil." The first anti-slavery society took the name of the society for the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage. It met four times in 1775, but on account of the Revolutionary war did not meet again till February, 1784, the next year after peace. Benjamin Franklin was Pres- dent and Benjamin Rush Secretary of this so- ciety in 1787. A society in New York was established for the manumission of slaves January 25. 1785, of which John Jay was President, and Alexan- der Hamilton his successor. The foregoing are only a few of the leading anti-slaver}' societies which sprung into exis- tence in the first half-century of our Govern- ment. The American Colonization Society was formed in 1816, for the purpose of freeing slaves and sending them to Africa, but this was found to be of but little avail in the immense work to be accomplished. In 1827. there were 136 aboli- tion societies in the United States, 106 of which were in slave-holding States. Many of the later established ones of these, were the result of Benjamin Lundy's efforts, who was the main connecting link between the old societies founded by the Revolutionary fathers and the more modern Abolitionists, who revised the work that they begun, and carried it on to suc- cess amidst a storm of abuse, and sometimes great personal violence. Mr. Lundj- was a Hicksite Quaker, born in New Jersey January 4, 1789. In 1821, he commenced the publication of The Gen- ius of Universal Emancipation at Mount Pleasant, Ohio. This name to his paper was borrowed from Grattan's eloquent speech on the abolition of slaver}* in the British Do- minion. His paper was removed to Tennessee, where it was continued till it was again re- 70 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. moved to Baltimore in 1825, and afterward to Philadelphia, where it was continued till de- stroyed by a mob at the burning of Pennsyl- vania Hall in 1837. Mr. Lundy, then undaunted by the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy, went to Illinois to con- tinue the work he had begun there by resuming the publication of the Genius, where his prede- cessor had lost his life in the same cause. William Lloyd Garrison, William Goodell, Joshua Leavitt, Arthur Tappan and many other leaders of the anti-slavery movement owe their convictions to Lundy's teachings. His paper was largely patronized by prominent men in the Slave States. In an August num- ber of the Genius, 1825, a statement is made showing that there were more subscribers to the paper in North Carolina than in any other State. He died at Lowell, 111., August 22, 1839. William Lloyd Garrison was born at New- buryport, Mass., December 12, 1804, and when veiy young, his father died, and he was left to the care of a Christian mother. When only nine years old, he was apprenticed to a shoe- maker, but found his health would not permit him to continue the trade. He then, after some efforts to secure the advantages of an academ3', became apprenticed to the publisher of a paper in his native town, and, while learn- ing this trade, kept up his studies and began to contribute for the press. At the age of twenty-four, he became editor and proprietor of a paper at Newburyport, but this enterprise was not a success. In 1827, he became editor of a total abstinence journal in Boston, which was united later with a temperance and political paper in Bennington, Vt. Subsequently, he united with Benjamin Lundy, a Quaker, in the publication of The Genius of Universal Eman- cipation, at Athens, Ohio, where his uncompro- mising spirit soon manifested itself, and Gar- rison was imprisoned for libel. His fine was paid by A. Tappan, and Garrison went to Bos- ton, where, January 1, 1831, he issued the first number of the historical Liberator. He started without mone3 - , and did not have even an office. In 1832, he visited England, where he was well received by many of the leaders of public opinion. When the American Anti- Slavery Society was organized at Philadelphia, he took a prominent part in the work. He lectured frequently, and was on one occasion dragged through the streets of Boston by a mob for pleading the cause of the bondman. Garrison was persecuted greatlj - , and the Gov- ernor of Georgia once offered $5,000 for his arrest. The warfare he waged against slavery was continued until the slaves were set free, and January 1, 1866, he published the last number of the Liberator. From that time till his death, which occurred May 24, 1879, he was engaged in writing on various topics. Benjamin Franklin Wade was born in Spring- field, Mass., October 27, 1800. Like Garrison, and many of the most eminent men of this country, his early life was a struggle to obtain an education — a struggle which was success- ful. In 1826, he began the study of law, and two years after, was admitted to the bar in Ashtabula Count3', Ohio. In 1847, he was chosen Presiding Judge of the Third District of the State, and in 1851 was elected United States Senator, and re-elected in 1857 and 1863. In 1865, he became President pro tem. of the Senate, and Acting Vice President of the United States. In March, 1867, he was elected President of the Senate. Senator Wade was a strong anti-slavery leader, a stalwart Union man, and advocated the homestead bill for years, and it was in his charge that it finally passed through the Senate. He was a member of the San Domingo Commission, and favored the annexation of that island to the United States. His death occurred March 2, 1878, at Jefferson, Ohio. T. Allan was born in Middle Tennessee, and grew to manhood in Huntsville, Ala. In 1832, he went to Lane Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, c^o^X lOcla^/^ HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 71 and soon afterward took an active part in slavery discussions by the students of that institution, always advocating abolitionism. This banished him from his father's house in Alabama and also from Lane Seminary, to- gether with many other anti-slavery agitators among the conscientious students. Mr. Allan then took the lecture field, and became agent of the anti-slavery society in Ohio and West- ern New York and also in Illinois. For ten years this was his main work. He now lives at Geneseo, 111. William Goodell, by profession a merchant, converted also by Lundy in 1828, was the editor at the time of the National Temperance Journal at Providence, R. I. He became a permanent editor of anti-slavery journals, the Friend uf Man and Pfincipia. He was the main editor and supporter of the Gerrit Smith doctrine of the unconstitutionality of slavery, on which a section of the Liberty party was formed. He died at Jauesville, Wis., in 1879. Joshua Leavitt, born in the western part of Massachusetts, a convert of Lundy's, a minister by education and an editor by profession. He published the Emancipator, the organ of the national Abolitionists, after Garrison's disaffec- tion. He vvas the leader in the foundation of the Liberty party of 1840. which grew into the Republican party of 1860, of which Abraham Lincoln became the first successful and official representative. Both the Evangelist and the Indepi i"l< nt of New York have been under his editorial charge, and were indebted to him for no small share of their influence as anti-slavery organs. He died at Brooklyn, N. Y., January 16, 1873. William Bllery Chanuiug was born at New- port, R. I., April 7, 1780. Coleridge said : " He had the love of Wisdom and the wisdom of Love." In 1837, his efforts to abolish slavery began. In 1841, his book on the subject was published, and had a wide circulation. He died at Bennington, Yt., October 2, 1842. Elijah Parish Lovejoy, "first American mar- tyr to the freedom of the press and the free- dom of the slave," was born in Albion, Me., November 9, 1802 ; educated at Waterville ; went to St. Louis, Mo., in 1827 ; ordained in 1834 ; became editor of the St. Louis Observer, a Presbyterian weekly. Required by the pro- prietors of the paper to be silent on the sub- ject of slavery, he boldly claimed the rights of free speech and a free press ; was mobbed in St. Louis and St. Charles ; bought the paper ; removed it to Alton, 111., where three presses were destroyed by violence, and at length, on the night of November 7, 1S37, while, by the Mayor's order, defending his fourth, he was shot by an armed mob. His murder roused the North against slavery. Rev. and Hon. Owen Lovejoy, a younger brother of Elijah P., born in Albion, Me., Jan- uary 6, 1811. He vowed eternal hostility to slavery over the dead body of his brother ; be- came pastor of the Congregational Church of Princeton, III, in 1838 ; was elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1854, to Congress in 1856, and for three succeeding terms; died while a member, in March, 1864, in Brooklyn. N. Y. He vvas a very able preacher ; had wonderful magnetism as a political speaker over the masses ; became a leader in Congress, asserting and maintaining the right of free speech there, against clamorous opposition* James G. Birney was born at Danville, Ky., February 4, 1792. He was the first Liberty party candidate for the Presidency ; was a wealthy Southern slaveholder ; emancipated his slaves, and was editor of the Philanthropist at Cincinnati, Ohio. His press was destroyed sev- eral times. He died at Perth Amboy, N. J., November 25, 1857. Gammiel Baily, a physician by profession, succeeded Birney in editing the Philanthropist- He founded the National Em at Washington, •II. L. Hammond contributed the sketch of both of the Love- joys. HISTORY OF DV PAGE COUNTY. the paper that first gave to the world " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The Era had a great influence in popularizing anti-slavery principles. Dr. Baily died in 1857 on a passage from Europe. John G. Whittierwas born in Haverhill, Mass., December 17, 1807. He was a shoemaker by trade, a Quaker in religion, and a poet by nature. He was an early friend of both Garri- son and Lundy, from whom his innate abhor- rence to human slavery was strengthened, and he never ceased to use his able pen against it till emancipation was proclaimed. His other contributions to American literature have done much to elevate its standard. His home is at Amesbury, Mass. Arthur Tappan was born in Connecticut Ma}' 22, 1786. He became a wealthy New York merchant, well known throughout the whole country as the abolition merchant, whose store was shunned by the Southern trade. He founded the Emancipator ; helped to found Oberlin Col- lege, and was ever ready to assist the great cause both with his influence and money. He died July 23, 1865. Lewis Tappan, brother of Arthur, was born in Connecticut May 23, 1788. He was also a wealthy New York merchant. He founded the American Missionary Association, and was one of the promoters of the National Era. He died July 21, 1873. Charles Sumner was born in Boston, Mass., Januar}' 6, 1811. He was the successor of Daniel Webster in the United States Senate in 1851, which place he retained by successive elections till his death. During this long and exciting period in our country's history, he was one of the main pillars in the great anti-slavery fabric, which grew into maturity during his Senatorial terms. His speech on the rendition of Mason and Slidell was one of the most masterl}- arguments of his time, and settled the American mind in favor of Seward's policy in delivering them up. Mr. Sumner died in Wash- ington, D. C, March 11, 1874. Lucretia Mott, one of the earliest female anti- slavery orators — a Quaker preacher — was born on the island of Nantucket in 1794, and resided through her active life in Philadelphia. She was a friend and supporter of Lundy on his first appearance as an agitator ; was afterward alike the friend and patron of Garrison. More than any other woman, should she be known as the female philanthropist of America, ranking with Elizabeth Fry in England. She died at her home, near Philadlphia, in November, 1880. Lydia Maria Child, a celebrated woman, edi- tor and author, a most elegant writer. She edited the National State Slavery Standard, the organ of the Garrison party. She wrote the famous book, " An Appeal for the African." She died in Massachusetts at a very great age, in the spring of 1880. Sarah and Angelina Grimke, two sisters and converted slaveholders from Charleston. S. C. They emancipated their slaves and came North to reside, and were active co-workers with the Garrisonians of Boston. Angelina married Theodore D. Weld. They were both women of talent, and devoted philanthropists. Theodore D. Weld became a student of Lane Seminary in 1833, was a very eloquent orator and forcible writer. At one time, he seemed to be the literary author of the anti-slaver}' move- ment. " Slavery as It Is " and the so-called "Bible Argument " against slavery, works by him, were the great guns of the moral conflict. He married Angelina Grimke, a fit helpmeet in his anti-slavery mission. Charles T. Torrey, a minister of the Congre- gational Church and editor of the Tocsin of Liberty, of Albany, and other papers ; the operator on the Underground Bailroad ; was arrested in Maryland for running off slaves ; convicted, sent to prison for life and died in a year in the Maryland State Prison. He was a devoted Christian man and known now as the Martyr Torrey. Samuel Lewis, a prominent anti-slavery man HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 73 of Ohio and eloquent lay preacher of the Meth- odist denomination. He was a member of the Board of Education of the State. He was an effective orator, friend and supporter of Birney, Bailey and Chase. Salmon P. Chase was born in Cornish, N. H., January 13, 1808. He was one of the founders of the Libert}' party, in. 1848, a member of the Buffalo Free-Soil Convention that nomi- nated Van Buren for President. In 1849, elected United States Senator from Ohio by a coalition of Democrats and Free-Soilers, and made a record in the Senate as the uncom- promising enemy of slavery. He became Gov- ernor of Ohio in 1855, and was re-elected in 1857, and was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by Lincoln in 1861, which office he held three years, during which time the bank- ing system now in use was founded, of which he may be called the father. Upon the death of Chief Justice Taney, Mr. Chase was ap- pointed by Mr. Lincoln to that position, Octo- ber, 1864. The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which guar- anteed civil rights to the Freedmau, was among the last of the public acts passed under his ad- vocacy. He died of apoplexy at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. William Hoyt, New York City, May 7, 1873. Joshua R. Giddings, the famous member of Congress from Ohio, who pioneered the slavery agitation in that great conservative body, was born at Athens, Penn., October 6, 1795. His reputation for consistency and honesty as a statesman was acknowledged throughout the country. He was appointed Consul General at Montreal by Abraham Lincoln, where he died May 27, 1864. Gerrit Smith, a wealthy man of Central New York, born in 1798, the most noted philan- thropist of the country. He was the head of the intense organization in politics known as the Gerrit Smith's Liberty Party. He was a friend alike of the two extremes of action- John Brown and Elihu Burritt. Gave his money freely to aid the fugitives, and for John Brown's Kansas work, for the support of the temperance and anti-slavery cause, and gave away laud freely to colored men upon which to make for themselves farms. He died sud- denly in New York in 1874. Elihu Burritt was born at New Britain, Conn., December 8, 1811. He was a blacksmith by trade, and was known throughout the coun- try as " The Learned Blacksmith." Besides his wonderful linguistic accomplishments, he was a persistent searcher into the wants of the com" mon, people, and to this end made a tour through England on foot. He was ever ready in America to assist the abolition cause with his logical pen as well as ever}' other cause on the side of humanity against oppression. He died at the place of his birth in March, 3 867. Wendell Phillips, the great New England orator, born in Boston in 1811, the most active of all the agitators; now alive and as aggressive as ever in the path to which his tenacious con- science leads. His almost unparalleled powers of eloquence have become well known through- out the country, and the fame of them is destined to pass into history. Frederick Douglas was a slave by birth, who secured his freedom first by flight and afterward by paying his master his commercial value in cash to enable him to avoid being victimized by the Fugitive Slave Law. He distinguished himself by writing a book en- titled " My Bondage and My Freedom," which had a wide circulation, and by some subtle and secret methods, found its way into various parts of the South, where it caused great commotion. Mr. Douglas is now Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia. Jane Gray Swishelm was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., December 6, 1815, descended from the old Scotch Reformers, and also from the amia- ble Lad}' Jane Gray, the nine days' Queen of England. In January, 1848, she started the 74 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Pittsburgh Saturday Visitor, a paper devoted to various reforms, but especially to the anti- slavery cause. This paper supported Van Buren when a Free-Soil candidate for the Pres- idency as she says " to smash one of the great pro-slavery parties of the nation, and gain an anti-slavery balance of power to counteract the slavery vote for which both contended." This paper, together with many other anti-slavery sheets, were the entering-wedge of disintegra- tion to the political policy which had hitherto courted the favor of the slavey interest as in- despensable to success ; for they forced their sentiments into the ranks of the old Whig party till there was little left of it but a shell after its abolition element was brought to the sur- face. In the spring of 1857, Mrs. Swishelm established the Visitor at St. Cloud, Minn., soon afterward taking the lecture field as an aboli- tionist. Her path was a thorny one, but she succeeded with her paper in spite of mobs and threats, and the old public functionaries of Minnesota recoiled before her oratorical and ed- itorial power, and finally sunk below the sur- face to rise no more. In 1881, Mrs. Swishelm published her book entitled" Half a Century," which is a valuable record of the stirring time indicated in its title. She now lives at Swissvale, near Pittsburgh, still vigorous in mind and body. Henry B. Stanton was one of the Lane Sem- inary students at the time of the anti-slavery excitement there. He was from Rochester, N. Y. He was a man of talent, a fine speaker, and soon took a prominent part in the Aboli- tion movement. His field of labor was mostly in New England and New York. Some of the time he was associated with James G. Birney. He was one of the originators of the Liberty party. He is still living, hale and hearty — a New York lawyer. Hooper Warren, a native of Windsor, Vt., a printer by trade, and an editor by profession. The early anti-slavery man in Illinois when the State was admitted into the Union, pub- lished the Edwardsville Spectator from about 1820 to 182G, which at the time was the only paper that opposed the introduction of slavery into Illinois. In that issue, he was a coadjutor of Gov. Coles, and first nominated him as a candidate for Governor. He was editor, in 1841 and 1842, with Z. Eastman, of the Genius of Liberty. He died at the home of his daughter at Mendota, in 1864. He was one of those who early shaped the anti-slavery move- ment in the West, from Hooper Warren, through Lovejo}', on to the culmination of the reform in the election of Abraham Lincoln, which was manifestly the result of their ef- forts. Jonathan Blauchard, a native of Vermont, took strong anti-slavery ground when he, a young man, started out in life, armed with a college diploma and an uncompromising spirit toward slavery and secret societies. He was early associated with the abolition movement, and was outspoken as to the impolicy of slav- ery when Henry Ward Beecher, his associate, stood on neutral ground, under the wing of his venerable father, Dr. Lyman Beecher, of Cin- cinnati. Mr. Blanchard was a settled pastor over a church in Cincinnati in 1848, and, dur- ing his residence at that place, held a debate with Rev. Dr. Rice, a pro-slavery minister of his own denomination, which debate was pub- lished in book form, and is now a kind of rare old relic sometimes found on second-hand booksellers' shelves, labeled " scarce," and sold at an advance on its original price. From Cincinnati, Mr. Blanchard removed to Galesburg, where he became President of Knox College, after remaining at which place a few years he came to Wheaton, and has been Presi- dent of the college at this place till 1882, when he voluntarily resigned for his son Charles to take his place. He is still vigorous in mind, with a positiveness of purpose whose limit has not yet been overtaken by his advancing years. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 75 Ichabod Codding was bora in Bristol. Onta- rio Co., N. Y., September 23, 1810. Secretary Chase acknowledged him to be the greatest orator he ever heard. He was educated at Middlebury College, Vt, and came to Illinois in ] 842, by invitation of Mr. Eastman, to take the lecture field in the anti-slavery agitation at the West, and it is not too much to say that his influence in this growing locality had much to do in developing that sentiment that made it possible to nominate one of its sons to the Presidency of the United States. Mr. Codding died at Baraboo, Wis., June 17, 1866. Zebina Eastman, born iu Amherst, Mass., a printer by trade and an educated journalist, having studied for that profession, he suc- ceeded Mr. Luudy, the pioneer, in editing his paper in Illinois, in 1839. In 1811, edited the Genius of Liberty, with Hooper Warren. In 1842, removed to Chicago, by invitation of Dr. C. V. Dyer and Philo Carpenter, and com- menced the publication of the Western ('itir.m, then the only anti-slavery paper in the North- west, with the exception of the Philanthropist, at Cincinnati. The Citizen was continued till 1855. He was a coadjutor with Elihu Burritt in his League of Brotherhood aud a member of the Peace Congress at Frankfort, Germany, in 1850. He was appointed by Lincoln Consul at Bristol iu 1861. He now resides near Chicago, and is iu the employment of the Government. The policy of the anti-slavery agitation shaped in the Citizen was iu some sense distinct from the issues of the Eastern Abolitionists. It was more definitely political and for the restoration of the Declaration of Independence in the Government, and was the policy on which anti- slavcry principles triumphed iu the election of Mr. Lincoln. Dr. Charles V. Dyer, the famous Abolitionist of Chicago, and eminent as a manager of the Underground Railroad, a noted wil and ever a pronounced active man. The colored people of Chicago presented him with a gold-headed cane for having broken a previous one over the head of a slave-catcher. He was appointed by President Lincoln Judge of the Slave Trade Court at Sierra Leone. Died at Chicago in 1877. Charles Durkee, residing at Kenosha, Wis., was the first anti-slavery Congressman from Wisconsin, and afterward United States Sen- ator. He was a very effective man in the anti- slavery cause in the early days of its agitation in the Northwest. He was a member of the Peace Congress at Paris in 1849. Elihu B. Washburn, born at Livermore, Me., September 23, 1816, was elected to Congress from Galena, 111., November, 1852, by the votes of the Old Whig party and the Abolitionists who joined them. He took his seat in the Thirty- third Congress in December, 1853, and to the utmost of his power resisted the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska bill, and voted for every measure tending to the abolition of slavery. In his eight subsequent elections to Congress, he received the entire abolition vote of his dis- trict. He was a strong advocate for the nomination of Mr. Lincoln in 1860, and was his confiden- tial friend and adviser during his administra- tion. Was appointed Secretary of State by Gen. Grant iu 1869, occupying that position but a short time, when he was sent as a minister to France, in March, 1869. He held this position eight aud a half years, during which time the Franco-German war took place. He was charged with the protection of the German nationalities in Paris and France. He was recalled at his own request, in 1877, since which time he has resided in Chicago. Edward Coles was the earliest and most dis- tinguished Abolitionist that ever lived in Illi- nois, and was the second Governor of the State. He was born in Virginia in 1786. His father was a large slaveholder, and at his death be- queathed to him a plantation with a large num- 76 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. ber of slaves. Determining not to live in a slave-holding State, nor to hold slaves, he sold his plantation, liberated all his slaves, giving to each 160 acres of land in Illinois and re- moved to Illinois in 1819. From his earliest childhood, he imbibed the most intense hatred of slavery, and devoted the earlier part of his life to the cause of abolitionism. He was Governor of Illinois at the time of the colossal and desperate struggle to make it a Slave State, and all his official and personal influence was wielded to defeat that great iniquity. To him more than to any other man is Illinois indebted for being a free State. A sketch of Gen. Coles and of the slavery struggle of 1823 and 1824, has been prepared by Hon. E. B. Washburn, which will form a valuable contribution to early Illinois history. Gov. Coles died in Philadelphia in 1868. William Henry Seward was born in Florida, Orange Co., N. Y., May 16, 1801. When the issue of a slavery or anti-slavery policy came before the administration, he became an em- phatic anti-slavery advocate, and ever after- ward was faithful to that principle. He was the author of that forcible term, the "irre- pressible conflict," which, the sequel showsj was no empty name. He was appointed Sec- retary of State by Lincoln in 1861, and it is to his able foreign policy that our nation owed the preservation of peace abroad during our Rebellion. Mr. Seward died in Auburn, N. Y., October 10, 1872. Theodore Parker, an independent Unitarian minister of Boston, almost initiated a new school in theology, which might be styled the religion of humanity, and was a very effective laborer in the anti-slavery cause, without attaching himself to any of its sects. He was born at Lexington, Mass., in 1812, on the consecrated ground of the Revolution, and was the grand- son of one of its early heroes, Capt. John Parker. During the time of the fierce anti-slavery agi- tation, he delivered occasionally a great sermon or an address, on the intense points of the con test then at issue. At the time of the attempted enforcement of the fugitive slave law, he mani- fested a most fierce hostility to its enforcement ; and, at one time, he addressed a large concourse of his fellow-citizens in Federal Hall, counseling effective passive resistence, while the corridors of the hall were filled with files of United States soldiers with fixed bayonets, ordered there to preserve the peace and enforce the law. He de- fied the soldiery, and he declared that he should march out between their files when he had closed his speech ! Horace Greeley, of the New York Tribune, was always among the most anxious to publish the forcible productions of Theo- dore Parker. He died at Florence. Italy, where he had gone for the purpose of rejuvenating his gradually perishing vitality on the 16th of May, 1860. This strong and intellectually great man, who had lived such an active life, expressed regret, when he came to die, that he had accom- plished so little for humanity. John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, and son of the second Presi- dent, was one of the greatest statesmen and remarkable men the country has produced. He was born at Quincy, Mass., July 11, 1867, and was a youth, and doubtless very much inspired by the events, during the period of our Revo- lutionary war. He should be regarded as among the most foremost of the anti-slavery men of the country, though he avowed no affinity with any of the organizations or sects that grew out of the agitation. He was in fact the first political victim to the slave power of the country, that for a generation slaugh- tered its thousands of advanced men, and the manhood of millions of the politicians of the country ; for it was because he was not a slave-holder, and was a man of the North more than for anything else that he was de- feated for the Presidency for the second term by Andrew Jackson ; from this period the sectional feeling for the protection of slavery took its HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 77 rise. Mr. Adams, after his return to Congress, beginning a new career in political life, after he had once run its course to the Presidency, be- came specially known as the champion of the right of petition ; a sacred political and civil constitutional right, which had been smitten down in the interest of slavery at the behest of the slave leaders. Mr. Adams, from his expe- rience in political life from the beginning of the Government, and his once personal contact with its influence, knew more than any other man of the insiduous wiles of the growing slave power, and he knew better than any other man how to combat it. His was an in- dividual life of combat with that power, with- out support from party or combination. The conflicts with it is one of the sublimest mani- festations of the career of the politician and statesman the country has ever furnished ; and in it he sought for no co-operation from any clique or combination, and seems to stand alone like the form of a giant, fighting for human and constitutional rights of the fellow-men. As he had good reason to suspect the iniquities that were covered in the heap of meal, he delved into the maturing plot, for the robbing of Mexico of her province of Texas, and get- ting special information from old Benjamin Lund}-, who had traveled largely in Texas for the purpose of settling a colony of emancipated slaves there, he astonished the slave-holding plotters and the nation at large by exposing in a great speech in Congress in 1836 the whole plan of securing the annexation of Texas for the purpose of extending the area of slavery. as the programme was some years later liter- ally carried out. Mr. Adams virtually defined the slave power as a political combination, though he did not give it that name, when he said that it " was a power in American politics that governed the Government." He gave no special encouragement to any plan of political action in hostility to slavery ; gave no special countenance to Garrison or the Liberty party, though he was particularly con- fidential with Benjamin Lundy and Joshua R. Giddings, but worked on, partially in sympathy with the party to which he nominally belonged, in hostility to the Jackson party, though himself an original Democrat, and the last of the Jetfersonian Presidents. Standing very much alone, and, for many years, con- temned by all parties ; not apparently perceiv- ing any ground for a voting opposition to slav- ery as an institution bulwarked in the reserved rights of the States, and therefore was not a political Abolitionist, and looking probably to its extirpation by moral force alone, as dis- couraging as it then seemed to be. But to this wise man above his generation was given the foresight to predict the policy and the way in which slavery was finally abolished by the war power. Abraham Lincoln adopted the doctrine of John Quiney Adams when he used the war power of the nation to abolish slavery. It was this power, which John Quincj - Adams portrayed in a great speech in 1836, as the only possible way in which the nation could reach slavery and put it out of existence. The slaveholders madly invoked that power, and met its recoil in the destruction of their pet institution. Mr. Adams was suddenly stricken down, with his lighting armor on, on the floor of the Representative Hall, and taken to a committee room, where he died in February, 18-18, and his last words were remarkable for so remarkable a man — " This is the last of earth." Cassius M. Clay, a native of Kentucky, and an early anti-slavery man of the South, who made himself most odious in his native section for his hostility to their cherished institution. He was born in Madison County, Ky., in 1811, and is still alive. He edited, in 1845, the True American, an anti-slavery newspaper in Lexington, at the time of the most intense ex- citement. He defended his press against the mob spirit by the well-known efficiency of his 78 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. tried rifle ; but being prostrated by severe ill- ness, the mob improved the opportunity, and they broke up his newspaper establishment and shipped the fragments of his material out of the State. Horace Greeley, who was foremost in encouraging him, published a volume of his anti-slavery speeches in 1848. John P. Hale, born in Rochester, N. H, March 31, 1806, and died soon after his return from Madrid as United States Minister, under Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1873. He is distinguished as the leading politician under the Liberty party, and was that party's candi- date for the Presidency after James G. Birney, until it was merged into the Republican party. He is known as the first successful rebel against the slave power, he at that time being a nom- inee of the Democratic party for Congress ; op- posed the annexation of Texas ; was stricken out of the part}- roll of candidates ; and the people taking him up, he was elected United States Senator. He was first nominated for the Presidency by the Western Citizen of Chi- cago, in 1858, aud about six months after was indorsed by the National Liberty Party Con- vention. He was a genial, jovial man, and very much annoyed the Southern Senators by his pungent criticisms. He was the first anti- slavery man in the Senate, followed afterward by his coadjutors, Chase, Seward, Fessendeu and the corps of noble men that in time came to the front, to be the supporters of Lincoln in his arduous responsibilities as the emancipator of 4,000,000 of slaves. Rev. C. Cook, Congregational minister, was born in Vermont in 1778, graduated at Middle- bury College in 1808, preached in the State of New York till 1837 ; made an anti-slavery ar- gument iu the Presbyteriau General Assembly at Philadelphia, in 1836. He settled at Henne- pin, 111., in 1837, and gave anti-slavery lectures in various parts of the State in 1838 aud 1839, often being the victim of mob violence. In 1840, he removed to Aurora, Kane Co., 111., and became pastor of the First Congrega- tional Church. He died at Ottawa, 111., March 21, 1860, at the house of his son, B. C. Cook, where he spent the last fifteen years of his life. Horace Greeley was born in Amherst, N. H., February 3, 1811. His father removed to West Haven, Vt., when Horace was but ten years old, where, between the ills of poverty and intemper- ance which were ever present with the father, the education of the sou was sadly neglected ; but the young child of fortune possessed by nature the wherewithal to educate himself, as he paddled his own canoe through the waves of the great sea of life. At the age of fifteen, he was apprenticed to the printing business, after learning which trade he went to New York, ar- riving in August, 1831. Here he worked at his trade till June 1, 1833, when he became one of the proprietors of the Morning Post, the first penny daily- ever published in America. On March 22, 1834, the Nero Yorker was started with Mr. Greeley as editor. In the stirring times of 1840, he published the Log Cabin, a campaign paper in the interest of Gen. Har- rison's election to the Presidency, and the next year he commenced the publication of the New York Tribune, which paper he planted deep in the estimation of every thinker iu America, in- cluding not only- political economists, but even erratic dabblers in every species of reform, or whatever was claimed to be such — all had their "say 7 " in the columns of the Tribune. Of course, slavery became a target for his keenest darts, and from the first to the last of the con- flict between the slavery' and anti-slavery in- terest he never ceased to " pour hot shot" into the ranks of the enemies of universal freedom, all the more effective because Mr. Greeley him- self was free from any entanglements to cripple his own action, having no alliances with any party whose interests could be compromised by the downfall of slavery. Under his masterly pen, the Tribune soon took the highest rank in American journalism, and its circulation was HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 79 not exceeded by any other paper, although it was interdicted in man} - of the Southern States, where, could its editor have been found, he would have been lynched on the spot. When the convention of 1860 met at Chicago to nominate a Republican candidate for Presi- dent of the United States, all eyes were turned toward Mr. Greeley, who seemed to hold the key to the situation ; nor was this hypothesis a false one. At that time, there were substantially but two candidates in the field — Seward and Lincoln. Mr. Seward stood high in the estima- tion of his party both East and West, and his record was untarnished by any political act that would not bear the closest scrutiny. Moreover, he was well versed in all the affairs of State, having been Governor, Senator and Foreign Minister, and bis soundness on the vital issues essential to the fulfillment of the Republican doctrines was not to be questioned. These qualifications would seem to give him an assur- ance of success, and would certainly have done so but for the influence of Mr. Greeley. Some years before this period, a rupture broke out between Mr. Seward and Mr. Greeley, growing out of a complaint on the part of the latter that the former had neither appreciated nor re- warded him for his services in the <.re'at Whig cause, in which the two were co-workers. As to this quarrel between these two distinguished and estimable statesmen, the public were, in the main, reticent, but, at the convention of 1860, it was in vain that Mr. Seward's friends tried to win over the great journalist — he cast his-in- fluence in favor of Mr. Lincoln, and turned the scale. In this sketch of Mr. Greeley, it would be un- timely to state the conditions that placed Mr. Lincoln in a position so high that onby Mr. Greeley's influence was necessaiy to make him the winner over the great statesman opposed to him, and we will pass to the next point in Mr. Greeley's life. When the rebellion broke out, he first proposed to let the seceding States go in peace under a belief that they would soon be glad to come back into the Union, but he did not long hold to this theory, and advocated a vigorous prosecution of the war. Omitting a record of his acts till 1872, let us look on both sides of the question which made him accept the nomination of the Democrats to be run by them as their candidate for the Presi- dency. First, he did not accept a plank in their platform which could in any way, even by implication, compromise his life-long teachings of Whig and Republican doctrines. The whole Democratic party virtually abandoned their ground and threw themselves at his feet — he whom they had ever affected to despise. As far as the substance went, this was a sufficient vindication of Mr. Greeley's course; but, in theory, it looked otherwise to many who had been his friends. He was accused of apostacy, and made the butt of unsparing ridicule beyond the power of his hitherto philosophic mind to bear. He sank rapidly beneath his load of humiliation, and died shortly after the election a victim to despair. His funeral was one of the most impressive ever known in New York, and every tongue that, but a few days before had spoken ill of him was now softened into charity for him who had ever been the great — the honest — the fearless mouthpiece of the Republican part}'. John G. Fee was born in Bracken County, Ky., in 1816. When a young man, he was ostracized by his parents for advocating anti- slavery sentiments. He organized three anti-slavery societies in the face of fierce op- position, and, continuing his efforts in this direction, he became the victim of violent mobs in 1856 and later. He was repeatedly threatened with death if he did not leave the Slate, but still he continued his labors. Dur- ing the war, he helped to establish various col- ored schools in Kentucky. lie was one of the founders of Berea College, and is now pastor of a church at that place. 80 HISTORY OF DU PAUE COUNTY. John Brown was born in Torrington, Conn.^ May 9, 1800, of good old Puritan stock, being fifth in descent from Peter Brown, who landed in the Mayflower in 1620. As a boy, he was an industrious, muscular, hardy and a capable worker in the great hive of industry that char- acterized the age of his youth. But he never was a boy except in years, for he felt the responsibilities of manhood from a tender age. From his earliest recollections he entertained a great aversion to slavery, and, in 1854, this trait in his character began to take action as the Kansas border opened a field for it. Four of his sons had settled there, eight miles from the village of Osawatomie, near the border. Here they became an object of great aversion to the border ruffians from Missouri on their father's account as well as their own, being Free- State men, and, in obedience to their call, their father came the next year — 1855— with arms and ammunition to defend them. During the next year, he had several successful en- counters with the pro-slavery raiders who came across the line to commit depredations on the Free-State men, aud soon gained a repu- tation which made him hated and feared by his adversaries in the irregular style of warfare that was then going on in Kansas. Thirty men were now under his command at Osawat- omie, and were suddenly attacked by a force of five hundred Missourians. Their advance was so sudden that half of his men were cut off and taken ; but, with the remainder, Brown made a glorious retreat, fighting his pursuing army as he fled before them, and inflicting severe losses upon them. For this gallant action he gained the sobriquet of "Osawat- omie Brown." Six weeks later, he held command of the forces to defend Lawrence against a greatly su- perior force of the enemy ; but the latter dared not make the attack against so obstinate a leader. These exciting events only served to whet the edge of his sword for new encounters against the slave power, against which his whole life and soul and strength was pitted, and he laid his plans accordingly. He had read of insurrections among slaves, and fully believed that if a respectable nucleus of strength could be established in their midst) an army could soon be improvised from them, who would gather force, like, a whirlwind, and sweep through the South. Under this belief, so inspiring to his hungry soul, he contemplated seizing the United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, where from 100,000 to 200,000 stand of arms were usually stored. He was about a year maturing his plans, and all things being ready on his part, he, at the head of twenty-two men, seventeen of whom were white and the remainder colored, made the attack at 10 o'clock Sunday night, on the 16th of October, 1859. The three watchmen of the arsenal were taken prisoners, and the town of Harper's Ferry fell into his hands. Private houses were entered, and all arms found therein were taken. The next morning, he had sixty prisoners in his camp, many of whom were work- men in the employment of the United States. As soon as the temporary stupor caused by his audacity had passed away, the citizens of the surrounding countiy began to gather to the scene, while, unfortunately for Brown, no recruits came to his standard except six or eight slaves who had been compelled to do so. An attack was now made upon the arsenal, which was kept up till the next day at noon, with losses on both sides. Brown's forces were now all killed or mortally wounded but three, who still held the engine house to which they had taken refuge. At 7 o'clock, the door of their " last resort " was battered in, when Brown, still fighting with the courage of Charles XII at Bender, fell beneath a sabre stroke, receiving two bayonet thrusts after he was down, and the victory over this strange man was won. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 83 Now came his greatest triumph. Senator Mason, of Virginia, and Gov. Wise confronted him ; but his bearing was dignified and cheer- ful. Nor did he lose those masterly qualities of his mind, which challenged the respect of his enemies even till his death. His trial was put off till the 31st on account of his weakness from his wounds. In the defense which followed, he refused to allow his counsel to put in the plea of insanity, but he placed his defense solely on the moral points in the case, and firmly justified his course to the last. He was found guilty by the court of the several charges brought against him, and hung on the 2d of December. During the preparations, he was the calmest one of the thousands assembled to witness the last end of this hero. That he was an offender against the laws of Virginia no one can question, and his justifica- tion by the almost entire press and people of the North was one of the many proofs that the higher law is stronger than any that man can make when the public will demands its exe- cution. " John Brown's body lies moldering in the dust ; His soul is marching on !" became the song of the war, to be chanted by thousands of voices in concert, falling upon un- willing ears like the voice of a ghost, as the Northern soldiers marched through the South. He drew the first blood in the war that was hastened by his death, and only began in a small way, what was soon to be carried on un- der the forms of law on a far grander scale. His widow visited Chicago in August, 1882, and was received with public honors. Charles G. Finney was born in Litchfield, Conn., August 29, 1792— died in Oberlin, Ohio, August 16, 1875 — became President of Oberlin College in 1852, and held the position till 1866. The college over which he presided was noted for being a nursery of Abolitionists, from its first organization, under his rule. A brief sketch of Lane Seminary may be con- sidered as exemplary to show the growing anti-slavery sentiment that was destined first to split asunder churches, colleges and ulti- mately, for a time, the nation itself. It was established at Cincinnati in 1832 as a theo- logical school, when theology by many people in America recognized slavery as a patriarchal institution, justified in the Old Testament by precedent and not explicitly forbidden by the new. Dr. Lj-man Beecher was President of this institution, and Calvin E. Stone held the chair of Professor of Biblical Literature, and it was the first of its kind established in the West on a footing of the first grade. It was patronized by the best representatives of the orthodoxy of the country. But, unfortunately for Lane as for other " solid " institutions of the country, there was at that time subtly creeping into the public conscience a disintegrating " heresy,'' so called, and the very attempts that the found- ers of these various institutions made to sub- due the " heresy " (while in the germ cell) only served to cultivate it into a vigorous growth. What could these perplexed fathers do in this dilemma? If they gave full freedom to the young mind to discuss anti-slavery sentiments, the sturdy old leaders both in church and in State would be obliged to come in collision with the interests of their Southern associates, whose tenacity as advocates for slavery forbids its merits to be questioned under penalty of the severance of all ties of friendship and alliance. Hence, free discussion must be forbidden, in order to retain the good will and patronage of southern co-workers in religion as well as poli- tics. Pending this dilemma, in Lane Seminary many of its earnest students became thoroughly convinced of the impolicy and wickedness of slavery through the teachings of Garrison, as well as by the discussions in their own lyceum on the subject, and formed themselves into an anti-slavery society. When the preamble and 84 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. resolutions of this society were read to their President, the venerable father acknowledged the truth and force of them, but averred that it was untimely to agitate the subject, and in- sisted that they should desist from so doing. This requisition the zealous students refused to comply with, but published their sentiments to the world through the press. The matter now became serious. Many papers took sides one way or the other, and the students unex- pectedly became famous. They were extolled as heroes b} T the Abolitionists, and branded as fools, and threatened with mob violence by the Kentucky slaveholders and their Cincinnati friends. The Trustees of Lane Seminary be- held the opening of this issue with consterna- tion. Lane Seminary was a " hot-bed of aboli- tionism." went forth the cry. Summary meas- ures must be taken to arrest this impression so fatal to the success of this institution. Ac- cordingly, new rules were made ; the students must not make public addresses against slavery ; must disband their anti-slavery society, and the executive committee were empowered to dis- charge any student from the institution with- out notice or trial. Tyranny over minds could go no further. All but the victims of this gag law were satisfied, and in their transcient hour of triumph the authors of it thought they had settled the whole matter. It is justice to the memory of Asa Mahan, one of the Trustees, to state that he protested against these despotic rules, but he was powerless to prevail against them. He then informed the students of the substance of these laws, and heartily s3 - mpa- thized with them in opposition to them. The first step taken by the Trustees under the new regulations was to make an order to dismiss Theodore D. Weld and W. T. Allan from the institution, whereupon H. B. Stan- ton, then a student of Lane, and since Secre- tary of War, called the attention of the students to the situation, saying, " The question now is, can we, under the new laws, remain in the in- stitution ? Let all who answer in the negative rise to their feet." Three-fourths of the stu- dents promptly rose and bade good-by to Lane, leaving her with a mill-stone around her neck that soon sunk her to rise no more, and her fate became that of all parties, politicians and institutions that only know enough to step in other people's tracks and follow them to de- struction, because the} - happen to be big ones. And here it may be meet to say that repub- lican institutions, to be consistent with their principles, should accept no political rule or dogma or faith, except on its positive merits, regardless of what interested parties may say or pretend to. As long as they do this, and dispense even-handed justice to every interest and every individual, so long will sucli a gov- ernment stand, if it is to the end of time, and it is not too much to add that no government, of whatsoever form, ever went into decadence that had not by its contempt for the rights of its own subjects, deserved first their apathy and lastly their antagonism. Rufus Lumry was of French Huguenot an- cestry. He was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., at the close of the last century. He united with the Methodists, and became a minister among them at his maturity. In 1835, he took radi- cal anti-slavery grounds at Princeton, 111., for which he was arraigned before the conference and required to desist. This his conscience forbade, and he severed his connection with the church and joined the Wesleyans. Subse- quently he was condemned to suffer death on board a steamboat, for preaching abolition sentiments, and given half an hour for prep- aration. He was calmer than his accusers, for he told them he was ready, but would not re- lent, while they reconsidered and did not kill him. He was a co-worker with Owen Lovejoy, Z. Eastman, I. Codding and others, and with them was kicked, buffeted and despised by the populace. The year 1862 found him in Colo- rado, pursuing his work of reform, where he HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 65 was accidentally drowned in crossing a mount- ain torrent. H. H. Himnan was born in Connecticut in 1822, graduated at Willoughbj Medical Col- lege in 1846; came to Illinois in 1849, was or- dained to the ministry and went as a mission- ary to Africa in 1860. In 1866, he returned and labored as a home missionary in Wiscon- sin till 1873, and the next year came to Wheat- on, 111. His first vote for President was for Birney in 1S44. He always took radical ground on the slavery question, advocating its universal and unconditional abolition by the Government. He helped organize the first Republican party, and start their first paper in Livingston County. He always assisted fugi- tive slaves to get their liberty, and did not con- sider himself a violator of law by so doing, as he looked upon all laws to enslave them as void. He believes in Divine Law as the true basis of civil law — in the prohibition of the liquor traffic — the suppression of secret societies, and the substitution of international arbitration for war. Mr. Hinman's home is in Wheaton, 111. J. C. Webster. The pastorates of ministers in " ye olden time," were longer than the}' are now. Rev. Josiah Webster presided over his flock at Hampton, N. H.. about thirty years, and during this term of ministerial service, his son, Jesse C. Webster, was born. It was in January, 1810. From him he inherited his Congregationalism, and his love for the ministerial calling. Even in that day, slavery was abhorred by benevolent men, and young Jesse also inherited this sen- timent from his father, who, with prophetic vis- ion, said that slavery was destined to be " blot- ted out in blood. " Mr. Webster graduated at the theological institution at Audover in 1832. About this time, a member of the British Parliament came to the place to lecture, named George Thomp- son. To the conservative element, he was a fire-brand, but many conscientious young men did not view him in that light, and Mr. Web- ster was one of these. He identified himself with the agitators, and was reproved by the professors of Andover for it, and even rebuked for walking arm in arm with Rev. A. A. Phelps because he was a coworker with Thompson. Mr. Webster left the seminary with its parting blessing, cum grano, and soon after delivered an abolition lecture, getting pay for the same in eggs, unsavory as they were, hurled at his head. He next became pastor of a Congrega- tional Church at Hopkinton, Mass., and during his long term there, advocated the cause of the slave and became President of the American Church Anti-Slavery Society, the object of which was the exclusion of pro-slavery senti- ments from the church. From that day to the present, he has been true to the cause, and like other Abolitionists has become noted for what was once considered a weakness, and he has recently been honored with the title of D. D. His home is Wheaton, 111. James B. Walker is one of the well-preserved specimens of the pioneer preacher, editor and Abolitionist, so few of whom are now among us to take us back to early da3 - s when men had not sought out so many inventions to subordi- nate true merit to the control of pretentious purposes. He was born in Philadelphia in July, 1805, but b} 7 the death of his father, which took place before his birth, his mother was thrown into the generous household of her parents, who lived twenty miles from Fort Pitt (now Pitts- burgh), and here young James' first resolutions fastened upon his childish mind to live, and grow from the log cabin in which he dwelt to the varied positions which he has honored in his long and eventful life He began his career clad in garments spun. woven, cut and made by his mother, on the frontier with the first rudiments of science dis- tilled into his mind in a log schoolhouse by a pedagogue with a rod in one hand and a spell- ing-book in the other, and when the former was once used on him, Mr. Walker still remembers 86 HISTORY OF DD PAGE COUNTY. the rueful looks and illy- concealed indications of sympathy which little Sarah Trovillo mani- fested on the occasion, which a thousand- fold atoned for the disgrace of the whipping which only hurt for a few minutes, while Sarah's inno- cent regrets often call back the flowers of spring to blossom again in midwinter. Having graduated at this school, young James was set to work in a nail factory in Pittsburgh, where he passed the red-hot iron rods from the furnace to the workmen. While thus employed, a benevolent gentlemen, visiting the shop, saw something in him that attracted his attention, and gave him a silver half-dollar. It made him feel richer than he has ever felt since. During these tender 3 T ears, Mr. Walker says he felt afraid to pass the house of a certain blacksmith in the night because he was an infi- del. Having remained at work in the nail factory till the din of hammers there impaired his hearing for a time, he was mercifully taken from the place and set to work as a store boy at Hookstown. near the borders of Virginia. It was a rough place, and was universally known by the epithet of " The Devil's Half Acre." Mr. Walker speaks of the disgusting scenes of drunkenness and fighting that he saw during his two years' residence at the place, sometimes disfiguring and crippling those en- gaged in them for life. The next change in the life of young Walker was to apprentice him to Messrs. Eichbaum & Johnston, who published the Pittsburgh Gazette — the first newspaper published West of the Alleghany Mountains. It was edited by Morgan Neville. This occupation opened up a new field for the genius of the young lad, whose talents had hitherto been wasted on pursuits for which he was neither mentally nor physic- ally fitted. Here he remained five years, in which time he learned the printer's trade, and received the religious teachings of the Scotch Secession Church, of which his mother, whose home was now at Pittsburgh, was a member. Mr. Walker speaks of early Methodism, as it was then, as follows : " The men wore a coat of the Quaker form, and the women all wore the Quaker, or Methodist bonnet. To be a Methodist in those days, was to come out from the world in a sense not understood at the present time. When a young woman was converted, all orna- ments were laid aside." While at work on the Gazette, Mr. Walker says he sent a contribution to the Evening Post, of Philadelphia, which was rejected, but he reserved the same for publication in a paper of his own, which acquisition — long ago a reality — seemed even then a distant possibility in his ambitious imagination. Mr. Walker's next change was to go to New York City. He made the journey on foot — 300 miles in ten days, carrying his pack swung from a staff across his shoulder. From thence he went to Philadelphia, and, like Benjamin Franklin a century before him. followed type-setting. After remaining here awhile, he again returned to New York, and obtained employment for a short season, in the capacity of clerk for the celebrated M. M. Noah, who had established the first daily paper ever issued in New York. Its first name was Noah's Arh, which was subsequently changed to the Courier and Enquirer. His term of service, however, soon ceased with Mr. Noah, as he sold out his paper and became Judge of the Court of Sessions. On parting with young Walker, he gave him a letter recommending him to Mr. Booth, a celebrated star actor. His son, in 1865, was the murderer of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Booth treated the young appli- cant with deserved attention, but informed him that there were so many applicants from young- men wishing to try their fortunes on the stage, that he could not give him any encourage- ment. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 87 Mr. Walker's means uow became exhausted, and he sold a cloak to get money to pay a washing bill. He crossed the ferry to Hobo- ken, and started into the country on foot, not knowing whither he was going. He was soon overtaken by a farmer, who gave him an invi- tation to ride. In conversation with him, he learned that a schoolmaster was wanted in his district. He obtained the situation, and with it relief. Mr. Walker, having finished his en- gagement, subsequently returned to the West and bought a half-interest in the Western Courier, a paper published in the Western Reserve, Ohio. Soon after this, he made the acquaintance of John Brown, Theodore Weld and other early Abolitionists, and espoused the cause in which these men were engaged, in which cause he was the victim of a determined mob at Hud- son, Ohio, while he was a student at the West, em Reserve College at the place, which was shortly after his connection with the Western Courier. He had been invited to give an anti- slavery lecture at the Congregational Church. It was known beforehand that violence would be resorted to to prevent it, and the preacher, either through fear or from other motives, did not attend. He might have been like the hunter who saw an animal in the woods that, in the bushes, looked some like a calf and some like a deer, and prudentially fired at it with such an aim as to miss it if a calf and hit it if a deer. In like manner, man}' preachers took safe ground in the pioneer days of aboli- tionism. But, whatever were the motives of the minister in question, his wife nailed her colors to the masthead and boldly took her seat in the church. Young Walker ''laid on " heavy and unsparing. The mob outside hurled stones, battered the doors, broke in all the windows, and, not content with this, threw fire through the apertures. By this time the audi- ence had all fled, but Mr. Walker and the hero- ine wife of the minister were the last to leave the building. He was not molested on his retreat — perhaps her presence saved him. After graduating at this college, he was employed as editor of the Ohio Observer, at Cleveland. Subsequently, Mr. Walker removed to Cincinnati, where he established a religious paper, The Watchman, under the patronage of the Synods of Ohio, Cincinnati and Indiana. Dr. Stowe, Jonathan Blanchard and J. Benton engaged to obtain 1,600 subscribers for his paper. Dr. Beecher and Dr. Stowe were then professors in Lane Seminary at Cincinnati which was thoroughly pro-slavery, and ulti- mately went down under the teachings of abo- litionism. Meantime, Mr. Walker did not tone down his editorials as to the subject of slavery in the columns of the Watchman, though he was requested to do so by some of its time- serving supporters. While engaged in these editorial duties, he wrote and published his book, " Plan of Sal- vation." It has been translated into six lan- guages, and is a text book in the Theological institutions of Europe and America. This was the crowning work of his life, but since that time he has been pastor of a church in Mansfield and Sandusky, Ohio, and latterly Professor of Mental Science at Wheaton Col- lege, his present home, where he is now enjoy- ing a green old age, beloved by all, but most by those who know him best. He has no chil- dren, but has adopted, raised and educated thirteen, and fitted them for responsible posi- tions in life. Washington and Adams belonged to the old Federal party. Jefferson, though in har- mony with them as to the fundamental prin- ciples of Government, yet through his excessive zeal for the broadest forms of liberty, laid a deep foundation for a departure from the old Fed- eral conservative policj\ He was radical, san- guine, and his mind was read}' to indorse the verdict of popular convictions, even though sometimes perhaps hasty and ill digested. It w HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. was due to his diplomacy and his public policy combined, that the declaration of the war of 1812 was made against England, which declar- ation was in violation of the sentiment of New England, as history abundant!} 7 proves. He had been Minister to Prance during the tran- sient glories of the Republic, which succeeded her revolution of 1798, and his s3 - mpathies be- ing entirely with her he never lost an occasion to give England a thrust in the conflict that followed between her and France, and our declaration of war against England helped France, besides settling old scores on our own account. The war won nothing in theory, but more than any one could have hoped for in practical results and military glory. Jackson's victory at New Orleans, though achieved after peace had been signed, placed him at the head of the accumulating force that was gathering strength in opposition to the old Federal policy of Wash- ington, and when these two forms were arrayed against each other with John Quincy Adams, the standard-bearer for the time-honored policy of his father, and Gen. Jackson the exponent of the Jeffersonian policy, the latter won the day. Jackson became President, and the beloved champion of popular rights par excellence. Under him the Democratic party became strong and invincible, till an issue came up bound to crush all partisan organizations. Meantime the Western States were rapidly being settled, and were destined to become the base of oper- ations, from which the champions of each side of the final issue between slavery and anti- slavery should inaugurate their polic}', and put their respective machinery in motion. The Whig party, whose success had been but transient, was going to seed. It had in its ranks too many Abolitionists to live permanently, besides its banking policy had been disastrous to the country. But a new party rose into prominence out of the teachings of the men whose brief biographies have just been given, and in the State of Illinois this policy gained its first substantial success politically, and set in motion a train of events as to State policy, that soon found its way into the national policy. The circumstances are these : Soon after the murder of Lovejoy at Alton, a meeting was called at Chicago, not as a direct abolition meeting, but to characterize the ac- tion of the mob that killed him as a blow aimed against the constitutional right of the freedom of the press. Rev. F. Bascom (now living at Downer's Grove), the late Dr. C. V. Dyer, Philo Carpen- ter and Calvin DeWolf (now living at Chicago) were the leading spirits of this meeting. A watch was kept outside, lest a mob might assail them during their deliberations, but no one molested them. This was the first meeting ever held in Chi- cago that called in question the right of any- body to oppose slavery agitation by any means, fair or foul. As has already been recorded in the biog- raphy of Benjamin Lundy, he came to Illinois after the death of Lovejoy, and established a paper in defense of constitutional rights. After his (Lundy's) death in 1839, his paper was continued by Hooper Warren and Z. Eastman, the latter now a resident of May- wood, Cook Co., 111. In 1840, an Anti-slavery Presidential ticket was formed in Illinois, in Fulton County, with James Birney as standard-bearer. Here was the beginning ; but more practical results, through Illinois men, followed in due course. Warren and Eastman's paper was continued at La Salle, on the same press that the old vet- eran Lundy had consecrated to the cause, till 1842, when Rev. F. Bascom invited Mr. East- man to come to Chicago, Dr. Dyer being the bearer of the invitation. It was accepted, and Mr. Eastman transferred his type and presses thither the same year (1842). and continued the paper under the name of the Western Citizen. /&^y—y^y HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 89 On declaring its policy, the Citizen said : " We see no reason why our Government should be overturned, our Constitution trampled under foot or the Union dissolved, or why the church organizations should be destroyed. We wish it understood that our course is re- formatory, and not destructive." Icabod Codding soon became associated with Mr. Eastman, and took the field as lecturer. Chief Justice Chase said he was the most elo- quent orator he ever heard. The widow of Mr. Codding is still living at Lockport, 111. A convention was soon held in Chicago, at Chapman's Hall, on the southwest corner of La Salle and Randolph Streets, at which the new party sat in council, recognizing not only the usual methods of propagating their senti- ments, but recognizing the Underground Rail- road as a means worthy to be used. From this time henceforward, the Liberty party always put candidates in the field for State elections and for Congress as fast as the principles of the part}- gained a foothold in Congressional districts. The Wilmot Proviso, the Nebraska Bill, Squatter Sovereignty, Fugitive Slave Laws, Re- peal of the Missouri Compromise, John Brown's Raid, and the Dred Scot Decision followed in their immutable train and augmented agitation till two great Illinois champions were brought into the arena destined, the one to rend asun- der the Democratic party, and the other to be the representative of the new party that was to rise into being amidst the din and strife and contending emotions that racked the brains of politicians opposed to moral sentiment. While numerical force was centering into the hands of the Liberty party during these years, the old Whig party still kept up its organiza- tion. Hon. E. B. Washburn was one of their number, and owed his first election to Con- gress to votes from the Liberty party, who joined with the Whigs, and astonished the stronghold of Democracy by electing him. This signal defeat for the Democrats never was recovered from ; Mr. Washburn's heavy blows fell with great force upon the party to which he was opposed, and will descend into history as a monument to perpetuate the memory of Illinois as the vanguard in the new order of things about to take place. The Liberty party by this time held the situation in their own hands. Not that they outnumbered the Demo- crats, but because they held the balance of power. The Whigs could do nothing without them, and spread their sails to their breezes. They were potent in the Legislature, for these, too, they held the balance of power, and from this time onward they continued to circumvent their opponents till strong enough to take the field alone in their own name and with their own strength. Mr. Douglas' term in the South being about to expire, a new election was nec- essary in 1858. His joint debate with Mr. Lincoln at that time is still fresh in the minds of Illinois citizens. Mr. Douglas was elected by a majority of eight votes in the House of Representatives, which decided the election by their vote, but Mr. Lincoln had a majority of 4,000 popular votes in the State, and won the laurels during this debate that made him can- didate for the Presidency in 1860. An anecdote is told of Mr. Lincoln concern- ing his supposed temerity in running against Mr. Douglas for the Senate, as follows : An inquirer says to him : " You don't expect to beat Douglas, do you ?" To which Mr. Lincoln responded that it was with him as it was with the boys who made an attack on a hornets' nest. " What do you expect to do, boys ?" You don't expect to take that hornets' nest, do you ?" " We don't know that we shall exactly take it," replied the boys, " but we shall be- devil the nest." So said Mr. Lincoln, "If we don't capture Douglas, we shall bedevil his nest." Mr. Douglas' magnanimity to Mr. Lincoln after his election to the Presidency is well 90 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. known. He, too, was an Illinois man. He was the instrument by which the partisan ties that originally bound the party to a wrong princi- ple were rent asunder, when he became the candidate of its Northern wing for President at the same time that Lincoln was candidate for the Liberty party in 1860. Every soldier who went from Illinois to fight against the rebellion may well feel pride in the part their State took in it, not only in being the first State to define the new policy of the Government, but in furnishing the great states- man to direct the arm of the nation when raised in defense of those rights which are essential to the grandeur of a State, and especially to Illinois, whose central position binds its inter- ests alike to every part of the countiy. The record of Du Page County soldiers in the con- flict that decided the question that Illinois statesmen had been the first to give form and system to, is a noble one. And, though the count}* is small, her soldiers took part in the most decisive campaigns and battles of the war, and those who have re- turned and are now living, are among our most highly-esteemed fellow-citizens — efficient in the arts of peace as they were formidable on the field of battle. The same may be said, as a rule, of all the soldiers who went from the North, and it may also be said that this fair fame is all the more to be prized, because so manj- share it : but let it not be forgotten that the Liberty' party of Illinois inserted the first wedge of disintegra- tion into the slavery plank of the Democratic party. This plank was a fungus growth on the trunk of their tree. Jefferson, from whom they claim origin, planted no such seed in its virgin soil, but it grew there as cancers sometimes grow in stalwart frames. The surgeon's knife has removed it. All this is simple history, and not partisan pleading in any sense. Both the officers and men composing the Union amy, were made up from each political party, and partisan issues were lost sight of in the transcendent crisis thrust upon the country by the hostile shots fired at the American flag that waved over Port Sumter, near the spot where Fort Moultrie had repulsed the British in 1776. CHAPTER VI. RECORD OF DU PAGE COUNl'Y IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. IN the war with Mexico, in 1846-47, the quota of Illinois was six regiments, which were the first ever raised in this State for regular service in the United States. Thirty- four years had passed since that time, and though the art of war had gone into disuse, when Abraham Lincoln made a call, April 16, 1861, for 75,000 troops to serve three months, ten regiments from Illinois responded, though their quota was but six. The number- ing began where regiments for the Mexican service left off, consequently the number of the first regiment raised for service in the war of the rebellion was numbered seven. SEVENTH REGIMENT. The Seventh Regiment of Illinois Infantry was among President Lincoln's first call for three months' men. It was first organized April 25, 1861. Twenty-four men from Du Page County enrolled themselves in it as pio- neers in a new branch of industry in which they mostly if not all as yet were untaught. That they soon (like others who followed) became HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 91 efficient, the result proved. After the term for which this regiment had enlisted had expired, many of the men re-enlisted, and the regiment re-organized as veterans for three years' service at Camp Yates, Springfield, July 25, 1861. Its first destination was Ironton, where it was placed under the command of Gen. Prentiss. Cape Girardeau was the next point reached, and Fort Holt, Ky., its next. On the 3d of February, it reached Fort Henry, from which place it started on the 12th for Fort Donelson, to take part in the siege of that post, then in the hands of the rebels, and here it was engaged in the last charge made against the enemy's works. After the capture of this fort, it was dispatched to the Tennessee River, and, the following April, took part in the battle of Shiloh, and subsequently in the battle of Corinth, which took place October 3, 4, during both of which days the Seventh was much of the time under fire. From the 18th of December, to the following year, 1863, in May, it was mounted and engaged in raiding and skirmishing. On the 22d of December, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. On the 11th of January, 1864, it was furloughed for thirty days to rest from its hitherto unceasing toils, at the expiration of which term it was sent to Pulaski, where, being again mounted, it went into scouting service in Northern Alabama. On the 5th of October, 1864, it was in the sanguinary battle of Altoona Pass, where it lost 143 men. On the 9th of November, it joined Sherman's army in its march to the sea, after the successful accomplishment of which exploit the Seventh, together with its other companions in arms, marched in review before President Lincoln in Washington, who there beheld the men whose hardihood had won the cause for which such sacrifices had been made. From there the Seventh proceeded to Louis- ville, where it was mustered out July 9, 1865. Following are the names of the men in this regiment : COMPANY A. Bates, Allen, Wayne, enlisted and mustered in July 25, 1861; killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862. The following were three months' men from Du Page County, enlisted April 22 and mus- tered in the 25th, 1861 : Boutwell, C. M.; Goodwin, J., Musician; Ham- mond, S. F.; Oyer, Joseph; Smith, A. R. ; Thomp- son, T. J. ; Wilson, O. R. Three years' service : Trick, Richard A., Wayne. company c. Bader, Emil, Naperville. Battles, Edwin D., Turner Junction. Erhardt, John, Naperville, re-enlisted as veteran; promoted Corporal. Gilhower, John, Naperville. Givler, David B., Naperville, Musician; re-enlisted as veteran. Hamilton, Jesse, Naperville; re-enlisted as veteran. Lamb, Lyman, York, discharged May 6, 1862. Mitchell, Robert, Warrenville; re-enlisted as vet- eran. Waddlehoffer, Charles, Naperville ; re-enlisted as veteran. Stafflinger, John, Naperville. Ward, Stephen D., Warrenville, killed at Rome; Ga., August 21, 1864. (All the above were enlisted July 18, and mustered in the 25th, 1861.) Ward, Charles, Warrenville, enlisted September 27, 1861; discharged May 19, 1862. Fisher, William, Naperville, enlisted and mustered in December 23, 1863. Hubreht, John B., Naperville, enlisted and mustered in December 23, 1863; promoted Corporal; killed at Altoona, Ga., October 5, 1864. Vorhes, William W., Warrenville, enlisted and mustered in December 22, 1863; promoted Ser- geant. TENTH REGIMENT. The Tenth Regiment of Illinois Infantry was mustered into service at Cairo April 29, 1861. It had but one volunteer from Du Page County: COMPANY C Goodell, Charles, York, enlisted and mustered in August 31, 1864. 92 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. TWELFTH REGIMENT. The Twelfth Kegiment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Cairo, and mustered in Au- gust 1, 1861. It had two volunteers from Du Page Count}' : COMPANY I. Bolin, Dennis. Winfield. enlisted and mustered in October 25, 1864. Hannesey, James, Wayne, enlisted and mustered in October 25, 1864. THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. The Thirteenth Regiment of Illinois Infantry. Company K, of this regiment was from Du Page County. It was organized at Dixon May 9, 1861, and mustered into service on the 24th. It was first ordered to Caseyville, 111., thence to Rolla, Mo., and the succeeding October (the 25th) was ordered forward to join Fremont's army at Springfield. Gen. Fremont being now removed, the plan of the campaign was changed, and the Thir- teenth was ordered back to Rolla, where it re- mained till December 12. From there it was ordered to Salem to guard against guerrillas for two weeks, after which it returned to Rolla, where it remained till March 6, 1862, when it was sent to join the army of Gen. Curtis, against whose army Price's rebels were making demon- strations. The junction was made with Gen. Curtis on the 18th of March, and on the 8th of April the army started for Helena, Ark. The march was one unremitting struggle through mud and water, and it was not till the last of July that their destination was reached. Here the regiment was attached to Gen. Steel's division of Sherman's army, then about to move against Vicksburg. the key to the Lower Mississippi, and as such a strategic point of im- portance second to no other in the Confederacy. On the 22d of December, 1862, an immense fleet of transports hung along the banks of the river, where the Thirteenth had enjoyed a brief respite from the toils of marching. Into these the men were closely packed and turned down the turbid waters of this stream till the mouth of the Yazoo was reached. Here under a con- voy of gunboats the}' steamed up this tribu- tary to make an attack on Vicksburg from the east. On the morning of the 27th. the line of battle was formed, the Thirteenth occupying the left wing of the army in Gen. Steel's division. The first day was occupied in making ap- proaches to the formidable works of the enemy, and nothing more was done than to drive in their pickets. The next morning opened with a skirmish, but in the afternoon the Thirteenth and Sixteenth, led b}- Gen. Wyman, silenced some of the batteries of the enemy, while doing which Gen. Wyman fell mortally wounded, but he still encouraged his men. All this was but an insignificant skirmish compared to the work to be accomplished before the stars and stripes could shadow the defiant town in the closer ap- proaches, to which death lurked in ominous silence. On the 29th, the desperate charge was made. 'Twas upon the earthworks along the banks of Chickasaw Bayou. These were to be taken by storm, and before they could be reached, an open space must be traversed under fire from a sheltered foe from two directions. Into this terrible arena the Thirteenth led the way across two lines of rifle-pits, which they captured. This brought them within thirty rods of the frowning battlements yet to be taken. One hundred and seventy-seven of their men had fallen. To advance was death. The day was lost, and they retired in good order. The enemy were wild with delight, but the end was not yet. At Arkansas Post was a large depot of stores, and 5,000 rebel troops to guard them. Gen. McClernand was sent to take the place, and Gen. Steel's division, among whom was the Thirteenth, were a part of his forces. The at- tack was suddenly made, and a day's fighting was rewarded with the capture of the place, in- cluding 5,000 prisoners. This irreparable loss to the enemy was soon succeeded bj' another HISTORY OF OCT PAGE COUNTY. 93 severe one at Greenville, Miss., in which the Thirteenth had a hand, after which it shared th<' triumph of the capture of Jackson, the capi- tal of the State of Mississippi, from whence it was ordered again to Vicksburg. and there manned the trenches which environed the place amidst a tempest of shot till it finally surren- dered. July 13, 1863 — a monument of tena- cious hardihood in triumph over audacious courage almost unparalleled in the records of modern warfare. Chattanooga was the next principal scene of battle for the Thirteenth. It guarded the bag- gage train of the army to this place ; was fore- most in the capture of Tuscumbia, and lent a hand in taking Lookout Mountain, which mir- acculous achievement was soon followed by the victory of Mission Ridge, where the Thirteenth captured more prisoners of the Eighteenth Ala- bama than their own force numbered. The enemy now were in full retreat, and the Thir- teenth foremost in pursuit of them, but at Ring- gold Gap they made a stand, and, owing to the natural strength of their position, held out- forces at bay. In the first charge that followed, many were killed, among whom was Capt. Wal- ter Rlanchard, of Downer's Grove. But a desperate encounter was 3-et in store for this regiment. At Madison Station, Ala., where it was posted, after being reduced by the casualties of war to 350 men fit for duty, it was surrounded by more than one thousand of the enercry's cavalry, with three pieces of artillery. After two hours' fighting, it made good its retreat, but left behind sixty-six men as prisoners. The enemy's loss was sixty killed and wounded. In the summer of 1864, the regiment returned to their homes to rest, but soon re-enlisted in the Fifty-sixth. The entire loss during the war. from all causes, was 565 men. company n. Babcock. Frederick W.. Naperville, enlisted and mustered in August 24. 1864. Thatcher, Nelson L., enlisted and mustered in May 24, 1861; mustered out June 18, 1864. COMPANY K. Captains. — Blanchard, Walter, Downer's Grove, date of rank May 24, 1861, died December 4, 1863. from wounds received at Ringgold Gap; Cole, Jor- dan J., Downer's Grove, date of rank December 4, 1863, promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant. Term expired June 18, 1864. First Lieutenants.— Bsd\ey, Eli, Naperville, date of rank, December 29, 1862, promoted from Ser- geant to Second Lieutenant. Term expired June 18, 1864; Hobson, Meritt 8., Naperville, resigned January 22, 1862. Second Lieutenant. — Naper, George A., Naper- ville, date of rank January 22, 1862, promoted from Sergeant. Killed at Vicksburg December 29, 1862. Sergeants. — Page, Edmund E. Lisle, enlisted June 25, mustered out June 18, 1864, as First Sergeant; Ketcham, Hiram, Winfleld, enlisted June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, wounded; Gladding, John G., Winfield. enlisted June 25, 1861, discharged December 25, 1862; disability. Corporals. — Pollard, Reuben B., Downer's Grove, enlisted June 25, 1861, discharged March 25, 1863; Blanchard, Franklin, Downer's Grove, enlisted June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Sergeant; Farrar, Eugene W.,Downer'sGrove, enlisted June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Sergeant; Riley, Patrick, Downer's Grove, enlisted June 25, 1861, Col- or Sergeant, killed at Ringgold November 27. 1863; Kenyon, Israel, Naperville, enlisted June 25, 1861, dis- charged February 20, 1862, disability; Hyde, Charles W., Naperville. enlisted June 25, 1861, died June 15, 1863, wounds; Ball, Lewis C, Naperville, enlisted June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864. Musicians. — Perry, Merritt, Downer's Grove, en- listed June 25, 1861, transferred to non-commis- sioned staff September 10, 1861, as Principal Musi- cian; Sucher, James W., Downer's Grove, enlisted June 25, 1861, mustered June 18, 1864; Kenyon, John M., York, enlisted June 25, 1861, transferred to non-commissioned staff November 20, 1863, as Principal Musician. Privates. — Beckman, Charles, Naperville, June 25, 1861, discharged March 10, 1864, lost right arm; Bader, Adolph. Naperville, June 25, 1861, prisoner of war, mustered out June 18, 1865; Bolles, Charles E., Turner Junction, enlisted and mustered in March 8, 1862. discharged February 10, 1863, for wounds; Beesing, Lewis, Naperville, June 25, 1861. died August 4, 1863; Ballou, Daniel W., Naperville, June 94 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 25, 1861, trans, to Tenth Missouri Cavalry, promoted Second Lieutenant; Blanchard, William, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, discharged April 18, 1862, dis- ability; Boettger, Charles, Du Page Count}-, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Beuck, Fritz, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Balliman, William, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Baugertz, Lor- entz, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, discharged July 25, 1862, disability; Bolles, Essec, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Corporal; Carpenter, Charles, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Daniels, John, Naperville, June 25, 1861, trans, to Tenth Missouri Cavalry, October 1, 1861; Deuel, Charles B., York, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Dirr, Adam L., Naperville, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Doerr, Phillip, Naperville, June 25, 1861, trans, to Tenth Missouri Cavalry, October 1, 1861; Fowler, Oliver S., York, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Corporal; Farrell, James, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, trans, to Company I, Fifty-sixth Illinois, prisoner of war; Ferris, Charles EL, Lisle, June 25, 1861, died November 26, 1861 ; Greggs, Joseph, Du Page County, June 25, 1801, discharged September 18, 1863, disability; Griffith, Charles, Warrenville, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Gokey, Lewis, Warrenville, June 25, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, trans, to Company I, Fifty-sixth Illinois; Howard, Abraham C, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, trans, to Invalid Corps September 1, 1863; Hart, Matthias, Naper- ville, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864, as Corporal; Holley, James L., Du Page County, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Hunt. Henry, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, discharged Febru- ary 20, 1862, disability; Howland, Charles E., Lisle, June 25, 1861, died October 25, 1861; Hintz, Mi- chael, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, discharged March 30, 1863. lost his arm; Hartigan, Patrick. Du Page County, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Harris, Charles, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, prisoner of war; Henrick, Christian, Brush Hill, enlisted and mustered in June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Johnson, William. Du Page County, June 25, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; Kuchel, Mathias, Lisle, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Kreitzer, Ferdinand, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, discharged October 1, 186', disability; Kniffin, Daniel Lisle, June 25, 1861, transferred to Invalid Corps; Kenyon, William J., Naperville, June 25, 1861, died April 20, 1863; Miller, John F., Na- perville, June 25, 1861, prisoner of war, mustered out June 7, 1865; Neas, Baptiste, Naperville, June 25, 1861, killed at Chickasaw Bayou December 29, 1862; Naper, JohnN., June 25, 1861, discharged Jan- uary 1, 1864, disability; Neaderhauser, Daniel, Na- perville, June 24, 1861, died October 27, 1861; Potter, William, Naperville, June 25, 1861, trans, to Inva- lid Corps September 21, 1863; Potter, Robert K., Naperville, June 25, 1861, discharged May 26, 1863, disability; Rose, William E., Naperville, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Smith, Joseph, Lisle, enlisted and mustered in June 25, 1861, mus- tered out June 18, 1864; Snyder, Reuben, Naper- ville, June 25, 1861, died December 21, 1863, wounds; Sucher, Jacob, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, mus- tered out June 18, 1864; Shuester, William, Lisle, June 25, 1861, prisoner of war; Standage, Henry, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, reported dead; Turner, George, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, mustered June 18, 1864; Townsend, Lysander, York, June 25, 1861, discharged December 10, 1863, disa- bility; Tuttle, Charles, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, died December 26, 1861; Toitlet, John, Dow- ner's Grove, June 25, 1861, prisoner of war; Wilflin, Christian, Du Page County, June 25, 1861, re-en- listed as veteran January 1, 1864, prisoner of war; Walters, Christian, Downer's Grove, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864; Woods, Hollis, Win- field, June 25, 1861, died January 29, 1863, wounds; Webster, Charles, Lisle, June 25, 1861, mustered out June 18, 1864. Recruits— Griffith, Samuel, Warrenville, Sep- tember 10 1861, discharged February 7, 1863, disa- bility; Hubbard John B., Naperville, September 10, 1861, trans, to Invalid Corps; Hall, Henry K., Na- perville, September 10, 1861, discharged November 15, 1862, disability; Ketcham, Abraham, Winfield, October 1, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Prandleburg, Joseph, Du Page County, July 8, 1861, trans, to Company I, Fifty-sixth Illinois; Remmel, Matthias, Naperville, September 10, 1861, discharged May 26, 1863, wounded in head; Roush, Jeremiah, Naper- ville, September 10, 1861, discharged August 11, 1863, disability; Rose, William, October 1, 1862, dis- charged April 18, 1863, disability; Starnhagen, John, Du Page County, enlisted and mustered in July 21, 1861, died May 24, 1862; Stevens, De Witt, Naper- ville, July 7, 1861, killed at Chickasaw Bayou, De- cember 29, 1862; Stark, Henry, Du Page County, enlisted and mustered in July 15, 1861, re-enlisted as HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 95 veteran; Tennant, Joseph, Naperville, September 10. 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Tilden, Charles, Naperville, March 24, 1862, trans, to Company I, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry; Wescott, Theophilus, Warrenville, September 10, 1861, discharged October 1, 1861, disability. FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. Fifteenth Rsgirnent of Illinois Infantry was organized at Freeport, 111., and mustered into service May 24, 1861, being the first in the State for the three years' service ; had four men from Du Page County. It was mustered out September 1, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. company c. Truman, Ira, Milton, enlisted and mustered in May 34, 1861; mustered out May 25, 1864. Truman. Austin B., Milton, enlisted and mustered in May 24, 1861; mustered out May 25, 1864. COMPANY E. Blaisdell, William E., Wayne, enlisted and mustered in May 24, 1861; discharged January 22, 1863. Watson, Edward, Wayne, enlisted and mustered in May 24, 1861; killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862. NINETEENTH REGIMENT. The Nineteenth Regiment of Illinois Infan- try in its formation dates from the opening of the war. Three companies of it, without wait- ing till men could be raised, were hurriedly sent to Cairo April 14, 1861, under Gen. Swift, to guard the place from a threatening attack. The regiment was completely organized and mustered into service at Chicago June 17, 1861, and mustered out at the expiration of its term of service July 9, 1864. It had one man in it from Du Page County. company c. Miles, Martin. Wheaton, who remained in the serv- ice during its term. TWENTIETH REGIMENT. The Twentieth Regiment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Joliet May 14, and mustered in June 13, 1861. It took part in the siege of Fort Donelson February, 1862, and in the bat- tle of Shiloh the following April. It also was in many other engagements during the term of its service, till it was mustered out at Louis- ville, Ky., July 16, 1865, and arrived at Chi- cago the 19th for discharge. It had five men from Du Page County. COMPANY A. Scott, Silas C, First Sergeant, enlisted and mus- tered in October 10, 1864. Ewiug, Robert, Sergeant, Naperville, enlisted and mustered in October 12. 1864. Bocker, George B., Addison, enlisted and mustered in October 12, 1864. Wante, Lushing, Naperville, enlisted and mustered in October 12, 1864. COMPANY B. Neff, Martin, Du Page County, enlisted October 14, and mustered in the 28th, 1861; died at Cairo Sep- tember 2, 1863. TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. The Twenty-third Regiment of Illinois In- fantry, known as the Irish Brigade, was organ- ized at Chicago May 17, 1861, and mustered into service June 17, and mustered out July 24, 1865. It had fifteen men from Du Page Count}' in its ranks as follows : COMPANY H. Bates, Francis, Wheaton, Sergeant. Watson, Casper W., Wheaton, Corporal.- Armbruster, Adam, Naperville. Austin N, Wheaton. Beardsley, Jerome G., Wheaton. Drullard, Thomas W., Wheaton. Getsch, Frank S., Milton. Georo, Serophine, Milton. Manning. Augustus, Warrenville. Kovey, Fred, Milton. Kinyon, Albert R., York. Ott, Peter, Milton. Ulcch, Herman W. A., Wheaton. Wilskin, Dominee, Naperville. Teates, J. K. P. The above all enlisted in March, 1865, and were mustered out with the reariment. 96 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT. The Thirty-third Regiment of Illinois Infan- try, known as the Normal Regiment, because it was composed largely of teachers and stu- dents, was organized at Camp Butler in Sep- tember, 1861, and mustered into service the same month. It moved immediately to Iron- ton, Mo., where it remained during the winter, doing occasional scout service and fighting the battle of Fredericksburg. Iu March, 1862, it moved southward and joined Gen. Curtis' army, and took part in the battle of Cache. After being engaged here in several skirmishes with the enemy, it moved to Pilot Knob, Mo., arriving in October, 1862. November 15, it moved to Van Buren, Ark., in Col. Harris' brigade, Brig. Gen. W. J. Ben- ton's division of Gen. Davidson's corps, and made a winter campaign in Southeast Missouri, passing through Patterson, Van Buren, Alton, West Plain, Eminence and Centreville, and returned to Bellevue Valley, near Pilot Knob, about March 1, 1863. It was then ordered to St. Genevieve, Mo., where, with the command, it embarked for Mil- liken's Bend, La. It was now attached to the First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and with it took part in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the assault and sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson. In August, it moved to New Orleans with the Thirteenth Corps. In October, it was en- gaged in the campaign up the Bayou Teche, and, returning to New Orleans iu November, it was ordered to Brownsville, Tex., but before lauding was ordered to Arkansas Pass. It disembarked on St. Joseph's aud Matagorda Islands to Saluria, participating iu the capture of Ft. Esperanza, and thence moved to Indian- ola and Port Lavaca. The First Brigade, while on the mainland of Texas, was commanded by Brig. Gen. Fitz Henry Warren. Januar} - 1, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and March 14 reached Bloomington, 111., and received veteran fur- lough. April 18, 1864. the regiment was re-organ- ized at Camp Butler, 111., and proceeded to New Orleans via Alton and St. Louis, arriving the 29th aud camping at Carrollton. May 17, it was ordered to Brashear City, La. Soon after its arrival, the regiment was scattered along the line of the road as guard, as follows : Companies F, C and K at Bayou Boeuf ; Company 1 at Bayou L'Ours ; Com- panies A and D at Tigerville ; Company G at Chacahula ; Company E at Terre Bonne ; Com- pany B at Bayou La Fourche and Bayou des Allemands ; Company H at Boutte ; regi- mental headquarters, Terre Bonne. The dis- trict was called the " District of La Fourche," commanded by Brig. Gen. Robert A. Cameron. headquarters at Thibodeaux. September 17, 1864, the non-veterans of the regiment were started home, via New York City, in charge of rebel prisoners, and were mustered out at Camp Butler about October 11, 1S64. March 2, 1865, it was ordered to join the Sixteenth Army Corps. Near Boutte Station the train was thrown from the track, and nine men killed and seventy wounded. On the 18th, the regiment embarked on Lake Pon- chartrain for Mobile expedition. Company K remaining behind to guard transportation, joined the regiment April 11, at Blakely. It next moved via Fort Gaines and Navy Cove, landed on Fish River, Ala., aud marched with Gen. Canity's army up the east side of Mobile Bay. The regiment was in the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillian, Ninety-fifth Ohio ; First Division, Brig. Gen. J. MeArthur ; Sixteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith. March 27, it arrived in front of Spanish Fort, the main defense of Mobile, and, until its capture, April 18, was actively engaged. Loss, 1 killed, 2 died of wounds, aud 9 wounded. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 97 After the surrender of Mobile, it marched, April 13, 1865, with the Sixteenth Arm}* Corps, for Montgomery, Ala., where it arrived on the 25th, and encamped on the Alabama River. Here it received the news of Lee and Johnston's surrender, after which its operations were not of a hostile character. May 10, marched to Selma, and May 17 by rail to Meriden, Miss. In the latter part of July, the regiment was filled above the maxi- mum by men transferred from the Seven ty- second, One Hundred and Seventeenth, One Hundred and Twenty-second and One Hundred and Twent3'-fourth Illinois, when it moved to Vicksburg August 4, 1865, and remained at that place until mustered out of service No- vember 24, 1865, and ordered to Camp Butler, 111., for final payment and discharge. It had forty-seven men from Du Page County. COMPANY B. Morgan, Moses J., Naperville, Captain; date of rank September 18, 1861. Durant, Edward T., Lisle, First Lieutenant; date of promotion from Second Lieutenant March 20. 1864. Morgan. Sid. O., Naperville, Sergeant; re-enlisted as veteran. Lyon, Forester S.. Downer's Grove. Sergeant; re- enlisted as veteran. Barr, James M., Lisle, Corporal; discharged March 23, 1863, for disability. Cotter, Charles M., Lisle, Corporal ; discharged March 23, 1863, for disability. Green, Frank D., Lisle, Corporal; died at Ironton, Mo., February 15, 1862. Wakeman, Bradford J., Cottage Hill, Musician; promoted to Fife Major. PRIVATES. Allison, Andrew, Cass; died at Helena October 5. 1862. Andrews, Charles, Downer's Grove; mustered out October 11, 1864 Andrews, Giles, York, mustered out October 11, 1864. Austin, Charles G., Jr., Downer's Grove; re-enlisted as veteran. Ballou, Morgan, Lisle, mustered out OctQber 11, 1864, as Corporal. Block, Ferdinand, Lisle; re-enlisted as veteran. Blodgett, Scott, Cass; re-enlisted as veteran. Clark, Luther J., Bloomingdale; re-enlisted as vet- eran. Chatfield, Alonzo B., Lisle; discharged for wounds. Chatfield. George W., Lisle. Cry, Samuel, Naperville; re-enlisted as veteran. Clifford, Edward. Cass; mustered out October 11, 1871. Day, Brice, Cass, died at Mound City September 15, 1862. Durant, William E., Lisle; re-enlisted as veteran. Fetterman. Cyrus, Cass; re-enlisted as veteran. Fischer, Frederick J., Addison; mustered out Octo- ber 11, 1864, as Corporal. Grothman, Frederick, Addison; discharged October 4, 1864, term expired. Heartt, George, Cass; re-enlisted as veteran. Harberger, Jacob, Addison ; re-enlisted as veteran. Holchany, Frederick, Addison ; re-enlisted as vet- eran. Hummer, Jacob, Naperville; re-enlisted as veteran. Kosbner, Charles, Naperville; re-enlisted as veteran. Morgan, Henry G., Naperville; discharged Febru- ary 11, 1862, for disability. Marvin, Hector A., Lisle; died at Ironton, Mo., November 19, 1861. Rodgers. Lucius B., Milton; re-enlisted as veteran. Ridge, Royer, Naperville; re-enlisted as veteran. Smart. Wesley, Downer's Grove: mustered out Oc- tober 11, 1864. Schmidt, Edward, Addison. Schwartz, Louis, Addison; died at Ironton, Mo., Oc- tober 14, 1861. Shimmer, J. C, Addison; mustered out October 11, 1864. Turtlott, James M., Cass; mustered out October 11, 1864. Utting, William, Addison; died at St. Louis October 20, 1861. Wheatley, William, Lisle: mustered out October 11, 1864. RECRUITS. Grannke, Charles, Addison, enlisted December 2, 1861; died at Virginia Station, Mo., March 2, 1862. Grothman, Frederick, York, e nlisted October 4, 1864. Hatch, Edward P., Lisle, enlisted September 20, 1864; discharged July 20, 1865, as Sergeant for promotion in U. S. Colored Infantry. Renken, Henry, Addison; transferred to gunboat service February 7, 1862. 98 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. COMPANY P. Lapin, Charles, Warrenville. COMPANY H. Nelson, Henry, Naperville, enlisted March 20; mustered in April 17, 1864. Those who were mustered in October 4, 1864, were such as did not re-enlist after their terms had ex- pired. THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. The Thirty-sixtb Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized at Aurora, 111., in Sep- tember, 1861, and mustered into service the 23d of the same month. It was sent to St. Louis, where it received its arms, from whence it was sent to Rolla, where it remained till January 14, 1862. More active service now began, and it was engaged in battle at Bentonville and Pea Ridge, subsequent to which it was assigned to Gen. Pope's command. It was next engaged in the battle of Perry ville, where it lost seventy- five killed and wounded. But its terrible con- flict was at Stone River, where, after six days' fighting, it came out with only 200 men. It was subsequently engaged in other battles near Chattanooga, in all of which its courage was not found wanting. It was mustered out at New Orleans, October 8, 1865, and arrived at Camp Butler the 17th for discharge. It had forty- seven men from Du Page County. COMPANY A. Taylor, John B. F., Wheaton, enlisted August 8, and mustered in September 23, 1861 ; discharged September 22, 1864. COMPANY C Rothemel, Benhard, YoTk, enlisted and mustered in October 14, 1864; transferred from Seventy- fourth Regiment. COMPANY K. Captain — Adams, John Q., Wayne, date of rank August 20, and mustered in September 23, 1861 ; re- signed September 7, 1862. First Lieutenants — Elliot, John F., Wayne, date of rank September 7, 1862, mustered in March 12, 1863, promoted from Sergeant, discharged May 30, 1864 ; Pratt, Emery W., Wayne, date of rank April 11, 1885, mustered in July 8, 1865. Second Lieutenants — Hammond, Mathew J., Wayne, date of rank February 15, 1862, resigned September 7, 1862 ; Hazelhurst, Charles, Wayne, date of rank September 7, 1862. mustered in Novem- ber 17, 1862, resigned July 7, 1865. Sergeants — Smith, Romain A., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran ; Adams, El- dridge, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, died of wounds January 18, 1863 ; Dickenson, David H., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, as Corporal, pro- moted to Second Lieutenant U. S. Colored Infantry. Corporals— Folson, Theodore A., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861. Ketchum, Abrarn J., Wayne, enlisted August 12; 1861, transferred to Company K. Starr, Robert H, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Albro. Eugene P., Wayne, Corporal, enlisted Au- gust 12, 1861. Adams, Aseph J., Wayne; killed in battle at Stone River. Ilemmiugway, George W., Wayne, musician, en- listed August 12, 1861; discharged for disability. Hazelhurst, James, Musician, Wayne, enlisted Au- gust 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. PRIVATES. Allen, Henry C, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861. promoted to Corporal; discharged, February 25, 1862, for wounds. Adams, William. Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; missing at Chickamauga September 20, 1863. Blank, Harrison W., Wayne, enlisted September 20, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Clark, John P., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; died at Rolla December 14, 1861. Delany, James, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; discharged September 22, 1864. Gordon, John M., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Grundy, Samuel, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; killed at Chickamauga. Gates, George W., Wayne, enlisted Angust 19, 1861, killed at Dallas, Ga., May 26. 1864. La Rue, Harrison M., Du Page County, enlisted Sep- tember 24, 1861, transferred to Fifteenth Cavalry. Hillard, Michael, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, died at Lebanon, Mo., Feb. 12, 1862. Hazelhurst, Frederick, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, mustered out, September 8, 1864, as Cor- poral. Hammond, Daniel, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. ^Wfe^/^6^^^^9 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 101 Judd, Francis, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, re- enlisted as veteran. Matteson, Thomas P., Wayne, enlisted August 20, 1861, promoted to Principal Musician. Minkler, John C, Wayne, enlisted August 24, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. Monroe, George, Wayne; enlisted August 20, 1861. killed in battle at Stone River. Monroe, Edward E., Wayne, enlisted August 20, 1861. Piatt, Emery W., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. Paul, John, Wayne, enlisted August 20, 1861, re-en- listed as veteran. Peterson, John, Wayne, enlisted August 21, 1861; transferred to V. R. C. April 17. 1864. Skinner, Harrison, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; killed at Perrsville, Ky., October 8, 1862. Simmons, Benjamin W., enlisted August 12, 1861. Scales, George M., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Samson, Francis, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; died of wounds received at Cassville, Mo., April 16, 1862. Sanders, Harlan, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; discharged April 19, 1863, for wounds. Tukesbury, Francis, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Tucker, Charles A., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. Wood, Orrin, Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, died January 19, 1863, of wounds. Wagoner, Sidney O., Wayne, enlisted August 12, 1861, discharged March 16, 1864, for wounds. Unassigned Recruits — Bissell, Charles, York, en- listed and mustered in October 14, 1864. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. The Thirty-seventh Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized at Chicago in September 1861, and mustered out at Houston, Tex., May 15, 1866. It had four men from Da Page County. Clark, Elijah A., Wheaton, First Assistant Surgeon, promoted by the President to Surgeon of Eighth Missouri Cavalry. Blodgett, Edward A., Downer's Grove, Quartermas- ter's Sergeant. COMPANY C. Newton, Isaac, Wheaton, enlisted September 1, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY G. Topel, Dedrick, Downer's Grove, enlisted August 15; re-enlisted as veteran. THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT. The Thirty-ninth Regiment of Illinois In- fantry began recruiting immediately after the firing on Fort Sumter, but was not ready to take the field at the first call for six regiments from Illinois. It was mustered into service August, 1861, at Chicago, and mustered out at Norfolk, Va., December 5, 1865. It had two soldiers from Du Page County. COMPANY G. Cook, Ezra A., Wheaton, enlisted September 2, 1861, discharged in 1864 for disability; Decker, Lewis, Wheaton, enlisted August 9, 1861, discharged the 30th for disability. FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The Forty-second Regiment of Illinois Iu- fanty was organized at Chicago July 22, 1861 It bore the brunt of the war, being in the principal battles in which the Army of the Cumberland was engaged. It was mustered out at Indianola, Tex., December 16, 1865, and reached Camp Butler January 3,1866. It had seven men from Du Page County. COMPANY B. O'Brien, Edward, Du Page County, enlisted and mustered in September 3, 1860, at Chicago, re-enlist- ed as veteran from Du Page County January 1, 1864, transferred to V. R. C. March 13, 1865. COMPANY H. Bents, Benjamin, Naperville, enlisted and mus- tered in September 3, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Butts, Benjamin F., Naperville, enlisted February 16, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, mustered out December 16, 1865, as Sergeant; Gillis, Thomas, Naperville, enlisted anil mustered in Aug- ust 3, 1861, killed at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862; Itzenhauzer, John, Naperville, enlisted and mustered in September 10, 1861, died of wounds January 8, 1862; Shimp, William, Naperville, en- listed and mustered in September 10, 1861, promoted to Sergeant, discharged on account of wounds Sep- 102 HISTOEY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. tember 16, 1864; Wilcox, Elisha, Naperville, enlist- ed and mustered in August 18, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. The Forty-fourth Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized in August, 1861, at Camp Ellsworth, in Chicago, and mustered out Sep- tember 25, 1865, at Port Lavaca, Tex. Ar- rived at Springfield October 15, 1865, where it was discharged. In had one soldier from Du Page County. COMPANY E. Goldhammer, Henry, York, enlisted August 1, mustered in September 13, 1861, transferred to Company K. FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT. The Fifty-first Regiment was organized at Camp Douglas December 24, 1861. April 2, 1862, it moved against Island No. 10. It suf- fered severely at the battle of Chickamauga, being in the thickest of the fight. On Febru- ary 10, 1864, the whole regiment mustered as veterans. During the Atlanta campaign, it lost 3 officers killed, 4 wounded, and 105 men killed and wounded. It was mustered out of service at Camp Irwin, Tex., September 25, 1865, and arrived at Camp Butler October 15. It had eighteen men from Du Page County, as follows : COMPANY B. Bates, Ansel, Cottage Hill, enlisted October 19, 1861, mustered in January 23, 1862, promoted Ser- geant and Second Lieutenant; Bleasch, Gustave, Cottage Hill, enlisted October 19, 1861, mustered in January 23, 1862; Burman, Lewis, Addison, enlisted December 5, 1861; Foley, John, Cottage Hill, en- listed November 26, mustered in December 24, 1861, died at Chattanooga- June 1, 1864; Hahn, Henry, Brush Hill, enlisted December 3, 1861; Hoffman, Paul, Cottage Hill, enlisted December 5, 1861; Johnson, Christian, Cottage Hill, enlisted Decem- ber 7, mustered in the 24th, 1861; Kehler, Phillip, Cottage Hill, enlisted December 7, mustered in the 24th, 1861, died at Paducah June 1, 1862; Keiler, Stephen, Cottage Hill, enlisted December 13, mus- tered in the 24th, 1861, discharged October 2, 1862; Kernan, Mark T., York, enlisted November 26, 1861; Lapp, Henry, Cottage Hill, enlisted December 24, 1861, mustered in January 23, 1862, accidentally killed March 16, 1862; Lauerman, John, Cottage Hill, enlisted December 20, 1861, mustered in Janu- ary 23, 1862; Snow, Edgar J., Cottage Hill, enlisted October 23, mustered in December 24, 1861; Welsh. William, Cottage Hill, enlisted November 30, mus- tered in December 24, 1861; Werden, Frederic, Brush Hill, enlisted December 2, mustered in the 24th, 1861. COMPANY E. Hull, Edward E., Naperville, enlisted December' 24, 1863; killed at Kenesaw Mountain June 15, 1864. COMPANY I. Miller, George W., Cass, enlisted February 25, mustered in March 10, 1865 ; Prickett, William W., Cass, enlisted February 25, mustered in March 10, 1865 FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The Fifty-second Regiment was organized at Geneva, 111. Its first active service was at Fort Donelson, where it arrived in time to take charge of the rebel prisoners taken there and deliver them at Springfield and Chicago. It was then ordered to join the Array of the Tennes- see, and was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, where it lost in killed, wounded and missing over one-third of its number. It was subse- quently in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickojack Creek, Decatur and Altoona, after which it was with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea, and went from there to Richmond. Was next in the grand review at Washington, from whence it was ordered to Louisville, where it was mustered out only 517 strong out of the original 940 men in its ranks, to whom 400 had been added as recruits, 823 men having been killed or disabled in the battles and hardships which this regiment had passed through. It had twenty-four men from Du Page County, as follows : COMPANY A. Burnham, Edward, Du Page County, enlisted Oc- tober 12, mustered in the 25th, 1861 ; Giles, Jerry W., Naperville, enlisted September 16, mustered in Oc- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 103 tober 25, 1861; Graves, James D., Naperville, en listed October 25, 1861. COMPANY C. Parks, Isaac, Naperville,~enlisted September 15, mustered in November 19, 1S61. COMPANY D. Brown, Gilbert N., Winfield, enlisted September 10, mustered in November 19. 1861, re-enlisted as veteran, promoted to Sergeant; Hammond, James W., Winfield, enlisted January 20, mustered in February 27, 1864; Hammond, William H., Winfield, enlisted and mustered ia at the same time ; Reckenback, Christian, Winfield, enlisted Sep- tember 10, mustered in November 19, 1861 ; Stanfer, Lewis, Winfield, enlisted and mustered in at the same time, re-enlisted as veteran; Swenson, John, Warrenville, enlisted and mustered in at the same time, re-enlisted as veteran; Vanderogen, John, Naperville, enlisted January 19, mustered in February 27, 1864, died near Marietta, Ga., July 23, 1864. Recruit — La Plant, Medar, Naperville, January, 13, 1864. COMPANY I. Farnham, Thomas E., Warrenville, enlisted Sep- tember 11, and mustered in October 25, 1861. COMPANY K. Cleveland, Sylvester, Naperville, enlisted January 9, 1864; Currier, William R,, Turner Junction, en- listed September 6, mustered in October 25, 1861. Unassigned Recruit — Ford, John, Naperville, mustered in February 27, 1864. The following were musicians who enlisted October 25, 1861, all from Naperville : Glines, A. B., Heitzler, John, Mathias, Gregory, Sayler, Alexander H., Sayler, Morgan F., Sayler, Thomas W., Swartz, Joseph, Vallette, James M. FIFTT-THIRD REGIMENT. The Fifty-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Ottawa, 111., in the winter of 1861-62. and moved to Camp Douglas Febru- ary 27. It was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 22, 1865, and arrived at Chicago the 28th. It had one man from Du Page County in its ranks. COMPANY K. Kingston, George, Downer's Grove, enlisted as recruit October 19, 1864. FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. The Fifty-fourth Regiment was organized at Camp Dubois, Aurora, 111., in November, 1861, as a part of a Kentucky brigade. It was mus- tered into service February 18, 1862. This regiment was actively engaged raiding against and skirmishing with the enemy much of the time during the war, and in consequence many of them were taken prisoners, but were exchanged December 5, 1864. It was mustered out at Little Rock October 15, 1865, and was discharged at Camp Rutler the 26th. It had thirteen men from Du Page County. COMPANY B. Miller, Alexander, Milton, enlisted November 21, and mustered in February 16. 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY D. Cox, William, Downer's Grove, enlisted as re- cruit March 31, 1865, died at Fort Smith, Ark., September 12, 1865; Cox, Wesley H., Downer's Grove, enlisted as recruit March 6, 1862, died at Memphis October 1, 1863; Hardsoc, Elzy, Downer's Grove, enlisted as recruit March 1, 1865, mustered out October 15, 1865. COMPANY G. Busick, James A., Milton, enlisted December 2, 1861, mustered in February 18, 1862, re-enlisted as veteran; Sutherland, Amaziah, Milton, enlisted De- cember 2, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Stevens, John W., Milton, enlisted December 2, 1861, re-en- listed as veteran. COMPANY I. Farroll, Ezra R., York, enlisted and mustered in as recruit March 7, 1865, mustered out October 15, 1865; Riscoe, John, York, enlisted and mustered in March 7, 1865, mustered out October 15, 1865. C.OMPANY K. Campbell, James H., Milton, enlisted as Wagoner December 10, 1861, mustered in February 10, 1862; Boyd, Ithamer, Milton, enlisted December 10, 1861, mustered in February 16, 1862; re-enlisted as vet- eran. 104 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. UNASSIGNED RECRUITS. Baker, Henry J.. York, enlisted and mustered in March 8, 1865; Plumby, Andrew J., Milton, enlisted and mustered in Marcli 30, 1864, transferred to V. It. C. September 22, 1864. FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. The Fifty-fifth Regiment of Illinois with the Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, distinguished them- selves by their obstinate valor at the battle of Shiloh, where they held the extreme left of the Union army against a greatly superior force of the enemy till the main body had retired. Their loss in this engagement was ten officers and 102 killed or mortally wounded. The regiment was organized at Camp Douglas, and mustered into service October 31, 1861, and and mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., August 14, 1865. It arrived at Chicago August 22, where it was discharged. It had in its ranks thirty-five men from Du Page County : company c. Sanders, Calvin A., Naperville, enlisted Septem- ber 26, 1861, discharged January 5, 1863, for dis- ability; Summers, Thomas, Du Page County, en- listed September 30, 1861, died at Memphis Septem- ber 22, 1862; Schultz, Theodore, Du Page County, enlisted August 27, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY E. First Lieutenant. — Dixon, William H, Downer's Grove, resigned March 13, 1862. Privates. — Arnot, Hugo, Naperville, enlisted Sep- tember 3, 1861, promoted to Corporal; Bautling- hause, Amos, Naperville, enlisted September 6, 1851; Benie, Henry, Naperville, enlisted September 25, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran ; Baiger, Dedric, Naperville, enlisted September 26, 1861, re-en- listed as veteran; Dixon, Robert, Du Page County, enlisted February 18, mustered in the 27, 1861, promoted to Captain from First Sergeant, re-en- listed as veteran ; Downing, William, Blooming- dale, enlisted March 1, mustered in April 12, 1861; Garbs, Richard, Naperville, enlisted September 16, died at St. Louis of wounds October 31, 1864; Garst, Christian, Naperville, enlisted September 6, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran ; Gleasner, Andrew, Naper- ville, enlisted September 9, 1861, re-enlisted as vet- eran ; Gushard, Emanuel, Naperville, enlisted No- vember 1, 1861, taken prisoner November 3, 1863; Gushard, Isaac, Naperville, enlisted September26,re- enlisted as veteran ; Kailer, Frederick, Naperville, en- listed September 3, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Rei- ser, Henry, Naperville, enlisted September 3, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Kennedy, James, Naperville, enlisted September 8, 1861; Kellogg, Samuel C, Na- perville, died at Vicksburg July 18, 1863; Leibern- guth. Christian, Naperville, enlisted September 6, re-enlisted as veteran; Leibernguth, Christian, Cass, enlisted January 24, mustered in February 16, 1864, promoted fo Sergeant; Misner, Andrew, Naperville, enlisted September 19, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Porter, William, Naperville, promoted to Captain April 1, 1863, killed in battle June 27, 1864; Papp, Martin, Naperville, enlisted September 20, 1861, dis- charged September 26, 1863, for wounds; Porter, Martin R., Du Page County, enlisted September 3, 1861, discharged for disability June 28, 1863; Rey- nolds, Henry, Naperville, enlisted September 6. 1861; Reinoehl, Henry, Naperville, re-enlisted as veteran January 23, 1864; Reinoehl, Joseph, Naper- ville, enlisted November 18, 1861; Shaning, Dede- rick, York, re-enlisted as veteran January 23, 1864, killed at Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1864; Shan ing, Richard, Naperville, enlisted September 5, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Stretcher, David, Na- perville, enlisted September 5, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Teisel, Henry, Naperville, enlisted Septem- ber 6, 1861; Trinke, Harman, Naperville, enlisted October 16, 1861, died at Napoleon, Ark., January 17, 1863; Warden, Moses, Du Page County, enlisted September 3, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Warden, John, Du Page County, enlisted September 7, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran. FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. The Fifty-eighth Regiment of Illinois Infan- try was organized with nine companies at Camp Douglas, and mustered into service December 24 and 25, 1861, the remaining tenth company being mustered in February 7, 1862. It par- ticipated in the capture of Fort Donelson, and was in many sanguinary battles during the war. It was mustered out at Montgomery, Ala., April 1, 1866. Twelve Du Page County men were in its ranks, as follows : company c. Atwater, Benjamin F., York, enlisted December 12, mustered in the 25th, 1861, discharged June 17, HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 105 for disability: Eldridge, George W., York, enlisted January 12, 1862, discharged for disability. COMPANY D. Mehan, John, Naperville, enlisted December 3, 1861, mustered in the 20th, 1861, re-enlisted as vet- eran; Stuber, Daniel, Addison, enlisted November 9, mustered in December 31, 1861, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. COMPANY F. Hoehn, George, Corporal, Brush Hill, enlisted and mustered in December 31, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran; Ugoveck, Albert, Cottage Hill, Corporal, enlisted November 12, mustered in December 31, 1861; Shultz, John, Brush Hill, enlisted October 30, mustered in December 31, 1861. COMPANY o. Battles, Caleb, Winfleld, enlisted and mustered in December 31, 1861, transferred to Company I, March 2, 1862. COMPANY H. Scoville, George R., Wheaton, enlisted October 8, 1861, discharged for disability; Scoville, Goodwin D., Wheaton, enlisted October 8, re-enlisted as vet- eran. COMPANY I. Dooner, Jeremiah, Turner Junction, enlisted De- cember 9, mustered in the 24th, 1861, died of wounds received at Shiloh. SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. The Sixty-seventh Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized at Camp Douglas June 13, 1862, for three months' service, where it re- mained during its term. It had in its ranks three men from Du Page County. COMPANY B. Farnagham, Melvin, Warrenville, enlisted June 4 and mustered in the 13th, 1862. COMPANY D. Blanchard, AVilliam F., Wheaton, enlisted June 2, and mustered in the 13th, 1862; Ward, Isaac S., Wheaton, enlisted and mustered in at the same time. SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT. The Sixty-ninth Regiment Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Douglas, and mustered into service as a three months' regiment June 14, 1862. It had five Du Page County men in its ranks. COMPANY B. Benedict, Thomas, Wayne, Donovan, Henry, Turner Junction; Griffith, William, Turner Junction; Ketchum, Charles F, Turner Junction; Stephens, AlonzoS., Winfleld; all mustered out at the expira- tion of their term. SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The Seventy-second Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized by the Board of Trade, Chicago, July 23, 1862. It took part in the campaign on the Big Black, siege of Vicksburg, battle of Nashville, Fort Pillow, Fort Pember- toii and rnairy other lesser battles. It was mus- tered out of service at Jackson, Miss., August 13, 1865. It had fifteen men from Du Page County in its ranks. COMPANY A. Black, Henry, York, enlisted and mustered in October 8, 1864, transferred to Twenty-third Veteran Reserve Corps, April 24, 1865; Schurzman, Charles, Addison, enlisted and mustered in October 8, 1864, died of wounds at Greenville, Ala., April 16, 1865. COMPANY C. Gleasou, Henry J., Milton, enlisted and mustered in August 21, 1862, promoted to Captain September 8, 1864; Gleason, Bishop J., Milton, enlisted Janu- ary 4, and mustered in the 31st, 1864, transferred to Thirty-third Regiment. COMPANY D. Graves, Julius, Lisle, enlisted July 28, mustered in August 21, 1861. COMPANY E. Wells, Abraham, Downer's Grove, enlisted Au- gust 8, mustered in the 21st, 1862; Wells, Lucian, Cass, enlisted and mustered in at the same time; Winterton, William, Downer's Grove, enlisted and mustered in at the same time. COMPANY O. Stinson, Thomas, Naperville, enlisted August 12, and mustered in the 21st. 1862, died May 28, 1862, of wounds. COMPANY K. Heinricks, Peter, York; Heinrick, Christopher, Yoik, enlisted and mustered in October 8, 1864- 106 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Newhouse, Peter, Addison, enlisted and mustered in at the same date; Ross, Charles, York, enlisted and mustered in August 23, '1864; Shattman, Ernst, Ad- dison, enlisted and mustered in October 8, 1864; Williams, William M., York, enlisted and mustered in October 14, 1864. EIGHTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The Eighty-second Regiment of Illinois In- fantry, called the Second Hecker Regiment, mostly made up of Germans and Scandinavians, was mustered into service at Camp Butler, August 26, 1862. This regiment always honored the German name for toughness and endurance. It was mustered out at Chicago, June 17, 1865, at which time it had only 310 men left. One man represented Du Page County in it. COMPANY K. Bumgartner, Andreas, Winfield, enlisted July 5, mustered in September 26, discharged May 5, 1864, for disability. EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. The Eighty-eighth Regiment of Illinois In- fantry, known as the Second Board of Trade Regiment, was mustered in at Chicago August 27, 1862, and after participating in its share in the war was mustered out of service at Chica- go, June 14, 1865. Eight men from Du Page County were in its ranks. COMPANY B. Hamilton, Robert, Musician, died at Nashville, January 13, 1863; Jones, James H., mustered out June 9 as Corporal; Sutherland, James B., died at Nashville of wounds January 26, 1863 ; Thomas, Samuel S., transferred to Company E. All the above from Milton, and enlisted and mustered into service in August, 1862. company o. Hubbart, Nicholas, enlisted August 12, mustered in the 27th, 1862; Hester, Samuel L., enlisted August 15, mustered in the 27th, 1862, mustered out as Cor- poral; Hester, Samuel, enlisted and mustered in at the same time; Kelly, Samuel, enlisted and mus- tered in at the same time. All the above from Milton. EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT. The Eighty-ninth Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized at Chicago under the united supervision of several railroad com- panies, whose parent offices were at the place. Hence it was called the Railroad Regi- ment. Its first company was mustered into the service August, 25, and its last the 27, 1862. It belonged to the Army of the Cumber- laud, and Nashville was the last great battle in which it was engaged, at which place it was mustered out of service June 10, 1865. It had seven men from Du Page County in its ranks. company k. Watson, Emery B., Turner Junction, Corporal, enlisted August 5, mustered in the 25th, 1862, dis- charged September 25, 1864, for disability ; Fort- man, Louis, Milton, enlisted August 4, and mus- tered in the 25th, 1862, died at New Albany, Ind. , December 12, 1862 ; Leary, John, Turner Junction, enlisted August 11, and mustered in the 25th, 1862 ; Scott, Otis P., Turner Junction, enlisted August 7, and mustered in the 25th, 1862 ; Temple, George, Naperville, enlisted January 23, 1864 ; Washington, George, enlisted at the same time ; Wright, Wallace, Turner Junction, enlisted August 7, mustered in the 25th, 1862, killed at Chickamauga September 19, 1863. NINETY- FIFTH REGIMENT. The Ninety-fifth Regiment of Illinois Infan- try was mustered into the service at Rockford, 111., September 4, 1862. Its chief field of op- eration was around Vicksburg, New Orleans and Mobile. It was mustered out at Camp Butler, Springfield, August 16, 1865. It lost 84 men in battle, and 276 of disease. Two men from Du Page County was in its ranks. company a. Pomery, Luther, Addison, enlisted October 17,1864, transferred to the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry ; Smith, Thomas, Turner Junction, enlisted January, 25, 1865. ONE HUNDREDTH REGIMENT. The One Hundredth Regiment of Illinois In- fantry was organized August 28, 1862, and $>0&r) $/* '4A . HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 119 Fork, Gerhard H., Babcoek's Grove, August 15; died at South Tunnel, Tenn., January 20, 1863. Gray, Fredrick J., Addison, August 15. Gletcher, Fredrick, Addison, August 15; mustered out as Corporal. Gimble, John, Addison, August 15; mustered out as Sergeant. Huehi, Gerhard, Addison, August 15; discharged December 14, 1862. Herbst, Henry, Addison, August 15; died at South Tunnel, Tenn., January 1, 1863. Holdorf, Gotlieb, Addison, August 15. Herneman, David, Addison, August 15. Hinton, Edward, Addison, August 15; transferred to Engineer Corps August 15, 1864. Hanebuth, August, Addison, August 15; mustered out as Corporal. Hanebuth, William, Addison, August 15. Heller, Henry, Addison, August 15; absent, sick, at mustering out of regiment. Jenkins, William F., Addison, August 15; mustered out June 7, 1865, as Corporal. Kemph, Samuel, Wheaton, August 15; mustered out as Corporal. Konson, Henry, Wheaton, August 15. Koxing, Henry, Cottage Hill, August 15; died at Bowling Green, Ky., November 25, 1862. Kline, John, Wheaton, August 15. Kniepenberg, Henry, Addison, August 15. Kessel, Christian, Addison, August 15; mustered out July 1, 1865. Lenehrson, Frederick, Addison, August 15; mus- tered out as Corporal. Leneseuhop, William, Addison, August 15; died at Gallatin, Tenn., December 18, 1862. Leseberg, Frederick, Addison, August 15; died at Gallatin, Tenn., February 23, 1863. Messenbrink, Frederick, Addison, August 15. Messenbrink, Lewis, Addison, August 15; charged February 27, 1865; disability. Mueller, Philip, Addison, August 15. Maas, Peter, Babcoek's Grove, August 15; charged May 23, 1863. Mishe, Augustus. Wheaton, August 15; absent, sick, at mustering out of regiment. Mills, Samuel, Wheaton, August 15; discharged February 19, 1863; disability. Mehring, Henry, Addison, August 15; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 4, 1863. Muss, Nicholas, Addison, August 15; discharged February 19, 1863; disability. Newman, Andrew, Cottage Hill, August 15; died May 27, 1864; wounds. dis- dis- Pepper, Patrick, Wheaton, August 15; discharged December 31, 1862; disability. Ritter, Carl, Addison, August 15; died at Bowling Green, Ky., November 27, 1862. Ruprecht, Henry, Addison, August 15; transferred to Invalid Corps February 24, 1864. Schmidt, John H, Addison, August 15; mustered out as Corporal. Schott, Adam J., Addison, August 15; discharged May 3; disability. , Spangenberg, Christian, Addison, August 15; died at Albany, Ind., December 4, 1862. Schoh, John W. H., Addison, August 15; died at Gallatin, Tenn., May 15, 1863. Stuve, Diedrick, Addison, August 15. Schultz, Carl, Naperville, August 15; died at Gal latin, Tenn., March 12, 1863. Tegtman, Henry, Addison, August 15; died May 17, 1864; wounds. Timmer, Herman, Cottage Hill, August 15; dis- charged March 3, 1863, as Corporal; disability. Volberding, Lewis A., Addison, August 15; dis- charged April 22, 1863, as Corporal; disability. Wilke, Charles, Addison, August 15. Webber, Frederick. Addison; mustered out June 19, 1865. Wailon, Peter, Wheaton, August 15; transferred to Engineer Corps August 15, 1864. Weisman, Henry, Addison, August 15; died at Louisville, Ky., December 25, 1862. Zarzo, John, Bloomingdale, August 15. RECRUITS. Comro, Adolf, Addison, October 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company H, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry. Holt, Henry, Addison, October 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company H, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry. Jones, David, Milton; died at Milton, 111., October 8, 1862. Mockling, Henry, Addison, Oct. 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company H, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry. Wolf, Christian, Addison, October 12, 1864; trans- ferred to Company H, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry. COOKS OF A. U Levi, , August 20, 1863; absent, sick, at mus- ter out of regiment. Roman, , September 15, 1863; died March 28, 1865; wounds. The date affixed to the names shows the time of the eulisment of each soldier. The date of mustering out or discharged is also given to such soldiers as were honorably o 120 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. discharged before the regiment was mustered out. The term " discharged " means an honor- able discharge. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENH REGIMENT. The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Douglas and mustered into service Sep- tember 6, 1862. *It started out with 887 men and returned with but 231 — the survivors of a hundred battles — who were mustered out at Chicago June 10, 1865. It had four men from Du Page County in its ranks. COMPANY A. Mosely, Albert, Naperville, enlisted August 6, mustered in September 5, 1862; died at Oswego, 111., September 7, 1863. Mosely, Henry, enlisted and mustered in at the same time; absent sick at muster out of regiment. COMPANY F. Lemis, Daniel W., Naperville, enlisted August 11; mustered in Septembers, 1862; detached at muster out of regiment. COMPANY K. Ruckel, Philip H., York, enlisted August 14 and mustered in September 5, 1862; died at Walnut Hill, Miss., July 3, 1863. Regiments from number 132 to 143 inclu- sive were enlisted for only 100 days' service. These fresh recruits were designed to hold places already in possession of the Union forces while the veterans were pushing into the extreme limits of the South. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The One Hundred and Thirty-second Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Fry, Chicago, and mustered in for 100 days' service from June 1, 1864. It moved June 6 for Columbus, Ky., aud arrived on the 8th. It was sent to Paducah, 111., where it remained till its term expired, when it moved to Chicago, and was mustered out October 17 1864. It had fifteen men from Du Page County. company c. Uflord, Charles, Naperville, enlisted May 31. company h. Sedgwick, John A., Naperville, Captain; date of rank June 1, 1864. Rook, Stephen, Naperville; recruit. COMPANY I. Herrick, Herrold C, Naperville, Sergeant, enlist- ed May 16, 1864. Wright, William P., Naperville, Corporal, enlist- ed May 19, 1864. Bickford, Levi F., Wheaton, Corporal, enlisted May 17, 1864. Bunn, Isaac H., Warrenville, enlisted May 18, 1864. Conklin, Lewis, Naperville, enlisted May 17. 1864. Denham, George W., Warrenville, enlisted May 13, 1864. Hall, Charles H., Naperville, enlisted May 20, 1864. Hallam, Robert, Naperville, enlisted May 12, 1864. Long, Luther, Wheaton, enlisted Ma}' 21, 1864. McNeal, John, Naperville, enlisted May 20, 1864. Sellers, Edward B., Wheaton, enlisted May 12, 1864. Thatcher, Charles D., Naperville, enlisted May 16, 1864. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT. The Hundred and Forty-first Regiment of Illinois Infantry was mustered into service June 16, and mustered out October 10, 1864, it being organized for one hundred da3's' service. It had eighty men from Du Page County. COMPANY G. Town, Albert, Winfleld. COLONEL. Bronson, Stephen, Milton. CAPTAIN. James, Albert S., Dan by. FIR6T LIEUTENANT. Churchill, A. Danby. SECOND LIEUTENANT. McChesney, Joseph R., Danby. MUSICIANS. Eldridge, David, York. Vallette, Edward, Milton. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 121 pim ATKS. Ackerman, Miles, Milton; mustered out as Cor- poral. Bronson, Charles; mustered out as First Sergeant. Bird, Henry; mustered out as Corporal. Bisbey, Bruce; mustered out as Corporal. Barnes, William; mustered out as Corporal. Burback, Augustus T., Elgin. Churchill, Andrew, Milton. Cook, Nathaniel. Milton. Cheney, Eugene M., Milton. Dodge, Parker C, Downer's Grove. DeWolf, Franklin, Milton. Doherty, George, Elgin. Eldridge, George W., Elgin. Efland, Ernst, Milton. Edwards, John, York. Finnamore, Henry, Milton. Ginter, William, Elgin. Giblin, Henry, Downer's Grove. Gibbons, John J., Elgin. Holmes, Alanson N., Milton; mustered out as Cor- poral. Hockaday, William, Addison. Hatch, Henry M., Downer's Grove; promoted Sergeant. Hennessy. Michael, Milton. Hines, Fred, Downer's Grove. Hubble, John, Milton. Hill, David, Milton. Harrington, James H., York. Hageman, Francis C, Milton; promoted Assist- ant Surgeon. Jewell, Andrew, Milton. Jamison, Hugh, Milton. Johnson, William H, Milton. Kane, Thomas, Milton. Knutt, Herman, York. Kelly, James, Winfield. Litchfield, Cyrenieus W., York; mustered out as Sergeant. Luke, Robert B., Milton. Lichundguth, Michael, Downer's Grove. Myers, Edwin R., Milton; mustered out as Ser- geant. Muzzy, Harrison, Milton. McCormic, John, Milton. Myers, Charles M., Milton. Newton, William C, Milton. Nickerson, James D., Milton; mustered out as Corporal. Peck, Sanford, York. Pierce, William H, Bloomingdale. Puffer, George W., Downer's Grove; died at Col- umbus, Ky., August 19, 1864. Peters, John, Elgin. Quigley, Adelbert, Milton. Rickert, George, Milton; mustered out as Corporal. Richardson, Henry, Milton. Sandercook, George, Milton. Stacy, Philo W., Milton; mustered out as Cor- poral. Shepherd, William, Downer's Grove. Smith, John, Downer's Grove. | jSabiu, Charles A., Milton; mustered out as Cor- poral. Sprout, William, Milton. Steavens, John, Milton. Smith, Charles, Milton. Thompson, Alexander, Milton. Vallette, John O., Milton; promoted Hospital Steward. Vallette, Henry A., Milton; mustered out as Cor- poral. Warnock, Benjamin F., Elgin. White, James, Milton. White, Michael, Milton. Wallace, Henry, Downer's Grove. Walsh, Thomas, Windfield. Wilson, Alexander, Dowmer's Grove. Weaber, William, York. Wing, John P., Milton. Young, Andrew, Milton. Zeir, Peter, Milton. Zerell, Ferdinand, Milton. Hagerman, Francis C, Milton; recruit. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT. The One Hundred and Fifty-second Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Butler February 18, 1865, for one 3 r ear, and mustered out of service at Memphis, Tenn., the following September, on the 11th, the war having closed before its term had expired. It had one man from Du Page County. COMPANY G. Miller, William R., York. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. The One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry was for one year's service. 122 HISTOKY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. It was organized at Camp Fry, and was mus- tered in February 27, 1865. Its chief mission was to defend the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. It was mustered out at Memphis, September 15, 1865. The number of men from Du Page County in it was seventy-five, as fol- lows : company c. Adams, Hiram, Wayne. Barter, Franklin, Wayne ; died at Nashville, Tenn., March 16, 1865. Barther, William, Bloomingdale. Bushe, George, Wayne. Chisholm, Oliver P., Bloomingdale; promoted to Second Lieutenant. Eastman, Edwin, Bloomingdale, Corporal. Fowler, Charles, Bloomingdale, Wagoner. Grow, Freeman, Bloomingdale. Gage, James H., Wayne. Hall, Charles A., Wayne. Hammond, Abram, Wayne. Hemmingway, Charles E., Wayne. Johnson, William H., Milton; promoted to Com- missary Sergeant. King, George T., Wayne. McAIeer, John, Bloomingdale, Sergeant. McKillips, Albert H., Wayne. McKillips, William M., Wayne. McNaught, Ezekiel, Wayne. O'Brien, Henry, Bloomingdale; discharged June 1, 1865. Ray, Lewis C, Bloomingdale, Corporal; absent, sick, at muster out of regiment. Shaw, Willis, Bloomingdale, Musician. Shaw, George W., Bloomingdale. Smith, Albert E., Wayne. Turner, August, Wayne. Wheeler, Danforth M., Bloomingdale. COMPANY D. Art, James J., York; mustered out July 25, 1865. Atherton, Lucius W., York; absent, sick, at mus- ter out of regiment. Balcom, Truxton H., York. Delano, William B., York; mustered out May 24, 1865. Fuller, Alonzo W., York; promoted to Second Lieutenant. Hulett, John. Sperry, William O., York ; mustered out as Cor- poral. Tuttle, Francis L., York; mustered out as Cor- poral. COMPANY E. Brown, Alfred, Addison. Buckner, Daniel. Winfield. Johnson, Samuel, Addison. Nicholas, Samuel, Addison. Reddick, Austin, Addison. Williams. John H. COMPANY I. Warnock, Benjamin F., Milton, Sergeant; pro- moted to Second Lieutenant. Rickert, George J., Milton, Sergeant; mustered out as First Sergeant. Cheeney, Eugene M., Milton, Sergeant; promoted to Quartermaster's Sergeant. Howard, Charles H., Milton; absent with leave at muster out of regiment. Miller, George T., Milton, Corporal, mustered out as Sergeant. Miner, Ithamer, Milton, Corporal. Wilson, Walter S., Winfield, Corporal; mustered out as Sergeant. Dore. Thomas, Winfield, Corporal. Aitkin, Walter, Winfield. Anderson, Andrew, Winfield. Brown, Luther D., York. Bristol, Peleg, York. Bristol, Augustus, York. Bohlander, Philip G., Milton. Bohlander, Henry, Milton. Boardman, Albert, Winfield. Cleveland, Sylvester J., Milton. Denham, Robert, Winfield. Ginter, William, Milton; wagoner. Lewis, Fletcher, Milton. Moore, Oscar, Milton. O'Brien, Thomas, Winfield. Olsen, Sinert, Winfield. Perkins, William F., Winfield. Piatt, William T.. Milton; discharged July 16, 1865, for disability. Ranston, S., York; discharged August 31, 1865, for disability. Stephen, Archibald, Milton. Sprout, John, Milton. Soler, John Dexter, Winfield. Tansel, Rand, Milton; absent, sick, at muster out of regiment. Town, Albert S., Winfield. Weaver, John, Milton. Walan, Henry, Milton. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY 123 "Wilson, Elliot, Winfield. Young, Andrew, Milton ; mustered out as Cor- poral. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. The One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Infantry were enlisted for one year. It was mustered into service at Camp Fry March 9, 1865, and was detailed to guard the railroad between Chattanooga, Teun., and Dal- ton, Ga., and subsequently to do patrol duty at Memphis. It was mustered out at Springfield, 111., in September, 1865. It had ninety-nine men from Du Page County in its ranks as follows : COMPANY A. MUSICIAN. Zase, Andrew, Addison, enlisted February 18, 1865; mustered out September 20, 18G5. PRIVATES Alexander, Samuel, Addison, February 18, 1865 mustered out September 20, 1865. Berry, Washington, Addison, February 18, 1865 mustered out September 20, 1865. Breese, James M., Addison, February 18, 1865 mustered out September 20, 1865. Durfey, Jefferson, Addison, February 18, 1865 mustered out September 20, 1865. Killey, Francis M., Addison, February 18, 1865 mustered out September 20, 1865. Stowers, Robert W., Addison, February 18, 1865 absent, sick, at muster out of regiment. COMPANY D. CAPTAIN. Blanchard, William, Downer's Grove, date of rank March 9, 1865; resigned June 14, 1865. FIHST LIEUTENANTS. Bard, Reuben W., Naperville, date of rank March 9, 1865; resigned May 31, 1865. Hudson, David G., date of rank June 12. 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. SECOND LIEUTENANTS. Mertz, Solomon E., Lisle, date of rank March 9, 1865; resigned June 13, 1865. Wright, William P., Naperville, date of rank June 21, 1865; promoted from Sergeant, then Cap- tain; mustered out September 20, 1865. SERGEANTS. Heillegass, William H., Naperville, enlisted Feb- ruary 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865, as First Sergeant. Crampton, William M., Naperville, enlisted March 1, 1865; absent at muster out of regiment. Hall, George, Naperville, enlisted February 25. 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Brown, Jones B., Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865; mustered out May 16, 1865. CORPORALS. Weaver, Harvey, Naperville. enlisted February 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865, as Ser- geant. Dudley, Edward C, Lisle, enlisted February 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865, as Sergeant. Knauss, George F., Lisle; enlisted February 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Thatcher, Charles T., Naperville; enlisted Febru- ary 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Kulp, George J., Naperville; enlisted February 5, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Wilson, Alexander, Downer's Grove; enlisted Feb- ruary 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Rich, Lewis M., Downer's Grove; enlisted March 1, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Miller, Levi, Naperville; enlisted February 25, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. MUSICIANS. Shepherd, Ralph A., Downer's Grove; enlisted February 24, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Aaron, Julius, Naperville; enlisted March 1; mus- tered out May 20, 1865, as private. Esher, Martin E., Lisle; enlisted February 24, 1865; mustered out September 20, 1865. Atzel. John, Downer's Grove, March 1, 1865. Atwood, William, Downer's Grove, Februar_v 24, 1865; died, date and place unknown. Berry, Charles II.. Downer's Grove, March 2, 1865; mustered out February 20, 1865. Bateman, John W., Downer's Grove, February 24. 1865. Brown, David, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. Bapst, Lewis, Downer's Grove. February 29. Compte, Eugene, Naperville. February 25. Craigmile, Alexander, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. 124 HISTORY OF DU PAUE COUNTY. Chomann, Jacob, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Drew, Robert, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Davenport, Oscar, Downer's Grove, March 1, 1865; absent at muster out of regiment. Essington, Thomas, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Ebberly, John B., Lisle, February 24, 1865. Flisher, John, Downer's Grove, March 1, 1865. Getsh, Anton, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Grass, Frederick, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Gushart, David, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Good, Robert G., Lisle, February 25, 1865; mus- tered out May 13, 1865. Grassley, Charles, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Hintz, Frederick. Downer's Grove, February 24, 1865. Hines, Frederick, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. Hubbard, Charles H, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Heim, Henry, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Holderer, Christian, Naperville, ..February 25, 1865. Houser, Milton L., Lisle, February 25, 1865. Heittler, John, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Houser, William, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Hammer, Peter, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Hinderlong, Christian, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Kreyder, Charles, Downer's Grove, March 1, 1865; mustered out as Corporal. Kochley, Joseph, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Kline, Jacob, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. Kreyder, John, Downer's Grove, February 24, 1865. Kline, William, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Lent, Lawrence, Naperville, February 25, 1865; mustered out as Corporal. Lienbundguth, Michael, Downer's Grove, Febru- ary 24, 1865. Mattis, Sebastian, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Mattis, Joseph, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Maynard, Levi, Downer's Grove, February 24, 1865. Mertz, Wellington, Downer's Grove, February 24, 1865; mustered out May 26, 1865. Netzley, John W., Lisle, February 25, 1865. Oldfleld, Joshua, Downer's Grove, February 27, 1865. Porter, Alva B., Downer's Grove, March 2, 1865. Peter or Petus, Frederick, Downer's Grove, March 1, 1865. Riddler, William, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Rickert, Alexander M., Naperville, February 25, 1865; mustered out September 16, 1865. Rickert, Lichard, Lisle, February 25, 1865; absent at muster out of regiment. Rehin, Andrew, Downer's Grove, February 24, 1865. Smith, George, Jr., Downer's Grove, March 11, 1865. Smith, Charles, Downer's Grove, March 2, 1865. Schmidt, Frederick, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Stoner, Frank A., Naperville, February 25, 1865. Stover, Edmund, Lisle, February 22, 1865. Shaffer, Alfred, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Stroule, George, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Strauss, Albert, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Shephard, William, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. Turner, George, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Ulrich, Henry, Naperville, March 1, 1865. Vogle, Nelson, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Wagner, Naperville, February 25, 1865. Wheatley, Frederick, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Whitney, William C, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Wetten, Valentine, Downer's Grove, February 25, 1865. Vender, George, Lisle, February 25, 1865. Yund, Simon E., Naperville, March 1, 1865; mus- tered out August 25, 1865, as Musician. COMPANY E. PRIVATE. Kaley, Jefferson, Winfield, February 28, 1865. COMPANY F. PRIVATES. Cragg, Edward, Winfield, February 28, 1865. Cragg, George H, Winfield, February 25, 1865; mustered out May 12, 1865. Griswold, David M., Winfield, February 28, 1865; mustered out May 27, 1865. Misener, Merit, Winfield, February 26, 1865. COMPANY G. PBIVATE. Campbell, Garrett, Lisle, March 1, 1865. The date of the enlistment of each soldier is affixed to his name, and also of mustering out, when discharged before the term for which he enlisted. Cogswell's battery. West, Louis, Naperville, enlisted February 25; mustered in April 6, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 125 PETTIT S BATTERY. Pettit's Battery had one man from Du Page County : Wesley, Christian, Milton, enlisted in 1862; served three years and eleven days; wounded. Barker's Dragoons had three men from Du Page County : Litchfield, Cyrenius W., York. Reihansperger, Lawrence, Winfield. Reiley, John, Winfield. FIRST ARTILLERY. The First Regiment of Light Artillery had three men from Du Page County enlisted in it : COMPANY D. Schuerman, Jacob, Naperville; mustered in July 30; discharged September 20, 1861. COMPANY M. Andreuss, Charles B., York, enlisted and mustered in October 14, 1864; died at Camp Butler November 20. 1864. Darst, Jonathan H., Winfield, enlisted and mus- tered in October 26, 1864. SECOND ARTILLERY. The Second Artillery had eighteen men from Du Page County : COMPANY I. Rich, Judson, Naperville, Second Lieutenant; pro- moted to Captain. Ward, George T., Naperville, First Lieutenant; date of rank December 9, 1864. Haight, Charles D., Naperville, Quartermaster Sergeant; promoted to Second Lieutenant. Stolp, Rufus, Naperville, enlisted October 25, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; promoted to Sergeant. Stolp, Rufus S., Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Black, Neal J., Naperville, enlisted December 12, 1861; mustered out as Corporal. Blackstun, Henry, Naperville, enlisted December 12. 1861. Potter, Robert K., Naperville, enlisted December 12, 1861. COMPANY K. Pool, Francis K., Downer's Grove. Young, John, Downer's Grove; both enlisted and mustered in October 18, 1864, as recruits. COMPANY L. Gager, Charles M., Brush Hill. Coe, Samuel A., Downer's Grove; both enlisted February 15, and mustered in the 28th, 1862. Coffin, Menzo C, Downer's Grove. Fox, Herman M., Downer's Grove; both enlisted and mustered in October 18, 1864. Ireland, John, York, enlisted and mustered in Feb- ruary 28, 1862; discharged March 31, 1864, for dis- ability. Reynolds, Allen, Downer's Grove, enlisted and mustered in February 28, 1862 ; re-enlisted as veteran. Smith, Otis A., York, enlisted and mustered in February 28, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Buck, Thomas, Winfield, unassigned recruit; en- listed and mustered in October 25, 1864. SECOND CAVALRY REGIMENT. The Second Cavalry Regiment was mustered into service August 12, 1861, and mustered out of service at San Antonio, Texas, November 24, 1865. It had one man from Du Page County. COMPANY M. Preston, Charles, Milton, enlisted June 1; mus- tered in October 16, 1864. THIRD CAVALRY REGIMENT. This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, 111., in August, 1861, and mustered out at Springfield, October 13, 1865. It had four men from Du Page County. COMPANY H. Hubbard, William, enlisted February 25; mus- tered in the 27th, 1865; promoted to Sergeant. Fischer, James H, Winfield, enlisted February 28; mustered in March 1, 1865. COMPANY I. Backus, Myron, Addison, enlisted and mustered in February 28, 1865. COMPANY K. Milner, Henry O, York, enlisted and mustered in March 7, 1865. FOURTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. This regiment was mustered into service at Ottawa August 6, 1861, and mustered out in 126 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. November, 1864. It had two men from Du Page County. COMPANY C. Avery, John, Milton, enlisted August 24, 1861; mustered out November 3, 1864, as Sergeant. Avery, Prank H., Milton, enlisted August 29, 1861; discharged April 20, 1862, for disability. SIXTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, III., November 19, 1861, and mustered out at Selma, Ala., November 5, 1865. It had two men from Du Page County. COMPANY B. MeKinny, John H., Milton, enlisted and mustered in March 14, 1865. Rinehard, John, Milton, enlisted and mustered in March 21, 1865. EIGHTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. The Eighth Cavalry Regiment was organ- ized at St. Charles, 111., in September, 1861, by Col. Farnsworth, and mustered in the 18th. In October it moved to Washington, and in De- cember, to Alexandria, Va. The following March, it joined Gen. Sumner's division in his advance on Manassas, after which it guarded the Rappahannock till May. On the 4th, it moved to Williamsburg under command of Gen. Stoneham. June 26, it held '.he enemy under Jackson in check at Mechauicsville, after which battle a change of base was made by the Union forces, in accomplishing which the Eighth pro- tected the rear of the army by successful skir- mishes with the enemy. At Malvern Hill, it led the attack which was made on that place. August 30, 1862. it embarked at Yorktowu and landed at Alexandria the 1st of September, from which place it took the offensive and capt- ured 220 prisoners, two guns and the colors of the Twelfth Virginia Regiment. It was next engaged at Antietam, and next at Martinsburg, after which it led the advance of the Army of the Potomac almost constantly, skirmishing with the enemy, till it reached Fal- mouth November 23, 1862, after which it was on picket duty during the active operations that immediately followed. The next year, 1863, its earnest work was redoubled, and the actions in which it was engaged may be enumerated as follows : Sul- phur Springs, April 14 ; battle near Warrenton, the 17th ; Rapidan, May 1 ; Northern Neck, the 14th ; Borstly Ford, June 9 ; Upperville, the 21st ; Fairville, Penn., the 30th ; Gettysburg, July 1. It claims the honor of tiring the first shot at this decisive battle ; Williamsport, Md., the 6th ; Boonsboro, the 8th ; Funkstowu, the 10th ; Falling Waters, the 14th ; Chester Gap, the 21st ; Sandy Hook, the 21st ; near Cul- pepper, Va., August 1 ; Brady's Station, the 4th ; a raid to Falmouth, the 30th ; Pony Moun- tain, September 13; Liberty Mills, the 21st; Brady's Station, October 11 ; Manassas, the loth ; Warrenton, the 30th ; Rexleysville, No- vember 8 ; Mitchell's, the 12th, and Ely's Ford, the 30th. During the war, the following is a summary of the results of their arms, from official rec- ords : Captured, wounded and killed of the enemy, 3,946 ; slaves liberated, 3,000 ; horses killed or captured, 4,110 ; mules killed or captured, 661 ; sheep killed or captured, 1,400 ; cattle killed or captured, 2,200 ; wagons captured, 280 ; smug- gling crafts destroyed, 208 ; 10 tons of ammu- nition ; 7 tons of leather, and 16 tons of pork captured ; 7 colors and 6 guns taken, added to which were cereals and small arms, valued at $2,000,000. These men were among the best soldiers in the war, whose bodies were hardened into clear muscle and bone, by their unceasing activity, made effective by the indomitable courage that held their uplifted arms to the service. This regiment was mustered out at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17, 1865, and ordered to Chicago, where its remnant, less than one-third of its original number, received its final pay- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 127 ment and discharge. It had 197 men from Du Page Count}' in its ranks. MAJORS. Kelley, ElishaS., Milton; date of rank December 5, 1862; resigned May 23, 1863. CHAPLAINS. Matlock, Lucius C, Wheaton; date of rank Octo- ber 8, 1861 ; mustered out August 25, 1862. NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. CHIEF BUGLERS. Bartholomew, Oeorge W., Winfield; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. VETERAN NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. QUARTEBMARTBK SERGEANT. Gates, Robert W., Bloomingdale; enlisted Janu- ary 1, 1864; promoted to Regimental Quartermaster. COMPANY A. Emery, James EL. Wheaton; enlisted September 8, 1861; discharged April 24, 1862. COMPANY D. CAPTAINS. Gerhart, Jacob S., Bloomingdale; date of rank Sep- tember 18, 1861 ; resigned July 28, 1862. SECOND LIEUTENANTS. Verbeck, Carlos H., Bloomingdale; date of rank September 18, 1861; promoted to First Lieutenant; term expired February 1, 1865. Dunning, Andrew, Addison; date of rank March 3, 1865; promoted to First Lieutenant; mustered out July 17, 1865. 6EKOEANT8. Wallis, George, Bloomingdale; enlisted August 20, 1861; discharged February 27, 1862, for disability. Clark, Charles L., Bloomingdale; enlisted Septem- ber 4, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran. COBPOHALS. Dunning, Andrew, Addison; enlisted August 58, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Farr, Asa W., Bloomingdale; enlisted August 28, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864, as Sergeant. Coe, Curtiss H.. Bloomingdale; enlisted August 20, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., May, 1862. Durland, Garrett P., Bloomingdale; enlisted Au- gust 28, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. PRIVATES. Avery, Daniel J., Wayne, September 9, 1861: transferred to Company M. Ackley, John W., Bloomingdale, September 2, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mus- tered out as Corporal. Asendorf, Albert, Addison, September 12; mus- tered out September 28, 1864. Bunnell, Marcus, Bloomingdale, September 9, 1861 ; re-entisted as veteran November 30, 1863 mustered out as Corporal. Baltz, William, Bloomingdale, August 24, 1861 transferred to Company M. Churchill, Amos, Milton, August 30, 1861 ; trans ferred to Company M. Clark, Morgan L., Bloomingdale, September 5 1861; discharged in 1862; disability. Cheesman, George B., Addison, September 17, 1861. Chapman, Thomas, Bloomingdale, August 20 1861; discharged February, 1862; disability. Douglass, James, Bloomingdale, August 20, 1861 re-enlisted as veteran November 30, 1863; mustered out as Wagoner. Deibert, Jacob, Bloomingdale, September 4, 1861 mustered out September 28, 1864. Driscoll, Obadiah, Wayne, September 9, 1861 discharged July 31, 1862; disability. Eggleston,' Surrial G., Addison, September 14 1861; discharged March 19, 1863; wounds. Ehle, Austin J., Bloomingdale, August 30, 1861 mustered out September 28, 1864. Ehle, John H., Bloomingdale, September 16, 1861 died at Alexandria. Va., April, 1862. Eggist, Christopher, Bloomingdale, September 16 1861 ; transferred to Company M. Fink, Barney H., Addison, September 4, 1861 discharged November 12, 1862; disability. Fournier, Euseba, Bloomingdale, September 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mus- tered out as Corporal. Gannon, Thomas, Bloomingdale, September 3, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran November 30, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Gerhardt, Livingston E., Bloomingdale, Septem- ber 3, 1861 ; prisoner of war, reported dead, dropped from rolls. Goodwin, William W., Bloomingdale, August 30, 1861; discharged November 26, 1862; disability. Giedman, Henry, Addison, August 28, 1861 ; mus- tered out September 28, 1864, as Corporal. Hackendorf, Henry, Bloomingdale. August 28, 1861; discharged February 4, 1863; disability. Kollinan, Henry, Bloomingdale, September 7, 1861 ; transferred to Company M. 128 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Kohn, Frederick, Bloomingdale, September 17, 1861 ; transferred to Company M. Landon, Allen S., Bloomingdale, August 20, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864. Landon, Charles, Bloomingdale, August 30, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Corporal. Laning, Dedrick, York, September 17, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran December 20, 1863; mustered out as Saddler. Muzzy, Emeric O., Bloomingdale, September 17, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., February, 1862. Meachem, Sylvester, Bloomingdale, September 17, 1861 ; mustered out September 28, 1865. Mund, Dedrick, York, September 9, 1861 ; died at Andersonville Prison September 6, 1864 ; number of grave, 7,989. Mcintosh. Hugh, Bloomingdale, September 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as a veteran November 30, 1863 ; mustered out as Corporal. Nash, DeWitt, Bloomingdale, September 7, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864. Northrup, Albert, Bloomingdale, September 4 ; mustered out as Corporal. Noon, John, Bloomingdale, September 9, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Pierce, William D., Bloomingdale, August 20, 1861 ; transferred to Company H. Pflarger, August, Bloomingdale, September 2, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran November 30, 1863 ; mustered out as Sergeant. Rickert, Jacob D., Bloomingdale, August 20, 1861; mustered out May 20, 1862, prisoner of war. Rave, William D.. Bloomingdale, September 9, 1861 ; discharged in 1862. Rode, Ernst, York, September 9, 1861 ; discharged May, 1862, disability. Sedgwick, Estus P., Bloomingdale, September 2, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., March, 1862. Segus, Henry, Bloomingdale, September 5, 1861; killed at Culpepper, Va., August, 1863. Teimer, Herman, Addison, September 7, 1861; discharged July 31, 1862, disability. Thorne, Alexander P., Wayne, September 16, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864. Volke, John, Addison, September 5, 1861; died at Washington, D. C, October 26, 1862. Weaber, Benjamin F., Bloomingdale, Septem- ber 5, 1861; killed near Boonesboro, Md., July 8, 1863. Weaber, William, Bloomingdale, September 12, 1861 ; discharged November 26, 1862, disability. Wilk, Henry, Bloomingdale, September 9, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Wedmeir, Henry, Bloomingdale, September 4, 1861; re-eniisted as veteran November 30, 1863. Woodworth, Henry, Wayne, September 16, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Way, Edmund, Bloomingdale, August 25, 1861; transferred to Company M. Wright, Sylvester, Bloomingdale, September 17; mustered out September 28, 1864. Zooh, Frederick, Bloomingdale, September 7, 1861; died at Baltimore Cross Roads, Va., in 1862. VETERANB. Bye, William, Bloomingdale, November 30, 1863; mustered out as Sergeant. Clarke, Charles S., Bloomingdale, January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Dunning, Andrew, Addison, January 1, 1864; pro- moted First Lieutenant. Durland, Garrett B., Bloomingdale, January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Duneka, Henry, Bloomingdale, Dec. 20, 1863. Fehrman, Lewis, Bloomingdale, December 20, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Fehrman, August, Addison, January 1, 1864; ab- sent, sick, at mustering out of regiment. Rave, August, Bloomingdale, January 1, 1864. RECRUITS. B W. , Bloomingdale, October 13, 1863. Brandt, , Bloomingdale, January 20, 1863; discharged January 10, 1865; disability. Clark, Morgan L., Bloomingdale, February 3, 1864. Dunning, Samuel N, Addison, February 20. Elbert, William, Addison, October 8, 1864. Miner, William, Bloomingdale, October 14. Reiuhardt, Henry, Addison, October 8, 1864. COMPANY E. CAPTAINS. Kelly, Elisha 8., Milton, date of rank September 18, 1861 ; promoted Major. Jones, Marcellus E., Wheaton, date of rank Oc- tober 10, 1864; promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant; mustered out July 17, 1865. Buck, Daniel N., Naperville, date of rank De- cember 5, 1862; promoted from First Sergeant to First Lieutenant; term expired October 10, 1864. FIRST LIEUTENANTS. Flagg, Benjamin L., Milton, date of rank Sep- tember 18, 1861; resigned July 15, 1862. HISTORY OP DU PAGE COUNTY. 129 Riddler, Alexander McS. S., date of rank Octo- ber 10, 1864; promoted from Corporal to Second Lieutenant; mustered out July 17, 1865. BECOND LIEUTENANTS. Taylor, Woodbury M., Milton, date of rank Sep- tember 18, 1861; promoted First Lieutenant; pro- moted second time Captain Company L by Presi- dent April 11, 1864. Wbitaker, Owen, Milton, date of rank December 8, 1864; promoted from Corporal; resigned June 9, 1865. "Wayne, Edward, Naperville, date of rank June 20, 1865; mustered out as Sergeant July 17, 1865. QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT. Foster, George, Milton, enlisted September 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. SERGEANTS. Smith, Samuel W., Naperville, enlisted Septem- ber 10, 1861; promoted Sergeant Major. Hines, Thomas S., Naperville, enlisted Septem- ber 10, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864; term expired. Mott, Meritt, Milton, enlisted September 5, 1861; discharged April 13, 1862; disability. CORPORALS. Harnes, Benjamin F., Naperville, enlisted Sep- tember 10, 1861; discharged February 15, 1863 as Sergeant; wounds. Oberhallsen, Samuel, Naperville, enlisted Septem- ber 10, 1861; discharged November 23, 1862; disa- bility. Fosha, George, Naperville, enlisted September 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Crosby, Frank, Milton, enlisted September 5, 1861; discharged October 8, 1864; term expired. Ackley, Frank M., Milton, enlisted September 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. McNorth, George S., Winfield, enlisted Septem- ber 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. BUGLER. Lund, Henry, Milton, enlisted September 5, 1861; promoted Chief Bugler. FARRIER. Bond, Samuel, Naperville, enlisted September 13, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran. PRIVATES. Benjamin, Henry H., Lisle, September 10, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864; term expired. Brooks, Edwin H, Milton, September 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out as Corporal. Bartholomew, George W., Warren ville, Septem- ber 10; promoted Chief Bugler. Burnham, Remembrace, Bloomingdale, Septem- ber 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Cooley, Herbert, Wheaton, September 5. 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out as Sergeant. Corbet, Clark S., Milton, September 5, 1861; dis- charged November 15, 1862; disability. Chadwiek, William H, Milton, September 5, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; mustered out as Corp- oral. Churchill, William H, York. September 5, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864. Ditzler, Eli H, Naperville, September 10, 1861, mustered out September 28, 1864. Davis, Samuel, Milton, September 5, 1861; mus- tered out September 28, 1864. Dense, Darwin, Danby, September 14, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Dissinger, Aaron, Naperville, September 17, 1861 ; discharged April 21, 1862; disability. Dodge, Horace O., Milton; September 18, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864; term expired. Foster, James, Winfield, September 5, 1861; dis- charged July 25, 1863. Franks, Benjamin, Naperville. September 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Flagg, Sewell, Milton, September 14, 1861; Ser- geant; killed near Manassas, Va., October 15, 1863. Farrer, Judson, Downer's Grove, September 17, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., June 18, 1863; wounds. Guio, Augustus, Milton, September 5, 1861; dis- charged January 8, 1863; disability. Jacob, Gates, Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861; discharged November 28, 1862; disability. Heim. George, Lisle, September 17; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Hardy, Edgar A., Milton, September 5, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran January 1. 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Hart, Horace, Milton, September 5, 1861; re enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Hymes, Jacob, Naperville, September 5, 1861 ; discharged April 16, 1862; disability. Hale, James O., Winfield, September 5, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran November 30, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Hughes, Morgan, Naperville, September 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Bugler. 130 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Hector, Frank, Milton, September 13, 1861; trans- ferred to Company A. Howell, Charles, Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864, as Cor- poral. Havens, John W., Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; promoted Corporal; absent, sick, at muster out of regiment. Hyde, James, Naperville, September 17, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Jewell, Solomon W., Milton, September 5, 1861; discharged November 25, 1862; wounds. Jones, William, Milton, September 5, 1861; dis- charged January 23, 1863, as Sergeant; wounds. Jepperson, Herman K., Warrenville, September 18, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; died of starvation February 21, 1865, in rebel hospi- tal at Danville, Va. Kockley, Jacob, Naperville, September 18, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; died at Washington, D. C, August 10, 1864; wounds. Kelly, Benton J., Milton, September 17; mus- tered out September 28, 1864. Kinzie, AbramA., Naperville, September 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Loser, William, Naperville, September 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Loser, John, Naperville, September 17, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as Corporal. Mott, Gilbert, Milton, September 5, 1861; re-en- listed as veteran January 1, 1864. Meachem, Frank, Milton, September 5, 1861; dis- charged December 5, 1862. Mertz, Franklin B., Naperville, September 10, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864; term ex- pired. Mills, George A., Milton, September 14, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., February 22, 1862. McCauley, Augustus, Naperville, September 17, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864. McMillan, Daniel. Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861; discharged September 22, 1862; disability. Plumer, Benjamin, York, September 18, 1861; promoted Regimental Commissary Sergeant. Poison, Emerick, Milton, September 14, 1861; dis- charged February 28, 1863; disability. Potter, Nelson A., Milton, September 5, 1861; transferred to Company A. Plant, Roswell. Naperville, September 14; re-en- listed as veteran January 1, 1864. Pinches, William, Downer's Grove; mustered out September 28, 1864, as Corporal. Perry, John, Downer's Grove, September 17, 1861 discharged March 21, 1864. Persem, George, Naperville, September 17, 1861 killed Funkstown, Md., July 10, 1863. Ringman, George, Milton, September 5, 1861 killed Morton's Ford, Va., October 11, 1863. Rogers, Francis A., Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861; mustered out September 28, 1864; term ex- pired. Slyter, Charles, Milton, September 5, 1861; died at Alexandria, Va., July 1, 1863; wounds. Strouse, Lewis, Lisle, September 10, 1861; re-en- listed as veteran January 1, 1861; mustered out as Corporal. Stoner, John, Naperville, September 17, 1861; re- enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864. Snyder, Daniel, Lisle, September 14, 1861 ; killed South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862. Shaeffer, Levi S., Naperville, September 18, 1861; discharged October 8, 1864, as Sergeant. Stevens, Abraham, Warrenville, September 18, 1861; discharged February 13, 1863; disability. Schuster, Franklin, Milton, September 18, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Tobias, William J., Naperville, September 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; died at Naperville, 111., May 12, 1864. Wheeler, Allen, Downer's Grove, September 18, 1861 Wentworth, Winfleld, September 5, 1861. Weidman, Curtis S., Milton, September 5, 1861; mustered out Septemher 28, 1864. Wayne, Edward, Naperville, September 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; mustered out as First Sergeant; commissionel Second Lieutenant, but not mustered. Whitaker, Owen, Miltou, November 30. 1863; pro- moted Sergeant, then Second Lieutenant. RECHU1TS. Ashley, Benedict, Downer's Grove, October 18, 1864. Burnham, Oscar D., Naperville, January 10, 1864, veteran. Britegan, William, Naperville, February 23, 1864; absent, sick, at mustering out of regiment. Bennett, William, Milton, September 27, 1864. Bunn, Henry, Downer's Grove, October 18, 1864. Culver, Charles S., Warrenville, Dec. 24, 1864. Campbell, John, Naperville, January 1, 1864; died at Camp Relief, D. C, July 6, 1864. Desenbrock, Henry, Naperville, December 20, 1863, mustered out; Blacksmith. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 131 Dixon, Charles G, Downer's Grove, October 18, 1864. Freets, William, Milton, September 9, 1861; dis- charged September 18, 1861. Graham, James, Naperville, January 10, 1864. Gerberick, Levi, Naperville, February 23, 1864. Gleason, Watson W., Downer's Grove, October 18, 1864. Hudson, William, Warrenville, Deeember 22, 1863; died in rebel prison at Richmond, Va. Johnson, Oscar, Milton, September 14, 1861, dis- charged September 20, 1861. Kribill, John, Naperville, December 20, 1863. Murray, John, Naperville, January 10, 1864. Mertz, Owen. Lisle, February 19, 1864. Neff, Joseph, Naperville, January 4, 1864; killed at Monocacy, Md., July 30, 1864. Robinson, Ashael F., Milton, August 11, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Robinson, Daniel F., Milton. August 11, 1862; re- enlisted as veteran. Strieker. David, Naperville, December 21, 1863. Schaftmetzle, Chas., Naperville, January 1, 1864. Statt, Charles, Downer's Grove, October 18; 1864. Wilson, Thomas, Wheaton, February 5, 1864. Ward, James A., Warrenville, January 2, 1864. Winderburg, Louis, Naperville, Dec. 20, 1863. Ward, Charles H.. Warrenville, December 24, 1863; died in District of Columbia July 23, 1864; wounds. COMPANY F. ntlVATffi Brown, James, Du Page County, Sept. 4, 1861; discharged Sept. 19, 1862; accidental wounds. Hawley, Oliver, Du Page County, August 30, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864; Ser- geant; discharged July 1, 1865. NINTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. The Ninth Cavalry Regiment was organized at Chicago in November, 1861, and mustered out at Salrna, Ala., October 1, 1865. It had three men from Du Page County. COMPANY D. Toune, Dedrick, Addison, enlisted September 10; mustered in the 21st, 1861. COMPANY K. Bostwick, Henry O, Du Page County, enlisted September 10, 1861 ; discharged September 30, 1862, as Sergeant. Woodworth, Frank, Bloomingdale, Corporal; en- listed September 5, and mustered in October 26. 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran. TWELFTH CAVALRY. After its organization in December, 1861, it was promptly sent to Virginia, where, at Win- chester, its earnest work began in September, 1862. It was at Harper's Ferry when sur- rounded by the rebels, and saved itself from capture by cutting its way through their lines, escaping into Pennsylvania. It was then joined with the Potomac Army, and advanced to Dum- fries, Va., where it remained till March, 1863, holding the place against the rebel Gen. Stuart. It next took part in the famous Stonewall raid, a detachment of which, under Col. Davis, passed the rear of Lee's army within two miles of Richmond. In June, 1S63, it was attached to the First Division Army Corps, and was in active service through the sanguinary campaign that followed. It next returned to Chicago and recruited to its maximum, when it returned to the front, arriving at New Orleans April 1, 1864, where it was engaged in picket duty and raid- ing till the war was over. It had forty-eight men from Du Page County in its ranks. COMPANY A. Drury, John, Naperville, enlisted January 22, 1862; died at Camp Butler the following March. Muck, Henry, Naperville, enlisted January 9, 1862, re-enlisted at veteran. COMPANY B. Miskosaki, Egnes, Naperville; enlisted January 6, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY C. CAPTAIN. Bronson, Stephen, Wheaton, enlisted and mus- tered in February 28, 1862; promoted Major. SFCOND LIEUTENANT. Ward, George F., Wheaton, enlisted November 17, 1862; promoted to First Lieutenant. Mills, Alexander, First Sergeant, Milton, enlisted December 10, 1861; promoted Second Lieutenant March 15, 1863; resigued, January 2, 1864. 132 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Chadwick, Edwin, Corporal, Milton, enlisted Oc- tober 31, 1861; re-enlisted us veteran. Paine, Robert E., Milton, enlisted November 30, 1861. Finch, Charles L., Milton, Bugler, enlisted Janu- ary 10, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Standish, Stephen, Lisle, Sergeant, enlisted Octo- ber 1, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Stearns, Benjamin, Winfield, Blacksmith, enlisted December 16, 1861. Atkinson, Robert, Wayne, Saddler, enlisted Octo- ber 13, 1861. Cheeney, E. M., Milton, Wagoner, enlisted No- vember 3, 1861; discharged October 1, 1862. Ackerman, J. D., Milton, enlisted December 27, 1861. Ackerman, S. W., Babcock's Grove, enlisted De- cember 24, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Bedford, Franklin, enlisted December 14, 1861; promoted to Hospital Steward. Bronson, Charles, Milton, enlisted December 31, 1861; discharged for disability. Burns, Patrick, Milton, enlisted December 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Butterfield, Theodore, Milton, enlisted December 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Cooper, Benjamin, Naperville, unassigned re- cruit, enlisted December 29, 1863. Ensworth, Edgar, Milton, enlisted January 1, 1862. Finch, Elisha W., Milton, enlisted December 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Hickey, Ball, Milton, enlisted December 12, 1861; discharged October 1, 1862. Higgins, Owen, Wayne, enlisted December 13, 1861; became prisoner of war and was discharged. Gorow, John L., Milton, enlisted December 10, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Mason, E. H, Milton, enlisted December 14, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Moon, G. W., Milton, enlisted January 1, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Mott, Willard, Wheaton, enlisted December 1, 1861; discharged May 14, 1862. Riley, John, Wayne, enlisted February 4, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Ushner, Ferdinand, Milton, enlisted January 1, 1862; killed at Gettysburg July 1, 1863. Vlntom, William, Cottage Hill, enlisted Febru- 21, 1862; discharged. Wakefield, James B., Wayne, enlisted January 16, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Welch, John, Winfield, enlisted November 15, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Wentworth, C. E. H., Wheaton, enlisted February 1, 1862; promoted to Hospital Steward. Wright, William, Milton, enlisted December 1, 1861; discharged March 1, 1863. Ferich, Charles L., Naperville, enlisted as veteran March 1, 1864. Ferish, Elisha W., Milton, enlisted February 28, 1864, as veteran. The two above mustered in February 29, 1864, as veterans. Woods, William, Wheaton, enlisted as recruit. COMPANY D. Brown, Henry D., Wayne, enlisted February 10, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Keith, Chas., Wayne, enlisted December 27, 1861. Langly, F. M., Wayne, enlisted February 15, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran. Ogden, Alonzo, Wayne, enlisted February 24, 1861; discharged June, 1863. Panter, Allen, Wayne, enlisted February 24, 1861. Panter, J. C, Wayne, enlisted February 26, 1861. Rabus, Lewis, Wayne, enlisted March 2, 1861; discharged September 4, 1863. COMPANY M. McGinty, Joseph, York, enlisted December 14, 1863; transferred to Company H as consolidated. THIRTEENTH CAVALRY. The Thirteenth Cavalry was organized at Camp Douglas December, 1861, and mustered out at Springfield August 31, 1865. It had eight men from Du Page County. COMPANY A. Becker, Friederick, Addison, enlisted September 19, mustered in December 31, 1861. Jenson, Franz Z. F. W., Downer's Grove, enlisted September 28, mustered in December 31, 1861. COMPANY B. Kretzer, Ferdinand, Naperville, discharged Octo- ber 2, 1862, for disability. COMPANY C. Sommer, Wilheim, Addison, enlisted October 20, mustered in December 31, 1861. Schroeder, Henry Carl, York, enlisted October21, mustered in December 31, 1861. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 133 COMPANY E. Waskon, William, Addison, enlisted October 23; discharged 1862. COMPANY H. Blackeman, Reuben. Eyor, Peter, both of Naperville, and enlisted De- cember 1; mustered in the 31st, 1864. FIFTEENTH CAVALRY. The companies of which this regiment was composed were enlisted in the autumn of 1861. Company I was mustered into the service Sep- tember 23, 1861, but the first orders organizing the regiment bears date of Springfield, Decem- ber 25, 1862. The term of enlistment of the men expired January 1, 1865, when this regi- ment was consolidated with the Tenth, and the re-enlisted men of both regiments made twelve companies. Thirteen men from Du Page County were in its ranks. COMPANY H. Bushell. Joseph, Naperville, Corporal. Warner, William, Naperville, Corporal. Monk, Joseph, Naperville, Corporal. Cofiman, Adam G., Wayne. Canlon, Arnold, Wayne. Rinehart, Charles C, Winfield. AH the above enlisted August 7, 1861. COMPANY I. Hagadon, George W., Wheaton, Corporal, en- listed August 2, 1861 ; discharged May 24, 1863, for disability. Mowry, Allen, Turner Junction. Corporal; re-en- listed as veteran. Rathborn, Joshua, Danby, enlisted August 2, 1861, mustered out August 24. 1864. Tucker, Lawrence S., Turner Junction, enlisted August 2, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY K. Larkin, Nathan, Wayne, Corporal, enlisted Au- gust 12, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. Balch, Edwin E., Naperville, enlisted August 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran. COMPANY h. Barr, John C, Du Page County, Sergeant, en- listed December 2, 1861; mustered in January 1, 1862. Private in detached service, missing since the massacre of Fort Pillow. SEVENTEENTH CAVALRY. The Seventeenth Cavalry Regiment was or- ganized by John F. Farnsworth under order issued from the War Department August 12, 1863. Eight companies were mustered into service January 22, 1864. Four more com- panies were mustered in by the 24th of Febru- ary, and the regiment was complete. The fol- lowing May, on the 3d, it moved to report to Gen. Rosecrans, who was then commander of the Department of the Missouri. In June, its First and Second Battalions were ordered to the North Missouri District, while the Third re- mained at Alton, 111., which had been head- quarters up to this time for the whole regi- ment. Companies C and D, of this battalion took part in the defense of Jefferson City, Mo., against Price's arm}-. The Second Battalion were engaged in patroling the country and de- feuding the railroads against rebel guerrillas, etc. The Third Battalion left Alton in Septem- ber, 1864, passing through St. Louis in the direction of Rolla to prevent the army of Price from cutting off its communication with St. Louis. More active work was now open for this regiment. Iu connection with other regi- ments, it was placed under command of Gen. Sanborn, and the Seventeenth took part in the attack on Gen. Price at Booneville. On the 22d of October, 1864, at Independence, Mo., it dis- mounted, and with the Thirteenth Missouri gained the rear guard of the enemy and capt- ured their artillery. Two days after this, 1,000 rebel prisoners were taken, among whom was the famous Gen. Marmaduke, just over the Kansas line. The Seventeenth, now with McNeil's brigade, pursued the defeated foe in the direction of Fort Scott, the rebels, still numerous and formidable, oft making bold stands and giving battle to their pursuers. They finally escaped into Arkansas, and the pursuing column re- 134 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. turned to Springfield, Mo., after a flying cam- paign of forty-three days, in which 1,000 miles had been traveled, and many spirited skirmishes with the enemy encountered. It was mustered out in November and December at Fort Leav- enworth, Kan. It had sixty-one men from Du Page County in its ranks. MAJOR. Matlack, Lucius C, Wheaton, date of rank Jan- uary 23, 1864. ADJUTANT. Smith, Samuel W., Naperville; date of rank, No- vember 25, 1863. QUARTERMASTER. Horner, Benjamin F., Naperville; date of rank July 13, 1865. COMPANY H. CAPTAIN. Smith, Samuel W., Naperville; date of rank De- cember 9, 1864. FIRST LIEUTENANT. Laird, William J., Naperville; date of rank July 14, 1865; promoted from Second Lieutenant. SECOND LIEUTENANT. McMillan, Alexander, Wheaton; date of rank July 14, 1865. QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT. Filler, Thomas, York; enlisted December 23, 1863. SERGEANTS. Oberholsen, Samuel, Naperville; enlisted January 1, 1864; promoted to First Sergeant. Horner, Benjamin F., Naperville; enlisted Janu- ary 1, 1864; promoted to Regimental Quartermaster. CORPORALS. Money, Abram W., Bloomingdale, enlisted Janu- ary 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Porter, Frank H., Wheaton, enlisted December 3, 1863; mustered out as Sergeant. Wells, Milton J., Wheaton, enlisted January 1, 1864; promoted to Regimental Commissary Ser- geant. Good, Walter W., Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Parsons, Peter, Naperville, enlisted December 25, 1863; mustered out as Sergeant. Andrews, Dewey, Wheaton, enlisted December 3, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. PRIVATES. Andrews, August, Winfield, enlisted December 25, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Blessman, Frederick, York, enlisted November 9, 1863. Boltman, Frederick, Cottage Hill, enlisted No- vember 1, 1863. Barribal, Henry, Bloomingdale, enlisted January 1, 1864. Bounear, Henry, Addison, enlisted December 15, 1863. Benkert, Lawrence, Naperville, enlisted Decem- ber 25, 1863. Bond, Elijah, Bloomingdale, enlisted January 1, 1864. Bond, Rosaloo, Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864; mustered out as Sergeant. Caulkins, Joshua, Naperville, enlisted December 4, 1863. Dunn, Joseph, Downer's Grove, enlisted January 4, 1864. Dissinger, David, Naperville, enlisted December 25, 1864. Fry, William, Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864. Grambine, Solomon, Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864. Gebhart, Frederick, Wheaton, enlisted January 4, 1864. Grant, Adelbert, York, enlisted November 10, 1863. Guchart, Samuel, Naperville, enlisted December 25, 1863. Heinburg, Charles, Addison, enlisted January 11, 1864; died at Fort Scott, Kas., November 16, 1864. Hatch, Franklin, Bloomingdale, enlisted January 1, 1865. Kiesling, Augustus, Addison, enlisted December 23, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Ketchum, Elias D., Naperville, enlisted January 4, 1864. Lyon, Charles, Wheaton. enlisted December 29, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Lyman, John F., Wheaton, enlisted December 1, 1863; drowned at Pleasant Hill, Mo., June 29, 1865. McMillan, Alexander, Wheaton, enlisted Novem- ber 1, 1863; promoted to Hospital Steward. McMasters, Frank. York Centre, enlisted Novem- ber 10, 1863. Morgan, Royal T., Wheaton, enlisted December 1, 1863; mustered out as Corporal. Meacham, Henry, Naperville, enlisted January 1, 1864; died at Sedalia, Mo., October 28, 1864. ^/e^^^c. b&&c^2^ HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 137 Metzler, Samuel, Winfield, enlisted January 4, 1864. Meininghous. Louis, Bloomingdale, enlisted Jan- uary 4, 1864; mustered out as Corporal. Miner, Martin, York, enlisted January 1, 1864. Plummer, Benjamin, York, enlisted December 23, 1863; promoted to Regimental Commissary Sergeant. Priess, Frederick, Wheaton, enlisted December 15, 1863. Rohker, Henry, Naperville, enlisted January 4, 1864. " Stoner, William, Cottage Hill, enlisted January 1, 1864. Sperlon, John, Wheaton, enlisted December 1, 1863. Schofield, Joseph E., Bloomingdale, enlisted Jan- uary 1, 1864. Scott, Samuel, Naperville, enlisted December 26, 1863. Sininger, John, Babcock's Grove, enlisted De- cember 25, 1863. Turner, George J., Addison, enlisted January 4, 1864. Votner, William, Wheaton, enlisted January 11, 1864. Warneke, Frederick, Wheaton, enlisted November 27, 1863. Warkle, Christopher, Naperville, enlisted Decem- ber 25, 1863. Warren, Martin J., Downer's Grove, enlisted Jan- uary 4, 1864. Detzler, William, Naperville, enlisted February 27, 1864; drowned at Glasgow, Mo., August 15, 1864. Daniels, John, Naperville, enlisted March 29, 1864; died of wounds received in battle at Hunts- ville, Mo., July 24. 1864. Noddlehoffer, William, Naperville, enlisted March 7. 1864. Reinhart, Frederick, Naperville, enlisted March 7, 1864. Snibley, Henry C, Naperville, enlisted January 30, 1864. RECRUITS FOR THE FIRST ARMY CORPS. Liusley, John C, York, enlisted February 7, mus- tered in the 20th, 1865; mustered out February 21, 1866. Carroll, James L., York, enlisted February 13, mustered in the 25th, 1865; mustered out February 13, 1866. Rathburn, Joshua, Milton, enlisted and mustered in March 2, 1865; mustered out March 2, 1866. The above assigned to Second Regiment U. S. Veteran Volunteers. Bexler, John, York. Needham, James, York. Both enlisted and mustered in February 17, 1865. Goble, Abraham E., York, enlisted and mustered in February 24, 1865; promoted Sergeant. The three above assigned to the Fourth Regiment U. S. Veteran Volunteers. Carroll, Edward. Felthousen, Jacob D. Gaskell, Sylvester H. Olson, Martin. Pomeroy, Winfield K. Thompson, John. The above six all from Milton; enlisted and mus- tered in March 10, 1865. Carpenter, James E., York. Kaenig, Adolph, Downer's Grove. Hengel, Mathias, Milton. Loveland, Henry, Milton. McGuire, Francis, Milton. The above two enlisted and mustered in March 23, 1865. Cheney, William, Downer's Grove. Lutze, George D., Downer's Grove. The above two enlisted March 31, 1865, and as- signed to the Sixth Regiment U. S. Veteran Vol- unteers. Tebo, Caleb, York, enlisted and mustered in April 10, 1865; promoted April 13, 1866, Sergeant. The names of Du Page Count}' soldiers are recorded in thirty-four regiments of infantry, ten regiments of cavalry and five regiments of artillery, as follows : INFANTRY REGIMENTS— numher of men. Seventh Illinois Infantry 24 Tenth Illinois Infantry 1 Twelfth Illinois Infantry 2 Thirteenth Illinois Infantry 90 Fifteenth Illinois Infantry 4 Nineteenth Illinois Infantry 1 Twentieth Illinois Infantry 5 Twenty-third Illinois Infantry 15 Thirty-third Illinois Infantry 4* Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry 47 Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry 4 Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry 2 Forty-second Illinois Infantry 7 Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry 1 Fifty-first Illinois Infantry 18 II 138 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Fifty-second Illinois Infantry 24 Fifty-third Illinois Infantry 1 Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry 18 Fifty -fifth Illinois Infantry 35 Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry 12 Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry 3 Sixty-ninth Illinois Infantry 5 Seventy-second Illinois Infantry 15 Eighty-second Illinois Infantry 1 Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry 8 Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry 7 Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry 2 One Hundreth Illinois Infantry 1 One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. . . 398 One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 4 One Hundred and Thirty-second 15 One Hundred and Forty -first 80 One Hundred and Fifty-third 75 One Hundred and Fifty-sixth 99 Total 1066 ARTILLERY— NUMBEE or MIM. Cogswell's Battery 1 Petit's Battery 1 Barker's Dragoons 3 First Artillery 3 Second Artillery 18 Total 27 CAVALRY — NUMBER OF MEN. Second Cavalry 1 Third Cavalry 4 Fourth Cavalry 2 Sixth Cavalry 2 Eighth Cavalry 197 Ninth Cavalry 3 Twelfth Cavalry 48 Thirteenth Cavalry 8 Fifteenth Cavalry 13 Seventeenth Cavalry 61 Total 339 Recruits for First Army Corps had from Du Page County 20 Grand total 1452 It is to the credit of Du Page County that she not only contributed her quota to the war for the Union, but that she took official action to reward her soldiers, an historic voucher to which is here recorded in the following resolu- tions which were passed : Whereas, The President of the United States by his proclamation dated December 19, 1864, has called for 300,000 men for military service, and has ordered that the number not obtained by voluntary enlist- ments previous to the 15th day of next February, shall be filled by draft ; and Whereas, The County of Du Page has promptly filled all former calls for troops with volunteers, and now desires to retain its good name in the premises, and to do its full share in the great work of saving the Union, and the necessary power to act having been granted to the Board of Supervisors of said county by a recent act of the General Assembly, therefore, Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Du Page County hereby authorize the payment of |400 to each volunteer except commissioned officers, who may enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States for one year or more, and credited to said county under said call of December 19, 1864, said sum to be paid in county orders, bearing inter- est at 7 percent as follows: One order for $200 pay- able out of the bounty war fund of 1865, and one order for like amount to wit: $200 payable out of the bounty war fund of 1866. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 139 CHAPTER VII. THE FIRST ELECTION— COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT — THE COUNTY LINE SURVEYED — THE COUNTY DIVIDED INTO PRECINCTS — TOWNSH ITS ORGANIZED — LIST OF COUNTY AND TOWN OFFICERS— VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY— THE FIRST GRAND JURY * —PUBLIC SCHOOLS— THE OLD STAGE COACH— RAILROADS— REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT— THE COUNTY FAIR— GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY. TN a previous chapter the organization of Du J- Page County has been recorded, which was in February, 1839. The following May the first election took place for county officers, at the Pre-emption House in Naperville. There were then no voting precincts, and whoever wished a voice in the matter in question must go to Naperville to the vote. Stephen J. Scott, S. M. Skinner and L. G-. Butler had been au- thorized by the law to act as Judges of the first election. The officers elected at this time were only to serve till the 5th of the following- August, when a general election was to have place. Previous to this election orders were issued to make a map of the countj , as per following official act : County Commissioners' Court, June 4, 1839. It is ordered by said court that Lyman Meacham, Surveyor-elect for the county of Du Page, be and is hereby authorized to furnish to the Clerk of this court, as soon as possible, an estimate of the expense of surveying or taking from the Surveyors already made the said county, and making a map thereof showing thereby the boundaries of said county of Du Page as designated in an act entitled an act "To create the county of Du Page, and also showing thereby the location of the principal roads therein as at present located, and also showing on said map the principal groves, villages and settlements in said county, together with such other information as to the said Surveyors may seem proper." County Commissioners' Court, June 29, 1839. Ordered by the court, that the Treasurer pay Ly- man Meaeham, the sum of $13.18 in full for his ac- count for surveying the county line. Meantime the county was filling up with set- tlers, and the necessity for subdivisions, making up the usual machinery of county organization, became apparent. The following document shows the official action as to the matter : County Commissioners' Court, June 28, 1839. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County, included within the following bound- aries, be and is hereafter known as Orange Precinct, to wit: Commencing on the northwest corner of said county, thence south on the west line of said county, far enough to include Job A. Smith, Murray and Kline, and to continue east far enough to turn due north and strike the west line of Mr. Clark's claim, and continue north to the county line, thence wist to the place of beginning. Their elections shall be held at the schoolhouse near Luther F. Sanderson, and Job A. Smith, William Kim- ball anQ Daniel Roundy are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County included within the following bound- aries be hereafter known as Washington Precinct, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of the county, thence west ten miles to Orange Precinct, thence south five miles, thence east to the county line, thence north to the place of beginning. Their elections to be held at the house of Alanson Wat- son, and Charles Hoyt, Lloyd Stearns and Harvey Meacham are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all that part of Du Page County included within the following bound- aries be and is hereby known as Deerfield Precinct, to wit : Commencing at the southeast corner of Washington Precinct, thence running west nine miles; thence south five miles; thence east four miles; thence north two miles; thence east to the county line; thence north to the place of begin- ning. Elections to be held at Luther Morton's house, and Daniel Fish, N. 15. Morton and L. Q. Newton are appointed Judges of Election. 140 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Ordered by the court, that all that part of Du Page County included within the following bound- aries be hereafter known as Webster Precinct, to wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of Deer- field Precinct, running west five miles; thence south two miles; thence west four miles; thence south five miles; thence east three miles ; thence south one mile; thence east to the county line; thence north to the place of beginning. Their elections to be held at the house of Horace Aldrich, and Luther Hatch, Pierce Downer and John Talmadge are ap- pointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County included within the following bound- aries be hereafter known as Big Woods Precinct, to wit; Commencing at the southwest corner of the county, running north six miles; thence east to Reuben Austin's west line ; thence south to said Austin's southwest corner; thence east three miles from the west line of the county; thence south par- allel with the west line of the county to the south line of the county; thence west to the place of be- ginning. Their elections to be held at the house of Fred. Stolp, and Ashbel Culver. John Wame and Robt. H. Jefferson are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County included within the following bound- aries be hereafter known as Du Page Precinct, to wit: Commencing at the southwest corner of Orange Precinct ; thence running cast eight miles ; thence north one mile; thence east one mile; thence south through the center of the county to the northeast corner line of Naperville Precinct; thence west to the line of the Big Woods Precinct; thence north on the Big Woods Precinct line; thence on the county line; thence to the place of beginning. Their elec- tions to be held at the house of Alfred Tufts, in Warrenville, and Warren Smith, George House and Angus Ross are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County included within the following de- scribed boundaries be hereafter known as Naper- ville Precinct, to wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of Du Page Precinct; thence south on the west line of Webster Precinct till it strikes the Galena State road ; thence east three miles; thence south to the county line; thence west nine miles to the Big Woods Precinct; thence north on the east line of the Big Woods Precinct; thence east to the place of beginning. Their elections to be held at the Pre-emption House in Naperville, andS. M. Skinner, Stephen J. Scott and H. L. Peaslee are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all of that part of Du Page County, included within the following bounda- ries, be hereafter known as Cass Precinct, to wit : Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 30. Township 38, Range 11 ; thence east to the county line ; thence south to the Desplaiues River ; thence west, following the river and county line to the south- west corner of Section 18 ; thence north to the place of beginning: their elections to be held at the house of Alvin Lull, and George Jackson, Thomas Andrus and Alvin Lull are appointed Judges of Election. Ordered by the court, that all that part of Du Page County, included within the following described boundaries, be, and is hereafter to be known as York Precinct, commencing on the east line of Du Page County, at the southeast corner of Deerfield Pre- cinct ; thence west three miles ; thence south to the north line of Cass Precinct ; thence east to the east line of Du Page County ; thence north along the east line of said county to the place of beginning. The elections shall be held at the house now occu- pied by Sherman King, and that Benjamin Fuller, David Thurston and John Talmadge, be and they are hereby appointed Judges of Election in said pre- cinct. County Commissioners' Court, March 6, 1841. Ordered by the court, that the following described boundaries constitute, and be hereafter known as Washington Precinct, in Du Page County, to wit : The whole of Township 40 north, Range 11 east, of the Third Principal Meridian ; and, it is further or- dered by the court, that all elections to be in future held in said precinct, shall be held at the house of Ariel Bowman, and that John Lester, Mason Smith and Charles H. Hoit, be and they are hereby ap- pointed Judges of Election in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that the following described boundaries constitute and be hereafter known as Bloomingdale Precinct, in Du Page County, to wit : Commencing on the north line of said county, on the line between Ranges 10 and 11 ; thence west on the north line of the county four miles ; thence south five miles ; thence east to the line between Ranges 10 and 11 ; thence north to the place of beginning. And it is further ordered by the court, that all elections that may be held in said precinct, shall be held in the schoolhouse in said precinct, near Orange Kent's, and that Harvey Meacham, Harry Woodworth and Loyd Stearns, be and they are hereby appointed Judges of Elections in said precinct. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 141 County Commissioners' Court, June-' 8, 1846. Ordered by the court, that Congressional Town- ship 40 north. Range 11 east, of the Third Principal Meridian in the county of Du Page, State of Illi- nois, constitute and be hereafter known as Washing- ton Precinct, and that all elections in said precinct shall be held at the house known as the Salt Creek House in said township. Ordered by the court, that Congressional Town- ship 40 north, Range 10 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in the county of Du Page, State of Illinois, constitute and be hereafter known as Bloomingdale Precinct, and that all elections to be held in said precinct shall be held at the school- house in the town of Bloomingdale in said precinct. Ordered by the court that Congressional Town- ship 39 north. Range 11 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in the county of Du Page, in the State of Illinois, constitute and be hereafter known as York Precinct, and that all elections to be held in said precinct shall be held at the house of Hiram Brown in said township. Ordered by the court, that Congressional Town- ship 39 north, Range 10 east, of Third Principal Meridian, in the County of Du Page, State of Illi- nois, constitute and be hereafter known as Deerfield Precinct, and that all elections to lie held in said precinct shall be held at the house of Jesse C. Wheaton in said township. Ordered by the court, that Congressional Town- ship 40 north, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, and Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Town- ship 39 north, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in the county of Du Page, State of Illi- nois, constitute and be hereafter known as Orange Precinct, and that, all elections to be held in said precinct shall be held at the house of Joseph Mc- Millen in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that all that portion of Congressional Township 39 north. Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, that lies south of the smith line of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in said township, and Sections 1, 2 and 3 in Township 38 north, Range 9 east, of Third Principal Meridian, together with Sections 5 and 6 in Township 38 north, Range 10 east, of the Third Principal Me- ridian, in the county of Du Page, State of Illinois, constitute and be hereafter known as Du Page Pre- cinct, and that all elections to be held in said pre- cinct shall be held at the house known as the War- renville Hotel in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that the following bound- aries be hereafter known as Big Woods Precinct, in the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 4, in Township 38 north, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian; from thence west along town- ship line to county line between Kane and Du Page Counties; thence south along county line to county line between Will and Du Page Counties; thence east along county line to the southeast corner of Section 33, in Township 38 aforesaid; thence north to the place of beginning, and that all elections to be held in said precinct shall be held at the house of Frederick Stolp in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that the following bound- aries constitute and be hereafter known as Naper- ville Precinct, in the county of Du Page, in the State of Illinois, to wit; Commencing at the south- west corner of Section 34, in Township 38 north, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian ; from thence north to the northwest corner of Section 10, in said township; from thence east to the northeast corner of Section 8, in Township 38 north. Range 10 east, of Third Principal Meridian; thence north to township line between Townships 38 and 39, Range 10 east; thence east along township line to the center of the Du Page River; thence southerly along the center of said river to the county line be- tween Will and Du Page Counties; thence west to the place of beginning; and that all elections to be held in said precinct, shall be held at the court house in Naperville in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that the following bound- aries constitute and be hereafter known as Webster Precinct, in the County of Du Page and State of Illinois, to wit: Commencing at the northeast cor- ner of Section 1, in Township 38 north, Range 11 east, of Third Principal Meridian ; from thence west along the township line to the center of East Branch of the Du Page River; thence southerly along the center of said river to the section line between Sections 22, 23, 26 and 27; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 21, in Township 38 north. Range 11 east; thence north to the north- east corner of said Section 21; thence east to the county line between Cook and Du Page Counties; thence north to the place of beginning; and that all elections to be held in said precinct, shall be held at the house of Levi C. Aldrich in said precinct, and that Jeduthan Hatch. John Stanley and Leonard K. Hatch be Judges of Election in said precinct. Ordered by the court, that all that portion of Township 37 north, Range 11 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, that lies in the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, and Sections 22, 23, 142 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, in Township 38 north, Range 11 east, together with those parts of Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, in Town- ship 38 north, Range 10 east, that lies east of the center of the East Branch of the Du Page River, constitute and be hereafter known as Cass Precinct; and that all elections to be held in said precinct shall be held at the house known as the Washing- ton Hotel in said precinct. In County Court of Du Page County, December 5, A. D. 1849. Commissioners to divide county into townships: Whereas, the Legislature of Illinois, did, at its last regular session, provide by law for the organi- zation of counties into towns ; and, that the law containing such provision, should, at the next gen- eral election, be caused to be submitted to the people of the several counties in said State, for their adop- tion or rejection ; and, whereas, at the last general election, said law was adopted by the county of Du Page, in the State of Illinois, as appears from the following abstract of the votes, for, or against, town- ship organization, to wit : State of Illinois, ) Du Page County, f " We, James F. Wight and Levi C. Aldrich, two of the Justices of the Peace, and Hiram H. Cody, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of said county, hereby certify that the following is a true and cor- rect abstract of the votes given at an election held in the several precincts in said county, on Tuesday, the sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, for and against township organization, to wit : For township organization, there were seven hundred and seventy-three votes ; against township organi- zation there was one vote. Witness our hands and seals at Naperville, in said county, this twelfth day of November, A. D. 1849. James F. Wight, J. P. [seal.] Levi C. Aldrich, J. P. [seal. J Hiram H. Cody, Clerk, [seal.] And, whereas, said law requires the County Com- missioners' Court, or the County Court, whichever shall be in commission at the next session after said election in those counties, which shall adopt said law, to appoint three Commissioners to divide such counties respectively into towns. It is ordered by the court, that, in pursuance of the first article of the act to provide for township organization, Capt. Joseph Naper, Daniel Fish and Erasmus O. Hills, be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to divide the county of Du Page aforesaid into towns, as anticipated and required by said act. Agreeable to their authority, the Commission- ers met and organized the county into townships as they now appear on maps of the county. The next business was to elect a Board of Supervisors, which was done the same year, and the following is their official action at their first meeting : State of Illinois, | Du Page County. | ** November 11, 1850. The Board of Supervisors of the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, met on Monday the 11th day of November A. D. 1850, for their first annual meeting, at the office of the Clerk of the County Court in Naperville in said count}', and were organ- ized by the selection of Russell Whipple as their Chairman. The following members, upon a call of the roll of the towns were present, to wit: Addison, Smith D. Pierce; Bloomingdale, Eras- mus O. Hills; Wayne, Luther Pierce ; Winfield, William C. Todd ; Milton, Warren L. Wheaton; Downer's Grove, Leonard K. Hatch ; Du Page, Amasa Morse; Naperville, Russell Whipple ; York, not represented. On motion, the following standing committees were appointed by the Chair: On Claims— E. O. Hills, Warren L. Wheaton, Luther Pierce. On Paupers— W. C. Todd, L. K. Hatch, S. D. Pierce. On Equalization— W. L. Wheaton, E. O. Hills, Amasa Morse. On Court House and Jail — S. D. Pierce, L. K. Hatch, A. Morse. On Finance— E. O. Hills, W. L. Wheaton, Luther Pierce. On motion of W. L. Wheaton, a select committee was appointed by the Chair on Printing. The Chair appointed W. L. Wheaton, W. C. Todd and Amasa Morse. Various claims being presented, were referred to appropriate committees. On motion, the Chair appointed the following Supervisors a select Committee on Licenses: William C. Todd, W. L. Wheaton, A. Morse. A memorial on the subject of License addressed to the Board was presented by Supervisor Todd, and, on motion, referred to the Committee on Li- I^>. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 143 censes; said memorial was signed by about three hundred and fifty ladies. The certificates of the Town Auditor of the towns of Winfield, Addison, Downer's Grove, Naperville, and Wayne were presented by the several Super- visors of said towns, and, on motion, referred to the Committee on Claims. On motion, it is ordered that the board adjourn until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. For ten years previous, no change had been made in the general formula of official author- ity, but in 1849 the Clerk of the Circuit Court was constituted Recorder, ex officio. The County Court was composed of a Count} 7 Judge and two Justices of the Peace. The County Clerk became the Clerk of the Couuty Commissioners. The County Judge and two County Justices were a board for the transaction of county business, and the County Judge with the Clerk were clothed with authority to tran- sact probate business. The organization of not only the count}- but the townships, with their officers, having been completed, the following list of them is here inserted, which will serve the reader as a chronological record of the progress of the county : The following is a list of those who served the county in the Legislature of the State : 1836 — Capt. Joseph Naper, of Naperville. 1838— Capt. Joseph Naper of Naperville. 1842 — Jeduthan Hatch, of Lisle. 1844— Julius M. Warren, of Winfield. 1846— Capt. E. Kinne, of Bloomingdale. 1848— Warren L. Wheaton, of Milton. 1850— Willard T. Jones, of Naperville. 1852 — Capt. Joseph Naper, of Naperville. 1854— E. O. Hills, of Bloomingdale. 1856— Truman W. Smith, of Winfield. 1860— F. H. Mather, of Milton. 1862— A. S. Barnard, of Lisle. 1864 — S. P. Sedgwick, of Bloomingdale, resigned ; H. C. Childs, of Milton, elected to fill vacancy. 1866— H. C. Childs of Milton. 1868 -H. C. Childs, of Milton. 1870 — William M. Whitney, of Downer's Grove. 1874— James Claflin, of Lombard ; V. Fredenha- gen, of Downer's Grove. 1876— James G. Wright, of Naperville. COUNTY CLERKS. 1839— Clark A. Lewis, of Warrenville ; elected July 14, died the same month. 1839 to 1846— Allen C. Mcintosh, of Naperville. 1847 to 1852— Hiram H. Cody, of Bloomingdale. 1853 to 1860— Myron C. Dudley, of Bloomingdale. 1861 to 1864— C. M. Castle, of Naperville. 1865 to 1868— F. J. Fischer, of Addison. 1868— H. B. Hills (vacancy), of Blooming- dale. 1869 to 1876— J. J. Cole, of Downer's Grove. 1876 to 1882— M. S. Ellsworth, Lisle. CIRCUIT CLERKS. 1839 to 1842— Patrick Ballingall, of Naperville. 1843 to 1846— E. B. Bill, of Naperville. 1847 to 1849— John J. Riddler, of Naperville. RECORDERS. 1839 to 1842— S. M. Skinner, of Naperville. 1843 to 1846— A. S. Jones, of Naperville. 1847 to 1849— John J. Riddler, of Naperville. CLERKS AND RECORDERS. 1850 to 1851— John J. Riddler, of Naperville. 1852 to 1855 — Peter Northrup, of Addison. 1856 to 1859— John Gloss, of Wayne. 1860 to 1867 -W. M. Whitney, of Winfield. 1868 to 1876— John Gloss, of Wayne. 1876 to 1880— Frank Hull, of Milton. 1880 to 1884— Thomas M. Hull, of Milton. TREASURERS. 1839— Morris Sleight, of Naperville. 1839 to 1842— Stephen J. Scott, of Naperville 1843 to 1844— Robert K. Potter, of Naperville. 1845 to 1846— John J. Kimball, of Naperville. 1847 to 1848 — Nelson A. Thomas (vacancy) of Na- perville. 1849 to 1854— Henry F. Vallette, of Milton. 1855 to 1856— William J. Johnson, of Milton. 1857 to 1858— Hiram Standish, of Naperville. 1859 to 1860— Henry F. Vallette, of Milton. 1861 to 1862— S. M. Skinner, of Naperville. 1863 to 1868— Daniel N. Gross, of Naperville. 1869 to 1872— Joel Wiant, of Winfield; Henry M Bender, of Bloomingdale. 1873 to 1876— Lewis C. Stover, of Milton, from 1876 to 1880. SHERIFFS. 1839 to 1841— Daniel M. Greene, of Lisle. 1842 to 1843— Hiram Fowler, of Naperville. 1844 to 1845— R. N. Murray, of Naperville. 144 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 1846 to 1849— George Rou.sb, of Naperville. 1850 to 1851— C. R. Parmlee, of Lisle. 1852 to 1853— Truman W. Smith, of Winfield. 1854 to 1855— A. C. Graves, of Winfield. 185(3 to 1857— James J. Hunt, of Naperville. 1858 to 1859— A. C. Graves, of Winfield. 1860 to 1861— T. S. Rogers, of Downer's Grove. 1862 to 1863— James J. Hunt, of Naperville. 1864 to 1865— Samuel E. Shimp, of Naperville. 1866 to 1867— Philip Strubler, of Naperville. 1868 to 1869— Charles Rinehart, of Wayne. 1870 to 1876— John Kline, of Wayne. 1876 to 1882— Samuel E. Shimp, Naperville. COUNTY JUDGES. 1839— J. W. Walker, of Downer's Grove. 1839 to 1842— Lewis Ellsworth, of Naperville. 1843 to 1846— Nathan Allen, of Naperville. 1847 to 1848— John J. Kimball, of Naperville. 1849 to 1851— Nathan Allen, of Naperville. 1852 — Jeduthan Hatch, of Lisle. 1853 to 1859— Walter Blanchard, of Downer's Grove. 1860— Seth F. Daniels (vacancy), of Milton. 1861 to 1864— Hiram II. Cody, of Naperville. 1865 to 1868— Seth F. Daniels, of Milton. 1869 to 1872— M. C. Dudley of Naperville. 1873 to 1876— A. S. Janes, of Milton. 1876 to 1877— S. P. Sedgwick, Milton, to fill vacancy. 1877 to 1882— Robert N. Murray, Naperville. 1839- 1839 to 1846- 1847 to 1858- 1859 to 1861- 1862- 1863 to 1866 1867 to 1870- 1871 to 1876 1876 to 1882- 1839- 1840 to 1841- 1842 to 1843- 1844 to 1845 1846 to 1847- 1848- 1849 to 1851- 1852 to 1853- 1854 to 1855- COUNTY SURVEYORS. -L. Meacham, of Bloomingdale. -Joel B. Kimball, of Naperville. -Horace Brooks, of Milton. -J. G. Vallette, of Milton. -James M. Vallette (vacancy), of Na- perville. -A. S. Janes, of Milton. -James M. Vallette, of Naperville. -A. S. Janes, of Milton. -James M. Vallette, of Lisle. CORONERS. -H. L. Peaslee, of Naperville. -E. G. Wight, of Naperville. -Nathan Loring, of Naperville. -Jacob Keefer, of Naperville. -D. C. Gould, of Naperville. -LaFayette Avery, of Milton. -C. C. Barnes, of Naperville. -F. C. Hagerman, of Winfield. -W. B. Stewart, of Naperville. 1856 to 1857- 1858 to 1861- 1862 to 1863- 1864 to 1865- 1866- 1867- 1868 to 1869- 1870 to 1876- 1876 to 1878- 1878 to 1879- 1879 to 1880- 1880 to 1882- 1839 to 1842- 1843- 1844 to 1846 1847 to 1848 1849 to 1855- 1856- 1857 to 1858 1859 to 1860- 1861 to 1863 -Alfred Waterman, of Milton. -H. C Daniels, of Naperville. -Dr. Brown, of Milton. -H. C. Daniels, of Naperville. -Clinton Cushing. -George W. Beggs, of Naperville. -F. C. Hagerman, of Winfield. -H. C. Daniels, of Naperville. -George F. Heiderman, York. -George L. Madison, of Winfield. -A. C. Cotton, Winfield, to fill vacancy. -A. C. Cotton. Winfield. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. -Lewis Ellsworth, of Naperville. -R. N. Murray, of Naperville. -Horace Brooks, of Milton. -W. L. Wheaton, of Milton. -Hope Brown, of Naperville. -Lorin Barnes, of Bloomingdale. -Charles W. Richmond, of Naperville. -Lorin Barnes, of Bloomingdale. -George P. Kimball, of Milton. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 1864— George P. Kimball, of Milton. 1865 to 1876— Charles W. Richmond, of Naperville. 1876 to 1881— J. R, Haggard, Downer's Grove. 1881 to 1882— H. A. Fischer, Milton. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 1839— Josiah Strong, Lisle; J. W. Walker, Downer's Grove; H. L. Cobb, Cass; R. P.Whipple, Na- perville; Hiram Fowler, Winfield. 1840— J. W. Walker, Downer's Grove; H. L. Cobb, Cass; Noah Stevens, Bloomingdale. 1841— J. W. Walker, Downer's Grove; J. A. Smith, Wayne; Noah Stevens, Bloomingdale. 1842— Warren Smith, Winfield; J. A. Smith, Wayne; Noah Stevens, Bloomingdale. 1843— J. A. Smith, Wayne; T. Hubbard, York. 1844 — John Thompson, Lisle; J. A. Smith, Wayne. 1845 — John Thompson, Lisle ; Thomas Andrus, Cass; T. Hubbard, York. 1846— John Thompson, Lisle; Thomas Andrus, Cass; Asa Knapp, York. 1847 — John Thompson, Lisle; Smith D. Pierce, Ad- dison ; Asa Knapp, York. 1848 — David Crane, Naperville; Smith D. Pierce, Addison; Asa Knapp, York. SUPERVISORS — TOWN OP ADDISON. 1850— Smith D. Pierce. 1851— John Pierce. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 145 1853— Peter Northrup. 1862 to 1864-E. Manville. 1853— Edward Lester. 1865 — John Fairbanks. 1854 — James Wakeman. 1866 — Amos C. Graves. 1855 to 1858— Henry D. Fischer. 1867 to 1869— J. H. Lakey. 1859 to 1860— John H. Franzen. 1870— E. Manville. 1861 — James Wakeman. 1871 to 1873— J. H. Lakey. 1863— Smith D. Pierce. 1874 to 1875— E. Manville. 1863 to 1865— James "Wakeman. 1875 to 1876— J. H. Lakey. 1866— Henry D. Fischer. 1876 to 1877— A. T. Jones. 1867 to 1870— August Meyer. 1877 to 1880— G. J. Atchinson. 1871 — James Wakeman. 1880 to 1882— C. W. Gary. 1873 to 1875— Henry D. Fischer. 1876 — Henry Korthauer. 1876 to 1883— Henry Korthauer. TOWN OP MILTON. 1850— Warren L. Wheaton. 1851 to 1855— William J. Johnson. TOWN OP BLOOMINGDALE. 1856 to 1857— Frederick H. Mather. 1850 to 1851— E. 0. Hills. 1858 to 1862— H. C. Childs. 1853— H. B. Hills. 1863— Erastus Gary. 1853— Cyrus H. Meacham. 1864 to 1865— Hiram Smith. 1854— J. G. Yearick. 1866— Hiram Smith and S. W. Moffatt. 1855— Daniel H. Deibert. 1867— A. S. Janes and II. Edwards. 1856 — Horace Barnes. 1868 to 1869— A. S. Janes and H. F. Vallette. 1857 to 1863- Cyrus H. Meacham. 1870 to 1871— A. S. Janes and S. P. Sedgwick. 1864 to 1873— W. K. Patrick. 1872 to 1873— A. S. Janes and E. H. Gary. 1874 to 1876— William Rathge. 1874 to 1875— H. G. Kimball and E. H. Gary. 1876 to 1877— A. D. Loomis. 1875— W. H. Wagner and Erastus Gary. 1877 to 1883— William Rathge. 1876— W. H. Wagner and S. W. Moffatt. TOWN OP WATNB. 1850 to 1853— Luther Pierce. 1853 to 1854— Luther Bartlett. 1855— Luther Pierce. 1856— Ira Albro. 1878— W. H. Wagner and S. W. Moffatt. 1879— Amos Churchill and N. E. Gary. 1880 -Amos Churchill and N. E. Gary. 1881— Amos Churchill and S. P. Sedgwick. 1882— Amos Churchill and S. W. Moffatt. 1857 to 1858— Charles Adams. TOWN OF YORK. 1859 to 1860— S. W. Moffatt. 1850— E. Eldridge. 1861 to 1863— Samuel Adams. 1850 to 1852— Gerry Bates. 1863 to 1867— Warren H. Moffatt. 1853— W. Burbank. 1868 to 1873— Daniel Dunham. 1853— H. Whittmore. 1874 to 1875— A. M. Glos. 1854 — Asa Knapp. 1876— R. H. Reed. 1855 to 1856— Robert Reed. 1876 to 1877— R. H. Reed. 1857 to 1860— Frederick Gray. 1877 to 1878— A. M. Glos. 1861 to 1863— George Barber. 1878 to 1879— Luther Bartlett. 1864— Adam Hatfield. 1879 to 1881— A. M. Glos. 1865 to 1867— Frederick Gray. 1881 to 1883— James Shields. 1868— August Meyer. TOWN OP WINPIELD. 1850 to 1852— William C. Todd. 1853 to 1854— Charles Gary. 1855 — Gurdon N. Roundy. 1856— Truman W. Smith. 1869— George Barber. 1870 to 1875— Adam Glos. 1876 — Henry Goldermann. 1876 to 1879— Henry Goldermann. 1879 to 1883— Adam Glos. 1857— Charles Gary. TOWN OF NAPERVLLLK. 1858 to 1860— John Fairbanks. 1850 to 1851— Russell Whipple. 1861— Alfred Waterman. 1853 — Joseph Naper. 146 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 1861 to 1865 to 1869 to 1876 to 1879 to 1880 to 1881 to 1853— Hiram Bristol. 1854— David Hess. 1855— R. N Murray. 1856— Charles Hunt. 1857 — N Crampton and Joseph Naper.* 1858 — Charles Jenkins and John Jassoy.* 1859— Jacob Baylor and Michael Hines.* 1860— James G. "Wright and M. S. Hobson.* 1862— B. W. Hughes and Morris Sleight* 1863 — Charles Jenkins aud Robert Naper.* 1864— Charles Jenkins aud D. C. Butler.* 1866— Charles Hunt aud John Collins.* 1867— B. W. Hughes and H. H. Cody.* 1868— Charles Jenkins and R. N. Murray.* 1872— Charles Jenkins and M. C. Dudley.* 1873— Charles Jenkins and James Dunlap.* 1875— James G. Wright and B. B. Boecker.* 1876— Christian Wise and Lewis Ellsworth.* 1879— C. Wise and J. J. Hunt. 1880— C. Wise and A. Mc. S. S. Riddler. 1881— C. Wise and H. C. Daniels. 1882— Adam Keler and Peter Thompson. TOWN OP LISLE. 1850 — Amasa Morse. 1851— Jeduthan Hatch. 1852— John Stanley. 1853— Lewis Ellsworth. 1854— Hiram H. Cody. 1855— James C. Hatch. 1856 — Amasa Morse. 1857— John Collins. 1858— William B. Greene. 1859— A. S. Barnard. 1860— Graham Thome. 1861— John H. Hobson. 1862— C. H. Goodrich. 1863— R. S. Palmer. 1864 to 1865— Gilbert Barber. 1866— E. E. Page. 1867— Lewis Ellsworth. 1868 to 1875— E. E. Page. 1875 to 1876— William King. 1876 to 1881— William King. 1881 to 1882— B. B. Boecker. * Presidents of village uf Naperville, and ex officio Superviiore. TOWN OF DOWNER'S GROVE. 1850— Leonard K. Hatch. 1851 to 1853— Walter Blanchard. 1854— G. W. Alderman. 1855— Walter Blanchard. 1856— Seth F. Daniels. 1857— Samuel DeGolyer. 1858 to 1861— Leonard K. Hatch. 1862— L. D. Fuller. 1863— Leonard K. Hatch. 1864— John A. Thatcher. 1865— T. S. Rogers. 1866 to 1868— J. J. Cole. 1869— J. J. Cole. 1869— J. W. Rogers (vacancy). 1870— Alanson Ford. 1871 to 1872— V. Fredenhagen. 1873— H. F. Walker. 1874 to 1875— V. Fredenhagen. 1875 to 1876— Alanson Ford. 1876 to 1877— Alanson Ford. 1877 to 1882— Charles Curtiss. The following are the names of the Judges who have presided in this Judicial Circuit : 1840 — John Pearsons. 1841 to 1842— Theophilus W. Smith. 1843 to 1847— Richard M. Young. 1847 to 1849— Jesse B. Thomas. 1849 to 1855— Hugh Henderson. 1855 to 1857— S. W. Randall. 1857 to 1861— Jesse O. Norton. 1861 to 1867— Isaac G. Wilson. 1867 to 1874— Sylvanus Wilcox. 1874 to 1876— Hiram H. Cody, C. W. Upton, Isaac G. Wilson, Charles Kullem. The total valuation of all taxable property in Du Page County in 1840 was $196,292, on which $981.46 was paid for county taxes, and $392.58 for State taxes, making $1,374.04, the total tax in 1840. There were then only State and county taxes, the State tax being two mills on the dollar, and the county tax five mills on the dollar, making but seven mills on the dollar, the full tax. There are now (1882), State, county, town, road and bridge, school and corporation taxes, added to which are special assessments when necessary for specific objects. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 147 SHOWING THE ASSESSED VALUE OP REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN DU PAGE COUNTY FOR THE YEARS 1850 AND 1881. TOWNSHIPS Addison Bloomingdale Wayne Wintleld Milton York Downer's Grove . Lisle Naperville Totals Amt. R. R. property added. Grand total Real Estate Assessment. for 1881. Real Estate Assessment. FOE 1881. Lots. Personal Property. Personal Property. Aggregate Valuation. $64 289 52 007 90 196 100 358 108 271 108 784 96 785 97 767 165 766 $461 485 449 456 452 455 604 456 485 985 853 524 021 737 124 853 602 790 $18 565 18 902 4 985 77 675 12S 6S3 84 193 265 359 70 272 146 828 $42 425 29 978 31 333 48 274 34 305 25 847 32 280 36 663 67 409 $129 999 89 052 66 179 82 972 84 334 98 253 144 273 98 163 123 206 $106 694 81 985 121 329 148 632 142 576 134 631 129 065 134 430 233 175 $884 203 $4258 489 ] $815 460 I $348 314 i $916 431 $1232 517 $5990 380 $ 620 032 Aggregate Valuation. $610 549 543 807 520 688 616 668 665 754 637 568 1014 485 625 037 755 824 !$6610 412 Note. — The first assessment of real estate in the county was in 1850. I, L. C. Stover, Treasurer Du Page County, do hereby certify that the foregoing statement is correct. L. C. Stover, County Treasurer for Du Page County, 111. 148 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Following are the names of the hist Grand Jury ever impaneled in Du Page County summoned to appear at term of Circuit Court begun and held at Naperville, in said county, by virtue of an act entitled "An act to create the county of Du Page, "approved February 9, A D. 1837, on the 23d day of September, A. D. 1837," to wit: William J. Strong, Morris Sleight, George S. Blackman, Luther Hatch, John Thompson, Thomas Andrus, Hiland Martin, Moor R. Webster, Isaac Clark, Moses Stacy, Jonathan Barnes, Luther Morton, Lloyd Stearns, Israel P. Blodgett, David Page, Samuel Curtiss, Elisha Fish, William C. Todd, Warren Smith, Abel E. Carpenter, James Lamb, Frederick Stolp and John Maxwell; and the said Lu- ther Hatch was appointed to act as foreman; and the first Petit Jury was John Naper, Amander P. Thomas, Russell Whipple, John Stevens, Jr., Shadrach Harris, Nathan Stewart, Harry Goodrich, David G. Parson, Harry Meacham, Theodore Hubbard, Nathan- iel B. Morton, Levi Ballou, Moses K. Hoyt, Pierce Downer, Walter Blanchard, Horace Aldrich, John Tallmadge, Henry T. Wilson, Seth Sprague, Ethan Griswold, David Wad- ham, Daniel H. Orcutt, John Warne and Jo- seph Means. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Previous to 1855, a vigorous system of ed- ucation prevailed in Du Page County, but it was not as general and uniform as at pres- ent. The Naperville Academy, the Illinois In- stitute at Wheaton, and the Warrenville Seminary, were in their full tide of success during that time, as well as a goodly number of district and private schools. At that date (1855), Rev. Hope Brown, School Commissioner, made a report which showed the number of school districts in the county to be sixty-eight, four of which had no schoolhouses. The number of pupils was two thousand or more. Twelve hundred studied arithmetic, 500 studied geography, 250 English grammar, and 100 such biglier branches as algebra, physiology and natural philosophy. Schools were taught from six to eight months each year, but in some of the districts there were no winter schools. The wages of female teachers were from $8 to $16 per month, besides board; and for male teachers, from $16 to $30 per month. Five years later, in I860, the report of Ho- race Barnes, School Commissioner, shows that there were eighty-one schools in the county, and 4,054 children who attended schools, out of a school census showing those between the ages of five and twenty-one of 4,909. Four- teen district libraries were purchased in 1860 — one in Addison Township, six in Bloom- ingdale Township, one in Winfield Town- ship, and three each in Milton and York Townships. The amount raised by direct tax in the county for school purposes that year was $8, 885. 74, and the amount raised by the State fund paid to the County Treasurer was $6,480.75, making a total of receipts from county tax and State appropriation, for the year 1860, to be expended for schools, of $15,- 366.29. The average monthly wages paid to female teachers the same year was $12 per month, and to male teachers, $24.50. The report of C. W. Richmond, the County Superintendent of Schools, for the year 1870 shows the number of school districts in the county to be eighty-seven; number of persons between the ages of six and twenty-one to be 5,298. The gross receipts for the support of schools for the year were $6,109.50, $5,727.- 15 of which came from school tax direct, $359.55 from interest on school, college and seminary fund, and $23 from fines and for- HISTOHY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 149 feitures. Added to this was $6,042.63, which should have been paid in from the State tax of 2 mills on the dollar the year before, but, through some informality, did not come. Although it was paid in by the State in 1870, it properly belonged to the fund of 1869. The same year (1870), female teachers re- ceived from $12 to $70 per month, and male teachers from $30 to $80 per month. The number of graded schools in the county was seven, three of which were in Wintield Township, two in Milton, one in Downer's Grove and one in Naperville Town- ship. Said Judge Cody, in a Fourth of July ad- dress at Naperville in 1876: " We have ex- changed the log schoolhou.se of 1831 for two magnificent colleges, two theological semi- naries and for high schojls and free schools of easy access to every child within our lim- its." ' This expresses the general situation at that date, showing the complete introduction of oar school system, which is now in full tide of progress. The report of H. A. Fischer, County Super- intendent of Schools for 1882, shows the number of graded schools in the county to be six, two of which are in Downer's Grove, two in Milton, one in Wintield and one in Naper- ville. The number of ungraded schools are seventy-seven, making a total number of schools in the county, exclusive of private schools, to be eighty-three. The total num- ber of persons in the county between the ages of six and twenty-one was 9,116. Sixteen districts have school libraries, the total value of which is $1,080. The average monthly wages paid male teachers was $49.15, and female teachers, $32.84. The entire receipts for the support of schools for the year were $46,122.91, $1,032. - 11 of which was from income of township fund, $6,473.20 from State fund and fines appropriated for the benefit of schools, $37, - 888.51 from special district taxes, $285 from sale of school property, and $127.64 from various other sources. Of the six graded schools reported in the county, four are high schools. The distinc- tion between the two grows out of the fact that in high schools a regular course of study is pursued, and pupils who take the full course are entitled to a diploma at gradua- tion. These schools are located at Naperville, Wheaton, Turner Junction and Hinsdale. Of the school libraries in the county, Prof. Fisher, in his repoi-t, speaks in terms of com- mendation, stating that they are made up of valuable works on history, biography, poetry, science and romance of a high character, and almost exempt from the gushing style of dime novels. As to the discipline of the schools, it may be stated that the moral force of the teachers over the pupils is gathering force, and there is little, if any, danger that it will ever lose its grip — certainly not as long as the stand- ard of teachers is kept up to its present grade. And here the writer cannot forbear to draw a comparison between the teachers of Du Page County schools and the teachers of New York City schools, which schools he has recently visited, and, in justice to home talent, must give it the preference. Here our most es- teemed families are not above letting their sons or daughters teach, but in New York or Brooklyn such is not the case, and the class teachers there have to be taken from ranks in society not always clothed with the dignity of aristocracy in intelligence. By State authority, a 2-mill tax is collected on all property and appropriated according 150 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. to the school census of each township, which census enumerates those under twenty -one years of age. Direct taxes for schools in this county are assessed for each school dis- trict, according to their i astructions. THE OLD STAGE COACH. The old stage coach, mail routes and roads were an institution once in the heyday of their glory in Du Page County, and the old settlers love to think of the good old sociables held in these vehicles, which jostled the passen- gers into good nature with each other, as the Jehu in the box bulldozed his horses through the sloughs. In 1825, a Mr. Kellogg pioneered his way across the prairie from Peoria to Galena. This was the first road that ever went to the place, although it had been settled a century, but reached by way of the River. Dixon was settled in 1830, and in 1834, a stage line was established to it and Galena from Chicago, through the following points: Lawton's, on the Desplaines; Brush Hill, where Oriente Grant opened a tavern next year; Naper's settlement, where a post office was then es- tablished named Paw Paw; Gray's Crossing, where Mr. Gray lived, at a favorable fording place on the Fox River, two miles below the present site of Aurora; Dixon, on the Rock River, where Mr. Dixon kept a ferry; Apple River, where a fort was built, twenty miles southeast of Galena; thence to Galena, the termination of the line. This was the first legally established road through the county. Joseph Naper was one of the Commissioners to lay it out vinder State authority, and Col. Warren carried the mail in a lumber wagon from Chicago to Naperville till the stage line was established. Trade between Galena and Chicago was then a coveted prize, and road places north of the Naper settlement soon began to take measures to straighten the line between the two places, in order to bring the travel by their own doors. St. Charles was the first to lead in this, and subscribed $2,000 to lay out and improve a road direct from their place to Chicago, with this end in view, and, in the summer of 1836, a force of men and oxen were at work along the line all the way between Desplaines River and their place, plowing and scraping along the flat lands. This was the origin of what is now well known as the St. Charles road. Elgin did a similar thing, but little, if any, later, and established what has ever since been known as the Elgin road, passing through Bloomingdale, where Col. Hoit opened a tavern; thence east to the Desplaines, three miles north of the present site of May- wood, where Mr. Sherman kept tavern; thence to the old Whisky Point road run- ning northwest from Chicago, connecting with it at the present site of Jefferson, in Cook County. The old Indian trail that went from the western extremity of Lake Erie to what is now Rock Island was a well-known path in the early days, and from where it in- tersected the Illinois and Indiana State line, a road was laid out by State authority, pass- ing thence through Lockport, Naperville, Warrenville, Dundee on Fox River, McHenry, and thence to the Wisconsin line, near Nip- issing Creek. Col. Warren was one of the Commissioners to lay it out. The first stage line that ever ran through Du Page County was Templeton's line of stages from Chicago to Galena. This line first went through Naperville and Dixon, but subsequently changed its route, when Frink & Walker bought out Templeton, in 1838, and lines were established from Chicago to Galena via Bloomingdale; Chicago to St. Charles by the St. Charles road; and Chica- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 151 go to Naperville, Aurora and Ottawa. These three lines continued to pass through Du Page County, all of which carried the mail, till railroads were built, supplanting them. During the winter months, the Government at first suspended the mail to Galena, as it involved too much risk. GALENA & CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD. The following is a history of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, now the Chicago & North- Western Railroad: This road was first chartered January 16, 1836, which was two years before Chicago had been chartered as a city, and it enjoys the distinction of being her first railroad. Its primary interest was to advance the price of real estate, and thereby promote the pros- perity of Chicago, which was then a village of 3,820 inhabitants, with room enough to grow larger. The capital stock of the rail- road company was $100,000, with power to increase it to $1,000,000. It was optional with the company to run the road either with horse or steam power. William Bennett, Thomas Druinmond, J. C. Goodhue, Peter Semple, John B. Turner and J. B. Thomp- son, Jr., were authorized to receive subscrip- tions to the stock. By the conditions of their charter, the company were obligated to com- mence work on the road within three years, and within this time the questionable enter- prise was undertaken. The first problem was how to get a found- ation through the spongy slough that inter- vened between the then mushroom town of Chicago and terra firma, on the ridge now occupied by Oak Park. It was then deemed impossible to find bottom in these shaky lands, and piles were resorted to, with lon- gitudinal stringers, to secure support from one to another. Thus the work began along Madison street, but was soon abandoned as premature, and no farther attempts to prosecute it were made till 1846, when William B. Ogden, John B. Turner and Stephen F. Gale purchased the charter of Messrs. Townsend & Mather, of New York, who, up to this time, held it, with the assets of the company. Ten thousand dollars in stock was to be paid down, and $10,000 on its completion to Fox River. A preliminary survey was made, and the work put in charge of Richard P. Morgan, a gentleman from Boston, who had earned a reputation for rail- road building in Massachusetts. The next year, on the 5th of April, a Board of Directors was appointed, and books were soon opened for subscription to the stock. Here fresh difficulties came up. Many thought the road would injure the retail trade of Chicago (which was all she then had, by facilitating the transportation of goods to country merchants, and the latter feared their trade would suffer such quick and easy access to Chicago as the road would give to the farmers Despite these difficul- ties, through the efforts of Benjamin W. Raymond and John B. Turner, in their suc- cess in negotiating loans in New York, and the reluctant home subscriptions to the stock, the road was finally completed to Harlem, ten miles from Chicago, December 30, 1848, to which place its rickety old second-hand en- gine and. cars ran, on a slipshod foundation of wooden stringers, faced with bar iron. During the autumn of the same year, its track was laid to Elgin, and the cars were running to the place January 'J3, 1850, for which the company owe a lasting obligation to Edward W. Brewster, now a citizen of Wheaton. He was then living on his farm, at the Little Woods three miles below Elgin, and he not only gave the company the right of way through his land, but gave them lib- erty to cut ties from his grove, without which 152 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. privilege the road could not have been fin- ished before another summer, for navigation was about to close, and ties could not have been procured from any other source. " One good turn deserves another." So Mr. Brew- ster gave the company the necessary ground for grading the road when filling was want- ed, but on conditions that he and his family should ride free on the road as long as he lived. Little did they then know what they were bargaining for. Mr. Brewster still lives, though ninety years old, and when he comes for his annual pass, the company pleasantly tell him, " Yes, Father Brewster, we are will- ing to carry you as long as you live, but we did not expect you were going to live so long." Out of this humble beginning, this com- pany has grown into gigantic proportions, co-equal with the increase of wealth in Ihe country through which it and its various di- visions pass. These are the Galena Division, 313.14 miles; Iowa Division, 622.53 miles; Northern Iowa Division, 292.43 miles; Wis- consin Division, 555.2(5 miles; Peninsular Division, 290.10 miles; Madison Division, 461.79 miles; Winona & St. Peter's Railroad and Branch, 406.10 miles; Dakota Division* 342.99 miles; total, 3,284.54 miles. Lines under construction : Volga to Ab- beyville, Dakota, 24.50; Watertown, D. T., to Redfield, 65; Sioux Rapids to Ireton, Iowa, 68 ; Narenta to Felch Mountains, North- ern Michigan, 36.40; total miles under con- struction, 193.96; grand total, 3,478.44. This company achieved its first success partly in Du Page County, and through its center, on this road, passes much freight from the Pacific Coast to Europe. Its entrance into the business heart of Chicago is direct and without detention, affording its business men easy access to rural homes in Du Page County, the eastern portions of which its fast trains reach in forty-five minutes, the central portions in fifty-eight minutes, and the western portions in one hour and fifteen minutes, thereby bringing the towns of this county within as quick time to the business center of Chicago as the remote but already thickly settled streets in the outskirts of this city, to and from which the horse cars are uncomfoitably crowded constantly, and it is an unsolved problem why the thousands who have already availed themselves of these con- ditions to secure rural luxuries are not mul- tiplied, till the whole line of the road is a continuous village. This would quickly be the case if every citizen of Chicago knew by experience the advantages of life among the gardens. CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY RAILROAD. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes through the southern tier of towns in Du Page County, affording facilities for easy access to Chicago, and offering good induce- ments for business men to make quiet homes along its line. The first beginning or nu- cleus of this road was the Aurora Branch Railroad, a line of road constructed in pur- suance of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, approved February 12, 1849. The Aurora Branch Railroad extended from Aurora, Kane County, about thirteen miles to a point on the Galena & Chicago Union Rail- road, now named Turner Junction. The first locomotive was purchased February 20, 1852. The original charter was amended June 22, 1852, and the name of the company changed to the Chicago & Aurora Railroad Company. On January 26, 1853, the charter was again amended, and the name of the company be- came the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company, a name formally accepted by the stockholders February 14, 1855. ^fc^ks^S HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 155 At a meeting of the Board of Directors held February 11, 1862, an act of the Gen- eral Assembly, authorizing the construction of a branch from Aurora to Chicago, by way of the village of Naperville, was formally ac- cepted by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. At the annual meeting of the stockholders held June 20, 1862, it was resolved to authorize the building of the road from Aurora to Chicago. This road was completed in 1864, at which time it only went to the Mississippi River, but now Northern Missouri, the State of Kansas, Southern Iowa and Southern Nebraska are directly on its lines, and besides these, it claims a share in the Colorado and Pacific trade. It had 2,- 924 miles of railroad in operation January 1. 1882. CHICAGO & PACIFIC RAILROAD. The Chicago & Pacific Railroad was organ- ized by R. M. Hough in December, 1877. The charter bears date previous to 1878, since which time the railroad was built, under the supervision of R. M. Hough, who was Pres- ident of the road. The Directors of the road were Thomas S. Dobson (who was also Vice President), Walter Pearce, John L. "Wilcox, George S. Bowen, George Young and Will- iam Howard. John L. Wilson was Solicitor, and William T. Hewes, Secretary. Fifteen thousand dollars was paid to William How- ard for the charter. An ordinance was passed in the Council to give the right of way for the road into Chicago in May, 1872. In June following, work was commenced on the road, and it was finished to Elgin in the summer of 1873. This road is now owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road. DU PAGE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. In giving a history of this society, we are somewhat embarrassed, as we find no record of its first meeting. At whose suggestion it was called, in what month it was held, by whom the meeting was called to order, or who participated in its organization, we are not informed; we are assured, however, that the first meeting was held in Naperville. The minutes of the first anniversary indicate that Rev. John H. Prentiss was the first Pres- ident, and leave us to infer who were his as- sociates in the organization: Naperville, February 5, 1841. The society met at the office of Esquire Hosmer. and was opened with prayer by Rev. John H. Pren- tiss, President. The annual meeting having failed, the following were appointed officers of the society for the ensuing year, viz.: Rev. Orange Lyman, President; Rev. Caleb Lamb, Hart L. Cobb, E. Thayer, Eli Nosheram and T. Paxton, Vice Presi- dents; John H. Prentiss, Secretary; Aylmer Keith, Treasurer; Lewis Ellsworth, Depository; J. H. Prentiss, A. Keith, Pomeroy Goodrich, Isaac Clark and Alexander Underwood, Executive Committee. At the second annual meeting the following resolu- tion was passed: "Resolved, That the first article of the constitution be so altered that the name of the society shall be the Du Page County Bible Society," thereby indicating that it formerly had a local name. At this meeting, we find the first report of the Treasurer, as follows: " There is now in the treas- ury $8 cash, and, as far as can be ascertained, $15.80 worth of books." In 1843, the Treasurer reported eight Bibles and three Testaments on hand, valued at $11.72, also cash $8 ($3 of which is counterfeit). We may charitably hope this spurious money found its way into the Lord's treasury by mistake. The first fifteen years, the society held its annual meet- ings at Naperville; the sixteenth anniversary at "Wheaton Station," from thence it went to Bloom- ingdale, returning by the way of Danby to Wheaton. After visiting Lombard and Prospect Park, called again at Wheaton on its way to Turner Junction, Elmhurst being the next stopping place, from which we return to Naperville to greet our old friends of forty years ago; old friends, did we say? Were we to call the roll of those who, forty years ago were active in Bible cause, how few would respond ! Opposite the names of nearly all we write gone — dead. The memories of other years crowd upon us. The recollection of, and association with, many now living, as well as those gone before, during a resi- dence of forty-four years in the county, is i>li:isant. 156 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. We write their history to-day, who will write ours forty years hence? Eleven venerable men have presided over the de- liberations of the society, and eight Secretaries recorded its doings. We are unable to give correctly the financial his- tory of the society, but, from the best sources at our command, it has received and disbursed at least $15,000, the smallest sum reported in any one year being $6.25, the largest $949.13. L. W. Mills, Secretary. REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT. As stated in foregoing pages, at the organ- ization of Du Page County it was anticipated to take in the three ranges of sections on its southern limit, but this plan miscarried, and left Naperville at the extreme southern verge of the county, which had the effect to jeop- ardize her prerogative, and ultimately to disinherit her from a right that she, by vir- tue of age, numbers and wealth, tenaciously claimed, which was to be the seat of justice of the county. Albeit her remoteness from the center of the county afforded a pretext for other ambitions to come to the front and assert their claims. This rivalry began to take legal action in the winter of 1857, when the Legislature of the State passed an act authorizing an elec- tion to be held on the first Monday of May, the same year, to decide the question of the removal of the county seat to Wheaton. The election was held, but it went against removal, setting the matter at rest for ten years, when, through the Wheaten interest, the Legislature again authorized an election for the same purpose. It was held in June, 1808, and this time gave a small majority for removal — not without the "inside grip" (best known by politicians) being practiced on both sides to their utmost limit. They made a very interesting polemic out of the campaign, which must ever stand as a monu- ment of Du Page County grit, but both sides > were so nearly matched in handling their forces that neither gained any advantage, and it was the few extra votes that gave Wheaton the victory, and not her superior skill. After the election, it was many months before the court confirmed the decision; this done, the Board of Supervisors selected a site for the court house, which was donated to the county, and the building erected that now convenes the court sessions and places crimi- nals on the proper side of iron grates. The records were removed early one winter morn- ing, and, unfortunately, a few of them were lost, but not any portion of them that are es- sential to show a good chain of title to lands. In the summer of 1879, a fire-proof building was erected on the north side of the court house grounds, with vault and offices for Clerks and Treasurer. DU PAGE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY. Fairs had their origin as far back as the first Olympiad, 600 years B. O, when kings ran foot races with "newsboys." whose occupa- tions of turning an honest penny, selling the Naperville Clarion or the Wheaton Illinoisian, was no bar to their social equality with a crowned head, at least at the Olympic games. When both were stripped, perhaps the "news boy " could show the best muscle, and that was what counted. These were exhibitions of strength, but nowadays men plume them- selves more on a big pumpkin and on the muscle of their horses, so they always had a race-course for the latter to ventilate his fine points on and a place in which to show the pumpkins, and then in these days of female culture, the best room in the building is al- lotted to the display of needle work and crayon work of the girls, and sometimes a few loaves of bread from a matronly hand. Du Page County, animated with a laudable HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 157 ambition to stimulate her industries and in- genuity, took steps in this direction by call- ing a public meeting at Naperville, October 19, 1853, of which E. O. Hills, of Blooming- dale, was Chairman, and James G. Wright, of Naperville, Secretary. The society was or- ganized with a constitution and by-laws, with 183 members, Lewis Ellsworth, President; J. G. Wright, Secretary. The first fair was held at Naperville October 11 and 12, 1851. The third annual fair was held at Wheaton September 17 and 18, 1856. A charter was obtained in February, 1857, soon after which fifteen acres of ground were donated to the society by J. C. and W. L. Wheaton, for a permanent place for holding their fairs. By the conditions of the donation, the grounds are to revert back to the original owners if the society neglects to hold their fairs for three successive years. Fairs have been held each year at the place ever since, with a good showing of the best things in the county. Mr. Albert D. Kelly, the present Secretary, furnished the above statistics for the work. TELEPHONE LINES. Telephone lines were established Septem- ber 1, 1882, between Chicago, Austin, May- wood, Elmhurst, Lombard, Wheaton, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Aurora, Joliet, Lockport and Summit. The intermediate towns will be connected as soon as practicable, and ti_e line is to be extended to Rock ford soon. It would be premature to state at this time any limit to the extension of the line. The rates now are '25 cents for five minutes' conversation. L. C. Brown, Agent. GEOLOGY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.* The following diagram shows the order and thickness of the several divisions which form the geological system of Illinois: ♦Contributed by C. D. Wilber, LL.D. Quaternary. Tertiary. Carboniferous . Prairie surface. Alluvium and Drift. Tertiary. 900 ft. Upper, Middle and Lower Coal measures. 300 ft. Millstone Grit. 250 fc. Chester Limestone. 100 ft. Ferruginous Sandstone. Limestone ^ "^ '*• ! ^*' ^ ou ' 8 or Warsaw Limestone Keokuk Limestone. Burliugton Limestone. 100 ft. Upper Silurian. Lower Silurian. 40 ft. Kinderhook Group. Hamilton Group. 50 ft. Oriskany Sandstone. Niagara Limestone. 100 ft. Hudson River Group. Galena or Trenton Limestone. 150 ft. St. Peter's Sandstone. Calciferous Sandstone. 158 HISTOKY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. The position occupied by Du Page and ad- jacent counties is the Niagara division of the Upper Silurian. This has been determined by the examination of the various quarries and from outcrops of rock formation on the Du Page River, and also by several artesian borings, which have penetrated more than one thousand feet. In this division are found the quarries of Lemont and Joliet, from which are annually shipped vast quan- tities of dimension stone and building ma- terial. Below it from 700 to 800 feet is found the St. Peter's sandstone, which con- tains the water supply of the great system of artesian wells, of which about one hundred are already in active operation in Northern Illinois. The county of Du Page, it will be seen, occupies both extremes of the geological series, viz., the Silurian system at the bottom and the prairie system at the top. The pres- ent article being limited to a few pages, will be mainly devoted to a consideration of the unfailing, omnipresent question, viz. , "What is the Origin of the Prairies ? ' ' From observation on the smaller lakes and lakelets in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, Prof. Leo Lesquereux saw, as he thought, the outline of a theory which would account for the present prairie system. After a brief view of the soils of these dry lakes, and the tree growths on the margin, he says: From these facts, no other conclusion can be taken than this: That all the prairies of the Mississippi Valley have been formed by the slow process of sheets of water of various extent, first transformed into swamps, and by and by drained and dried. The high and rolling prairies, the prairies around the lakes, those of the bottoms along the rivers are all the result of the same cause, and form a whole and indivisable system. But since lake bottoms are generally level, or present a general concavity of surface, and since prairies afford every variety of topog- raphy of rolls, hills, slopes, plains, divides, inclines, draws, ravines, terraces, bottoms, etc. . it seemed quite difficult at the outset to meet these formidable difficulties. But the heroic Lesquereux sweeps them all away with a pen stroke. "I believe," says he, "that though undu- lated the surface of the prairies may be now, as it has been originally horizontal enough to form shallow lakes, and then swamps like those which now cover some parts along the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, etc. I have followed for whole days the sloughs of the prairies, and have seen them constantly passing lower and well-marked channels, or to the beds of rivers by the most tortuous circuits, in a manner comparable to the me- anderings of some creeks in nearly horizontal valleys. Indeed, the only difference is that in the high prairies there is not a definite bed, but a series of beds extending, narrow- ing, winding in many ways. This explana- tion seems so natural that I could not under- stand how high prairies could be perfectly horizontal." No person ever appeared more charmed with his favorite idea than the bold Lesque- reux with his pet theory for the origin of the prairies. " The level of the low prairies being scarce- ly above that of the lakes, their surface after an overflow becomes dry by percolation and evaporation, rather than by true drainage. But wherever the rivers have cut deeper chan- nels, the drainage has constantly taken placo toward these deep channels, and the water, though its movements may be very slow, fur- rows the surface in its tortuous meanderings, and from this results that irregular, wavy con- formation, generally and appropriately called rolling prairie." HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 159 For illustration of his theory, Prof. Lesque- reux refers to the prairie soil of Illinois: "Its thickness is first to be considered; it varies from one to four feet, and even more How has been produced this enormous coat- ing of black mold which covers the clay sub- soil ? and, also, how has this subsoil been produced, if not under the influence and ac- tion of water? Complete oxidation of vege- table remains has never resulted in the keep- ing of such a peculiar thick compound as is the soil of the prairies. We must then con- sider this prairie soil as formed under pecu- liar chemical action by a slow oxidation or decomposition of vegetable matter, retarded in its action by water, in preventing the free access of oxygen, as in formation of peat. This (prairie) soil, then, as we have said, is half peat and half humus." Prof. Whitney, formerly State Geologist of California, writing of the formation of prai- ries, considers the absence of trees caused by the fineness of the soil, and partly by the ac- cumulation in the bottoms of immense lakes of a sediment of almost impalpable fineness under certain conditions. The one great fault with these theories is, that they are hasty and indiscriminate, when a larger view would include all that these theorists have stated, without shutting us up to narrow requirements. We can take in all that Prof. Lesquereux says, viz., that the great prairie system has been covered with water, and at the same time understood that water action is not, or was not even the re- motest cause of the unwooded districts. The prairies may come after the existence and subsidence of lakes, but they come simply in the order of events, and not as a consequence of water. There is nothing in the water or primitive lake theory that does not apply equally to the wooded regions of any country. Referring to Lesquereux' s theory, and Whitney's, Prof. Winchell says: " The fatal objection to this theory, and all the theories which look to the physical or chemical con- dition of the soil for an explanation of the treeless character of the prairies, is discovered in the fact that trees will grow when once introduced." The numerous lakes of Iowa, Illinois, Wis- consin and Michigan are mostly shallow, cov- ering often areas five miles by ten or fifteen. They have a dark sediment bottom, generally upon clay, which, being impervious, like leather, will for ages maintain these bodies of fresh water as they are. In some cases of higher altitude, with smaller lakes, the clay can be punctured, and after the escape of water the black sediment becomes good soil. Or the lake may be drained by cutting down its lower edge with a deep ditch. It is ob- vious that the concave-shaped clay substratum caused the lake, and it appears that the fresh water acted as a medium through which the sediments, no matter how obtained, were pre- cipitated; but directly the lake is drained the soil is ready to raise crops of grains, grasses or trees — but it does not become a prairie. West of the Missouri River, and, as far as known, west of the Mississippi River, in Ne- braska and Kansas, the brown-colored top soil is not a sediment of, but instead, the same material as the sub-soil, whether loess or drift, having the same chemical elements, but colored by successive years of decay of grasses. Whether these grasses, year after year, were burned or disappeared by the slower process of oxidation, they were cer- tain to contribute both the dark or humus color, besides a certain amount of material not being sediment in any sense. We are agreeably relieved from introducing the need- less miracle of innumerable lakes as prairie antecedents. 160 HISTOBY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. The evidence of prairie origin deduced from the disappearance of lakes, large or small, is therefore rejected as not sufficient. The lake patches with subsequent drainage, are simply facts by themselves, but not in any way related to the origin of the vast un- wooded regions of North America. The proportion of prairie to forest is so great in the Western States and Territories as to reverse the order of the inquiry. It seems here more proper to inquire, Why have we woodland and grove and densely timbered tracts in the Canadas and Eastern States, in- stead of these " unshorn fields, sublime and beautiful, for which the speech of Eugland has no name?" This leads to another inquiry, viz., Which is the normal condition of the surface; which has priority, prairie or woods? Are not prairies, and pampas, and steppes, and vast unwooded areas quite as natural as forest- covered plains and hills? Have we not a problem quite as intricate in explaining the existence and permanence of forests as in pre- senting a theory which explains their ab- sence ? Individual estimates of the comparative value of wooded and prairie regions would vary as to the tastes or traditions of men; but the general summary of an impartial census leaves no room for debate on the su- perior advantages of prairie surfaces. The center of empire makes its way westward over these natural meadows more rapidly than through dense forests. The unprecedented advance in the United States since the year 1840, in political power, wealth and popula- tion, is due, mainly, to the prairie system of the Western and Northwestern States and Territories. The landed estate of Illinois is worth $1,000,000,000 in forty years, is equal to that of Ohio in nearly eighty years, and an average prairie county in the interior of Nebraska in twelve years attains the wealth and population of one in the woods of Ohio, of equal size, with seventy-five years of toil. After searching all that is known upon the subject, we may see that both prairie and forset are natural conditions, and that it is in the power of man to make or unmake, to have either surface, or to combine the two in any manner united to his use or caprice. It does not matter, therefore, whether grassy plains or boundless forests have priority as the primitive condition. It would easily ap- pear from both geologic and human history, that the two orders of surface have alternate- ly held possession, and that the present prai- ries and timbered areas, wholly, or in part, were once covered with forests, and vice versa. To that whenever we raise the ques- tion of priority, we are at once carried into the realm of geologic history, whose faint outline can be seen on the shores of the old Silurian Sea, where the first fronds of vege- table life raised their tiny forms, suited to the earliest condition of light, air and moist- ure consistent with life upon the planet. But the two great orders of vegetable life, viz., trees and grasses, are so diverse in mode of growth, in form and in degree of vital force that we may naturally took in the di- rection of this diversity for causes that shall logicallyjlead us toward a satisfactory expla- nation. The superior vital force of grass growths, aided by favorable conditions, enables them to exclude timber growths, except where pro- tected by natural barriers. The constant and free action of these l-elative forces maintains the present boundary between prairie and timber areas. Whenever these forces are in- constant, or irregular, or suspended by human agencies, the relative areas of each are varied or changed. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 161 Grass is called " an annual " plant, yet in an enlarged sense it is perennial. There is more vitality in the rhizoma or roots of grass, than in the oak or palm. Whatever may de- stroy a tree or shrub brings no harm to grass. An ocean of flame may sweep over the prairie and consume every living thing, and leave the plain a parched and desolate waste, yet in a month the grass is green over the entire area, but the trees are dead. What required ten, twenty or a hundred years to accumulate as forest or grove, can be replaced only by the same number of years, while grass will come to its best estate in the summer time of every year. I offer this primal and fundamental relation between grasses and trees, as the present and procuring cause in a theory to explain, philosophically, the origin of the prairies: •■ Next in importance to the Divine profu- sion of water, light and air, those three great physical facts which render existence possible, may be reckoned the universal beneficence of grass. Exaggerated by tropical heats and vapors to the gigantic cane congested with its saccharine secretion, or dwarfed by polar rig- ors to the fibrous hair of Northern solitudes, embracing between these extremes the maize, with its resolute pennons, the rice plant of Southern swamps, the wheat, rye, barley, oats and other cereals, no less than the humbler verdure of the hillside, pasture and prairie in the temperate zone, grass is the most wide- ly distributed to all vegetable beings, and is at once the type of our life and the emblem of our mortality. Lying in the sunshine among the buttercups and dandelions of May, scarcely higher in intelligence than the mi- nute tenants of the mimic wilderness, our earliest recollections are of grass; and when the fitful fever is ended, and the foolish wrangle of the market and forum is closed, grass heals over the scar which our descent into the bosom of the earth has made, and becomes the blanket of the dead. " Grass is the forgiveness of nature — her constant benediction. Fields trampled with battle, saturated with blood, turn with the ruts of cannon, grow green again with grass, and carnage is forgotten. Streets abandoned by traffic become grass grown like rural lanes, and are obliterated. Forests decay, harvests perish, flowers vanish, but grass is immortal. Beleaguered by the sullen hosts of winter, it withdraws into the impregnable fortress of its subterranean vitality, and emerges upon the first solicitation of spring. Sown by the winds, by wandering birds, propagated by the subtle horticulture of the elements, which are its ministers and servants, it softens the rude outline of the world. Its tenacious fibers hold the earth in its place, and prevent its soluble components from washing into the wasting sea. It invades the solitude of de- serts, climbs the inaccessible slopes and for- bidden pinnacles of mountains, modifies climates, and determines the history, char- acter and destiny of nations. Unobtrusive and patient, it has immortal vigor and ag- gression. Banished from the thoroughfare and the field, it bides its time to return, and when vigilance is relaxed, or the dynasty has perished, it silently resumes the throne from which it has been expelled, but which it never abdicates. It bears no blazonry of bloom to charm the senses with fragrance or splendor, but its homely hue is more en- chanting than the lily or the rose. It yields no fruit in earth or air. and yet should its harvest fail for a single year, famine would depopulate the world." The forest, however, in its strife for the mastery or possession has its peculiar advan- tages. From its deep shades it excludes the grasses. The lack of light and warmth in the twilight of vast forests — "the boundless 162 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. contiguity of shade " — partly paralyzes vege- table growth of all kinds, and nearly obliter- ates all traces of grass. The shrubs and un- dergrowth are dwarfed into insignificance, and appear unwelcome, like lank beggars in a lordly court. Grown trees, however, with their spreading branches, bearing coronals of leaves, yearly increase in this manner their own bulk, and at the same time deepen the shade that de- prives the shrub or sapling and grass of their bread of life. By this regime the forest at- tains its majesty, and maintains its regal splendor for centuries. By this economy, with its steady bracing and blending of woody fiber, the tree trunk lengthens towards the sun, increases in strength and beauty, and contributes to man his house on land and his ship at sea. On the border, between the forest and plain, both grasses and trees show the decimating effect of antagonism in the struggle for existence. Trees of high growth and rank never grow into columns; but, with branches near the ground, dwindle into groves in bush forms. Among them, but with abated force, the grasses spread, and afford only tolerable pasture. It is evidently a drawn battle, or an attempt to compromise under a flag of truce. The effect of annual fires over prairie areas is nearly uniform. It is one of the constant forces, varying, of course, in direction and power with the wind, but passing over, year after year, nearly the same areas, and meeting the same barriers to stay its progress, thus keeping the same bor- der line between the two kingdoms. These fires may have originated ages ago, from the ordinary lightning, or what is more probable, they were caused by the same means that now maintain them, viz., human agency. From time immemorial, the Indians have, generally in the autumn of each year, fired the prairie or grass plains, producing thereby that pecu- liar phenomena called Indian summer. By these annual fires, they secure two results, viz. , first, the game is driven to the timber, where it can be more easily taken; and sec- ond, the grasses being burned, the bare prairie affords free vision against invasion, and also facilitates speed, whether for assault or retreat. Compelled thus by a twofold ne- cessity to annually burn the prairies, it is easy to see that they must have maintained for ages the areas that were fixed by natural barriers in the indefinite past — established with no prospect- of change, except by a change of policy under a different race of men. In this case the successful invaders of the present vast population of farmers must speedily revolutionize the Indian policy and the former boundaries between prairies and groves. MILTON TOWNSHIP. 163 CHAPTER VIII. MILTON TOWNSHIP — ITS FIRST SETTLERS — WHEATON — HOW IT RECEIVED ITS NAME — THE GALENA & CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD— CHURCHES OF WHEATON— PIONEER SCHOOL- STACY'S CORNERS— BABCOCK GROVE— PROSPECT PARK— ITS CHURCHES. TWO seafaring men, who had risen from cabin boys to become masters of vessels by time they had attained manhood, formed a determination to relinquish the calling to which they had been trained, and strike out a new course in life. These men were the two Naper brother of whom much has been said in previous pages. The new plan con- templated the formingof a colony to establish itself and grow up with the country some- where in the West to which the immense im- migration was tending that had loaded their vessels westward bound to their utmost ca- pacity for the years that they had been sail- ors and Captains. The names of two of tbe men who joined their colony are Lyman But- teriield and Henry T. W T ilson. The vessel started from Ashtabula, Ohio, in June, 1831, and arrived at Chicago in July. From thence the adventurers made their way across the spongy flats that then intervened between the place and the Desplaines River, and kept on to the west till their destination was reached, which was the spot where Naperville now stands. Here Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Wil- son remained a short time, witnessed the Black Hawk scare, and the next year took up claims a few miles north of the parent set- tlement — Naperville. Mr. Buttertield's claim was for a half-section of land lying wholly in the present township of Milton, in its south- eastern corner. Mr. Wilson's claim, made at the same time, happened to be where the three townships — Lisle, Winfield and Milton — corner together. These two men were the true pioneers of Milton Township, just half a century ago last June, the time of writing this chapter being August, 1832. Mr. But- terfield died a few years ago, but Mr. Wilson still walks the streets of WTieaton, and stal- wart young men, whose fathers he saw in their swaddling clothes, now help the old man up and steady his tottering footsteps down the uneven sidewalks of WTieaton, as he goes for the mail or after a newspaper to see what is going on in a world of excitement of which he has beheld three full generations. His grip on life is still tenacious as it is chronic. As this goes to press, news comes that Mr. W 7 ilson's sands of life are run out almost to the last grain. Ralph and Morgan Babcock came to the place since called Babcock's Grove, and made claims in 1833 of nearly the whole grove, with a view of parceling it out to their friends who were soon to follow. The next year (1834), Deacon Winslow Churchill, with his sons — Seth, Winslow, Jr., and Hiram — came to the place and made claims — all in what is now Milton, except that of Winslow, Jr., which was on the ground on which the northern part of the village of Lombard, in York, now stands. W 7 ith the Churchills also came the wife of Morgan Babcock, John D. Ackerman and family and Seth Churchill and family. All these came from Onondaga County, N. Y., arriving at Chicago on the schooner La 164 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Grange, June 4, 1834; here they procured teams, and, loading their household goods, started over the prairies, stopping the first night, at Scott's tavern, where Lyons now is, and the next night at Parson's, where Lisle now is; thence over the trackless prairie northwardly, to the grove where their borne had been secured to them the year before by a few blazes made on trees in the grove and a few stakes driven in the prairie by Mr. Babcock. In 1835, Moses Stacy and his wife came from Windham County, Vt. , via Buffalo to Detroit, by steamer, thence by schooner to Chicago; thence, with a hired team, they started for Hennepin, 111., their original des- tination, but, on their arrival at Ottawa, they found so many cases of malarial fever that they retraced their steps in pursuit of a more salubrious location to the north. They found it "he last of August, 1858, at the high spot of land to which their name has been given — Stacy's Corners — and here Mrs. Stacy and one of her sons still live on this spot so beau- tifully adorned by generous nature, on the top- most of those gravelly ridges that rise in ter- races one above another till it crowns the whole with a broad plateau, extending indefinitely to the north. Here they built a small cabin. 14x16, with a puncheon floor and a roof of split logs, the lower layers of which were channeled so as to catch the drainage from the upper ones. Soon after it was built, an oc- casional traveler called at night for enter- tainment. It would not do to turn him adrift, for he had no other refuge. Thus be- gan this business of tavern-keeping, which grew on their hands till their premises were enlarged and rebuilt once and again, and still inadequate to supply the demand as the country settled to the West, and Stacey's Corners gave promise of a central nucleus of a metropolitan character, and the name of Du Page Center was given it. David Christian settled at the place in 1837, and built a frame house, the first in the new settlement. In a few years it had two good stores, two blacksmith shops, a har- ness shop, a hame factory, a wagon shop and all the machinery of a town. Even Chicago came to the place to get their mechanics to make a dredge to clean the mud out of the Chicago River. But there was a limit to this prosperity. The laws of trade are inexorable and would follow the railroads, even from pleasing heights into valleys, and when the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad came through in 1849, many buildings were moved from the Corners to Danby, and all the business that had hither- to centered at the place. But let us return again to the good old days of 1835, when log schoolhouses were built for earnest children to study in, drawn thither by no sesthetic influences. One of these was built by subscription in 1835, at an opening in the north edge of the grove, on a small tributary of the East Fork. It is now a lonesome spot, away from the road, but was then vocal with young voices on week days, and hallowed with divine worship on Sundays, as all schoolhouses were in the early days. The first teacher in this house was Miss Maria Dudley, whose brother is now a promi- nent lawyer in Naperville. Rev. Pillsbury was the pioneer preacher in it, per order of Presiding Elder Clark, of the Du Page dis- trict, the same who had in June the previous year, come to the place to preach the funeral sermon of a young daughter of Deacon Wins- low Churchill — Amanda. There was no cemetery in which to deposit her remains, but she was buried on private grounds with solemnities all the more impressive, because where people are few and the face of nature is ample, the loss of a single individual MILTON TOWNSHIP. 105 leaves a broader chasm in the home circle and in the neighborhood. The same year, 1835, William D. Dodge, from Rutland County, Vt. , came to the settle- ment and made a claim adjoining Babcock's, his family arriving the following October. It was no small acquisition to the settlement, for he had four sons and nine daughters, all of whom settled at the piece. The names of the sons were N. Mason, Darwin D., W'illiam B. and J. S. It is not so necessary to name the girls, for they soon became identified by other names of a more masculine and less transient type, in which capacity they lent a hand in building up the country. Warren L. and Jesse C. Wheaton, Erastus Gary, Peter Crosby, S. H. Manchester, Al- vin Simmons, Peter Northrup, all came to this township soon afterward, and all of them are still active men, which would go to show that half a century in Milton Township had not tasked nature to her extreme limits, with- out counting how much wear and tear these gentlemen had before they came here with ripe growth in their limbs. These specimens, together with other evidences, go to show the healthfulness of the place. Its surface drainage is good, there being no extensive flat lands in the township, though a nar- row belt of low interval skirts the East Branch of the Du Page River that courses through the eastern tier of sections in this township. These low lands are not built on, but Berve for pasturage or meadow, being too spongy for cultivation. There are groves of good timber in the southwestern and central east- ern and northeastern portions of the town- ship, which have, even up to this day, large- ly furnished fuel for farmers and townsmen, besides much material for building, fencing, etc. The gravel banks along the railroad west of the Du Page are very valuable, and furnish the necessary material for graveling the railroad. Milton has eight school districts and as many good schoolhouses, two of which are graded. The number of persons between the ages of six and twenty in the town is 468. In the western part of the town, at Pleas- ant Hill, is a creamery that consumes 4,000 pounds of milk, makes 120 pounds of butter and 350 pounds of cheese daily. The dairy business is on the increase in the town, owing, esjjecially, to the facilities which the railroad affords for sending milk to Chicago. THE MASTODON. To trace the history of this noble animal since the timbers of Noah's ark cringed be- neath his ponderous tread, would take us through many evolutions of nature ere his offspring found their way into Du Page County. That he finally chose his pasture here is an evidence that it was then as now a good grazing country, for he was an herb- eating animal. His teeth give evidence of that and further prove that if he did not find grass enough to till his capacious stomach, that he could crop the little twigs from the trees, or eat the trees themselves level to the ground, if they were young forest trees not over twenty feet high, for what were such saplings between teeth that weighed from two to six pounds each, twenty-four in num- ber. Some of them were fashioned like pruning- shears; his tusks were ten feet in length, ten inches in diameter at the base and weighed 200 pounds. These are the dimen- sions and weight of a pair of them found near Aurora a few years ago, while excavating for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road. Later in the fall of 1869, the bones of one fore leg, sixteen sections of vertebne, shoulder-blade and hip-bone of this extinct species were found on the land of Mr. Horace 1G6 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Jane, two miles from Wkeaton. The prob- lem is, When did this animal leave his foot- prints on our soil? Lyell says that they be- came extinct many thousand years ago, but it is evident that he had not consulted Mr. Jayne, for he could have given him evdience that would have dispelled such a theory. Mr. Jayne says he found the bones in a comparatively recently filled-up basin of water, imbedded in murky accretions from its surrounding water-shed. Near the bones were small tree trunks still standing with their roots pierced into the solid soil below the black muck that covered and preserved them. This don't look like the work of "many thousand years,'' for this process of the tilling up of prairie ponds is still going on, and much of nature's handiwork in this direction has been done within the memory of our early settlers. No; we may conclude that not more than live centuries ago at most that herds of mastodons frisked about here like lambs in a June pasture. Perhaps they grazed the timber all down where the prairies are, and providentially left the groves for winter pasture. If this settles the ques- tion of the origin of the prairies, it will save archaeologists a good deal of hard study. HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF WHEAT0N. Amidst the ' ' banks and braes " of Wind- ham County, Conn., there grew up some note- worthy historical associations. The place was settled in 1686 by good old Puritan stock from Roxbury, Mass., whose influence is felt to-day in the social circles of Wheaton, though transmitted through not less than six genera- tions. From Pomfret, in that county, came the first settlers of Wheaton, whose courage and ambition may have been toned up to a good scale by the proximity of their birth- place to the cave where Gen. Putnam bearded the wolf in his lair and slew him, which was quite a feat for a young man not accustomed, like the old Romans, to play the gladiator. From near the spot where this event had transpired, Erastas Gary came to St. Joseph, Mich., in the autumn of 1831. Here he found a prosperous village, containing about twenty-five families, with sufficient attractions to determine him to remain for the winter to teach the town school and await what might turn up. The next spring, having determined to see what was on the other side of the lake, he started, April 1, 1832, with three compan- ions, in a dugout canoe for Chicago, which was then the usual method of private travel between the two places. Constant toiling at the oars along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, with two nights spent in camp thereon, brought the travelers to Chicago on the 3d, and here Mr. Gary only spent the night, for the place looked far less inviting than St. Joseph. " Westward ho!" was the watchword the next morning, and, after taking leave of his companions, he took up his march toward sunset and gained Law- ton's, on the Desplaines, at night, after a day of amphibious toil, sometimes for miles through water a foot deep. The next day, he reached Naperville, which was on the 5th. From thence he made his way northwardly, and took up a claim at first adjoining the claim of Mr. Butterfield, some years before the spot where Wheaton now is become his residence. That there would have been a village at or not far from where Wheaton now stands is certain in any event, but how it came to be located in this precise spot, and how it took its name, grew out of the following circum- stantial details. Warren L. Wheaton, whose limbs had gathered pith and whose fires of youth had been fanned to manhood's flame, around the old classic grounds of Pomfret (his birth- MILTON TOWNSHIP. 167 place), as well as Mr. Gary's, came to the Gary settlement June 1, 1837, to which E. Gary, his fellow-towDsman, had preceded him. Ever since the Black Hawk war, set- tlers had been actively employed in making claims, especially contiguous to the Naper settlement, and the lands where timber and prairie were conbined in desirable propor- tions, were all under the bonds of claims, which were sacred as deeds, at least till the land had come into market, and long enough thereafter to give the respective claimants a reasonable time to pay for them. The amount of land to which the Garys and Butterfields had laid claim was much larger than they wished for their own use, and had designedly been made so for the purpose of letting their friends and old fel- low-citizens from Pomfret have a portion of it. Notwithstanding tbis propitious chance of settling here, young Wheaton had a desire to look farther west before he made a de- cision, which, as the result proved, was to establish him for life. Accordingly, he started on foot over the open prairies, in a southwesterly direction, sometimes getting a ride by stage or otherwise, and in his wan- derings visited St. Louis, Quincy and Bur- lington. At the latter place was only two houses. Keeping on up the river, he saw Dubuque, when it had but a few houses, and Galena, when there were only a small cluster of buildings at the place. From this plsce, he turned his course homeward, or to what afterward became his home, but between which spot and himself lay an immense plain of waving grasses, almost entirely unin- habited. Dixon was his first point to reach, to which a well-known trail led and also con- tinued on to the east, the main line leading to Ottawa and a branch of it to Naperville. Over this prairie trail he traveled on foot, and by time he had returned, was in a suit- able frame of mind to cast his lot with his friends, among the undulating swells of land where he now resides. Perhaps his long stretches of marching between the stopping stations and his tired limbs, had something to do with this decision, but yet the distant hope that Chicago would rise out of the mud and become at least a good market for prod- uce was then in the minds of every one, and had its influence with Mr. Wheaton. A year had now been spent in prospecting, pending which time a Mr. Knickerbocker had come to the place, and, liking the lay of the land where the Garys and L. Butterfield had made a claim, either unwittingly or through design, came to the spot with an ox team and began to turn over the sod. Thirty acres were plowed before he was discovered, when intelligence of the trespass came to the Garys and Mr. Butterfield. Something must be done immediately, and it was planned by the aggrieved party promptly to repair to the spot with a team rigged to a plow, and com- mence breaking the sod by following the fur- rows already made by the claim-jumper, as Mr. Knickerbocker then was looked upon to be. Thus the two rival interested parties contin- ued at their work, without saying a word, and, as they went round after round on the same land, determination gathered force. Knickerbocker was the first to raise the flag of truce, which he did substantially by com- ing to the Gary party to hold a parley. During this eventful parlance, young War- ren Wheaton, who was a looker-on, took the Gary team and hastened to the next rise of land to the east, where no claim had yet been made, and plowed around about 640 acres or more to secure it to himself before Knicker- bocker could have time to do it, for Mr. Wheaton well knew that he would be driven from the grounds of Gary or Butterfield. and felt almost certain that he would claim 168 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. the next adjoining land, to which he now was making good hi sown claims. While Mr. Wheaton was doing this, the dispute was ad- justed by paying Mr. Knickerbocker $120 for his service in plowing the land, of which there were thirty acres — a happy way of set- tling the affair, and a generous one on the part of the defendants, for claim-jumping then was a serious offense, and if condign punishment was meted out for it, there was no one to question its justice or propriety. By this time, Jesse Wheaton, who had arrived in the country a few months subsequent to his brother Warren, was on the spot, and the disputed territory to which Knickerbocker had laid claim, was promptly transferred to him by his paying for the plowing, which he did. Perhaps this finale to these negotiations was a sort of " all-in-the- family '' arrange- ment, for the tradition says that it was then supposed that Jesse felt a gentleness toward Grinds, the sister of E. and J. Gary, the truth of which is confirmed by the subsequent marriage of the two, and it is not too much to say here that this marriage so promptly made verifies the assertion that Cupid is more unerring in his darts in new countries, for nowadays many long courtships terminate in failures. These are the circumstances which brought the two Wheaton brothers to the place where each now live, and for whom the town was named. That they came may be set down, perhaps, as the result of rivalry or ambition to secure a claim ahead of Mr. Knickerbocker, and that the town took its name for them, is, perhaps, the result of a friendly dinner. The circumstances are these: When John B. Turner and William B. Ogden came through the place, in 184 ( J, prospecting for a route and the right of way for the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, they had met but slender encouragement from the settlers im- mediately east of this place, then without a name. Not that the inhabitants objected to the road, but they showed a disposition to avail themselves of the occasion to get a round price for the land needed for its construction. Instead of taking any such advantage, the Wheatons were in full sympathy with these representatives of the road, offered them the right of way gratis, and invited the two gen- tlemen to dinner. Whether it was this din- ner, which was doubtless a good one, or the free gift of land, or both combined, that in- fluenced the managers of the road to put the station here and name the place Wheaton, will never be known, but certain it is that no amount of finessing and subtlety on the part of rival localities, which immediately ensued, could change the firm purposes of Messrs. Turner and Ogden. They were true to their first love and resisted all the blandishments of coquetry that followed from whithersoever it came. Mr. Jewell went so far as to build a depot at an expense of $400, so situated as to bring the road near to his land, the same now known as Jewell's Grove, but it had no effect. Dissatisfaction also {prevailed in other lo- calities where apathy had existed but a short time before, ere the people had awakened to the importance of the subject.. But let us return to trace the first settlers who came to the place after the Wheatons had set their stakes here. The three next were Peter Crosby, who now lives next door east of the house of the writer; S. H. Man- chester, who now lives close by Wheaton, and Avin Simmons, who still lives at the place. These five first settlers are all our esteemed fellow-citizens to-day, July, 188 '2, after a residence of almost half a century, and all able to attend to their daily avocations with their accustomed promptness. To them MILTON TOWMSHIP. 169 may be added Erastus Geary and Henry T Wilson, both of whom are citizens of Wheat- on, and came to the county several years be- fore the first five named, but not to Wheaton till many had preceded them. Both these gentlemen are well known throughout the country. Mr. Gary is still an active mem- ber of society, taking an interest in all the issues that affect the welfare of our country, but Mr. Wilson, now within a few weeks of ninety-four years old, has passed his age of utility, though he still sometimes walks the streets and bids good morning: to his old friends, of which he has countless numbers. There are many others venerable with age and honors, but the mention of whose names does not belong with a list of first settlers, because they came later to the county. In the fall of 184U, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad laid their track through the place, and thence to Elgin, and built a depot here, if poles set in the ground to sustain a roof of battened boards and sides, fashioned in the same manner, deserves such a name. The track consisted of strap iron spiked on wooden scantling, on which rickety old sec- ond-hand engines ran at slow rates; but this means of transportation, though defective, was better than the bottomless sloughs that intervened between Wheaton and Chicago. The first store built here was a grocery. Who ever heard of any other kind of a store as a pioneer effort in a new country ? Its very name sometimes meant that you could buy from its proprietor Kentucky Twist or Kentucky Bourbon, or something else more fiery, and it also meant that the way-worn traveler could find entertainment with a good solid bed to sleep in, if the bedstead which held it did not break down, and that he could luxuriate on nutritious corn-bread for supper and breakfast. This is what the pioneer grocery in a new country frequently meant, and the one opened here by Patrick Lynch justified the reputation of these primitive es- tablishments, especially those who played " Hamlet without the character of Hamlet. ' ' The next store was not a grocery store, that is, Kentucky Bourbon was not kept in it, al- though it kept tea, coffee and sugar and everything that sober people wanted from a penny whistle to a bass drum, to use a com- parison. It was a country store, and Mr. H. H. Fuller was its proprietor; he, at the same time, kept a hotel, was Postmaster, kept the depot and a stage office, all of which callings have grown into larger dimensions than one man could attend to, except the stage office, which is now one of the extinct institutions, like the relics of mastodons that were dug up on the land of Mr. Jaynes, adjacent to Wheaton. Mr. Fuller has now enough to do to attend to the depot, of which he still has the charge. His old store stood where the Central Hotel now stands, immediately south of the depot. The first man here who followed that occu- pation to which Elihu Burritt lent so much honor (that of a blacksmith), was Mr. Worm- with; his shop stood where the store of Messrs. Grotte Bros, now stands, and was erected in 1850. Mr. Wormwith, a few years later, died with consumption. The ware- house now occupied by Messrs. Sutcliffe & Kelly was built the same year as the black- smith shop — 1850 — by E. Gary and the Wheatons. On the 20th of June, 1853, the southeast quarter of Section 16, Township 36, Range 10, having been laid out in streets, by W. L. Wheaton, J. C. Wheaton and others, a plat of it was duly recorded as the village of Wheaton. From this period to 1859, the town grew apace, so as to contain not less than seven or eight hundred inhabitants. It was, however, 170 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. stigmatized as "Wheaton's Mud-Hole" by- some rival localities — a name, it must be con- fessed, not unmerited in the early spring or during excessive wet weather in its primitive days, when a mud blockade kept the people at home oftentimes when pressing necessities urged locomotion. Stimulated by these unfavorable conditions, the prominent citizens of the place saw the necessities of improving the streets and drain- ing the sloughs and ponds, of which there were many, and, after conferring together, decided that the true interests of the town required an act of incorporation, in order to enforce a system of public improvements. Accordingly, a charter was drawn up by the United Council of the representative men of the place, taking the charter of Naperville as a model, with but two modifications, the first of which was that the President of the Coun- cil Board should not be admitted as a mem- ber of the Board of Supervisors of the county, and the second was that the Council Board should have the power to license or suppress the sale of fermented or distilled liquors of all kinds. It was stipulated by the charter as follows: "The first election shall be held on the third Monday of March, A. D. 1859, and Erastus Gary, L. J. Bliss, Seth F. Dan- iels and J. C. Wheaton, or any two of them, may act as Judges of said election. This act to be in force from and after its passage." Approved February 24, 1859. The north half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 16, the south half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 17-, Township 39, Range 10, east of the Third Principal Meridian, were tbe lands comprised in the charter. The second charter of Wheaton, the one under whose authority the Council now acts, was approved March 11, 1809. It enlarged the limits of the town, so as to include in all the whole of Section 16 and the southeast quarter and south half of the northeast quar- ter of Section 17, and the south half of the south half of Section 9, and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, and the west half of the northeast quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 15, same township and range as the first description. ! The third article of the charter provided that the first Monday in each year should be the day of annual election for town officers, which officers should consist of a Council Board of five — that a Justice of the Peace and a Constable should be elected biennially on the same day of each alternate year, and that the Council Board shall have power to appoint a Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor and Street Commissioner. The office of Assessor is now discontinued, as the Township Assess- or acts in his place and the Treasurer of the village corporation is elected by popular vote instead of being appointed by the board. A liberal system o f public improvements has been inaugurated in Wheaton as the permanent policy of the town. First, the streets were piked up with dirt from ditches each side, ponds drained by tiling, and stone culverts built, but these improvements were found insufficient to make the streets pass- able in early spring, or during seasons of rain and warm weather in the winter, and it was determined to grade them with gravel, which fortunately abounds in various places near by. This work was begun in June, 1877, and, July 16, 1880, a gravel pit was bought of E. H. Gary, for $400, which gives promise of an abundant supply of this material so essential to the wants of the town. Of the manufacturing interest of Wheaton, little need be said. In the summer of 1856, Peter Northrup built a grist-mill, with two MILTON TOWNSHIP. 173 run of stones propelled by steam power, to which a planing-mill was also attached. It fullilled his expectations until it was burned down, in December, 1858. It stood north of the blacksmith shop of August Michels, across the street. About the same time this gristmill was built, a carriage factory was erected just west of it by Avery Chadwick, with steam-pow- er for machinery. H. C. Childs, who came to Wheaton in 1855, full of ambitious ideas, bought out this establishment, in 1859, and employed about fifteen hands in it in the manufacture of locomotive vehicles for chil- dren and babies, for which there was quite a good home market in such a fruitful country as Wheaton and its surroundings. This building burned down in 1861, but the de- mand for baby carriages kept on increasing, notwithstanding. In this emergency, Mr. Childs went to work immediately to build another factor}', the site of which was across the street south of the Methodist Church. It was finished in 1862, and the same business went on it till the supply of baby carts was ahead of the demand, for there is a limit to the rate of animated reproduction. Mr. Childs now bought the ground now occupied by the Kelly Block, where formerly stood a fine hotel owned by Mr. Kinney (which had been burnt in 1861) and here he erected the building which now stands on the spot, and it is worthy of notice that he established the grade of Wheaton business streets by elevat- ing his sidewalk several feet above the old grade. The nest attempt at manufacturing here was by R. Blanchard. who established a map factory in the Bsdel Block, opposite the depot, in the autumn of 1871. In a few weeks the building burned, and Mr. Blanch- ard transferred his business to other quar- ters, and ultimately, to his own premises, on the grounds of his homestead. On the spot made vacant by the burning of the Bedel Block was built the Central Block, in 1875 It is the principal business block of the town, containing ample stores and basements, with a tine hall and offices above. Had none of these establishments been burned, it is hardly to be supposed that Wheaton would ever have attained notoriety as a manufacturing town, for the reason that no streams of living water run through it, but its eligible situation as a place of resi- dence commends it to those wishing a home in a healthy locality among intelligent and thrifty people. The houses in the town are ample distances apart to insure a free circula- tion of air between each, and, in consequence of the college having been located at the eastern extremity of the town, and the grad- ed schoolhouse at the western, its area pre- sents tangent points in each respective direc- tion. For a place of its size, few have such an extended reputation, and it is well known that its fame is due to the tenacious religious connections, not only of its leading men. but of its every-day sort of people, who follow the ordinary occupations of life. This is evident from the fact that there are eight churches here which support regular preach- ing, and at least four more kinds of religious beliefs, too weak in numbers to have churches and preaching, but not too hike-warm in their religious feelings to keep alive in their hearts and consciences fidelity to their principles, and it is proper here to add that the univer- sal charity that the necessity of religious sentiment has imparted to the place, has thrown its mantel over all who act out relig- ion whatever they do or do not profess; and it is historically due to Wheaton to say that a citizen will be equally respected here if he does or does not help support any religious faith, other things being equal. The remarkable cases of longevity here are 174 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. worthy of mention. Henry T. Wilson, aged ninety-four, now able to go out of doors, but his mind enfeebled and his memory almost gone. He is well known as having been an active and useful pioneer and a thrifty farm- er. Edward W. Brewster is ninety years old; he has seen all our early Presidents, in- cluding: President Washing-ton, of whom he still retains a dim recollection, though but a child when he saw him. He has ever been foremost in every good work that appeared before him to be done during his long and useful life. For many years he was a mem- ber of the School Board of Chicago, and his large list of friends are still found among the most intelligent people of that city and other places where his life has been spent. His mind is still bright, and he may be seen al- most any pleasant day at work in his garden. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Manchester, each over eighty years old, have lived forty years in Wheaton, and, on the 28th of June, 1882, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding-day. They are now enjoying a rea- sonable degree of health. The elevation of Wheaton at the depot is 166 feet above Lake Michigan, on the rail- road track. From this point, the land grad- uates upward, both to the north and to the south, except in the channel of a slough, which tends to the southwest, and affords a good escapement for surface drainage. WHEATON COLLEGE. About the year 1850, a movement was set on foot in the Illinois Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist denomination to es- tablish an institution of learning somewhere in the State of Illinois. The originators of the scheme were mostly men who had but little of this world's goods and prized learning for the power that they saw it gave others, rather than from any ex- tensive realization of its benefits in them- selves. They were real reformers, and were especially interested in the anti-slavery strag- gle which was then at its height. They saw with deep concern the children of anti slavery fathers and mothers, who were sent to college, where nothing was said against human bondage, soon losing their parents' principles and concluding that if slavery were as bad as they had been taught at home to regard it, the teachers they had learned to reverence and love would say some- thing about it. Their purpose, as his father, who was one of them, has often told the writer, was not so much to start a denominational, sectarian school, as to provide a place where their principles, by them prized and early taught to their children, should not be smothered out by being held in silence by those who taught or deslroyed by the active, despotic teaching of the times. Wheaton, offering the most favorable terms, was chosen as the seat of this school. Preparations for building began by the founders kneeling in the prairie grass on the summit of the beautiful hill now crowned by the stately stone edifice known as Wheaton College building, and dedicated the hill and all that should be upon it to that God in whom trusting they had boldly gone into the thickest of the fight, not only for the freedom of human bodies, but of human souls as well. Although often being taunted by the enemy with being men of but one idea, and some- times pleading guilty to the charge, their one idea was a grand one, including the whole of man,- all his interests for this world and the next. A plain stone building, two stories above the basement, forty-five feet by seventy -five, was first erected at a cost of about? 10,000. In the basement of which, the upper part be- MILTON TOWNSHIP 175 ing yet unfinished, on the 14th of December, 1853, the Illinois Institute, for such was its first name, was opened under the instruction of Rev. John Cross, suceeding whom, the next April, the Rev. C. F. Winship, afterward missionary to Africa, had charge of the same for one year. Subsequently, Rev. G. P. Kim- ball, Miss Pierce and the writer of this consti- tuted the faculty until the opening of the next college year, when Rev. J A. Martling became "Principal of the first collegiate year. " On the opening of the school year, Septem- ber, 1856, Rev. L. C. Matlach, who had been chosen President some years before, entered upon his office. He was preceded a little by Prof. F. G. Baker, who has, till his recent decease, been Professor of Music and Trustee. Also by Dr. Hiatt. The Trustees had sold, chiefly through the agency of Rev. R. F. Markham, for many years Trustee and agent, scholarships to the amount of $21,000, of which the intention was to use only the in- terest, but, in the exigencies of building and keeping up current expenses, some $6,000 of the principal was either invested in a board- ing-hall or used up in paying bills. This was in part offset by $2,000 or $3,000 of interest on scholarships yet unpaid. An effort was made to replace the money expend- ed by investing all the interest accruing thereafter and making up a fund of $3,200 to run the school for two years, by the f aeult\ T giving $200 each from their already very small salaries, and the Trustees giving each a like sum, and securing the balance by sub- scription outside. This plan was only par- tially successful, but served to help the in- stitution along for a time. Under the Illinois Institute charter, the Trustees were appointed by the Illinois Con- ference, and vacancies accruing between its sessions were filled by the Trustees them- selves. The finances of the institution becoming more and more involved, the Trustees began to cast about for outside aid to meet current expenses and pay a debt that had already reached the sum of $5,000. This debt, which had grown to over $6,000, was afterward paid through the efforts of President Blanchard. If some people could be found and enlisted, who had principles like their own, the school could yet be saved and made to fulfill the design of its founders. The Congregationalists, in their free gov- ernment and general adhesion to reform prin- ciples, seemed more like them than any other church. Overtures were accordingly made to the Congregational State Association, and also to President J. Blanchard, who had recently left the Presidency of Knox College. A meeting of leading Congregationalists was appointed at Wheaton to consider the matter, which meeting, as a whole, decided against the prop- osition to adopt the college; yet many of its leading members promised all the aid in their power, if President Blanchard would take the Presidency of the college. Stipulating that the charter should be so changed that the Trustees should be a closed board; that the church should make some slight changes, and, while retaining its con- nection with the conference, should become connected with the Congregational Associa- tion. President Blanchard consented to take the Presidency, although at the same time he had similar invitations from five other insti tutions — some, perhaps all, apparently more eligible than the one accepted, for the reason that he preferred a college whose principles were like his own. The founders, also, were careful before giving up the control, to stipu- late that the institution should continue to teach their principles, which included nol only opposition to chattel slavery, but as well 176 HISTORY OF 1)V PAGE COUNTY. opposition to all spiritual despotism that seeks to fetter the souls of men by profane and extrajudicial oaths and obligations. In Jannary, lcS60, President Blanchard en- tered upon the duties of his office. The name of the institution was changed to Wheaton College, and the charter was amended by the Legislature of 1861. The first class of seven young men, all of them from the regular college course, gradu- ated on the 4th of July, 1860. The Board of Trustees was enlarged to twenty members, and J. Blanchard, Hon. Owen Lovejoy. Dr. F. Bascom, Deacon Moses Pettengill, De Chester Hard, Dr. Edward Beecher and F. H. Mathers, Esq., became members of the Board of Trustees. On the breaking-out of the war, a large number of students went into the army, so that the next year no class graduated. In response to the country's first call for men, several entered the service, among whom O. W. Wood, of the Freshman class, a noble, Christian young man, who, amid many dis- couragements, was working his way to a col- lege diploma and a life of usefulness beyond it, contracted fatal disease while lying en- camped among the swamps of Cairo. He lingered long enough to return to friends at Dover, 111., but soon struck his teat and went to be with the angels. G. H. Apthorpe sickened at the same time and place, subsequently recovered and was afterward shot dead while fighting as Captain of a colored company. J. H Dudley, too, succumbed to the ma- laria engendered by the stagnant waters about Cairo, dying at his home, in Whiteside County, 111. Of this same first quota of the college to the war, W. H. H. Mills, a slender, beautiful youth, and a universal favorite, lost his life while bathing in the Ohio River. Subsequently, G. C. Hand, of Elkhorn, Wis., then a graduate of the college, a young man of splendid scholarship, of high, noble, Christian bearing, who went into the army to serve his country, not for pelf or prefer- ment, choosing the post of a private when office was offered him, volunteering to go un- armed with the surgeons into danger, and, when captured, suffering another to go free in his place when he might have been ex- changed, died by starvation in a rebel prison. H Skinner, "Little Skinner," as we used to call him, wiry, withy little fellow, thwarted the cunning or malice of some practical joker or copperhead, who had, during the night, placed the hated palmetto flag above the great ball surmounting the cupola of the col- lege, hoping to enjoy the rage of the mass of angry youth who, in the morning, should hasten to haul it down. The boy's peering eyes, before all others, espied it, and, almost without an observer, he performed the daring feat of climbing the lightning rod and no eye again saw that emblem of rebellion. To our surprise, for we thought him too small for a soldier, one day Skinner donned the blue and slung his knapsack and rode away to join the country's braves on the field of deadly strife. In the morning of that awful day at Pea Ridge, Skinner was on the sick list. When the order came to march out to battle, forth came he from the hospital, but was ordered back, but the hospital could not contain him while his fellows were fighting for their country. Sallying forth, he mounted ahorse and all day long he was in the thickest of the fight, and, at nightfall, insensible, was borne by loving comrades back to camp. In one of the hard-fought battles of the South, while in the midst of a conflict, a rebel bullet sent him to sleep with the immortal defenders of liberty. Wheaton College gave to the country other sons not here mentioned, because not known to the writer, or, if once MILTON TOWNSHIP. 177 known, not now recalled. Others, no less brave, bear honorable scars that tell of their fidelity. Among these, Maj. Powell, now of the Smithsonian Institute, having buried an arm in the grave of the great rebellion, after- ward, in the service of science, in the ex- plorations of the canons of the great rivers of the Pacific slope, performed deeds of dar- ing surpassing those of knight-errant, with his one strong arm boldly steering his frail boat into gloomy canons, which the boldest native, with two arms, dared not enter, shoot- ing the water falls and coming out safe many miles below. M>j. John Kinley, of the in- vincible Eighth Illinois Cavalry, is growing prematurely gray from an ugly wound receiv- ed in battle, and Sergt. J. F. Ellis, who, while carrying his colors into the deadly breach, fell by a terrible wound, still lives to engage in the ever irrepressible moral con- flict against evil. But the great design of Wheaton College was not to fit men for car- nal warfare. It soon found that in this world where error reigns, truth may not be taught with impunity. From the first, the college had a rule forbidding students to attend se- cret societies while in college. The Master of the Masonic Lodge gave notice that he intended to break down this rule. For some months it did not appear how he was going to make the attack, till at length a strolling lecturer was imported to organize a Good Templars Lodge. He said publicly, let the students join us, and. if the faculty dare say anything we will publish them to the ends of the earth, and they will have to shut up their doors. Three students were known to have joined them, one of whom was made their Secretary, and defiantly posted notice of their meetings in the college halls. The challenge thus boldly given was not declined. When arraigned and asked if they knew of the col- lege rule, they said they did and intended to disregard it, Their parents were then inter- viewed, and one of them said that he pro- posed that his son should attend the lodge and the college too. The students were then suspended until they should conform to the rule. The falsehood was everywhere pub- lished that the college had expelled students for belonging to a temperance society. A writ of mandamus was sued out to compel the faculty to take these students back. They were beaten in the lower court and appealed, the Master of the Masonic Lodge signing the bail bonds for the costs. The Supreme Court sustained the decision of the lower tribunal, and the first moral conflict ended. As to birds, there comes a time of nest build- ing; so to men and institutions there comes a time to build; such was the next great un- dertaking of this young college. A proposition was made to raise the first $10,000 in little Du Page County, and the President said that if others would raise this amount at home, he would go abroad and se- cure other funds to complete the enterprise. Part of the sum was raised, and the writer of this was appointed to canvass the county and complete the subscription. The west wing was then inclosed and six recitation rooms finished in the connecting wing, when all the moneys raised were ex- pended, and, in pursuance of the policy not to go into debt, building operations ceased. About two years iter, the President hav ing secured more money, the work of build ing was again resumed, and continued until the present noble building was completed, at a cost of some $70,000, although in doing so a debt, in spite of the President's protest, of $20,000 was contracted. After this period of external material ac- tivity, there succeeded a calm which was fol- lowed by a moral tornado. 178 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. The immediate successors of the Illinois Institute Trustees and faculty felt doubly bound, both by their own convictions and by the injunction of their predecessors to teach their principles, while others who came in later, while professing to hold the same prin- ciples, wished Wheaton to be like other col- leges that made no stir about these reform principles. The secret empire, which, de- spising the weakness of this feeble folk, had before kept comparatively quiet, now began to show signs of war. As before, the local lodge issued, by its Master, its brutum fulmen against a rule, so now there came from secret caverns a hundred miles away an edict that the head of this dangerous institution must be cut off. Strike, but conceal the hand, is the assassin's motto, upon which secrecy al- ways acts. The outburst of this real division of sentiment in the college and church; the sore heads always thrown off by any active movement; the financial embarrassment of the college, all together, seemed to afford a fitting opportunity for action, and for the real actors to escape notice. One material thing only seems to have es- caped their notice. No power on earth could perform the desired decapitation outside of the Board of Trustees, and the large majority of these held the same principles as their President, and were men whom neither threats could intimidate nor money buy, both of which were tried. When other measures failed, ecclesiastical action was taken, such as, if now attempted in any civil court in Christendom, would con- demn the actors to an immortality of infamy more enduring than that of the Star Chamber or the Holy Commission, the result of which was to drive from the association of which he had been a father, and the college church from connection with what had always pro- fessed to be a circle of free churches. When the mad surges finally are laid, it is found that God still reigns, and Wheaton College, head and all, lives. Not only lives, but still grows and strengthens, sending downward its roots and upward and outward its branches, bearing leaves and flowers and fruits, bidding fair to become a tree of the centuries, to stand, when the errors it was set to with- stand have faded from the minds of an intel- ligent, free, Christian people. The debt of the college, now increased to nearly $24,000, still remained unpaid. Prof. C. A. Blanchard was planning for much needed rest in the summer vacation, when, on reading some passages of Scripture, he felt impressed that the debt must be paid, and he must take measures to raise it. Times were still hard, and sober business men said that nothing short of a financial miracle could do it. Contrary to the judgment of the President even, Prof. Blanchard got up a subscription, payable in case the whole sum should be subscribed before the opening of the next fall term. When urged to put the time lonarer, he said if it was raised God must raise it, and he could do it in that time as well as longer. Before the time ap- pointed, every dollar of he sum was made up as a free-will offering. The college lives to day out of debt, its faculty agreeing to take what money comes in during the year, and at the close give be balance of their small salaries, and report no debt. Owing to the infirmities of age, its old President has for two years sought to retire, but, by the united entreaties of Trustees and faculty, has been induced to retain the office till the present. He now, full of years and honors, gives place to his son, Prof. Charles A. Blanchai'd, who comes to the head of an institution every way well equipped for duty, having in addition MILTON TOWNSHIP. 179 to the ordinary college, a prosperous musical department, under the charge of Prof. S. Wesley Martin; a very successful art depart- ment, taught by Mrs. S. H. Nutting, and a young and vigorous theological seminary, under the charge of President L. N. Stratton, one of the first graduates of the college. — O. F. Lumry. THE COLLEGE CHDRCH OF CHRIST. The first settlers on the site of the town of Wheaton were Hon. Warren L. Wheaton and his brother, Jesse C. Wheaton, for whom the town was named. They worshiped with a small Methodist Episcopal Society, at Gary's Mill, in this county. The first society formed within the town was by Wesleyans, February, IS 48, and numbered at first fourteen mem- bers. This society was ministered to by Rev. Kufus Larnry, Rev. Milton Smith, Alexander McArthur, L. B. Ferris, John Cross, G. Clark, William Kimball, H. Moulton, William Whit- ten and R. F. Markham, whose labors ex- tended to 1855. From that year to 1859, the preachers were Joel Grinnell, G. P. Kim- ball and L. C. Matlack. January, 1860, J. Blanchard. who had been called to the Presidency of the college, took charge of the church. A new charter was ob- tained for the college, and the name of the church was changed to the First Church of Christ, in Wheaton, February 2, 1860, and about one hundred members were received in the first two years of his pastorate. The Wes- leyans had a rule excluding members of secret orders from the first, seventeen years before the change, and they made it a condition of the change that their testimonies against slavery and secret societies should be faithfully main- tained, which condition has been sacredly observed. It was, however, thought expe- dient to organize a Wesleyan society, and an amicable division took place, which resulted in the present Wesleyan Church in Whea- ton, November, 1862. Before and since the withdrawal of the Wesleyans, the members of both churches have all walked in harmony from first to last. The "First Church of Christ" was so named after the manner of the early Congre- gational Churches of this county, which aimed to be after the strict New Testament model, and were notcalled "Congregational," but as in Hartford and New Haven, etc., simply churches, designated by number, . street or locality. Like the early Congre- gational Churches, too, it called its commit- tees of discipline " Elders. " Its government, too, like theirs, is strictly Scriptural, that is to say, democratic. Several attempts were made to over-ride or rescind the rule excluding the secret deistical orders, both in the church and in the college, but our Circuit and Supreme Courts sustained the rule, and the church refused to ignore or rescind it. The church united with the Fox River Union in 1860. It was set off to a new Con- gregational association, the Aurora, in 1867, and was transferred by request to the Elgin association, in 1875. The relations of the First Church with the three local associations to which it has belonged, have been unoxcep tionably harmonious, as also with the general association of Illinois. All these bodies have on their records, the strongest possible testi - monies against the deistic secret orders. In 1867, the State Association adopted a resolu tion, written by Professor, now President, Bartlett, of Dartmouth College, declaring Freemasonry " hostile to good government and the true religion," and, at the same ses- sion, a report by Dr. Edward Beecher, which says: "By it (Freemasonry) Christ is de- throned and Satan is exalted." And Aurora 180 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Association refused to license two young men who were Freemasons to preach. Difficulties having arisen in 1877 of a com- plex nature, stimulated by an officer of a Ma sonic lodge outside, at the written request of above eighty members, in January, 1878, the church voted to dissolve and become two churches, allowing the members to go with either body as they chose. Some thirty act- ing members withdrew and afterward ex- changed the name of "First Church of Christ " for the " First Congregational Church," and also struck from the manual their testimony against secret lodges. The original church, to avoid controversy about the name, took the name of the " Col- lege Church of Christ, retains the testimonies unaltered (1882), worships in the same place where it ever has done since its organization; has enjoyed several revivals of religion, peace in its own membership and charity with all churches of Christ. — Jonathan Blanchard. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The organization known as the First Con gregational Church, Wheaton. originated in a meeting held at the residence of Joseph Chadwick, Sr. , in February, 1843, and was first known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church, its membership numbering fourteen persons. Rev. Rufus Livmry was the first minister. For several years, no records were preserved, but it is known that the follow- ing-named ministers preached for the church between the years 18-43 and 1854: Milton Smith, Alex Mc Arthur, L. B. Ferris, John Cross, Geo. Clark, Wm. Kimball, H. Moulton, Wm Whittin and R. F. Markham. The records have been preserved since 1855, and from these we learn that Rev. Joel Grennell preached a few months during that year; Rev. G. P. Kimball, four months in 1856; Rev. L. C. Matlack, in 1856-59. In January, I860, Rev. J. Blanchard was employed as supply, and on February 2 suc- ceeding, the church voted to adopt the name of the First Church of Christ, in Wheatou, 111., and to send a delegate to the next meet- ing of the Fox River Union, a Congrega- tional association. At the same time, a church covenant, in accordance with Congre- gational usage, was adopted. At the meet- ing of the Fox River Union, April 25, 1860, the church was received into the fellowship of the Congregational Churches. For geo- graphical considerations, it was dismissed to the Aurora Association in 1867, and by that body to the Elgin Association in 1875, where it still holds denominational connection. On November 29, 1862, twenty-eight mem- bers petitioned for letters of dismission, to form a Wesleyan Methodist Church, which were granted. In January, 1878, difficulties in the church culminated in the withdrawal and subsequent excision of a large number of members, who organized as an independent body, styled the College Church of Christ. During the twenty-two years of existence as a Congregational Church, nearly seven huadred persons have been connected with its membership, and its pulpit has been supplied by the following clergymen, viz. : E. N. Lewis, G. F. Milliken, William H. Brewster, J. B. Walker, D. D. , Lathrop Taylor and Augustine G. Hibbard. The pastoral relation has been formally instituted in but two in- stances, Rev. G. F. Milliken and the present pastor having been regularly installed. A house of worship was built in 1878, at a cost of nearly $5,500. In January, 1879, the name was changed to harmonize with its denominational connection, to its present title, the First Congregational Church. The present membership is forty-three; Sabbath school membership, seventy; contributions MILTON TOWNSHIP. 181 for twelve months, $1,300. Church Clerk, Rev. I. A. Hart; Deacons, Loren Barnes, Rev. H. W. Cobb and E. B. Wakeman; Sun- day School Superintendent, William Nunn; Trustees, E. W. Fisher, George Maze, S. N. Moffatt. — Augustine R. Hibbard. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Whea- ton was organized as a circuit October 24, 1857, with the following officers: Rev. J. W. Agard, Presiding Elder; Rev. J. Nate, first pastor; Rev. C. Gary, Local Deacon; Erastus Gary, Levi Ballou, M. E. Nash, John Finnerson, George Reed, Joel Wiant, William Ainsworth and Warren L. Wheaton, Stewards; Orlando Wakeley, David S. Chris- tian and William Miller, Class-Leadem Rev. T. L. Olmsted, with Rev. George Brewster as his assistant, succeeded Rev. J. Nate as pastor. In 1859, Rev. Luke Hitchcock was Presid- Elder, and Rev. Thomas Corcoran was preacher in charge. In May. 1860, Rev. L. Hitchcock was elected agent of the Western Methodist Book Concern, and Rev. E. M. Boring was ap- pointed Presiding Elder of the district. In the fall of 1860, Wheaton was made a sta- tion, with Rev. L. H. Bugbee as preacher in charge, Rev. William Kimball as Local El- der, with P. M. Curtis, O. Wakeley, J. C. Wheaton and W. L. Wheaton as Stewards, with M. E. Nash and L. S. Phillips as Class- Leaders. In the winter of 1861, the present church was finished, and dedicated by Bishop M. Simpson, assisted by Rev. E. M. Boring and Rev. O. H. Tiffany. It had eighty-seven members and eighteen probrttionists, and the Sunday school connected with it had an en- rollment of 160. Wheaton was in the Chi- cago District of the Rock River Conference. The following is a list of its Presiding El- ders, who succeeded Rev. E. M. Boring to the present time: Rev. S. P. Keys, Rev. H. Crews, Rev. W. C. Damdy, Rev. A. J. Jut- kins, Rev. W. C. Willing and Rev. L. Hitch- cock. The following is the order of pastors since the first one: Rev. A. W. Page, Rev. J. O. Cramb, Rev. George E. Strowbridge, Rev. S. Stover, Rev. John Ellis (during whose charge there was a gracious revival of religion), Rev. William Goodfellow, D. D., Rev. J. G. Camp- boll, Rev. S. Searl, Rev. R. Congdon, Rev. William P. Gray and Rev. E. M. Boring. The church has had a varied history. Many who have been identified with it have removed to other localities, and many have died in the faith and gone home to heaven. It has contributed its share to the benevo- lent enterprises of the day. both in material aid and by its influence, and now stands with a fair record and in the enjoyment of a rea- sonable degree of prosperity — an honor to the cause of Christ, and a blessing to the world. It has a membership of eighty-seven, and five probationists, and a Sunday school member- ship of 225, with an average attendance, dur- ing the past year, of 110. The writer has just been returned to this charge for the third year. The following are the present officers of the church: A. B. Curtis, Local Preacher; J. C. Wheaton, Sr., J. C. Wheaton, Jr. , W. I. Wheaton, E. H. Gary, N. E. Gary, William L. Gary, William H. Wakelee, B. Loveless and H. H. Fuller, Stewards; A. B. Curtis, Levi Ballou, C. O. Boring, Class-Leaders; J. C. Wheaton, Sr., E. H. Gary, William L. Gary, H.;H. Fuller, H. Holt, J. G. Vallette, J. J. Cole and A. M. Ballou, Trustees; C. O. Boring and A. B. Curtis, Superintendents of the Sunday school. The Trustees hold in trust for the church one 182 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. church valued at $3,000, and one parsonage valued at $2,500. The above report is made from imperfect data, and doubtless has many omissions of persons and events which should have been named. — E. M. Boeing. BAPTIST CHURCH. Eev. Philander Taylor was the real pio- neer of the Baptist denomination in this vi- cinity. He began his work at Stacy's Cor- ners as early as 1846, and succeeded in es- tablishing a church at the place, which would have been a permanent one, had not the in- fluence of the railroad, which left that place a mile out of the way in 1849, drawn busi- ness to Danby. Under such adverse circumstances, it was in vain to try to build up the church at the Corners, and the building which had been erected for its use was removed to Danby, the railroad station, where the prospects for a village seemed promising. Meanwhile, the few Baptists at the Corners, intent on build- ing up and re-organizing, chose Wheaton as the most propitious place for their second attempt, not for its local convenience, but because it seemed to give better promise of a growing place than any other within the same compass. In accordance with this reso- lution, the society held their meeting at a schoolhouse at this place, after the removal of their church, and continued to do so ti II 18(53, during which period several citizens of Wheaton joined them, and they felt strong enough to organize a church, which was done in 1864. For the next year, they held their meetings mostly in the Universalis! Church. Meantime, they had commenced a building of their own, which was partly finished, and meetings held in its vestry room from May 12, 1866, till the comjdetion of the building, in 1867. It was dedicated the 5th of Decem- ber. Bev. Garrison was the pastor of this society from its first meetings in Wheaton most of the time till its re-organization at that place in 1864. Bev. B. F. McLafferty was the first pastor after its re-organization. He was succeeded by Bev. S. W. Marston, who held charge till 1865, since which time Eev. E. O. Brien, Bev. W. W. Smith, Bev. A. J. Colby, Eev. F. M. Smith, Eev. S. Ba- ker, Jr., Eev. Henry B. Waterman and Eev. T. W. Green have in turn been pastors of this church. The main church building is 33x56 feet, added to which is a vestry 18x24 feet. The first Trustees of the church were P. W. Stacy, John Sutcliffe, P. S. Driscoll, E. S. Kelley and John Eoberts. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WHEATON. The first services of this church were held in June, 1875, by the Eev. Dr. C. V. Kelly, who continued to hold occasional services until the time of his death, in the spring of 1876. The Eev. Dr. William Eeynolds suc- ceeded him in the work in June, 1876, re- maining in charge of the mission until his death, in the summer of the same year. The parish then remained without a clergyman for nearly a year, the services being contin- ued every Sunday with Mr. William A. Shearson as lay reader. In May, 1877, Bishop McLaren sent to the mission the Bev. Dr. T. N. Morrison, who has remained in charge up to the present date (October, 1882). Until June, 1882, the services of the mis- sion were held in the Universalist Church ; but on Sunday, the 18th of December, 1881, the Bishop of the Diocese laid the corner- stone of the new church, which was completed in June of the following year. The consecration services were held on the 20th of June, 1882, and were attended by the MILTON TOWNSHIP. 183 Bishop and a large number of the clergy and laity from Chicago and its vicinity. The new church, which bears the name of Trinity, is built of wood, with stone found- ation. Its seating capacity is about one hun- dred and fifty, the dimensions of the nave being 28x00 feet, and of the chancel 14x16. The interior of the church is finished in oiled pine and stained walnut, and has a handsome open timbered roof. The windows are of stained glass, and are, in several instances, memorial gifts. The chancel is semi-octag- onal in form, and is finished like the body of the church. The various articles of chan- cel furniture are of walnut, and were, with the exception of the altar, gifts from individ- uals, the altar being given by the Church of the Epiphany, Chicago. The church, which is entirely free of debt, was built and furnished at a cost of about $5,100, all of which was contributed by the members of the mission and their friends. — Mary Drummond. wesleyan methodist church. The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Whea- ton was organized in February, 1843, at a j meeting held at the house of Joseph Chad- wick, in what is now known as the Hadley neighborhood. George C. Vedder was chosen Chairman; Joseph Chad wick, Steward; and Abial Hadley, Class-Leader. Rev. Rufus Lumery was the first pastor. The primary reason which led to this organization was the connection of the Methodist Episcopal Church with slavery, the parties in this movement being members of her communion. That this band of reformers were justified in their action is unmistakably proven by the history of the times, the church from which they withdrew, as also others, having long since indorsed their position. The distinctive reformatory principles of the church are opposition to slavery, secret societies and arbitrary church government; methodistical in doctrine and usages, Congre- gational in government, the laity being equally represented with the clergy in all their deliberations. It holds an associated relation with a connection of churches known as the Wesleyan Methodist connection of America. This was the first church in Wheaton. Its early history and interests were closely identified with those of Wheaton College, which was founded by the Wesley - ans Tinder the name of Illinois Institute. In 1860, by mutual agreement, the college passed into the hands of the Congregationalists, and the church connected therewith assumed the name of the First Church of Christ, fol- lowing which a re-organization was effected, thereby constituting the present Wesleyan Church. The following persons have served the church as pastors: Revs. R. Lumery, Milton Smith, A. Mc Arthur, L. B. Ferris, John Cross, George Clark, William Kimball, H. Maulton, William "Whitten, R. F. Markham. George Kimball, Joel Grennell, L. C. Mal- lack, J. Blanchard, A. H. Hiatt, D. F. Shep- ardson, H. R. Will, William Pinkney, Will- iam H. Van Boren, J. M. Snyder, J. N. Bed- ford, A. F. Deinpsey and L. N. Stratton, President of Wheaton Theological Seminary. — L. W. Mills. st. Michael's catholic church. The Catholic congregation of St. Michael's Church at Wheaton was organized in 1879. Up to that time, and until the new church was formally and solemnly dedicated — which was done on the 29th of June, 1882 — the peo- ple living in and around Wheaton used to at- tend service partly in Winfield, partly in Milton, both places being two and a half miles distant from Wheaton. In 1879, however, the 181 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. people thought it best to have their own at- tendance, and hence they concluded to build a suitable church for worship. The founda- tion was begun on the 29th of May, 1879, and by the 24th of the following month, work had advanced so far that the corner-stone could be laid, which was done by Very Rev. J. McMullen, at that time Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago. After the comple- tion of the basement, work stopped for nearly two years — ajjparently for want of means — but it was resumed in the fall of 1881. The edifice, which has a stone basement, on which is built a handsome frame church, measures 45x80. Above the altar in the middle, a picture of the Archangel St. Michael, fighting the demon, an oil painting by J. Schott, Detroit; at the left of the altar, a statue of the Blessed Virgin ; and at the right a statue of St. Joseph. The whole was finished June 29, 1882. It is an ornament for Wheaton, a proof of the liberality of the rather small congregation — number of families at present being about thirty-five. It was solemnly blessed on the above date, by His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop P. A. Feehan, D. D., who appointed the Rev. William de la Porte, who, for over twelve years, was pastor at Na- perville, as rector of the new church. — Wm. de la Porte. st. Stephen's church at milton. This church is as old as St. Peter's at Na- perville, from which place it was formerly attended up to August, 1860. Then the Rev. M. Albrecht took, for a short time, charge of the congregation. After his departure, for two years it was attended by the Benedictine Fathers from Chicago, when the church at W infield was built, and that place received its own pastor. Milton then was regularly attended from Winfield twice a month. At present, it is under the care of the pastor of Wheaton, who visits the church likewise twice a month. — Wm. de la Porte. THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF WHEATON. This congregation was organized in the beginning of the year 1865. At the time of its organization, it numbered some forty fam- ilies. Its first services were held in the Uni- versalist Church, Rev. F. VV. Richmann, at that time pastor of a congregation in Elgin, occupying their pulpit every second Sunday. On Christmas Day of the same year, the congregation tendered a regular call to Rev. Prof. C. A. T. Selle, of the Evangelical Lu- theran Teachers' Seminary at Addison, 111., who accepted, and remained their pastor for nearly seven years. Services were then held iD the northeast and public schoolhouse. At the close of 1871, Prof. Selle left, and Rev. G. G. W. Bruegmann. pastor of Rothenberg, followed in his place. This gentleman also remained for a period of seven years. Dur- ing the time of his pastorate, in 1875, the congregation bought the southwest end pub- lic school property, and fitted it up to suit their purpose. In the spring of 1878, Rev. Bruegmann accepted a call to Herscher Sta- tion, 111., and the pulpit of the congregation from that time until the fall of 1880 was alternately supplied by the Lutheran pastors from neighboring towns, viz., Rev. H. F. Fruechtenicht, from Elgin; Rev. M. Grosse, from Oak Park; Rev. I. H. C. Steege, from Dundee; Rev. H. Freese, from Algonquin; Rev. H. Grupe, from Rothenberg; Rev. L. Wagner, from Chicago; and Rev. Prof. Theo- dore Brohm, from Addison. Up to this time, the congregation had Gospel service but every second Sunday. In the fall of 1880, their present pastor, the Rev. Karl Koch, was tendered a call, who had just finished his theological studies in the seminary, connected MILTON TOWNSHIP. 135 with the German Evangelical Lutheran Syn- od of Missouri, Ohio and other States, at St. Louis. Regular services were now held every Sabbath day. The present number of fami- lies constituting the congregation is fifty-five, with nearly three hundred and fifty souls. In connection with the church, an every-day school is sustained by the congregation, which is taken care of and taught by the pastor himself. The number of scholars last winter was sixty- two; in spring, thirty-two. The schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1881, at an expense of nearly $000. The present value of the whole property belonging to the congregation is about $3,000. Standing in close relation with the congre- gation at Wheaton, there is a smaller one at Turner Junction, numbering but fifteen fam- ilies, where regular Gospel services are led by the pastor of the Wheaton Church in the afternoon of every second Sunday. The place of worship is the Methodist Chru'ch. the use of which has been secured for a small amount of rent. — Karl Koch. THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF WHEATON. In 1862, a few men met together in Whea- ton to form a society. They were not pro- fessed Universalists, but this name was applied to them, and perhaps fitted them better than any other. They resolved to build a church, and aj^pointed a committee to this end, whose names were C. K. W. Howard, H C. Childs. E. Holmes, J. O. Vallette and Hiram Smith. The house was built by subscription, and dedicated the same year. S. C. Bulkier was the first pastor, who has been succeeded by A. M. Worden, A. B. Call, J. O. Barrett, Henry Jewell, Samuel Ashton, D. P. Kayner, J. Straube and S. Sage. Some of the terms of the above ministers lasted but a few weeks, and between several of them have been vacations without preach- ing. It would not be proper to call this body of men a church, because they never have united under any bond of faith, or ins ituted any church ordinance in discipline. Strictly speaking, they are liberals, perhaps no two of whom believe alike on religious questions. They are bound together by no creed, and cannot be rent asunder by apostasy. They have occasional preaching, when a meritorious speaker offers his services and expounds the general theory of a broad relig- ion to meet their approbation. ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. Wheaton Lodge, No. 269, A., F. & -1. .1/., was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Illinois Oc- tober 6, 1S58, working seven months under dispensation. The first officers were J. G. Val- lette, W. M.; Peter Northrop, S. W.; F. H. Mather, J. W.; Harry T. Wilson. Treas.; L. J. Bliss, Sec; William Vallette, S. D.; Henry Bird, J. D.; William E. Taylor, Tiler. The charter members were J. G. Vallette, Peter Northrop, Frederick H. Mather. W. I'. Abbott, H. T. Wilson. Henry Bird and James L. Bliss. In 1859, J. G. Vallette was W. M., aud James L. Bliss, Sec. In I860, L. J. Bliss was W. M., and J. G. Vallette, Sec. In 1861, L. J. Bliss was W. M., and J. McConnell, Sec. In 1862, L. J. Bliss was W. M., ami W. E. Taylor, Sec. In 1863, Henry Bird was W. M., and Simeon Schupp. See. In 1864, H. C. Childs was W. M., and W. G. Smith, Sec. In 1865, H. C. Childs was W. M., and P. Parmelee, Sec. In 1866, H. C. Childs was W. M„ and Henry E. Allen. Sec. In 1S67. M. E. Jones was W. M., and II. E. Allen, Sec. In 1868, H. C. Childs was W. M., and J. B. Clark, Sec. In 1869, Melvin Smith was W. M., aud James B. Clark was Sec. In 1870, Melvin Smith was W. M., and William H. Johnson, Sec. In 1871, Mel- vin Smith was W. M.. and John Roberts, Sec. In 1872, M. E. Jones was W. M.. and II. W 186 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Grote, Sec. In 1873, Alfred Waterman was W. M., and Henry Grote, Sec. In 1874, L. Collar was W. M., and H. W. Grote, Sec. In 1875, James Saunders was W. M., and Henry M. Bender, Sec. In 1S76, William H. Johnson was W. M., and G. II. Thrasher, Sec. In 1877, William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1878, Leonard Pratt was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1879. William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1880, William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1881, William H. John- son was W. M., and L. C. Stover, See. The present officers are M. E. Jones, W. M.; I. S. Ward, S. W.; Horace Jayne, J. W.; Will- iam H. Johnson, Treasurer ; L. C. Stover, Sec; Fred Jewell, S. D.; William Rothchild, J. D.; John Hohman, Tiler. From its organization until May, 1866, the lodge held its meetings in the building on the corner of North Railroad and Hale streets, now occupied by Grote Bros. From that time until May, 1870, meetings were held in the third story of the Bedell Building. At that time the lodge was moved to the building where its meetings are now held, then owned by Smith & Kimball, and purchased by the lodge in Janu- ary, 1872. In December, 1875, the lodge, in connection with Doric Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M., rented rooms in the second story of the Central Block, and held its meetings there until July, 1878. when it moved back to its present quarters in its own building, where it has since held its meetings, enjoying a fair share of pros- perity and success. — William H. Johnson. Doric Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M.— The first movement toward organizing a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Wheaton was made by a few Companions, who met in the hall of Wheaton Lodge, No. 269, November 3, 1874, and, after consultation, decided to make an earnest effort to establish a chapter in Wheaton. which they at once proceeded to do. In the meantime, J. Blanchard, hearing of the effort that was being made, called an indig- nation meeting of the citizens of Wheaton, to take measures to prevent the organization of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons here in their midst. Accordingly, he and his adherents met in the Wesleyan Church, and, after due con- sideration, protested against it. Notwithstand- ing, on January 13, 1875, a dispensation was issued by the Grand High Priest, authorizing the formation of a chapter in Wheaton, and October 28, 1875, a charter was issued to the following Companions : John H. Lakey, Edward J. Hill, C. P. J. Arion, William H. Johnson, H. T. Wilson, G. H. Thrasher, L. Collar, Henry M. Bender, James Saunders, Caspar Voll, H. H. Fuller, A. H. Wiant, J. McConnell, G. P. Gary, William J. Loy, John Tye, John McWilliams, L. Ziemer, E. H. Gary, L. B. Church, J. B. Trull, H. Brad ley, L. C. Clark, George Webb, 0. M. Hollister, A. Campbell, John Kline, L. L. Iliatt, A. Wat- erman, A. E. Bisbee and Frank F. Lovelaud. The officers of Doric Chapter, while working under dispensation, were, John H. Lakey, H. P.; Edward J. Hill, K.; C. P. J. Arion, S.; William H. Johnson, C. H.; L. C. Clark, P. S.; A. H. Wiant, R. A. C; John McWilliams, M. 3d Veil ; G. H. Thrasher, M. 2d Veil ; H. T. Wilson, M. 1st Veil; L. Collar, Treas.; J. B. Trull, Sec; A. E. Bisbee, Tiler. In 1876, E. J. Hill was H. P., and G. H. Thrasher, Sec. In 1877 and 1878, F. F. Love- land was H. P., and C. Voll, Sec. In 1879, 1S80, 1881 and 1882, William H. Johnson was H. P., and Caspar Voll, Sec. While working under dispensation, the chap- ter met in the hall of Wheaton Lodge. After being chartered, it occupied rooms in Central Block jointly with Wheaton Lodge until July, 1878, since which time it has held its meetings in the hall of Wheaton Lodge. Its piesent officers are William H. Johnson, H. P.; John McWilliams, K.; H. T. Wilson, MILTON TOWNSHIP. 187 S.; A. H. Wiant, C. H.; James T. Hosford, P. S.; A. C. Cotton, R. A. C; John Kline, Treas.; Caspar Voll, Sec-.; Henry Grote, M, 3d V.; Ed- gar Stephens. M. 2d V: William T. Reed. M. 1st V.; L. C. Clark, Chaplain; I. S. Ward. Tiler. — Wm. H. Johnson. INDEPENDENT LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF WHEATON. This association was permanently organized in November, 1880. by the adoption of a con- stitution and by-laws and the election of the following officers: Dr. L. Pratt, President; W. H. Johnson, Vice President; A. S. Lan- don, Recording Secretary; K. A. Patrick, Corresponding Secretary; L. E. De Wolf. Treasurer; E. H. Gammon, Marshal; and other officers to carry out its objects. The originators had in view the establishment of a society not controlled by any special inter- est except that of the general public good in mutual improvement in science and literature. It is also hoped and expected that amongst its future uses will be the establishment of a reading room, winter courses of popular lect- ures, and a public library. For two winters following its organization, the society has provided for a number of public lectures and other literary public meetings, which have proved of interest to many citizens. Its constitution provides for debates, es- says and addresses at stated intervals. Its membership has increased within the past year, and an interest in its utility is de- veloped to such a degree that its permanent establishment as an important element of progress in cultivating moral and intellectual attainment is looked upon as a fixture. Its meetings are suspended during the extremely hot weather and short evenings, and renewed with increased interest when summer is over. Present officers: George Brown, Presi- dent; S. W. Moffatt. Vice President; A. S. Landon, Recording Secretary: J Grove. Treasurer; L. H. Wills, Corresponding Sec- retary: E. W. Fisher, Marshal. — L. Pratt. The Sunday school is an institution which, like many other kindred societies, originated in New England, and from thence it was car- ried to every hamlet in America where the representative Yankee has planted himself to stay. In all Western towns, the question is not, Will the Sunday school come? or Has it come? but Who brought it first? The honor of doing this at Wheaton be- longs to Alvin Seamans. He settled here in 1839, having come from Pomfret, Conn., the home of the Wheatons and Garys, through whose example he came to the place, and with him came Hezekiah Holt, all the way, with a team. The school was established in 1850, at a schoolhouse where divine service was held by the Wesleyan and Episcopal Methodists, each occupying it by turns, in those utilitarian days, when no good thing was allowed to de- cay for want of use. This schoolhouse stands a little west of the old Meacham place, and went by the name of the Wheaton School- house. Old Father Kimball, Mr. Bates, Mr. Curtis and Mr. Holt, besides the Wheatons, Garys and a few others, were then the chief patrons of this " kind of an omnibus school- house," whose seats hardly had time to cool between the varied sessions with which they were occupied. Mr. Seamans was Superintendent of this Sunday school, and Mr. H. H. Fuller. Secre- tary. A library of 100 volumes was obtained, and subsequently, with the school itself, transferred to Wheaton Institute, then under the charge of the Wesleyans, which, a few years later, became Wheaton College. The old house has had an erratic history, hav- ing, after it was no longer wanted for a schoolhouse, been moved half a mile west for 188 HISTOBY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. a farmhouse, next a mile east for the dwell- ing of a citizen of Wheaton, and lastly was moved from thence to become the home of Mrs. Bender, widow of him whose fatal fall from a building terminated his life a few years ago. It is not too much to say that no other building in Wheaton has been the abiding place of such versatile experiences. Peda- gogues, pupils, preachers and people have had their day within its walls, since which time many a rollicking baby has first seen the light of day under its venerable roof. It is the oldest building in Wheaton, and still standing in reasonably good order. The next generation may whittle it up into charms to dispel the misty shrouds that hover around their way, if they don't inherit a good foun- dation from us on which to build their hopes of prosperity and happiness here. WHEATON SCHOOLS. In almost all newly settled places, the first schoolhouses are built by subscription. It is as natural that this should be so as it is for children to grow in these same new settle- ments and multiply their numerical strength, and they do this so quickly in these great, broad creations of sea room that their parents are compelled to make provision for their ed- ucation before the slow machinery of govern- ment gets into working order and builds schoolhouses with public money accumulated by taxation. Wheaton was like other new places, and, when the endless chain of time had turned uj) the figures 1847, a bevy of buxom boys and lithe girls were hop-skipping and jumping about, and stood in need of something be- sides chimney-corner discipline. In this emergency, their fathers built a schoolhouse and hired a teacher to apply the discipline, while ABC, etc., were taught. It was erected on the land of Alonzo Crosby. This was the honorable pioneer schoolhouse of Wheaton, who, though now far outgrown of such unpretentious public buildings, nevertheless cherishes the memory of them with kindly retrospections. This old school- house was for seven years the seat of learn- ing and the fine arts at the place, and within its walls young minds took their first bent, and genius aspired to high aims in life, though perhaps incased in sunburnt skins. In 1854, a new schoolhouse was built by pub- lic money, the contract being let to J. G. Val- lette, for which he received $750. Eight years later, a second building was erected, for the primary department, the orig- iginal one being too small to seat the increas- ing number of children. Iu 1863, the first one was burned, and the school was transferred to the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where it re- mained till the graded schoolhouse which now ornaments the town was built, the finishing of which bears date of June 6, 1874. J. C. Wheaton, E. Gary and W. K. Guild were the Building Committee. It has six large school rooms and two recitation rooms, be- sides the basement, which could be utilized for additional school rooms should necessity require it. The school is graded in its course of study according to the formula of other first-class graded schools. Mrs. Frankie Wheaton Sny- der is Principal; Miss N. E. Cole, teacher of grammar; Miss L. E. Wheaton has charge of the intermediate course; Miss E. T. Miller is Second Principal; and Miss E. D. Knight has charge of the primary department. JOURNALISM IN WHEATON. It is quite difficult, at this time, owing to adverse circumstances, to procure correct data and particulars as to the first publication of a 'CL/ 88 YEARS OLD. MILTON TOWNSHIP. 191 newspaper in Wheaton. So far as the writer knows, there are no files available of the news- papers published prior to 1861, having been destroyed by fire or lost. A newspaper was being published at Na- perville, then the county seat, but the citi- zens of Wheaton, avillage on the Galena Di- vision of the Chicago & North-Western Rail- road, believing the interests of their town de- manded such an enterprise, determined to aid and assist any one who would make the vent- ure. Sufficient encouragement being given, in the month of June, 1856, Leonard E. De Wolf, a prominent lawyer and a large real estate owner, purchased a hand press and printing materials of S. P. Rounds & Co., of Chicago, and commenced the publication of the Du Page Comity Gazette, employing J. A. J. Birdsall as foreman and associate edi- tor. It was published about a year, when it was discontinued. After that, a gentleman from Chicago by the name of Nathaniel H. Lewis undertook to resurrect the newspaper enterprise by starting the Wheaton Flag. But this paper led a precarious life, and, about the year 1860, was burned out, the fire supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. We have no knowledge whether the paper was resurrected after the fire. In June, 1861, Henry C. Childs, a public- spirited gentleman, commenced the publica- tion of the Northern, Illinoian, and remained proprietor of it for six years. The paper was not a financial success, but was one of the best-conducted papers at that time in North- ern Illinois, and had much to do in bringing Wheaton and Du Page County into promi- nent notice. It was during his administra- tion of the paper that the county seat fight culminated, and no doubt was facilitated on account of his zealous efforts. His brother- in-law, Philander Parmalee, was in his em- ploy, as well as William Marriott and John A. Whitlock. During the years 1862 and 1864, Benjamin F. Taylor, the well-known author and poet, was connected with the Illinoian as its lit- erary editor. The paper was very much sought after on that account, and obtained an enviable reputation. In April, 1867, H. C. Childs sold out to John A. Whitlock, who successfully conduct- ed it up of the 16th of April, 1870, when, owing to ill health, it was sold to the present editor and proprietor, J. Russell Smith, changed to the name of Wheaton Illinoian. At the time of the starting of the paper, in 1861, by H. C. Childs, it was made a seven- column paper. December 7, 1864, it was en- larged to an eight-column. In 1868, John A. Whitlock reduced it in size to a six-column, enlarging it to a seven-column the same year. January 1, 1876, the present owner enlarged it to an eight-column, which size it still re- tains. The Illinoian is and has always been a Republican paper, fearless in defending the right, but charitable in allowing all parties a fair hearing, zealously looking af ter the local and general interests of the county. In addition to the Illinoian, there is pub- lished in Wheaton a literary sixteen-page monthly entitled the College Record, Liter- ary Union of Wheaton College, publishers; established 1865 — J. Russell Smith. WHEATON BUSINESS DIRECTORY. Attorneys— N. E. Gary, E. H. Gary, C. L. Blanchard, W. G. Smith, L. E. De Wolf, Col. J. W. Bennei Abstract of Titles— J. G. Valletta Banks — Gary & Wheaton. Blacksmiths — A. Michels, C. W. Watson, McDonald, H. Egers. Barber — John Lawler. 192 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Clergymen — Rev. J. Blanchard, Rev. J. B. Walker, Rev. A. H. Hiatt, Rev. L. N. Strat- ton, Rev. C. F. Hawley, Rev. W. W. Stew- art, Rev. I. A. Hart, Rev. W. O. Hart, Rev. H. W. Cobb, Rev. H. Fischer, Rev. A. G. Hib- bard, Rev. E. M. Boring, Rev. C. W. G. Koch, Rev. C. A. Blanchard, Rev. J. C. Webster. Coal Dealer— H. H. Fuller. Carpenters— A. T. Childs, C. W. Miller, D. Compton, J. Homer, C. Louts. Carriage Painter and Trimmer — G. W, Matthan. Carpet- Weavers — Mr. Arakelian, Martha Blair. Dry Goods and Groceries — A.. S. Landon & Co., Grote Bros., Cole & Guild, J. B. Colvin. Druggist — L. L. Hiatt, W. A. Henninger. Dentists — J. H. Ashley, P. Learn. Dress-Making- -Misses Nash, Mrs. Sals- bury, Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. I. Lewis, Miss 0. Scofield. Furniture-Dealer — Conrad Kampp. Grain -Dealers— Sutcliffe & Kelly. Groceries and Confectionery — W. Mi liner, J. H. Vallette, E. W. Bixby, L. W. Mills. Hardware — John Sauer, H & E. B. Holt, Hotels— M. Stark, M. Rickert. House and Sign Painters — William Schatz, George Hagermann. House-Moving — M. E. Jones. Harness-Makers — Binder Bros. Insurance — J. G. Vallette, Wm L. Gary. Jewelers — L. C. Brown, A. Alberts. Livery Stables — Durland & Congleton, E. H. Ehle. Lumber-Dealers— W. K. Guild, Sutcliffe & Kelly. Laundry- -Mrs. J. Wright. Landscape Gardener and Florist — Joseph Stanford. Boot and Shoe Makers — A. Rau, G. Esten- felter, O. Horner. Merchant Tailor — H. Garlic, F. Kusousky. Meat Markets — C. A. Sohmer, Thoman & Webber. Masons and Builders — A. Austin, C. Gates, J. Knippen. Millinery — Misses Nash, Mrs. West. Music Teachers — (vocal) S. W. Martin, (instrumental) S. W. Martin, Miss Nettie Pratt. Nurserymen — A. H. Hiatt, O. F. Lumery, J. C. Wheaton. Publishers — R. Blanchard, J. R Smith. Printers — J. R. Smith, A. L. Hamilton, F. Miner. Postmaster —George B. Vastine. Photographer — Charles L. Kersting. Physicians and Surgeons — L. E Pratt, F. N. Englehard, A. H. Hiatt, S. P. Sedgwick, E. Vogeler. Painting and Drawing— Mrs. S. H Nut- ting, Miss Flora Mills. Real. Estate Agents — C. P. J. Arion, H. W. Cobb, J. Russell Smith. Restaurants— W. Mi liner, E. W. Bixby. Surveyors — J. G. Vallette, A. S. Landon. Station Agent— H. H. Fuller. Telegraph Operators — Charles Fuller, M. E. Griswold. Tinners— J. P. Sauer, H. & E. B. Holt. Veterinary Surgeon — J. H. Brown. Wagons and Carriages — William H. John- son, A. Stephens, S. Ott, F. Man. WHEATON CREAMERY COMPANY. Organized February 10, 1882. Capital stock, $7,000. James S. Peirronet, President; E. H. Gary, Vice President; H. H. Fuller, Secretary; J. J. Cole, Treasurer. Brick building, 36x75 feet; cost, with fixtures and grounds, $7,500. All late improvements, including the wire circular vat, Frazier gang press (which will press twenty cheeses at once), and the Mason revolving butter- worker. The milk is conducted from the re- MILTON TOWNSHIP. 193 ceiving room into vats in the cooling room, where the cream is raised. Then the milk is drawn from under the cream and carried through conductor pipes to cheese vats in the manufacturing room. Water is supplied by two wells, one twenty feet, the other 1 5 feet deep. Capacity of factory is 16,000 pounds of milk per day. The interior of the building was planned by Mr. J. J. Cole, and is entirely different from any factory in the State. PROSPECT PARK. Prospect Park is a village on the western fringe of Babcock's Grove. It grew into be- ing as a station on the G. & C. U. R. R. Dr. L. V. and his brother Lensa Newton bought land here of "William Churchill previous to 1849, and when the railroad came through, Dr. Newton built a depot. David Kelly kept it, and also a tavern and post office in the same building He had formerly, in 1847, kept a post office on his farm, three miles to the north. He also has the honor of giving the name of Danby to the place, this being the same name he had given to a town in Rutland County, Vt, ere he came West. He lived to see it changed to its present name, much to his regret Messrs. Standish & Saylor, in 1853, opened the first store at the place. The old depot was about this time moved away by the owner, and a new one erected by the railroad company, which still stands. The original one, after it had been moved, was occupied for various uses till it had executed its mission, and was lastly moved to get it out of the way, which was about the year 1802. Undecided what disposition to make of it, the rickety old structure was allowed to re- main on a side-hill, where it stood for some months, like the leaning tower of Pisa — a slipshod monument of early days, as well as a target for jokes from railroad passengers who beheld it. The site of this town is un- equaled by any other in the county in na- ture's variety of oval hillocks, rising one above another, all underlaid by a substratum of gravel, and fanned by tbe breezes from the adjacent grove. It was platted May 20, 1854, by L. V. Newton, situate on Section 11, Township 39, Range 10. Its elevation above Lake Michigan is 162 feet. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF PROSPECT PARK. This church was organized April 15, 1862. After the ceremonies of organization, thirteen persons united — Mr. H B. Gilford and wife, A. Standish and wife, S. Ventassel and wife, ! J. P. Yalding and wife, Mrs. Cornelia Brooks, Miss Emily Brooks and Mrs. R. Rud- dock. Church services were held at Stacy's Corners until February, 1863, when the building was moved to its site. Rev. E. N. Lewis was the first pastor. Nearly one hun- dred persons have united with the church since its organization, but many have died, and others have left the place; not quite half of that number are members to-day. Three of the original members — Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Yalding and Mrs. C. Brooks — are regular attendants on ~all church services. The Wednesday evening prayer meeting has been sustained ever since the organization, and a ladies' prayer meeting for a few years. The church is in a prosperous condition, all of its services being well attended. Prof. H A. Fischer, of Wheaton College, has supplied the pulpit since the last of May. The Sabbath scuool has a membership of over one hundred. THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH. The Free Methodist Church at Prospect Park grew into being in 1880, but yot the material which composed it had been accu- 194 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. inulating for years prior to that date. The immediate action that gave birth to it was a series of meetings held by Rev. J. E. Cole- man and Rev. J. D. Marsh, and, under the pastoral charge of the latter, the church was organized from the converts of this series of meetings. At the expiration of Mr. Marsh's term — one year — Rev. William Ferris became pastor, who was succeeded the next year by Rev. James Sprague, the present pastor. The above statistics have been furnished to the editor by Miss Rose Weidman, Clerk of the church. The Prospect Park Library Association is a stock company of twenty members, similar to the one at Wheaton, kept at A. S. Lan- don's. The books are Harper's publications, and the Librarian's report shows that the books are read and appreciated by the mem- bers. They intend to make an effort this winter to purchase more books and increase their membership, so as to get more American publications. The officers of the association are: P. G. Hubbard, President; F. W. Stacy, Vice President; W. Sabin, Secretary; W. H. Luther, Treasurer; and Miss Georgiana Allen, Librarian. NAMES OF THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN OF PROSPECT PARK. Luther Winter, dealer in feed and coal. W. H. Luther, agent for the C. &. N. W. R. R, Miles Allen, store and post office. P. G. Hubbard, dealer in broom corn. William H. Wayne, blacksmith. M. H. Wayne, wheelwright. Nelson Dodge, carpenter and builder. Brake & Myers, carpenters and builders. Will Jellies, carpenter and builder. J. R. McChesney & Co., general store. H. Wegman, general store. Allen R. Walker, tinshop and hardware. E. Graff, hotel. John Weidman, broom factory. John Hayden, store. Frank Walworth, stone mason. G. M. H. Wayner, commission store. R. Blackman, dealer on Board of Trade. John Sabin, boot and shoe shop. Aug Bregson, boot and shoe shop. J. S. Dodge, retired farmer. L. C. Cooper, attorney at law. James Sanders, M. D. CHAPTER IX. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP — THE OLD INDIAN BOUNDARY — CASS — PIERCE DOWNER - THOMAS ANDRUS — CHICAGO REMINISCENCES — THE VILLAGE OF HINSDALE— BRUSH HILL MEMORIES — CLARENDON HILLS— FREDERICKSBURG — DOWNERS GROVE VILLAGE— AN OX TEAM HITCHED TO AN OAK LOG— WHAT GREW OUT OF IT — THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP includes the Government Township described as Town 38, Range 11, and also the three north- ern tiers of sections northwest of the Desplaiues River, in Town 37, Range 11, the portions lying in Town 37 being unofficially known and de- scribed as Cass. The whole of Downer's Grove, except Sec- tions 5, 6, 7 and the diagonal halves of 4, 8 and 18, lies southeast of the old Indian Bound- ary line, and was surveyed by the Government between the j'ears 1829 (at which time sur- veys were commenced at Chicago) and 1835. the year of the Government sale of these lands. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 195 Besides this Indian Boundary line was another running parallel with it twenty miles southeast of it, both of which extended from Lake Mich- igan to the Illinois River at Ottawa. The strip inclosed bj - these lines had been ceded to the United States August 4, 1816, by the Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies, particulars of which have been stated in a former chapter. Through this belt of land the Illinois and Michi- gan Canal was located, and the alternate sections for five miles on each side of it were donated to the State of Illinois, to aid in its construc- tion. Portions of these donated lands laid in Downer's Grove, and were sold by the Canal Commissioners, but were not offered for sale till some years after the sale of the Govern- ment lands, which took place in June, 1835. Many of the early settlers of Downer's Grove were purchasers both of Government and Canal lands. Very few of them were land claimants, but bona fide purchasers from the first. Mr. Downer, whose history is told in connection with the village of Downer's Grove, was the first settler of this town. Many other pioneers of this town are also mentioned in connection with the historj' of its villages, but one of them, who had no participation in village building, deserves a page on account of his experiences, which are so representative of life here in the early day. This was Thomas Andrus, born in Rutland County, Vt., from whence he inherited those inflexible traits of character that are almost certain to make a man pull through difficulties. He was born in 1801 ; came to Chi- cago December 1, 1833; couldn't find anything to do, and started back toward sunrise on foot, but before he had arrived to the Calumet, a man hired him to drive an ox team. This oc- cupation lasted till the next j'ear, 1834, when a venturesome man determined to erect a three- story hotel on the northwest corner of Lake and Dearborn street, and carpenters were wanted. Of course he was a carpenter ; he was a Yankee, and that meant a carpenter just then. The next winter it might have meant a pedagogue, but whatever it means it always means the best of the kind wanted. Mr. Andrus went to work and filled the bill satisfactorily, and there is evidence that he was above par in the estimation of his employer ; for when the frame of his building was up, Mr. Andrus suggested to him to call his magnifi- cent three-story -hotel the Tremont House, after the still celebrated house of that name in Bos- ton. His advice was taken, and the name has been transmitted to the third generantion of Tremont Houses ; the present one on the corner diagonally opposite where the first was built in 1834, being the third in succession, the second one having been burned in the great fire of 1871. The first one had a billiard table in the third stor3', which then overlooked the whole one and two-story town. Dearborn street was then the great thoroughfare to the North Side, to which it was connected by a draw-bridge that lifted perpendicularly by means of wind- lasses, but when the next bridge came to be built, the Clark streeters subscribed the most and won the prize, for money then " made the mare go " as well as now, and it made the bridge go. Now, let us take Mr. Andrus through one more old way-mark in Chicago before he goes to settle. It is this : He assisted in driving the piles for the foundation of John H. Kinzie's warehouse in 1834, the first ever built in Chicago, and saw the first lot of wheat shipped from it that ever went East from the place. In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Andrus returned to Ver- mont, and the following spring (1835), came" back with his wife and three children, arriving at Chicago in June, and in July settled where he now lives, on Section 6, Town 37, Range 11. Shadrac Harris had preceded him a few weeks, and lived on Section 8, quite near him. Mr. Harris is now living at Marengo. 190 HISTORY OF DV PAGE COUNTY. Dr. Bronson lived on the Plainfield road, two miles to the Northeast. He was the first settler in the vicinit}'. Hartell Cobb lived a little west of Mr. Bronson. After Mr. Andrns had been settled six weeks, an election was held for Justice of the Peace, and he was one of the candidates. He came within one vote of being elected, his rival having three votes while he had but two. Mr. Harris, the fortunate wire- puller, was duly sworn in, but he had to go to Chicago where folks swore to be thus dubbed. The next term Mr. Andrus ran against the same man for the same office and was elected. and could have retained the office a second term had not his wife interfered. This tidy Vermont girl saw more tobacco juice than profit in it (for the trials were held in her parlor), and she requested her husband to decline a renoini- nation. His acquiescence was no mean exam- ple in favor of woman's rights. The first schools of the place, says Mr. Andrus, were taught in discarded private houses, whose own ers had built better ones, and Miss Nancy Stanley was the first teacher. She afterward married Mr. Bush, and subsequently Mr. Dryer for her second husband. Elder Beggs, the same who now lives in Plainfield, was their first preacher, and Gen. E. B. Bill, the same who got up a company for the Mexican war and died in the service, think- ing the Methodists had not been sufficiently generous with Father Beggs, got up a dona- tion party for him, which was well received by the devout itinerant, though it came from the world's people and not from his own flock. Mr. Andrus was appointed the first Postmas- ter of Cass Post Office, which was organized in 1834. and held the position fifteen years, during which time 5 cents was reported to him as an error in his account. Several offices, away from the stage line of Mr. Frinck that passed his house, were supplied from his office by horse- back mail riders. Frinck's line had sixteen coaches each way per day. Of course he kept tavern in his new house, which he built in 1836, and in the dining-room dances were held. How were you on tip-toe ? asked the writer of Mrs. Andrus. Smiling through the honorable wrink- les of eighty years that furrowed her cheek, she replied, "Oh, I don't like to recommend myself." Edgar S., the fourth child of the family, was born after their settlement where they now are, and was the first white birth of this town. He is now one of its residents. The above, together with the history of the villages of this town, fully represents its pioneer days. There are thirteen schoolhouses in the town, three of which are graded, and 1,142 per- sons between the ages of six and twenty-one. THE VILLAGE OT HINSDALE. A sailor once said that he didn't see the need of any land except enough to build clocks to. His ideas, like some other people's, were limited to his own immediate wants. His whole sphere of human knowledge centered in himself. " His soul, proud science never taught to stray, Far as the solar walk and milky way." Nor even as far as 'tis from Chicago to Hins- dale, of which the latter is an outpost, a kind of retort, to catch the lovers of nature, and hold them among the delightful ranges of the place as they pass from the man-made city of Chicago, full of turmoil, inductions and seduc- tions, into the God-made country, full of " Ye banks and braes of Bonnie Doon." Here they bloom " fresh and fair," and leave no "thorn behind " to the peaceful citizen as he sleeps among them, fanned by the summer breath, as it moves over a broad heath of prairie farms and groves. The variegated hillocks, no two of which are alike, on which the town is laid out, seem to have been fashioned by the hand of nature for a kind of landscape village, and for nothing else, for its site never had been utilized for DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 197 farming purposes before the village was born, with a silver spoon in its mouth, to use a met- aphor. But, first, let us tell some of the con- ditions of the place before the village came into existence. Alfred Walker came from Windsor County, Vt., to Brush Hill, just north of Hinsdale, in April, 1854. Here he found a little bevy of settlers nestling in an open- ing in the grove around two taverns, a store and a blacksmith shop. The old name of Brush Hill still clung to the place, and does yet, although Benjamin Fuller, three 3 r ears be- fore, had incorporated the town and officially named it Fullersburg. Mr. Walker bought all the land Mr. Fuller owned, and his tavern- stand, and became proprietor of the place. It had few permanent inhabitants, John Coe and Benjamin, Lewis and Reuben Fuller being all that Mr. Walker mentions as land owners. One of the taverns was a sort of catch-all for new- comers, where rooms were temporarily rented to them till a place to settle was found, and six or eight such families at a time held their tran- sient abodes there, where they baked their corn- bread and boiled their coffee with fuel gathered from the adjacent grove. Mr. Walker's pur- chase of Mr. Fuller included the land on which his house now stands, half a mile north of the depot, and here he built a farm house in 1858, in which he now lives, within the corporate limits of the town — a monument to link Hins- dale back to the pioneer times that preceded its present age. At that time, says Mr. Walker, there was not a house south of him for eight miles. All the lands were owned by speculators, and held at from $7 to $25 per acre. One tract, just over the line of Cook County, sold at auction in 1854, for $5.25 per acre, and, says Mr. Walker, " up to 1862, wolves were often seen, and cau- tious mothers dared not send their little chil- dren into the groves after the cows." Two years later was planted the germ out of which Hinsdale grew into being. This was done by Mr. William Robbins, who, after he ftad purchased 800 acres of land, built the fine residence he now occupies, which was finished in February, 1864, being the first erected in the place. Mr. Robbins' purchase included»the west half of Section 7 in Cook County, besides Section 12, on which was the original plat of Hinsdale. The next year, he fenced in the whole tract for a stock farm, and the year after (1866), laid out the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 12 in lots, varj'ing in' size from one acre to lots of sixty-six feet frontage. The same year, the streets were graded, plank sidewalks laid and those first trees planted which now lend such a charm to the place. Rev. C. M. Barnes, the same who now has a large book-store in Chicago, bought the first lot of Mr. Robbins, and built a house on it, though the family of James Swartwout was the first one to come to the place after that of Mr. Robbins. Mr. Swartwout occupied one of Mr. Robbins' houses. The golden wedding of this vener- able pair was celebrated at Hinsdale in July, 1882. In 1866, Mr. Robbins built a stone school- house, which, at the time was deemed too large for present or even future use, but, in 1880, an addition was erected beside it, doubling its ca- pacity, and the two combined are now barely sufficient to accommodate the multiplying wants of the place, where education of the rising generation is a prominent interest, and where a united public sentiment has provided not only a model schoolhouse, but model teachers and a school exemplary in its grade and dis- cipline. In 1866, Mr. 0. J. Stough bought eighty acres, being the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 1, and the next year he bought the southeast quarter of Section 11. 160 acres, and the next year, 1868, by various purchases, he bought the most of Estabrook's addition to Hinsdale, lying in the southeast quarter of Section 2, and the next year, I860, 198 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. he bought about one hundred and thirty-seven acres lying in Section 10 — all the above purchases situate in Town 38, Range 11, and largely on the north side of railroad track, aloig those beautiful terraced elevations that rise one above another till the groves of Old Brush Hill are reached, and on May 19, 1868, 1868, his first addition to Hinsdale was re- corded, and his second addition June 2. Besides making these purchases and sub- dividing portions of them, Mr. Stough built a church on the north side in 1868, and Rev. William Balch, a present citizen and highly esteemed minister of the Gospel at Elgin, was pastor of this church for two years. A Bible class was connected with it of which Hon. Joel Tiffany, a present resident of Hinsdale, held charge. Neither the church nor the Bible-class were working under any name, but their inde- pendent teachings partook of the broad type of natural religion. Many of the first patrons of the church left the place after Mr. Balch's term had expired, and services were suspended in it about a year thereafter. The first addition made by Mr. Robbins to the original town was called W. Robbins' First Addition. The second was W. Robbins' Park Addition. The latter was laid out by H. W. S. Cleveland, Landscape Gardener. After making a thorough stud}' of the oval elevations and graduating valleys of the place, he laid out streets, threading their way among them in scroll-shaped curves, the better to heighten their scenic effect, and that he suc- ceeded admirably in his effort, the present natural and artificial beaut}' of the place bears ample evidence. Mansions, birds-nest houses, hedge rows, conservatories, vine-clad arbors and graveled walks interlacing the ground on which they stand, have put the finishing touch on the whole. This is Hinsdale as it is — cheery, beautiful and healthful, from both social and physical causes. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT HINSDALE.* The Congregationalists residing in Hinsdale organized themselves into a church, consisting of ten members, August 12, 1866, which was duly recognized by a council of neighboring churches October 16 of the same year. Mr. C. M. Sanders, a student of the Chicago Theo- logical Seminary, commenced to preach regu- larly in the place a few weeks before the organization of the church. He was ordained by a council in April, 1867, and continued acting pastor of the church till the close of 1868. During his ministry, thirty-five members were added to the original number, and their place of worship was changed from the passen- ger depot to Academy Hall. During several succeeding months, the church was dependent for a supply of its pulpit prin- cipally on students of the Theological Sem- inary. In October, 1869, Rev. F. Bascom, then of Princeton, 111., accepted their invitation and became their resident pastor. He remained in charge of the church till May, 1872. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Hartshorn, who en- tered upon his work in November of that year, and remained till the close of 1875. From the 1st of February succeeding, Mr. Crow, from the Theological School at Evans- ton, was in charge of the church for six months. In the autumn of 1876, Rev. William Butcher was engaged as pastor for one year, and continued his ministry till December, 1877. The Rev. Mr. Hartshorn, who on retiring from this place, had taken charge of the Con- gregational Church in Naperville, was now re- called, and remained as pastor two years, from May, 1878. In the summer of 1880, Rev. John Ellis be- gan his labors as pastor of the church, which ♦Contributed by Rev. Flavel Bascom. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 199 have thus far been attended with growing in- terest. In 1873, the congregation, needing a more commodious place of worship, commenced the erection of a stone edifice ; but when the walls had reached the height of the basement story, the approach of winter and an empty treasury, suggested the propriety of postpon- ing the erection of the upper story, and the finishing of a lecture-room under a temporary roof. In that room the congregation has found comfortable accommodations for more than eight years. In the summer of 1881, an effort to complete this house of worship was resumed, and pros- ecuted with the most gratifying unanimity and liberality. But unforeseen difficulties and hindrances delayed the work and postponed its completion till August, 1882. It was dedi- cated to the worship of God on the 6th day of that month, free from debt. In its origin and history hitherto, this church has sought to cherish the spirit and to exem- plify the principles of union among evangelical Christians of every name. It has been toler- ant of unessential doctrines in its membership. For a long time it united with another church in the place, in sustaining public worship and the various forms of Christian work. It has always welcomed Christians of ever}- name to its fellowship in the privileges and labors of its own members, and its prosperity has been greatl} - promoted by such co-operation. For the second time it has a pastor ecclesiastically connected with another denomination ; but his ministry is none the less satisfactory and prof- itable to Congregationalists, while it tends to obliterate all denominational distinctions in the community. The whole number of members connected with the church since its origin, is 153. Its present membership, exclusive of absentees, is eighty-four, of whom fifty-two have been re- ceived in the last two years. THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT HINSDALE. A Baptist Church was organized in Hinsdale in 1868. For several months it had no pastor, and has preserved no record of its transactions. In October, 1869, Rev. James Lisk accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church, and be- gan his ministry the first Sabbath of that month. Their place of public worship was the wait- ing room of the railroad passenger depot, where he preached to them very acceptably till the spring of the following year, when his accept- ance of a call to a larger field left them again as sheep without a shepherd. In the meantime, they had undertaken the erection of a house of worship, the expense of which overtaxed their resources, and subse- quently involved them in great embarrassment. After the completion of their house, they were unable to carry the pecuniary burdens which they had assumed, and, at the same time, pro- vide for the salary of a pastor. They, there- fore, invited the Congregationalists to worship with them, who accepted the invitation, and both churches united in the support of the Congregational Pastor. In many respects this arrangement was profitable and satisfactor}- and was continued till May, 1872, when it was discontinued b} r mutual consent. During the next year the church had no regular supply of their pulpit, but depended principally on the Professors and students of the Baptist Theo- logical Seminary of Chicago. In June, 1873, Rev. George Kline became their Pastor, and for about a jear labored ear- nestly and faithfully to promote the interests of the church and community. But his people then consented regretful^ to his removal, be- ing unable longer to pay him the requisite sal- ary. And in the prevailing financial embar- rassment which was then so disastrous, their house of worship passed out of their hands irrecoverably. The}' were already depleted in numbers by deaths and removals as well :i* * By Rev. FIhtcI Bancoiu. 200 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. diminished in resources. And now the loss of their house, added to their former reverses, was so discouraging that they voted to disband, and authorized their Clerk to give letters of dismission to other churches to their few re- maining members. GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HINSDALE* In the spring of 1873, a few of the citizens of Hinsdale, viz., Messrs. Stuart, Notingham, Maydwell, Chant, Slocum, Crocker and Payne, met at the house of D. J. Crocker to organize the Grace Episcopal Sunday School, of which Mr. J. P. Stuart was chosen Superintendent, and which formed the foundation for the parish which was organized March 31, 1875, under the name of Grace Episcopal. Easter services had been held previous to this date in the base- ment of the Congregational Church, but no parish meeting was held till March 31, 1875, when Alfred Payne and Robert Slocum were elected Wardens, and John Ohls, William B. Maydwell and J. P. Stuart were elected Vestry- men. At the vestry meeting following the ad- journment of the parish meeting, John Ohls was chosen Treasurer ; J. F. Stuart, Secretary, and Alfred Payne, Lay-reader. The services of the Rev. N. F. Tuson were also engaged, and for the space of one year he acted as priest-in- charge, allowing us one service a month. After his resignation, the same arrangement was made with the Rev. Mr. Fiske, of Naper- ville, who officiated the last Sunday in each month till August 26, 1878, when, pursuant to a call from the parish, the Rev. D. F. Smith, of Champaign, 111., came to Hinsdale as Asso- ciate of the Rev. Mr. Fiske, upon whose resig- nation Mr. Smith became priest-in-charge, in which capacity he remained, holding three services a month in the building known as "The Old Baptist Church," till June 11, 1881, when he resigned, and services for a time were entirely suspended. *By William C Payne. During the first period of Mr. Smith's charge, the church seemed prosperous and progressive, but toward the latter part, that discord which affects, more or less, all religious bodies, crept in and nearly ruined the work which had been done before. On the last Sunday in January, 1882, serv- ices were recommenced in the room known as Rath's Hall, where the Rev. Mr. Perry officiated on the second Sunda\ r of each month following, and in March the Rev. Mr. Lewis, of La Grange, as the Associate of Mr. Perry, agreed to hold services on the last Sundaj* of each month, on the remaining Sundays being lay services, read by Alfred Payne. Up to this date, services have so continued, and there is every prospect of a church edifice being erected soon, on the land northeast of the Congregational Church, which has been donoted for building purposes by the kindness of Mr. William Robbins. SCHOOLS OF HINSDALE. In 1866, when much of the real estate of Hins- dale was owned by Messrs. William Robbins, 0. J. Stough and J. I. Case, of Racine, Mr. Robbins built the first school building in Hinsdale — a three room stone building having two rooms below and one above. The two lower rooms only were used for school purposes for some time, the upper room being used as town hall. In the lower room, Miss Stocking taught a subscription school, with one assistant, till the fall of 1867, when it was organized into a pub- lic school as a branch of the Fullersburg Dis- trict. The Directors chosen were Messrs. Plummer, B. P. Hinds and William R. Banker, and Mr. B. F. Banker was appointed Principal. The following year the building was bought of Mr. Robbins for the sum of $8,000, and Mr. Gleason received the appointment as Principal. The same year, that portion lying south of the C, B. & Q. R. R., was formed into a separate district, and so it remained till the year 1877, DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 201 while P. A. Downey was principal, when all that portion lying north of the C, B. & Q. track, and included within the corporation of Hinsdale, was united with the south side. After Mr. Downey, Mr. R. A. Robinson became Principal of the school, with two assistants, and the following year, 1879, an extensive ad- dition was made to the building at an expense of about $6,000. Mr. Robinson taught three years, and before his resignation the school be- came very prosperous, giving em ployment to five teachers. Mr. E. L. Harpham succeeded Mr. Robinson, and under his charge the school still continued to increase, and much interest was taken in it, not only by those sending children, but also by others. Upon the resignation of Mr. Harpham, the care of the school devolved upon Mr. F. C. Cole, an Ann Arbor graduate, who was chosen by the present Directors, Messrs. R. A. Childs, John Bradley and C. H. Hudson. Mr. Cole is assisted by four teachers, and the building is nearly filled with pupils, many of whom are children of those residents who have but lately made Hinsdale their home. — William C. Payne. Hinsdale Lodge, No. 6^9, A., F. & A. M.— This lodge began work under dispensation granted by Grand Master Harmon G. Reynolds, March 19, 1870, and held its first meeting March 24, 1870, in Academy Hall, D. A. Courter acting W. M. ; J. M. Barr, S. W., and N. H. Warren, J. H. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge October 4, 1870, the following-named being charter members : D. A. Courter, J. M. Barr, N. H. Warren, F. H. Rogers, William Blan- chard, L. E. Gifford, I. L. Hinds, C. T. Plum- mer, S. A. Coe, B. Plummer, Charles Fox, J . H. Alexander, B. E. Terrill, W. R, Banker, Eben Millions and George H. Bnrtt. The first meeting under the charter was held January 5, 1871, when the lodge was consti- tuted by G. W. Barnard, Deputy Grand Master, and the following persons were installed as officers : D. A. Courter, W. M. ; J. M. Barr, S. W. ; N. H. Warren, J. W. ; Charles Fox, Treasurer; Charles T. Plummer, Secretary ; L. E. Gifford, S. D. ; B. E. Terrill, J. D., and Eben Millions, Tyler. The lodge moved into a new hall, purchased and fitted up by them January 2, 1873, but the panic compelled them to relinquish this and secure smaller and less expensive quarters over Fox Bros, store, in the spring of 1878, where the " three great lights " still burn. The present officers of the lodge are William Duncan, W. M. ; A. L. Pearsall, S. W. ; A. S. Johnston, J. W. ; Charles Fox, Treasurer ; A. G. Butler, Secretary ; F. A. Rice, S. D. ; George H. Burtt, J. D. ; E. Millions, Tyler. The present membership is twenty-eight, among whom are eight of the charter members. The others have passed be3 r ond, and have been consigned to the earth by their brethren in the full belief that they had found the perfection of light, and reached the last and highest degree. — A. L. Pearsall. Hinsdale Lodge, A. 0. U. W.,No. 182, organ- ized April 16, 1881. P. M. W., George H. Talmadge ; M. W., J. B. R. Lespinasse ; Foreman, Adolph Froscher ; Overseer, J. H. Papenhauseu ; Recorder, James W. Sucher ; Financier, J. C. Merrick ; Guide, Philip Bayer ; Inside Watchman, Henry Heiuke; Outside Watchman, George Trench. Damascus Legion, No. 11, Select Knights A. 0. U. W., organized August 19, 1882. Select Commander, J. B. R. Lespinasse ; Vice Commander, George H. Talmadge ; Lieu- tenant Commander. Wendal Hix ; Select Re- corder, J. W. Sucher ; Treasurer and Record- ing Treasurer, J. C. Merrick ; Standard Bearer, George H. Trench ; Marshal, J. H. Papenhau- sen; S. W., G. H. Steinhoff; J. W„ John A. Debus ; Chaplain, Philip Bayer , Guard, Rich- ard Warde. 202 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN DALE, ILL. OF HINS- Attorneys at Law, D. J. Crocker, R. A. Childs, William D. Gates, J. Tiffany. Real Estate Dealers, William Robbius, 0. J. Stough, D. L. Perry, A. Walkel, D. Roth. Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Insurance, A. L. Pearsall. Police Magistrate, Real Estate and Insur- ance, A. Dorathy. Physicians, J. C. Merrick, T. T. Howard, Joseph Williamson, F. H. Van Liew. General Store, Fox Brothers. Grocery and Provisions, F. Bradley. Drugs, William Evernden. Hardware and Agricultural Implements, John Bohlander. Meat Market, John A. Gifford & Co., Will- iam Hix. News Agent and Bakery, Thomas Foster. Barber and Bakery, Philip Bayer. Cool Dealer, P. S. Townsend. Lumber and Real Estate, J. Hulaniski. Carpenters and Builders, William Johnston, S. F. Mills, A. W. Bostwick, carpenter and re- pairer. Tailor, J. II. Papenhausen. Shoemaker, W. Lislie. Blacksmiths, George Trench and — Lewis. Hotel and Lively, Philander Torode. Mason and Builder, Jacob Walliser. Painters, A. H. Townsend, William H. At- kinson, Thomas Wadsworth, A. Anthony. President and Board of Village Trustees, D. L. Perry, George H. Talmadge, J. Hulan- iski, George W. Hinckley, J. C. Hess, J. C. Merrick. A. L. Pearsall, Treasurer. George Bowles, Clerk. Portrait and Landscape Painter, A. Payne. Pastor Congregational Church, Rev. John Ellis. One of the Directors Illinois Home Mission, Rev. Flavel Bascom. Rev. T. T. Howard. Principal of School, T. C. Cole. Station Agent, E. A. Lyon. The elevation of the railroad track above Lake Michigan is 158 feet. DOWNER'S GROVE VILLAGE. When the grove after which this village was named looked, from a distance, like an island, and the prairie around it like the ocean sur- rounding it, on one summer's day in 1838, six yoke of oxen, hitched to the trunk of a large tree, patiently toiled along what is now Maple Avenue in Downer's Grove. Backward and forward, for two miles or more, they dragged their ponderous burden, till the prairie turf was ground into a well-beaten path, and on this path grew the village to its present dimensions. If it had not been made here, the village would have centered farther to the south, where the original trail first went that led from Chicago to Naperville, and it was to divert the travel from its old channel and turn it where it now is that the surface was thus marked, connect- ing each way with the first trail. This was done by Israel P. Blodgett and Samuel Curtis, who held claims within the present corporate limits of this village. Soon after doing it, they planted on each side of this marked trail those sugar maple trees that have now attained such large proportions, and outrival in arborial grace an}* wayside trees, far or near, in North- ern Illinois. They will perpetuate the memory of those who planted them for centuries to come, as lithe feminine forms beside mascu- line ones, slowly pace along beneath their foli- age in the twilight hour, when young minds take sentimental turns. This is the history of the trees and their uses. Now let us relate the history of the other conditions of the town, less ornamental, but quite as essential to its success. In the autumn of 1 832, by the means of the Sauk war, a knowledge of the country west of DOWNERS GROVE TOWNSHIP. Chicago had come to the county of Jefferson, in the State of New York, and with a deter- mination to cast his lot here, Pierce Downer, a resident of that place, came to this spot to select a location, and being attracted by the beautiful grove, then the favorite abiding place of Wawbunsie — the Pottawatomie Chief, but now named after himself, he made a claim on what is now Section 6, Township 38, Range 11. He was a man of a sound body, an energetic mind, bred in the ironclad integrity of his age, tenacious of his rights and able to defend them, as was soon abundantly verified. His claim was on the north side of the grove, and here he lived alone in the edge of the island-like spot, till his family came the next }' ear — 1833. The same year, also, came his son Stephen, Mr. Joel Wells and Mr. Cooley. Stephen then made a claim on the east side of the grove, and Mr. Wells and Mr. Cooley made claims the southeast of the grove — all these claimants selecting suitable proportions of tim- ber and prairie. Meantime, Messrs. Wells and Cooley coveted a portion of Mr. Downer's claim, and in an evil hour commenced erecting a cabin on it. This resulted in a collision, the details of which, as told by Mr. Downer himself to Walter Blauch- ard in 1857, and printed in Richmond & Val- lette's History of Du Page County, are here quoted : " ' I went to Chicago one day to bu}' some provisions, and on returning, thought I saw some one working near the northeast corner of the grove. I went home and deposited my cargo (a back load), and although very tired, went out to reconnoitre my premises. To my great surprise I found that Wells and Cooley had commenced erecting a cabin on my claim. I went to a thicket close by and cut a hickory gad, but found I had no power to use it, for I was so mad that it took my strength all away. So I sat down and tried to cool off a little, but my excitement only cooled from a sort of vio- lent passion to deep and downright indignation. To think that my claim should be invaded, and that, too, by the only two white men besides myself then at the grove, made the vessel of my wrath to simmer like a pent sea over a burning volcano. I could sit still no longer. So I got up and advanced toward them, and the nearer I approached, the higher rose the temperature of my anger, which, by the time I got to them, was flush up to the boiling point. I said nothing, but pitched into them, shelalah in hand, and for about five minutes did pretty good execution. But becoming exhausted and being no longer able to keep them at bay, they grappled with me, threw me on the ground, and after holding me down a short time, they seemed to come to the conclusion that ' discre- tion was the better part of valor ' and let me up, when they ran one way and I the other, no doubt leaving blood enough upon the field of action to induce a stray prairie wolf to stop and take a passing snuff as he went that way. But, sir, they didn't come again to jump my claim." As might be supposed, Mr. Wells was now in a suitable frame of mind to sell out, and, as good fortune would have it, Mr. Israel P. Blodgett, the same who had settled in the Scott settle- ment alluded to in foregoing pages, was ready to buy him out, which he did in 1835, and moved to the place with his family, who may be enumerated as follows : H. W., now Judge of the Court at Chicago ; Israel P., Jr., now liv- ing at Downer's Grove ; Daniel, not living ; Asiel, now living at Waukegan ; Edward A., now living in Chicago ; Wells H, now living at St. Louis. The year before this — 1834 — Geary Smith came to the place, made a claim, and also bought out Stephen Downer. The ground on which the railroad depot now stands is on this pur- chase. On the 14th of August, 1836, Samuel Curtis bought a part of Mr. Blodgett's claim, for which 204 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. he paid $1,000 cash down, and on it now stands the center of Downer's Grove. He died Feb- ruary 25, 1867, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried in the cemetery at the place. He is kindly remembered by the many friends he made during his useful life. Two of his sons — Charles and Roswell 0. — still live in the village. David Page came to the place in 1837 ; bought a farm at the south edge of the present corporate limits of the town, where he remained till he died a few years ago. The same year, Walter Blanchard, from Or- leans County, N. Y., in connection with Hemy Carpenter, from Washington County, N. Y., bought a farm, part of which is now within the the incorporate limits of Downer's Grove. Mr. Blanchard's land extended southwardly from the present town, and through the more elevated portions of it. The old trail went leading from Chicago to Naperville ; thence to Dixon and Galena by one branch, and by another to Ottawa. The track made by dragging the log, as al- ready stated, shortened this curve that went along the portion of Mr. Blanchard's place in- tended for his future residence, which had been made by the early travelers to find better eleva- tions. Like manj* other young men who came West, Mr. Blanchard was without a wife. Here was a beautiful location, where he had secured a home that any of his female friends left be- hind might feel happy and fortunate to enjoy with him. He did not share the feelings of the young man out here, whose name need not be mentioned, who, looking upon the matter in a business way, said, " I ain't going to pay no freight on a woman, no how, when there's enough here !" But, under the influence of first impressions, returned East, and promptly came back with his new bride ; but, what was his [surprise to find the locality of the road changed so that his first plans had to be modi- fied to suit the conditions. Mr. Blanchard has ever since been one of the representative men of the place, and nobly died in defense of the country at the battle of Ringgold Gap, in 1863. His remains were brought home and interred in the cemetery at the place. Henry Carpenter, who bought land with him, did not come to the place to live till 1840. Five years later, he opened a store, the first one es- tablished in the place. Eli W. Curtis was then Postmaster, and, at his request, Mr. Carpenter took the duties of the office as Secretary. Mr. Carpenter's trade came from the sur- rounding country, and in that day he was obliged to sell largely on credit.. Any one who came into his store with his shoes tied up, could get trusted, and but few of them betrayed his confidence. In 1855, Mr. Carpenter sold a half-interest in his store to Leonard K. Hatch, and the next year sold out entirely. A town hall was built by the corporation for holding town meetings, elections, etc., in 1877. It also had cells for confining vagrants, etc. Robert Dixon measured out justice to who all came before him for that purpose, and was the first judicial magistrate at the place. At a drunken row, while raising a building on Salt Creek, a man was badly hurt, and Mr. Dixon fined the 'offender $15. After this he always refused to taste liquor lest it might set a bad example, although the best of people then drank moderately, for there was no one to say Why do ye so ? Not every public officer is as consistent now-a-days. J. W. La Salle built a store with a commo- dious public hall over it in 1879. A company came here in 1872, and bought 600 acres of land, most of which was in the grove which is now being laid off in streets, with artistic curves, rustic parks and lawns, for elegant residences. Gen. Ducat is the prin- cipal proprietor. After the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company was located, and while it was being built, there was some uncertainty as DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 205 to where the depot should be located in the town. To settle this matter, a meeting was called, to which Walter Blanchard, Henry Car- penter, Samuel Curtis, R. O. Curtis, S. P. Blod- gett, N. K. Whitney and a few others attended. Five hundred dollars were made up to pur- chase grounds for the depot where it now stands. The owner of the land, John P. Coates, being unfriendly to the road, would not sell it short of this sum, which was a round price, and, inasmuch as the lands a mile to the west, owned by Mr. Dryer, were offered free for the depot, it would have been built there had not the gentlemen mentioned above bought the lands of Mr. Coates and presented them to the company. The plat of Downer's Grove bears date of September 26, 1864, recorded by Norman Gil- bert, and situate on part of Section 8, Town 38, Range 11. At the railroad track it is 150 feet above Lake Michigan. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. On August 5, 1851, a little band of Baptists assembled in a schoolhouse, about one mile from the present location of their meeting- house, for the purpose of consulting together as to the propriety of organizing a Baptist Church. After mature deliberation, the seven- teen present unanimously resolved to proceed to organize, and adopted articles of faith and covenant, and at said meeting extended a unanimous call to the Rev. G. F. Holt to be- come their pastor, which he accepted. At the same meeting, Edward Goodenough and Lewis Pound were chosen Deacons. A council of delegates from several sister churches was called to meet with them on the 10th of Sep- tember, which council assembled and unani- mously voted to recognize the church as a Scripturally organized church of Christ, the following-named individuals being its constit- uent members : Edward Goodenough, Lura A. Goodenough, Henry Cruthers, Harmon Good- enough, William C. Perry, Lewis Pound, Mary C. Pound. Philip Sucher, Emily Sucher, Caro- line Gleason, Josephine Gleason, Am. E. Good- enough, G. Smith, Antoinette Trumbull, Nor- man Gilbert, Emily Gilbert and Sarah M. Smith. This little band of pioneers all had a mind to work, and with the help of a few accessions to their number and the indefatigable labor of their pastor for help from those outside, suc- ceeded during the first years in building and paying for a house of worship, at a cost of about $1,200 ; at which time the only settle- ments near, besides the farm community, were a small store, kept by Messrs. Carpenter & Hatch, and a blacksmith, Philip Sucher. In 1871, their meeting-house was destroyed by fire, without insurance. At that time, the church numbered about ninety, less than one- fourth being males. They were not discour- aged. A meeting was soon called of the church and society, a building committee appointed, with instructions to procure plans and build a new house, which was completed and dedicated, free from debt, about one year thereafter, at a cost of about $5,000, in addition to which, something over $600 was raised to pay for organ, carpet and other furniture for the same. During the first eight years of the history of the church, preaching was only maintained on alternate Sundays. Since that time, the church has maintained preaching every Sabbath, with fair congregations, though three other churches have meeting-houses. One or two other soci- eties have occasional meetings. The present membership is 108 ; a Sunday school with an average attendance of 105, there being 168 names on the Secretary's book. — N. K. Whit- ney, Present Church Clerk. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Congregational Church of Downers Grove was organized September 14, 1866. Meetings, at first, were held in a hall rented for the purpose. In the year 1874, a meeting- 206 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. house was built. The audience-room is pleas- ant. A good congregation meets on the Sab- bath, and an interesting Sunday school is held. The pastors of the church have been T. P. Chafer. Joel Grant, A. L. Loomis, G. T. Hol- comb and S. F. Stratton, who is in the fifth year of his pastorate. st. Paul's church. This church belongs to the Evangelical Association. In 1860, Martin Escher, Sr., Jacob Rehm, Solomon Mertz, Phillipp Leh- man, Michael Hofat and others, purchased, for the use of this church, the one which the Congregationalists had built some years pre- viously. In 1S64, this building was moved to a more central location, the better to accom- modate the members of the church, which then had increased to fifty in number. The church continued to prosper, and, in 1873, had increased in numbers to seventy, many of whom lived in the village of Downer's Grove. It was, therefore, thought best to again move the church, to place it in a more central location, and to this end an acre of land was purchased of Thomas Hustin, in the south- western part of the village, to which place the church was removed. A flourishing Sabbath school, numbering 100 members, is connected with the church, of which William J. Boidel- man is Superintendent. Rev. Samuel Deikover was the first and Rev. Peth the present pastor. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. The Downers Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Father Beggs in about 1836. The first church was built in 1852. Lewis Wood, Nathan A. Belden, John Howard, F. M. Roe and John Cotes were the Trustees. Rev. — Stover was the first pastor. In 1864—65, Rev. Richard Wake was pastor. Rev. Samuel Ambrose, Rev. J. R. Allen, Rev. A. W. Patton and Rev. R. D. Russell suc- ceeded till 1868. Rev. Samuel Hewes was pastor in 1876, and left, in 1878. Rev. John 0. Foster was pastor in 1878-79. In 1880, Rev. T. C. Warrington and Rev. C. W. Cordes were pastors. In 1881, Rev. A. H. Kistler, with Rev. T. C. Cordes, were pastors. The church now occupied was rebuilt in 1879, at an expense of $15,000, besides the ground, which had been originally donated by Henry Carpenter. The membership is now thirty-five, and the Sunday school about eighty. The church is out of debt, both for church and parsonage. The Cass Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as early as 1836, probably by Father Beggs, who would be more likely to pioneer it than any one known to the writer. Services were first held in a log schoolhouse. Elisha Smart, Old Father Cobb and Mrs. John Old- field were among the first members. The pres- ent church was built in 1869. Rev. A. W. Pat- ton and Rev. J. R. Allen were the ones who obtained the subscription to build it. Mr. William Smart donated the ground. The church is valued at $2,500, all paid for. It has the same pastors as the Downer's Grove Church, for which reason its history has suc- ceeded it, though the church is located in the southern part of the town. The Sunday school has ninety scholars, and the church numbers seventy-five members. THE DOWNER'S OROVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The first schools here were maintained by subscriptions or by pro rata assessments ; but now schools are supported by a public school fund and taxes paid by freeholders. Early schools were kept mostly in private houses, where accommodations were rude and limited. Now comfortable and commodious buildings, erected for the purpose, give shelter to our public schools. As early as the winter of 1836 to 1837, in a " lean-to" built to the house of Mr. I. P. Blod- gett, Sr., the village schools had their birth- 83 YEARS OLD. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 209 Mr. Hiram Stillsou, a student from Oberlin, here instructed the children of Mr. Blodgett and a few others, who were glad to avail them- selves of the opportunities here afforded. About the year 1837-38, what may be re- garded as the first district school was opened in a house built by Mr. John Wallace, on the spot where Mr. Meadowcroft's house now stands, and of which the old schoolhouse now constitutes a part. Here George Carpenter taught one term. Subsequently, school was kept under the roof of Mr. Samuel Curtiss, Sr.. taught by Norman G. Hurd, followed by E. W. Curtiss. Later, Mr. L. K. Hatch taught a school in what was then known as the " Norwegian House," or the " old shoe shop," which stood some distance west of the Blauchard place. In 1838, a schoolhouse was built on the •• west side," near the present home of L. W. Stanley. Here Mr. Sherman taught the first school, which was made up of children who came from far and near. Mr. Slawson, E. W. Curtiss, L. K. Hatch and Amos Adams (now Judge of Circuit Court in California) served in the capacity of teacher. In 1846, a redivision of districts took place, whereupon a site was purchased and a school- house built near the present residence of Mr. F. M. Woods, by Directors James Depue, W. B. Pratt and John Shepard. O. P. Hathaway was employed to teach the first school, and was succeeded by Messrs. H. L. Litchfield. J. M. Valette, Dayton and M. B. Gregory. Here taught, also. Miss Mary Blodgett, who has died long since, and Miss Annis Gilbert, now Mrs. Paige. Our fellow-townsman, Capt. T. S. Rog- ers, here " wielded the birch," " chalked the line" and reigned a '-monarch of all he sur- veyed " from behind the teacher's desk. Here J. W. Rogers instructed the youth, who came in such numbers "to sit at the feet of this Gamaliel," that, unless some class was contin- ually on the " recitation floor," all could not find seats. Others, whose names have escaped the vigilance of memory, here made the best of the advantages afforded in instructing the youth placed under their care. In 1867, it seems the schoolhouse of 1846 had " served its day and generation," and what is now the " north wing " of the present brick building was erected by Directors John Thatch- er, John Stanley and Gardiner Paige. This building contained two rooms, and was dedi- cated to the cause of education by the Misses Cochrane, who taught the first schools in the new building. It rapidly increased in numbers, and, in 1873, the brick building was full to overflowing, and a room was rented on Main street to accommo- date a third department. Owing to the rapid increase in the population of our village, and consequent growth of the school, Directors Curtiss, Blodgett and Farrar, found it necessary, in 1877, to erect the main part of the present building, thus furnishing four commodious rooms, all of which are at present full to their utmost capacity : and, judg- ing from the unprecedented increase in the school population as recently reported to us by the Clerk of the School Board, it cannot be long ere the sound of the builder's hammer must again be heard on the school premises, and an increased teaching force will be a necessity. In 1876, the school was thoroughly graded — a ten years' course of instruction adopted — embracing two years of high school work. Three classes have thus far graduated from this school ; in 1879, a class of five members ; in 1881, a class of seven, and, in 1882, a class of six. The school, at present under the directorship of Messrs. Woods, Blodgett and Curtiss, is in a prosperous condition. At no time during the seven years' work of its Principal has the out- look been more encouraging. Miss Georgia Fitch, in the primary ; Miss Elizabeth F. Marsh. in the intermediate, and Miss Maria L. Clark, 010 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. in the grammar department, are the assistant teachers, all of whom are accomplishing credit- able results. — John K. Rassweiler, Principal ABOLITIONISM. Abolitionism in this county had its exponents in Downer's Grove perhaps to a greater extent than in any other part of the county when such a political doctrine was stained with dis- grace in popular estimation. Its active spirits were Israel P. Blodgett, David Page, Robert Dixon, Henry Carpenter and Rockwell Guild. Walter Blanchard was a Whig Abolitionist, '• not that he loved Caesar less, but Rome more." He took hold of the work as soon as he saw progress. Mr. Blodgett had charge of the station on the underground railroad. The trains generally ran in the night. Aurora was the first station west, and Chicago on the east, the depot at the latter place being at the house of Philo Car- penter. From Aurora to Downer's Grove was one night's run, thence to Chicago another night's run. When passengers arrived on these trains, their names were not published on register lists ; on the contrary, the passengers were often concealed in buffalo hides as they were taken from the vehicles in which they rode, and carried into a larder room like a quarter of beef. This was the way the disciples of Free Soil, in their aggressive proselytism, managed to inaugurate a system which ultimately over- turned the mightiest and haughtiest patri- archal institution that ever grew into existence on American soil, and it is worthy of mention that Du Page County was one of the pioneers in this sweeping change in the public policy of our nation. PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN. Pastor Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Van Osdell ; Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Mr. Cord ice. Real Estate Agents, Street & Pardee, East Grove. Western Agent New York Lace House, John Radcliffe. Jeweler and Watchmaker, V. Siraonson. Draper and Tailor. N. W. Peterson. Blacksmiths and Horseshoers, J. W. Sucher, shop, corner Main street and Maple avenue ; Peter Wertz. Tinware, Reapers, Mowers, Old Iron and Rags, John Debolt. Broom Factory, I. P. Blodgett. Boot and Shoe-makers, and all kinds of fine repairing, George Diener : Charles Hodgman. Ice Cream, Confectionery and Bakery, John Welter. Wagon-maker, Livery and Sale Stable, C. Smith. Practical Wagon-maker, William Mergen- thal. Barber, E. E. West. Harness-maker and Fancy Carriage and Sign Painting, M. F. Saylor. Harness-maker, George Downer. Station Agent, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, F. G. Brown. Switchman, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, D. 0. Cole. Engineer, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, C. W. Frisbie. Fireman, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Wesley Frisbie. Pastor Congregational Church, S. F. Strat- ton. Attorney at Law, A. B. Wilson. Police Magistrate, Gardner Paige. Postmaster, J. M. Barr. Dealers in Lumber, Coal, Hardware, Agricul- tural Implements, Salt, Stucco, Lime, Cement and all kinds of Builders' Materials, J. W. Rogers & Co. ; Mochel & Co. Carpenters and Joiners, B. B. Morgan ; F. Schindler. Druggist, C. J. Meadowcroft. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 211 Cheese Factory, < i list and Planing-Mill, Mil- ler & Blanchard. Average amount of milk re- ceived per da}-, 3,0(10 pounds ; average amount of butter made per day, seventy-five pounds ; average amount of cheese made per da} 7 , 225 pounds. Bricklayer, and all kinds of mason work. W. J. Beidleman. Painting, Papering, Whitewashing and Cal- cimining, C. N. Saylor. Beardsley House, Proprietor, E. S. Beardsley. All kinds of Millinery work. Mrs. R. C. Bates. Milliner and Fashionable Dressmaker, Mrs. E. H. Andrews. Dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries, Ready- made Clothing, Etc., Thatcher & Crescy ; David Kline ; La Salle & Co. Physicians, J. R. Haggard, M. D., office over drug store ; E. H. Le Due, M. D., office at drug store. Dentist, Dr. J. F. Thompson, office in New Music Hall, Chicago, 111. Agent lor Linden Heights Land Association, F. M. Woods, office at post office. The principal streets of Downer's Grove have been graveled eight inches deep in 1882. The gravel has been brought to the place by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany from their gravel pits at Montgomery, Kane County, the gravel being laid down at the place at a very low rate for the benefit of the town. It is designed to gravel Maple avenue next year. CLARENDON HILLS. Clarendon Hills, situate just west of Hins- dale, was platted October 29, 1873. James M. Walker, Amos T. Hall, Robert Harris and Henry C. Middaugh, were the original proprietors. A new depot has been built at the place. The streets are laid out in curves adapted to the graduating rises of ground on which the whole town is located, some parts of which are the highest points of land on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad between Chicago and the Fox River. The divide on the railroad track is two miles west of this place. The elevation of the track at the depot at Clarendon Hills is 158 feet above Lake Michi- gan, from which place the land rises on both sides, but more rapidly on the north side, where it justifies its name of Clarendon Hills in mul- tifarious ovals and convexities, intermingled together in Nature's ease. FULLERsnrmi. This village lies within the old Indian boun- dary lines, and, consequently, the land on which it stands was sold in 1 835. It was purchased by Robert Jones, of New York City. The next year (1836), Grin and David Giant, two brothers, came to the place, who were its first settlers. They opened a tav- ern, and established a post office named Brush Hill, and, for many years, it was a well known landmark, to which roads, trails and trade tended throughout the country. Sherman King succeeded him in tavern keeping, who was suc- ceeded by Mr. Atkinson in this business, then so profitable, when the ox-team dragged its ponderous burden over the muddy loads. John S. Coe came to the place in 1839. Jacob W. Fuller then lived two miles to the north. His son, Benjamin, platted the place January 20, 1851, when its name was changed to Fullers- burg. It is a most delightful retreat, among the tree-clad hills just north of Hinsdale, from which place sidewalks extend to its central streets. The following is a list of its business and professional men : Rev. F. Boeber, Lutheran Church; A. Ford, merchant ; S. Heineman, mer- chant and Postmaster ; C. Eidam, blacksmith ; C. T. Coe, blacksmith ; F. Tunk, wagon-maker : I. Haff, wagon-maker ; C. Karnatz, shoemaker ; D. Moeder, shoemaker ; I. Rucht} - , ice-dealer ; I. Miller, hotel ; P. Bohlander, hotel ; F. Graue, miller ; W. Ostrum, plasterer and mason ; A. 212 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Froscher, carpenter and builder ; W. Wagner, carpenter and builder; Win. Delicate, painter ; L. Kurth, painter; Win. Ostrum, stone-mason. Its Church. — In the lovely little village of Fullersburg, Du Page County, there is a Ger- man congregation, called the " German United Evangelical Church of St. John," founded in 1878 by their present pastor, and numbering already fifty families. The congregation owns five acres of land, whereon the unpretending meeting-house is standing, and wherein the dead of the church find their last resting place. There is also a day school as well as a Sunday school connected with the German Church, and attended by from fifty to sixty children. — Fr. Boeber, Pastor. CHAPTER X. NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP— LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS— VILLAGE OF NAPEI1V1LLE— CHURCHES— SCHOOLS — MANUFACTORIES — THE NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE — TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS — NEWSPAPERS — FIRE DEPARTMENT— MILITARY COM- PANY— NURSERIES— THE LODGES— BANK— STONE QUARRY. THE history of the Naper settlement com- prised the cream of the pioneer history of the county. It has been told in early chapters in sufficient detail to leave little to be said here; yet a list of the names of early settlers of this township may be a conven- ience to the reader, and the following is given : Joseph Naper, John Naper, John Murray, Christopher Paine, R. N. Murray, Ira Car- penter, John Stevens, Michael Hines, A. H. Howard, John Warne, Daniel Warren, Leister Peet, George Laird, Harry Fowler, Hiram Fowler, E. B. Bill, Nathan Allen, Louis Ellsworth, S. M. Skinner, A. S. Jones, S. Sabin, George Martin, L. C. Aldrich, H. L. Peasley, R. Hyde, George Stroubler, G. Bishop, T. H. Stevenson, W. Rose, R. Wright, E. G. Wight, J. F. Wight, W. Weaver, J. Granger, N. Crampton, W. J. Strong, R. Whipple, U. Stanley, T. Thatcher, A. T. Thatcher, J. Lamb, R. Hill, David Babbitt, H. C. Babbitt, J. S. Kimball, J. B. Kimball, L. Kimball, R. K. Potter, J. J. Kimball, Adial S. Jones, Peter Dodd, Benjamin Smith. The Scotts and H. Boardman were settlers of Will County, just over the line, but were associated with all the interests of the Naper settlement Their history is inseparable from that of both Will and Du Page Coiin- ties, as has already been made apparent to the reader. It may also be said that the his- tory of Naperville Village further elucidates the early history of the county. The township has 1,289 children between the ages of six and twenty-one, ten school districts, with a schoolhouse in each, and one graded school. Outside of Naperville Village are three churches, as follows: GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. The German Baptist denomination of Christians (commonly known by the name of Dunkards) organized as a society in 1855, and built a meeting-house in 1860, about half way between Naperville and Warren- ville, in Naperville Township. It was built by subscription among themselves. Their ministers, Deacons and Elders are elected by the members of their society, and none of them have any salary. They take care that none of their people shall become paupers, NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 213 or want for the comforts of life, by visiting every family among their order and supplying them with all that is necessary, if misfortune befalls them. They now number between fifty and sixty members. Its present officers are C. F. Martin, Elder; Jacob Sollenberger, Simon Yundt and Hiram Smith, ministers; Dorence Vroman, Noah Early, Michael Sol- lenberger and John Netzley, Deacons. It is against their principles to go to law or go to war, or to swear by oath; but they affirm when called to give evidence before a court of justice. Their origin was in Germantown, Penn. Christopher Sauer, who brought the first printing press to America, was one of the founders of this society. The name Dunkard is improperly applied to them. Their real name is indicated at the head of this sketch. ST. JOHN'8 LUTHERAN CHURCH. The following history of the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church of Naperville, Du Page Co., 111., from its origin in 1853 to the present date, is by H. Horstman : The above-named church owes its origin to about ten or a dozen German citizens of the towns of Naperville and Lisle, in Du Page County, who desired to make the attempt to lay the foundations for a congregation of their own creed, at the same time using ex- clusively the German language as a medium of communication in divine service, for the benefit of those new-comers from the Father- land who might happen to'arrive in this vi- cinity. At that time, in the summer of 1853, the Rev. Fr. Ottmann, a member of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, lived between Naperville and Downer's Grove. He had been designated to preach the Gos- pel to a number of farmers residing in the vicinity of the latter place, and alternately held divine service in a schoolhouse near Downer's, and in a similar building situated in a more northerly direction, on the old plank road from Naperville to the Desplaines River. The above men from Naperville and Lisle went to hear Mr. Ottmann from time to time, and finally made arrangements with him to come to Naperville every third Sab- bath morning, to preach a sermon in the old court house, and at the same time to make an attempt to build up a congregation sufficient- ly numerous to sustain their own preacher. Mr. Ottmann fulfilled his engagement to the best of his ability, establishing for himself a well-earned reputation for sincerity and piety, but felt compelled, after a duration of fifteen months, to abandon his trust, being unable to agree with the members in some fundamental principles held sacred by the Synod of Mis- souri, but which they had been taught to re- gard in a more liberal light. In the winter of 1854-55, Mr. Ottmann received a vocation to Missouri, and left for that State, accom- panied by the best wishes of his friends in Du Page County. About the same time, information was re- ceived that, in the fall of 1855, the Rev. E. H. Buhre, formerly a member of the Lutheran General Council of the State of Now York, had arrived in Aurora, Kane County, from Williamsburg, N. Y., built up a congrega- tion in the former place, and, by the help of friends, had even succeeded in erecting a church building. The Naperville men, after having attended his divine service occasion- all}', finally induced Mr. Buhre to visit Na- perville every third Sabbath afternoon, and for this purpose the building of the Method- ist Episcopal Church of that place was kindly ceded. Mr. Buhre came to Naperville for several months, when the members of the con- 214 HISTORY OF Dl' PAGE COUNTY. gregation, which then had assumed a more tangible form, secured the services of a Mr. Lerfling, who moved to Napervillein the fall of 1850, but was again dismissed by the con- gregation in January, 1857, after which time Mr. Buhre kindly resumed his activity in Na- perville, having, during this time, joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Northern Illi- nois, consisting then mostly of ministers of German and Scandinavian, but also of Anglo- Saxon, descent, under guidance of the Rev. Dr. Harvey, of Springfield. In April, 1857, a member of the Lutheran congregation at Naperville, who, in the mean- time, had in some way, though perhaps not formally organized, visited Germany, and there secured the services of Mr. Herm Lies- mann, a young man of many abilities, and ed- ucated by the missionary society at Barmen, Rhenish Prussia, to preach the Gospel to his countrymen in the United States. Mr. Lies- mann arrived in the fall of 1857, and, after having been ordained by the above-named Lutheran Synod of Northern Illinois, and de- clared their member, forthwith began to for- mally and legally organize the Lutheran con- gregation at Naperville. Mr. Liesmann at the same time held divine service about six miles southeast of Downer's Grove, and built and dedicated a church there in the summer of 1859 During Mr. Liesmann's stay in Naperville, which lasted two and a half years, the congregation there bought the old meeting-house of the Evangelical association of that place, situated on its preseut site on Van Buien avenue, for $000, and, for an equal amount, erected a parsonage. Mr. Liesmann left for Iowa in the summer of 1SG0, and in his place the congregation chose Mr. H. M. Guehl, also at that time a member of the Synod of Northern Illinois, but which, shortly afterward, he left, to be accepted as a mem- ber of the Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin. whose doctrines seemed more conformable to his views. The congregation soon followed his exam- ple, organized under a new constitution, and numbered about thirty members, several of whom, however, moved to other States in the course of time. In the fall of 1802, Mr. Guehl was called by his synod to Northern Wisconsin, and as his successor the congre- gation chose the above-named Rev. E. H. Buhre, who had long felt inclined to leave Aurora. Mr. Buhre also remained in Naper ville two years, the same time visiting, on the Sabbath afternoon, Downer's Grove, and then, owing to some difficulties, vacated the par- sonage and removed to a private residence, which, in the meantime, he had created. Mr. Buhre left in the fall of 1804, and from that time to September, 1805, no minister of the Lutheran denomination resided at their parsonage at Naperville. Occasionally during that time, divine serv- ice and communion were held by the Rev. E. Kenchen, a member of the then United Evan gelical Synod of the Northwest, comprised of representatives of both the Lutheran and Reformed Churches of Germany, as embod- ied in the Evangelical Churches of that State, though conforming to republican institution. The congregation of Naperville soon found the doctrines held by that synod more agree- able to their views than the ultra- Lutheran doctrines of the Synods of Missouri and Wis- consin, joined the former, and were, in July, 1805, by them supplied with a pastor of their own, in the person of the Rev. William Bin- ner. The members, however, whose num- bers had become smaller, organized under a new constitution, which, with only one amendment, regarding membership, exists to this day. Mr. Binner, with his family, remained at Naperville a little over three years, and, NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 215 though removed by the Lord some seven years ago, is still kindly remembered by his many friends. Mr. Binner left Naperville in October, 1868, and was succeeded by Mr. J. Kern, a young man of medium capacities, who. unaided by experience, ultimately failed in his task, and was in turn succeeded, after a year's time, by the Rev. T. Lotka, who, however, after a short stay of nine months, accepted a call for a Professorship at Fari- bault, Minn. The Rev. Fr. Lohappel fol- lowed in the fall of 1870, and under his guid- ance, in 1871, the church building was greatly enlarged, a steeple was built and a suitable bell procured; the interior also was newly and neatly furnished, the whole outlay being nearly $2,000. The funds for this purpose were raised partly by contribution of members, one-half of them, however, present- ed to the congregation by Mr. William Preis- werk, a wealthy gentleman of Switzerland, formerly a resident of the State of Illinois, who faithfully remembered his old friends. Mr. Schappel having, in March. 1874, re- signed his trust, was, in July of the same year, succeeded by the Rev. R. "Wobus, a young man of great ability and sterling char- acter, who, however, was called, two years afterward, to a theological Professorship near St. Louis, Mo., belonging to the Evangelical Synod of North America, which, at the pres- ent time, comprises in the United States all the representatives of their own creed. To this day the Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation adheres to that synod, and their pulpit has been successively occupied by the Rev. A. Teutschel, from September, 1876, to the same time in 1877, by Rev. H. Huebsch- mann from April, 1878, to October, 1881; the present pastor, Rev. Q. Hageman, how- ever, residing at Amboy, Lee County, and al- ternately holding divine service at Naperville and at the former place. Owing to the re- moval of many members to Iowa, Kansas and other States, the number of them is not large, but the prospect of having the ranks again filled by emigration from the Fatherland is encouraging. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. The Evangelical Association at Copenha- gen, in the southwest part of Naperville Township. Six families of this faith came to Copenhagen and settled in 1844, from Pennsylvania, holding religious services in a schoolhouse till 1858, when a church was built by subscription. Rev. Lintner was their first pastor, who preached at the school - house; after whom they had other pastors biennially, according to their church govern- ment. From its first organization, the mem- bership has continued to increase, chiefly by immigration. It now numbers about forty members. The church is a neat edifice, and its grounds ornamented with trees. The society is in a prosperous condition, all of its members thrifty farmers, sons and daughters of the first founders of the church, who have inherited the religion of their fa- thers, as well as their correct habits in social life. VILLAGE OF NAPERVILLE. The first settlers of Boston were attracted there by an excellent spring of pure water that broke out of the ground from the base of one of the three hills that originally stood at this place, which the Indians called Shau- mut. Naperville had a like attraction as to the spring, which drew settlers here and made it the first nucleus of rising power in Northern Illinois west of Chicago and east of Dixon. Joseph Naper first surveyed and laid out the town in streets, and his plat of it bears date of February 14, 1842. It was situate on the southeast quarter of Section 13. Township 216 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. 38, Range 9 east, and henceforward the name of the place was Naperville, instead of the Naper settlement. The first frame building erected in it was done by A. H. Howard in the fall of 1833. It stood a few rods south of a house in which Mr. J. Horn lived in 1876. Here was the center to which highways tended. Here were saw and grist mills, stores, and the material out of which to make a town, and here existed the necessities for a corporate government to regulate certain con- tingencies that are sure to come up amidst diverse interests in close proximity and pos- sible rivalry to each other, and a public meet- ing was called at the court house in 1856 to take the initiatory steps to bring about the desired end. By a vote at this meeting, Hi- ram Cody, R. N. Murray, H. F. Vallette and H. Loring were appointed to draft the form by which it was desired by the sense of this meeting to incorporate the town, and Lewis Ellsworth and Nathan Allen were commis- sioned to present this document to the Legis- lature to be acted on by that body. In ac- cordance with their request, an act was passed by the Legislature of Illinois, and approved by the Governor, Joel A. Matteson, February 7, 1857, to incorporate the village of Naper- ville. Its officers were to consist of a Presi- dent and four Trustees, a Clerk, a Police Magistrate and a Police Constable. The President and Trustees to be chosen annually, and the other officers once in four years, and all by a vote of the people. The first election was held under the new corporation May 4, 1857, resulting in the election of the following officers: For Presi- dent, Joseph Naper ; Trustees, Hiram H. Cody, George Martin, Xavier Egerman, Mich- ael Hiens; for Clerk, C. M. Castle; Treasurer A. W. Colt; Police Magistrate, H. F. Val- lette; Police Constable, A. C. Graves. At this election, 174 votes were polled; at the election in 1860, 230 votes; in 1865, 199 votes; in 1870, 253 votes; in 1874,389 votes. (Returns wanting in 1 875.) In 188 1 , 420 votes were polled. In March previous to this election, the most disastrous flood ever known on the Du Page River occurred. It carried away the dam above the town, and the accumulated waters it held back thus suddenly released rose into the streets of the low grounds and gave the inmates of the houses barely time to escape. The damage caused by the flood was over 115,000. M. Hines, J. T. Green, R. Willard, C. W. Keith and J. Naper were the principal losers. The original town lies in the southeast quarter of Section 13, in the town of Naper- ville, as it is now named, which civil division was given to the Government township de- scribed as Township 38, Range 9 east, but, by subsequent additions made to it, the vil- lage extends eastwardly into Range 10, Sec- tions 7 and 18, in Lisle Township. The elevation at the railroad track above Lake Michigan is 146 feet. The present public square of Naperville is the ground occupied by the old court house, about half of the grounds laid out in the town of Lisle, and was conveyed gratis to Naper- ville March 30, 1877. Much the largest portion of the village lies on the northeast bank of the Du Page River, which naturally inclines its surface toward the south and southwest, thereby giving veg- etation an early start in the spring. The ground graduates upward from the river on both sides into a great variety of oval eleva- tions. One of them, on which the house of Mr. Ellsworth stands, was the spot on which Fort Paine was built in 1832, it being con- siderably higher than any other rise of ground near by, but the broad plateau in the back- NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 217 ground beyond the erosion and bank drainage of the river is still a little above any portion of the village of Naperville. The town is well supplied with springs of very pure wa- ter, which rises several feet above the sur- face, and is made to flow into tanks for con- venience to the citizens. ■ The following description of the town, given by C. W*. Richmond and H. F. Val- letta, in their History of Du Page County, published in 1857, will show what it then was, only the next year after it had been in- corporated : " The mercantile business, aside from agri- culture, is the chief business of the town. The principal stores employ capitals of be- tween $6,0(10 and $8,000 annually. They sell large amounts of goods, not only to the in- habitants of this, but to those of surrounding towns. Integrity is the marked characteristic of the dealings of the merchants of Naper- ville. This, in connection with the uniformly low prices at which they sell their goods, has secured to them a liberal and extended pat- ronage. " There are two large nurseries near the vil- lage, from which trees and shrubs are sent to all parts of the Northwest. We have been furnished some account of the business of these nurseries, which we give below: The Du Page Eclectic Nurseries were established in 1853, by R. W. and R. B. Hunt. During the four years past, these nurseries have prop- agated, in each year, from fifty to one hun- dred and fifty thousand fruit trees. Orna- mental trees and shrubbery have been propor- tionately increased, and some thousands of foreign trees and shrubs have been added by importation, as the business has justified. The Du Page County Nurseries of Lewis Ellsworth & Co. were established in 1849. These nurseries cover at present some fifty acres of ground, embracing in their collec- tion the most extensive stock and assortment of varieties of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs and plants, to be found in the North- west. The yearly increase of trees and shrubs by propagation is truly astonishing. The proprietors have imported, during the present season (1857), from Europe, more than thirty thousand young evergreens and other plants. Attached to the establishment is a plant- house, arranged for propagating plants dur- ing the winter season. The establishment gives employment to a large number of work- men, some ten or twelve families deriving their entire support from it. Some fifteen | or twenty men are employed, at an expense ! of over $6,000 per annum." The foregoing account of a business so es- sential to the comfort and beauty of newly made prairie homes serves to show from whence came the horticultural development of the country around, or at least how a branch of industry took its start that has mul- tiplied trees and other plants till every hamlet and every farm is supplied with them. Subsequently, C. W. Richmond established a nursery here, and continued the business for some years, thereby lending a hand to the arduous and useful work of supplying the country with trees. Ernst Van Oren also established a nursery about the same time as Mr. Richmond, and still continues the business. The Du Page County Nursery, the first one established here, is still supplying orders for trees and other plants, but is not increasing its stock, or propagating, Mr. Ellsworth, the proprietor, wishing to relieve himself of its active work and responsibilities. The present nursery stock here is not as large as it formerly was, but the growing of trees is constantly on the increase in the country. 218 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Of other manufacturing establishments in Naperville, at the same time, says Richmond and Vallette, in their history: •' The plow and wagon shops of Messrs. Vaughan & Peck. It was originally estab- lished by A. S. Jones, who is entitled to the credit of originating the steel plow now so much in use. The manufactory of this plow commenced in 1840. They possess many supe- rior qualities, for which they have become ex- tensively noted throughout the West. From its circular we learn that this establishment is the oldest in the Western States, having manu- factured the steel scouring plow for eighteen or twenty years, and always winning first premiums at State and county fairs. The establishment is capable of making fifteen plows per day." Say Richmond and Vallette, in 1857: Subsequently, this establishment passed into the hands of Mr. N. Boughton, who carried it on under the name of the Naperville Agri- cultural Works, who, having enlarged its ca- pacity, employed about sixty hands. These workmen, with others employed by manufact- uring establishments here, on public days made the streets of Naj^erville lively, espe- cially on one 4th of July, 1870, when a dis- pute arose between some of them and the German citizens of the place about some trifling matter of no vital interest, which re- quired the utmost efforts of Mr. J. J. Hunt, then Police Magistrate, to settle, or rather to prevent violence from growing out of, for he made no attempt to investigate the " true in- wardness " of it, which undoubtedly had been bottled up and escaped from such confine- ments down the throats and thence into the brains of a few otherwise " real good fel- lows." Mr. Hunt interposed between the unctuous aggressors and the objects of their resentment, when they reconsidered their res- olution and retreated, muttering, as they went, something about the Dutchman, and peace was restored. Mr. Boughton, not long after this, removed the establishment to Chicago, and took these " real good fellows " along with him. Hence they did not make " real good plows," but an inferior article, and his business ran down, but, after a brief cessation, the business was resumed again in Naperville. Messrs. Strauss & Getsch, who now turn out plows after the first perfect mold, invented by Mr. A. S. Jones, the original proprietor. There were two breweries in Naperville in 1857, where the famous beverage of lager beer was made. Their annual consumption of barley was then 15,000 bushels, and of hops 11,000 pounds. Their capacity of manufacture was then 186,000 gallons annu- ally, which brought in to the manufacturers about $150,000 per year. There is now (1882) but one brewery in operation here, which was established by John Senger in 1850. It consumes annually 10,- 000 bushels of barley and from 6,000 to 7,- 000 pounds of hops. It makes about five thousand barrels of beer annually, which is sold at Chicago and through the country around. From the Naperville Clarion of July 25, 1877, we take the following, to show the con- dition of the town at that time: "Naperville of to-day is an enterprising city of about two thousaud inhabitants, the largest and most important in the county. It is situated in the heart of one of the finest agricultural districts of Northern Illinois, and the fertile acres and healthful climate have contributed to make up Du Page County one of the wealthiest sections of the State. The city is located on a series of elevations overlooking the surroundiug landscape of hill and dale which, with the glistening waters of Du Page River, seen here and there as they NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 219 roll through the valleys, form a pleasant view to the beholder. The streets, which are fringed with shade trees, are regularly laid out, and mostly graded and provided with sidewalks. Upon the business thoroughfares are many two and three story blocks, mostly of brick or stone, comprising stores and business houses, con- structed in modern style of architecture, and presenting a front scarcely inferior to the business streets of our larger cities. The writer of the above, in his further de- scription of the place, speaks of the follow- ing material interests and business firms then prominently known here. Eight churches are noted, a district school, the Northwestern College, and hotels, among which the Pre- emption House was named as an old land- mark. The tile and brick works of Messrs. Martin & King; the stone quarries of Mr. J. Salfisberg; the cheese factory of George H. Hunt; the Du Page Valley Mills, under the management of L. Rosentreter, the one orig- inally built by Joseph Naper; Mr. William Shimps, carriage factory; the drug store of Mr. F. Morse; Mr. Theo German's merchant tailoring house; Willard Scott & Co.'s dry- goods store; Messrs. Collins & Naper' s store; Mr. P. Beckman's leather and shoe findings store; Messrs. Rickert & Vance's blacksmith - ing business; Mr. Fred Long's furniture hi 'Use; Mr. C. Scherer's hardware store ; Mr. D. Strubler's carriage factory; Messrs. Escher & Drisler's grocery; Mr. M. Weismantel's jew- elry store; Willard Scott, Sr., & Co.'s Bank; Mr. L. S. Shafer's planing-mill; Mr. J. Hil terbrand's carriage factory; Mr. Martin Fest's boot and shoe factory; Messrs. Reuss& Diet- er's clothing store; Mr. P. Marlin's flour and feed store; Mr. M. Brown's store; Messrs. Ditzler & Hosier's store; Messrs. Dunlap & Co.'s grocery; Mr. R. H. Wagner's saddlery establishment; Mr. W. S. Latshaw's grocery; Mr. John Pfister's hardware store; Dr. H. C. Daniels' paint, oil and drug store; Mr. P. Strubler's grocery store; Messrs. Ehrhardt & Bros.' boot and shoe store ; Mr. George Strubler's livery stable; Mrs. Lindeman's toy store; Mr. L. G. Kent's grocery; Mr. P. Schmelzer's bakery; Mr. M. B. Powell's drugs store; Messrs. J. Ehrhardt & Co.'s boot and shoe store; Mr. C. Schultz's cigar store; Mr. A. Scott's grocery; Mr. M. Hemmer's furni- ture store; Mr. B. J. Slicks' grocery; Mr. H. L. Peasley's dry goods store; Messrs. W. H. Hillegar & Co.'s hai'dware store; and Mr. C. H. Finley's photograph gallery; Mr. C. Ken- dig's dental rooms and photograph gallery; Mr. Jacob Saylor's lumberyard; Messrs. Hart- runf & Son's lumberyard; Mr. C. Boettger's meat market; Mr. D. Garst's meat market; Thomas Saylor's ice cream and confectionery store. Also shoemakers as follows: J. Con- grave, Compte, G. Friess, G. Fosha, J. Fehlman, Mr. Knetzger, J. Stubeurauch and Jacob Zimmerman; Mr. Obermayer's cigar factory; Mr. F. Strahecker's blacksmith shop; Mr.W. Lent's blacksmith shop; Messrs. Strausz & Getsch, proprietors of the plow factory; Messrs. Bauer Bros., blacksmith shop, and Mr. A. Hartrunf's blacksmith shop ; Mr. J. J. Hunt's hardware store; Alfred Shafer's car- penter shop; Mat Stevens' carpenter shop; R. Swarz's blacksmith shop; John Herbert's harness shop; Walter Good's paint shop; Francis Saylor's carriage factory; Mr. Arm- bruster's and Mr. Mueller's wagon shops; Fred Miller's taxidermist and painting estab- lishment; Mr. Brussel's livery stable; Fred Kaylor's clothing store ; Sir. Schloessler's cigar factory; and Mr. Michael Hines' shoe shop. NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE. The Northwestern College, under the aus- pices and patronage of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, is located at Naperville. The college 220 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. building is an elegant, substantial and com- modious structure of stone, containing spa- cious recitation rooms, a large chapel, society halls, reading room, laboratory, and other rooms for special college purposes. The sit- uation of the building and grounds is in the finest part of the village, on a moderate eleva- tion, affording a commanding view of the rich and beautiful country all around to a distance of many miles. The college was instituted at Plainfield, Will Co., 111., in the fall of 1861. Prior to this time, there had been no college institu- tion under the support and patronage of the Evangelical Association. With the exception of several seminaries in the east, no higher schools of learning had been sustained by the denomination. Indeed, it may be said that the organization of Northwestern College is the mark of a new departure iu the history of the enterprises of this young and growing church. It had long been verified that de- nominational schools inured greatly to the benefit of the churches which they represent- ed. Leading men, ministers and laymen, believing that the means to support and ma- terial to furnish a college were in the pos- session of the church, strongly advocated the establishment oE such an institution. The Illiuois and Wisconsin Conferences of the church were the leaders in this movement. Accordingly, a deputation of citizens of Plain- field was sent to the sessions of the confer- ences in the spring of 1851, with overtures for the location of the school in that village. An agreement was effected. There was at this time a township high school building in process of erection at Plainfield. This was conveyed to the Trustees of the college, and in the fall, when the building was completed, the school was opened under the name of Plainfield Col- lege. Notwithstanding the fact that the college opened its doors to the public during the dark and lowering days of the first years of the war of the rebellion, when public thought and interest was intent upon the question of the safety of the greater institution — our united country; when thousands of young men, the flower of the land, went forth to the tented camp and the battle-field — notwith standing these discouraging circumstances, the institution had an auspicious beginning. At the end of the first year, the Indiana and Iowa Conferences added their support to the undertaking. There was a fair attendance of students during the first year, with an in- crease from abroad from term to term. The institution received its regular collegiate chater in 1865. With the growth of the number of regular college classes, the num ber of instructors was increased. The first class of graduates went out in 1866, since which time the college has annually sent out from her halls a greater or less number of graduates into the active arena of practical life. In 1864, the name of the institution was changed to Northwestern College. While public interest in the school was widening and manifesting itself in an increase of pat- ronage from a distance, it soon became ap- parent that certain circumstances essential to the permanent growth of the college had not been practically anticipated when PI ainfield was chosen for its location. The building soon proved insufficient for the purposes of the school. Moreover, the fact that Plain- field was " off the road, " eight miles distant from the nearest railroad station, was found to be increasingly prejudicial as the stage coach as a traveling conveyance became more and more unpopular. This naturally led to the agitation of the question of removal to some location more easily accessible. While the citizens of Plainfield, as might be ex- NAPEIIVILLE TOWNSHIP. 221 pec ted, strenuously opposed the proposition, facte and circumstances seemed, from year to year, to strengthen the warrant to adopt such a measure. Various places held out induce- ments to the Trustees to be chosen as a new location. Among these, Naperville, awake to the fact that Northwestern College would prove a valuable acquisition, proposed to give $25,000 toward the erection of the buildings, provided that town were chosen. In the spring of 1870, nine years after the college was opened at Plainfield, after a long and animated debate, first on the question of making the ohange, and second as to the pref- erence between proposed places, the Board of Trustees decided on a removal to Naperville. The fall term of 1870 was opened in the new building. The citizens of Naperville manifested a fair appreciation of their newly acquired privileges. The facilities of the school were, in many particulars, consider- ably enlarged, and Northwestern College en- tered upon a new career of growth and pros- perity. The history of its development will best aj>pear in the following reference to its various interests. Endowment. — From the opening of the school, scholarships of various prices and of different periods of validity were sold, with a view to the establishment of an endowment fund. By the addition of direct donations, this fund increased from year to year with varying degrees of rapidity, so that at the present time (1882), it has reached the sum of $90,000. Faculty. — When the school was opened, the faculty consisted of five teachers, viz., Profs. J. E. Khodes, John E. Miller, S. W. Marston, Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller and Miss C. M. Harlacher. Rev. A. A. Smith, A. M., was elected President of the college in 3S61, but did not assume the position until the fall of 1862. At the same time, H. C. Smith, A. M., was appointed Professor of Music. In 1863, Rev. F. W. Heidner, A. M., was elected to the Professorship of the German Language and Literature. In 1864, upon the resignation of Prof. J. E. Miller, Rev. John H. Leas, A. M., was made Profes- sor of Ancient Languages. In 1868, upon the resignation of Prof. J. E. Rhodes, H. EL Rassweiler, A. M. , was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science. In 1869, Prof. J. H. Leas having resigned, H. C. Smith, A. M. , was made Professor of An- cient Languages and Literature, and was suc- ceeded in the Department ot Instraniental Music by Miss Emma M. Corbin. Upon the removal of the college to Naperville in 1870, the faculty was materially increased by the appointment of Rev. A. Huelster, A. M., as Professor of Greek (Prof. Smith remaining in charge of the Latin); C. F. Rassweiler, A. M., as Tutor; Miss Nancy J. Cunningham as Preceptress and Teacher of Drawing; Rev. J. G. Cross, A. M., Principal of Commercial Department; and Miss Minnie P. Cody as Teacher of Instrumental Music. In 1871, J. L. Rockey was added as assistant teacher in the Commercial Department. In 1875, C. F. Rassweiler was promoted as Adjunct Pro- fessor of Mathematics. In 1876, G. W. Sind- linger, A. M., was appointed Assistant Teacher of Greek, and, three years later, he succeeded Prof. A. Huelster as Professor of that department. In 1878, Miss Cunning- ham resigned as Preceptress, and was suc- ceeded by Miss Lizzie E. Baker, who served one year, after which Mrs. N. J. Knicker- backer, nee Cunningham, was re-appointed Preceptress and Professor of History and English Literature. In 1879, Prof. Cross, of the Commercial Department, was succeed- ed by F. W. Streets. In 1881, the Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science resigned the first-named department, and C. F. Rass- 222 HISTORY OF J)U PAGE COUNTY. weiler was made Professor of Mathematics. In 1877, Miss Minnie P. Cody was succeeded by Miss Rose M. Cody as Teacher of Instru- mental Music, and in 1878, Prof. H. C. Smith was placed in charge of this department. At the present date, the faculty of North- western College is constituted as follows: Rev. A. A. Smith, A. M., President, Pro- fessor of Mental and Moral Science. Rev. F. W. Heidner, A. M., B. D., Profes- sor of the German Language and Literature. H. C. Smith, A. M., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature. H. H. Rassweiler, A. M., Professor of Nat- ural Science. C. F. Rassweiler. A. M., Professor of Math- ematics. G. W. Sindlinger, A. M., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature. Mrs. N. J. Knickerbacker, Preceptress, Professor of History and English Literature. H. F. Kletzing, A. M.. Assistant Teacher of Mathematics. J. L. Nichols, A. M., Teacher of Commer- cial Studies and Penmanship. H. C. Smith, Professor of Music. Mrs. Jennie E. Nauman, Assistant Teacher of Piano and Organ. Miss Sadie Schutt, Teacher of Painting and Drawing. Students. — The attendance of students from (he beginning has been encouraging. Notwithstanding the fact that, during the history of the institution to this time, the country has passed through at least two seri- ous financial crises, and while others more local and temporary circumstances have affected the attendance of students at the higher schools generally, the annual enroll- ment at Northwestern College has not been remarkably fluctuating. The attendance during the last collegiate year (1881-82) was about three hundred. Graduates.- — The graduates of the college, now precisely 100 in number, are distributed over the whole country. These, with the hundreds who did not fully complete a course of study, represent most of the professional and industrial pursuits of life. As a class, they are successful men and women, who, by their integrity and industry, are reciprocat- ing the honor bestowed on them by their Alma Mater. Departments and Courses of Study. — Be- sides the regular collegiate or literary de- partment, the college maintains a commercial, a German, a music and an art department. To meet all demands in different lines of study, there are nine courses of study pro- vided, viz., classical, Latin scientific, Greek scientific, English scientific, pure German, English German, commercial, music and art. Patronage. — At first the patronage of the college was limited to the territory of the Illinois and Wisconsin Conferences. Now the Illinois, Wiscoasin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Canada, South Indiana, Des Moines and Kansas — eleven conferences, are pledged to its support, and are represented in the Board of Trustees. In the attendance of students, all these territorial divisions, be sides other States, are annually represented Auxiliary Features. — As indicating the general activity and practical spirit which pervades the institution, mention may be made of various organizations maintained un- der the auspices of the faculty, but conducted chiefly by the students. Among these are four literary societies, for practice in public speaking, debate and general parliamentary procedure; a scientific association, for the maintenance of a lively interest in the pur- suit, of scientific knowledge, building up the college museum and providing occasional lectures; two religious societies, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Young NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP 323 Ladies' Christian Association, holding regu- lar meetings for conference and prayer, fur- nishing a reading room, and exerting a salu- tary religious influence over the whole school. Union Biblical Institute. — In the year 1875, a theological school, under the name of Union Biblical Institute, was opened in connection with the college. Rev. R. Yeakel, formerly one of the Bishops of the church, is Princi- pal. This school provides a course of study suitable for those who contemplate entering the profession of the Christian ministry. Church. — In 1870, a new congregation or society, consisting of teachers, students and citizens, was organized. Their Sabbath serv- ices and Sabbath school have, from the begin- ning, been held in the chapel of the college. The Sabbath school of this congregation is one of the largest and most interesting in the whole denomination. The pastor is appoint- ed annually by the Illinois Conference. The pastors up to this time have been Rev. E. E. Condo, Rev. W. W. Shuler, Rev. H. Messner, Rev. W. H. Bucks and Rev. C. Schmucker. Object and Outlook. — The object of the col- lege is to provide for the young men and women who are intrusted to its care and in- struction the advantages of a thorough, lib- eral education, under such moral and relig- ious influences as to associate in its culture a high degree of mental and moral develop- ment, and the inculcation of such principles and habits of thought as will best fit the student not only for extensive usefulness in life, but to meet successfully life's inevitable vicissitudes, whether of prosperity or adversity. The prospects for the future of the institution are bright. With an increasing sentiment in its favor among the people of the church under whose immediate patronage it exists, and a growing appreciation on the part of the gen- eral public, Northwestern College is destined to take a prominent place among the educa- tional institutions of the West. — H. H Rass- WEILER. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This, with one exception, is the oldest Congregational Church organized in the State. The first organization of this character was the church at Mendon, formed in February, 1833, and, on the 13th day of July follow- ing, ' ' By a request of a number of persons at Du Page to be organized into a Church of Christ, the Rev. Jonathan Porter and Rev. N. C. Clark, missionaries for this county, and Rev. C. W. Babbitt, of Tazewell County, met, and, after prayer and some appropriate re- marks, proceeded to examine the credentials of applicants." So reads the old record of the first Congregational Church, but one, in Illinois. On this examination, the following mem- bers were received: Israel P. Blodgett, Avice Blodgett, Robert Strong. Caroline W. Strong, Constant Abbott, Isaac Clark, Clarissa A. Clark, Leister Peet, Henry H. Goodrich, Eliza S. Goodrich, Samuel Goodrich, Lydia Goodrich, Pomeroy Goodrich, Lucy M. Good- rich. With these sixteen persons as members, the organization was completed, and Isaac Clark, Pomeroy Goodrich and Leister Peet were chosen the Elders of the church. The form of organization was at first Presbyterian, but soon after, it was, by a unanimous vote, changed to the Congregational, and the title of Deacon substituted for that of Elder. The record of the acts of these Christian pioneers is exceedingly interesting. Their earliest recorded resolutions provide for the thorough distribution of tracts; the visitation by the pastor and some member of the church of all accessible families; and the imperative necessity of attending all the stated meetings of the church. It being declared the duty of the Moderator to note all absentees and call 224 HISTOKY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. for satisfactory explanation at the first meet- ing which they attended after the delin- quency. These resolutions well exhibit the deter- mined spirit of loyalty to their principles which distinguished these early Christians, who thus "builded better than they knew." The spark they lighted has become a flame, burning brightly to-day upon the altar they erected so many years ago. They built the first steeple upon these prairies, and, from year to year, have Dot only increased their membership, but have sent out to many later organizations members who have carried the same spirit. It may well be styled the parent church of this whole region. Rev. N. C Clark, one of the organizers, was the first pastor. The meetings were for some time held in his house, and afterward, sometimes in the " schoolhouse near Samuel Goodrich's," in tbe "schoolhouse in Naperville," and in the houses or barns of different members. The first money raised for the support of the Gospel is spoken of in the minutes of a meeting held early in 1834, when it was voted to raise $100 for that purpose. At this time, and for some years afterward, the church was materially aided by the American Home Mis- sionary Society. Mr. Clark served as pastor until July, 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. Strong, who remained about a year. After his de- parture, Rev. Jeremiah Porter was regularly installed as pastor, and served in that capac- ity until July, 1840. On November 5, 1841, at a church meeting, it was resolved "that the church deem it ex- pedient and proper to revive the ancient cus- tom of annual thanksgivings; and that we will observe a day of thanksgiving and praise during the present autumn, which is here- after to be appointed." No record is made of services held, but in the following year, 1842, on December 2, it was resolved " that, as a church, we observe Thursday, the 8th of De- cember inst., as a day of thanksgiving, and this community be invited to unite with us in the public exercises of the day. This was probably the first public celebration of this custom in the county. From 1840 to 1845, Rev. O. Lyman, Rev J. H. Prentiss and Rev. E. W. Champlaiu successively served as pastors. Rev. J. H. Prentiss, was installed on the 12th of July, 1842. On January 28, 1843, it was resolved " That the style of this church hereafter be ' The First Congregational Church of Naper- ville,' " and later, in 1845, amongst some changes made with a view of according more fully with the statute in regard to church or- ganization, the name of the society was de- clared to be "The First Congregational Church and Society of Naperville," by which name it is known to-day. In September, Josiah Strong, John J. Fra- zier, Pomeroy Goodrich, George Blackman and Hiram Branch were elected Trustees. As early as 1838, a resolution was adopted to build a house of worship, and a committee appointed to select a location. Naperville was chosen as the place to build the church, and the building used by the society at pres ent was erected in 1846, and, on the 27th day of January, 1S47, dedicated to the worship and service of Almighty God. The land was donated by Capt. Morris Sleight, en condi- tion that no part of it ever be used as a bury- ing-ground, and that upon the contemplated house of worship a cupola for a bell be erected. For eleven years the pulpit was filled by Rev. Hope Brown, who was installed Novem- ber 11, 1845, and resigned his pastorate in October, 1856. Since that time, the following ministers have successively served the people as pastors : NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 227 Rev. E. Barber, 1856-59; Rev. C. P. Felch. 1859-64; Rev. E. I. Alden, 1864-66; Rev. J. C. Beekman, 1866-68; Rev. J. W. Cunning- ham. 1868-74; Rev. C. F. Reed, 1874-76; Rev. J. W. Hartshorn, 1876-78 ; and the Rev. J. H. Dixon, from 1879, and who is still, at the present date, pastor. From the beginning of the organization to the present time, the society has had, alto- gether, 346 members. The present actual membership of the church is ninety-nine members. The present Deacons of the church are Pomeroy Goodrich, one of the original six- teen members; E. R. Loomis, H. W. Knick- erbacker and C. H. Goodrich. There has been a Sabbath school connected with the church from a very early day. The present Superintendent, H. H. Cody, has filled that position for twenty-two years, having first been elected April 7, 1860. The Sabbath school services are held directly after the Sab- bath morning services, and are attended by about one hundred persons. The school is supplied with a fine library, comprising sev- eral hundred volumes. Mr. Eli Ditzler, the Librarian, has served in that capacity for about ten years. There are held two regular Sabbath services, and, during the week, two prayer meetings — the young people's meeting on Tuesday evening, and the regular church meeting on Wednesday evening. For fifty years, this beacon light has shed its rays over this people. Its power has been felt not alone within the limits of Du Page County. There are churches in Western States that owe much to its early influences. In North- ern Dakota, in Southern Texas, in Western wilds and in Eastern cities, are influences working which can be traced directly to this church. Yes, farther than this have its teachings been carried, for in far-off Japan the " old, old story " has been told to many an eager listener by one who grew up within the shadow of its walls, and sat, Sabbath after Sabbath, in its pews, drinking in the blessed truths which she has since carried across the waters to the joy and salvation of many precious souls. No one can estimate the extent of the work which has been done, but the results which can be plainly seen are enough to encourage its present supporters to put forth the most earnest efforts in the future. — A. B. Cody. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Episcopalians in this village have a very beautiful house for public worship, which has attracted the attention of the brethren of surrounding parishes as being a model in beauty and style. They likewise have a rectory on an adjoining lot, built in a style correspondiug with the church. The lots on which these buildings stand are or- namented with shrubs and trees, imparting to the exterior a pleasing effect, to which the interior of the church, in style, completeness and furniture, fully corresponds. Every organized church t>r society has a history, but every one has not instituted con- tinued and preserved records from which the historian can write it. Not so with this church. Its rectors aud officers have, from time to time, furnished material from which the following sketch is taken. The first serv- ice of the Episcopal Church held in this vil- lage was by the Rev. Andrew H. Cornish, missionary of Joliette, November 16, 1838. In the years 1839, 1840 and 1841, Mr. Cor- nish officiated at irregular intervals. The Right Rev. Philander Chase, D. D., first Bishop of Illinois, made his first visitation and officiated in public service May 27, 1839. Previous to this and for several subsequent years, there being no organization sufficient to hold church people together, they sought 228 HISTORY OF i)U PAGE COUNTY. fellowship and worshiped with those de- nominations having houses of worship till June 4, 1850, when a parochial association was organized by some thirty persons asso- ciating themselves together by the name and title of the Parish of St. John's Church, Na- perville. In accordance with the purpose of this association, July 22, 1850, a parish or- ganization was accomplished. At this meet- ing, the Rev. Daniel Brown, rector of St. John's Church, Lockport, in this diocese, presided, and Mr. James D. Wright was chosen Secretary. Messrs. S. P. Sherwood and Charles Earl were elected Wardens, and Messrs. James F. Wight, Charles J. Sellen and Delcar Sleight, chosen Vestrymen. This organization may be considered a kind of starting point, though it effected very little in the establishment of a living church; it acted as an incentive to more frequent serv- ices than would have been held had it not been made. Meantime, worship was still held with other denominations up to the year 1858, except occasionally, when some neigh- boring rector or the Bishop of the diocese visited this place and held service. In the year 1858, some church ladies of this village feeling deeply the deprivation of the mode of worship to which they had been accustomed in their beloved church, visited Aurora and solicited Rev. V. Spalding, officiat- ing rector there, to give the friends of the church in this village service at stated times. Mr. Spalding consented, and continued to do so until he left Aurora, and here it should not be omitted that the ladies in this church, from its first organization, have been most zealous and efficient workers. Without their aid, the church and rectory could not have been built, at least so soon, and the church could not have prospered at it has. For this reason, one of the rectors who has had charge of this parish, remarked that the church ought to have been named St. Mary's Church, instead of St. John's Church, of Naperville. During the year 1858, the Rev. T. N. Mor- rison, of Aurora, officiated occasionally. During the years 1861 and 1862, Rev. Messrs. Wilkinson and Gilbert, of Joliet, were en- gaged to hold service at stated times. The Rev. S. T. Allen, of Aurora, held serv ice once every Sunday, from 1861 to 1865, in houses of worship belonging to other denomi- nations or in Mr. Sleight's hall. Mr. Allen may be said to be the first rector of St. John's Church, of Naperville, and during his rectorship the church had prospered to such an extent as to be troublesome to those de- nominations which had generously granted to churchmen the privilege of holding service in the churches belonging to the denominations, consequently they began to estimate the cost of building a church of their own. In 1864, Mr. Sleight presented to the church the lot for the church building, and, June 1, of the same year, the corner-stone was laid by the Right Rev. H. J. Whitehouse, Bishop of the diocese of Illinois. January 1, 1865, the church was open for the first service, the Rev. Mr. Allen officiat- ing, and, April 24, of the same year, the church was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Whitehouse, assisted by the Revs. S. J. Allen, Clinton Lock, of Chicago, and C. A. Gilbert, of Joliet. Mr. Allen closed his labor here by resignation. He was highly esteemed and beloved by the members of the parish, and zealously aided and encouraged them in the building of the church, and he possessed the business talent necessary to insure suc- cess. ' The consecration service was the last service in which he participated in this vil- lage, and the members of the parish parted with him with sincere regret. June 14, 1865, an invitation was extended to the Rev. J. H. Knowles to take charge of NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 229 the parish, which he accepted. Under his charge, the church continued to prosper. April 17, 1867, Mrs. D. Sleight presented to the church a deed of the lot adjoining, on which to erect a rectory. June 23, Mr. Knowles tendered his resignation, which was accepted with regret. November 17, 1867, Eev. J. T. Chambers received a call to the rectorship, which he accepted, and held his first service on the twenty-second Sunday after Trinity. During his rectorship, the rectory was built, and oc- cupied by the rector August 29. 1870. May 31, 1872, Mr. Chambers resigned. He was a hard worker in the vineyard and a good man. August 14, Rev. James Cornell was called to the roctorship. and served as rector one year and seven months, when he resigned. Mr. Cornell was succeeded by the Rev. Wal- ter F. Lloyd, who commenced his duties as rector May 3, 1874, and resigned May 20, 1875. July 1, 1876, Rev. William Allen Fisk, having accepted of a call, entered upon his duties as rector, it being the third Sunday after Trinity. During his rectorship, the church was enlarged so as to nearly double its seating capacity. Work was commenced on the enlargement of the church in June, 1878. It was finished and re-opened with solemn service by the Bishop of the diocese, on the 26th of November, 1878. Mr. Fisk resigned on the 1st of November, 1880, and was succeeded by the present rector, Kov. Martin V. Averill, who accepted of a call and officiated the first time July 31, 1881. The church is out of debt, and the present rector is highly esteemed by his parishion- ers. No history of this church would do justice which did not speak of Miss Alethea Gibbs, who may properly be called the Patron Saint of St. John's Church of Naperville. She not only contributed largely toward building the church, and when the building and its sum >undings were complete, paid the last few hundred dollars yet due, and, through her generosity, the church was out of debt. This made the amount paid into the building fund by Miss Gibbs, $868. Miss Gibbs had frequently expressed a desire to live to see a church of her own faith built in Naperville. She watched the progress of the building to- ward completion with great interest, and finally enjoyed the satisfaction of witnessing the consecration of the church by her be- loved and now departed Bishop. Soon after, this Miss Gibbs was called to her final rest. The number of baptisms in the church rec- ord is 150; confirmations, 7S; present com- municants, 92; burials, 46; marriages, 19. The cost of the rectory as first built was $3,000; the cost of the addition, $2,200; the cost of the rectory, $2,500. — Selinus M. Skin- ner. temperance work. The loss of records and the death or re- moval from the place of those engaged in the early temperance work in Naperville make it impossible to give more than a very general outline of that work. The first temperance organization, so far as we have been able to learn, was known as "The Sons of Temperance." It was formed some time during the fall of 1850. For sev- eral years it prospered greatly. At one time it numbered over three hundred members, and included among the number every promi- nent business and professional man of the town. The Daughters of Temperance also had a lodge, organized about the same time, and published for some time a weekly paper de- voted to the interests of the order. Who the first officers of these two organizations were, how long they flourished, how lasting 230 HISTORY OF PU PAGE COUNTY. the effects of their labors, and what was the cause of their decay, we have been unable to discover. The Good Templars were the next to take up the work in the temperance cause. The lodge was first organized some time during the war of the rebellion, the exact date we have been unable to leara. Their lodge has been in existence for nearly twenty years, and has had a checkered experience; seasons of great prosperity have been followed by long periods of rest, during which its life seemed extinct, but after a time it would re- vive and again prosper. March 31, 1873, this lodge suspended, and no meetings were again held until March 1, 1878, when J. Q. Detwile re-organized it, with C. Kendig, Fred Long, David- Frost, W. M. Hillegas, George Porter. J. K. Lutz and several others as char- ter members. Regular weekly meetings were held by the lodge from this re-organization until recently, when, owing to lack of inter- est, it suspended active work, and is now en- joying a season of rest. Dr. Ross, a lecturer of some repute, delivered a series of lectures on temperance during the winter of 1872-73, and organized what was then called a Tem- perance Alliance. The work of this organi- zation consisted in securing signers to its pledge by personal solicitation. Its exist- ence, however, did not exceed two years, and the effect of its work is not now apparent. The Blue Ribbon Club was one of the strongest organizations ever formed in Na- perville. About the 1st of December, 1878, Liberty Jones, a disciple of Francis Murphy, commenced to labor in Naperville. His efforts, however, were but poorly repaid for some time. He finally succeeded, however, in interesting in his work Hiram S. Cody, a talented young lawyer of Naperville, and the two together succeeded in organizing a club, about January 1, 1879. Mr Cody was its first President, and continued to hold the office until his death. March 3, 1879. Mr. S. W. Smith was elected to succeed him, and held the office until March 9, 1880, when he re- tired in favor of D. B. Givler. June 26, 1880, the club adjourned for the summer, and, notwithstanding some well-directed ef- forts at resuscitation, it has never been re- vived. The club held weekly meetings for more than two years, and at one time had 710 members. The effects of its work have been lasting. September 13, 1881, the Na- perville Temperance Alliance was organized, Prof. H. H. Rassweiler being its first Presi- dent, and A. B. Cody, its Secretary. The object of the Alliance was to combine for united action all other temperance bodies of the place. It has a woman's section, a chil- dren's sections and a voter's section, and is to be a branch of a county organization of the same general plan, which in turn is to be an auxilliary of a State association. The Alliance has held monthly meetings since its organization, and, at the municipal elec- tion, in May, 1882, secured sixty-nine votes for its ticket, which was run on a prohibition platform. — H. H. Goodrich. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. As early as 1835, a Methodist Circuit, where stated preaching was held as often as once a month at appointed places, was formed, including the whole of Du Page County as now located. Rev. Wilder B. Mark was Pre- siding Elder. The next year. Rev. John Clark succeeded him. Preaching was now sustained at Naperville, at intervals of two weeks, till 1817, where a church was built on land donated to the society by Morris Sleight. Rev. O. Lyman was first pastor, who was suc- ceeded by Rev. Hope Brown, who remained with them till 1856, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. Barber. In 1857, the church membership was sixty-two. NAPEHVILLE TOWNSHIP. 231 BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1843, there being a few Baptists at this place, Rev. Morgan Edwards made an effort to organize a church of that faith, which was crowned with success. A society was formed, and, though their numbers were small, they began to build a house for worship on some lots of ground of which they had not yet ob- tained a deed. But before they had proceed- ed far in their work, a personal difficulty arose between the owner of the lots and one of the members of the new church to be erected on them, and he refused to give the expected deed. Meanwhile, the foundation had been partly laid, and the work in a good state of progress. The builders now proposed to remove their materials already on the ground to another locality, but the captious lot owner forbade. This eccentric conduct on his part de- manded prompt action on the part of the so- ciety, and they, with the assistance of some worthy citizens who made common cause with them (despite threats of violence), trans- planted the foundation stone and other ma- terials on the ground to a lot which Lewis Ellsworth donated to the society, and here the church was erected and nearly finished the next year. The Congregational society occupied it on each alternate Sabbath for a few months, Rev. R. B. Ashley, their first pastor, preaching on the day unoccupied by the Congregationalists. He was their pastor till 1846, and during his term the church in- creased in numbers from nine members at its commencement to thirty-six. Rev. Allen Glos became their uext pastor, remaining with them till July, 1848, at the expiratiun of whose term the church numbered fifty six members. Rev. S. Tucker, D. D.. succeeding him. held the charge till October, 1855, when he left the church, which now numbered ninety six members. Rev. Ira E. Kenney was the next pastor, whose term lasted but eight months. The church was now in the zenith of her prosperity. Their Sabbath school numbered about fifty scholars. They had enlarged and beautified their church, and ornamented it with a belfry, in which a bell was hung — the first that ever tolled the tid- ings of the Gospel in "these valleys and hills." The doctrines of Spiritualism now subtly crept into the church. Some members with- drew, and held spiritual services elsewhere; others dropped out silently as a flake of snow falls from heaven. But still the main body of the society held on and carried the burden, with exemplary resolution, till all but a very few had "stood from under." Rev. George B. Simenson and Rev. E. W. Hicks were the two last regular pastors, both of whom were estimable men. but causes beyond their control had contributed to reduce the church in numbers. Students and temporary supplies have preached to their congregation from time to time since, till the winter of L879, since which time the bell has hung in silence on its pivots, and the path to the church door has been overgrown with green grasses. GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. This is one of the largest and oldest con- gregations of the Evangelical association in the State of Illinois. The first two families of this society emigrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and settled in Naperville in the year 1836. They were those of Conrad Gross, the father of Daniel Gross, a promi- i nent resident of Naperville now. and Jacob Schnaebli, of whose family there are also representatives living in this county. In l s :!7. another group of four families, those of Martin Escher, the father of George Esch- ' er, John Rehm, who is still living in Naper- ville, Adam Knopp and George Strubler, 232 HISTORY OF DU PAOE COUNTY. whose sons are now leading citizens of Na- perville and vicinity, followed, when the first class was organized, by the Rev. Jacob Boos. The meetings were held in the houses of Con- rad Gross and John Rehm. In connection with this, there was another class organized at Desplaines, in Cook County, which consti- tuted the first two Evangelical preaching places in the State of Illinois. In 1838, sev- eral other families arrived from Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Jacob Boos was succeeded by Rev. Einsel, who organized a class in Chicago and preached in German in the City Hotel, where the present Sherman House stands. In Naperville ser /ices were still held in private houses and partly in the schoolhouse, on Scott's Hill. In 1839, the Revs. Stroh and Lintner were in charge of the now con- siderably increased congregation, who resid- ed in Naperville and in the surrounding country, on their farms, which studded the most beautiful prairies in Northern Illinois. The meetings were still held in private houses and in the above-named schoolhouse. In 1840, four more families arrived — Schroei- gert, Yonngheim. Bishop and Garlach. Up to this time, all the families were European Germans, except the last three named, who were Pennsylvanians. This accession added materially to the strength of the society, so that th<> private houses and schoolhouse be- came too small to accommodate the attendants at the public services. This induced the Revs. Holfert and Kern to commence the erection of the small frame church in the western part of Naperville (now occivpied by the German Lutheran congregation of this place) in 1840. This comfortable meeting- house, as it was then regarded, was completed in 1841. to the great joy of the earnest and devoted membership. The Presiding Elder, Father Zinser, who recently died at an ad- vanced ago, added much to the prosperity of this and other societies that had now been or- ganized. In 1844, there was a remarkably large in- crease of this society of Pennsylvania Ger- mans from Pennsylvania. On the 1st of May, there arrived fourteen families, among whom were those of David Brown, father of Martin Brown, now a prominent merchant and es- teemed citizen of Naperville, of Adam Hart- man, Joseph Bessler and Benjamin Frahlick. Two weeks after, sixteen additional families arrived, among whom were those of Sam Rickert, Sam Tobias and Benjamin Hassler and thirteen others, all of whom settled in and near Naperville. The little frame church now becoming too small, was enlarged by an addition, in 1845, so as to accommodate the faithful worshipers. During the next thirteen years, many other families followed their friends to the " beauti- ful West" from Pennsylvania and Germany, and the society increased numerically to such an extent that even the enlarged frame church became again too small; hence, the energetic Rev. C. Augenstein and the zealous and elo- quent Presiding Elder, Sam Baumgaertner, induced the now numerous and prosperous congregation to build the present substantial and commodious brick church, at a cost of about $6,000. During the winter of 1858-59, while the meetings were yet held in the incompleted new church, the society enjoyed a glorious revival, under the labors of Rev. Sam Dick- over, assisted by Rev. G. Kleinknecht, when many were converted and added to the church, who are still useful members of the same. From that time to the present, the society has enjoyed several marked revivals, as under the ministry of the Revs. William Goessele and Henry Rohland. In the year 1870. by the removal of the NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 233 Northwestern College to Naperville, the so- ciety gained several families from the Ger- man members of the college faculty and valu- able working force in the students and teach- ers, especially in the Sabbath school, so that the latter had for several years about four hundred members. With the opening of the college, in the fall of 1850, an English con- gregation was organized in the college chapel, which has drawn largely on the mem- bership of the parent society. But while the members of the mother church have been somewhat diminished in numbers, the daugh- ter has remarkably prospered, so that her membership, up to date (1882), is about two hundred. During the revival under the Rev. H. Roh- land, in 1877, the membership rose to over four hundred, but through the death of aged members, removals, and through the division of the Sabbath schools and the passing over to the English congregation of those who prefer to worship in English, the membership of the German and parent church has been somewhat diminished, while, however, in reality, the Evangelical Church membership in Naperville, as a whole, has gained materi- ally, numbering in all about 550. The German congregation to which this sketch is dovotedisin a prosperous condition, and is at present under the faithful pastorate of the Rev. J. G. Kleinknecht; but it has in its ranks a large number of veterans of the or< es. A few years more will remove most of them from the church militant to the church triumphant, but those who will pass away and those that remain have the pleasure to know that their church, as one of the old- est and largest, has. for many years, been a blessing to a large portion of the inhabitants of Du Page County by preaching and prac- ticing the true religion of Jesus Christ. — F. W. Weidner. NAPERVILLE PRESS. The newspapers of Naperville have been published under circumstances adverse to success. The earlier inhabitants of the vil- lage and immediate vicinity, being largely composed of Germans, were not interested in the success of an English paper for the rea- son that they could read it with difficulty and understood less than they could read. Their denominational paper was the source from which they gleaned all the news they desired to hear pertaining to this world or that to come. The pioneer custom of exchanging commodities of various kinds was practical to an extent that took in the local newspaper, so that one copy would go the rounds of an en- tire school district, doing a great deal of good to all readers, but impoverishing the pub- lisher. Notwithstanding this custom has be- come nearly obsolete, cases occur even in this advanced day of civilization, independence and prosperity. Then, again, being so near the city of Chicago, the newspapers of Na- perville, as well as those of other suburban towns, have been compelled to eke out an existence in the shadow of the metropolitan press, circumscribing their patronage, belit- tleing their importance and reducing their source of revenue to a very limited circle. The failures of earlier years may have been partially the result of a lack of business tact on the part of publishers, but undoubteblv the foregoing were the chief causes that re- sulted in so many wrecks. In December, 1849, Charles J. Sellen is sued the first paper published in Naperville, or in the county, called the Du Paqe County Recorder, and for nine months it had a flour- ishing existence. The name was then changed to the Dm hoc ratio Plaindealer, and, in connection therewith, a small weekly sheet, called the Daughter af Temperance, both of which soon followed in the wake of their 234 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. predecessors, and were numbered with things past. The printing material, however, remained in the village, and, in January, 1851, the Du Page County Observer appeared under the management of Barnes, Humphrey & Keith. But, notwithstanding the paper met the de- mand of that early day, the former failures had so weakened the confidence of the people in the enterprise that the subscription list never grew to paying proportions. In April, 1852, Mr. Gershom Matin purchased Mr. Humphrey's interest in the paper, and con- tinued it two years longer, in connection with Barnes & Keith, when it, too, perma- nently suspended publication. "With increased facilities, the Du Page County Journal was started, in the fall of 1854, by Mr. Charles W. Keith, and was a marked improvement on all that had gone before. It changed hands rapidly, however, from C. W. Keith to Keith, Edson & Co., from that firm to J. M Edson, and then to E. M. Day, under whose proprietorship the Journal office, press, paper, type, materials, furniture and all appurtenances and heredita- ments thereunto belonging were swept down the Du Page River by the freshet of Febru- ary, 1857. Portions of the wood type, cases and wooden furniture were carried scores of miles on the cakes of ice and picked up by astonished citizens who went to see the river on a rampage. It was decidedly the most disastrous "pi" that ever occurred in any printing office in Du Page County. The News Letter, published by E. H. Eyer, came into existence shortly after the Journal ceased to appear, but it, too, was destined to failure after a prief career. Next in order came the Sentinel, published by D. B. Birdsall. Its existence terminated some time during the year 18G2, and was succeeded, in August, 1863, by the Press, under the management of R. K. Potter, Jr., who, in February, 1808, sold the outfit to D. B. Givler. Mr. Givler, shortly after taking charge of the paper, changed its name from the Du Page County Press to the Naperville Clarion, so that the town in which it was established would be represented in the title. In the course of time the old type was exchanged for new; the hand-press gave way to the cyl- inder; improved jobbers were purchased, and the entire apparatus of the original office supplanted by new and improved material, so that now it is safe to say there are few su- perior printing offices in any suburban town in this State. The Clarion is in every way worthy of liberal support, the length of time it has been successfully published being an assurance of its permanency and a fixed in- stitution of the town. — D. B. Givleb. NAPEBVILLE SCHOOLS. The first school ever taught here was in the autumn of 1831, Leister Peet being teach- er, and probably every child in the settle- ment, which then comprised also the Scoit settlement at the fork, were the pupils — twenty-two in number, full details of which have already been given in preceding pages. The Sauk war broke up this school, but after the return of the settlers from their temporary absence on account of the war, Mrs. Hines and Mr. Hiram Standish both taught in the same old log schoolhouse, built before the war on a rise of ground, about thirty rods west of Naper's log store. R. N. Murray says he graduated at this school. By the year 1835, the settlement had attained proportions sufficient to warrant the erection of a permanent frame building for school purposes, aud Joseph Naper circulated a sub- scription paper to raise the means to pay for it. Settlers had abundance of everything NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 235 but money, but this was wanting in sufficient quantities to bring the enterprise to a suc- cessful result, and in this emergency some of the friends of the scheme contributed labor or materials which was just as good as money, for in those days when a public improvement was to be made, there was no private pecu- lation or friction or any subtle methods of depleting the public treasury out of special funds for special objects Col. Warren informs the writer that he was then hauling salt from Chicago, and, the subscription paper being presented to him, on his arrival with a load of it, he rolled off a barrel as his contribution to the desired ob- ject. Its value was then $Q. The building was erected the next year, 1836, and was put to immediate use; not for a school only, but the early Gospel was dispensed from the ros- trum in it designed for the pedagogue, and it was, moreover, honored with judicial er- mine, for here the Circuit Court held two or three sessions. Its location was near the present Congregational Church. For some cause not known to the writer, this schoolhouse was sold by the district, and the school had to depend on such rooms as were available in which to hold their ses- sions. This unsystematic way of conducting them was neither creditable to the educational enterprise of the town, nor profitable to the scholars, but ample amends in due time were made for this, what might, with no misnomer, be called a hiatus in Naperville schools, by erecting an academy building, which was in- corporated in 1851, where the higher branches of science were taught by competent teachers. Mr. N. F. Atkins was its first preceptor, who was succeeded the next year by C. W. Rich- mond, from the academy at Great Barriugton, Mass. Besides common branches of educa- tion, the classical course of the best Eastern academies were taught here, including, also, music, drawing and painting. The attend- ance was good, and the progress of the pupils all that could be desired. Up to 1863, this academy, together with the public schools and a select school, in which the higher branches were taught by Miss S. B. Skinner, fully answered the requirements of the place. But now the time had come when a public graded school was a necessity as an advance system of education within the means of every one who felt ambitious to pursue the higher branches of English education. No general law of the State had yet been passed for the organization of graded schools, which made it necessary to get a charter for one ere it could get its due proportion of the public funds for its support. In 1863, Messrs. Val- lette and Cody and R. N. Murray drew up the required instrument which was sent to the Legislature of the State, and received its le- galized authority to act. The incorporate act was known by the following style: The Directors of the Naperville Graded School. The school district had already bought the academy building, which had been erected in 1851. J. L. Nichols was Principal in 1881 -82, and W. Knickerbocker, C. Wise and Peter Thompson, Directors. Mr. Knickerbocker was succeeded, July 3, by Casper L. Dilley. Mr. Nichols having resigned for a professor - shij) in the Northwestern College, his place was supplied, in 1882, by Levi M. Umbach. The Principal, with four assistant teachers, gives instruction in botany, history, Latin, philosophy, geometry, algebra, physiology, chemistry, civil government and the usual fun- damental branches taught in normal schools. The school justifies the expectations of the parents and pupils, and is a model worthy of imitation. It enrolls 302 pupils froni a cen- sus enrollment of 572 children and youths in its district, which is No 7 in Naperville Township. 23(3 HISTORY OF Dl T PAGE COUNTY. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The Village Council, after the fire in July, 1874, deemed it expedient to organize a fire department, and, in September, 1874, ordered the purchase of a hand- engine, hose cart and hose. The committee purchased one Dutton No. 3 hand-engine, one hose-cart and 700 feet of two and a half inch rubber hose. Companies were organized to run and man- age the same. On the 2d day of January, 1875, the Council passed an ordinance to govern the fire department, and purchased a hook and ladder truck, with twenty-four pails, in September, 3875, and 300 feet more hose. Total cost of apparatus, $2,800; fixing build- ing to store apparatus, $300; expenses for repairs and running the department, from September, 1874, to July, 1882, about $550; amount of property saved by reason of organ- ized fire department during that time about $20,000. The following-named citizens have served as Fire Marshal and assistant: Marshals — Willard Scott, Jr., two terms; B. B. Boecker, one and a half terms; J. J. Hunt, two terms; A. McS. S. Riddler, two terms. Assistant Marshals — B. B. Boecker, three terms; A. McS. S. Eiddler, M. Weismantel, M. B. Hasler, J. Egermann. The Joe Naper Engine Company No. 1 was organized September 17, 1874. Number of men allowed, SO; number of men in com- pany (average), 35. Foreman — Daniel Garst; J. Egermann, two terms ; M. Weismantel, two terms ; Xavier Kreyder, two terms; Jacob Heim, two terms. Assistant Foremen — Nicholas Yack, five terms; Alois Schwartz; Joseph Yender, two terms. Second Assistant Foremen — R. W. Shel- don, Sebastian Baun, seven terms. Secretaries — W. Scott, Jr. ; M. Weisman- tel, two terms; B. Beidelman, two terms; C. Bast, three terms. Treasurers — Reuss, six terms; X. Krey- den, two terms. Naperville Hose Company No. 1 was organ- ized September 17, 1874. Number of men allowed, 20; average number of men in com- pany, 18. Officers of said company were as follows: Foremen — A. McS. S. Riddler, four terms; Peter Babst, Hoi Seiber; Martin Becker, two terms; Henry Seiber, Albert Yost. Assistant Foremen — Peter Nicholas, Peter Babst, Hoi Seiber, Samuel Ney, Martin Becker, S. S. Strouse, Charles Naper, George Ehrhardt, B. J. Slick. Secretaries — O. J. Wright, C. D. Kendig, S. S. Strouse, A. McS. S. Riddler. Treasurers — George Potter, Albert Yost, Hoi Seiber. Rescue Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized on the 29th day of September, 1875. Number of men allowed, 20; average number of men in company, 17. Officered as follows: Foremen — Williarn Naper, two terms; V. A. Dieter, T. W. Saylor, Charles Boettger, Edward Stover, three terms. Assistant Foreman — V. A. Dieter, two terms; T. W. Saylor, Cbarles Boettger, Ed- ward Stover. William P. Wright, three terms. Secretaries — J. H. Alexander, two terms; J. H. Chew, M. D., three terms; T. W. Say- lor, Eli H. Ditzler, W. W. Wickel. Treasurer — M. B. Hastier, eight terms. A new company called the Joe Naper Engine Company was organized in May or June, 1881, and discharged in May, 1882. John Ehrhardt, Foreman; John F. Strohecker, Assistant Foreman. — A. McS. S. Riddler. NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 237 THE NAPERVILLE GUARDS. A company of State militia was organized at Naperville August 15, 1877, under the general military law of the State. Samuel W. Smith and William J. Laird, by direction of H. H. Hilliard. Adjutant General of the State, took the initiatory steps to form the company out of the abundant material at hand — the stalwart young men of Naper- ville. Mr. Smith was its Captain; Willard Scott, Jr., First Lieutenant, and William J. Laird, Second Lieutenant. Subsequently, Messrs. Smith and Scott having resigned, a new elec- tion was held, June 20, 1878, when William J. Laird was elected Captain; E. Ingals, First Lieutenant, and William P. Combs, Second Lieutenant. Mr. Ingals next having resigned, Mr. Combs was promoted to the office of First Lieutenant, and Charles F. HJggins from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant early in 1880. The succeeding July he died, much regretted by the members of the com- pany to which he belonged, and mourned by his many personal friends and relatives. Sergt. George Ehrhardt was then promoted to till his place, but was discharged, June 22, 1882. The company now numbers sixty- nine men, all muscular and young, well armed with breech-loaders, peaceable as citizens, but formidable as foes whenever the State demands their service. They drill four times a year, preserving good order and good dis- cipline, as reported by the Adjutant Inspector of the State. SOCIETIES. Guttenburg Lodge, No. 331, I. 0. 0, F. - Was organized at Naperville October 9, 1800. Charter members : Charles Schultz. Martin Straube, Daniel Garst, Joseph Eggerman, Charles Boetiger, Jacob Hein, Xavier Kreyter, Simeon Schupp. The lodge had forty mem- bers at the end of its first year, since which time its meetings have been held once a week. Its present officers are : Fred Fochs, O. M. ; Adam Armbruster, U. M. ; Otto Siber, Schm; John Oestereich, Schr. Naperville Lodge. No. 81, I. O. 0. F.— Was organized October 17, 1851. The names of the charter members were James D. Wright, A. S. Sabin, William C. Mcintosh, Sol W. Sonendecker, S. O. Vaughn. It has been in successful operation ever since to the present time, meeting once a week, except for about three years during the war, at which time the greater portion of the members were in the field. Since peace was restored, the lodge resumed its meetings, which are now regularly held. Present officers : John Frost, N. G. ; Charles Hunt, V. G. ; A. McKillips, R. S. ; D. Strubler, Treasurer; W. Marvin, P. S. Euclid Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, No. 13, was chartered October 3, 1851. The names of the charter members were Aylmer Keith, H. P. ; John Eddy, K. ; Harry T. Wilson, Scribe. Present H. P. : J. J. Hunt. Euclid Lodge, No. 65, A.. F. & A. M., was organized October 2, A. D. 184'J, under the dispensation of the Most Worshipful Master William Lavely, Grand Master of the Most Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Illinois. Charter members: Lewis Ellsworth, John Kimball, Nathan Loring, C. C. Barns. Officers: Ayl- mer Keith, W. M.; Joseph Naper, Senior Warden: Nathan Allen, Junior Warden. Attested: William Mitchell, Grand Secre- tary; W. Lavely, Grand Muster; T. C. Ket- cham, S. G. W.; W. C. Tobbe, J. G. W. Present officers: J. B. Frost, W. M. ; S. A. Ballon, Senior Warden; \V. W. Wickel, Jun ior Warden; J. J. Hunt, Senior Deacon; J. Solfisberg, Junior Deacon; J. Horu, Treas- urer; C. P. Dorn, Secretary; S. Balliman, Ti ler. 238 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. BANKING. Willard Scott, Sr., and his son Thaddeus opened a banking and exchange office, in con- nection with their general store, in 1854, and continued in said business until 1866. Thaddeus died in 1866, and W. Scott, Sr., retired for a short time. Willard Scott Jr., carried on the business with C. M. Castle from 1866 to 1870. Then Willard Scott, Sr. , again assumed the banking and exchange office (which was removed to another building and entirely disconnected from the store) with C. M. Castle until October 1, 1872. Then A. McS. S. Riddler was associated with him as Cashier until October 1, 1873, when Mr. Jonathan Royee entered the firm, and retired October 1, 1875, since which time Mr. Scott has continued in the business until the present time, with A. McS. S. Riddler as Cashier. During all these years they have had the confidence of the people, and not an obligation has been presented that was not paid promptly, nor have they ever had a check or draft protested. TILE AND BRICK MANUFACTURING. The Naperville Drain-Tile and Brick Fac- tory was established in 1871 by George Mar- tin. It started with two hand machines, there being but little demand for tile at that time. Its utility has since been sufficiently demonstrated and the demand for it has war- ranted the introduction of machinery pro- pelled by steam power to supply the increas- ing orders which come in for it from the country all around. Two steam tile and brick machines are now kept running, with a capacity of producing from eight to ten thousand linear feet of tile per day, varying in diameter from eight to fifteen inches. The style of the firm is now Martin & Vanoven. A quarry of magnesian limestone crops out to the surface on the southwestern bank of the river. It was first worked by George Martin, but is now worked by Joseph Sals- bury. The stone has been tested as to ex- posure to frost and atmospheric changes, and found to be equal in durability, if not super- ior, to any in the country. It is soft when quarried and hardens by exposure. The an- nual production of the quarry is from five to six hundred cords per annum. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTER. Agricultural implement dealers — W. H. Hillegas & Co., J. J. Hunt, Andrew Ory, D. B. Hartronft. Attorneys — Hiram H. Cody, John H. Bat- ton, Jr., M. C. Dudley, H. H. Goodrich, John Haight. Bankers — Willard Scott & Co. Bakers — Joseph Bapst, C. A. Nadelhafer. Barbers — William McCauly. George Knoch, Wert Bros., Andrew Kreyder. Blacksmiths — Bauer Bros., Charles Hunt, Abraham Hartronft, Heim & Stoner, Norman Lent, Richard Swartz. Strausz & Getsch, Daniel Strubler, J. F. Stroheker, David Vance. Brewers — John Stenger. Butchers — William Hartronft. L. Halber- stadt, Becker & McCain. Boot and shoe dealers — Collins & Durran, W. R. Steward. Butter and cheese — Naperville has two butter and cheese factories. The oldest one is run by Mr. George H. Hunt. He came to Naperville in 1^77, and made butter and cheese in Mr. John Stenger's building, from 1877 to 1880; then he bought the grounds and put up the factory he is now occupying. In 1881, he paid to his patrons about $50,000 for milk, averaging $1.18 per 100 pounds. The other butter and cheese factory is carried on in Mr. John Stenger's building, by Messrs. Eggerman & Bauer. They started October NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 239 1, 1881, and receive about 6,000 pounds of milk now per day. City Officers — President, Peter Thompson; Trustees., Valentine A. Dieter, Michael Schwartz. H. J. Durran, Louis Reiche; Treasurer, Oliver Stutenroth; Clerk, S. M. Skinner; City Marshal, William J. Laird; Police Magistrate, David B. Givler: City Weigher, Philip Beckman. Carriage-makers — F. A. Saylor, Joseph Hildenbrandt. William Shimp. Carpenters —Alfred Shafer, Mathias Stev- ens. Levi S. Shafer (proprietor of planing- mill). Carpet weavers — Nicholaus Fons. Jacob Stroheker. John Fuss. Cigar makers and dealers — Hiram Ebright, Henry Obermeyer, John Schloessler, Kline & Bard, Charles Schulz. County Judge — Robert N. Murray. Dentists — C. P. Dorn, L. Eberhardt. Druggists — H. C. Daniels, M. B. Powell, Strayer, Wickel & Co. Furniture dealers — Chas. Bapst, F. Long. General stores — Martin Brown, Ditzler & Hosier, H. H. Peasly, Willard Scott & Co. Gents' furnishing goods — Fred Kaylor. Grocers — Joseph Bapst, Valentine Dieter, Saul Drissler, John Drissler, John Marlin, David Frost, Wm. Latshaw, Mrs. Linderman. Grain and coal dealers — B. B. Boecker, Elias Musselman. Hardware dealers — J. J. Hunt, W. H. Hillegas & Co., John Pfister, Sherer & Yost. Harness -makers — John Herbert, R. H. Wagner, Philip Beckman (dealer in hides and leather). Hotels — American House, B. F. Russell, proprietor; Pre-emption House, Jefferson Bush, proprietor; Washington House, Jacob Keller, proprietor. Jewelers — M. Weismantel, Collins & Dur- ran. Justices of the Peace — David B. Givler, W. R. Steward, J. Haight, E. Musselman. Livery stable keepers — B. F. Russell, George Strubler. Lumber dealers— E. F. Hartronft, Michael Schwartz. Marble works — Charles H. Kayler. Merchant tailors — Theodore German, George Reuss. Milliners— Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Strebel, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Blake. Newspaper — Naperville Clarion, David B. Givler, proprietor. Notaries public — John H. Batten, Jr., M. C. Dudley, Jasper L. Dille, Arthur Cody, H. H. Goodrich, J. J. Hunt, J. M. Vallette. Nursery proprietors — Lewis Ellsworth, Ernst Von Oven. Painters — Walter Good, Fred Miller, Mar- tin Straube. Photographers — A. C. Kendig, L. Luplau. Physicians — Bell & Nauman, H. C. Dan- iels, M. R. Cullison, A. L. Freund, T. J. Sprague, S. S. Stayer. Postmaster — Philip Strubler. Real estate agent — A. McS. S. Riddler. Restaurants — Ed Clemens, T. W. Saylor. Saloon keei^ers — -Adam Conrad, Thomas Costello, J. Eggerman, Fred Fuchs, Jacob Keller, Samuel Kreyder, John Ruchty, Xavier Swein, O. A. Siebert, John Krieger. Shoemakers — John Congrave, Xavier Compte, George Ehrhardt & Bro., John Ehrhardt & Co., George Friess, Martin, Fest, Martin Scherff, Jacob Zimmerman. Stone Quarries — Jacob Solfisberg, Mel- chior Braun, Harry Norbury. Tile and brick works — Martin & Von Oven. Toys and notions — Mrs. Lindeman. Undertakers — Charles Bapst, Fred Long, Philip Orcutt. Wagon-makers — A. Armbruster, Ferdinand Mueller. 240 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. CHAPTER XI. LISLE TOWNSHIP— THE FIRST SETTLER— HIS HARDIHOOD— THANKSGIVING— A FEMALE POW-WOW —THE OLD GRIST-MILL— THE CHRONIC PIONEER— HIS GENEROSITY. AS early as 1834, as the autumn hunter crept along the fringe of the groves that grew in patches on the east side of the East Branch of the Du Page River, just above the fork, if of a contemplative mind, he could hardly help forgetting his search for game to gaze on and admire the scene. An even surface, graduating upward from the stream, unbroken except in a few places by a spring of living water or the channel of a rivulet, dry, alluvial and fertile. Here were patches of oak, hickory, black walnut and other trees unscarred by the woodman's axe, and here was a wealth in the soil waiting the touch of the plow to yield " thirty, sixty or an hundred fold." All this had been abandoned by a people who knew not how to utilize it, and here it lay spread out before the first one who chose to take it for a consideration so small that it might be counted as nothing. He passes on — the squirrels are busy at their nut harvest, the wild ducks probe the bottom of the river with their flat bills, the prairie chickens whirl past him through the air, the sand-hill cranes are seen in flocks at a long distance, and the deer startle from the thickets of hazel brush before his approach. Far beyond all these he sees a new sight as he pursues his trackless way. There is a log cabin, men and women, children hop-skipping around as if a section of New England had been cut out and planted here as an experiment to see if it would grow. He approaches nearer and he hears the convivial shouts of the youngsters as they chase each other around. Surfeited with — with — with — Thanksgiving turkey ? Yes, why not ! It's Deacon Pomeroy Goodrich's, and hadn't he a right among other Yankee notions he brought from New Hampshire to bring the institution of Thanksgiving with him ? And who could do it with more dignity than a deacon? Besides, it was a kind of a relief to throw off the deacon at least once in a while, and have a good jovial time, and anybody who knew Deacon Goodrich knew that he could put it on again at a minute's notice if it was necessary to apply the brakes to those within his moral at- mosphere at least by example. He kept up this anniversary as the years rolled along, and kin- dred neighbors partook in his hospitalities. He planted the institutions of New England here first, and in his labor he was soon reinforced by detachment after detachment from the parent stem, among whom was Henry Good- rich, his brother. But before we proceed farther in this direction, let us first return to the actual settler who drove the first stake into the soil of what is now Lisle, whose name was Bailey Hobson. This intrepid pioneer, in May, 1830, left his home in Orange County, Ind., on horseback, bound for the prairie country in Illinois, of which he had heard reports. He wended his way through the forest path in an almost west- erly course, till Fort Clark was reached, the original French name of which was Opa. It is now Peoria. At the time of Mr. Hobson's arrival at the place, it was a county seat, where courts were held. From thence he bent his course northeastwardly to Halderman's Grove, where a small settlement had been begun. Next, LISLE TOWNSHIP. 241 after taking a look at the Fox River country, he turned away from it, and made a claim a few miles from the village of the Pottawato- mies, which would be south of the present site of Aurora. He then returned to his home by the way he had come, reaching his destination early in July. He had passed many nights in his blanket on the ground, his faithful horse hobbled and turned out to browse ; but this was mere pastime to the trials in store for him. On the 1st of September following, everything was in readiness, and he started with his family for the prairie home that he had laid claim to. His means of travel was an ox team hitched to a lumber wagon, which by day was a vehicle of locomotion, and at night a domicile for his family, consisting of three young children, one of whom was a baby. Besides these was a hired man — Mr. L. Stewart. After twenty-one days of toiling through the wilderness path, they reached Halderman's Grove, near where Mr. Hobson had made a claim a few weeks be- fore. Next a cabin was to be built for shelter during the ensuing winter. Hay was to be cut for his cattle, of which Mr. Hobson had thir- teen head, besides a horse, the same on whose back Mrs. Hobson had crossed several rivers on the way, with her babe in her arms. Mr. Hobson, with the aid of Mr. Stewart, after ac- complishing all this, broke a few acres of prai- rie and sowed winter wheat in it, to provide food for the ensuing year. But his supplies for the winter were getting low, and something must be done immediately to replenish them. There were sparse settlements to the east, and Mr. Hobson started for them, and after many wanderings found some pork for sale. This he engaged, and returned to his family to get his ox-team to transport it. He accordingly again started on this mission, but after a few days' absence the snow fell to such a depth that it was impossible to travel, and after many vain attempts to reach home with his team, he finally, after nineteen days' absence, made the tour on foot, but not without a strain of muscle that would have overtaxed the powers even of the average pioneer, with all his hardihood. At home again, but not to rest, for there was noth- ing there to winter on but some dry corn, and a scanty supply of that. In this emergency, he again started, through the deep snows, for the pork he had bought, taking Mr. Stewart with him. Before leaving, a good supply of fuel was provided and brought into the house. This done, the two men took their departure. Two days after they had left, another snow- storm came, more terrific than the first. The cattle dared not venture from the grove, except one cow, who naturally sought protection from her friendly mistress, Mrs. Hobson, and coming to her door pressed to come in. This could not be allowed, and the poor brute laid down in the snow, and died in a short time on the spot. Mrs. Hobson covered her deep with snow, lest she should bait the wolves to the place. The spring was a few rods from the house, but to this all egress was cut off. and Mrs. Hobson melted snow for water, boiled her corn, and ate the untempting food, with her little ones, in solitude, day after day, till the return of her husband. After the lapse of fourteen days, he came with relief. He had passed through dan- gers and trials that had well nigh reached the limits of human endurance, in his desperate but vain attempts to couteud against the forces of nature, for the protection of his family. We have now followed the adventures of this heroic pioneer to where they were begun in a previous chapter, which tells of his coming to Du Page County, and here we will leave him to note the progress of events. The arrival of Deacon Goodrich at the plate was November 6, 1832. Bailey Hobson was his nearest neighbor, but across the pres- ent line of Will County was the Scott Settle- ment, the nearest resident of which was Harry Boardman, at whose home Mr. Goodrich and family boarded the ensuing; winter after their 242 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. arrival. Thoron Parsons had just come to the place and made claims to land where Mr. Goodrich now lives, which he relinqished gratis to him, as he had seen other lands that suited him better, to which he immediately laid claim after having relinquished his first one. In June, 1833, Luther and James C. Hatch came to the present site of Lisle Station and made claims. James C. is still living on the same at the present time, where he is enjoying a green old age. They were from Cheshire County, X. H. Sherman King had preceded them a few months, and was then living on his claim near by. Benjamin Tupper and Mr. Madison came the same year. Mr. Stout, from Tennessee, was also here with his family. He belonged to that race of chronic pioneers who live and thrive best on the broad face of nature " untarnished " to them by progressive society with its infinitude of wants and refinements. The limit of the Stouts' ambition was a log cabin to live in, corn bread to eat and home- spun clothes to wear. Of his worldly goods, he was generous, and his heart was full of love for mankind, and everybody respected him for his sterling integrity as well as his generosity ; but as the means of a better style of living in- creased among the settlers, and wants kept pace with these accumulating means, Mr. Stout saw himself a kind of speckled bird of the flock, and took his leave pleasantly and uncom- plainingly for a newer country, where conditions were on his plane. Allusion has already been made to him in a chapter of pioneer history, with a feeling more kind even than charity, for the writer does not forget the hospitalities of just such people extended to himself while in his teens on the frontier. In 1834, A. D. Chatfield and Thomas Gates came to the place. The former still lives at Lisle Station where he first settled. The Indians frequently visited these early settlers in a friendly spirit, but sometimes made themselves offensive through their total ignorance of the proprieties of civilized life. In the spring of 1834, when the wet ground, as well as the damp winds, made camping uncom- fortable, a squad of squaws came to Mr. Good- rich's door just at night. They did not ask permission to stay, but planted themselves on the floor of his house before the comfortable fire and seemed quite contented. Mr. Good- rich could not turn the wretches out in the cold, and he and his wife went to bed, but not to sleep, for, says Mr. Goodrich, " they kept up such a pow-wowing all night as to set sleep at defiance." In 1834, a log schoolhouse was built, by subscription, near where Lisle Station now is. It, like many others of its kind, was also used for a church, and Rev. N. Catlin Clark, a Con- gregationalist minister, preached in it. Rev. Jeremiah Porter, that venerable old pioneer preacher who is still living, also preached occa- sionally at the place. Soon afterward, a church was built one and one-half miles east of the present station, in which services were held by Rev. Orange Lyman. But subsequently this church was sold to the Lutherans, about the time the railroad was laid out, who moved it half a mile south of where it first stood. Serv- ices were then held in a new schoolhouse, built in 1837, till the Congregationalists built the large church that now stands at the Station. On March 14, 1835, Daniel M. Green and Venelia, his wife, came to Section 26, with their own team, from Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y. They arrived at the house of Mr. Strong, a resident of the place, at midnight. The wolves had followed them along the lonesome prairie for the last three hours of their ride, and kept up a yelping on either side, as if they were hungry for their blood. Besides those already mentioned, Mr. Green reports the following residents at the place on the arrival of himself and family : Jeduthan Hatch, John Thompson, from New Hampshire ; John Graves, who kept tavern, and now lives or J'ry^d^^k Qri LISLE TOWNSHIP. 245 in Lisle ; Martin and Stephen Pierce ; Thomas Gates, from Ohio ; George and Charles Parmely, from Vermont ; John Dudley, from Ogden, N. Y. ; Russell Webster; Isaac Clark; Huchins Crocker — a pretty old man, sociable when he had plenty of tobacco, but in the slough of despond without it ; Harmon and James Carman, from New York, and Amasa Moore, whose wife was sister to Miss Daphine P. Ball, the first schoolmistress at the place. She taught in a small log cabin built by Deacon Goodrich near his own house, and was paid by subscription from the neigh- bors who patronized it, which meant everybody near by. She subsequently taught in Naper ville. and to her are many men and women, now in their maturity, indebted for their first lessons, not only in scholastic science, but in those courtesies which grace the social circle. She is now the wife of Mr. Skinner, of Naper- ville. In 1836, a Sunday school was established at the house of Mr. Green — Deacon Goodrich. Superintendent. Among others who came to the place that year was Thomas Jellies, from England. The next year, he built a sehoolhouse at what is now the village of Lisle, the best one in the country at that time, and the same already alluded to as a place of worship, as well as for a school. The very first preaching in what is now Lisle was b} - Rev. Isaac Scarritt, who had settled in the Scott settlement. It was of the Methodist itinerant kind ; but Rev. C. Clark, already al- luded to, a Congregationalist, soon after began to preach at his own house, on the West Fork of the Du Page, about a mile below Hobson's Mill. This old mill was far-famed, and thither came people to it like pilgrims to Mecca, except that they did not bow down before it on bended knees. There was no mill north of it, not even at Galena, which was then a good-sized town, but obtained their meal and flour from St. Louis, and Chicago received such supplies from Detroit ; but the whole intervening inte- rior had to pound their corn in mortars, grind it in a coffee mill or bring it to Hobson's Mill. Mr. Daniel Green ran the mill on shares dur- ing the years 1836 and 1837, and the cash receipts for meal sold were over $4,000 per annum. Mr. Hobson could neither read nor figure, but was good at mental reckoning. No accounts were kept, not even a scratch to prove the terms of their contract. There were the receipts in cash, which would show for them- selves, and it was as easy to divide them as to divide a pint of peas. Mr. Hobsou took three parts, Mr. Green one. No expense for clerk hire, paper, pens or ink. Subsequently, when Mr. Green became County Sheriff, Mr. Hobson, his quondam friend, was the first to volunteer to sign his bail bond, and it surprised the court to see how prettily he wrote his name. The name of Lisle was suggested by A. B. Chatfield. It has nine schoolhouses and 576 persons between the ages of six and twenty- one. The village of Lisle is a station on the C, B. & Q. R R., in the midst of a region not sur- passed in fertility in the county. A combina- tion of circumstances as to land -ownership and other causes have thus far stood in the way of its growth up to the present time. There is more milk shipped from this than any other station on the road, and the place is li- able at any time to rally and become a thriving village. Robert Dixon keeps a general store here, J. R. McMillen is Station Agent and Postmaster and Hart, Nagle & Long carry on the blacksmith and wagon-making business. The elevation of the railroad track at the place is 115 feet above Lake Michigan. 246 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. CHAPTER XII. YORK TOWNSHIP — ORIGIN OF ITS NAME — ITS EARLY SETTLERS — THE DESPLAINES BRIDGED- SUNDAY SERVICE ON SLAB SEATS— THE PIONEER SCHOOL MISTRESS— THE WIDOWER'S CABIN— PRAYING MATCHES— SUICIDE— BURSTING FORTH OF A SPRING— ELMHURST— GERMAN EVANGELICAL SEMINARY— LOMBARD. IT took its name from the State of New York because its first settlers came from there and planted its institutions in the new prairie soil of the land of their adoption, there to live and grow, which expectation has been verified, perhaps, sooner than was ex- pected, for they have lived to see villages and railroads, schools and churches and farms with luxurious houses on them and all the machin- ery of old States in working order. Elisha Fish was the first. He came in the spring of 1833, and settled in what is now Sec- tion 26. In the spring of 1834, Winslow Churchill, Jr., settled where Lombard now is. Jesse Atwater and John Talmadge came in 1834, and it is probable that some other set- tlers came in during the same year, among whom were German settlers, spoken of under the head of Addison. Of these the Graue family who settled around Graue's Grove, close to the line of Addison, might be mentioned. In 1835, Jacob W. Fuller came to this settle- ment from Broome County, N. Y., and settled on what is now Section 27. He had five sons — Benjamin, the oldest, Daniel, the third son, and Morell and Lewis; the two youngest came with him. The next year, 1836, George, the second son of Mr. Fuller, came and settled on Section 27, where he still lives. The youngest brothers, Morell and Lewis, also now live in York. Nicholas Torode, Sr., and Philander Torode came and settled in Section 24 in 1835, and John Bolander came about the same time, and settled a few miles to the north of them. Henry Reider came the same year. The next year, Nicholas Torode, Jr., Peter R., C. W. and David H. Torode, came to the place, all these from Mount Vernon, Ohio, and, Oriente Grant, from the Eastern States. Luther Morton, David Talmadge, Edward Eklredge and Sherman King, all came in 1836. The lat- ter built a saw-mill the next year in the south part of the present town, on Salt Creek. The same year (1837), a settlement was begun at what is now Elmhurst, by the arrival of John Glos, Sr., with two other German families, the fathers of whom had married his daughters. His son, John Gloss, Jr., who is now a resident of St. Charles, brought them to the place. About this time, the farmers had begun to raise something to sell. Chicago was their only market, and, insignificant as it then ap- peared, there were wholesale dealers there in wheat, pork, hides and every substantial kind of produce, and how to make the roads toler- able to transport them thither was the problem In this direction, the first thing to be done was to build a bridge over the Desplaines River, which was promptly done by the united efforts of the settlers of York and Milton. It was situated about where the present bridge at Maywood now is ; and, let it not be forgotten that the early settlers of Du Page Count}- had the honor of first bridging this turbulent stream. The settlement thus begun, the next thing was to have preaching on Sundays. Without this consolation, their minds might wander, and YORK TOWNSHIP. 247 their thoughts vanish into mystery, like their vision, as they looked over the lonesome re- moteness of the green below, and the blue above losing themselves in each other's embrace in the dim distance of the prairies ! Besides, the Sunday exercises would help to keep the young hearts of the boys and girls from getting home- sick in thinking of youthful associations left behind ! The old folks had less need for diver- sion, for they had family cares ; but the young were looking forward to them witli pleasing anticipations and felt the need of instruction. The Methodists appear to have understood this principle, and were generally the first to supply the demand. To this end, Rev. David Colson, an itinerant of this circuit, visited the place, and was invited to preach at the house of John Talmadge. The date of his first advent has not been preserved ; but it must have been as late or later than 1837, as the seats provided for the occasion were made of slabs sawed at Mr. King's mill, just spoken of. A schoolhouse was built in 1839, which was considered as essential a piece of machinery as the church, when everything has to be built new, and the timber taken from the stumps. Both go hand in hand, at least they did in the early day, for the schoolhouse then was always used on Sunday for a church, and this was, there- by affording relief to the then scanty private houses, where meetings were held. Miss C. Haines taught school in this house, but she was not the first schoolma'am in the place. Miss Mary Fuller has that distinction. Her school was established in a private house, made vacant by the suicide of an eccentric man named Elias Brown. Yes, even in that primitive day there was one moody sentimentalist wrought up to the frenzy of self-destruction. He had come to the place alone, made a claim and built a comfortable cabin to receive his wife and chil- dren, who were to follow as soon as suitable preparation had been made to secure a home for them. Mr. Brown was a good worker and a zealous man in pra3 - er meetings. Often held them at his lonesome cabin, which, though it lacked the magic touch of the female hand to give it an air of comfort, was nevertheless visited by the neighbors in goodly numbers to hear Mr. Brown's unctious prayers, as well as those of others. Brown called these meetings praying matches. Finally his face of nonchalance was missed in the neighborhood, and on going to his cabin to see what was the matter, he was found dead with the cup of laudanum on the table, from which he had taken the fatal draught to relieve himself from some incubus that had laid across his path, intolerable to him- self, but unknown to the world. His sons soon came to settle his small estate and returned. The more common diseases that afflict new set- tlements are fevers and chills, and in justice to this country it is fair to assume that the disease or the cause of it which terminated fatally in Mr. Brown's case was contracted in the East, through some social grievance not common to pioneer settlements. A small portion of Babcoek's Grove lies in York, around which the Churchills and the Bab- cocks had settled in 1833 and 1834, but, from the most authentic accounts, their claims were almost, if not entirely, made within the present limits of Milton Township, and their history has been given under that head. In the spring of 1861, a copious spring of water burst out of the ground, with a concus- sion that made the ground tremble. It was near the house of Robert Reed. The spring empties into Salt Creek, about three miles above Mr. Graues' grist-mill. Walker's Grove, in the southwest part of York, occupies land enough to make a full section. John Walker settled here in 1835. The large grove in the southeast part of York, with one on its east line, a little to the north of it, would make at least four sections of land, which would, with the other groves, 248 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. give one-sixth as the proportion of prairie to the timber in York. Sections 25, 35, 36 and the diagonal halves of Sections 24, 26 and 34 lie within the limits of the Indian boundary lines, and were sur- veyed at an early date and brought into market in June, 1835. It is impossible to give the dates of the early roads of the country. Most of them had their origin in a trail that marked the prairie by travel between the most prominent points known at the time. According to a map of Cook and Du Page Counties, drawn by James H. Rees, of Chicago, in 1850, a road passed through this township leading from Chicago to St. Charles ; another from a steam mill where May wood, on the Des- plaines, now is, to Warreuville, on the West Fork of the Du Page ; another from the house of H. Fischer, on Section 35, in Addison, to the saw- mill on Salt Creek, in Section 36, thence to Brush Hill ; and a short one leading from the intersection of the St. Charles road with Salt Creek down the stream to the Warreuville road, at the junction with which Eldridge Post Office is put down, Bingham's tavern on the St. Charles road, on Section 12, and Cottage Hill and Bates, on Section 2. These are all the roads and names on Mr. Rees' map of 1 850. The surface of the township is sufficiently rolling for good drainage, but not as uneven as some other townships in the county. The dairy business is a prominent interest in the township, but the raising of vegetables, es- pecially potatoes, for the Chicago market, is an increasing interest. York has nine school districts and 875 per- sons between the ages of six and twenty-one ; $23 is reported as the value of her school li- braries. The old saw-mill on Salt Creek was burnt down in 1848, and in 1852 a grist-mill was built in its place by Fred Graue, or Gray (to anglicize it), and W. Arche. It has recently been remodeled by Mr. Gray by putting in a Jonathan mill, with a capacity of 125 barrels superfine flour per day. It runs by steam and water power both. Mr. Gray was one of the pioneer settlers of Addison, who came to the place in 1834. He has been, for the sake of convenience, compelled, though reluctantly, to change his name from its pure German (Graue) to Gray, on account of the faltering manner with which Americans write or attempt to spell it. DRAIN TILE AND BRICK WORKS. This establishment, owned by William Ham- merschmit, is situated a mile south of Lom- bard. It employs from ten to fifteen men, and turns out from 60,000 to 70,000 feet of from two to ten inches tile per month, with ma- chine capacity for turning out from 125,000 to 150,000 feet per month. Capital invested) $11,000. The steam power is furnished by a 25-horse-power engine. ELMHURST. This village or rather tavern stand, as it fii'9t was, went by the name of Hill Cottage, a mis- nomer one would say who came from a mount- ainous or even a hill}' region, yet it was really a hill compared to any intervening lands be- tween it and Chicago, being 106 feet above the lake, the ground graduating upward all the way till the place is reached. Mr. J. L. Hovey came from Painesville, Ohio, here and opened a taven in 1843. His place soon presented attractions to the lonesome inhabitants of the prairie around in those days, and a request was made that he should petition for a post office at his tavern stand, which soon became the nucleus of a village. John Wentworth then represented the dis- trict in Congress, and to him the petition wa9 sent. The Postmaster General objected to the name on the ground that already many names of post offices began with hill, and suggested a transposition of the name, making it Cottage YORK TOWNSHIP. 249 Hill instead of Hill Cottage. This satisfied the petitioners, and the village was " baptized " accordingly. Not long afterward, Dedrick Mong also opened a tavern, and soon afterward a general store, the first ever established at the place. It stood where the store now occu- pied by Henry A. Glos stands. The Chicago & North-Western Railroad came through the place in 1849, and Mr. Mong was emploj'ed b} T the company to tend the station. The place now began to increase in numbers, and another store was opened by Gerry Bates on the spot now occupied by the post office. Soon after this, wealthy men came from Chi- cago, and the building of those palatial resi- dences, for which the place is remarkable, was begun. These beautiful homes are now shadowed by an artificial forest of elm, maple, pine, cedar and other trees, surrounded by ramparts of arbor-vitse hedges, trimmed with linear pre- cision, and during the sultry days of midsum- mer these tree-clad recesses are as inviting as they are ornate. They are also glad retreats during the nip- ping blasts of winter, toning down its severity and taking off its keen edge. But their crown- ing glory is at flood-tide during the full moons of autumn, when the glitter of her rays mottles the ground with radiance beneath the foliage of the trees. These suburban delights cannot be purchased at any price in large cities, and the wonder is that more do not embrace the first opportunity to secure them. The railroad company named their station at the place after the name of the post office — Cottage Hill, but this was changed to Elm- hurst, its present name, in 1869. The place has a. good public school where both German and English are taught, but no pupil receives instruction in German till first taught to read and write English. Algebra and other high branches of scholastic education are also taught, besides the common routine of the institution. The town was platted May 25, 1854, by Anson Bates, situated on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 2, Town 39, Range 11. Its elevation above Lake Michigan is 106 feet. COLLEGE AT ELMHURST. This institution is called the Elmhurst Troseminar of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. It was established by the German Evangelical Synod of the Northwest in 1869, and two years later was transferred to the Synod of North America upon the union of the two Synods in 1871. The Troseminar is a preparatory school for the Theological Seminary of Missouri, and, be- sides preparing theological students for said institute, it fits teachers for parochial schools of the denomination, and admits a limited number of pupils to a selected course. When the school was founded in 1869. the instructors and twelve pupils occupied the resi- dence which was on the property at the time of purchase. Two years later, a brick building was erected, 75x40, and three stories high. The number of pupils was increased threefold, and the growth of the institution was so rapid that five 3 - ears afterward it was found necessary to build again. A handsome structure, costing $25,000 was then built, which proved no more than sufficient to contain the increased number that sought admittance, and since then the growth of the school has iucreased steadily. About 130 pupils can be accommodated, and all the modern conveniences known to the best architects have been adopted in the construc- tion of the recitation, study rooms and dormi- tories, and the methods of heating, lighting and ventilation were carefullly considered. In addition to the theological studies, there are a classical course and complete courses in the German and English languages. Music is not neglected ; all are trained in vocal music, and the theological students, as well as those who are preparing to teach, are taught to play 250 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. on the organ and piano ; the teacher pupils, in addition, are instructed in playing the violin. The grounds cover about thirty acres, twenty acres of which are devoted to a garden, where the students find healthful and useful employ- ment. Except the cooking and laundry work, all the labor is performed by the pupils, who are thereby kept from idleness and mischief. The School Board consists of a sub-commit- tee called Overseers, who report to the Direct- ors, a committee who are responsible to the Synod. The school has no endowment, depend- ing mainly on free-will offerings for mainte- nance. The Inspector, or President, in addition to the usual duties of such an office, exercises a general supervision over all the interests of the institution, for which he is personally responsi- ble. The present Inspector, Rev. P. Goebel, succeeded the late Rev. Philipp Meusch in 1880. The remaining members of the Faculty are : J. Lueder, Professor of Latin, Greek and History ; W. J. A. Hogan, Professor in charge of the English Department ; H. Brodt, Profes- ! sor of German and Pedagogy ; F. Berchtold, Professor of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics ; G. Rosche, Professor of Music— J. Lueder. st. peter's church. This belongs to the German Evangelical Synod of North America in Elmhurst, and was founded .May 21, 1870. At this time the num- ber of pupils in the college had increased to an extent sufficient to warrant the building of a church, to enlarge the sphere of its useful- ness and turn its teachings in the minds of its pupils in a proper direction. The first mem- bers and founders of this church were those who were residents of Elmhurst but had previ- ously attended Immanuel Church at Addison. During the first year of its existence, the profes- sors in the college acted as pastors. Rev. Chris- tian Beck was the first ordained pastor, holding the position from April till October, 1877. Rev. Frederick Boeber succeeded him till March, 1882, when Rev. Emil Keuchen, the present pastor took the charge. A parsonage and schoolhouse has been built adjoining the church, and a parochial school is taught under its pat- ronage. Fifty-four families constitute its mem- bership, the younger children of whom attend the school. BUSINESS REGISTER OP ELMHURST. Lumber, coal, grain, flour and feed, etc. Brownell & Strange. Diy goods and groceries (general store), Henry L. Glos, Charles Most, August Grave. Hardware and agricultural implements, Adam S. Glos. Hardware, stoves and tin shop, William Most, Carl Bauer. Blacksmiths and wagon-makers, Louis Bal- geman and Louis Rakow; William Geise, blacksmith; Henry Mueller, wagon-maker. Elmhurst Manufacturing Company, manu- facturer of patent spoke driver and wagon fixtures. Elmhurst Creameiy, Arthur Robinson, les- see. Harness-maker and saddler, Peter A. Wolf. Boots and shoes and shoe-maker, Nick Peter; D. Benjamin Miche, shoe-maker. Butchers, Rudolph Kraemer, Edward Dul- berg. Tailors, John Barge, Henry Gehrke, Albert T. Schultz. Painters and paper hangers, Jacob Witten- burg, Frank Blau. Julius Heegard. Carpenters and joiners, Ernst Balgemann Henry Battermann, William Hauabeth, Baker, Arthur Silvers, Hermann Warnecke, Hermann Conrad, John Halm. Masons, Henry Boettcher, Henry Morwitzei', William Weigrafe. Hotel and saloon, William Ohlerich. Saloons, Christian Blievernicht, Franz Boed- er, Christian Bell. YORK TOWNSHIP. 251 Methodist Episcopal, Rev. J. A. Potter. Evangelical Lutheran, Rev. E. Kenchen. Roman Catholic, Rev. C. J. Neiderberger. Physicians and surgeons, F. J. T. Fischer, George F. Heidemann. Postmaster, Jacob Glos. Chicago & Northwestern Railway and Ameri- can Express, Albert S. Brownell, Agent. VILLAGE GOVERNMENT. Trustees, Henry L. Glos, George Sawin, Chris- tian Blievernicht, Peter A Wolf, Ernst Balge- mann, Henry Hohman, Sr. President, Henry L. Glos. Clerk, William H. Litchfield. Treasurer, George F. Heidemann. Street Commissioner, Henry C. Holman. EVANGELICAL SEMINARY AT ELMHURST, ILL. President, Rev. Peter Goebel. Professor, Rev. John Lueder. Professor of English, W. J. H. Hogan. Professor of Music, George F. Rosche. Teachers, H. Brodt, Fred Berchtold. CHURCHES. Trinity Church. — This is located at York Center, and was organized in 1868, when the church was built. It was first a private school — a branch of the Addison congregation. Rev. Theodore Martens was the first pastor, who was succeeded, in 1871, by Rev. C. A. T. Selle, Professor in the Addison Seminary, till 1872, when Rev. G. T. H. Gotsch became pastor, who holds the position to the present time. Sixty families are connected with this church. It has a parish school, numbering about fifty schi liars ; is connected with the church, in which German and English are taught. The York Center Methodist Church was orga- nized in 1857. A church was built in 1859, and dedicated June 5, the same year. It num- bered about twenty-five members, at first com- posed of Americans only. The German Lu- therans bought a half interest in it in 1879, since which time the Germans have increased in numbers, while the Americans have diminished. The Catholic Church at Elmhurst. — This was built in the year 1862, by Rev. P. Meinrad, a Benedictine Father, and about twelve Catholic families. In 1864, the Redemptorist Fathers attended this mission every second Sunday from Chicago until 1876, when Right Rev. Bishop Foley ele- vated it to a parish, appointing Rev. Charles Becker as the first stationary pastor. He was succeeded, in 1877, by Rev. M. Wolly, and, in 1880, by the present pastor, Rev. C. J. Niederberger, who has, by his clerical bearing in the execution of his duties as pastor, won the esteem not only of his own flock, but of the citizens of Elmhurst, who have verified this by their contributions to improve the grounds of the church and parsonage, with hedge rows and trees and flowers, nor did the friends of the church stop here. Two line oil paintings, one on each side of the altar, have also been con- tributed by them. The subjects are the " Ma- dona and the Infant Jesus," which is on the left, and the other, " St. Joseph and the In- fant Jesus," which is on the right. They were painted by H. Kaiser, a pupil of the celebrated M. P. Von Deschwandore, of Switzerland. Pict- ures of the fourteen stations ornament the sides of the church, and the recess, in which is the altar, is tastefully adorned with sacred devices appi'opriate to the place, find well calculated to inspire the conscientious one who kneels be- fore it with good resolutions. The number of parishioners has now increased to sixty families, one-third of whom are Irish and the other Ger- man. LOMBARD. This is a pleasantly located village on the eastern boundary of Babcock's Grove, which name was first given to the place. Luther Morton and Winslow Churchill, Jr., made claims in 1831. where this village now stands, 252 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. and built a log house. Mr. Morton bought his land of the Government when it came into market, and assigned his certificate to his brother, Nathaniel B., in 1843, who sold out to Reuben Mink in 1846, May 14, who in turn sold out to Josiah Lombard, in 1867, who changed the name to that which it now has. John Rumble came to the place in 1843, and Hiram Whittemore and Levi Ballou in 1846. J. B. Hull came to the place and built a house and store in 1848. He was also first Postmas- ter, and when the railroad came through the next year he was the station agent. Chauncey Harmon was section boss on the road. For many years previous to the completion of the railroad, Babcock's Grove enjoyed a wide reputation as a kind of center for a future vil- lage when the country should become sufficient- ly settled to require one. In 1851, there were five frame houses and one store at the place, besides the building owned by the railroad company, which was a depot and hotel and kept by Mr. Parsons. It was platted by J. S. Lombard and others April 28, 1868. Situated on parts of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 18, Township 39, Range 11. Its elevation above Lake Michigan is 127 feet. Daniel Shehan came to the place in 1848, and succeeded Mr. Hull as station agent, re- taining the post till it was occupied b}' the present agent. CHURCH HISTORY OF LOMBARD. The first church organization which made the village of Babcock's Grove (now Lombard) its center, was inaugurated on November 28, 1851. Rev. E. E. Wells, agent of the "West- ern Home and Foreign Missionary Association," was present to give form to the enterprise. The following nine persons were the original mem- bers : Rev. Charles Boswell and wife, Mr. Will- iam Emerson and wife, Mr. Phineas Ames and wife (Mrs. Ames was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson), Mrs. Pamela Filer, Mrs. Marga- ret Dodge (wife of Mr. Pardon Dodge) and Mr. Ebenezer Landers. The Congregational Church of Babcock's Grove, thus organized, stood firm and square, not onl}- upon the ancient foundations, but also upon the live issues of the day. It opened its fellowship to "all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, who have witnessed a good profession before men and practically honor their Master ;" but in welcoming to the Lord's Supper all such believers, it said also : " Per- sons engaged in the manufacture, sale or use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, slaveholders and apologists for slavery are not included in this invitation." For several years, the Sabbath worship and the Sabbath school, which was a year older than the church, were held in the village schoolhouse, a building about half-a-mile east of the present Lombard Station, and now used as the dwelling of Mr. D. Klussmej'er. In 1852, the little compairy was increased by the addition of Mr. and Mrs. William Neflf and Mrs. Mary Miller (first wife of Mr. Thomas Miller). Rev. James McChesnej' and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mather and Mrs. Sarah E. Somers (a daughter of Mr. William Emerson) were added to it in February, 1855. In the same mouth, the church at Danby (now Pros- pect Park), which had been organized in Jan- uary, 1850, was dissolved, and of its members, Mr. Stephen Van Tassel and wife, Mr. Alfred Standish and wife, Mrs. R. Rudock, Mrs. Mar- tha Dean, Mrs. Fidelia Ober (wife of Mr. David Ober), Mrs. Mercy Churchill, Mrs. Cornelia Brooks and Mrs. H. Ackerman immediately joined the church of Babcock's Grove. In the autumn of 1856, the meetings began to be held in the Baptist Church at Du Page Center (now Stacj's Corners), in the township of Milton, that point being more central for the congregation as changed by the recent ad- ditions. The church, however, still kept as a preaching station its old place at " The Grove." YOEK TOWNSHIP. 253 The body had become strong enough in 18(50 to consider the matter of " building meeting- houses at Danby and Babcock's Grove." A re- sult of this movement was the organization, in February of that year, of the " Congregational Society of Danby," for the purpose of erecting a building and caring for the financial affairs of the church. No corresponding work was ef- fected at Babcock's Grove. April 27, 1861, the church unanimously "re- solved that this church shall hereafter be known as the ' First Congregational Church of Danby,' and its regular place of worship shall be in that village." Of the church whose history is here dropped, Rev. Charles Boswell was the first pastor and clerk. He died, in the pastorate, in 1852 or 1853. Rev. Harry Jones seems to have been a preacher here, as well as at Danby, in 1853. But Rev. James McChesney was pastor of the church during the greater part of its existence, remaining with it after its location at Danby. He acted also as Clerk, and the public is in- debted to him for the preservation of his faith- ful records of the earl}' times. The first Deacon of the church was Mr. William Emerson, who held that office until his death, which occurred about 1856. From 1861 to 1866, no church organization existed in the village. The death or removal of early supporters and the confusions incident to the war conspired to prevent such work ; but preaching was sustained pretty regularly and the Sunday school was frequently in a vigorous condition. Among its early Superintendents were successively Rev. Mr. Boswell, Mr. W. Em- erson, Mr. Phincas Ames, Mr. Adam Hatfield, Mr. Seth Churchill, Mr. Davis and various men who had acted as temporary preachers. In 1859, the sehoolhouse now in use was built, and the congregation removed thither. In the autumn of 1864 — since which time the writer has been familiar with the town his- tory — and the succeeding winter, Rev. Mr. Wa- teman was Superintendent. J. T. Reade served from March, 1865, to the close of 1866. This brings the school inside the time when a more permanent church force began to be operant. During the years 1865-69, the population of the village was increased by the coming of man} - familes specially interested in Christian institutions and public-spirited in giving freely for their support. In the summer of 1866, Mr. (now Rev.) James Tompkins, then a student of Chicago Theological Seminary, had been preaching to the congregation for several months, the meet- ings being held in the sehoolhouse. On the 26th of July of that year was formed The First Church of Christ, Babcock's Grove, and on August 2, a council of the neighboring churches and clergymen met and gave it a brotherly recognition. Six denominations were represented in the original membership of fourteen. It was, as it is claimed to be, a Union Church of Evangelical Christians, and at first kept free from all ecclesiastical connec- tions. The persons thus allying themselves were : Joseph B. Hull and Fanny E., his wife; Isaac Claflinand Mary W.,his wife; Josiah T. Reade and Christia (now deceased), his wife; Allen B. Wrisley and Lucy, his wife; Mrs. Clarissa Frisbie (now deceased); Mrs. Margaret A. Mil- ler (now deceased), second wife of Mr. Thomas Miller; Mrs. Emily Fish ; Miss Lydia M. Hull (now deceased); Miss M. Albina Harris (now Mrs. Frank Hull); and R, Franklin Claflin. The meetings continued to be held mostly in the sehoolhouse. But, in about two years from its organization, the church having increased well in numbers and means, a beautiful chapel was erected on the lot at the northeast corner of Main and Maple streets, the spot now oc- cupied by the residence of Mrs. John Bracken. It was dedicated on December 3, 1868. This building was destroyed by an incendiary fire on the night of August 27, 1869. 254 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Up to this time the church property had been owned by the church itself, an incorporated body. Immediately after the loss of its edi- fice an " ecclesiastical society " was formed to manage financial affairs. This bod}' thought best to change the church location, and there- fore built its new house on North Main street. This was used for worship till 1873. The pastors of this church were: Rev. James Tompkins, from its origin to May, 1869; Rev. Osmar W. Fay, from June, 1869, to November 2, 1869; Rev. Henry T. Rose, from May, 1870, to October, 1871; and after this Rev. Josiah A. Mack, for a time not recorded exactly. The first Deacon of this church was J. T. Reade, and Isaac Claflin was its first Clerk. The village, having been incorporated in 1S69 as the "Town of Lombard," the church underwent a corresponding change of name. The First Congregational Church of Lom- bard was formed October 22, 1869, with thir- teen original members. With the exception of three, they came directly from the '• First Church of Christ," and were as follows: Nathaniel S. dishing and Elizabeth B., his wife; Newton Chapin and Caroline B., his wife ; A. B. Chatfield and Emma L., his wife; J. Benson Vallette and Ruth M., his wife; Mrs. Margaret A. Miller (now deceased); Mrs. J. E. Ambrose; Miss Eva C. Cushing; Noah Shep- ardson; and Charles M. Lewis (now deceased). An ecclesiastical society to work in connec- tion with the church was also formed, and a church building was immediately commenced at the southwest corner of Main and Maple streets. It was dedicated May 29, 1870, and is still used as a place of worship. On January 20, 1870. a council of Congre- gational Churches and clergymen met and rec- ognized this church as a member of Congrega- tional sisterhood. Rev. O. W. Fay, having closed his connec- tion with the older church, became pastor of this immediately upon its organization, and continued with it till 1872. The first Deacons were N. S. Cushing and Newton Chapin, and the first Clerk was J. B. Vallette. The First Church, Lombard.— In 1873, the irapolic} - of sustaining two churches of the same general faith having been thoroughly dem- onstrated, the two were discontinued, by agree- ment, and on May 2 of that year, the present organization, bearing the above name, was formed. It is " Evaugelical" in its creed, and Congregational in its polit} r , and belongs to Chicago Association. It occupies the " south side " church, having sold the other building. The church had no regular pastor until April, 1874. Rev. Charles Caverno then commenced his work, in which he still continues. Nathan- iel S. Cushing and Allen B. Wrisley were the first Deacons. The first Clerk and Treasurer was William L. Rogers (now deceased). There are now eighty resident members. The financial affairs are cared for by an allied society of the usual form. Among the enter- prises that look hither for their inspiration is the church library, partly of religious, but mostly of general literature, numbering about eight hundred volumes, and now open to the general public. — J. T. Reade. BUSINESS MEN. I. Claflin, real estate. B. T. Teets & Sons, hardware. August Koerber, miller. C. Fabri, harness-maker. R. Grunwald, shoe-maker. P. Arnoldi, shoe-maker. A. B. Wrisley, soap manufacturer. W. Stuenkel, butter and cheese factory. He receives 6,000 pounds of milk daily and makes 300 pounds of cheese; also 200 pounds of but- ter daily. A. E. and D. C. Hills, general store. A. E. Hills, general auctioneer. Gray & Malcomb. hardware and farm imple- ments. WIXFIELD TOWNSHIP. 255 L. Marquart & Bros., general store, feed and grain. John Q. Reber, grocer. B. M. Ackerruan, butcher. John Fischer, blacksmith and wagon-maker. C. W. Oleson, physician and surgeon. Joseph Gregorj', carpenter and builder. Richard Wells, ice cream and confectionery. Dave Frank, mason and contractor. Henry Assman, mason and contractor. Levi Castleman, painter. N. S. Cushing, retired. Martin Hogau, section boss, Chicago & North Western Railroad. John Patterson, station agent, Chicago & North Western Railroad. Melvin Ballon, conductor, Chicago & North- Western Railroad. 0. F. Long, engineer, Chicago & North-West- ern Railroad. M. C. Carroll, fine groceries, flour, etc. CHAPTER XIII. WINFIELD TOWNSHIP— WARRENVILLE — WATER CRESSES — THEIR CONSEQUENCES— NEWCOMERS AND DISTANT NEIGHBORS — PARTIES AND RAISINGS — RAILSPL1TTING — FOURTH OF JULY — THE SCHOOLGIRL'S HANDKERCHIEF— THE OLD SAW-MILL— THE HOTEL AND DANCING HALL — WHAT WAS IN A TRUNK OF OLD PAPERS — CHURCHES— THE WARRENVILLE ACADEMY— GARY'S MILLS— METHODIST CHURCH AT THE PLACE— A SHYLOCK MEM- BER EXCOMMUNICATED— WINFIELD — TURNER JUNCTION —JOHN B. TURNER. AS we drink at the fountains of nature, how little do we know of her subterra- nean secrets. In arid deserts, and sometimes even in fruitful countries of considerable ex- tent, no living springs are found, but they occur along the banks of the Du Page River at many places, and in profusion at Warren- ville. Here they burst out of the ground un- tarnished with the tincture of lead or iron pipes — the bane of water in all large cities — and in their pebbly-bottomed rivulets a tangle of water-cresses overspreads their trickling courses to the river. It is said that where speckled trout are found in the streams of a country, no fever and ague exists there. This does not go to show that trout are an antidote to the ague. Nor is it claimed that water-cresses make pure water, but it is claimed that pure cold water makes water-cresses, the same as a healthful, well-drained country abounding in mountain torrents makes speckled trout. Both the trout and water-cresses are refined produc- tions in animal and vegetable life from the laboratory of nature, the handiwork of her geological composition whose formula is a sealed book to us. The delightful springs attracted the attention of the first settlers at what is now Warreuville and its vicinity, and the following are their names in the order in which they came : Eras- tus Can', now living at Wheaton ; Jude P. Gar}-, who died in 1881 on his farm, and The- ron Parsons, all came in 1832 and made claims. Alvah Fowler and Col. J. M. Warren, both of whom now live in W arrenville, came and made claims in the spring of 1833. Ira Herrick and Jacob Galusha, neither now living, came the same year, and made claims near Warrenville. Israel Lord and Alfred Churchill both came to the vicinity and made claims in 1834. These were the true pioneers of what is now Winfield Township. To add to these names those who arrived soon afterward would multi- lily words without knowing where to stop, as 256 HISTORY OF DC PAGE COUNTY. so many settlers soon followed them. Daniel Warren, a native of Massachusetts, had settled at Naperville in 1833. His family consisted of a wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Morton, and the following children : Philinda H., who married Alvah Fowler, of Warrenville ; Louisa G., who married Frederick Bird, and then Silas E. Warren as her second husband ; Julius M. Warren, after whom Warrenville was named, and who now lives at the place ; Sally L., who married A. E. Carpenter, brother of Philo Car- penter, of Chicago ; Harriet N.. who married C. B. Dodson, of Geneva ; Maria and Mary (twins), the former of whom married S. B. Cobb, of Chicago, and the latter Jerome Beech- er, of the same place ; and Jane, who married N. B. Curtis, of Peoria. In the spring of 1834, Alvah Fowler, together with a large number of adventurers, made a tour of discovery to the north up the Desplaines River. After leaving the present site of May- wood, no white settlers were found, but the am- ple groves on its banks were alive with Indians, whose wigwams seemed to be omnipresent. At Half Day's village, in the present county of Lake, were forty or fifty families housed in their rude huts, killing the hours after the time- honored custom of their race, whose wants are limited according to their disinclination to work. There was a large burying-ground at the place, and a white flag flying over it as a sacred charm to honor the dead. To the north, there were no neighbors but the Meachams, the Dunklees, the Churchills and the Babcocks. At Brush Hill and at Downer's Grove, were settlements, and at Naperville, which was at their doors, comparatively speak- ing, and was the parent colony of all. To the west was the Fox River Valley, where clusters of houses had already been put up at Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva and Aurora, and near the pres- ent site of Batavia Mr. Dodson had a sawmill on a western tributary of the river. All these settlements seemed like neighbors together. They visited each other at parties, and assisted each other at raisings. The latter was one of the olden-time institutions, now almost obsolete, but then in the heyday of its glory, and, while it served a practical purpose, it also toned up the social feeling and became the means by which distant neighbors could form a knowl- edge of each other's character and a measure of their merits on general principles. After Col. Warren had made his claim in 1833, he returned to his native place, and the next year (1S34) on coming back he found two new-comers. Grant Goodrich had come to the place and made a claim of 200 acres on the west side of the river, intending to make a farm. He hired sixteen acres of ground "broke," and in the programme took off his broadcloth coat, rolled up his sleeves and, with the assist- ance of Sidney Able, went to work at splitting rails to fence it. Here were two men, the one destined to become Judge of the Superior Court at Chicago and the other its Postmaster, maul- ing an iron wedge into an oak log by alternate strokes, not for amusement, but to make rails to fence in a corn-field. But these hours of labor were not without relief. Fourth of July came, and something must be done to leaven the vir- gin soil with patriotism, and Naperville was the " stamping ground " for all such gatherings. The morning came. There wei'e no bells to ring They did not need any such stimulent to set their patriotic blood to tingling in their veins. When the crowd had assembled, young Goodrich was honored with an invitation to read the Declaration of Independence, and he soon became the most conspicuous man iu the crowd. The next thing was to get a copy. Here was the fatal balk, for none could be found in all Naperville, and faces all round be- gan to look rueful, till a sweet little girl stepped forward and offered her pocket handkerchief, on which this immortal document was printed, justly proud of the service she had rendered to the convention. Young Henry B. Blodgett, WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 257 the son of the stalwart blacksmith, now Judge of the court of the United States, at District in Chicago, then thirteen years old, sat near the honored elocutionist of the day, and paid strict attention to the words. Let us return to business. Col. Warren wanted to buy out the claim of Mr. Goodrich. He contemplated build- ing a saw-mill, and needed the land on both sides of the river whereupon to build his dam. Mr. Goodrich's hands were blistered splitting rails, and he was in a suitable frame of mind to sell. Col. Warren paid him 50 cents per hundred for the rails he had split, and a rea- sonable price for the breaking, and he quit- claimed to him. Col. Warren erected his house the same sea- son, hauling the lumber for it from Dodson's mill. This was the first frame house ever built at the place. His eldest sister kept house for him. The next year he built a saw-mill, and the place became a liveh - resort for mechanics, teamsters and fanners, as soon as the mill began to turn out lumber, a material so much needed in the country. A house was soon erected, where the strong men who rolled the logs to the saw car- riage with "cant-hooks " boarded, and in the upper story of it a room was finished off for a school, and here the lady who subsequently be- came Principal of the academy at the place, Mrs. Holmes, taught its first school. The next year, 1836, a schoolhouse was built by subscription. It is now remodeled into a private dwelling and occupied by Joseph Hud- son. A post office was established at the place in May, 1838, Col. Warren, Postmaster, who kept the office at his house. He is Postmaster at the present time. The same year, 1838, he built a fine hotel and spacious hall in it for dancing. It was pat- ronized by the elite of Chicago as well as Naperville and the Fox River towns, and here it was that John Wentworth made his debut into social circles, and the lady who first initiat- ed him into the graceful motions of the cotil- lion, still calls to mind the pleasing remin- iscence. No more refined and truly aesthetic circles than these dancing and private parties have ever graced the elegant drawing rooms of even Chicago since that eventful period. Their influence Las elevated the aims in life of many a man and woman now in the best ranks of society, and perhaps some of them in their twilight hour of life, in thinking of old scars in their hearts not yet quite healed over, can fix their dates in Col. Warren's old dancing hall. Amidst a trunk full of old Warrenville pa- pers from which scraps of history have been gathered by the writer, the following verses at- tracted his attention, and are here inserted to show the sentiment of the times. Their author is unknown. Perhaps he gave them to some inamorata who lost them and they fortunately found a place among these old musty records, to be rescued from oblivion in the pages of this book • " fly to the prairie, sweet maiden, with me, 'Tis as green, and as wild, and as wide as the sea, O'er its emerald bosom the summer winds glide, And waves the wild grass like the vanishing tide. " Let us hie to the chase, lovely maiden, away, And follow the fawns as they gambol and play, On the back of the courser so lithe and so free, While circling and bounding o'er heather and lea. " The woodman delights in his trees and his shade, But the sun leaves no tinge of the cheeks of his maid His flowers are blighted, its colors are pale And weak is the breath when their perfumes exhale . " Soft zephyrs ere play in the prairie breeze, And furrow the grasses like waves of the seas, And waft o'er the landscape its sweets from the West. Aromas delicious, with fragrance possessed. " fly to the prairies, sweet maiden, with me, Each flower here dimples and blushes for thee, And nightly the moon in her star-studded sky Twinkles love in her ray while the katydids cry. " There is nothing to cloy in the wilds of the West, Each day hath its pleasures where love is confessed, My cottage now empty is waiting for thee, Will you come to my bower and share it with me ?" 258 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. The same cooling springs now lave the banks of the river that then did, and the same water- cresses bathe their roots in their pools. They might have had something to do with the fine sentiments that then lived and grew there. If so, their mission may not yet be ended. This we will leave to the future, while the progress of events is continued. The village of Warrenville was platted by Julius M. Warren May 7, 1844. He was then a Representative of his district, and again in 1850. Since the era of railroads, it has lost its equilibrium with other towns in the scale of progress ; but the end is not yet. That a brighter prospect will yet open before it seems certain, as the magnitude of Chicago will create a demand for its beautiful grounds for residences, and a way to reach them by railroad. The following is a list of the business men of the place : Cheese factory — Consumes 8,000 pounds of milk ; makes 200 pounds of butter, and 500 pounds of cheese daily. R. R. Barnard is pro- prietor. The Warrenville Grist and Merchant Mill was built by Smith & Fowler in 1847. It came into possession of Lamb & Co. in 1857 ; was burnt August 1 1, 1879 ; was rebuilt, and commenced running in March, 1880. It is a full roller mill, using the celebrated Gratiot Conical Vertical Gradual Reduction Machine. Uses 500 bushels of wheat, and manufactures 100 barrels of flour per day. Brands — Peace- Maker and Reliable. Blacksmiths — J. M. Hollister, J. W. Watson, George F. Ressequie. Merchants — C. A. Bowen, J. T>. Hawbecker. Boot and shoe-maker — D. Stafford. Notary Public — J. Hudson. Justice of the Peace — A. T. Jones. House painter — Henry Wyman. Carpenter — L. V. Ressequie. Clergyman — Rev. — . Adams. WARRENVILLE ACADEMY. This institution, while in its prime, was to the country around what Oxford is to the En- glish Church to-day. The old building now stands a silent monument of its once beneficent mission. To the teachings within its walls man}' retrospections of youthful ambitious revert back with pleasing emotions from men and women now mature with life's experiences. Who can tell its history best? thought I, while looking at the untrodden grass that has en- croached upon the threshold of its door. For the necessary information I wrote to its early Principal, and the following is her reply, together with her historical sketch, which is better than any other one could write, for who else could measure the value and rehearse the story and make it live again, at least in mem- ory, as she has done it in her own unaffected style : " Rockford, July 7, 1882. ■'Mr. Blanchard : I send you a brief, and. I feel, quite imperfect, manuscript. It may, however, serve as the basis of a better article. I found it difficult to get statistics ; dates may not be correct. I wrote to some who were as- sociated with me during the years I was en- gaged there, but the answers were not satisfac- tory, so I have given you the best I have at hand. '• You will see that I have not written this to be recognized as its author, only to give the facts in my possession as the groundwork of what you may say on the subject. " Yours very respectfully, " S. W. Holmes. " In the settlement of every new country, one of the first objects of the settlers seems to be to organize some effective sj'stem of education. In Du Page County, Warrenville aimed to take the lead in that direction. As early as 1843- 44, two schools were opened in Warrenville, one under the auspices of the Baptist denomi- nation with the design of founding a collegiate WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 259 institution, the other under the supervision of Misses H. W. Bryant and S. Warren. Both these schools flourished for a time, and did good work, but both, for some reason, were given up. After that time, several teachers had commenced operations there, but had abandoned the project and gone into more promising fields of labor. In 1850, the good people of Warrenville and vicinity, aided by strong, earnest friends from Chicago, who were desirous of sending their children to some healthy country place to be educated, succeeded in raising an amount necessary for the erection of a suitable building for the accommodation of a school. The institution was duly in- corporated by an act of Legislature, a Board of Directors was chosen, the financial aud edu- cational charge was intrusted to Mrs. S. W. Holmes. The school was opened in September 1851. Competent teachers were secured. Mrs. Holmes converted her own home into a board- ing-house for pupils from abroad. The patron- age was fair. The number of pupils taught in the school for the next four or five years was between one and two hundred each year. In 1855-56, B. F. Taylor was engaged to take charge of the male department of the institu- tion, and a fine class of 3'oung men were sent out from Chicago to fit for college under his instruction. This measure promised well, but owing to Mr. Taylor's resignation, proved an unfortunate one for the material interests of the school. After some delay, a gentleman was found to supply Mr. Taylor's place, but the delay was fatal. Mrs. Holmes, although ably- assisted by Mr. C. Howes and Miss M. C. Knight, feeling that it would be difficult to tide the school over the crisis, resigned her position. The Directors took the finances in charge, and the school passed into other hands. The fort- unes of the school for the next three or four years were fluctuating, when Mrs. Holmes was recalled, and, assisted by Mrs. M. V. Bull, again took charge of the institution. Mrs. Bull remained about two years, and was suc- ceeded by Miss M. C. Knight. Under their supervision, the school was brought up to its former standard, but the demand for increased facilities were greater than the ladies in charge could supply, and the school was again aban- doned. During these many years, hundreds of pupils went out from this school to take then- places in the active arena of life, with a broader outlook, with higher aims and nobler ambitions. The course of instruction they had received aimed to develop thought-power, to quicken mental activity, to rouse latent energy, and give the self-reliance necessar}' for the cumula- tive responsibilities that lay before them. So far as it accomplished this purpose, its brief existence became a moral force, whose power must be enduring. At the opening of the civil war, many students went out from that school and took their places in the ranks of the Union army. Ashley Carpenter, Joseph Monk and his brother Corelle, Ferdinand and Daniel Fowler, William Ray, Alvord Drullard were, within a few months, brought back aud consigned to their final rest in the village cemetery. Dr. J. M. Woodworth, Gen. F. A. Starring and his brother, Capt. William Starring, followed the fortunes of the war to its close. Dr. Woodworth has since died at the post of duty in Washington. The mission and influence of this school inay still be traced by the life-record of those who were its members, as every seed dropped in the fer- tile soil of the young heart germinates and bears fruit, ' it may be a hundred fold,' ac- cording to the strength of the germ and the favoring influence of its environments, so that the social and educational force which gave to Warrensville an impetus for a few years, may be repeated from new centers which trace their life- threads back to a starting-point in that village school." CHURCHES. Baptist Church. — As early as 1834, steps were taken to organize a Baptist Church, so 260 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. says the record, but in 1836 measures were taken to organize a society, and a church was established numbering sixteen members, Rev. L. B. King, pastor. He was succeeded by A. B. Hubbard, Joel Wheeler, A. J. Joslyn, P. Taylor, Joel Wheeler, S. F. Holt, Freeman and H. Wescott. The societ}' first worshiped in a private house, and next in a schoolhouse, till this church was built, in 1857, which is a com- modious edifice, on a beautiful site, and im- parts to the town an air of propriety. Mrs. Alvah Fowler is now the only remaining one living of the original sixteen who formed this church. Methodist Episcopal Church. — This denomi- nation has a fine church, eligibly located, at which regular preaching is sustained, and also a flourishing Sabbath school. Rev. J. R. Wel- burn is its present Pastor. gary's mills. Just above the southern line of Section 15 in the present township of Winfield, the West Fork of the Du Page River presents unusual attractions. Its banks are firm on both sides, and graduate upward, without marshy inter- vals. The current of the river is active, and afforded a mill site of fair promise. There was then much valuable timber in the adjacent groves, and the three Gary brothers, Erastus, Jude and Charles, jointly erected a saw-mill at the place in 1837, which then gave a reasona- ble assurance of becoming the most important town in the county except Naperville. A post office was soon organized at the place, Charles Gary, Postmaster. A store was next estab- lished, kept by William Gar}', the present banker in Wheaton. A schoolhouse was built which proved more permanent than anything else built there, as it is still standing and in use. The inevitable church organization came in with the rest, and this spot became the nucleus around which the Methodism of the immediate country first planted its principles into the soil, " to use a figure." It was under the charge of Rev. Washington Wilcox, who rode the Du Page Circuit (as this region was then called), and preached to the new congre- gation in the schoolhouse at Gary's Mills everv fourth week. Erastus, Jude and Charles Gary, Warren L. and Jesse C. Wheaton, Hezekiah Holt and family, William Ainsworth, Peter B. Curtis and family, Nat. Brown, Mrs. Woodard and a few others were members. A black- smith shop next came in, where Mr. Foster, like others at the place, " struck while the iron was hot," and Gaiy's Mills became a center at which covetous eyes looked with regret that the} - had not made early claims there. The old settlers of Turner Junction and Wheaton for several years received their letters there. It also became the place where camp-meetings were held, and the groves near by, which were then vocal with singing, are now solitudes. When this place was in the heyday of its glory, the church there may claim the honor of having first established a principle worthy of imitation. The case was this : One of its mem- bers, Nat. Brown, held a deed for forty acres of land near the place, ten acres of which he was justly bound, by the rules of Claim Socie- ties, to deed back to Mrs. Woodard, whose claim, before the surveys were made, covered the said ten acres. This he refused to do, and in this resolution he had the law on his side, but not the higher law of justice. The matter came before the church, and he still refused to relinquish the land. Here was a dilemma — a brother refusing to do an act of simple justice because the law did not compel him to do it. 'Tis true, he might some time repent of this sin, but repentance without restoration was but a skiu-deep disguise, and if such repentance could not be verified by restitution when the land was worth but $3 per acre, as at pres- ent, would it be likely to come with this vouchsafe when the land had increased in value to five or ten times that amount, as DEITRICK GRAUE. WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 263 such men as the Wheatons, Garys, Curtises and Holts must have thought a probability ? An3' expectation of a remote restitution was not to be thought of, and Mr Brown was ex- communicated by a clear vote of the church. The name of Gary's Mills is still familiar, though the mills, having executed their mis- sion, which was to saw into lumber all the use- ful timber near by, have been suffered to deca}^. The dam has gone with the floods, and the mill has been entirely demolished by the ravages of time, though the most of the private dwellings at the place still stand there, tenanted by till- ers of the soil. The West Fork of the Da Page passes through the eastern portion of Winfleld Township. Its banks graduate upward in the form of rolling lands on both sides, beyond which are exten- sive lands sufficiently rolling for drainage, all of which are fertile and well suited to dairy business or the growth of cereals. There are eight schools in the township, in- cluding the graded school at Turner's Junction, and 782 persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years. TURNER JUNCTION. A brief biographical sketch of the gentle- man for whom this village was named caunot fail to be of interest to every reader, the more so on account of the high standard of integrity he ever maintained through a long and useful life: John B. Turner was born in Colchester, Del- aware Co., N. Y., January 14, 1799. His father died when he was two years of age ; his mother when he was fourteen. He was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Powers at eleven years of age. Mr. Powers purchased a farm in Martin, Sar- atoga Co., N. Y., upon which he labored for nine years. In 1819, he married Miss Martha Volemine, formed a copartnership with Joshua Parmelee, who had married the twin sister of his bride. They successfully prosecuted the agricultural labors upon the Volentine farm for five years. In 1835, Mr. Turner embarked in railroad enterprise ; he first contracted to build seven miles of the Ransom & Saratoga Railroad. In the same 3*ear, he constructed a part of the New York & Erie Railroad. In this work he continued until the crisis of 1837, then he en- gaged in the work of building the Genesee Valley Canal. In 1841, he contracted to grade seven miles of the Troy & Schenectady Rail- road. In 1843, he came to Chicago, and in 1847, was appointed Acting Director of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company, which had been chartered in 1836. In 1848, he accompanied B. W. Raymond to New York, and by his previous experience in railroad building, and having examined the surveyed route of the Galena & Chicago Railroad, aided very much in the sale of the bonds and stock of the Galena & Chicago Railroad ; work com- menced March, 1848, and track laid to Free- port, 121 miles. In 1853, the Dixon Air Line was commenced, and the same year he organ- ized the Beloit & Madison Railroad Company. He resigned the Presidency of Galena, Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. In 1858, as a citizen of Chicago, he was not forgetful of her local prospects and interests ; was a Direc- tor in Boards of Water Commissioners ; organ- ized the North Side Horse Railroad Company. His wife, mother of his six children, died in 1853. Two years after, he married Miss Ade- line Williams. Among the many whose names Chicago is proud to honor and perpetuate, none are more deserving than that of John B. Turner, with a record of more than seventy years, and a character unstained by the many corruptions of the present age. His declining years were spent amid the sunshine of life, sincerely mourned by his many friends, among whom he was universally respected and beloved. He died on the 26th day of February, 1871. Many years before it was supposed that a thriving village was to spring up here, the 264 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. land on which it now stands had been taken up in claims by settlers expecting to make farms of it. The claim covering the present village was brought by Capt. Alonzo Harvey. Among the early residents at or near the place were James Couley, from Mount Morris, N. Y., who is still a citizen of the town. Sherman Winslow was his nearest neighbor to the east. Next in the same direction was George W. Eastern. Job A. Smith, Thomas Brown and William Ribley were not far away in the same direction. South of him were Warren Towne and Will- iam Bailey, and north, John Barre. When the railroad came through the place in 1849, Michael McDonald came from Chicago and opened a general store, but subsequently sold out to his brother Joseph, who in turn sold the same to Joel Wiant in the spring of 1 857. The place at this date, says Mr. Wiant, consisted only of a post office, kept by C. D. Smith; a blacksmith shop, by Mr. Foster; a doctor's office and about two hundred inhabit- ants all told. James M. Dale was station agent. Mr. Con- ley, in 1S48, bought eighty acres of land where the graded school now stands, for $3 per acre, which is now worth $10 a front foot in lots. Mr. A. Archer owned ninety-six acres near the center of the town. He did not like rail- roads, and refused either to give or even to sell the right of way through it, but would sell the whole tract for $530.00. The railroad company bought it ; a few \-ears later it became worth from $200 to $300 per lot. The G alena & Chicago Union Railroad Com- pany platted the town, and recorded it Sep- tember 29, 1855. It is situated on the northwest quarter of Section 10, Township 39, Range 9, and its ele- vation above Lake Michigan is 182 feet. By the last census the village contained 1,125 in- habitants, having attained these numbers not by a spasmodic but a steady growth. The machine shops and other buildings of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Com- pany consist of a freight-house, built in 1856; two water tanks, one built in 1862, the other in 1865; round-house, built in 1864; rail mill and depot, both built in 1869; junction round- house and repairs shops, repairs engine tools and machine^-; at rail mill, rails are cut, straightened, drilled and reslotted; twenty- horse power engine at round-house, and em- ploys thirty-two men; at rail mill, uses forty- horse power engine, and employs eleven men. Foreman of shop and rail mill, David Hanney. SCHOOLS OF TURNER JUNCTION. Its pioneer school was taught in a log house situated on property now owned by E. Carey. Miss Sarah Carter was its first teacher, but in 1856 school was kept in a small building standing on the spot now occupied by the Con- gregational Church, when Miss Arvilla Currier taught. She is now the wife of Charles M. Clark, a well-known citizen of the place. The nextjear a two story schoolhouse was built on North street, in the eastern part of the town, in which the school was continued for sixteen years. When the present building for the graded school was finished, which was in 1873, John Tye, William Ripley and Charles M. Clark were Directors, and also constituted the build- ing committee. The entire cost of the build- ing was $23,502.50. It contains four rooms — being one for each department ; a recitation room, a library room and lecture room in the basement. The course of stud}' includes only English branches, but classical and foreign languages are taught outside of the regular course. Miss H. F. Yakeley has been Principal for seven years. Miss Lizzie Davis. Miss Addie Everden, Miss Louisa Anthony and Miss Annie Lockwood are the names of the teachers. Under the charge of the Principal, the school has won distinction in the county for its good W INFIELD TOWNSHIP. 265 discipline. And here it is due to its credit to state that Mr. Clark, who has been Director ever since 1872, gives Miss Yakeley credit for managing the school with so much discretion as to leave him little care to distract his atten- tion from his daily routine of other responsi- bilities. It is also due to the credit of Miss Emma Davies, who formerly had charge of the Primary Department, to say that her system of training and gymnastic drilling of the little ones under her charge won the admiration of all who beheld it. The School Board of Rockford, who came to the place to witness it. pronounced hers the best drilled class in the State. A library of 300 volumes has been provided for the school, from the proceeds of its exhibi- tions. The average attendance is about 250, from an enrollment of 300. CHURCHES. ]fi thodist Episcopal Church. — " Just when the church at Turner was built the records do not show, but believed to have been during 1857 and 1858. The parsonage was built some ten years later. " In all this work Charles Gary was a leading spirit. His house was a preaching place in 1835. He was many years a class leader ; March 23, 1850, licensed to preach ; four years later, assistant preacher ; and in 1861 ordained Deacon. To his long and faithful services, as much as to any other, is due the establishment of Turner Methodist Episcopal Church. " Most of the fathers have passed to their re- ward. As far as we can learn, only Eraatua Gary and Edward D. Wheedon remain of those who composed the quarterly conference of the original Du Page Circuit. " Turner now stands in the front rank of vil- lage churches on Chicago District. During the last year, 123 different names were on her reg- ister, twenty-one were baptized and $198.58 contributed for benevolent purposes." Rev. William H. Holmes is the present pas- tor of the church. He has recently written a "History of Early Methodism in Du Page County and Adjacent Territory," from which the above sketch has been copied verbatim. German M. E. Church. — The Methodist Epis- copal Church of the Germans was organized in the spring of 1864 by about a dozen men. Rev. John G. Keller came from Aurora to preach every Sunday, services being held in the Ger- man language at the Methodist Church already organized by the American portion of the community, where English services were held. The name of the present pastor is Jacob Shafer, who resides also in Aurora, and preaches once in two weeks in the German language to this church, in the house owned by tbeir Amer- ican brethren. German Evangelical Church. — The German Evangelical Protestant Church was established in the summer of 1870, and the church edifice finished the same year. Mr. John M. Faessler was appointed on the building committee, in connection with Rev. Julius Schumm. Mr. Schumm was pastor nearly two years when he was succeeded by Rev. Gustave Koch. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Purrer, who remained nearly two j*ears, when the pulpit was supplied for about a year by theological stu- dents from the Melancthon College in Elmhurst, Rev. Fredrick Boeber was the next ordained pastor, who remained about a year. Rev. Hen- rich Wolf came next, and remained about three years, and was succeeded by Rev. William Hat- tendorf, the present pastor. The church is out of debt and in a flourish- ing situation. A parsonage was built in 1SS1 and a German school in attachment to it. The school is taught by the minister. Congregational Church. — On May 17, 1856, this church was organized with the following members: Dr. J. McConnell, John L. Haga- 266 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUXTY. done, Margaret Hagadone, Mar}' Town. Rev. Lot Church as pastor, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Watkins from Vermont, adopting the Constitu- tion, Discipline and Articles of Faith of the Pox River Union, Dr. J. McConnell and J. L. Hagadone its first Deacons. The next minister called was Rev. Mr. Champlin, who preached off and on until the church was re-organized March 30, 1867, finding at that time only seven members remaining, and all of them females. A meeting was called by the Rev. J. E. Roy, who was then acting as Home Mission- ary, for the purpose of organizing and building a church on the lot given by J. B. Turner, where the present church remains at present, with the following members : W. J. Wilson, Mrs. H. M. Nelson, Mr. Esbon Morrill and wife, Mrs. Charlotte Delton, Dr. H. C. French, Msr. Julia A. French, making in all fourteen mem- bers. Steps were then taken to build a house of worship, Rev. J. E. Roy supplying the pul- pit, preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church until the church was 'built, which was dedicated March 8, 1868, out of debt. Rev. J. D. Davis was called from the Chicago Semi- nary, who preached six months during vaca- tion (was then a student), after which Rev. I. B. Smith was called, and preached about two years. The Rev. A. R. Thain was called, and preached three years. Rev. Mr. Fox was the next pastor, who preached one year. After that, the Rev. H. M. Skeels was called, and preached five years. The present pastor is Rev. E. L. Hill. The church has a member- ship of eighty members, with the present offi- cers, T. Brown, C. K. Sanders and E. Boyntou, Trustees ; Watson and Manvill, Deacons ; W. J. Wilson, Clerk, with a large Sunday school of over one hundred members, with a good libra- ry, and the following officers : W. J. Wilson, Superintendent ; R. T. Robinson, Assistant ; T. Evendon, Librarian ; J. Grove, Clerk ; Mrs. C. K. Sanders, Treasurer. — W. J. Wilson, Church Clerk. CATHOLIC CHURCH. Services are held once in two weeks by Rev. Dominick Spellman, who resides at Aurora. LODGES. Amity Lodge No. 472, A., F. & A. M., was chartered October 3, A. D. 1866, A. L. 5866. Charter Members : John H. Lakey, Joseph McConnell, Richard W. Bushnell, Joel Wiant, H. H. Ketcham, John McWilliams, John Tye, F. F. Lovelaud, J. Newbarger, William Ripley. Jr., M. Fessler, A. H. Wiant, G. McAuley and Thomas Wiant. The following brethren were installed as the officers at that time. John H. Lakey, W.M.; Joseph McConnell, S. W.; Rich- ard W. Bushnell, J. W. After changing places of meeting several times, this lodge finally secured a nicely-fitted and well-adorned hall in Casper Voll's brick block, which was subsequently destroyed by fire, the lodge losing everything, but were happily insured for money enough to enable them to furnish another hall on a more limited scale, but comfortable and convenient, with all the requisite appurtenances. The present offi- cers are G. M. D. Gregory, W. M.; James T. Hosford, S. W.; Robert T. Robertson, J. W.; Lyman C. Clark, Chaplain ; Henry Bradley, Treasurer ; William P. Reed, Secretary ; John McWilliams, S. D.; Joseph A. Norris, J. D.; George Cary, S. S.; James Funston, J. S.; Ed- ward Morgan, Tiler. LIST OP BUSINESS MEN AND HOUSES. Thomas Hosford, Mayor. John C. Neltuer, general store. Wiant & Stevens, general store. J. E. West, general store. Reed & Stark, general store. Charles Norris, furniture. 0. C. Woodworth, groceries. Prof. Crossman, groceries. T. V. Otis, hardware and tin. C. W. Gary, hardware and tin. W INFIELD TOWNSHIP. 267 Mrs. George Bviggs, restaurant. James Fisk, carpenter and joiner. Clinton Neltner, restaurant and baker}'. M. Kipp, carpenter and joiner. Thomas Barfield, restaurant. Nelson H. Lyon, painter and glazier. Mrs. F. Coart, milliner and dressmaking. William Foster, painter and glazier. Miss S. Derapsey, milliner and dressmaking. Crist Wahl, Jr., painter and glazier. L. Renspergher, shoemaker. John Groves, painter and glazier. Charles J. Schlupp, shoemaker. Charles Goodin, painter and glazier. Joseph Schalz, shoemaker. John C. Neltnor, nurseryman, etc. Frederick Thoro, saloon. D. Wilson, glove and mitten manufacturer. Crist Wahl, saloon. Andrew Murphy, stone and brick mason. Mrs. Hahn, saloon. John S. Barber, stone and brick mason. Frank Whitton, butcher. Frank Donehoe, stone and brick mason. Charles Gorham, stock-buyer. John Almindinger, stone and brick mason. Abram Pierson, stock-buyer. Dr. W. J. Wilson, general insurance agent. Weger & Bradly, grain and stock-buyers. L. C. Clark, life insurance agent. Benjamin Howarth, livery and sale stable. Albert Wiant, Government gauger. John Sargent, liver}' and sale stable. L. H. Manville, mail agent. John E. Standize, farm machinery, etc. John E. West, music teacher, etc. Charles Clark, lumber, coal, lime, salt, etc. James Lenwyck, railroad blacksmith. Frederick Weger, jeweler. Thomas McGraw, railroad blacksmith. Henry Boyer, barber. S. P. Tillotson, railroad carpenter. Joseph Brown, barber. M. A. Heiser, boiler-maker. William Ripley, hotel. Robert Robertson, machinist. David Springer, hotel. John Maiden, machinist. Benjamin Whitmarsh, boarding house. John Neibergher, machinist. B. T. Wilcox, physician and surgeon. Capt. D. Hull, machinist. A. C. Cotton, physician and surgeon. Cheese factory, 5,000 pounds of milk re- G. L. Madison, physician and surgeon. ceived daily; 400 pounds of cheese and 150 E. L. Hill, Congregational pastor. pounds of butter made daily. John Newman, W. H. Holmes, Methodist pastor. proprietor. William Hottendorf, German Evangelical Church pastor. TURNER RESIDENTS DOING BUSINESS IN CHI- Father Dominick Spellman, Catholic priest. CAGO. Conrad Jaeger, blacksmith. Albert Wiant, Government gauger. Charles Jourdon, blacksmith. L. H. Manville, mail agent. P. A. Elsemis, wagon-maker. L. C. Clark, life insurauce agent. Herain Vergil, carpenter and joiner. Clarence Bradly, clerk. Albeit Hills, carpenter and joiner. Henry Boyer, Jr., clerk. John Norris & Sou, carpenter and joiner. D. Ahern, salesman. Robert Norris, carpenter and joiner. John McWilliaius, salesman. Augustus Norris, carpenter and joiner. Dr. A. Colton, physician, etc. Henry Keller, carpenter and joiner. John E. West, music teacher. Anthony Deitch, carpenter and joiner. N. Allen. Anthony Gertz, carpenter and joiner. C. K. Saunders. HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. PUBLICATIONS. The Fruit and Flower Groxoer and Vegetable Gardener, published quarterly, three numbers in one, by John C. Neltner, Turner Junction, 111. Turner Junction News, published weekly, by J. Russell Smith. WINFIELD. This town grew up as a station on the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, which passed through the place in 1849, and John Hodges was the first station agent. A store was soon after opened at the place, by Andrew Vandusen, who also kept a tavern. January 25, 1853, a plat of the village, made b}- James P. Doe, was recorded as the village of Frede- ricksburg, situate upon Sections 12 and 13, Town 39, Range 9. The present depot was built in 1854, at which time there was an ex- tensive brewery at the place, and a lumber yard — the latter kept by John Collins. Much freight at that time came to and from the place, to and from Naperville, it being their nearest railroad point. Gilbert S. Higgins is the pres- ent Postmaster; Adalbert Jewell, station agent, and the following are the names of the present business firms, etc. : General stores, George Fehrman & Son ; M. Hills. Tavern, John Casper. Insurance agent and Notary Public, Jacob Miller. Tailor, Nicholas Berker. Blacksmith, Henry Hamschmidt. Carpenter, William Hastert. Wagon-maker, Valentine Weinrich. Boot and shoe-maker, Anton Schmitt. Winfield Creamery, consumes 6,000 pounds of milk, manufactures 120 pounds of butter and 425 pounds of cheese daily on an average. Parish priest, Rev. John Wiedenhold. Church of St John the Baptist. — This church was built in 1867 by the people of Winfield. It was first attended to by one of the Benedictine Fathers, from St. Joseph's Church, Chicago, until 1869, March 1. After this date, Rev. Father John Wiederhold was appointed as pas- tor of this church, who keeps the pulpit there up to this time. The parish numbered, at its beginning, about thirty families, but at present the number is about eighty-five. In course of time, the church, being only 45x30 feet long and twenty-seven feet high, became too small for the still growing congregation, and in 1879 they found it necessary to enlarge the church to the extension of 100 feet. In February, 1880, it was completed, and duly blessed on the 2d of that month by Very Rev. J. McMullen. CHAPTEE XIV. WAYNE TOWNSHIP — PIONEER LIFE OF ITS SETTLERS — CORN bR ON WHISKY AND ITS RESULT- INDIAN BURIAL — INDIAN IMPORTUNITY — WOLVES ON THE RAMPAGE — GOING TO MILL— FATHER KIMBALL— PIONEER SCHOOL— GIMLETVILLE— ITS HOPES DASHED TO THE GROUND— HILLOCKS, SPAS AND RIVULETS —WAYNE STATION — RELICS OF THE STONE AGE. THREE years before the battle of Tippe- canoe was fought by Gen. Harrison, Rob- ert Y. Benjamin was born. His father, Daniel Benjamin was a brave old pioneer who had set- tled on the north side of the Little Scioto Riv- er, in Ohio, opposite where Columbus now is, and here was the place, then amidst Indian alarms and the rough-and-tumble conditions of border life, where he raised his family, one of whom, Robert Y., is now a citizen of Wayne — the first who came to the place and settled — in mind and body still sound, and sevent3'-four. WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 269 Daniel Benjamin, the father, with his four sons — Andrew, John Joseph and Robert Y. — and about ten other families, all came to the place together with their own teams, from Ohio, ar- riving at what is now Wayne on the 12th of Ma\, 1834. All these families, except the Benjamins and Joseph Vale, whose family was one of the party, settled on the Fox River. But Robert Y. was attracted to the place where he still lives by the famous spring that gushes out of the ground from beneath the shadow of the beautiful grove at the place, and there he set down his stakes ; moreover, he says his wife was tired of traveling and liked the location. This is a point in favor of female counsel, and poorer ones have been made in favor of female suffrage, for Mr. Benjamin and his wife made a success of their attempt. The rest of the family settled not far distant, on claims from nature's amplitude of prairie and grove as free as it was inviting. Besides the Benjamin's Mr. Vale also settled, a little to the west of them. Among the necessities which he 1 nought to the new country in his wagon way a barrel of whisky (a questionable one) of which Mr. Benjamin says he never gave away a drop. He was the only one of the company who laid in a stock of this emollient, and may be regarded as the first monopolist that ever practiced that modern art in Wayne. Here he he had a corner on whisky, and shortly after the settlement of the place, a band of 300 Pottawat- omies came to the grove and encamped. He was now bull in the whisky market, having it all his own way. At whatever price he sold it, Mr. Banjamin says, a riot among the Indians was soon manifest, and one of their number was killed. Next came the interment of the fallen sav- age. He was dressed up in his best blanket and leggings, and placed in a sitting position on the ground, his body erect v his head upright and ornate with feathers. Thus tableaued his friends cut some saplings from the grove and built a pen around him, cob house fashion, and left him provided with a bow and arrow, and an extra pair of leggings for future use in the happy hunting grounds. His frail tomb was on Mr. Benjamin's land and was frequently visited by him out of curiosity. He did not disturb the corpse " In the grave where an Indian had laid him," but the prairie wolves had no respect for In- dian rites, and soon pressed between the poles that illy protected his clay, and made many a late supper from it under cover of night. Sub- sequently the Vale boys set the skull up for a target to shoot at. The wolves carried away the rest of the bones to their lair for Christmas toys for their young whelps to play with. " Alas, poor Yorick !" Mr. Giles Billings and John Laughliu came to the settlement the following autumn, and soon after him John Rinehaidt, Mr. Simpson and Patrick Scott. The next year, 1835, an officer appeared at Mr. Benjamin's house ; he was from an obscure town in the east, named Chicago, the same slab city through which Mr. Benjamin had passed the year before, and had then failed to attract his favorable notice, but now the place was coming up in the scale. A grand jury was to be impaneled there, and Mr. Benjamin was wanted to sit as one of its mem- bers. The officer served the summons, mount- ed his horse and vanished in the tall prairie grass, and Mr. Benjamin set about getting ready to obe}' the call. The next morning he started on foot, keeping his course due east by the compass. The soil was spongy, and noon found him toiling through the trackless flats that border the east margin of Salt Creek. He was hungry, but relief soon came, [t was roast potatoes and a cup often, on which he dined at the hospitable home of Maj. Giles, who lived two miles west of the Desplaines River, with his latch string always hanging on the outside of the door. This was the only house on his way to Chicago, along what was then known 270 HISTORY OF DU I'AGE COUNTY. as the St. Charles trail. On Mr. Benjamin's return he took the precaution to fill his pockets with ginger snaps or some other kinds of bak- ery delectables, which Chicago had then begun to make for Indian traffic or hungry footmen, who had long stretches of prairie marsh to cross. Of other settlers whose pioneer experiences represented the times, were the families of Solo- mon Dunham and Edmund Bartlett. Both were from the State of New York, and both arrived at Chicago in company with each other, on the 24th of March, 1835, in their own teams all the way. Here they rented a small house on Randolph street, not far from the store of Mr. Dale, the pioneer store-keeper of Chicago. The house was a log cabin, with but one room, over which was a loft, reached by a ladder through an aperture in its loosely laid floor. Into this cabin, the two families were crowded as a temporary abode, while the two heads of them — Mr. Dunham and Mr. Bartlett — started with the team westward to hunt up a location on which to settle. Mrs. Dunham had two children, and Mrs. Bartlett six, making, with themselves, ten in the family after their husbands had started on their mission. The two men threaded their winding way around the sloughs till they reached the fertile prairies on the fringe of the timber that skirts the eastern banks of Fox River, just west of the present site of Wayne Station, and here they each bought claims to lands. Mr. Bartlett still lives on the same now ; but Mr. Dunham died in 1865. Having set their stakes here, the two pioneers returned to their families in Chicago ; paid up the rent of their wretched tenement ($1.25 for the ten days they had occupied it), and all started together for their new homes. On arriving there, the first thing to be done was to build a house, and, of course, a log house, for the}' had neither means nor material to build a frame ; and Mrs. Bartlett says the one she and her family lived in was very small. The bed was in one corner, and the fire-place in one end, with the chimney out- side, and yet she sometimes played the hostess to travelers overnight, who managed to find a spot on the floor not occupied by trundle beds, on which the}' could stretch out full length, with perhaps a horse saddle for a pillow, or some other makeshift. The first year they raised nothing, and Mr. Bartlett was obliged to go to Chicago with his team for provisions, a trip which required three days' time. While thus left alone, except with the children, one night an Indian came to her door, entered without knocking, according to their custom, and threw his baggage down in one corner of the room, " Me stay all night ! Me good Indian ! Me no hurt you !" said the red intruder, and all her entreaties could not dissuade him from his purpose. Mrs. Bart- lett had to accept the situation, and laid down on her bed, while her red guest snoozed himself to sleep, not ten feet away from her. He was a good Indian who wanted a night's rest, and why should he sleep outdoors when there was a house to sleep in, reasoned the hon- est child of nature ; and let us be charitable enough toward him to believe that had he un- derstood the improprieties of his demands as civilians do, he would not have insisted on lodging in the house when a woman was alone in it. On another occasion, when Mrs. Bartlett was also alone, a young red rascal came rush- ing into her cabin, crying out, " Bad Indian coming ! Kill ! " and immediately fled into the adjacent grove. Sure enough there were five Indians rapidly approaching her house, on the well-frequented Indian trail that passed it, as hard as the) - could gallop on their ponies. On arriving, the} - could easily see that she was ter- rified at their presence, and the first thing they did was to allay her fears by pulling off some of their trinkets and giving them to her chil- dren, and otherwise exhibiting tokens of kind- ness. This done, they inquired for the first WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 271 Indian who had visited her, and she told them the course he had taken, and that he had called them bad Indians. At this they laughed heart- ily, and informed her that they were following him to get a pony he had stolen. They then left in hot pursuit of the fugitive. Sometimes large numbers of Indians would encamp near the house and remain a day or two, but never did an} - harm, except to sometimes take what salt they wanted to eat wherever the}' could find it ; but to do them justice, Mrs. Bartlett says that if they ever took any they soon brought its equivalent in value in fish caught from the Fox River or venison shot from the groves, and many a quarter of this delicious meat did the Indians present her family. The Indians were very fond of Mrs. Bartlett's bread, and one day, seeing two loaves of it on her table, took one of them, and gave her a butcher knife in return, saying at the same time, " Me got two knives, you got two loaves. Me give you one knife and take one loaf." She found the knife very useful, and kept it many }'ears. Mrs. Bartlett said nothing against the Indians, but felt glad when they were removed. The country was alive with wolves for the first few years, and they continually came howling around the house like thieving dogs after bones, and it was no unusual thing for them to come to her door at night and quarrel together over bacon rinds or other food thrown out. The early settlers here took their first corn to mill at Bailey Hobson's grist-mill, near Naper- ville, usually carrying it in a bag slung across the back of a horse. It was a lonesome way, and the wolves often followed the horse and rider all the way home, if late in the evening ; and sometimes, if they came too close, the rider took out one of the stirrups of the saddle to defend himself with in case of an attack, which weapon would be quite effective for close quarters, the iron stir- rup with the straps attached.to it working like a sluug-shot. On one occasion, one of the early settlers, late in the afternoon, while returning from some distant place with his horses and wagon, was followed by a pack of these hungry prowlers, who actually tried to leap into the hind end of his wagon, and might have done it had he not repelled their charge with his whip. There are yet a few of these animals sneaking about in the groves adjacent, and six of them were killed in 1881. In the spring succeeding the first winter spent at this new settlement, there was a great want of potatoes, and one of the settlers was sent with a team to the Wabash River in Indi- ana, to get seed to plant, which was the nearest place where they could be bought. During their first year at the place, they had been de- prived of this healthful esculent, and when they finally got a supply, no table delicacy could be more delicious. Daniel and Mark Dunham, both now well-known residents of the vicinity, are sons of Solomon Dunham, who came with Mr. Bartlett, but, as before stated, Mr. Solomon Dunham is not living, and Mr. Bartlett, though living, feels the effect of eighty- one years, and has forgotten much of his long and eventful life, but his wife is in the full vigor of her mental and physical powers, though the mother of ten children, and a monument of the health-giving air of Du Page County, and to her is the writer indebted for the foregoing pioneer reminiscences. Ira Albro, a present resident of Wayne, came to where he now lives in the autumn succeeding the arrival of Mr. Dunham and Mr. Bartlett, and shared the laud- able ambitions with the toils of pioneer life with the peers of his age. Samuel Brand, Mr. Styles, Mr. Whaplea (father of Mrs. F. Hull, of Wheaton), Daniel Roundy (uncle of Capt. Roundy, of Winfield), Samuel Talmadge, the Whittacres, the Ker- shaws, Mr. Hemingway, W. Hammond, Ezra Gilbert, J. V. King, Charles and Wesley Gray. Reuben Walpole, Joseph Davis, W. Farnsworth. 212 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. Joseph McMillen (who established the first post office at the place at McMillen's Grove, Daniel Lyman, John Smith (father of Mrs. Colvin, of Wheaton), Luther F. Sanderson, Horace Reed, Aaron Wood, James McCabe, Mr. Hilling (who subsequently died of cholera at St. j Charles), Orin Higgins, Thomas Morgan, Lu- ther Pierce, Joel Wiant and James Davis all came to the settlement between the years 1835 and 1837. In the latter part of 1837, William Kimball, a native of Vermont, came to the place. He was a Methodist class leader and preacher " to the manner born," and here was a field for his clerical learning. He built a log cabin for a family domicile ; but, in default of any other place for divine worship, it became also a rally- ing place from whence to dispense the Gospel, and thither settlers gathered, even from five or six miles distant on foot, on horseback, and with ox teams, to hear Father Kimball preach. He, with the assistance of his neighbors, built a log schoolhouse the next year, which served also for a church, thereby giving the family of Elder Kimball, consisting of a wife and eleven children, more sea-room at home on Sundays. John Kershaw, brother of A. Kershaw, of Wayne, was the first male teacher ill this pio- neer temple of science, and Miss Julia Talmadge was the first female teacher. She now lives in Aurora, the wife of Mr. Weaver. It was an event of no small magnitude wheii this school was established, and its reputation might be envied by some of our modern col- leges. It was a subscription school, and was patronized for a radius of four or five miles, some distant ones taking board near by to avail themselves of its teachings. This settlement then belonged to the Du Page Circuit, as the Methodists had named it. After the original Fox River Circuit had been divided into two. Elder Wilcox was the first circuit preacher sent here by the Presiding Elder, and Rev. — . Gad- ding the second. But before either of these came, Father Kimball had led the way as al- ready stated. The first hopes of a village in this region found a rallying point at Wayne Centre. Will- iam K. Guild, now a citizen of Wheaton, settled there in 1839. The incipient town was on the old army trail, and the land around was at- tractive. A store was opened at the place by Abner Guild and James A. Nind, in 1844, and, the inevitable blacksmith shop, by John Sherman, about the same time, who was succeeded in the muscular art by E. Eckhart. Wayne Centre had by this time outgrown her nickname of Gimletville, and the prospect was reasonable that she might become a moderate sized village, like her nearest neighbor to the south — Naperville. Under this impression, she must have a church. Accordingly, one was organized, first as a branch of the St. Charles Church, which was Congregational, that being the religion that most of the settlers had brought with them to the place. It became an inde- pendent organization soon afterward, and held services in the schoolhouse till 1852, at which time they had completed a church of their own, its membership numbering thirty. Rev. Ebenezer Raymond was their first settled pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. L. E. Sykes. Rev. E. W. Kellogg was the next pastor, who was succeeded b} - his sou, L. H. Kellogg. The influence of the railroad which pierces the central portions of the county was now fully demonstrated. It had been running three years, and while towns on its line were growing, those remote from it were decaying. Under these discouragements, the church in Wayne w;i^ sold and removed to a society in Bartlett, just over the line in Cook County, in 1879, and Wayne Centre preserves nothing of its early hopes but its name. The township of Wayne is in the extreme northwestern part of the county, and is known WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 273 by Congressional description as Township 40, Range 9. Its surface is quite diversified, being rather more uneven than that of any other township in the county. It has a large num- ber of living springs, several small groves of timber and many transplanted trees and or- chards, giving its whole area the appearance of a timbered country. The West Fork of the Du Page River has its main source in the northeastern corner of the township, and waters its eastern portions, but a small head tributary of this stream flows from Bloomingdale. The little inlets and springs from which this stream is made up are nu- merous, and present a pleasing landscape as they creep along beneath a tangle of vegetation toward the larger channel, which is more con- stant here, near its fountain-head, than it is farther down in extreme low water. A saw- mill was erected on it, on Section 14, by Jonas Blank in 1840, who died with typhoid fever' soon afterward. The farms are large, and those who own them ma} 7 generally be called wealthy. Fine blooded cattle, horses and sheep are a specialty with them, but milk and the dairy business is a growing interest. The Chicago & St. Paul Railroad touches its northeastern corner, and the Chicago & North- Western Railroad passes through its southwest- ern portions, and from the elevations of their tracks, reported by the engineers of the two roads, the, average elevation of the surface of the township above Lake Michigan is estimated by the writer to be about one hundred and seventy feet. By the school report of 1882, it has eight school districts and 351 persons between the ages of six and twenty -one years, of whom 218 are enrolled in school lists. Its contiguity to Elgin makes villages unnecessary in the town- ship, and there are none except a small one named Wayne Station, on the Chicago & North- western Railway. It sprang into existence when the railroad passed through in 1849, at which place Solo- mon Dunham was the first Postmaster, and Egbert Adams opened the first store, which was in the same building now occupied by H. Campbell. The following lists show the business men in the place, in 1870 and 1882 : BUSINESS MEN OK WAYNE IN 1870. Dry goods and groceries, Campbell & Brother, Adam M. Glos. Carriage factory, John Arndt. Boots and shoes, Hiram Adams. Blacksmiths, Vincent Smith, Hasbrook Lo- zier. Tin and hardware, James Campbell. Pressed hay. Case & Arndt. Postmaster and station agent, A. D. Trull. BUSINESS MEN OF WAYNE IN 1882. Dry goods and groceries, Adam M. Glos, H. Campbell. Wagons and carriages, John Arndt. Boot and shoe maker, Peter Carlson. Blacksmiths. William Eggleston and Has- brook Lozier. Tin shop, James Campbell. Station agent, H. W. Hubbard. Postmaster, A. D. Trull. American Express Agent, Adam M. Glos. Justice of the Peace. Adam M. Glos. Cheese factory, three miles east of station, owned by C. W. Gould, of Elgin. It is due to science to state that Adam M. Glos has been collecting Indian relics for the past thirty years in Du Page and Kane Coun- ties, a great many from Wayne, AV infield and Naperville Townships, which consists of stone arrows, all sizes and patterns ; also stone axes in great variety, and many other relics of the stone age. Mr. Glos has explored a great many mounds along the Fox River Valley, none being found in Du Page County. •J 7-1 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. There is a Congregational Church at Wayne Station, for which thanks are due to William Saj'er. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This was organized February 18, 1871. Five members withdrew their names from the Wayne Centre Church, and with the aid of thirteen on profession of faith it was organized, with a membership of eighteen in number, as follows : Simeon Barber, Hulda L. Barber, Albert W. Moffatt, Alice Moffatt, Elizabeth Smith. By profession : Julia Trull, Cordelia Pratt, Ro- land Hall, Esther Hall, Rhoda Wolcott, Catha- rine Dolph, Nancy Dolph, Harriett Lozier, Mary Smith, John Arndt, Ellen Arndt, Janette Pix- ley and Robert Carswell. ONTARIOVILLE. This is a station on the Chicago and St. Paul Railroad, about one-half of which is in Wayne, situated on Section 1. It was platted by William Lee9burg April 7, 1874. It affords excellent facilities for shipping the produce of Wayne to Chicago, especially milk, which is an increasing interest in the vicinity. The following is a list of the business men of the place : E. Bartlett, station agent and lumber dealer. M. Debker, Postmaster and general store. Fred Freeman, blacksmith. Fred Olendorf, general store. C. Ackerman, cheese factory. C. Humbrocht, hotel. CHAPTER XV. BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP— INDIAN BURYING-GROUNDS— THE MEAOHAMS— PIONEER BURIALS- EARLY KOAD DISTRICTS— SCENE IN A SUNDAY SERVICE— TRAGICAL TERMINATION OF A LAW SUIT — SCHOOL DISTRICTS — PETRIFACTIONS — BLOOMINGDALE VILLAGE- CHURCHES— BUSINESS MEN OF BLOOMINGDALE— ROSELLE— ITS BUSINESS MEN— MEACHAM— STRANGE PHENOMENON ON KELLEY'S FARM. r I ^HIS is the central northern township of -*- Du Page County, situated in Township 40, Range 1. Its average elevation above Lake Michigan is above that of any other town in the county, as is shown by its being the sources of both the forks of the Du Page River, and also the source of a western tribu- tary of Salt Creek. Its general elevation above Lake Michigan is estimated to be about 180 feet, except in its lower portions. A beautiful grove occu- pies the southern parts of Sections 10, 11 and 12 and the northern portions of Sections 13, 14 and a corner of 15. This grove at- tracted the attention of the aboriginal inhab- itants of the country as a refuge to fly to during the nipping frosts of winter, and also the heat of sunimer, and here they made offerings to appease the supposed wrath of the Great Spirit, and here their rights of sepulture were devoutly performed in their own barbaric way, evidences of which are still extant and afford speculations for the archaeologist. Their name for the grove was Penneack, which in their tongue was the name of an esculent root which they used for food and which grew there. What the root was the writer does not know. It might have been ginseng. The Indians in their straits have often lived on worse fare than this. Whatever the root was, the Indians made an- nual autumn harvests of it for two or three years after white settlements had begun at the place which was on the 11th day of BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 275 March, 1833, when Silas, Henry and Lyman Meacham, three brothers from Rutland County, Vt., built a log cabin there. They had traversed the broad face of the country that intervened between this spot and their home with their own teams. The ground was covered with snow, and everything on the broad face of nature around, except the grove, looked desolate and forbidding, but here was a glad retreat and here their stakes were set. The Meachams were men of broad-gauge charity — could fellowship their red neighbors and lived on good terms with them for the few years that they remained at the place previous to their removal, and the trust and confidence extended to them was never dis- honored. Their nearest neighbors were the settlements of Jude Gary, Lyman Butterfield and H. T. "Wilson, near the present corners of Milton. Winfield and Lisle Townships — a distance of about ten miles. The follow- ing autumn after their first settlement, Mrs. Lyman Meacham died. There was no ma- terial at hand wherewith to make her coffin, except the wagon box. This was taken apart, and the boards of which it was made recon- structed into a coffin to receive the remains of her who had come to the place in the ve- hicle, so soon to serve her for this last purpose. In the autumn of the same year, Maj. Skinner came to the new settlement, and a young mechanic came with him, whose name has not been preserved, but he died shortly after his arrival, and was buried in a coffin made of boards riven from a forest tree and dressed with a plane. The next years, 1834 and 1835, Daniel D. Noble, Capt. E. Kinney, Isaac Kinney, Noah Stevens, David Bangs, Elias Maynard and Harry Woodworth came to the place. Cupid came soon afterward as a regular immigrant to settle in the country, and drove the first stake of his claim through the heart of young' Noble, healing the wound by making a simi- lar impression on Miss Sybil Stephens, and the priest did the rest by the usual ceremo- nial. No wedding cards were printed. As settlements increased, public highways were necessary. The old army trail road, which passed along in its westerly course south of the grove, was older than history, for, when Scott's army traveled over it, the track had hitherto been known as an Indian trail, leading from Chicago to the great Win- nebago village, where Beloit, Wis., now stands. But this road only went in one di- rection, and roads leading to neighboring settlements were soon projected by the au- thorities of Cook County, in which this set- tlement then was. Road districts were laid out, and this settlement and the settlements at Warrenville were in the same district, un- der the charge of an official who was called a Roadmaster. The neighbors all agreed pretty well to- gether, but still the inexorable law demanded that they must have a Justice of the Peace to settle difficulties that might arise, and Lyman Meacham was elected to this honor- able office at their voting-place, which was Elk Grove, about six miles to the northeast, in the present town of the same name in Cook County. In 1836, Peter Northrup, now a resident of Wheaton, came to the place, and the same year Deacon Elijah Hough and family Ro- selle, one of his sons, since so widely known, was then a youth of sixteen, and Cornelia A., his daughter, a girl of ten years. She is now the wife of Hackaliah Brown, of Wheaton. Moses B. Elliott came the same year, and large numbers soon came in to avail them- selves of the advantages of the healthy loca- tion and cheap lands that abounded here, among whom was L. E. Landon, now a citizen 276 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUXTY. of Wheaton, and Waters Northrup, now liv- ing in Bloomingdale. Deacon Allen Hills came in 1840, with his four sons — Erasmus O. and Nubria, who are now living at Chicago ; Hileman, who still lives at Bloomingdale, and H. B., who died at Wheaton in 1881. Be- sides these was one daughter — Almeda, who married T. B. Stevens, an early settler at the place, and the same year Dr. Parker Sedg- wick and S. P. Sedgwick, his son, now a physician in Wheaton, and Hiram Cody, father of Judge Cody, of Naperville, came to this settlement. We have now a thriving colony of relig- iously inclined men, among whom were two Deacons, and, of course, divine services promptly came in, and the following descrip- tion of one of them, written by Mr. Bronson Hills, and published, before his death, in the Wheaton paper, is a spirited description of one of them : " Sunday was quite generally observed by the settlers attending meeting at the little log schoolhouse. We must go, of course, with the rest to see what is done. * * The seats have no backs. They are made of logs split and turned the flat side up, the face of them bearing the marks of the as with which they were scored and hewed. Twenty or thirty, including children, constitute the au- dience, with an addition of about as many dogs as men. Curiosity to see our new neighbors is the principal item of interest now, especially to see the young ladies. That trim-looking girl, with large gray eyes and jet black hair, is not handsome, but there is something peculiar about her looks that in- duces one to look that way again. * * But it is meeting time. Call in your wan- dering thoughts. The minister has come and is reading the opening hymn. A venerable gray-haired man arises and announces 'Mear' as the tune to be sung. He seems to be cast- ing about for a key to the tune. He has no tuning-fork, but very soon we hear a hum — m. Satisfied he is right, he commences the hymn; all join in singing with a gusto, when lo! half way through the first line the leader stops. The audience sing on, but he has gone back for a better pitch, and, starting the piece again, he is coming on with a choir of one. The girls blush, the boys giggle, the elderly and pious people trying all the while to look grave. The situation calls for a compromise. For the sake of charity, the audience yield, go back and join him, for his deafness was the cause of the jargon. The sermon was jiassably interest- ing, and was only disturbed by a dog fight or two." Every one familiar with pioneer life will acknowledge the fidelity with which Mr. Hills has described the early meetings, but there was purpose in these first ministers, deacons and laymen, not lacquered with pretentious formula. Virtue had a high standard then, but desperate motives, as if by some freak of the moral law, lurked in the secret re- cesses of a few moody hearts and soon cul- minated in a scene of blood. THE KENT TRAGEDY. Dr. Meacham, the first settler at the pres- ent site of Bloomingdale, in 1833, made a claim on what became Sections 14 and 15, built a house on Section 14, and leased both sections to Milton Kent, who came to the place in 1835 from the State of New York. While Mr. Kent held this lease, he had made a claim in Sections 10 and 11, but erected his buildings on the land he had leased of Mr. Meacham. They consisted of a frame house and barn designed for tavern-keeping, occupying but a small portion of the leased land, which portion Mr. Kent said that Meacham had given him. Before the expira- BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 277 tion of the lease, Mr. Kent had sold the land, or rather, his claim to it, to George W. Green, of Chicago. At the expiration of the lease, which was in 1837, Mr. Green demanded possession of the property of Mr. Kent, which was refused. As already stated, Kent had erected his tav- ern buildings on the property, which, if not at the time in dispute, was liable to be, inas- much as he had only a lease of the premises. Albeit, let it not been forgotten that none of the parties yet held any claim to the property, which the United States Government recog- nized, but the State of Illinois had passed an act guaranteeing to those who first took pos- session of public lands and made improve- ments on them, could hold them, provided they paid for them at government price when offered for sale. Meacham now, in order to fulfill his con- tract of sale with Green, was obliged to bring a suit of ejectment against Kent, which he did, and the court confirmed the title to Meacham, who held the improvements, also, that Kent had put on the land, consisting of the tavern buildings. The next thing was to dispossess Kent. This was done in the spring of 1840 by the Sheriff of Du Page County, who called in to bis assistance several men, of whom Thomas Muir, a young Scotchman living in the neigh- borhood, was one. In giving the writer in- formation of the affair, Mr. Muir speaks of the two accomplished and beautiful daugh- ters of Mr. Kent and the unpleasant task al- lotted to him in removing their toilet furni- ture from their rooms, they, meantime, pleas- antly inviting him to join them in a game of ball, but the law was inexorable, and he, im- pervious to their attractions, obeyed the or. ders of the Sheriff. The ejected family now moved their goods to a grove about thirty rods distant, and piled up the furniture for a sort of wall and overspread these walls with canvas to make a temporary habitation. Night came on with its glooms, and the Kents determined on ven- geance. Besides the father, who was a stanch old man, F. L. Kent, his son, and James Wakeman, who had married one of his daugh- ters, and a Mr. Turnbull, who subsequently married another of them, were ail in council together. A quit-claim was drawn up, ready for Green to sign, and they intended to force him to do it by violence, and to execute this purpose appeared at his door the following night, which was Saturday. Green had taken immediate possession of the house from which Kent had been driven, and here the battle was to be fought First, one of them rapped at the door to gain admission. This being refused, the door was burst open. Green was armed with a rifle, pistol and butcher knife. The first weapon was fired off, but it barely missed the neck of elder Kent. The men were now in the house, and the elder Kent grappled with Green. He snapped his pistol at him. but the hammer in the scuffle rubbed against his person and did not strike the cap with sufficient force to explode it. Next came the knife. Green stuck it into Kent's heart, and he reeled back outdoors, exclaiming, "I am a dead man! " Instantly young Kent grappled with Green, but soon he loosed his hold, for his antagonist thrust the same dagger into his back that had just killed the father. Green in his turn now re- ceived a blow over the head with a pistol, which brought him down and the conflict ended. Young Kent was not dangerously wounded. One of the party was left witb the old man, who was not vet dead, while the other seized Green, conducted him to the camp of the Kents, presented the quit-claim to him and he signed it; he was then brought 278 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. back and left on the doorsteps of his house; his wife had fled to the neighbors to give the alarm, and they soon returned with her to the late scene of conflict. Roselle Hough helped dress the wounds of young Kent, and others helped nurse Green. Happy would it have been for Mrs. Green had her husband been killed in the encounter, for he gave her poison a few years later, and was tried and condemned to be hung for the crime, but he anticipated the hangman a few days by hang- ing himself in his cell. He is said by those who knew him to have been totally dejaraved to all sense of right, cruel to his wife, whom every one who knew esteemed, and unmerciful to everybody. That he once charged a spring with arsenic and poisoned three innocent children to drive their father away is well known, and Thomas Muir, by mistake, became one of the victims of this diabolical crime, barely escaping with his life. Good fellowship is almost always at flood tide in all new counties. Leaving one's old home for a new place where new associations are to be made, stimulates better emotions in average individuals and improves them in all the social accomplishments that make up a neighborhood. But there are some, even among pioneers, who take council only with sinister motives, and regard others with whom they may come in contact as instruments by which they may improve their own standing pecuniarily, which to them is the only meas- ure by which anything can be gauged. Any consideration that cannot be measured by money, or its equivalent, is a myth to them. When two such persons are pitted against each other, the result is always hostile. Neither have learned how to offset aggressive action with discriminative prudence, but act only on impulses, and those selfish and evil ones. These unfortunate people generally mani- fest about as much jmidence as a hen that attacks a bull dog in defense of her chickens, or a partisan politician who often persists in running for a courted office, when ordinary reflection ought to convince him that the peo- ple don't want him elected. When two such persons are brought into relations with each other, the result may be a tragedy, as it was in this case. Neither of the men engaged in it were accounted idiots, but yet it cannot be denied that when men do common-place kind of acts, or business, with as little foresight as they did criminal acts, they are ac- counted fools. It hardly need be told that the court did not regard the quit-claim that Green had signed to the property on that fatal night as binding. There are still many persons living in the neighborhood who were residents of the place at the time this tragedy occurred, and the shock it made to the public sense of justice is still fresh in their minds, though great moral, religious and physical changes have since had place. Of the two former, the clerical Sunday service is an index. Of the physical changes that have come over the face of nature, the drainage of low lands and dimunition of streams is a marked one. On the little rivulet then called Shaw's Creek, which took its rise just south of Meacham's Grove, Hiram Gooding erected a saw-mill in 1844. It worked about three months annual- ly, but now there is not water enough in the little wet-weather brook to propel a saw mill, except during some excessive fall of rain sufficient to cause a flood. Fine fish were caught in this brook in the early day, such as pickerel and bass. As late as 1850, the southern and western portions of Bloomingdale Township were but sparsely settled, but the road from Chicago to Galena passed along tbe northern portions, BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 281 and was one of the principal thoroughfares leading to the West, and at that time was of as much local importance as a railroad is in our day, and it gave promise of future wealth, which would have been realized but for the railroad system, which subsequently drew this trade and travel into other localities. The Chicago Pacific (now the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad), which was finished through the northwestern part of this township in 1873, sets it now on an equal footing with its adjoining ones, as the railroad facilities for easy marketing. There is no waste land in the township, hut all of it high, rolling and fertile, afford- ing excellent dairy farms, to which interest there seems to be a tendency. There are twelve school districts, and, by the school census, 366 persons between the ages of six and twenty-one years. Schools are sustained on an average of between seven and eight months in the year. There is a cheese factory in the southeast- ern part of the township which consumes 4,000 pounds of milk and makes 135 pounds of butter and 280 pounds of cheese daily. William Rathge and Fred Stuenkel, proprie- tors. The Coverdale Creamery, in the southwest part of the township, does a similar amount of business. Many petrifactions of nuts and various veg- etable forms are found in the creek that runs along the northern fringe of Meacham Grove. The village of Bloomingdale grew into ex- istence as a convenience for the surrounding farmers — a depot from whence their wants for store goods could be supplied. It was first called Meacham's Grove, and, being on the early stage road from Chicago to Galena, and eligibly located on the border of the grove, it had a fair prospect of becoming a large village. In 1843, there lived at the place H. Meach- am, Deacons Hough, Hills and Stevens; Moses Hoyt, who kept tavern; Levi H. Kinne, F. Kinney, W. Northrup (Postmaster), H. Woodruff, James Vint, Hileman Hills, Nu- bria Hills, sons of Deacon Hills, together with others sufficient to make a good beginning for a town. A mile to the east, Mr. Tupper kept another tavern. The site of the town is said to be the most elevated land of any vil- lage in the county, being 190 feet above Lake Michigan. The plat of the town bears date of January 11, 1845, H S. Hills, pro- prietor — situated on the northwest and north- east quarters of Section 15, Township 40, Range 10. About thirty-five families live in the village. An excellent spring of pure water breaks out of the ground just west of the village, at which place Col. Hoyt kept his famous tavern. The Congregational society of Blooming- dale was established August 22, 1840, and held their services in a log schoolhouse at the southeastern extremity of Meacham's Grove, by which name the village was first known. Rev. D. Rockwell and Rev. Flavel Bascom, who at this time live in Hinsdale, officiated at the ceremonies of organization. Mr. Rockwell was ordained as first pastor and remained over this charge till 1842, when he was succeeded by H. Colton for one year; B. W. Reynolds, for two years; L. Parker, for four years; N\ Shapley, for one year; L. Parker again, for three years; D. Chapman, for one year; H. Judd, for one or more years, who was succeeded by others not known to the writer. The society built a new church in 1851, and, June 13, 1852, it was dedicated, but the limits of their prosperity was reached not long after the new church edifice was oc- cupied. Death removed some, and others went West, while none came forward to take their places. This decimating process went 2S? HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. on till 1879, when the church was sold to the Lutherans. Between two and three hundred members in all have been enrolled on the books of this church, which had a Sabbath school numbering once fifty, and a library of 300 books. The Baptist Church of Bloomingdale was organized in 1841 by Rev. Joel Wheeler. It first numbered ten members. The next year, a revivalist named Morgan Edwards came to the place and preached with effect. Six new members were added to the church, but no regular preaching was held till Rev. P. Tay- lor, of Babcock's Grove, supplied them each alternate Sunday. In 1848, the society commenced building a church. The frame was erected and the question arose whether the site of the place chosen was destined to be the true center of the town. This question hung in suspense, and the prairie breeze whistled through the naked scantlings and rafters of the unfinished edifice while this question was being settled by the events of time. Finally, the locality was not considered a good one, the work was abandoned, another site selected and a church built in 1849. Prosperity rewarded their efforts, the church proved too small for their increasing numbers, and the society sold it for a schoolhouse and built a larger one in 1855, at which time they had over one hun- dred members. Rev. P. Taylor was the first settled pastor of the church, who remained with them until the church was built which they now occupy. The number of their members is now about fifty. The church has regular preaching and a Sabbath school. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bloomingdale was organized in 1878, and the next year occupied the church which they bought of the Congregationalists. Rev. Gus- tavo Lambrecht was their first pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. A. B. Mysch, the present pastor. About thirty-five families belong to this society. The following is a list of the business and professional men of Bloomingdale Village : Brown & Verbeck, proprietors of the Bloom- ingdale Flax Mill, consumes 1,000 tons of flax straw and manufactures 600 tons of tow annually; thefirni employs eight mm; T. C. Ryan, cheese factory, employs three men, consumes 8,000 pounds of milk, makes fifteen cheeses and 240 pounds of butter daily; bed spring factory, by A. R. Kinne, makes 500 bed springs annually; John Beurmaster, tai- lor; Robert Gates, C. Eden, wagon-makers; John Shank, George Wallis, William Sleep, Elijah Bond, blacksmiths; O. A. Verbeck, Bradford Hills, carpenters; Henry Rohler, A. Backhouse, shoe shop; Roger Ryan, Charles Hills, Josiah Stevens, artesian well-borers; Thomas Saureman, harness shop; Hills & Deibert, general store; J. R. Dunning, Post- master ai-d general store; Henry Vanderhoof, physician; G. W. Robinson, Baptist clergy- man; A. B. Mysch, Lutheran clergyman; William Rathge, Notary Public ; Robert Gates, Henry Woodruff, Justices of the Peace; Jo- siah Stevens, Charles Pierce, Constables; Henry Holstine, grist-mill, propelled by wind- power, manufacturers of flour and grinds feed. The village of Roselle, situated in the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 40, Range 10, was plat- ted and recorded October 5, 1874, by Bernard Beck. The following is a list of its business men: Hattendorf & Bagge, general store and agricultural implements; M. Seeker, general store; Illinois Linen Company, manufactory of linen fabrics, ropes, twines, etc. ; a grist- mill with three run of stones for flour and feed, Henry Holstine, proprietor; Rudolph Milton, blacksmith; grain elevator, by Fred- erick Langhurst; meat market, by J. Theo- BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 283 bald; wholesale meat market, by Fred Golt- ermann; lumber yard, by Frederick Thies; hardware and tin shop, by Henry Williams; H. A. Seeker, hotel; Henry Eincke, hotel; Henry Sumner, keeps the depot; J. H. C. Hattendorf, Postmaster; a public school; Henry Woodworth, Justice of the Peace; Jo- seph Fidler, carpenter; John D. Behrer. boots and shoes; George Steging, harness maker. The elevation of the place is 190 feet above Lake Michigan. Meacham is a station on the Chicago, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, in Section 1, in Bloomingdale Township. It has one general store, kept by James Pierce, who also keeps the depot and is Postmaster. The Methodist Church at the place was first organized as a class meeting by Rev. J. C. Stoughton, in 1851. Elizabeth Pierce, Mary Ann Battin, Grace Lawrence and Mr. and Mrs. B. B Miller were the members. They met in the old schoolhouse. Here their services were held, including their Sunday school, which was organized in January, 1858. The next year their church was finished and regular preaching has been sustained in it till the present time. The church when first organ- ized numbered only six members. Now it numbers thirty-six and is under the pastoral charge of Rev. T. C. Warrington. Mr. Rufus Blanchard: Agreeable to your request, 1 give you herewith a statement as to a strange phenomenon that occurred on my land in Bloomingdale in August, 1856. Observing that one of my fences was prostrated, I examined the breach, and found that one of the posts had been shattered into splinters from below the second board above the ground, including the portion of it set in the ground. The portion of the post above where the bottom board was nailed to it was whole, without the marks of violence, but the lower board nailed to it was somewhat shattered. The strangest part of the whole was that in the identical hole made in the ground in which the post had stood, a deep incision was made as if, by some violent operation of nature, something had perfo- rated it from below up, the evidence of which theory being found from the abundance of dirt thrown out and scattered for three or four rods all in one direction — probably owing to the wind. The splinters of the lower part of the fence post were also scattered the same as the dirt which had been thrown out of the hole. I ran a pole about ten feet long down the hole, but could find no bottom, nor could I hear pebbles strike any bottom as I dropped them down. The hole was about six inches in diameter, and as clean a cut as could be bored with an auger. Daniel Kelley. Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public, the 13th day of September, 1882. W. L. Guy, Notary Public. 284 HISTORY OF T>V PAGE COUNTY. CHAPTER XVI. ADDISON TOWNSHIP— THE MOUNTAIN DAISY— INDIAN ENCAMPMENT— THE ARMY TRAIL— THE SOL- DIER'S GRAVE— THE LOG CABIN— HOME TALENT— THE GERMAN VANGUARD— THE PIONEER TAVERN— THE OLD GALENA TRADE— SALT CREEK-FRANCIS HOFFMAN, A LAY PREACHER —THE VILLAGE OF ADDISON— THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL TEACHERS' SEMINARY —THE ORPHAN ASYLUM— PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN OF ADDISON —ITASCA— ITS BUSINESS MEN— LESTER'S— BENSENVILLE— SCHOOLS. r T^HE mountain daisy is a handsome white *- flower, about the size of the old-fash- ioned bell-buttons that were fashionably used on boys' blue satinet roundabouts in the early part of the present century, and discontinued about the year 1835. This daisy was cer- tainly more ornamental than useful. But what had it to do with the history of Addi- son? Let us speculate. The daisy was so tenacious of life that it was more difficult to kill than blue grass. Wherever it took pos- session of the land, it outrivaled every other kind of vegetation, and rendered it almost valueless for meadow or pasturage. It grew in several of the towns east of the Meirimack River, in the vicinity of Concord, N. H., es- pecially in Stoddard and Hillsboro, and forced many of the inhabitants away from their mountain homes to seek more fruitful locali- ties, where a better reward met the hands of the husbandman. The writer came from this part of New Hampshire, and speaks from his own knowledge. At Hillsboro lived Heze- kiah Duncklee, and from this place he emi- grated in the summer of 1 833. If the mount- ain daisy drove farmers away from the place, perhaps their gorgeous beauty gave them a taste for the ornamental, and may not have served a vain purpose. Mr. Duncklee, having crossed the Green Mountains, arrived at Pots- dam, in the State of New York, safely, where he was joined by Mason Smith, and the two started together for the West. Their road lay along the old historic grounds of Fort Stanwix (now Rome), thence across the Genesee River at Rochester and Buffalo, at which place they took a boat for Detroit, where they bought a horse and wag- on, and pursued their journey across the State of Michigan to Chicago, which they reached on the 3d of September. They rested here five days, and again started westwardly for the Desplaines River, crossing it at the pres- ent site of May wood, from which place a well- traveled road bore westwardly across an ap- parently boundless prairie. But, before starting on this road, they encamped for the night in the country so strange to the visit- ors. The low, flat prairie, and the sluggish river that drained it, were the least of their surprises. The Pottawatomies still owned the entire country to which they were emi- grating, and 300 of their number were as- sembled on the river bank here. It was a picture rarely to be looked on to see these natives just preparing to leave their homes to make room for the new-comers, for they (the Indians) were now bending their course to Chicago to attend the treaty there, destined to convey Northern Illinois east of Rock River to those who had already taken pos- session of the choicest portions of it before ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 285 the bargain was made to sell it, and Mr. Duncklee and Mr. Smith were two more of this class on whom the Lidians could look in no other light than that of intruders. The next morning they resumed their jour- ney, following the trail over which Scott's army had passed eleven months before. It has since been put down on early maps as the Elgin road. It enters the present township of Addison at its extreme southeast corner, and leads thence to the village of Addison, on Salt Creek, and this was the location of the road which the travelers took. Toiling along their way in this narrow path between two oceans of green, they came to a grave where one of the soldiers who came the year before, under command of Gen. Scott, to defend the country from the Sauks, had found his last resting-place, and the first grave of a white man in Addison Town- ship. Farther along, at Salt Creek, were the tent poles still standing as the army had left them. They crossed the stream and encamped for the night on the prairie, amidst the lul- laby din of reptile life. But soon these soft voices of the night were drowned by the sharp yelp of the numerous wolves that hung around the camp attracted by the scent of strange animal life in their midst, but too formidable for them to attack. Pushing for- ward the next morning, they reached the settlement which theMeachams had made six months before. Here two men in pursuit of a home met three who had already laid claim to one in the verge of a grove that now bears their name — Meacham' s Grove. Six months' experience in a country, wild as nature could make it, was productive of much practical in- formation. Everything was to be built new, and the problem was how to begin. The Meachams gave the new-comers the benefit of their experience, and the result was that they proceeded back to a grove on Salt Creek, north of where they had crossed this stream, and, on the 12th of September, selected a lo- cation on the northern verge of a grove, to which the name of Duncklee' s Grove has since been given. Mr. Dunckley's claim was on what became Sections 10 and 1 5 when the country came to be surveyed. It consisted of suitable portions of prairie and timber, as first claims always did till timber lands had all been taken possession of. The first thing to be done was to build a house. This was no difficult task to accom- plish where there was plenty of timber, and all the tools required were an ax, hammer, saw, and adze to smooth the surface of the floor, which was made of split logs, flat side upward, called puncheons, besides which a frow, with which to rive out clapboards for the roof, was necessary. The whole was fin- ished in two weeks, and occupied by the first freeholder of Addison Townshi p. Mr. Dunck- lee's family arrived the next year, 1834, in August, at the new home, amidst the growing crops that had rewarded the labors of this pioneer farmer. The following June, on the 18th, was born a daughter, Julia A., who, at her maturity, became the wife of Frederick E. Lester. She was the first white child born in Addison, and became the ■ first school- teacher at the place, from which we must in- fer that Addison was rather tardy in estab- lishing schools, or wished to wait till they could grow a teacher on their own soil. Set- ting this down to their love of home talent, if the latter was the case, we will pass on to the next thing done here in a similar direc- tion. This was to plant apple seeds, which Mr. Duncklee did in 1836, and his orchard grew from this seed, as the first school-teacher had grown on the fuitful soil of Addison. Both were a success. Miss Julia taught a good school, and the orchard of Mr. Dunck- lee bore fruitfully, affording a handsome in- HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. come for its fruit in a few years after it was planted. In the summer subsequent to Mr. Duncklee's first arrival, there came to the place and settled a Mr. Perin, who^took sick and died in a few weeks, his being the first death in Addison, except the unfortunate sol- dier whose grave was seen by Mr. Dunck- lee, as already told. Early in the summer of the same year 1834, Ebenezer Duncklee, brother to Heze- kiah, came and made a claim adjoining him and Richard Kingston. Thomas H. Thom- son, James Bean, Demerit Hoyt and D. Par- sons, all from the Eastern States, came and made claims, mostly at the southern side of the grove. Thus far, the settlement was exclusively American, but close upon their heels, or per- haps ere the last of the above-mentioned had settled, there came to the place the vanguard of the German immigration destined to ap- propriate the lands of what, since that time, became Addison Township. This vanguard was William Henry Bosque, Barney H. Fran- zen, Frederick Graue (with his family of five stalwart young men — Dedrick, Frederick, Jr., Luderwich, Heinrich and August — and one daughter, Willemine. to help the mother gar- nish the house and the manners of the boys). The main settlement of these Germans was at a small grove, in what is now Section 34, ever since called Graue's Grove; but some of the Graue family settled in what is now York. Willemine was soon married to Frederick Kraige, who also settled near by. Banhard Koeler. who came with Mr. Graue, and Ded- rick Leseman, all came the same year, and Young Germany took deep root at the place. Besides all these, Thomas Williams and E. Lamb, from New York State, came in 1834. The next year, 1835, Edward Lester, with his five sons — Marshall, John, Daniel, Fred- erick and Lewis -came to the place from the State of New York; also two brothers, Charles H. and Hiram Hoit, and George Rouse, came from the Eastern States, and Young America seemed to hold her own with Young Ger- many, but soon again the latter, coming in great force, took the lead. J. H Schmidt, and his son, H. Schmidt, Jr., and Mr. Buch- ols, who was subsequently killed at the rais- ing of Mr. Plagge's log cabin in 1838, all came in 1835, and the next year, Henry D. Fischer, J. L. Franzen, B. Kaler, D. S. Dun- ning, Frederick Stuenkle, the Banum broth- ers, J. Bertram, S. D. Pierce, C. W. Martin, B. F. Fillmore, came to the settlement; and the next year, 1837, Conrad Fischer, father of Henry D., also Frederick J. and August, two of his brothers, and William Asche, came to the place. The famous old tavern known as the Buck- horn was opened the same year, by Charles Hoit. It stood on the Galena road, two miles west of Salt Creek. It did a thriving busi- ness, the farmers to the west as far as Rock River being guests at the place on their way to and from Chicago to market their produce. Teams also came from Galena, loaded with lead, a heavy article to pull through the sloughs that intervened between the two places. As prices range now for every kind of strpply, a teamster would find his bills payable larger than his bills receivable, if he had lead given to him free, and hauled it to Chicago to sell at the going price, if he paid common hotel fare and allowed the customary rates for the use of his horses and pay for his own time; but conditions were different then. His horses bated on the prairie for rough feed, and ate their allowance of corn or oats from the feed trough attached to the wagon, which was brought from the farm from whence they came. The owner of the team slept in his wagon, except in very cold weather, and brought a portion of his food from home, pat- ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 287 ronizing the tavern for only an occasional meal, or for hay for his horses, when the prairie did not furnish grass, which was from the time of its being burnt over in the fall till the following June. It was about this time that Salt Creek re- ceived its name. A teamster named John Reid. from Onoida County, N. Y., was em- ployed to haul lead from Galena to Chicago, and on one of his trips, loaded back with salt, and, in crossing this stream, got " stuck " in the mud. The water was high, flooded his load and melted it away ere he could get help to pull it out. The consequence was that the creek ran brine for a few hours, and received a name which is also a memento of the early toils of the teamster. Everything was cheap then, and a hotel or anything else could be carried on at but tri- fling expense. If the income was small, the outgoes were still smaller. Ten cents for the hay for a horse during the night, and 15 cents or 20 cents for a meal for the teamster, were ordinary charges. All other charges were proportionate, in- cluding the expense incurred for dispensing the early Gospel. Divine services were held in schoolhouses, or sometimes in private houses. The Germans who settled this township were Lutherans. Rev. Koschon was their first preacher. Services were sometimes held in the house of Mr. Schmidt. He remained pastor for about two years, when his place was supplied by Francis Hoffman, the same who subsequently opened a bank in Chicago in connection with Mr. Gelpke. He now owns the model farm of the State of Wisconsin. Mr. Hoffman was schoolmaster, as well as preacher, and the old log cabin where he gave the rudiments of science to the young gener- ation of his time stood where the house of Lewis Schmidt now stands, in Addison Vil- lage. The village of Addison is situated on Sec- tions 21 and 28, on the east side of Salt Creek. Its elevation above Lake Michigan is about one hundred and twenty feet. It was one of the early settlements of the township, and, as these settlements progressed, became a central point for a village, post office and stores to accommodate them. But the chief elements of a village in the place are its educational institutions, the history of which, together with that of the church, will constitute substantially the history of the village itself. GEBMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. The first German settler came to Addison, then known as Duncklee's Grove, in 1834. As long as a public ministry was not estab- lished with them, they would assemble on Sundays for prayer and devotional reading at their own homes, going the rounds in the neighborhood. Later, they had occasional visits of clergymen. In November, 1842, a congregation was organized, about twenty families joining, some of Reformed, some of Lutheran persuasion. Accordingly, they adopted the name of the German Reformed Lutheran Congregation. Forty-eight acres were purchased as a site for a church, parson- age and cemetery. The membership increas- ing, a Lutheran minister, Rev. E. A. Brauer, was called in November, 1847, and by a unani- mous vote it was resolved no longer to be a mixed, but a truly Lutheran Church. The new name, the German Evangelical-Lutheran Congregation, was adopted. In the follow- ing year, the Reformed members severed their connection and organized a new church, re- ceiving from the Lutheran congregation $170 in return for their former contributions, and §65 for their share of church property. Following is the confession of faith of the congregation, as contained in Section '2 of its 288 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. constitution : "As such (a Lutheran Church) the congregation professes the holy and di- vine word of the Old and the New Testa- ments, as the doctrine of the same is laid down in the public confessions of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, viz. , the three ec- umenical 'symbols, the unaltered Augsburg confession, the apology of the latter, the Smalealdiau Articles, the two catechisms of Luther, and the Formula of Concord. By the rule of these confessions, since they are taken from the Word of God, all doctrinal and religious disputes that may arise in our midst shall be decided." The congregation now owns a large brick church, 42x85 feet, steeple 150 feet high, which was dedicated to its sacred purposes December 11, 1861. It was built, furnished and provided with pipe organ at an expense of about $12,000. Adjoining the church is a spacious parsonage, valued at nearly $4,000. The members are scattered over a district fourteen miles long and twelve miles wide. The congregation is subdivided into four dis- tricts, three of which support one school each, and one two schools, one of the latter graded into three classes. All expenses for support of church and schools are provided for by voluntary contributions of the individual members, now numbering over two hundred families. The pastors in charge from 1847 were: Rev. E. A. Branor, till 1856, when he accept- ed the call of the Lutheran congregation at Pittsburgh, Penn. ; Rev. A. G. G. Francke, till January 3, 1879, when he was called off by death; Rev. T. I. Grosse, who is still pastor at present. The congregation strictly insists on having the children of its fold instructed and edu- cated in the parochial schools of the four dis- tricts, presided over by six male teachers and one female teacher. The number of pupils at present is about three hundred and fifty - five. Both the English and the German lan- guages are means of instruction, it being the earnest desire of the congregation that their children, whilst retaining their mother tongue, should master the ruling language of the country. The teachers now in charge of the schools are: West District, Mr. H. Bart- ling (since 1849), Mr. C. Greve, Miss B. Heidemann, Mr. A. Meder; East District, Mr. H. Cluever; North District, Mr. E. Rosen; South District (Elmhurst), Mr. A. Bader. — H. Bartling. GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN TEACHERS' SEM- INARY. The German Evangelical Lutheran Teach- ers' Seminary at Addison, Du Page Co., 111., is an institution for educating Evangelical Lutheran parochial teachers. In the year 1855, several Lutheran pastors and teachers in Milwaukee privately opened this normal school there. Two years later, they offered the institution to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. The offer was accepted, and the sem- inary next located at Fort Wayne, Ind., in close connection with the Concordia College, another of the several institutions of the synod. A Professor was appointed by the synod, who became at the same time Director of the Seminary Department, and who was assisted in his special work by the Professors of the college. In 1861, a second Professor for the seminary was called. In 1863, it was thought expedient to accept an invitation from the German Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation at Addison, 111., to permanently locate the seminary in their midst. One year after this, the necessary buildings for sixty scholars and two Professors, with their fami- lies, were erected, viz. , a main building, 64x- 40 feet, containing basement, two stories, ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 289 and a high and airy dormitory, and, north and south from it, two wings, each 32x15 feet, built of brick, and at a cost of upward of $16,000. Later, as the number of stu- dents increased, two other large wings were added, first one to the north and then one to the south, each at the cost of about $10,000. The entire length of the building is now about 208 feet. The faculty at present con- sists of six regular Professors — E. A. W. Krauss, C. A. T. Selle, Karl Brauer, C. Hentzschel, Th. Brohm and E. Homann — two of whom teach almost exclusively music — singing, violin, piano, organ. Two of the six have their dwellings in the main build- ings; here, also, the Steward, Mr. V. von Dissen, resides, who has to provide the stu- dents with their board. Four Professors are supplied with spacious and comfortable frame houses. The present number of students is about one hundred and thirty, all males. In the course of live years, they are taught all the branches necessary to qualify them to become teachers, both in the German and English languages, and, besides, such branches as are requisite for a good general education. The parochial school, which is quite near, affords them the necessary oppor- tunity for practical exercises in teaching. By the liberality of the synod, they receive their tuition and lodgings gratuitously; the members of the congregation supply them with clean linen, and for board they have to pay but very little, since numerous friends from far and near send large quantities of provisions to the seminary kitchen. The annual number of alumni varies from twelve to twenty-five. As they did come here from all parts of the Union, not to speak of those that came directly from Germany, so they re- ceive calls from almost all parts of the United States, and many more are wanted than the institution can furnish. The Board of Su- pervisors for the seminary consists at present of Revs. T. J. Grosse and H. Wunder, and Messrs. E. H. W. Leeseberg, Henry Oehler- king and T. C. Diener. — C. A. T. Selle. THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ORPHAN ASYLUM. This asylum is situated in the immediate vicinity of the German Evangelical Lutheran Teachers' Seminary, and of one of the paro- chial schools of the German Evangelical Lu- theran Congregation of Addison. It is the joint property of twenty-three Lutheran con- gregations and societies in Northern Illinois, eight of which large congregations are in Chicago. This association commits the gen- eral management of its business to a board of seven persons, elected for a term of three years. The members now constituting the board are: Rev. T. J. Grosse, of Addison, President; Prof. C. A. T. Selle, oE Addison, Vice President; Rev. F. M. Grosse, of Har- lem, Secretary; Mr. H. Bartling, of Addison, Cashier; Mr. E. H. W. Leeseberg, of Addi- son; H. C. Zuttermeister, of Chicago; I. O. Piepenbrink, of Crete, 111., Trustees. The orphan house is under the superintendence of Mr. and Mrs. John Harmening, assisted by Mrs. Nickel, one baker and five servants. According to its constitution, the Orphan House Association proposes to provide for and to educate orphans and half orphans that are intrusted to the same to such purpose by their guardians or by surviving parent, or that God sends by other ways. The association educates tbe children in the full truth of the Divine Word, as this truth is intrusted to the Lutheran Church, and thus endeavors to lead them to the Lord Christ and to heaven ; but it is also earnestly solicited to prepare its wards for a blessed and hopeful life in this world, that may redound to the honor of our own great God. In order that this purpose HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. may be accomplished as far as possible, chil- dren must be committed to the care of the as- sociation till they are eighteen years of age. Up to the time when they are confirmed, they stay in the orphan house, and after confir- mation, the association, through its officers, provides suitable situations for them — to work as servants, to learn a trade, to pursue studies with the view to serving the church, it being understood, however, that the asso- ciation retains the exclusive control of the children up to the completion of their eight- eenth year. Whenever it is necessary and practicable, the assoication provides for the support of its wards also, after this period. Orphans are received irrespective of previous creed of parents, or of creed of surviving parent. (Constitution, Section 4.) In 1873, forty acres were bought for $4,- 425. A little house on this property was oc- cupied as a temporary home by the Superin- tendent and six orphans, and was dedicated October 11, 1873. In 1874, the east wing of fhe present home (one and a half stories high, 65x38 feet, extension 30x28 feet) was erected, at a cost of $6,814.27. It was ded- icated October 28, and, at that date, harbored eighteen orphans. In 1878, the main build- ing, 50x50, two stories, was built, and was dedicated November 7. This part cost 15,- 122.25. From October 11, 1873, when the home was opened, till June 28, 1882, 154 children were received, of which 106 are still in the institution; five died, ten were returned to their relatives, twenty-nine serve on farms and in families, and four are now preparing for service in the church — two at the Addison Teachers' Seminary, two at Concordia Col- lege, Fort Wayne, Ind. The orphans attend the graded school (three classes) of the German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Here they are instructed in the Lutheran faith, German and English lan- guages, and in all common branches. Funds and endowments there are none. The institution depends for its support on voluntary contributions. The cash amount of these was, in 1873, $3,070.06; in 1874, $6,095.03; in 1875, $2,870.24, in 1876, $3,- 367.82; in 1877, $3,893.85; in 1878, $5,815.- 23; in 1879, $5,090.39; in 1880, $4,762.19; in 1881, $4,808.60. The many donations of clothing, provisions, etc., are an essential source of income. — H. Bartling. immanuel's church. The Immanuel's Church of the German Evangelical Synod was founded in Addison in 1859, under the pastoral charge of Rev. C. Braemer. He has been succeeded by Revs. C. F. Warth, Phillip Albert and Gus- tavus Lambrecht, the latter being the pres- ent pastor. The present membership of this churcb is ninety families. The following are the professional and business men of Addison: Rotermund & Weber, general store. F. Triechler, general store. H. Overcamp, blacksmith. Charles Harloff, wagon-maker. J. G. Franke, M. D. Charles Shulle, meat market. Henry Schneider, hotel. Charles Strauchild, harness -maker. John Giehls, custom tailor. W. Golterman, custom tailor. W. Licht, boot and shoe maker. F. Tuon, wood-turner. W. Holstein, carpenter and builder. H. Hoefener, mason and plasterer. Louis Stuenkel, cheese factory — 7,000 to 8,000 pounds of milk daily. Rev. J. Grosse, Evangelical Lutheran Church. H. Bartling, Postmaster and school teacher. ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 291 Cristian Grerie, school-teacher. C. Kraus, Director of Addison Seminary. C. Hantchell, Professor of Addison Semi- nary. E. Sella, Professor of Addison Seminary. C. Brauer, Professor of Addison Seminary. Th. Brolum, Professor of Addison Seminary. E. Homann, Professor of Addison Seminar}'. J. Harmening, Orphan Father — 110 or- phans there at present. W. Leseberg, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Itasca is a pleasant village on the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad, at its crossing of a trib- utary to Salt Creek. Here Dr. Elijah Smith settled in 1841, and still lives at the place. He platted the town May 14, 1874. The banks of the stream that passes through it are firm, and graduate upward from it on both sides. Its elevation above Lake Mich- igan is 170 feet. Dr. Smith gave the rail- road the right of way to build the road through the place, and $400 toward building the depot. There are two theories as to the origin of the name Itasca. If it has an Indian deriva- tion, it is from the Ogibwa dialect — la, to be; totash, the female breast; hence, the lake from which the Mississippi draws its first source is called Itasca, and this town is named after it. Another theory gives the name a Latin or- igin — Veritas caput, true head, Itas, in the first word, and ca, in the last, being used to signify that Itasca Lake is the true head of the Mississippi River. Which of these is the true root of the word the writer is unable to determine. The following are the business men of Itasca: Elijah Smith, physician. A. G. Chessman, steam power for grain elevator, cheese box and tub factory. Henry F. Lawrence, general store. A. G. Chesman, Postmaster. Chessman & Cramer, carpenters and build era. Henry Ahlenstorf, boots and shoes. Ernst Schroeder, blacksmith and wagon- maker. Lewis Magers, grain elevator, coal and lumber. William Baruth, general store. Henry Dragermuller, blacksmith and wag- on-maker. August Hartman, meat market. Hendricks Bros., proprietors of cheese and butter factory; 5,000 gallons of milk used daily; 200 pounds of butter and 400 pounds of cheese, daily production. Henry Senne, agricultural implements. John Holland, mason. Haberstich Godleib, flax-dresser. M. & W. Browne, depot masters. Salt Creek, or Lester's, is a station on the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad, at its crossing of Salt Creek. It is yet very new, and has but one store, which is kept by F. E. Lester, who is Postmaster at the place. It has a cheese factory, owned by Mr. Lester. BENSENVILLE BY HERMAN H. KORTHADER. The present site of Bensenville, located in Sections 13, 14 and 23, was purchased by Dedrich Struckmann, T. R. Dobbins and Col. Roselle M. Hough, of Jobn Lemarche, in 1872; shortly after, Hough's interest (one- fourth) was purchased by Frederick Hener and Henry Korthauer. The purchase was subdivided in 1874, two years after the Chicago & Pacific Railroad was built, and a post office obtained, Henry A. Glos being appointed Postmaster. It had already become an incorporated village, its p'at recorded bearing date of October 10, 1873. 292 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. In 1879, the Chicago & Pacific Company becoming insolvent, the road was purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Kail- road, a change greatly beneficial to the north- ern portion of the county; new steel rails were substituted for the old track, the road- bed raised, new buildings erected and in- creased facilities given. The water supply being insufficient, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company contracted with W. H. Gray, of Jefferson, Cook Co., 111., a professional borer of arte- sian wells, for an artesian well. Work was commenced August 1, 1881, and, after five months' continuous labor, day and night, and an expense of $5,000, it was sunk to the depth of 21,198 feet 8 inches, the greater portion of the distance being through solid rock. The water obtained, on analysis, proved to be almost chemically pure. It rises thirty-eight feet above the surface, and has a temperature of sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, flowing about one hundred gal- lons per minute. The village has about two hundred and fifty residents, the majority of whom are German. This is the largest village in the town of Addison, and the most important station be- tween Chicago and Elgin. The location is high, and an abundance of good water is found at a depth of about twenty feet. The dairy interests of Bensenville and vi- cinity are by far the most important. Over three hundred thousand gallons of milk are shipped annually to Chicago, and double that amount is manufactured into butter and cheese. During 1881; 150,000 pounds of butter and nearly 400,000 pounds of cheese were made here. Bensenville is the homo office of the Ad- dison Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. This company was incorporated on the 3d of March, 1855, for a term of twenty-five years, Diedrich Struckmann, Henry Roter- mund, Frederick Schmidt, John E. Kiessling and John H. Franzen being the charter mem- bers. The first officers were: William Roter- mund, President; Benjamin F. Filmore, Sec- retary ; Henry Rotermund, Treasurer ; Dr. A. W. Heise, D. Struckmann, Frederick Schmidt and H. Rotermund, Directors. In March, 1879, the charter was extended thirty years, or to 1909. Since the establishment of the company, business has increased steadily from year to year, all losses have been promptly paid, and the affairs managed satisfactorily to the mem- bers. There are now in force 2,022 policies, insuring $2,338,352 of property. The present assets are over $125,000. A general meeting of the members occurs annually, on the second Saturday in January. The quarterly meeting of Directors is held on the second Saturday in January, April, July and October. The officers for the current year (1882) are: Henry Bosenberg, President; Herman H. Korthauer, Secretary; Barney L. Franzen, Treasurer; H. Bosenberg, B. L. Franzen, Henry L. Glos, L. Wolf, Phillip Bohlander, John Longguth and Henry Kolze, Directors. The first church in Addison Township was organized in 1837 by Rev. E. Benberger. For three years, the services were held in a small log house on Louis Schmidt's farm. In 1S40, Rev. F. A. Hoffmann assumed charge; there being no house provided for the pastor, he was obliged to live with the members, moving weekly from house to house. During 1840, a frame building was erected near the present site of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, where services were held un- til 1847. ADDISON TOWNSHIP 293 In 1847, Rev. Hoffmann severed bis connec- tion with the church, and Eev. Ernest Brauer, a Lutheran minister, was installed, with the understanding that the services were to be conducted as formerly to suit both fac- tions of the congregations, one portion of which was Lutheran and the other Reformed Lutheran. About six months after, it became evident that the union services could not be contin- ued; accordingly, a division took place, the Lutherans retaining possession of the church, and the Reformed Lutherans, twenty-one in number, organizing under the name of the Evangelical St. Johanne's Society. The names of the first members were Henry Hoppenstadt, Fred Federke, Barney H. Landmeier, J. H. Schoppe, J. Gr. Landmeier, Fred Heine, H. Kolze, Fred Volberding, Gr. Eitermann, W. Niemeyer, JohnH. Frauzen, J. H Korthauer, H. Kirchhop, Christian Dunter- mann, J. B. Schoppe, H. Volberding, John Franzen, H. Hartman, J. H. Duehna, Gr. H. Frazen, F. Dierking. A church was built in the winter of 1849- 50, in Section 12. The first pastor of the new congregation was Rev. Wucherer, who died one year after taking charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Ulrich Moecklin, who re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1868. Rev. Peter Lehmann then assumed charge, and was their pastor until 1880. Under his pastorate, a handsome church, a parsonage, schoolhouse and a dwelling for the school teacher was built, eighteen acres of land purchased, besides expending a large sum in beautifying the church grounds and cemetery. Rev. Mr. Lehmann resigned in 1880, and was succeeded by Rev. Bower, who is the present pastor. The church is in a flourishing condition, having over 400 members. The following is a list of the business and professional men: C. A. Franzen, lumber, grain, coal, flour and feed. P. J. Tiedemann, dry goods, groceries, crockery, etc. Christian Hiebenthal, Postmaster, grocer- ies, boots and shoes. Hermann H. Korthauer (Notary Public), stoves, agricultural implements and general hardware. Henry Ernsting, merchant tailor. Herman Fiebrandt, tinner, also dealer in hardware, etc. Louis Markmann, hotel. Christian Koch, hotel. Louis Schroeder, blacksmith. Charles Martin, blacksmith. Charles Sandhagen, wheelwright. Henry Wellner, furniture, burial cases. Frank Ort, harness, saddles, etc. Christian Bauche, mason. Henry Schmidt and Louis Biermann, manufacturers of tow. August Seuf, butcher. Frank Hornbostle, butcher. William Struckmeyer, butter and cheese. Gustaf Gutche, shoemaker. Frederick H. Bates, M. D., physician and surgeon. A. D. Swenson, V. S., veterinary surgeon. The town of Addison occupies the extreme northeastern corner of Du Page County. Its surface is generally quite level, but its drain- age good, as its elevation is sufficient to make it so. Its soil is of the best quality, produc- ing corn, oats and other cereals in great abun- dance. But the dairy business is getting to be its chief agricultural interest. The ex- tensive groves of this town have been, and are still, of great value to the farmers, affording abundance of lumber for fencing, as well as a large supply of fuel. They have also 291 HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY. served a valuable purpose in modulating the extremes of summer and winter, and have proved a substantial inducement to settlers. There are now live school districts in the town, in each of which good schoolhouses have been built, which, together with the lit- erary institutions of the village of Addison, place the town high in the scale of scholastic education. The school census shows the num- ber of persons between the ages] of six and twenty-five in the town to be 525. "j PART II. IOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PART II. Biographical Sketches. NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. . FRANCIS P. ABBOTT, farmer, P. 0. Na- perville, is a native of Ireland, born in the year 1832, and received but a limited schooling. In 1S51, he came to the United States, and in October of that year to Du Page County, 111., and worked on a farm by the month for two years and four months for one man, and then some six years he lived with his mother and sister, and worked at odd jobs. He then rented a place, and began farming on his own account, renting some eight years. He then bought a place of his own, and in 1868 came to his present place, which contains 100 acres located three and one-half miles northwest of Naperville. March 29, 1864, he married Miss Tamar Simpson, a native of New York. She came to Du Page County with her parents. By the marriage there are two children — Arthur E. and Nora M. He is Republican in politics. MARTIN BROWN, merchant, Naperville, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born Au- gust 3. 1831, and is the third in a family of five children born to David and Mary (Fry) Brown, natives of Lancaster County, Penn.; their parents were also born in Lancaster County ; David and Mary were married in Lancaster County, where she died in 1838, leaving five chil- dren, all of whom are now living, and grown up. About 1839, David married Elizabeth Clinson, a native of Lancaster County. He was a black- smith by trade, but during the last nine years of residence in Pennsylvania he followed farm- ing. In 1844, he came, with his family, in company with thirteen other families, to Naper- ville, 111., the company being induced to settle in this neighborhood by Bishop Seibert, of Lan- caster County, who had traveled as missionary in this vicinity. The party bought land here. and Mr. Brown farmed until about 1867, when he sold his place. In 1865, he engaged in mer- cantile business with his son, Martin, and was connected in mercantile business in all about five years, and lived retired thereafter until his death, November, 1875. Mrs. B. is living here in Naperville. Five children, all of whom are living. He served as Road Commissioner in Naperville Township; also Assessor. Was a member of the Evangelical Church. Our sub- ject lived at home until the spring of 1851. when he went to Chicago and engaged as clerk in the general goods business, wholesale and retail, where he remained two years. He then determined to go to California, and went via New York and Nicaragua route, arriving at San Francisco March 24, 1853. Remained a little over two years, engaged in mining, and BIOGRAPHICAL: had fair success. Returned to Naperville, and worked on the farm for four years. He had sent money home, which was invested in land, and had to wait until he improved it in order to realize upon it, which he did, and in 1860 engaged as clerk for Mr. Yount, and continued about two years. He then, with his father, bought out the business of Mr. Yount, and continued about two years, when Mr. Brown, Sr., withdrew and Mr. E. Holler became a partner, and continued five years, Mr. M. Brown being the sole proprietor since. In 1856, he married Miss Catharine C. Rickert, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in October, 1869, leaving three children — Emma, Lincoln and Mary. In 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Barr, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne two children — Clarence and Irvin. Has been connected with the Evangelical Church since 1843. B. B. BOECKER, grain and coal dealer, Naperville, is a native of Prussia, born in 1840, and lived in his native land about twenty- years ; received a fair education, including a high school course. At the age of sixteen, he began clerking, and at nineteen he went into the arm}- and served as volunteer one year. In 1860, he came to the United States and vicinity of Naperville, where a friend lived, and worked several years on a farm. He then went to Germany and married Miss Annie Ohn ; returned to Naperville and farmed two years. He then sold his farm and engaged in the lumber business and hay press ; con- tinued nine years ; sold out and bought his present business ; has served as Alderman and Mayor, and is now the Supervisor of Lisle Township. He deals in grain and coal, and is doing a very thriving business. He has three children —Theodore, Adolphine and Arnold. He is a Democrat. D. C. BUTLER, clerk, with W. Scott & Co., Naperville, was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1825, son of Roswell and Ruth (Wordeu) But- ler, natives of Vermont, in which State they were married. Roswell Butler was engaged in the lumber business and conducted a farm. He was also interested in a paper-mill and a flour- mill ; he died about the 3 r ear 1830 ; his wife came West about 1849 or 1850, and lived in Naperville with her sister, Mrs: H. L. Peaslee, until her death, which occurred about the year 1868. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and afterward took an academic course. In May, 1838, he came to Naperville with his brother-in-law, Mr. H. L. Peaslee, and assisted in the latter's store till 1840, when he returned to Vermont and at- tended school two years. He then moved to Chicago, where he clerked in a groceiy store two years ; thence to Naperville, and again en- gaged with Mr. Peaslee, remaining witli him until he sold out his business, about the year 1853, and continuing on five years longer in the same store in the employ of Mr. Peaslee's suc- cessor. In 1858, he formed a partnership with H. L. Peaslee, and conducted a general store for a year. In 1861, he engaged as Sutler in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, but afterward sold his business at Washington, D. C, to Col. Bev- eridge. and returned to Naperville and engaged in the hardware business two years. He after- ward engaged as clerk for Robert Naper tor two years, and for two years longer with Na- per's successors, then as book-keeper for the Chicago Ale and Malt Company four years. He then returned to Naperville, clerked two years in grocery business for L. G. Kent, and then engaged with W. Scott & Co., with which firm he has since been employed. In 1851. he married Freedom Herrick, a native of Vermont, who came to Naperville with her mother about the year 1849. Mr. Butler has been School Trustee two terms, and was President of the Board of Naperville for the year 1 862. DR. J. A. BELL, of the firm of Drs. Bell & Nauman, Naperville, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, born March 19,1 838 ; came to NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. Illinois with his parents about the year 1853, and settled in Knox Count}*. He received his education at Hedding Seminary, of Abingdon, Knox County, and began reading medicine in 1858 with Dr. Andrew McFarland, Superintend- ent of the Insane Asylum of Jasksonville, 111., under whose -tuition he remained until 1861. In that year, he enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Infantry ; was detailed as Assistant Surgeon in the general hospital at Cairo ; served in that capacity and on detached duty until December, 1861 ; then served in the field until August, 1862, when he resigned his position and re- turned to Jacksonville ; thence he went to Cambridge, 111., where he practiced his profes- sion until 1866, and in 1868 came to Naperville, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine ; since he came to Naperville, he has taken the degree of M. D. at the Hahne- mann Homoeopathic Medical College of Chicago. In 1861, he married Miss Elizabeth Eagle, a native of England, who came to the United States with her parents, and settled in the vi- cinity of Jacksonville, 111. From this union two children have been born. The Doctor is a member of the Illinois State ' Institute of Homoeopathy. BISHOP BARTHOLOMEW, farmer, P. O. Warrensville, is a native of Whitehall, Wash- ington Count}'. X. Y., and was born in the year 1817 ; he was raised on the farm, and received a common school education. In 1837, he came West ; he went on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, to Detroit by the lakes, and, in company with sev- eral others, drove by team to Lake Michigan, thence to Chicago by boat ; he had $75 when he lauded in Chicago, and felt that he would not give his $75 for the town. He footed it to Naperville, and stopped with Mr. Z. Jones, who was formerly neighbor with him East. In 1838, he married Elmina Jones, daughter of Mr. Z. Jones. She died about 1848. After his marriage, he farmed on shares a number of years, and then bought a place adjoining his present place, but afterward traded for his present place, where he has lived for the past twenty-eight years. In 1850, he married Miss Asenath McFerren, a native of Vermont ; they were married in New York, and came here to Du Page County. They have two children — Henry and Nettie. By the first marriage there were three children — Susan, Darius and Emma. He owns 200 acres of land located on river, three miles of Naperville. He is a Republican. AMOS BUTZ, farmer, P. 0. Naperville, is a native of Lehigh County, Penn.. born in the year 1811, was raised on the farm and received a common-school education. At the age of twenty-two, he married Esther Wenner, a native of Lehigh County, Penn. He lived at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, and then bought a place of his own, which he farmed until 1845; he then came West by team to Illinois, and stopped about a month at Naper- ville, where he bought his present place, and, except three years' residence in Naperville, has lived here since. He owns 116 acres, located one and a half miles northwest of Naperville. He is a Republican, and has served as School Director in his district for some ten or twelve years. By the marriage there have been six children, five of whom are living — Abigail. George, Owen W., Aaron, Eva Louise, Anna Eliza. He is a member of the Evangelical As- sociation since 1835. PHILIP BECKMAN, harness, hides and leather, Naperville, is a native of Bavaria, born in 1836, and received a common-school educa- tion up to the age of thirteen ; then apprenticed to his trade, and served three years, and came to America and stopped nearly two years in Cleveland ; thence to Chicago, where he worked for about five years. In 1859, he came to Naperville, worked as jour until April, 1864, for Martin Ward, when he bought him out, and continued to the present time. He married Miss Elizabeth Pfeiffer in Chicago, in 1858, a native of Germany. They have eight children BIOGRAPHICAL: — Pauline, Carl, Mattie, Ellen, Libbie, Lula, Bernice and Philip, Jr. Is a Republican. ANTONI BAPST, retired blacksmith, Na- perville, was born September 25,1817, in Alsace, German}' ; is a son of Joseph and Ursal Bapst. He came to this county in 1846, and worked at the blacksmith's trade at Naperville, which he began at the age of sixteen. In 1862. he abandoned the business and moved on his present farm of eighty acres, near the village, in Naperville Township. He was for a few years engaged in a grocery store in Naperville ; was married in 1849 to Caroline Coonej 7 , who blessed him with nine children, viz. : Mary, Fannie, Joseph, Antoni, Carrie, Frank, Louisa, Annie and Helen. He and wife are the arti- ficers of their own fortune, having started their married life with $20. They are members of the Catholic Church. HON. HIRAM H. CODY, P. 0. Naperville, is a native of Vernon Center, Oneida Co., N. Y. He was born June 11, 1824, and is the son of Hiram Cody and Huldah, nee Hitchcock. His paternal grandparents, Samuel Cody and Su- sannah, n6e Carroll, were among the pioneers of Oneida County. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary army ; the latter, with pardonable pride, traced her lineage to Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. His maternal grand- parents, David Hitchcock and Mercy, nee Gil- bert, formerly of Connecticut, but during many years residents of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., were universally respected for their many virtues. Hiram's parents took a deep interest in his early eduaction, and intended to give him the advantage of a thorough course of study in Hamilton College, five miles from their home. Their design was that he should enter the legal profession, and in all his instruction, both at school and under private tuition, this purpose was kept in view, and, being well known to him, made a very deep impression upon his hopes and aspirations for the future. A sad disap- pointment, however, awaited him. His father, who was engaged in mercantile business, was by a sudden reverse of fortune compelled to re- sume the occupation of his early life, that of shoemaking. Hiram, the eldest of the five children, then about sixteen years of age, was expecting to enter an advanced class in college the following year, instead, however, he volun- tarily left his school and assisted his father in the support of the fainilj', pursuing his studies afterward to some extent under private instruc- tion. This circumstance, though it seemed a great calamity, and the destroyer of his highest hopes and aspirations proved to him a blessing in disguise, by inducing his removal to the West and settlement in Illinois. In 1843, with his father's family, he removed to Lisbon, Ken- dall Co., 111., and one year later the family set- tled at Bloomingdale, Du Page County. In 1847. Mr. Cody removed to Naperville, having been elected Clerk of the County Commissoners' Court of Du Page County. Two years later, upon the adoption of the constitution of 1848, he was nominated by acclamation, and in 1849 elected the first Count} - Clerk of said county, and during the six years he held the office he applied himself to the study of law. and finally, was admitted to the bar, after which he retired from public life and devoted him- self to his profession. Politically, his views were Democratic, but during the war of the re- bellion his earnest efforts and eloquent appeals in behalf of the Union cause will ever be re- membered by his fellow-citizens, aud it was to these that Du Page County was largely indebt- ed for her brilliant record made during the war. In 1861, in a convention assembled without distinction of party, he was nominated and af- terward almost unanimously elected County Judge of Du Page County. In 1869, he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Con- vention, and was one of its most useful mem- bers, being elected by votes irrespective of party. He acted with a small number of inde- pendents who in the convention really held the NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. balance of power, which they so used that party spirit was more nearly banished from that as- sembly than from any deliberative legislative body that ever convened in Illinois. He was the chairman of the important committee on Revision and Adjustment. In 1874, he was elected to succeed the Hon. S. Wilcox as Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Illinois (com- posed of the counties of Kane, Du Page and Kendall) by the largest majority ever given in the circuit, every town in his" own county giv- ing him a majority, and in the three south towns, which have been his home since 1847, out of a total vote of 1,021 he received 1,007. During his official term as Circuit Judge, the Appellate Court was organized and the State redistricted, the counties of Lake, McHeury, De Kalb and Boone being combined with Kane, Du Page and Kendall, forming what is now known as the Twelfth Judicial District. At the end of his term, the Republicans of the new circuit held a convention and nominated a party ticket for the three Judges then to be elected, which resulted in the retirement of Judge Cody from the bench, though he was largely sup- ported as an independent candidate b}- those who were opposed to making political nominations for judicial offices. Although the district had a Republican majority of about 12,000, and was well organized, the Judge lacked but about 2,000 votes of being successful against the regular party nomination. Immediately after the election in 1879, he commenced the practice of his profession in Chicago, having formed a copartnership with Messrs. E. II. and N. E. Gary, the firm being as Gary, Cody & Gary, and having an extended and rapidly growing practice. In the fall of 18S0, Judge Cody was nominated by the Democrats first for the office of State Senator for the Fourteenth Senatorial District, and soon after for Representative in Congress for the First Congressional District, both of which nominations he declined. As a Judge, he was peculiarly free from prejudices, and his thorough investigation of the law, his ) clear perceptions and his careful, deliberate and correct opinions made for him a most en- viable reputation at home or abroad. During his whole term as County Judge, no appeal was ever taken from his decisions, and of the ap- peals taken during his term as Circuit Judge over 81 per cent were affirmed by the Supreme Court. Judge Cody was married, December 31, 1846, to Miss Philomela E. Sedgwick, daughter of Parker Sedgwick, M. D., formerly of Lowell, Oneida Co., N. Y., but since 1843 a resident of Du Page County, 111., where he is widely known as an eminent and successful physician. Mrs. Cody is a lady of intelligence and refinement, esteemed for her earnest piety and her true womanly qualities ; a devoted wife and fond mother. They have from early life both been members of the Congregational Church. HARLOW CROSIER, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, 111., is a native of Berkshire County, Mass., born in the year 1812 ; was raised on the farm and received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of twenty, he apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and the next year be- gan drawing wages. In 1837, he went to Ohio and clerked in a tavern in Mentor, and in 1839 he married Miss Mary S. Nowlen, a native of New York, and soon after the marriage came to Naperville, 111., and the next year began farming near the village, and about two years later came to his present place, where he has lived since. During his residence here, he has worked alternately between farming and build- ing, he having built most of the buildings in this vicinitj - . By the marriage there were six children, of whom five are living. Mr. Crosier is a Republican in politics. He owns eighty- six acres, located on the railroad, three miles west of Naperville. NATHANIEL CRAMPTON. farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born in Connecticut in 1815 ; was raised on the farm, received a verv limited 8 BIOGRAPHICAL: education,jand at the age of twelve years moved to Benson, Vt, with his parents. On attaining his majority, he came West, and stopped with Robert Strong, who lives in Will County, 111., near the Du Page County line. Here he re- mained for a time, assisting in the erection of a barn ; then went to St. Charles and took a claim, which he sold next season ; then came to this county. Here he bought for $400 a claim of 1G0 acres, located four miles west of Naperville, on the Naperville & Oswego road, where he lived until 1878, when he retired from farm life and moved to Naperville, where he has since resided. On the farm is a fine grove, which Mr. Crampton set out about the year 1870. In 1839, he married Lucy Dudley, a native of Connecticut. They have had five children, three of whom are living, viz. : Mil- ton, Rosetta and May. Mr. Crampton is a zealous member of the Congregational Church ; has held the office of Supervisor for his town- ship and President of the Du Page County Agricultural Society. EDGAR G. CRANE, farmer, P. 0. Eola, 111., is a native of Naperville Township, Du Page Co., 111. He was born in the year 1837, and is the third of seven children born to David and Catharine W. (Stolp) Crane, who were na- tives of Wayne County, N. Y. They came West in 1835, and settled on the present place, where he lived until his death, June 2, 1849. Mrs. Crane lived on the place a number of years, when she married Mr. Edgar Galloway, and moved to Wayne County, N. Y., where she now lives. Our subject was raised on the farm ; he received a common-school course of study. On becoming of age, he went by team to California, and lived there and in Oregon for seven years. He was principally engaged in mining. In 18GG, he returned home, and, in the spring of 1867, went to Montana and mined for a year and a half ; he then returned and bought out the heirs to the place. In Januaiy, 1869, he mar- ried Miss Salinda M. Griswold, a native of Wayne County, N. Y. B3 - the marriage there have been five children, of whom three are liv- ing — George S., Edith May and Charles P. He owns 243 acres located on the west county line, three miles northeast of Aurora. W. M. CRAMPTON, farmer, P. 0. Naper- ville, is a native of Du Page County, 111., born in the year 1844, and is the third of five chil- dren born to Nathaniel and Lucy H. (Dudley) Crampton. Our subject was raised on the pres- ent place, and received a common-school and academic course of study. In 1862, he entered the Post Quartermaster's Department as clerk, and was located at Springfield, Mo. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Company D, and became Ser- geant of his company, and served until the close of the war, when he came home and occupied one of his father's farms, adjoining the present, and farmed there until 1873, when he went by railroad to California, and lived there for five years, during which time he was engaged as a clerk with the Central Pacific Railroad Com- pany, and located at Oakland and San Fran- cisco, though he always lived in the latter place. He then returned East, and occupied the present place, where he has lived since. In 1869, he married Miss Minnie A. Kimball, a na- tive of Wisconsin ; she came to Naperville, 111., with her parents. By the marriage, there are two children — Genevieve and Florence. Mr. Crampton is Republican in politics. In Janu- ary, 1882, he was elected President of the Du Page County Agricultural Society. M. C. DUDLEY, attorney, Naperville, is a native of Oswego, N. Y., born October 7, 1820, and is the fifth of a family of nine children born to Asa and Levina (Olcott) Dudley, who were natives of Vermont and Connecticut. In May, 1839, he with his family, wife and five chil- dren, came West and settled in Bloomingdale Township, where one of his married daughters, Mrs. Kent lived. He occupied a piece of laud and took the claim and bought of Government, NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. and farmed the same. Mrs. D. died in winter 1SG2-3, after which he lived with his children, and in 1868 died at the home of his daughter, i]':ir Norwood Park, in Cook County. He was aged eighty-three, and was one of the early County Collectors ; was a Baptist. Our sub- ject was educated in New York, principally. Pie early began clerking in a general merchan- dise store. At first, when he came West, he assisted on the farm, and began teaching ; he then worked about two years in a store at Peoria, when he returned home and married Miss Lucinda Willey, a resident of Du Page County ; then entered a claim and followed farming until 1853, when he was elected County Clerk, and served until 1861. During the latter part of his term he, in company with David Hate, engaged in general merchandising in Naperville, firm of M. C. Dudley & Co., and continued until about 1868, when the business was closed up. In 1869, Mr. D. was elected County Judge, serving until 1873, since which time he has practiced his profession. During his terms of office, he read law, and was ad- mitted to practice. While County Judge, he was appointed Master in Chancery. His busi- ness is principally in that and the County Court. He has had born to him five children, three of whom are dead, the other two, daugh- ters, are living, Ida and Eva. He is a Baptist and a Republican. ELI H. DITZLER, Naperville, of the firm of Ditzler & Hosier, dealers in general mer- chandise, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1841, second child of a family of four born to Jonathan and Esther (Alspaugh) Ditzler, natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Ditzler, who was a carpenter by trade, removed with his family to this county iu 1844 or 1845, and settled in Naperville, where he followed his trade until his death, which occurred September 18, 1880. His wife is still living on the old homestead. Our subject received a fair education, and at the age of fifteen engaged as clerk in the gen- eral store of W. Scott & Co., where he remained until 1861. In that year, he enlisted in Com- pany E. Eighth Illinois Cavalry. Heserved three years, during which time he participated in the battles of Beverly Ford, Rappahannock Station, Fair Oaks. Gettysburg, Boonesboro, and all the other engagements in which his regiment took part. During his last year of service, he was detailed as Orderly to Gen. Chapman. In Oc- tober, 1864, he returned to Naperville and re- sumed his former occupation until February, 1867, when he formed a partnership with Joseph Hilligas in a general merchandising business. In 1870, Mr. Hilligas sold his in- terest in the business to Alvin Scott, who, in 1873, sold to Mr. Hosier, the business being since conducted under the firm name of Ditzler & Hosier. In the spring of 1882, he was ap- pointed Treasurer of Lisle Township; has served as Village Treasurer for some time. In 1870, he married Celia A. Babcock, a native of Ohio, and at the time of her marriage a res- ident of Cook County, 111., who has borne him six children, viz.: Hugh W., H. lone, Wenona A., Guy E., L} man B., J. Elmo and Bell Eloise. Mr, Ditzler is a Republican, and polled his first vote while in the army. XAVIER DRENDEL, farmer, P. 0. Naper- ville, is a native of Alsace, France, now Ger- many, and was born in the year 1829. He was brought up a farmer, and received a common school education. He came to the United States of America in the year 1846 with his parents. Xavier and Theresa (Rhode) Drendel ; they were natives of France, and settled in Milton Township, Du Page Co., 111., and they lived there a number of years, and then moved to a farm near by, located in Lisle Township, where he died February 15, 1872. Mrs. Dren- del owns the old homestead in Lisle, and lives with her son-in-law, Mr. Swartz. Our subject was seventeen years of age when his folks came to the United States of America ; he lived at home with his parents until he was twenty- 10 BIOGRAPHICAL: five years of age, when he went to California and lived there two years ; he followed mining, and met with fair success ; he went via Pana- ma, and returned by the Nicaragua route. In the fall of 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth Winkler, a native of Alsace, Prance ; she came to the United States of America with her parents in 1845, and settled in Will County, 111. By the marriage there have been eight children, seven of whom are living, four boys and three girls. After his marriage, he lived on the old homestead, and in 1869 came to his present place, and has lived there since. He owns 200 acres of land located two miles west of Naper- ville. He is a Democrat. ft. H. DICKINSON, farmer, P. 0. Naper- ville, is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born in the year 1834 ; he was raised on the farm and received a common school education, and taught a short period, on becoming of age. He began business on his own account as news man, and two years later he became Deputy Route Agent on the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York Railroad, which position he held until 1801, when he enlisted in the Twenty- seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany D, and served two years. He was in the first battle of Bull Run and Gaine's Mills. After his first year's service he was detailed as Mail Agent under Gen. Slocum. After he was mus- tered out, he remained with the command as News Agent a number of months. He returned home and engaged with the United States Ex- press Company and resided in Binghamton, and in the spring of 1868 came West prospect- ing, and in August following located on his present place. In 1863, he married Miss Edna R. Bennett, a native of Broome County, N. Y. They have two children — Lewis E. and Lee A. He owns 100 acres located on the railroad, two miles west of Naperville. JOHN DRISSLER, grocer, Naperville, is a native of Lehigh County, Penn., born in 1813. His parents were poor and his education was limited to one month's attendance at the dis- trict school. When about twelve years of age, began working among his neighbors. When he became eighteen years of age, he appren- ticed to the blacksmith trade, at which he served two years and a half; then engaged in farming a few years, after which he followed teaming about ten years. In 1845, he came to Naperville, where he worked a farm on shares, and also engaged in teaming to Chicago. From 1S51 to 1865, he was engaged in the furniture business, keeping also a stock of groceries, and in 1865 sold out the furniture stock, and en- gaged in the grocery business exclusively. In 1876, he sold out his business, and in 1880 opened his present place, where he has since been engaged in the grocery trade. In 1835, he married Mary Gilbert, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who died March 8, 1872, leaving one child — William, now a member of the police force in Chicago. In May, 1874, he married Mrs. Mary Raisley, formerly Miss Mary Stucker a native of Pennsylvania. She is the mother of five children, one boy and four girls, by her first marriage. Mr. Drissler is an adherent of the Republican part} - . GEORGE EHRHARDT, boots and shoes, Naperville, of the firm of Ehrhardt & Brother, dealers in boots and shoes, was born in Alsace, France, now Gerrnairy. He was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade at the age of fifteen, and served three years. He then worked at his trade till twenty years of age, when he entered the French Army. While in the army, he worked at his trade for his regiment, remaining till 1852, when he emigrated to the United States. In the spring of 1853, he came to Naperville, where he has since remained, en- gaged in the boot ane shoe business, in part- nership with his jounger brother, Jacob, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. In 1858, he married Louisa Kagler, a native of Alsace, France, now Germany, who has borne him two children — Julia and Carolina. Mr. NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 11 Ehrhardt is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. JACOB EHRHARDT, boots and shoes, is a native of Alsace, France, born in 1831. At the age of fifteen, he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, at which he served three years. He then worked with his father until 1854. In that year, he emigrated to the United States, and joined his brother, George, in Na- perville, with whom, after working a few years at his trade, he entered into partnership in the boot and shoe business. In 1864, the brothers built a store in Naperville. where the}' have since carried on a retail boot and shoe busi- ness, doing a good trade. He married, in 1868, Mary Catherine Sturm, a native of Alsace. From this union three children have been born, viz. : Emilia, Minnie and Henry. Mr. Ehr- hardt has held the office of City Trustee. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. JOHN EHRHARDT, of the firm of J. Ehr- hardt & Co., manufacturers and retail dealers in boots and shoes, is a native of Alsace, France (now Germany), born September 12, 1841. His father was a shoemaker, and subject learned that trade, beginning when fourteen years of age. In 1859, subject came to the United States, and settled in Naperville, where his brothers, who had preceded him, then lived. He worked at his trade with his brother till July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Illinois Infantry, was chosen Corporal of his company, and remained in service until the close of the war. He participated in the engagements of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, was in the Atlanta cam- paign, the " march to the sea " and through the Carolinas, and was with Gen. Corse at Ala- toona Pass. In 1865, he returned to Naper- ville, worked at his trade till 1873 ; then opened a shop and engaged in business, in company with Mr. Gushart. In 1867, he married Maria Nadelhoffer, who was born in A.Isace and came to the United States in 1860. They are the parents of two children, one of whom is liv- ing, viz., Maria S. Mr. Ehrhardt is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He is a Re- publican. HON. LEWIS ELLSWORTH, agriculturist, P. 0. Naperville, is a son of Nathan and Bet- sey B. (Palmer) Ellsworth. He was born at Walpole, N. H., July 22, 1805, and lived in his native State until his eighteenth year, when he moved to Rutland County, Vt., where he learned the tailor's trade. In 1827, he went to Troy, N. Y., and engaged in the merchant tailoring business. In 1836, he sold his business and made a trip West, buying an improved Govern- ment claim of some four or five hundred acres, and in 1837 he opened a general store in Na- perville. During this year, he also built a frame house on his land, and occupied the same with his family in October. In 1848, he sold his general store business, and in 1850 en- gaged in the nursery business, which he has con- ducted until the present time. In December, 1828, he married Miss Chloe M. Skinner, a na- tive of New Lebanon, N. Y. She died October 16, 1876. Of the five children, two are living. In 1839, Mr. Ellsworth was elected the first Probate Judge of Du Page County, and served four years. He is deeply concerned in the sub- ject of agriculture, and from its earliest days in Illinois he has taken a leading part. He was one of the incorporators of the Union Agricult- ural Society (which was the first held in Northern Illinois) and subsequently became its Vice President and President. He was one of the organizers of the county society and also one of the constituent, members of the State Agricultural Society organized at Springfield in 1853, and served as its President during the years 1859-60; also at present a member of the State Board of Agriculture. WILLIAM FEY, farmer, P. O.. Naperville, was born October 7, 1819, in Schuylkill County. Penn. ; is the son of Rudolph and Eve (Sn3-dei) 12 BIOGRAPHICAL: Fey. natives, the former the same county as the subject, and the latter Bucks County. They were the parents of five children, viz. : William, George, Joseph, Paul and Lewis. The father was a weaver by trade ; the parents were Lutherans. Mr. Fey had some school advantages and has always been a farmer ; was married, in 1841, to Esther Hoy, the union re- sulting in eleven children, all of whom are liv- ing — Albert, Henry, William, Lydia (Mrs. Abert Rickert, who died December 11, 1877), Laura (Mrs. Charles Letter), Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Houser). Emma (Mrs. Joseph Good), George, Lewis, Morgan and Anna. Our sub- ject came to Illinois in 185-1, settling at Naper- ville, and soon after rented a farm in Lisle Township. In 1855, he bought 145 acres, a part of his present farm of 251, on which he settled and has remained since. He started with scarcely anything but stout hands and a willing heart, having experienced many hard- ships in Pennsylvania. He has been no office seeker, yet has served in some of the smaller offices. He has always been a temperance ad- vocate, and has reared his large family without the use of coffee or tea. He nor none of his boys ever used tobacco, a very rare case indeed. The family are members of the Evan- gelical Association at Naperville ; vote the Re- publican ticket. THOMAS FINLEY, dealer in ice, Naper- ville, was born in Massachusetts in 1822. Is the second child of a family of seven children born to Alexander and Elizabeth (McCray) Fin- ley, natives of the North of Ireland. Alexander Finley, subject's father, came to the United States with his wife and one child about the year 1821, landed at Boston, Mass., and settled in Meadville, Penn. In 1839, came to Naper- ville, where he followed farming, and died in 1856 ; his wife died in 1858. Subject received a common-school education, and lived with his parents on the farm till 1850, when he organ- ized a company of thirteen men, and went by the overland route to California, where he re- mained four years engaged in mining. He then returned home, but soon after started on his second trip to California, taking with him forty- four horses, of which number he had but seven when he reached his destination, the rest hav- ing either died or been stolen on the way. After remaining in California three 3 - ears en- gaged in mining, he returned home in 1857, bought a farm in York Township, this county, occupied it three years, then sold it and bought a place near Warrenville, this county, where he farmed for six years, then sold out and came to his present place, where he has since fol- lowed farming. In 1875, he built an ice-house, and has since been engaged in the ice business. In 1858, he married Mrs. Butterfield, formerly Miss Ann Benuett, a native of this county, her father being one of the pioneer settlers ; they have a family of three children — Charles H., Samuel A. and Frances. Mr. Finley is a supporter of the Democratic party. JOSEPH S. FERRY, farmer, P. 0. Aurora, 111., is a native of Washington County, N. Y.; he was born in the year 1829, and is the young- est of three children born to Sylvanus and Rhoda (Wilson) Ferry ; they were natives of Massachusetts and New York. He was a tan- ner, and moved to New York when a young man, and married there. In the spring of 1 835, they moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and occupied a place belonging to his brother-in-law, and worked at his trade in the town. In 1838, they moved to Warrensville, in Du Page Co., 111., and rented his brother-in-law's (Joseph Wilson's) place. The next year he bought a claim, and soon afterward Mr. Ferry died. The family continued on the place until about 1845, and Mrs. Ferry lived with her son thereafter until her death in 1879. Our subject was raised on the farm, and received but a limited course of study in the district schools. When he was sixteen years of age, he bought, with the help of his uncle, fifty-three acres of land, and, with NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 13 his mother and sister, occupied the place, which he farmed with a yoke of oxen. About 1850, he sold the place and bought 120 acres close by, and farmed it until 1868, when he moved to Aurora to obtain school facilities for his family, and lived there six years, during which time he built and sold property. He then came to his present place, and has lived here since. He owns 600 acres, which is divided into three ad- joining farms, located two and a half to three miles east of Aurora. In 1855, he married Miss Sophronia B. Kenyon, a native of Washington County, N. Y. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents about 1853. They have three children — Adelaide, Jennie and William. Mr. F. attributes his success to industry and economy. He is a Republican in politics. ROBERT FREEMAN, retired, Naperville, was born in Meadville, Penn., February 21, 1809. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and in 1833 moved to Chicago, where he followed his trade for ten years, after which he moved to his farm, located in Du Page and Will Counties, part of which he had bought as early as 1837. He followed farming until 1876, when he built his present elegant brick residence. Mr. Freeman has been thrice mar- ried — in 1841, to Miss Adaline Bordman, a na- tive of New York ; she died September 10, 1859 ; of their children, two are living — Mrs. Emma M. Wescott, of Naperville, and Eliza Jane Morris, of Keya Paha, Nebraska. He married, December 11, 1861, Miss C. J. Dewey, a native of New York ; she died March 14, 1866, leaving two children — Arthur R. and Ella C, living at home. The present Mrs. Freeman, formerly Mrs. Brown, is a na- tive of Du Page County, 111.; her maiden name was Miss F. B. Wescott. By the present mar- riage there is one child— Jessie. Though not an office holder, Mr. Freeman has been an act- ive partisan, an Old-Line Whig, a strong anti- slavery man, and a Republican in politics. In 1820. he became a Presbvterian and continued in his faith until he came to Naperville, when he joined the Episcopalian Church, in the af- fairs of which he has taken an active interest 1». X. GK< )SS. merchant, Naperville, is a na- tive of this county, born in Lisle Township December 11, 1837, and is the sixth child of a family of seven born to George Conrad and Salome (Dather) Gross, natives of Bavaria, Germany, he born in Limberg, in July, 1796, she in Giersbach, July 13, 1804. George Con- rad Gross was married in his native land, May 28, 1825, where two of his children were born. Iu 1832, he, with his family, emigrated to the United States, and located in Pennsylvania, where he followed farming until 1835 ; then came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Lisle Township, this county, where he lived until 1844, when he moved to a farm in the town of Naperville, where he died in March, 1850. His widow, a number of years after his death, mar- ried Jacob Snibley, anil lived in Lisle Town- ship until her death in May, 1864. Our subject began Working for himself at the age of fifteen, and lived with his brother. When seventeen years old, he was apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner trade, and served with the late John Collins, of Naperville, three and one-half years, and, having learned his trade, worked with his employer until the breaking-out of the late war. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany E. Eighth Illinois Cavalry, was detailed as Orderly to Gen. Sumner, and served until Jnne 30, 1862, when he was wounded in the battle of White Oak Swamp, Va., and remained in the hospital in Baltimore until December 13, 1862, when he was discharged, the severity of his wound having necessitated the amputation of his foot. During his term of service, he par- ticipated in the engagements of Yorktown, Williamsburg, on the Chickahominy, Fair Oaks. Savage Station, being wounded the last day of the Seven Days' fight. Mr. Gross was an eye witness of the naval battle between the Merri- mac and the Monitor. On deing discharged, 14 BIOGRAPHICAL : he returned to Naperville. In 1863, was elected Count}* Treasurer. Was elected to that office three terms, but, owing to the removal of the county seat, served but five years. In 1869, he received the appointment of Postmas- ter, which position he held until the spring of 1882, when he bought a mercantile business in Brownsville, Mo., which he conducts at the present time, though he still retains his resi- dence in Naperville. He married, January 4, 1 864, Mary E. Dudley, a native of Lisle Town- ship, this county. They have five children — Bertha C, Cheeny C, Dean D., Mary S. and Fred A., and also living with the family, Ade- line M. Smith, an adopted child of Mrs. Dud- ley. Mrs. Gross' sister, now a missionary, will also become one of the family. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Barrows, organ- ized and taught the first public school in Chi- cago. HOWARD H. GOODRICH, attorney, Na- perville, is a native of this count}*, born in Lisle Township September 25, 1852, was raised on the farm, and attended the district schools till he was seventeen years of age, when he en- tered the Beloit, Wis., College, which he at- tended one year, then, upon the removal of the Northwestern College to Naperville, he entered . that institution, where he completed his classi- cal course, graduating in 1876 with the degree of M. A., and the honor of valedictorian of his class. After his graduation he taught dis- trict schools one term. In the spring of 1877, he began reading law with Judge H. H. Cody, and the 9ame year attended the Union College of Law, Chicago ; in 1879, he passed an exam- ination by the Appellate Court, and was ad- mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court in ses- sion at Mount Vernon, 111. In 1880, he received the degree of A. M. Began the practice of his profession at Naperville, and soon after entered into partnership with Samuel W. Smith, who however withdrew from the partnership Janu- uary 1, 1882, and went to Iowa. Mr. Goodrich is the eldest child of a family of four born to Charles H. and P. Jaue (Turner) Goodrich. FRANK S. GETSCH, of the firm of Strauss & Getsch, manufacturers of the Naperville plows, Naperville, is a native of this county, born in Milton Township in October, 1850, third child of a family of six children born to Anthony and Philisitus (Hilts) Getsch, resi- dents of this county ; subject was raised on the farm, and at twelve years of age hired out by the month, and worked on the farm of L. Meacuam a year and three months : thence to Kankakee County, III., where he worked on a farm for a year. He then returned home, where he remained a year ; then in 1865 en- listed in Company H, Twenty-third Illinois In- fantry, and remained in service till the close of the war ; then came home, and worked on a fai*m till 1866, when he went to Danby (now Prospect Park). There he apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, at which he served three years and four months, then came to Naper- ville, where he worked in the fork shops; worked a year in plow works in Chicago, also a year in South Elgin Fork Shops, and finally in 1876, became partner in present business. In May, 1876, he married Frances Bapst, a native of Naperville ; they have two children, viz., Will- iam and Edwin. DAVID B. GIVLER, editor Clarion, Naper- ville, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio ; born November 20, 1841, and is the fifth in a family of seven children born to Solomon and Leah (Brown) Givler. They were natives of Lan- caster County, Penu.; he was a farmer and moved to Ohio, settling on a farm in Wayne County ; thence to Ashland County, where they farmed until 1851 ; then came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Naperville, where he lived until his death, in December, 1868. He took an active interest in politics, and was a Republican ; member of the Evan- gelical Church. Mrs. Givler is living in Na- perville with her son, David B. Our subject NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 15 was raised on the farm, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Infantry, Company C ; served during the war ; was in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Douel- son, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Alatoona Pass and the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sher- man at the surrender of Johnston. He returned in 1 865. and farmed for one year; he then worked as clerk in the grain warehouse at Naperville one year. In 1868, he bought the Du Page ( 'ounty Press, and has published since, having, in 1869, changed the name to the Naperville Clarion-. January 24, 1864, he married Miss Abbie Matter, a native of Pennsylvania. (Mr. G. married while home from the army on fur- lough.) They have six children, three sons and three daughters. Mr. G. has served as Justice of the Peace, Police Magistrate, Collector, etc., etc. WALTER L. GOOD, Naperville, house and carriage painter, is a native of Lehigh County, Penn., born in 1843 ; son of Charles and Mary Ann (Miller) Good, natives of Lehigh County. Penn., and who were the parents of eleven children, subject being the third. Charles Good, subject's father, was raised on a farm ; learned the tailoring trade. In 1846, he came to Naperville, where he learned the painter's trade, which he followed until his death, which occurred in Naperville in the spring of 1867 ; his widow married Mr. Jacob Trumbauer, and now resides in Polo, Ogle County, 111. Walter L. was raised in Naperville, received a fair ed- ucation, and, when eleven years of age, began working with his father at the painter's trade, remaining till he was seventeen years of age. He then went to Chicago, where he worked for three j'ears ; then enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry ; was chosen Cor- poral ; afterward promoted to a Sergeancy, and mustered out after a two years' service. His regiment operated principally in Missouri, and, though in no pitched battles, was constantly employed among the guerrillas ; was ten weeks on the Price raid, fighting in the battles of Lex- ington, Independence and others. At the end of his service, he returned to Naperville and worked at his trade, with his father, until the death of the latter, since which time he has worked on his own account. In 1867, he mar- ried Sarah Rickert, a native of Geneva, 111., who has borne him one child — Charles W. Mr. Good has held the office of Village Trustee for some time ; he is a Republican. MICHAEL HINES, Naperville, Justice of the Peace, was born in Londonderry, Ireland. April 9, 1803, son of Michael and Jane (Walk- er) Hines, who emigrated to Canada and set- tled on a farm near the Vermont State line. At the age of eighteen years, our subject was apprenticed in Montreal, Canada, to his trade, and served three years. He then worked for a time at Grand Isle, in Lake Champlain, and in Vermont. In 1834, he came West, stopped in Chicago about a year, and, in 1835, came to Naperville, and engaged in business in part- nership with a friend, Samuel Talmadge. He afterward bought out Talmadge's interest, and continued business alone, being very success- ful ; he built several stores on water street, which were swept away in the ice gorge during the big flood, his loss being over $10,000. He married Lucetta Stephens daughter of Capt. John Stephens, who was one of the old pioneers of this county, and who served during the Black Hawk war ; they have had five children, of whom three are living — Thomas S., agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at Moline, 111. ; has been in the employ of that com- pany since his discharge from the army ; he served three years in the Eighth Illinois Cav- alry ; Mrs. Holman,of Creston, Iowa ; and Mrs. Smith, of Naperville. In March, 1850, he started by the overland route for California, in company with Stephen J. Scott, and accomplished the journej- in four months and seventeen days. After mining for two years in California, he re- turned home via the Isthmus of Panama and 16 BIOGRAPHICAL: New York ; while on the way, he bought a par- rot in the city of Menargo, said to be at that time forty-two 3 T ears old. This parrot lived with the family in Naperville till it died, in 1882, being, therefore, seventy-two years old ; Mr. Hines has had it stuffed. Mr. Hines has been Presidentof the Board of Village Trustees ; was two years Trustee, and is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace ; he is a Democrat. While living in Chicago, he bought a block of land on La Salle street, containing one-half acre, for $150, and sold it the follow- ing year for $1,150. JAMES J. HUNT, hardware and agri- cultural implements, Naperville, is a native of Crawford County, Penn.; was born in the year 1824, and is the fourth child in a family of nine children born to James N. Y. and Sarah (Jewell) Hunt, natives of Vermont. He, a blacksmith, moved, when our subject was six years of age, to Erie, Penn. Our subject received a common- school education ; at eighteen, went into his father's shop, and at nineteen he visited the West, spending one summer in Naperville ; then returned home. He married Miss Nancy Converse, a native of Erie County, Penn., in 1843 ; she died in 1872, in Colorado, where she had gone for her health. After his marriage, he lived in Erie one year, then came, in fall of 1844, with his father, mother and six children to Naperville. Subject worked one year here in plow shop, and. in 1846, opened a blacksmith shop upon the present site of his store, and con- tinued about twelve years. Soon after coming here, his father and mother moved to De Kalb County, where they died. He was elected Sheriff in 1856, and has served one term since He engaged in the livery business as early as 1855, and was identified with the business until about 1861. He then sold out his business, en- listed in the Thirteenth Infantry, and was elected Captain of a company. [He had pre- viously held the office of Captain of a militia company of Naperville, which he had raised.] He took his company to Dixon, 111., where he turned his office over to Judge Blanchard. He had held the office of Major in militia of Penn- sylvania, where he raised a company. He re- turned home from Dixon and raised another company, and notified Gov. Gates, who an- swered that he should disband. He bought new stock, having sacrificed his property to go to the army, and continued the livery business about one year. About 1861, he engaged in his present business, buying a small stock of goods from another man. The business was small, and his sous conducted the same, but when the war was over he engaged regularly in the busi- ness, which at first was principally a tin shop, but gradually grew to what it is now. In 1858, he built the present building, where he carries on business. He was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican. Has had nine children, four of whom are living. He was married, Septem- ber 3, 1874, to Miss Lucia A. Davis, a native of New York ; no children from second marriage. The four children living are Frank W., partner with his father ; Charles C, in father's store ; James E., now in Dakota ; Eva E., at home. Mr. Hunt has been Justice of the Peace and Police Magistrate over twenty years ; during the entire time, never had a verdict changed by Circuit Court, nor lost a prisoner during his term as Sheriff. He has liberally supported the enterprises of this community. GEORGE H. HUNT, proprietor Naperville Creamery, is a native of Madison County, N. Y.; he was born March 6, 1847 ; his father, Anson Hunt, was a farmer, and George was raised on his father's farm, and received a dis- trict school and academic course of study, ob- taining a good commercial education. In 1864. his father engaged in the creamery business, his being the first creamery in Madison County. Our subject assisted in his father's business. At the age of twenty he married Miss Estella Tuttle, of Madison County, N. Y., and after the marriage he began as foreman in a creamery, NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 19 and continued in that employ in Madison and Boone Counties until 1873, when he took a trip West, stopping one year as an officer in the State Reform School of Wisconsin, at Wauke- sha. He then engaged as foreman of C. W. Golds' Creamery at Elgin, 111., where he re- mained for three years, when in 1874 he came to Naperville and reuted a building, and con- ducted a creamery for three years, then built his present factory, 36x60 feet aud two stories high, and, being built after his own direc- tions, is a model of convenience. Mr. Anson Hunt died here in Naperville in 187S. Mrs. Hunt, formerly Miss Lydia Wilcox, is living here with her son. N. B. HOSLER, general store, Naperville, is a native of Lancaster Count}-, Penn., born in 1831, fifth child of a family of six born to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Beamerderfer) Hosier, both na- tives of Lancaster Count}-, Penn. Jacob Hosier, the father of subject, moved to Schuylkill County, Penn., in 1831, where he engaged in farming. In 1844. came to this count} - , and followed farming till 1870, when he retired from active life, and died in 1879 ; his wife died in 1866. Subject worked on the farm till 1857 when he married Abigail Butts, a native of Lehigh County, Penn., who died in the fall of 1870, leaving seven children, six of whom are living at home. After his marriage he rented a farm, which he worked three years. In 1866, he engaged as clerk with Mr. M. Brown, of Naperville, with whom he remained until the spring of 1869 ; then engaged in general mer- chandising in Bloomingdale, this county, for two years, and in 1872 became partner in the 1 in- mess in which he is at present engaged, lie ran a threshing machine sixteen years, was also engaged in buying produce for a number of years. W. H. HILLEGAS, of Hillegas & Co.. hard- ware, agricultural implements, etc., Naperville. is a native of Pottsville. Schuylkill County, Penn, ; born in 1840. and is the seventh in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Sarah Willtrout Hillegas ; they were natives of Berks and Schuylkill Counties, Penn. He was a gunsmith by trade, which he followed up to about 1840, since which he has been farming. In 1856, the family came to Naperville aud bought a farm one mile west of the village, aud occupied the same, where our subject lived for two years. He then engaged as a clerk with Mr. A. Friedly, in the hardware business, at Naperville, and continued with him until 1867, when, in company with Mr. Louis Reiche, bought the business, and has conducted the same since, firm being W. H. Hillegas & Co. In 1865, Mr. Hillegas enlisted for one year, or during the war, in the One Hundred and Fifty- sixth Begiment Illinois Infantry, Company D ; was Orderly Sergeant, and served until dis- charged in September following, and returned to Naperville and took his position in the store. In 1862, he married Miss Mary Hartman, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born 1840, and came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents when she was two years of age. They have three children, viz., Ida .May. ( harles W. and Harvey H. Is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church since 1857, tak- ing an active interest in the Sabbath school, of which he has been Secretary a number of years. HERMAN HAMMERSCHMIDT, farming, J'. 0. Naperville, is a native of Westphalia. Prussia ; he was born in the year 1830. He received, in addition to a common school educa- tion, two years' attendance at college. When he was eighteen years old, he came with his brother to the United States, and bought a farm in Naperville Township. Du Page Co.. 111., and some eight years later Eerman bought his present place and has lived here since. In 1856, he married Miss Emma Van Oven, a native of Westphalia, Prussia. She came to the United States, with her married sister in 1852. By the marriage there have been ten children. He is a Republican, ami has served 20 BIOGRAPHIC A I.: as Assessor for four years ; he has also served as School Trustee. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, of which he has been Trustee a number of years, and has taken an active interest. He owns eighty acres locat- ed three miles west of Naperville and six from Aurora. S. B. HILL, farmer, P. 0. Eola, 111., is a na- tive of the State of Maine, and was born in the city of Calais in the year 1823. He was raised on the farm, and received a common- school education. When he was eighteen years of age, he came West to Chicago, and traveled transient, stopping at Galena and in the pine- ries of Wisconsin. He then came to Warrens- ville in 1842, and rented a farm. He also ran a thresher, in company with Mr. Daniel Warne, until 1849, when he went to California. He went with a company of twenty-five men, they driving overland by ox teams. He lived about three years in California, during which time he followed mining and kept a butcher's shop in the mountains. He returned, via Panama, to Du Page County, and bought his present place. He married Miss Caroline, daughter of John Warne, of Michigan. She came to Du Page County in 1834 with her parents. By the mar- riage there have been six chddren, of whom three are living — Annie, now Mrs. Paxton, liv- ing in this county; Howard, at home ; Lorin, at home. After his marriage, he lived on his farm, where he has lived since. He is a Re- publican in his politics. He is a member of the M. E. Church. He owns 425 acres, located in Naperville and Winfield Townships, two and one-half miles north of Eola. He first bought about one hundred and sixty acres, and has added the rest since. CHARLES JENKINS, farmer, P. 0. Naper- ville, 111., is a native of Allegany County, N. Y. He was born in July, 1826 ; was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. When he was sixteen years of age, he began working by the month for himself, and at the age of nineteen he came West and stopped about six months in Du Page County, 111. He then worked about one year in Kane County, when he again came to Du Page County, and worked by the month until the spring of 1849. He then worked on the shares one year, and in 1850 went overland by team to California, and lived there for two years, during which time he worked at mining. Returning by the Nicar- agua route, he rented his present place, and two years later bought it. Mr. Jenkins first voted for Gen. Taylor and has been a Repub- lican since the organization of the party. He has held the offices of Towhship Trustee, Road Commissioner, aud has served as Supervisor for a number of years. In May, 1852, he mar- ried Miss Harriet H. Thatcher, a native of Wayne County, N. Y. She came West with her parents in 1839. By the marriage there are three children. He owns 219 acres of land, located three miles west of Naperville. H. W. KNICKERBACKER, Naperville, is a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., born No- vember 20, 1813, and was raised on a farm. At the age of eighteen, he began reading law, and in October, 1833, he moved to Chicago, where his brother lived (Abram V., Assistant Superintendent with Capt. Allen in building the harbor); our subject went in the store of P. F. W. Peck, and in May, 1834, he came to Naper- ville and purchased a claim adjoining the town; he then went East and married, returning to his claim in the fall and built a frame house, considered at that time the best in Northern Illinois; though not very pretentious, he lived on his claim until 1843, when, upon the death of his wife, he went East, in the spring of 1S44, and, in order not to lose his residence, he re- turned in the fall and voted for Henry Clay. His first wife was Miss Sarah Groesbeck, a na- tive of New York ; they had three children, all living. He engaged in mercantile business in Lansingburg, N. Y., and continued for twenty years. In 1847 or 1848, he married Miss NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 21 Clarissa A. Seelye, a native of New York. In 1868, they came to their farm here at Naper- ville, where she died in 1S75. after which he went East, and next year, he went to Adrian, .Mich., where he engaged in mercantile busi- ness for about one year; he then again returned to Naperville, where, in 1877. he married Miss N. ('. Cunningham, a native of Jonesboro. Tenn., daughter of Rev. J. W. Cunningham, and engaged as Preceptress and Professor of En- glish Literature in the Northwestern College of Naperville. Mr. K. was the first Assessor in this county. During the war. he resided in Lansingburg, N. Y.; he took an active part, devoting his time and rnoney to forwarding military affairs. He used his influence with Governor to establish a hospital at that joint. lie had been the principal officer of t lie agri- cultural society, and through his influence they gave the location for the hospital on which the Government erected buildings costing over $100,000, and during the war our subject made daily visits with the surgeons, his object being to cheer the patients, who became greatly at- tached to him. Is a Freemason; was a Whig, and is at present a Republican, and a " no license " advocate, also a member of the Con- gregational Church. CHARLES H. KAYLER, Naperville Marble Works, Naperville, is a native of Germany, was born in 1837. In 18-13, the family emigrated to the United States and settled at Cleveland < >hio, where Charles H. lived till he was twenty- three years of age, his father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the age of eighteen our subject was apprenticed to the marble-cut- ting trade, at which he served three years, under ins mother John, who conducted the business. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked at the trade as journeyman till 1861, when he enlisted in the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, Company C, and served till the close of the war. During his term of service, he participated in the bat- tles of Winchester and Port Republic, and in all the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, where his regiment operated under command of Gens. Fremont and Pope. At the close of the war. he returned to Cleveland. Ohio, and worked at his trade till 1866; he then came to Chicago and engaged as baggage- master on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which position he held for six years. He then removed to Naperville, where he engaged in the marble business. He employs from four to six work- men, and does an annual business of from .SI 6,- 000 to $20,000. His establishment, which is the only one of the kind in the county, turns out well-executed work, which finds ready sale; he has furnished many elegant jobs for the city of Chicago. Mr. Kayler has been twice mar- ried. In 1860, he married Prudence P. Stevens, a native of Ohio, who died in 1865, leaving three children, viz.. Clarence, Oscar and Byron. In is72. he married Emma B. Bolliman, a na- tive of Naperville, who has borne him two chil- dren — Robert and Lulu. FREDERICK KAILER. clothing and gents' furnishing. Naperville, a native of this county, born in Naperville in 1841 ; is the second child of a family of seven. His parents, Jacob and Dorotha (Degen) Kailer, natives of Alsace, Ger- many, came to the United States about the year 1839, and to Naperville in 1840. Jacob Kailer, who was a shoemaker by trade, died in January, 1852 ; his widow, now Mrs. Louis Wen- delberg, resides in Chicago. Frederick received a fair education, and worked on the farm till 1861, when he enlisted in Company E. Fifty- fifth Illinois Infantry ; was elected Sergeant ; was in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Yicks- burg, Arkansas Post. Lookout Mountain, also served in the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea. The regiment was veteranized in 1864, and he returned to Naperville. Soon afterward, he went to Chicago and engaged in the butcher business for a number of years. In 1868, he opened a clothing store in Naperville. where he has since remained engaged in that 22 BIOGRAPHICAL: business. In 1870, he married Mel'vina Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, and from this mar- riage five children have been born. Mr. Kailer is a Republican, and a member of the Evan- gelical Church. WILLIAM KING, farmer, P. 0. Naperville, is a native of Germairy, born in the year 1829. He received a common-school education, and, at the age of eighteen, came to America. In 1848, he arrived in Bloomingdale Township, Du Page County, where he had relatives living, and the following year he engaged by the month on a farm about five miles south of Na- perville, where he remained about three years. In 1852, in company with a party of forty -four, headed by Dr. Barnes and Thaddeus Swift, he started overland with ox teams for California. At Fort Laramie, the party divided, Mr. King joining a company bound for Oregon. The company had considerable trouble with the In- dians, who stole their oxen, requiring them to abandon some of their wagons, and in the "lava beds " (since made historic by the Indians un- der Capt. Jack) their vanguard were massacred by the Indians. Mr. King remained in Oregon and California about five years, during which time he followed mining and butchering — re- turning by water via Nicaragua route. Janu- ary 22, 1*57. he married Miss Hypsa Royce ; she was a native of New Hampshire and was raised in New York, daughter of Jonathan Royce, who came to the vicinity of Naperville in 1835, and was largely interested in farming. After marriage, they settled on a farm he had bought, and farmed until 1870 ; he then moved to Naperville, and engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile in company with Mr. George Martin, they making the first tile in the county. After some six years, Mr. King withdrew from the business, and has lived retired since, his farming interests, amounting to some four hundred acres located a few miles from Naper- ville, being managed by tenants. Politically, Mr. King is independent, though generally in harmony with the Republican party. In 1875, he was elected Supervisor of the town of Lisle, and was re-elected successively for six terms. ADAM KELLER, farmer, P. 0. Naperville, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in the year 1831. His father was a forrester, and Adam assisted in the business, and on lie- coming of age he came to America. He had received a district school education. He came through to Naperville, where he expected to meet his brother, but the latter had gone to Minnesota. Adam worked on the farm in this vicinity by the year until 1860, when he mar- ried Miss Barbara Weigand, a native of Bava- ria, Germany. She came to the United States with her parents when she was a child. Her parents, John and Barbara (Ptister) Weigand, were natives of Bavaria, Germany. They came to the United States in 1848, and settled in York Township, Du Page Co., 111., where he farmed until his death in 1861. His first wife, Barbara Pfister, died in Germany ; the second wife, Cuigunde Waltz, also died in Germany, and the third wife, Gertrude Fleeman, survives him, and is living in the old home. After the marriage he rented farms (three) for about nine years. He then bought 152 acres where he now resides, and has since added eighty-nine acres, having in all 241 acres, located on the river two miles northwest of Naperville. Mr. Keller came to this vicinity $9 in debt, and has earned all he has by his labor and management. He is Democratic in his politics, though he votes generally independent. He has served three years as Road Commissioner, and is now serving as Supervisor of the township. By the marriage there have been nine children — seven girls and two boys. WILLIAM J. LAIRD, police, Naperville, was born in Naperville April 12, 1S35, and is the youngest of two children born to William and Philinda (Stevens) Laird. William Laird, our subject's father, came west to Naperville with his brother George in 1832, opened a store NAPERYILLE TOWNSHIP. 23 and traded witli the Indians till the fall of 1833, I hen went to Fox River and took a claim a mile above Aurora, but owing to the Indians claim- ing the land he abandoned it, and removed to Montgomery County, 111., where betook a claim and where he afterward died. Our subject's mother, daughter of John and Polly (Taylor) Stevens, came to Naperville with her parents about the year 1832. where they took a claim and afterward conducted a hotel. John Stevens was born in Rindge, N. H., September 2, 1785, removed when quite young with his parents to Hartland, Yt.. where he afterward married Miss Polly Taylor, a native of that place — born April 23, 178G. He moved to Enosburg, Vt.. thence in 1S32 to Naperville. 111., where he bought a claim and afterward ran a hotel there. He died May 3, 1862. During his life he had worked at his trade — carpentering — farmed and engaged in the hotel business. His wife, our subject's grandmother, died January 23, 1873. Of their eight children, three are now living. Our subject's mother, after the death of his father, returned to her father's place near Naperville, where she lived until January, 1844, when she married Mr. Hiram Fowler, a native of Berk- shire County, Mass., born in 1798, came to this vicinity in 1833, and bought a claim three miles from Naperville, which he occupied a number of years, then retired from active life, and is now living in the town of Naperville. The sub- ject of this sketch was raised in Naperville, re- ceived an ordinary education in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to the harness-maker's trade, at which he served three years. He soon after opened a shop in Naperville, where he followed his trade. In May. 1861, he was appointed police, which position he held until 1863, when he was commissioned as recruiting officer for the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry. He raised twenty-eight men, joined his regiment at St. Charles, was appointed Second Lieutenant of Company H January 22, 1864, and promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant August 8, 1865. Company H, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, was organized by Capt. L. C. Matlack January 22, 1864, at St. Charles, 111. Our subject served as guard for prisoners at Alton, 111., thence went to Glasgow, Mo., and served in guerrilla warfare ; joined Gen. Ewing's army in defense of Jefferson City ; engaged in the fights at Independence and Osage, Mo. ; was on the forty- three days' march, for which the command received the thanks of the Missouri Legislature; was present at the surrender of the rebel Gen. Jeff Thompson at Chalk Bluff, Ark. ; served x- 1 1 ), located corner of Main and Jefferson streets, now occupied by the post office and his tobacco and barber business. In New York, in 1855, he married Eliza Jeep, a na- tive of Hanover, Germany, who has borne him five children, of whom three are living, viz., Bertha, Robert and Emma. In January, 1882, Mr. Schulz visited his parents, who are living in Prussia; his father is now eighty- one, his mother seventy-nine years of age. JOHN F. STROHEKER, blacksmith. Na- perville, was born in Wurteniberg, Germany, in 1838. His mother died when he was seven years old, and, two years after his fa- ther and family emigrated to the United States and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where they lived about eight years; thence removed to Plainfield, III, where they lived one year, and, in 1855, came to Naperville. Jacob, subject's father, who had followed farming in Ohio, began weaving carpet and doing general labor in Naperville after he came there; since 1877, however, he has been engaged exclusively in weaving. John F. worked at farming and teaming for a year, and, in the fall of 185(5, was apprenticed to N Lent, blacksmith, of Naperville, under whom he served two years; he then worked at his trade as journeyman at Joliet, Plain- field, Aurora and Kaneville, 111. At the lat- ter place, August 8, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany A. Fifty-second Illinois Infantry, and was chosen Corporal. In the battle of Pitts- burg Landing, he received a wound in the left thigh, and came home to Naperville, and. June 18 following, again joined his regiment, 38 BIOGRAPHICAL: and participated in the battles of Iuka and Corinth, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. January 17, 1864, the regiment disbanded, and he came home, but re-enlisted for three years, and took part in the battles of Resaca, in the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea, and through the Carol inas. In July, 1865, he returned home to Naper- ville, and, three days afterward, went to work at his trade. In November of the same year, he opened a shop at Turner Junction, remain- ing there till 1867, when he went to Kane- ville and worked as journeyman for a year, after which he opened a shop there. After running a shop in Kaneville for two years and a half, be came to Naperville, built a house, and, one year later, bought his pres- ent shop, where he has ever since carried on business. February 22, 1862, he mar- ried Maria Good, a native of Pennsylva- nia, who has borne him two children — Charles F. and William S. Mr. Stroheker is a Republican; is a pensioner; in 1876, he organized the Naperville Light Guards, num- bering seventy-two members, of which force he was Captain for two years. GILES E. STRONG, farmer, P. O. Auro- ra, 111., is a native of Tompkins County, N. Y. , born in the year 1827, eldest of five chil- dren born to William J. and Caroline Blod- gett Strong; they were natives of Tompkins County, N. Y., and Massachusetts, though she lived in New York at the time of her marriage. In 1834, they came West by the lakes, and lived in the vicinity of Naperville, and, in the fall, he made a claim in Section 30, which he sold in the spring of 1835, and made a claim on Section 20, settled on it and lived there until the year 1857, when he sold out to his son, G. E., and moved to Aurora, where he has lived since. While living in Du Page County, Mr. Strong served as Jus- tice of the Peace, and also as County Com- missioner. Mrs. Strong died in Aurora in 1878. Our subject was raised on the farm. In addition to a common school course of study, he attended several terms at the Col- legiate Institute of Rochester, N. Y. On be- coming twenty-one, he drove an ox team to California, where he lived about six years, during which time he followed mining, team- ing, and also carried on a ranch a few years. In 1855, he returned home via Panama and New York, and lived at home until October of that year, when he married Miss Frances M. Crane, and rented his father's farm, and the next year he went to Kansas and Nebras- ka, taking a quarter section claim in the lat- ter State, and also made a quarter-section claim in Kansas. He returned home the same year, and went to California to settle up his business, via Panama; returned same route the following spring, and bought his father's farm, and has lived here ever since. By the marriage there have been four chil- dren, three living — Edw'ard C, Wilbur, (died), Nettie E. , Mervin W. He is a Repub- lican. L. S. SHAFER, contractor and builder, planingmill, Naperville, is a native of Dau- phin County, Penn., born in 1837. When quite young, he began working in a wagon shop, at which he continued until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Dixon, 111., and worked there as a carpenter about six months; then to Naperville; thence to Kansas, remaining one year, when he re- turned to Naperville; thence to Indiana, and again to Naperville. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Com- pany E, and served three years and one month, being First Sergeant when discharged; was in battles of Williamsburg, seven days' fight around Richmond, South Mountain, Gettysburg and the other engagements of his regiment. After the war, he returned to Na- NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. perville and became the foreman and machin- ist in the agricultural works, where he re- mained about five years. He then erected his present saw-mill, and conducted it, in ('< mnection with his business as a contractor and builder, he building many of the best build- ings in the city. In 1866, he married Miss Hannah Naugle. a native of Cumberland County, Penn.; they have four children, two living — Elizabeth and Adelia. S. E. SHIMP. farmer and auctioneer, P. O. Naperville, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn.. born in the year 1831, and is the eldest of eleven children born to William and Nancy Eberly Shimp; they were natives of Pennsylvania; he was a farmer, and died on his old homestead in Pennsylvania in the year 1878; Mrs. Shimp is living in Pennsylvania, at the old homestead. Our subject was raised on the farm, and attended a few months at the dis- trict schools. In 1851, he went to Ohio and apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade in Wooster. and served for three years. He then came to Illinois and stopped at Plain- field, where he followed his trade for three years, when he moved to Naperville and fol- lowed his trade until the spring of 1861, when he married Miss Catharine L. Kline, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Du Page County with her parents when she was young. After the marriage, he settled on a farm in Naperville Township, and has farmed most of the time since. In 1861, he was elected Sheriff, and served for two years. He then came to his present place, and. in 1876, was again elected Sheriff, and has been re-elected twice since. In 1876, he moved to Wheaton, and lived there until 1880, when he came to the farm. Mr. Shimp first voted for Franklin Pierce, but has been a Republican since the formation of that party. By the marriage there have been eleven children, of whom eight are living. During the past twenty- three years, Mr. Shimp has followed the bus- iness of auctioneer. GEORGE SIMPSON, farmer, P. O. Na- perville, is a native of Vermont, born at Al- burg in the year 1837, and is the youngest of eight children born to George and Tamer (Bell) Simpson; they were nativesof England; they married there, and came to the United States about the year 1831, and settled in Vermont, where they farmed until 1837, when they moved to Clinton County, N. Y. , and farmed there until about the year 1852, when they came to Illinois and settled in Du Page County, where they farmed until their death — he in 1857, and she in 1875. Our subject was raised on the farm, and re- ceived a common-school education. His fa- ther died when he was in his twenty-first year, and he took the home farm, buying out the heirs, and farmed the place until about 1873, when he rented it out, and purchased and oc- cupied the place. In 1871, he married Miss De Etta C. Marlet, a native of Otsego County, N. Y. ; she died in 1876; they had two children, only one of whom is living, Grace E. In 1880, he married Miss Etta Ferry, a native of Du Page County. 111.; they have one child, viz., Birdie. He owns 251 acres in this county, located on the rail- road, two and a half miles west of Naperville. ANDREW STOOS, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, is a native of Alsace, France (now Ger- many); he was born in the year 1828; he re- ceived a common- school education, and, at the age of fifteen, he apprenticed to the wag- on-makers trade, and served three years; he then went to Paris, where he worked at his trade until 1851. He then came to the Unit- ed States, landing at New Orleans, in which rity he worked at his trade about nine months; he then went to St. Louis, whence he left for Chicago, but stopped off at Naperville and went to work in the plow factory, where he 40 BIOGRAPHICAL: worked for nine years. He then started a wagon shop of his own, which he conducted for five years. He then traded his business for his farm, and occupied the place, and has farmed here since. In 1856, he married Miss Jennie Kreyder, a native of Alsace, France, who came to the United States with her par- ents and settled in Du Page County. By this marriage there have been ten children, nine of whom are living. He owns 200 acres of land, located one and a half miles west of Naperville. He is Democratic in his poli- tics, and has served as Road Commissioner for three years. WILLIAM SIMPSON, farmer, P. O. Na- perville, is a native of Vermont, born in Al- bui'g in the year 1832, and is the sixth of eight children born to George and Tamer (Bell) Simpson. He was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. When he became of age, he began work on his own account, working at carpentering, which bus- iness he continued for some twelve years, and then occupied his present place, and has farmed since. In 1863, he married Miss Adelia Ferry, a native of Du Page County. By the marriage there are three children — Edgar G., Carrie and Oscar. He owns 145 acres of land, located on the railroad three miles west of Naperville. He has been Re- publican in politics. GEORGE STRUBLER, livery, feed and sale stable, Naperville, was born in Warren County, Penn., in 1829; is the eldest of a family of four children born to George and Sallie (Stucker) Strubler. He came to Na- perville when seven years of age; received a fair education, and, when twenty years old, began teaming to Chicago. In 1853, he was elected Constable of Naperville, which posi- tion he has ever since held, with the excep- tion of eight years, when he acted as Police, Constable and Collector of Naperville; has been Village Treasurer two years, Deputy Sheriff two years under P. Strubler, and six years under Kline. In 1850, he married Wilhelmina Meyers, a native of Pennsylva- nia, who came to Illinois with her parents; she died in 1859, leaving one child, Charles G. In 1860, he married his second wife, Leo Hartman, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him two children, viz., Frank and Edward. Mr. Strubler is a Republican. He began the livery business in the fall of 1856, and has ever since carried it on. ALFRED SHAFFER, contractor and builder, Naperville, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., September 7, 1881, and re- ceived an ordinary education in the district schools of his native State. When eighteen years of age, he was apprenticed to the car, pouter and cabinet-making trade, at which he served three years, and worked one year nt his trade in Western Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1854, he came to Chicago, where he followed his trade for about six months ; thence to Naperville, where he remained three years; he then went East to his home, and, after a stay of six months, returned to Naper- ville, where he remained till 1858. He then moved to Kansas, worked there four months, then went to St. Paul; thence to St. Louis; thence to Beardstown, and, in I860, returned to Naperville. In 1865, he enlisted in Com- pany D, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illi- nois Infantry, and served till the close of the war; enlisted as a soldier, but was detailed to work at his trade, and worked principally at Chattanooga and Memphis. At the close of the war, he returned to Naperville, where he has since been in business; since 1862, has been working on his own account, taking contraots of building. He married, July 5, 1861, to Elizabeth Stover, a native of York County. Penn., who has borne him five chil- dren, three of whom are living, viz., Emma NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP 41 S., Edmond C. and Lewis F. Mr. Shaffer is a supporter of the Republican party. MATTHIAS A. STEPHENS, contractor and builder, Naperville, was born in Lehigh County, Penn.. in 1839; his parents, Jacob and Judia (Leibig) Stephens, were also natives of that county, and now reside at Allentown, Penn. Subject, at the age of sixteen, began working in the iron mines, and finally became overseer of a mine. When twenty-one years of age, he went West, to Tiffin, Ohio, where he worked in a grist mill for a year, then came to Naperville, to which place he bad been recommended by a young man whom he met in Tiffin. Ohio. He arrived in Naper- ville in April, 1861, and worked on a farm about one and a half years, then enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. During his time of serv- ice, he participated in the battles of Resaca. Lost Mountain. Burnt Hickory. New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek and Savannah, being in the Atlanta campaign, march to the sea and through the Carolinas. After the war, he returned to Naperville, and, in July, 1865, married Elizabeth Yost, a native of Naperville, who has borne him five children, four of whom are living: Ida M.. Emma L. (de- ceased), Nora L., Josie L., and Sherman H. After his marriage, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked as journeyman seven years; he then formed a partnership with C. B. Schuster, with whom he engaged in the contracting and building business four years; then with Abraham Kinsey four years, since which time he has carried on business himself. NICHOLAS STENOER, deceased, was born in Germany in 1830, and came to the United States with his parents, who settled at Naperville. In July. 1852, he married Elizabeth Snibley, born in Germany in 1831, daughter of Jacob and Louisa (Dather) Snib- ley. natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1832, and located in Warren County, Penn. Jacob Snibley, who was a farmer by occupation, removed from Pennsylvania to this county with his family in 1835, and settled two miles east of Naper- ville; his first wife died in 1850, leaving ten children ; the same year, he went with a company raised in this vicinity to Califor- nia, traveling with teams by the overland route; he remained in California two years, and returned to this county, making the re- turn trip via the water route; he died in June, 1863; his second wife, Saloma Dather, sister of his first wife, died in 1864. The subject of this sketch, who was engaged in the brew- ing business in company with his brother John, died December 31, 1865. Of his seven children, five are living. Mrs. Stenger has recently purchased the old homestead where her parents first settled. She now resides in Naperville. SIMON STRAUSS, Strauss & Getsch, manufacturers of the Naperville Plows, Na- perville. This gentleman, one of the old pio- neer plowmen of Du Page County, is a na- tive of Lehigh County, Penn., born in 1819; he was raised on the farm, and, at the age of eighteen, apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, and worked at the trade until 1847, when he came West and opened a shop in Naperville, and, about two years later, he be- gan work in the plow shop of A. S. Jones, where he remained for 6even years, after which he resumed business on his own ac- count, doing business successively at Bloom- ingdalo, Lisle Station and Barber Corners. At the latter place, he purchased ninety acres of land and farmed nearly two years. He then returned to Naperville and worked in the plow shop there, then conducted by Boughton & Co., for three years, after which 41 BIOGRAPHICAL: he established his present business, and, in 1876, associated in partnership with himself Mr. Gretsch. The firm make the old Naper- ville or Jones Plow, which is celebrated for its light draught and efficient work. It is particularly adapted to^this^soil, and has for the past four or five years been awarded the premium. Mr. Strauss was married, in 1S43, to Miss Catharine Butz, a native of Lehigh County, Penn. ; she died about 18150 ; they had five children. In 1862, he married Miss Mary Frost, a native of Lebanon County, Penn. WILLIAM SHIMP, carriage manufact- urer, Naperville, is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born September 24, 1833; was raised on the farm, and received a dis- trict-school education. When he was eight years of age, his father died, and he lived with neighbors until he was about sixteen, when he went to Wooster, Ohio, where his uncle lived, and learned the carriage-maker' s trade, after which he worked as a journey- man in Terre Haute and Greencastle, Ind. , and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. About 1857, he came to Naperville, and, a few years later, he engaged in business for himself. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was elected Second Lieutenant in Com- pany B. "While in Camp Douglas, he saw the Forty-second Illinois Infantry preparing to move, and determined to try and join it; he made application, and finally was told to £>ick his company; he viewed the regiment, and decided on Company H; the Colonel and Adjutant of the regiment disputed as to his pluck, and the Adjutant, a very large man, stepped up and gave him a blow on the breast; the little I ieutenant sprang at him, and stated, if the Adjutant raised a hand, he would knock him over; the officer stepped back, and said he would make a soldier; he en- tered the company as private, and. later, was made a Sergeant; the Adjutant became Col- onel, and was always a good friend to Sergt. Shimp; the latter's old Company B, of the Fifty-fifth, was in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and lost every officer and twenty- eight men. Mr. Shimp served in the Forty- second three years and two months, and was in the battles of Corinth, siege of Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga. the Atlanta cam- paign, and other engagements. In 1864, he returned to Naperville, and has continued his business here since. In 1861, he married Miss Louisa E. Moyer, a native of North- ampton County, Penn. ; she died May 3, 1879; they had nine children, eight of whom are living, viz., Andrew, Alice. David, Will- iam, Abbie, Dollie, Ida and Burd; Louisa died. JACOB SALFISBERG, proprietor of the Naperville Quarry, Naperville, was born in Switzerland in 1834. He received an ordi- nary education, and, at the age of seventeen years, apprenticed to the miller's trade, served two years, and afterward worked at his trade in his native land. In 1854, the fain ily emigrated to the United States and settled in Oswego, 111., where his father died; his mother now resides in Aurora, 111. Subject worked at his trade in Oswego, 111. , for five years; then went to Chicago, where he tend- ed a flour and feed store for a year; he then went to Aurora, 111, where he manufactured lime for eight years; thence, in December, 1868, to Naperville, and purchased his pres- ent quarry property, consisting of seven and three- fourths acres, underlaid with the well- known Naperville stone. He married, on January 4, 1859, Anna Salfisberg, a native of Switzerland, who has born him nine chil- dren. Mr. Salfisberg is a Republican. T. J. SPRAGUE, M. D., Naperville, was born in 1855 in Du Page Township, Will Co., 111., where his parents, T. J. and Lydia NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP. 43 Swift) Sprague, now reside. He received a rudimentary education in the district schools, and^ afterward attended the Lockport; High School. In 1875, he began reading medicine with Dr. William Hanley, of Lockport; in 1876, entered the Rush Medical College, and graduated in February, 1S79. He began the practice of his profession in Chicago, in part- nership with his preceptor, Dr. William Han- ley. who had moved to that city, remaining in Chicago till October of the same year; thence he moved to Rockford, 111., where he carried on a drug store in addition to his practice till February, 1881, when he sold out his business and came to Naperville, where he engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, and, in the following August, formed a partnership with Dr. J. H. Chew. In Oc- tober, 1881, Dr. Chew removed to Chicago, and Dr. Sprague has since carried on the business himself. He is a member of the Aurora Medical Society. In March, 1880, he married Emma, daughter of Jonathan Royce, of Du Page Township. Will Co., 111. ; they have one child, Frank. E. B. STOLP, farmer, P. O. Eola, is a native of Du Page County, 111., and was born on his present place in the year 1857, and is the second of six children born to Charles W. and Sarah (Bristol) Stolp, who were na- tives of New York, and came to Illinois in 1835. Mr. Stolp has always lived on his present place. In November, 1880, he mar- ried Miss Alice Updyke, a native of Kendall County, 111. After his marriage, he took the management of his father's place, the latter moving to Aurora. He is a Republican. DANIEL STRUBLER, blacksmith and manufacturer of wagons, etc., Naperville, is a native of Naperville, 111. ; he was born Sep- tember 15, 1837, son of George and Saloma (Stacker) Strubler. He received a common- school education, and, at the age of seven- teen, apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. In April, 1858, he opened a shop of his own, in company with Mr. Samuel Shimp; the latter, after a year and a half, sold his inter- est, and Mr. Strubler formed another part- nership, which lasted about three years, since which time he has been alone in business. He does a general blacksmith business, is a first-class mechanic, and, in October, 1866, was awarded the first premium by the Du Page County Agricultural and Mechanical Association for horseshoes finished with hammer. Connected with his shop, he owns a wagon shop, which is rented to a wagon- builder, the two shops manufacturing car- riages and wagons. July 14, 1859, he mar- ried Miss Mary Krimbill, a native of Penn- sylvania, and, at the time of her marriage, living with her uncle, Mr. S. M. Skinner, an old resident of this vicinity. They had one child, since deceased; living with them is Lorena Krimbill Strubler, an adopted child. A. T. THATCHER, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, 111., is a native of Wayne County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 180U, and is the eldest of seven children born to Thomas and Roxana (Look) Thatcher; they were natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts; they mar- ried in New York; he came West in 1838, and brought his family out the next year; he took a claim near Naperville, where he lived until his death, and farmed about one year, when his wife died. He then resided in Naperville about ten years, carrying on the grocery bus- iness. In 1851, he went to California by the overland route, and remained there about two years, where he followed mining. Return- ing to Naperville, he resumed the grocery bus- iness, and, a year later, came to bis farm, in the fall of 1860. Mrs. Thos. Thatcher is now ninety-three years of age, and living with her son, A. T. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, and received a common-school 44 BIOGRAPHICAL: education. In 1838, he came West with his father and made a claim to his present place, which he afterward bought at the land office in Chicago. In 1840, he went to New York and married Miss Mary Cottrell, and returned to his claim, and has lived here ever since. In May, 1841, Mrs. Thatcher died. In 1848, Mr. Thatcher again married, and the follow- ing children were born to him : C. T. Thatcher, teacher, Rochester, N. Y. ; Horace L. Thatcher and Emma L., now living at home with their parents. JOHN WARNE, retired, Eola. 111., is a native of Hunterdon County, N. J., and was born August 30, 1795; his father, John Warne, was born at Cranbury, N. J.; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a farmer, and carried on a flour-mill. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, and assisted in the mill. When he was thirteen years of age, he engaged as clerk in a general store, and clerked until he became twenty-one, when he engaged in the business on hie own account, a ad, after three years, he moved to Warren Count}', where he bought a farm and put up a store and hotel, which he conducted some fifteen years. During this time, the Morris Canal was made, and Mr. Warne took a contract and excavated one mile of the ca- nal, in which job he employed 200 men. In 1832, he came to Washtenaw County, Mich., where he farmed two years. During the lat- ter year, he assessed his township (Ann Ar- bor). In 1834, he came to Illinois, made a claim to his present place and erected a log cabin. About four miles west of their place were camped about fifteen hundred Indians, of whom Mr. Warne has many pleasant rec- ollections. Mrs. Warne could talk the lan- guage, and often visited the Indians, and they would return the visits, and never did any- thing to mar the friendship between them. Mr. Warne has lived here ever since his set- tlement. He was married in New Jersey, in the year 1819, to Miss Sarah Stires, a native of Hunterdon County, N. J. ; she was born in the year 1801; they had eleven children, of whom eight are living — two sons and six daughters; their eldest son is now sixty-three years of age. During his residence in New Jersey, he served for a number of years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. Warne has been a Democrat in politics, and has been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly fifty years; the early religious socie- ties met at his house. He kept the post office here in his house, called the Big Woods Post Office, for some ten or twelve years, and had daily mails. While in New Jersey, he stud- ied surveying, and followed it there for some time, and he also did surveying here in his vicinity. He has in his possession an old claim book, and in the beginning is a pream- ble forming the early settlers into an associa- tion for the protection of their claims from intruders. MATTHEW WEISMANTEL, jeweler, and dealer in watches, clocks and silverware, Na- perville, was born in Germany in 1841; is the fourth child of a family of eight children born to John and Rosina (Preisendorfer) Weismantel. His parents were natives of Germany; came to the United States in 1846, and, in 1855, settled in Joliet, 111., where they died; his father was a stone-cutter by trade. Subject received a common school education, and, at the age of fourteen years, entered a general store in Defiance, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then apprenticed to the watch-maker's trade at Fort Wayne, Ind. ; served three years; then worked as journeyman one year. In 1861, he came to Chicago and enlisted in Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry, and remained in service from October, 1861, to April, 1866, participating in the engage- NAPEKVILLE TOWNSHIP. 45 merits at Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Iuka, Corinth, Nashville, Mobile, besides other minor engagements in which his regi- ment took part, and was also in the Red River expedition. He enlisted as private; was successively promoted till he became First Lieutenant, which rank he held when he was discharged. After the war, he came to Naperville and opened a jewelry store, in which business he has since been engaged. In 1866, he married Gertrude Schumaker, a native of Germany, who came to Fort Wayne, Ind. , with her parents. From this marriage six children have been born, viz., Francis J., Gertrude, Catherina, Lora, John and Joseph H. Mr. Weismantel is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a Democrat. OLIVER J. WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Na- perville, is a native to Illinois, born in the year 1848, and was raised on the farm, three miles west of Naperville. In addition to the common schools, he attended the Jennings Seminary, of Aurora, for three years. At the age of twenty, he began teaching in Du Page County, and taught the greater part of six years. He then engaged in the grocery bus- iness in Naperville, and continued in busi- ness for about four years, after which he came and took his father's farm on the shares, and, three years later, bought the place. June 23, 1880, he married Miss Luella Finch, a native of Du Page County; they have ono child, Elzora V. He is Republican in poli- tics, and has served as Township Trustee two terms; he has also served as Director and Marshal of the Du Page County Agricultural Association. He owns 163 acres, located three miles west of Naperville. ALBERT YOST, of the firm of Sherer & Yost, dealers in hardware, and tin-manufact- urers, Naperville, is a native of this county, born in Naperville in 1854, youngest of a family of five children born to Jacob and Magdalena (Voght) Yost, natives of France and Germany, who came to the "United States about 1840, and settled in this county. Ja- cob Yost, subject's father, followed teaming and well-digging ; in 1854 he went overland, with Thomas Finley's company, to Califor- nia, where he stayed fourteen years; return- ed, in 1868, to Naperville, and resumed well- digging, and is now living retired; he is now sixty-nine, his wife sixty-eight years of age. Subject was raised in Naperville, where he received an ordinary education. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to the miller's trade, at which he served three years; after- ward worked several years at his trade as a journeyman, then conducted the mill for Mr. Robert Naper for about two years. In 1880, he formed a partnership with Christian Sherer and engaged in his present business, which has since been conducted under the firm name of Sherer & Yost. In 1877, he married Amelia Stenger, daughter of the late Nicholas Stenger; they have two children, viz., Libbie and Grace. 46 BIOGRAPHICAL: MILTON TOWNSHIP. COL. C. P. J. ARION, real estate and farm- ing. P. 0. Wheaton, was born in Jefferson County, Ky.; was raised on the farm, and re- ceived a common-school education. When about eighteen years of age, he purchased one- half interest in the Indiana Republican, pub- lished at Madison, Ind., and was connected with the paper for upward of twelve years, during which time he became the sole editor and proprietor, finally selling his paper, which became the Republican Banner, under which name it again came into his possession for a short period, he selling out, and engaged in the mercantile business, establishing the first book and stationery business in Madison, where he also conducted the wholesale grocery and iron store business. In 1S58, he went to Chicago, where he engaged in the job printing business, and later took a position at the head of the dead letter department, where he remained for seven years, after which he engaged in real es- tate business, and in 1871 retired to his farm, one mile southwest of Wheaton, where he has lived since. During the past five years, he has carried on a real estate office in Wheaton. Col. Arion, as might be judged from his career, early took an active interest in politics. As a Henry Clay Whig, he represented Jefferson County in the Indiana Legislature, and later was elected a member of the State Senate. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and took an active part in the can- vass for Lincoln. He has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Lucretia Givens, was a na- tive of Kentucky ; she and their six children all since deceased. The second marriage was to Mrs. Beson, formerly Miss Helen M. Test, daughter of Judge John Test, and aunt to Gen. Lew Wallace. WINSLOW ACKERMAN, farmer, P. 0. Prospect Park, is a native of Onondaga Count} - , N. Y. He was born in the year 1826 ; was raised on the farm, and received a common- school education. The family came to Illinois in 1833, and settled in the vicinity of Prospect Park. Our subject lived at home uutil he was twenty-three years of age, when he married Miss Permelia Holmes. She is a native of New York, and came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents when she was a child. After the marriage, he settled on his present place, which consists of 180 acres, located one and one- quarter miles northeast of Prospect Park. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner. By the marriage there have been four children — Eben, Loraine, Perry and Adella ; all the children are married, and all but one live in the county. Mr. Ackerman is a Republican. When he first came to his place, there were nine acres. He conducted a threshing-machine for some thirty years, and kept buying additions to his place until he now owns 180 acres. MILES ACKERMAN, farmer, P. O. Lorn bard, 111., is a native of Onondaga County. N. Y., born in the year 1831, and is the third in a family of five children born to John D. and Lurania (Churchill) Ackerman ; they were na- tives of New York. Mr. Ackerman's father was a native of Holland, and came to America soon after his marriage. John D. Ackerman and family came West to Illinois, and settled here in Milton Township, where J. D. Acker- man died in 1859. Mrs. Ackerman is living on the old homestead, being now in her eighty- first year. Miles Ackerman lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age; he was reared on the farm and received a common school education. In 1S52, he married Miss MILTON TOWNSHIP. 47 Jane Cox. a native of England. She came to United States of America with her parents. who settled in Du Page County in 1850, and followed farming. By the marriage there have been tive children, of whom four are living. viz., Edwin M., Emma, Charles M. and Fannie. After his marriage, he bought a farm in Bloom- ingdale Township, and lived there until 1861, when he came to his present place. In June, 1864. he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty first Illinois Infantry, Company H, and served about five months. He was Corporal in his company. From the army he returned home and has lived here since ; he owns 138 acres, located in Sections 1, 2, 11 and 12. JONATHAN BLANCHARD, President Emeritus Wheaton College, is a native of Rock- ingham, Windham Co., Vt., born January 19, 1811, and is the ninth in a family of thirteen children born to Jonathan and Polly (Lovell) Blanchard. They were natives of Massachu- setts and Vermont ; he was a farmer, in which business he was extensively - engaged. Our subject was raised on the farm. At the age of twelve years, began study* in the Chester Acad- emy, and in his fifteenth year he began teaching public school, and taught during winters until he became of age, by which time he had grad- uated from the Middlebuiy College, and became the Principal of the Plattsburg Academy, the oldest chartered school in that locality, which he taught several years. He has always, since his childhood, been an advocate of temperance, and at the age of eighteen he delivered a speech on that subject at Rockingham, and continued to speak in public thereafter. His early speeches were printed and widely circulated in the neigh- borhood. From the Plattsburg Academy he went to the Andover Theological Seminary, and in that year received an appointment to lecture in the State House at Boston, before the Amer- ican Institute. He was next appointed by the American Anti-Slavery Society to lecture against slavery. He lectured one year in Penn- sylvania, meeting in public debate Gov. Pinney, of Liberia, and many leading lawyers of the State. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he completed his theological course, under Dr. Lyman Beecher, of Laue Seminary. While there, he was called to the pastorate of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, of Cincinnati, where he presided for nine years, and received over five hundred members to the church. He was then called to the Presidency of Knox College, G-alesburg, 111., which institution he found in debt, and left it in 1860 out of debt, with prop- erty worth $400,000, and all of its present permanent buildings were erected during his administration. From Galesburg he came to Wheaton College, and served as its President until in June, 1882, when he was succeeded in that office by* his son, though he was continued by the board as President Emeritus, with an annual stipend. In 1838, in Middlebuiy, Vt., he married Miss Mary Avery Bent, a native of Middlebuiy, Vt., by which marriage there have been twelve children, of whom seven are living. While in Middlebuiy College, Mr. Blanchard was editor, and with others established the Under Graduate, a college paper, which has continued to this day. He also aided in start- ing and edited the Watchman of the Valley. which paper has under different names been continued to this date. At Knox College, he started the Christian Era, since absorbed by the Independent. In 1868, he started and is editor of the Christian < 'ynosun , a sixteen-page weekly. Since 1840, he has been known as an open enemy to all secret organizations, and in 1881, he was nominated a candidate for Presi- dent of the United States of America, by the American party in convention assembled at Galesburg, 111. CHARLES A. BLANCHARD, A. B., A.M., President Wheaton College, is a native of Gales- burg. Knox Co., 111., born November 8, 1848, and lived in his native town for twelve years, when the family came to Wheaton. Our sub- 48 BIOGRAPHICAL: ject received a public school course of study at Galesburg, and in 1870 graduated from Whea- ton College. In 1865, he was employed to teach penmanship in the college, and continued until his graduating in 1870. He then engaged in lecturing for the National Christian Associa- tions opposed to secret societies, delivering over four hundred lectures in nineteen States and Canada. In 1872, he was elected Principal of the Preparatory School in Wheaton College, in which position he remained several years, and was then elected Professor of the English Lan- guage and Literature, in which department he continued until 1880, when he was elected Pro- fessor of Logic and Rhetoric, where he contin- ued until June, 1882. In 1879, he was elected Vice President of the college, and during two years, owing to the illness of the President, he performed the duties of that office. In June, 1882, upon the resignation of the President, he was elected President of the college. October 16, 1873, he married Miss Margaret E. Milli- gan, daughter of A. M. Milligan, D. D., pastor of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, of Pittsburgh. They had four children, three of whom are living. In 1862, he became a mem- ber of the College Church, and in 1875 became acting pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Paxton, and served there one year, after which he preached transiently, and in May, 1877, he became the acting pastor of the Independent Church at Streator, 111., for one year. He then became pastor of the College Church, and has continued in that capacity since. RUFUS BLANCHARD, Wheaton, was born March 7, 1821, in Lyndeboro, Hillsboro Co. N. H. Went to New York City in 1835, and witnessed the great fire of that y-ear. The next spring, in 1836, the banks in Wall street closed their doors and stopped payment by a concerted movement. The whole city - was in an uproar, and the military were ordered from Govern- or's Island, to defend the banks from mob violence. The banks throughout the country followed the example of the New York banks, and specie rose to 33 per cent premium, but gradually fell during the two years succeed- ing, till it again became par with bank paper, as bank after bank resumed specie payments, first on small and next on large sums. In 1837, R, Blanchard went to the wilderness por- tions of Ohio, where three years were spent in a bushwhacking life, hunting and trapping. In 1840, he returned to New York, and was em- ployed in selling the publications of Messrs. Harper Brothers. In 1843, he opened a book store in Lowell, Mass.; in 1846, he removed to Cincinnati, where he continued the same busi- ness three years, in connection with his brother Edwin. During this term, he opened a branch of his store in New Orleans. During the win- ter of 1847-48, and the succeeding summer, witnessed the ravages of cholera along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, passing through Aurora and Rising Sun, Ind., from both of which places such as had not died had fled, leaving their empty houses behind. The same year he witnessed the great conflagration of St. Louis, which burnt almost the entire business portion of the city. It is worthy of remark that no case of cholera occurred at the place for two weeks after the fire. Out of a popula- tion of about 75,000, the death rate exceeded 150 per day during the height of the epidemic. From Cincinnati Mr. Blanchard removed to 191 Broadway, Neiv York, where, in connection with C. Morse, son of the inventor of the tele- graph, he commenced the publication of maps engraved in cerography, a new invention of Prof. Morse, editor of the New York Observer, and brother of the inventor of the telegraph. The same system somewhat modified is now used for railroad maps thoughout the country. From New York Mr. Blanchard transferred his business to Chicago, in 1854, and introduced the manufacture of maps in the West, in all its departments. Perhaps it is not too much to say that his early experiences, together with MILTON TOWNSHIP. 49 his twenty-eight years of activity in Chicago, have modified his aspirations in some directions, while they have been stimulated in other direc- tions into new fields of industry better under- stood at full maturity than when the flood-tide of youth sometimes propels the machine faster than obstacles can make .way before it, causing it to zigzag in its course. EDWARD W. BREWSTER, retired, is a native of Blooming Grove, Orange Co.. N. Y., born July 9, 1793, was raised on the farm and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he engaged as a clerk in a gen- eral store in Washingtonville, Orange Co., N. Y.. and continued as a clerk until about the year 1814. when he became interested, as a partner, in the business and remained there un- til about 1820, when he sold out and bought a small farm and settled on the same, teaching school in the winters, and later became the Principal of the Blooming Grove Academy. In 1839, he sold his farm and came west, pros- pecting. He purchased a claim where Elgin now stands, and in the spring of 18-10 he occu- pied the same with his family ; and, finally, when .the land came into the market, he re- ceived his title from President Tyler. Mr. Brews ter lived on his farm until about 1854, when he sold the place and moved to Chicago, where he invested in real estate, and erected some buildings, and took the position of Professor of English in a private Jewish school, where he remained a number of years, during which time he was a member of the Board of Education of Chicago. After the great fire, in the spring of 1*72 he came to Wheaton, where he has since lived. While living on his farm at Elgin, the Galena & Chicago, now the Northwestern, rail- read was built, and Mr. Brewster took an act- ive interest in furthering the interests of the road — granted them a free right of way through his land, and assisted them in many ways — and in recognition of his services he was given a free pass for himself and family over the road for life. December, 1815, he married Miss Aim. daughter of Mr. Calvin Stewart, of Orange. County, N. Y. She died in Chicago in 18(31. They had six children, three of whom are liv- ing — Charles and Joanna S. at home; James R., now in California ; Edward and Thomas died in infancy ; Oscar, the eldest child, lived to manhood, was married, and was a successful lumber dealer of Chicago. He died, leaving oue child, Josephine, living in Oak Park. DAVID BRONSON, retired, is a native of Broome County, N. Y., born in the year 1809. His parents, Stephen and Polly (Page) Bron- son, were natives of Connecticut. They mar- ried there, and soon after moved to New York, where they followed farming. David was raised on the farm ; he received a common school education, and at the age of twentj'-two began to work for his father, for wages, and at the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Rhoda Page, a native of New York ; she died in 1848. After the marriage they occupied a house he built on some land he had bought, and which he farmed until 1840, when he, his father and mother, brother and brother-in-law, sold out and came West, by teams, to Illinois, and located in Lisle Township, Du Page Coun- ty, where they bought a claim of about 500 acres, and divided it into farms, occupied them and farmed the same. Stephen Bronson and his wife both died there. David Bronson lived there until 1859, when he rented his place and moved to Wheaton, where he has since lived. By the marriage there have been seven chil- dren, of whom oulj' two are living, viz., Marin- tha J., now Mrs. Mack, of Butler County, Iowa ; and Marilla E., now Mrs. Churchill, of Du Page County, 111. Mr. Bronson married Miss Polly A. Ashley, a native of New York, in the spring of 1849. They had one child, since deceased. LEVI BALLOU, farmer, P. 0. Wheaton, III., is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., born in Jordan in the year 1811. His father, Eben- ezer Ballon, was a cooper, and died in 1817, 50 BIOGRAPHICAL: leaving Mrs. Ballou (formerly Miss Marania Ward) with six children. Levi lived with his uncle from his father's death until he was twelve years of age. He then apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and remained until he was twenty-one, receiving a common school education. On becoming of age, he and an- other apprentice, who had just finished his time, set up in business for themselves, which they followed for about three years. Mr. Ballou then bought a farm and lived on it for one year, when, in 1836, he started for the West, driving by team to Lombard, where he landed with an old team and $15, and took up a claim, and a few years later bought the same of the Government, and farmed there some five or six years. He then bought a place located just north of where the Wheaton College now stands, and in 1857 he came to his present place, which consists of 11G acres located one mile south- west of Wheaton. Mr. Ballou is Republican ; he has served as Road Commissioner some twelve years ; he also served as Poormaster for seven years, he being in office during the war. August 21, 1833, he married Miss Man- Marble, a native of Vermont. She had gone to New York with her parents ; she died August 2, 1 881. By the marriage there have been seven children, of whom five are living. Mr. Ballou is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined the church in his nineteenth year. L. C. BROWN, jeweler, is a native of Chi- cago, 111., born in the year 1849, and is the third of a family of nine children born to Hack- aliah and Cornelia A. (Hough) Brown, who were natives of New York. He came West, a single man, at an early day ; she came West with her j parents, who settled in Bloomigdale Township, at an early day. She engaged as a school teacher, and married Mr. Brown about 1845. He was a carpenter by trade, and lived three years in Chicago, when the family returned to Du Page County, where L. C. lived thereafter. He received a commou school education, and also a commercial course in Wheaton College. He then went to Elgin, 111., and worked in the watch factory for five years. He then went to Grand Crossing, where he was foreman of the Pinion and Finishing Department of the Cornell Watch Company for. three years. He then went to San Francisco, Cal., and occupied a similar position in the California Watch Com- pany, and tvvo years later he came to Wheaton and engaged in his present business. He is Republican ; has held the office of City Treas- urer of Wheaton one term. June 14, 1871, he married Miss Evelyn A. Piper, a native of Os- wego, N. Y. They have three children — Ern- est Clair, Dora I. and Leuthold H. JOHN CHRISTIE, retired farmer, P. 0. Wheaton, 111.; is a native of Scotland, and lived in his native land until 1833. His father was a farmer, and John was brought up to the same pursuit. In 1833, Mr. Christie came to America in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Martin (deceased), formerly of Naperville. They came to Chicago, and from there drove to Ottawa on a prospecting tour, returning via the Naper settlement, where they concluded to locate. Mr. Christie lived with Mr. Martin some time, when, at the suggestion of Capt. Joseph Naper. he came to his present place and bought a claim for $100, and put up a log house and began improving the place, and has lived here since. The place consists of about seven hundred acres located two and a half miles south of Wheaton Mr. Christie has been twice married ; first, to Miss Mary Boyd, a na- tive of Leith, Scotland ; she died March 4, 1862. There were seven children, of whom three are living — John, Andrew and William — all living at home. Mr. Christie's second mar- riage occurred June 27, 1866, to Janette M. Keith, a native of New York ; she came to Du Page Count} - with her parents in an early day. Mr. C. is Republican in politics, and a member of the ConoreKational Church. MILTON TOWNSHIP. 51 CAPT. J. J. COLE, merchant, was born on the 16th day of April, 1833, in Putnam Count)', N. Y. His father, Berry Cole, was also a na- tive of Putnam Count)', and was born June 24. 1769 ; he was a farmer and the principal owner of the first show or menagerie that ever trav- eled through the country; he died in his native county in 1835. Our subject was raised outhe farm ; he received a common-school education, and at the age of fifteen he went to New York City, where he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store, and remained until he was twenty years of age, when he traveled for one year as the advertising agent for a circus and men- agerie. He then returned to his home; the old homestead was sold, and, with his mother brother and sister, he came to Illinois and lo- cated in the Big Woods, in Naperville Town- ship, Du Page County, and a year later they moved to Downer's Grove, where he farmed until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Upon the organization of the company, he was elected Second Lieutenant, and was later promoted — first, to First Lieutenant, then to Captain. He was taken prisoner in the rear of Vicksburg in December, 1862, and held four months at Vicksburg, Jackson and Libby Prison, in Rich- mond. From the latter place, he was exchanged in May, 1863, and joined his regiment within a few rods of the place where he was taken, and was with his command at the battles of Look- out Mountain, Mission Ridge and the other en- gagements of the regiment. After his three years' service, he returned home and engaged in mercantile business. In 1866, he was elected Supervisor of his township, and was re-elected four terms, when he was elected County Clerk, and moved to Wheaton, where he has since lived. During his last year in his term of office, he formed a partnership with Mr. F. G. Kimball, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, of which he became the sole proprietor in the spring of 1877, and. in 1878, formed his present partnership. Mr. Cole has been twin- married ; first, to Miss Agnes P. Palmer, a native of New York ; she came to Du Page Count)' in 1854 ; her parents were dead, and she lived with her uncle, Mr. Riley Palmer, a farmer. The second marriage was to Miss Susan P. Smith, a native of Vermont; she came to Du Page County with her parents, who now live in Wheaton. By the marriage there are two chil- dren — Agnes M. and Reno B. A. B. CURTIS, farmer, P. 0. Wheaton. 111., is a native of Lewis County. N. Y., born in the year 1832, and is the youngest of two children born to Peter B. and Filena (Look) Curtis; they were natives of New York and Massachusetts ; he was a farmer. In 1832, they moved to Ohio, where he worked on a farm for four years in Ashtabula County, and in 1836 they came to Illinois and located on the present place, sit uated two miles due west of Wheaton, purchas- ing the land from the Government at SI. 25 per acre. They erected a house and began im- proving the land, and, excepting two years spent in Missouri, the parents lived here until their death. They had two children; the eldest, Benjamin S., was killed by an explosion of a stationary engine at Turner Junction in 1850. Our subject was raised at home on a farm ; he received a district school course of study, and attended a select school at Naperville ; he also attended one short term at Lowville Academy, • New York. At the age of twenty-two, he mar- ried Miss Rebecca Shatz, a native of Pennsyl- vania ; she came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents in the year 1850. After marriage, lie worked his father's farm on shares a few years, and then went by team to Missouri, where he farmed on the line of Miller and Maries Counties for about four years ; he then re- turned to Du Page County and farmed the home farm for a number of years, when he went to Manteno, Kankakee County, where he farmed for two years ; he then farmed the home farm in this county until 1870, when he went by 52 BIOGRAPHICAL: team to Iowa, and in the following spring, ow- ing to his father's illness, he returned home, and has lived here since. By the marriage there have been four children, of whom three are living. Mr. Curtis became a member of the M, E. Church when he was eighteen years of age, and in 1856 was licensed as an exhorter, and as a minister in 1865. A. T. CHILDS, carpenter, Wheaton, is a na- tive of Windham County, Vt., born in the year 1817. His father, Jairus, was a carpenter, and also owned a fine farm, which though he lived on he followed his trade — building nearly the entire village of Wilmington, in his native county. A. T. early began working with his father, and continued with him until his death, in 1837. A. T. and his brother, L. J., finished an uncompleted contract of their father's. In 1839, A. T. and L. J. engaged in general mer- cantile business in Whitingham, and two years later they dissolved, A. T. moving to Wilming- ton, where he continued for twelve years, when he sold out and came West, and bought a farm in Elk Grove Township, Cook County, where he lived until 1856, when he sold out and came to Wheaton, where he has followed his trade since. In 1844, he married Miss Sarah X., daughter of Judge Roberts, of Windham County, Vt. They have three children — Terza, Jessie and Harriet. Mr. Childs has always been a Democrat. MARK DAVIS, farmer. P. O. Lisle, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., born September 19, 1827, and is the fifth child of ten children born to Samuel and Rheumilla (Tilden) Davis, who were natives of Oneida Count}', N. Y., and Poultney, Vt. Her father was a farmer and settled in Vermont with Ethan Allen, and moved to New York when she was young. She married Mr. Davis in Oneida County, and in 1834 they moved to Canada, where he fol- lowed his trade of millwright for three 3 - ears and in 1838 they came to Illinois, and first stopped in Lockport, and in August of same year came to the present place. He followed his trade of millwright, and his sons carried on the farm. Samuel Davis died June 3, 1861, and Mrs. Davis died here on the old homestead in 1872. Our subject made his home with his parents until their death. He received a lim- ited common school education ; he was raised on the farm, and after becoming of age he as- sisted his father at millwrighting, and also worked some at carpentering, and about 1857 he took the manasement of his father's farm, and lias farmed the place ever since, and after his father's death he bought out the heirs. During Pearce's administration, Mr. Davis was Postmaster at Danby, now Prospect Park. Mr. Davis owns 118 acres located two and one-half miles north of Lisle. G. B. DURLAND, of Durland & Congleton, livery stable, is a native of Luzerne County, Penn., born in the year 1836 ; he was raised on the farm. At the age of twenty-two, he married Miss K. J. Cougleton, a native of Lu- zerne County, Penn. After the marriage, he rented a farm, and farmed on his own account until 1860, when he moved West, locating on a farm in Bloomingdale Township, Du Page County. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the war ; re-enlisted at the end of about thirty months as veteran. Mr. Durland entered Company D as a private, and was fin- ally discharged as Quartermaster Sergeant of the company ; was with the command at the capture of Yorktown, Fort Magruder, Gettys- burg, Antietam, and all the engagements of the regiment. He returned home from the army, and in 1866 was elected Constable of Bloom- ingdale, an office he held eight years. In 1871,'he was elected Collector. By the mar- riage there has been one child, viz., Sarah E. A. J. EHLE, farming and stock-raising, P. 0. Wheaton, III., is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., born in the year 1833, and is the second in a family of eio;ut children born to John H. MILTON TOWNSHIP. 55 and Lucinda (Pierce) Ehle. They were natives of New York, married there and came West in 1849, and settled in Du Page County, 111. They bought a farm near where Itaska now stands, and farmed there about ten years. They then sold their place and bought a place in Bloom- ingdale Township, where the}' farmed until 1861, when he entered the army, where he died. Our subject lived on the farm until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cav- alry, Company D, and served three years. He took part in the seven days' fight before Richmond, Antietam, Spottsylvania Court House, etc. During the latter part of his term of service he served at the headquarters of Gen. Wilson, having charge of his wagon train. From the army he returned home and resumed farming, buying a place in Bloomingdale Town- ship, in which township he farmed until he came to his present place, which consists of 200 acres located one and one-half miles north of Wheaton. In the fall of 1865, he married Mi3S Martha .1. Knowles, a native of Du Page County, 111. They have two children — Freder- ick and Avis. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church. H. S. EHLE, livery, sale and feed, is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., born in the year 1840, and raised on the farm, receiving a common school education. His parents, John H. and Lucinda (Pierce) Ehle, were natives of New York ; married there, and in 1848 came West to Illinois, and settled in Du Page County; bought a farm in Addison Township, and some eight or ten years later uiot-ed to Bloomingdale Township, where the}- lived until the war, when John H. Ehle enlisted in the Eighth Illi- nois Cavalry as bugler, and served with the regiment until his death, from sickness, in 1863. Our subject, H. S., enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, ami served until the close of the war. He was a Corporal in Company F. He was in the battle of Resaca (where he was wounded and was laid up in the hospital several months), also in the other engagements of the regiment. From the army he came to Bloomingdale, and soon after married Miss Mary A. Patrick, a native of New York. After the marriage, he located on the farm, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Wheaton and engaged in his present business. By the marriage there has been one child — Alma. Mrs. Lucinda Ehle is living in Bloomingdale Village. F. N. ENGELHARD, M. D : , is a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, born November 24. 1847. He received a collegiate education, graduating from the Copenhagen University of Art in 1868, and in 1869 he graduated as Bachelor of Philosophy, and in 1870, as Bachelor of Medicine, when he entered the Commune Hospital, of Copenhagen, as an as- sistant, and remained three years, passing through the five divisions of the hospital serv- ice. He then, in March, 1873, entered the Royal Danish Navy as an Assistant Surgeon, and made a cruise on the North Sea, until the fall following, when he attended the lectures and experiments in the laboratory with the stud}' of the natural sciences in the university until 1876, when he came to America, and first stopped in Chicago, then to Franklin Grove ' and Ashton, Lee Co., 111., and in 1877 he en- tered the Chicago Homoeopathic College and graduated the year following, and in August of the latter year he began as assistant vvith Dr. Leonard Pratt, with whom he now continues. In 1881, he married Miss Johanne Marion Jul- iane Ertberg, a native of Denmark. They have one child — Alefi Muriel Anna Elisa. PROF. H. A. FISCHER, A. M., is a native of Du Page County, 111., born in the year 1846, and is the fifth in a family of ten children born to Henry D. and Maria E. Franzen, they were natives of Germany. Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Addison Township; he received a common school education, and also studied in private, and at the age of nineteen D 56 BIOGRAPHICAL: entered the Wheaton College, graduating from same at the age of twenty-three. At the age of seventeen, he began teaching in the public schools. During the winter after graduating, he was appointed Principal of the preparatory department of the college, and after two 3'ears he was appointed Professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. In 1875, he received a one year's leave of absence, and attended the Leipzig and Heidelberg Universities, Ger- man}', returning in 1876, and, resuming his former position in the college, continues since. In 1875, he married Miss Julia W., daughter of President J. Blanchard, of Wheaton College. They have four children, viz., Faith A., Paul B. Frederick L. and Herman. While in Addison Township, Mr. Fischer held the office of Town- ship Treasurer a number of years and also the secretaryship of the Addison Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. In December, 1881, he was appointed Count} - Superintendent of Schools for Du Page County. Republican. Is a member of the College Church of Christ. Since graduating, he has held the position of College Treasurer. ERASTUS GARY, retired, Wheaton, is a native of Pomfret, Windham Co., Conn. He was born April 5, 1806, and is the fourth of seven children born to William and Lucy (Per- rin) Gar}', who were also natives of Pomfret. Erastus was raised on the farm, and in addition to the common schools he attended the Wilbra- ham Academy, of Massachusetts, a short term. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching school during the winters, working on the farm in the summers. In 1831, he came West, and made a claim four miles north of Warrenville, and began at once to cut and split rails, put up a small cabin, and " bached " it until about May, when he was advised to leave for Chicago, ow- ing to the Indians. He abandoned everything, and footed it to Chicago, where he remained six weeks, during which time all were drilled for defense. After Gen. Scott came, Erastus went to Michigan and taught school, and in the spring of 1833 he returned to his old claim, in company with his brother Jade and sister Orinda, who joined him in 1832, and spent the winter with him in Michigan ; they put in a crop and continued improving the claim. In 1847, Erastus moved to a farm near Wheaton, and since 186-1 he has lived in the village. He was married in 1841 to Miss Susan A. Vallette, a native of Massachusetts ; she died in 1874, in Wheaton. Of their seven children, but four are living. Mr. Gary has served as Justice for twenty-one years ; he has also been Supervisor and President of the village. He was Demo- cratic in politics until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, since which time he has been Re- publican. He has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church since he was fifteen years of age. NOAH E. GARY, a son of Erastus Gary, was born near Warrenville, in Du Page County, on the 8th day of September, 1844. In the spring of 1848, he removed with his parents to Wheaton, where he has lived ever since. He was educated mainly in the public schools, at- tending but two terms at Wheaton College. He followed farming until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and three months later was appointed Corporal, and at the expiration of a year was made Sergeant. May 15, 1865, he was severely wounded at the battle of Resaca, in Georgia, having been struck by four bullets in that action. He was dis- charged in November, but could not dispense with crutches until the following March. In November, 1865, he married Ella M. Guild, of Downer's Grove, who died in 1870. In 1868, he entered the office of the Clerk of the Supe- rior Court, and remained there until October, 1872. While in the Superior Court, he read law, and resigned his position as Chief Deputy to enter into the practice of the law with his brother, E. H. Gary. The rule of the Supreme MILTON TOWNSHIP. 57 Court not allowing an examination for admis- sion to the bar until the applicant had read law two years with an attorney in general practice, Mr. Gary was not examined and admitted until January, 1875. In 1873, he married Carrie H. Wheat, who for several years had been Princi- pal of the Wheaton Public Schools. For two years he was President of the Wheaton Town Council, and in 1879 he was appointed Master in Chancery of Du Page County, which office he now holds. In 1879, Judge Cody joined the firm of E. H. & N. E. Gary, and the firm is now styled Gary, Cod}- & Gary. Mr. Gary had three children by first marriage, two living ; three children by present marriage, two living. He is Republican, voting first for U. S. Grant. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he takes an active interest. and has been Superintendent of Sabbath school for some five years. WILLIAM L. GARY, Cashier banking house of G. & W., is a native of Pomfret, Windham County, Conn., born in the year 1828, and is the second in a family of seven children born to Charles and Melinda M. (Morse) Gary. They were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts. They married in Connecticut. He was the oldest son of William L. Gary, and followed farming. In 1837, the family came West to Illinois by the water route to Chicago, and stopped with his brother, Erastus Gary, who had settled near Warrenville, in Du Page County, and during the summer they erected a saw-mill two miles south of Turner Junction, and occupied a house which the} - erected at the mill, which they conducted until about 1864, and he lived on his farm thereafter until his death in 1871. Mrs. Gary died on the old homestead in about 1858. During his resi- dence in this county, Mr. Gary held the offices of Postmaster at Gary's Mill and Justice of the Peace, both of which offices he held a long term of years. He was also Supervisor of his Township, and Associate Justice. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and a licensed minister in that faith, preaching in his vicinity, and at one time on the regular circuit. He was widely known and respected by all. Our sub- ject lived at home until he was twenty four years of age. He received a limited common school course of study, assisting on the farm and at the mill. In 1852, he married Miss Elizabeth White, a native of the State of Maine, who was stopping with a married sister and teaching school in this county. After the marriage, he began the mercantile business, opening a general store at the mill, which he continued about two years, when he discontin- ued the store and engaged in farming. He was also interested in the mill. He continued the latter interest until the closing up of the mill, and the farming interest until 1874. when came to Wheaton and became Cashier in the banking firm of Miner Gary & Webster, which position he held through several changes in the firm to the present time, finally becoming interested as a member of the firm During his residence in Winfield Township, Mr. Gary held the offices of Town Clerk and School Treasurer a number of years, also Assessor and Collector several terms. He has been a Re- publican since the organization of the party. Ry the marriage there are two children — John E. and William E. His father was a licensed minister of the M. E. Church, and held the position of Associate Justice. W. K. GUILD, dealer in lumber, doors, sash. blinds, etc., Wheaton, is a native of Rrookficld. Washington Co., Vt., born July 4, 1819. and is the third child in a family of seven children born to Israel and Rachel (Kellogg) Guild, who wire natives of Vermont. He was a carpenter by trade. W. K. was raised on the faun, and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he began making brooms, and in 1839 the family came West, taking the canal to Ruffalo and steamer thence to Chicago, thence to Wayne Township, Du Page Co., 111.. 58 BIOGRAPHICAL: where they settled on a farm, and also engaged in manufacturing brooms, which were probably the first brooms made in the West. W. K. lived at home until about 1842, when, with his older brother, he made a claim on some land, and later, at land sale, purchased the same, and upon his marriage, in 1844, sold his interest in the claim. In 1844, he married Miss Lydia A. Ford, a native of New York, who came to Illi- nois with her parents and settled in Wayne Township. After marriage, he settled on a farm and lived there until 1868 or 1869, when he came to Wheaton, and has lived here since. About one year after coming to Wheaton, he engaged in the present business and continued since. During a short period he had a partner, but principally conducted the business alone. While in Wayne he served as Highway Com- missioner, and in Wheaton as a member of the Town Council. He has been a member of the Congregational Church for forty years, and a Deacon in same for the past thirty years. By his marriage he has five children, four boys and one daughter — Sarah L., at home ; William B., merchant, Wheaton ; Edwin L., lumber mer- chant, Dakota ; Carroll W., with his father in the lumber business ; Everett A., at home. lax. Guild's parents died in Wayne Township on the old homestead. Mr. Guild was Presi- dent of the Board of School Directors, in 1874, at building the schoolhouse in Wheaton. Mr. Guild cast his first vote in 1840 for Gen. Har- rison, and has been a Republican since the or- ganization of the party. T. M. HULL, Circuit Clerk, Wheaton, is a native of Madison Count}', N. Y.. and was born in the year 1 840. He received a common school and academic, course of study, and at the age of sixteen he began as a clerk in a general store in Dc Ruyter, Madison Co., N. Y., where he remained one year. He then removed to Montgomery County, 111., and clerked one year in a store in Litchfield, where his brother lived, and the following year returned home and at- tended the academy for about eight months; he then came to Du Page County, 111., his parents having come hither the year previous, and set- tled in York Township — Babcock's Grove, now Lombard — where Mr. E. A. Hull practiced his profession — law. T. N. engaged in clerking in the Grove some three years ; he then clerked for Potter Palmer in Chicago, and then engaged with his brother, G. H. Hull, in the market business ; the}' continued about five years. He then traveled in Iowa one year, when he re- turned to Lombard and bought the general store business of Reuben Link, and conducted the business about four } T ears. He then en- gaged with the Weed Sewing Machine Com- pany in Chicago, filling the position of assis- tant book-keeper, correspondent, then city agent and finally as traveling agent, remaining with the company, in all, about six years. He then, in 1876, became Deputy Circuit Clerk under his brother, Frank Hull, and in 1880 was elected Circuit Clerk, which office he now holds. In 1868, he married Miss Caroline C. Whipples, of Oak Park, Cook Co., 111. They have two chil- dren. He is a Republican. HON. P. G. HUBBARD, Prospect Park, 111., is a native of Hampden County, Mass., born in the j'ear 1811. He was raised on his father's farm, and received an academic course of study. At the age of seventeen, he began teaching in the public schools, and taught during the win- ters thereafter for about seven years. . He was married, in 1834, to Miss Elizabeth Le Baron, a native of Plymouth County, Mass., and re- resided in his native State until 1855, during which time he served in his township as As- sessor and as a member of the Boards of Selectmen and of Examiners. During the term of 1847-48, he was elected by the Whigs a member of the State Legislature. In 1855, he came West to De Kalb County, 111., and the next year moved to Knox County, where he engaged in farming. In 1864, he engaged in the commission business in Chicago, firm, MILTON TOWNSHIP. 59 Hubbard & Bird. He came to Du Page County iu 1870, and to Prospect Park in 1873. By the marriage there has been three children, of whom but one is living — William Le Baron Hubbard, of Chicago. Mr. Hubbard has been a member of the Congregational Church since he was eighteen, and has officiated as Deacon for upward of twenty-five years of the time. HEZEKIAH HOLT, hardware, tin, etc., Wheaton, 111., is a native of Pomfret, Wind- ham Co., Conn., born in the 3 7 ear 1835, and is the second child in a family of six children, born to Hezekiah and Harriet Gary Holt. They were natives of Windham Count}', Conn. They married there and came West in 1837, coming through by wagon. It being in the winter time, part of the trip was made on run- ners put under the wagon. The}' arrived in the vicinity of the present village of Warren- ville, where Mrs. Holt's brother, Erastus Gary, lived, and soon after Mr. Holt bought a claim located about one mile southwest of Wheaton. The claim was occupied and improved, and bought of the Government when the laud came into market. Mr. Holt lived on his place until his death in 1850. He was well known among the old pioneers, and was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, and took an active in- terest in its affairs. He was anti-slavery in politics. The family continued on the old homestead until 1877, when they retired to Turner Junction, where they lived until May, 1881, when they moved to Wheaton. Our subject was raised a farmer, and was edu- cated at Wheaton College. On becoming of age, he began doing business on his own account in partnership with his brother, con- ducting the farm. In 1877, Mr. Holt engaged in the hardware business in Turner Junction, in partnership with Mr. C. W. Gary, and in 1880 he sold his interest to Mr. Gary, and soon after served as Government Enumerator in taking the census of Winfield Township, after which he kept books a short period in Chicago, and in March, 1882, he bought out the present business, and formed a partnership with his nephew, Mr. E. B. Holt. While in Turner Junction, Mr. Holt was elected Supervisor of Winfield Township, but was ineligible for the reason he had not lived one year in the town- ship. He was afterward elected Police Magis- trate and President of the Board of Trustees. The former position he held until he came to Wheaton. A. H. HIATT, physican, is a native of Indi- ana, born in Fayette County in 1823 ; was reared on the farm ; received a common school and academic course of study. At the age-of seventeen, began reading medicine, and in 1846 graduated from the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and began practice at New Castle, Ind., where he remained until 1854 ; thence to Westfield, Ind.; remained there four years. He then came to Wheaton, and has practiced here since. In 1870, he opened an office iu Chicago, and was burned out in 1871, and in 1872 opened another office in Chicago, which he attends daily. From 1877 to 1880 the Doctor was Professor of Surgery in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, and has been Professor in Wheaton College of Anatomy, Physology and Hygiene, and gives a course of lectures every winter. In 1844, he married Miss Mary Ann J. Bowman a native of Ten- nessee, and moved with parents to Indiana when she was a child ; eleven children, eight living. LUTHER L. HIATT, druggist, is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in the year 1844; he received a common school course of study, and had entered the college course at the Wheaton College (having with his parents moved to Wheaton in 1859), when- in 1862 October, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, Company F, and served until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Wheaton, and engaged as clerk in his father's drug store, and after became a part- 60 BIOGRAPHICAL: ner with his father, and later became the sole proprietor of the business, which he continues at the present time. Mr. Hiatt is Republican in politics ; he has held the office of Town Clerk of Milton Township, also of the corpora- tion of Wheaton, holding the latter office in all some ten years ; he also held the office of Po- lice Magistrate, being elected three times. In July. 1882, Mr. Hiatt was nominated by the Republican Convention candidate for Represen- tative of the Fourteenth Senatorial District, comprising Kane and Du Page Counties. Oc- tober 4, 1865, he married Miss Statira E. Jewett, a native of New York. They have three chil- dren living, three sons. HIRAM H. HADLEY, farmer, P. 0. Wheaton, III., is a native of Bethel Township, Windsor Co., Vt., born on his father's farm in the year 1824. and is the eldest of three chil- dren born to Abial and Elmina (Chadwick) Iladley. They were natives of Vermont, mar- ried there and followed farming ; he was also a carpenter, and principally followed his trade. In 1841, the family came West by the water route to Chicago, thence by team to Du Page County, and settled in Milton Township, one and a half miles southwest of Wheaton, where he bought 160 acres of the Government at $1.25 per acre. They occupied the place and farmed there some eighteen or twenty years; then moved to Wheaton, where he has lived since. Mrs. H. died in Wheaton in the fall of 1878. Our subject lived at home until he be- came of age ; he received a very limited course of study in the common schools of his district, and was brought up to farming. In 1845, he married Miss Charity S. Lewis, a native of New York. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents, who were farmers, when she was young. After the marriage they located on their present place, which adjoins the old homestead, and they have lived there since. By the marriage there have been three children, of whom two are living — Philip L., married and farming in Milton Township ; Catherine E., now Mrs. Beebe, of Milton Township. Mr. Hadley first voted in 1848, was anti-Slavery and Republican since organization of party. (In 1848 he voted for the Whig candidate.) He is a Wesleyan Methodist ; been a member since 1844. ELIAS' JEWELL (deceased), was a native of Connecticut. He was born June 22, 1791. While yet a child, his parents moved to New York, where they followed farming. He was married, February 26, 1815, to Harriet Howe, and after the marriage settled on a farm, where they lived until about 1825, when they went to Canada, and he worked at the building of the Welland Canal, and a few years later they moved to Michigan, where he farmed and con- ducted a brickyard near Detroit. While here, Mrs. Jewell returned to Canada on business, and died while away. In 1833, he married Miss Cynthia Whitney, a native of Detroit, Mich., born in the year 1808 ; her father, Solo- mon B. Whitney, was a Sergeant Major under Gen. Hull, at Detroit, during the war of 1812. In 1838, they came to Illinois, and made a claim to the present place, where he lived until his death in 1858. Mrs. Jewell is living on the old homestead. By the first marriage there were five children, of whom but one is living, viz., Elias. By the second marriage there were no children. Mr. Jewell was a soldier in the war of 1812. ELIAS JEWELL, Jr., farmer, P. 0. Naper- ville, is a native of Canada, born June 11, 1827, and is the only surviving child of Elias Jewell, Sr., deceased. He was raised on the farm and received a common-school education. March 11. 1849, he married Miss Sabra A. Winchell, a native of Lake County, Ohio. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents in 1844 or 1845. After the marriage, he occu- pied an 80-acre farm his father gave him, and farmed on his own account, and has lived on the place ever since, except a short residence MILTON TOWNSHIP. 61 in Michigan and Chicago. By the marriage there have been six children, of whom five sons are living. In 1860, Mr. Jewell began as a traveling salesman for the McCormick Reaper Company, and the next year engaged with the Chicago branch of Messrs. D. M. Osborn & Co., manufacturers of reapers and mowers, and continued with them for fifteen }'ears. During the past seven 3'ears he has worked on short engagements for different companies, his health not permitting regular engagements. He owns 110 acres, located one and a half miles north- east of* Wheaton. O. F. JOHNSON, lumber merchant, Chicago, P. O. Prospect Park, is a native of Vermont, born in the year 1838, son of William J. and Harriet (French) Johnson, who moved to Erie, Penn., at an early day, theuce to Ohio, thence to Lockport, 111., and thence to Du Page Coun- ty, in 1839, locating on a claim he bought in the southeastern part of Milton Township. A year or two later, they went to Chicago and kept the New York House, and in the spring of 1844 came to Prospect Park. Our subject lived at home until he was seventeen. He then began as a brakeman on the North Western Rail- road, where he remained about seven years, quitting as a conductor. He then engaged as conductor, for two years, on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy. He then engaged as man- ager of a lumber camp in Michigan, conducting two mills, etc., where he remained until 1863. He then conducted a lumber yard at Prospect Park for three years. He then took charge of the Lumber Department of (loss & Phillips Manu- facturing Company, of Chicago, where he re- mained for seven years. He then opened in the lumber commission business for Johnson & Gibbs, 248 South Water street, and has re- mained since. He has always kept his home in Prospect Park. He married in 1864 to Miss Emily Churchill, a native of Du Page County, 111. He enlisted in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and remained with the com- mand about three months, when he was dis- charged, owing to ill health. He has had six children, five living. Republican. HORACE JAYNE, carpenter and agricult- ural implements, is a native of Wyoming Co., Peun., born in the year 1823, and was raised on the farm. His father carried on the farm, and was also engaged in the lumber business, and Horace assisted his father both on the farm and in his business, living at home until he was twenty-three. He then worked at farm- ing and carpentering in the neighborhood until 1849, when he came West and located at Rock- ford, 111., where he worked at carpenter work until 1860. He then came to Du Page County, 111., and located on a farm he bought two miles west of Wheaton, and farmed for fourteen 3-ears. He then sold his farm and came to Wheaton, where he engaged in the hardware business, which he continued about three years, when he sold out and retired from active busi- ness. In 1847, he married Miss Lucy M. Robinson, a native of Susquehanna County, Penn. She died in Wheaton, 111., in 1878. They had seven children, five of whom are liv- ing. July 27, 1879, he married, in Pennsyl- vania, Elzina (Brown) Corey, of Susquehanna County, that State. After the marriage, they came to Wheaton, and have lived here since. CAPT. M. E. JONES, carpenter and house mover, is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born in the year 1830 ; was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education; his father, Ephraim Jones, was a wagon-maker, and the Captain early began to labor with his father. When seventeen years of age, he began peddling jewelry, and a year later went West, stopping in Niagara County, N. Y., and Medina County, Ohio, finally reaching Chicago, where he worked about four years, during which time he married .Miss Sarah fleece, who died there about two years after the marriage. The only child died when seven years of age. In 1858, Capt. Jones came to Du Page Page County 63 BIOGRAPHICAL: and located at Danby, now Prospect Park, and worked at his trade. August 5, 1861, he en- listed in the Eighth Illinois Regiment Cavalry, Company E, and served until the close of the war. He entered his company a private, and was elected First Duty Sergeant; was several times promoted, coining home as Captain of his company, and now, may it be told for the benefit of history, that while placing his men on pickett at Gettysburg, about fifteen minutes of 4 A. M., Capt. Jones took a carbine of his Sergeant, Levi S. Shafer, and fifed at the advancing enemy, the first shot in that mighty battle. From the army he returned to Wheaton, and, except a few months, lived there until 1872, when he went to Colorado and engaged in the stock business, returning again to Wheaton in 1877, and has lived here since. September 1, 1864, in camp near Washington, D. C, he married Miss Elvira N. Meachara, a native of Benson, Rutland Co., Vt. She had come to Du Page Count}', 111., with her parents in 1854. DANIEL KELLEY, farmer, P. 0. Wheaton, is a native of Rutland Co., Vt., born in the year 1818. On becoming seventeen, he began teach- ing public school in the winter, teaching in all three terms. He also was was a shepherd, having charge of his father's flock; when he was twenty-six years of age, he came West by the water route, and purchased and occupied his present place, where he has lived ever since, located two miles due north of Wheaton. He soon began the sheep business in the West, and early placed some fine merinos on his place, and has carried on the business on a large scale ever since, having as high as 2,600 head at one time. In 1846, he married Miss Mary E. Huls, a native of New York. She came to St. Charles, Ills., with her parents. She had eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are living. He first voted for Harrison, and has been Republican since the organization of the party. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for the past thirty years. On coming to Du Page County, he had $602, and has owned over 1,400 acres of land here, but has lately sold portions to his chil- dren and others. He was President of the Wool Growers' Association of the State of Illi- nois, by virtue of which office he also became Delegate to the National Convention. He was the first President of the Northern Illinois Wool Growers' Association and is now Vice President of the State Association. A. D. KELLEY, Sutcliflfe & Kelley, grain, lumber and agricultural implement deal- ers, Wheaton, is a native of Milton Town- ship, Du Page Co., 111., and was born June 30, 1 849 ; was raised on his father's farm, and re- ceived a common school education, living at home until the fall of 1872, when he married Miss Callie A. Smith, a native of Walworth County, Wis. After the marriage, they settled on a farm that he bought in Kane County one mile west of St. Charles, where they lived for seven years. He then sold out his farm and moved to Wheaton. when he engaged in his present business, and has conducted ever since. By the marriage there have been three children born, of whom one is living — Raymond Albert. JUDSON A. KELLEY, farmer, P. O. Whea- ton, 111., is a native of Milton Township, Du Page Co., and was born on his father's farm in the year 1858, and in addition to a common school course, attended Wheaton College for a year or two. February 15, 1882, he married Miss Lillian A. Taylor, a native of Wisconsin. After the marriage, they located on the present place, which he bought of Mr. J. L. Bennett, and consists of fifteen acres, located one and three-fourth miles north of Wheaton. Mr. Kelley is Republican in politics. F. G. KIMBALL, farming, P. O. Wheaton, is a native of Washington County, Vt., born Sept. 9, 1825, fifth child in a family of eleven ' children born to the Rev. William Kimball, who married Miss Lovisa Lathrop. They were natives of Vermont ; married there, and came West in 1836, coming by the water route, and MILTON TOWNSHIP. 63 bought a claim in what is now Wayne Town- ship, Du Page Co., 111., where the}- farmed for about three years, when the family moved to Aurora, where Mr. Kimball preached in Kane and Du Page Counties for some thirty years, when he retired from the active ministry, hav- ing returned to Wheaton, Du Page County, where he died in 1869. Mrs. Kimball died two years previous, in Wheaton. Our subject lived at home until he was twenty years of age ; he received in all only about nine months' study in the district schools. He followed farming until about 1850, when he engaged as a clerk in the general merchandise business at Turner Junc- tion, continuing there about ten years. He then traveled for some five years, and in 1865, in company with Mr. M. Smith, engaged in the mercantile business in Wheaton, they con- tinuing in business some seven years, when thej- dissolved, and Mr. Kimball engaged in farming, and a few years later he again en- gaged in mercantile business, but owing to ill- health, he soon gave up his business and re- turned to farming, which he has coutinued since, locating on his present place, which con- sists of thirty acres, located one mile southwest from Wheaton. In 1866, he married Miss Mary K. Barnes, a native of Michigan, and living at Mendota, 111., at time of her marriage. By the marriage there have been three children, two of whom are living, viz., Frank Grant Kimball, Ida May Kimball. Mr. Kimball has held the office of Collector and Boad Commissioner in Winfield Township, and Supervisor in Milton Township. He first voted for John P. Hale ; was anti-slavery and Kepublican since the or- ganization of party. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for about twelve years. L. E. LANDON, retired farmer, is a native of Whitestown, Oneida Co., N. Y., born No- vember 19, 1809, second child of a family of five children born to Joseph and Sarah Wood Landon. They were natives of Connecticut and New York; he moved to Whitestown, N. Y., at an early day, and there married Miss Wood, daughter of Deacon Wood of the Congrega- tional Church of that place. Joseph Landon, at the time of L. E.'s birth, was engaged in a saw-mill, and Salter moved to Wales' Paper- mill and bought rags and sold paper for same, and thence to a farm; and, about the year 1820, he moved to Oswego Village (now city), he carryiug the mail from Utica to Oswego, his being the first four-horse stage ever driven through that route; his wife died in Oswego in March. 1825; he married again to Mrs. Huldah, widow of Samuel Famham, by whom he has one child, a son; he moved to Hannibal, and thence to Marcellus, where his second wife died ; he married again, and live' 1 in that vicinity until his death. Our subject lived at home until he was about twenty-two or twenty-three years of age; he received a common school education. In 1825, he married Miss Hul- dah M. Famham, in Oswego, N. Y.; she was a native of Canada, where her parents re- sided on a farm forty-five miles northeast of Kingston, she being on a visit to her aunt's, at Oswego, N. Y., at the time of her marriage, after which they lived on a farm for about a year and a half, and then went to Upper Canada, where they lived also about a year and a half. In January, 1838, they drove by sleigh to Mar- cellus, N. Y.j and, gathering some effects, they started on February 22d of that year for Illi- nois, sleighingto Cleveland and thence by wheels to Addison Township, Du Page County, where his brother lived, and soon after arriving he bought a claim located in Section 12, Bloom- ingdale Township, and occupied the same, where he lived until about 1857 or 1858; he then moved to Section 14, where he lived until the fall of 1867, when he moved to Wheaton, and has lived here since. By the marriage there were five children, four of whom are living, three daughters and one son; all married. The son, A. S., merchant in Wheaton; Laura A. 64 BIOGRAPHICAL: Gates, in Bloomingdale; Hattie M. Beach, of St. Joe, Mo.; Sarah E. Mann, of Geneva, 111. W. H. LUTHER, station agent, Northwest- ern Railroad and dealer in grain, coal and feed, of the firm of Luther & Newton, Prospect Park, is a native of Springfield, Mass., and was horn in the year 184G. In 1854, the family came West to Rockford, 111., where they now reside. W. H. Luther, Sr., was a manufacturer of cotton and woolen goods in the East, and after coming West, followed farming. Our sub- ject received a common school education. In 18(34, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty -seventh Illinois Regiment Infantry, Com- pany A, and served one year. After his re- turn from the army, he engaged in farming, which he continued about five years. He then became station agent at Winnebago, 111., and in 1874 he became agent here at Prospect Park. In 1877, in company with E. C. Marks, en- gaged in the coal and feed business, and three years later, Mr. Marks sold his interest in the business to Mr. W. C. Newton. Mr. Luther married Miss F. A. Copeland, daughter of Dr. Copeland, of Winnebago. By the marriage there are two children, viz., Flora L. and Paul G. Republican in politics. Clerk of the Board of Trustees and the School Board of Prospect Park. S. W. MOFFATT, retired farmer, is a native of Orange County, N. Y.. born March 1, 1818. He was raised on a farm until he was about sixteen 3'ears of age. He received a common and select school course of study. On becom- ing sixteen, he began teaching, and continued to teach for about five years. He then came West to Aurora, 111., where he taught school and assisted his brother-in-law on the farm until the spring of 1842, when he came to Du Page County and stopped with his brother-in- law, who had moved to Wayne Township ; and, in the winter following, he taught school near where the town of Bartlett now stands. The schoolhouse was an old pioneer one, of logs — stick chimney, puncheon floor, etc., etc. — and the teacher received two steers, valued at $36, for three mouths' services. He continued his home with his brother-in-law, teaching winters and assisting on the farm, about one year, when he went East to Orange County, N. Y., where he taught his former school ; and in the spring of 1844 he married Miss Harriet Elizabeth Sayer, a native of Orange County, N. Y. The same spring, they came to Wayne Township, Du Page Co., 111., where they purchased a farm and lived on the same until about 1863. He then rented his place and moved to Elgin, returning to his farm the year following ; and about one year later he sold his farm and moved to Wheaton, where he has lived since. While in Wayne Township, he served two terms each in the offices of Town Clerk and Supervisor ; while in Wheaton he has been in the Council for a number of 3'ears, and now serving as President of the Board for the fifth term. In former years he was a Whig, and Republican since the organization of the party. Is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church since his coming to the county. By the marriage there were five children, two of whom are living — William S., shorthand correspondent. Chicago, and Harriet E., at home. HON. F. H. MATHER, farmer, is a native of Benson, Rutland Co., Vt, born in the year 1819. His father, Demas, was a farmer, and also kept hotel. He and his wife, Miss Clarissa C. Ingraham, were natives of Connecticut. They married there and moved to Vermont, where they lived until their death. Our subject was raised on the farm ; received a common-school education. In 1842, he married Miss Rhode E. Meacham, a native of his native town. After marriage, they came West, by line boat to Buf- falo, thence on the old Illinois steamer to Chi- cago, thence to Milton Township, Du Page Co., 111., where Mrs. Mather had a brother living. They bought a farm and began farming, which business he followed until about 1860, when he MILTON TOWNSHIP. 65 tame to Wheaton, where he has since lived. While on the farm, he also engaged in the stock and wool business, buying, and shipping to Chi- cago and New York, and has carried on his farms and conducted the wool and stock busi- ness ever since. In 18(39, he went to Colorado and bought wool, and in 1872 the family moved there, and they carried on a stock ranch, re- maining on the same for thirteen months, when they returned to Wheaton. Mr. Mather has been Supervisor of Milton Township for three years ; has also served on the Town Council. In the fall of 1860, he was elected, on the Re- publican ticket, a member of the State Legis- lature, and served two years, during which time he actively engaged himself to have passed a bill he presented for the removal of the county seat from Naperville to Wheaton. The bill passed the House, but was defeated in the Sen- ate, and the war coming on, no further action was taken until 1866, when the bill passed. By the marriage there has been one child — Minnie, now Mrs. Sanders. Mr. Mather was an Old-Line Whig, and became Republican upon the organ- ization of the party ; is a member of the Con- gregational Church. J. R.McCHESNEY, merchant, of J. R. McC. & Co., Prospect Park, 111., is a native of New- ark, N. J., born June 18, 1828. His parents, Rev. James and Matilda (Davis) McChesney, were natives of Ireland and New York; he is a Congregational minister. In 1846, the}' moved to Chicago, and one year later pre-empted 160 acres in Schaumberg Township, Cook Co., 111. where they lived until about 1854, when they sold the land and moved to Prospect Park. Our subject lived with his parents until about 1853, when, about fourteen years of age, he be- gan work in an ornamental iron works, and worked there about four years. In 1854, he married, at Hanover, Cook County, Miss Eliza- beth Leatherman, a native of Indiana; they have four children, two of whom are living. After the marriage, he farmed a few years. In 1862, he formed a partnership and engaged in the general store business in Danby, now Pros- pect Park. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Volunteer In- fantry Regiment, Company H, and served about five months; he entered as a private and re- turned as Second Lieutenant of his company; he then sold out his store business and engaged in buying and shipping grain, which he con- tinued for several years; he then moved to El- gin and conducted the grain business there in company with Mr. George Sawin for three years, then returned to Prospect Park and engaged in the lumber business for Mr. Huff, and about 1872 he engaged in his present business, and for a term served as Postmaster. August 1, 1882, Mr. McC. was elected President of the Village of Prospect Park, it being the first elec- tion under corporation. PETER NORTHROP, retired, is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., born in the year 1818. At the age of sixteen he engaged as a clerk in a general store in Oswego County, N. Y., and followed clerking, principally, until 1836. when he took a' trip West prospecting, visiting Illinois, Wisconsin. Michigan, etc. He returned East, and in 1837 engaged in business for himself at Jordan, in Onondaga County, N. Y., where he remained until 1841, when he came West and settled on a farm which he bought in Addison Township, where he remained four years, and where he was a Justice of the Peace. He then sold his farm and engaged in merchandising in Addison Village ; continued until 1852, when he was elected Circuit Clerk and went to Na- perville (then the county seat), and he lived there four years. He then came to Wheaton, and built a steam and grist mill which he con- ducted until 1850, when it was destroyed by fire. He then went to Chicago and engaged in the grain business two years, thence to his laud in Addison Township, where he remained till 1865 ; then he came to Wheaton, and in com- pany with Mr. H. B. Hills engaged in mercan- 66 BIOGRAPHICAL: tile business. They continued until 1875, when he went to a farm he had at Turner Junction, where he remained until October, 1881, when he came to Wheaton and has lived here since. He married Miss Mariell Kinney, a native of Oswego County, N. Y. She came to Du Page County with her parents. She died in 1862. His present wife was Miss S. B. Eastman, a native of Illinois. They had seven children — six living. Was. in an early day, a Democrat, but has been a Republican since the organiza- tion of that party. Mr. Northrop was elected one of the Associate Justices, and, on forma- tion of the Board of Supervisors, he was elected Supervisor of his township. FRANCIS OTT, farmer,' P. 0. Wheaton, 111., was born in Germany in the year 1816, and was raised on a farm. At the age of sixteen, he apprenticed to shoemaking, and, in 1837, he came to the United States of America, and lived two years in the State of New York, working at his trade. He then came West by the water route to Chicago. He then came out in the country to work, and worked in this part of the State on the farm and canal, or cutting- wood until 1841. He then went to Naperville, where he worked at his trade. He also went to school a few months. He then went to live with his brother, who was farming in Milton Township, and soon after he took up a claim and improved it, and later he sold his place and bought the present, which contains 250 acres, located one and a quarter miles east of Wheaton. In 1847, he married Miss Anna M. Werner, a native of Germany. She came to the United States of America with her parents when she was young ; she died in September, 1877. They had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Ott has held the office of Road Commissioner and Assessor of his Township. Also the school office of Director. He has been a Democrat in politics, but of late is rather independent, going for the best men. REV. FATHER DE LA PORTE was born in Burgsteinfurt, Province of Westphalia, Prus- sia, May 11, 1841. His father, Francis M. de la Porte was a Frenchman, though born in Santa Cruz, W. I., in 1797, and when five years of age moved to Europe, locating in Germany, where he afterward became the Inspector of Forests, a position he held for fifty-five years. Our subject was raised in his native village until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to Minister and prepared for the ministry, attending the college there, from which lie graduated in August, 1862. He then studied philosophy during a short term, and returning home made his preparations to come to America, arriving in Chicago, 111., in October, 1863, where he completed his course of study in the St. Mary's Seminaiy of the Lake, and was ordained to the priesthood April 7, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Duggan, and was assigned Professor of Latin in the St. Mary's Seminary. A few months later, he was ap- pointed pastor of the St. Peter's Church at Naperville, 111. The large church there was only partly finished, and had quite a heavy debt, but by his energy Father de la Porte dis- charged the debt, built a parsonage and finished the church in a most elegant manner, remain- ing in Naperville until in November, 1878, when, owing to his health, which was much impaired by reason of his labors in behalf of his church, he left Naperville, where he had made many warm friends, and went to Wiscon- sin and became a professor in the Normal School in St. Francis, and one year later he removed to Chicago, where he became Assistant Priest of St. Anthony's Church, rh which posi- tion he continued for two years, and, in April, was appointed pastor of the St. Michael's Church of Wheaton. J. S. PEIRONNET, retired, P. 0. Wheaton, 111., is a native of Binghamton, N. Y., born in the 3'ear 1841. His parents were J. S. and Mary J. (Lance) Peironnet. He was a mer- MILTON TOWNSHIP. 67 chant, and, in 1854, came to Peru, 111., where he bought and improved lands. In 1868, he returned East, locating at Waverly, N. Y., where he died. Our subject, at the age of nineteen, engaged in the lumber business at Peru, 111., and, on becoming of age, he, in com- pany with his brother, William F. Peironnet, in the commission business in Chicago, and they successfully conducted the business for eighteen years, maintaining the excellent posi- tion of the house as one of the strong con- cerns of the board throughout the entire time. The magnitude of the business was enormous during the navigation season; they received as high as 1.01)0,000 bushels of grain per month. For a few years during the business of the firm, they owned a large flour mill at Minneap- olis, having a capacity of 500 barrels per day. During the ownership of this mill, Mr. Peironnet was one of the organizers of the Minneapolis Millers' Association, now the largest grain asso- ciation in the world. He became the Chicago agent, and contracted the freights from Chicago East. During the years 1868-69-70-71, they received fully one-third of the entire receipts of the city, and contracted freights on as high as 8,000 barrels per day. Aside from these active interests, Mr. Peironnet has large special interests in various commercial enterprises. In 1877, owing to his health, he sought a home in the country, and located at Wheaton. Being pleased with the change, he purchased property and permanently made it his home. In January, 1882, he retired entirely from the business he was engaged in for the past eighteen years. In 1873, he married Miss Fannie, daughter of William Baker, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Journal of Com mi ret . LEONARD PRATT, M. D., is a native of Bradford County, Penn., born in the year 1819. and is second in a family of nine children born to Russell and Olive (Towner) Pratt. He was a farmer and cabinet-maker. which business he conducted in addition to farming. They died in Towanda, the county seat of Bradford County. Our subject lived at home on the farm until he was fifteen years of age; he received a common school course of study, also attended the La Fay- ette College at Easton about one year; after his attendance at the college, he taught public school one term — for the most part, he worked to earn the means to educate himself— alternat- ing the work with the schooling. In 1841, he began reading medicine at Le Raysville, Brad- ford Co., Penn., and later attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and then began practice with his preceptor, and later by himself, in Towanda, and in 1851 he again attended the Jefferson College and grad- uated from the same, and two 3'ears later, he came to Illinois and located near Mount Carroll, Ills., where he bought a farm and opened an office in Mount Carroll, where he practiced for twelve years, when he came to Wheaton and has practiced here since. In 1869, the Doctor began lecturing in the Hahnemann Medical College, and continued lectures seven years, and since then he has been connected Emeritus Professor of the Chicago Homoeopathic Col- lege, lecturing occasionally, and during the past seven years the Doctor has attended his office in Chicago two days each week. He is a mem- ber of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, the Western Academy of Medicine, Illinois State Medical Society and the Academy of Medicine, Chicago. In 1843, he married Miss Betsy, daughter of Dr. L. C. Belding, of Brad- ford County, Penn. They had four children, two living, one son and a daughter. HIRAM B. PATRICK, farmer and dealer in stock. P. O. Wheaton. Came to county in 1845. A. G. RANSOM, farming, P. 0. Wheaton, is a native of Du Page County, 111., born in the year 1845, and is the only child of A. S. and Melissa (Bingham) Ransom, who were natives 68 BIOGRAPHICAL: of New York and Connecticut ; they married in Ohio He came to Illinois when a single man about the year 1840, and a few years later went to Ohio, where he was married, and then came to Illinois again and occupied the claim where he now lives. He was a soldier in a dragoon company, under Maj. De Acker, in the war of 1812. Our subject was raised a farmer, and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen he began managing the home farm. In 1868, he married Miss Christina Steven, a native of Du Page County, 111., and daughter of Alex. Steven. She died August 25, 1871. June 20, 1877. he married Miss Liz- zie A. Moore, a native of Canada. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents. By the marriage there are two children — Aning R. and Cornelia M. He is a Republican in politics ; has served as Highway Commissioner for six years. In 1864, Mr. Ranson began the business of threshing and has conducted a thresher most of the time since. He owns 120 acres located three miles northwest of Wheaton. J. RUSSELL SMITH, editor and proprietor Wheaton fflinoian and Turner Junction News, Wheaton, is a native of Bluff Dale, Greene Co., 111. He was born in the year 1838, and is the second of nine children born to Charles K. and Lucretia M. (Gray) Smith, who were natives of Woodstock, Vt.; they married there, and in the year 1830 came West. He was a publish- er in his native State, and upon coming to Illi- nois published the " Bach Woodsman " a paper owned and edited by Mr. John Russell. He also published the Mississippian at Rock Island. and later became editor and proprietor of the Monmouth Atlas, of Monmouth, 111., and after a connection of some eleven years with the pa- per he retired to the farm, and later was en- gaged in the mercantile business at Monmouth, and in 1S78 he moved to California, and is now located at San Diego, with his wife and daugh- ter. Our subject lived with his parents until he became of age, and in addition to the com- mon schools he attended a short term at the Monmouth College. He early became initiated in the way of printing, beginning in his father's office when nine years of age, and worked un- til his father sold out and retired to the farm ; he then assisted at farming until he became of age, when he again entered a printing office and worked at his trade. During 1861, he be- came Deputy Postmaster of Monmouth, and next engaged in the mercantile business, con- ducting a general store for several years. He then moved to California, Mo., where he pub- lished the " Loyal Missourian," and a few years later he went to St. Louis, and worked at his trade for a year or two. He then worked at Bellville, 111., a few years, when, in 1870, he came to Wheaton, and bought the Wheaton llli- noian, which he has published since. In 1871, he established the Turner Junction News, which he has published since. In 1865, he married Miss Mary E. Clark, a native of New York. She came to Warren Count}', 111., with her parents, when she was young. By this marriage there have been five children, of whom four are living. Mr. Smith first voted for Lin- coln, and has been a member of the Repub- lican party since. W. G. SMITH, attorney, is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born in the year 1816, September 6. He was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. At the age of seventeen, he engaged as a clerk in a general merchandise store, and clerked nearly one year. He then sold goods by wagon for a season. At about the age of eighteen, he began reading law with Judge William U. Kit- ridge, and, after a year, owing to his sight, he began clerking again, reading at leisure. In 1845, he engaged in the grocery business for himself at Whitehall, N. Y.; continued about two or three years. He then came West and located in Du Page County, 111., on a farm near Warrenville, where he farmed one year. He then returned East, to Whitehall, where he MILTON TOWNSHIP. remained four years — two as Captain of a steam towboat. and two as Constable and Dep- uty Sheriff — then returned to Illinois, and located near Warrenville, and farmed there three years, when he moved to Huntley. Mc- Henry County, and carried on a farm. While here, he served as Coroner and Associate Justice. After five years' residence, he re- turned to Warrenville aud engaged in the fire insurance business, and, in 1864, he came to Wheaton. During his residence in Illinois, he practiced more or less before Justices, and, in 1867, he was admitted a member of the bar, and has practiced here since. In 1870, he was elected State's Attorney, and held the office for four years. In 1844, he married Miss Catha- rine Miller, a native of New York. She died in 1845. In 1847, he married Miss Mary E. Manville, a native of New York. By the mar- riage there have been three children, two of whom are living. JOHN SMITH, farmer, P. 0. Prospect Park, is a native of Yorkshire, England, bom January 29, 1822. and. when about six or seven years of age. was put into a cotton fac- tory, receiving 1 shilling per week, and he re- mained there until he was about eighteen years of age. He then took a position in a dye wool mill, and worked there until he came to the United States, in 1844, and located in Wayne County. Mich., where he worked at clearing an eighty-acre piece of land his uncle, James Smith, who came over with him, left him at his death. In 1856, he came to Illinois and settled in De Witt County, where he and his brother Joseph took up a half-section of Illinois Central Railroad land, and farmed it for a number of years, when they sold out, and. in 1865, came to Du Page County and bought 190 acres in the vicinity of Prospect Park, where they farmed until 1876, when John Smith bought his brother Joseph's inter- est, the latter going to Maryland. Mr. Smith lived on the farm until February, 1882, when he moved where he now lives, in Prospect Park. He married Miss Ann Smith, a native of Yorkshire, England, who came to the Unit- ed States in 1844. By the marriage, six chil- dren were born, of whom four are living — Mary J., now Mrs. Dodge, of Prospect Park ; Joseph, farmer in Crawford County, Iowa ; Mattie, now Mrs. McChesney, of Prospect Park ; Charles, at home. Mr. Smith first vot- ed for Gen. Scott, and has since voted for Fre- mont, Lincoln, Grant, Greeley, Tilden and Hancock. ALEXANDER SPROUT, forming, P. 0. Wheaton, is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born in the year 1822. He was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education, such as obtained in the old log schoolhouses ; he also taught school a number of terms during the winters. His mother died when he was about six years of age, and when he became twelve his father moved to Sandusky, and about one year later he began working by the month, and continued working out some ten years. In 1841, he married Miss Anna Fry, a native of Stark County. Ohio, and resident of Sandusky. About a year later they came West to Du Page County, 111., renting the old Jewell place in Milton Township the first season, and the next year bought forty acres where he now resides, gradually adding to his place until increased to 180 acres, located about three miles northwest <>!' Wheaton. By the marriage there have been ten children, of whom seven are living. He is a Republican. WILLIAM F. SPROUT, farming, P. O. Wheaton, is a native of Milton Township, Du Page County ; born on his father's farm in 1846. and lived at home until 1869, and has al- ways followed forming. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois In- fantry, Company H, and served about live months. He returned home from the army, and in 1869, he married Miss Francis E. Jayne, a daughter of Mr. Horace Jayne, of Wheaton. 70 BIOGRAPHICAL: She was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., and came to Illinois with her parents when young. After the marriage, he located on a small farm in Winfleld Township, and farmed there about two years. He then rented in this neighborhood a few years, then bought his present place, which consists of ninety acres, located three miles northwest of Wheaton. By the marriage there have been five children, viz., Jessie M., Ernest W., Grace L., Alexander C., Melvin R. Mr. Sprout is Republican, though he has not taken any active part in politics. PHILO W. STACY, farmer, P. O. Prospect Park, 111., is a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., born January 13, 1833, and is the youngest and onty surviving child of Moses and Joan (Kimball) Stacy. He was born in Massachu- setts in the year 1795, and was raised a farmer. In 1824, he married Miss Joan Kimball, a na- tive of Connecticut, born in the year 1804. Her father was a farmer, and moved to Massa- chusetts in 1816. After the marriage, they moved to Vermont, where they farmed about five years, when they moved to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and in 1835 they came to Illi- nois, intending to locate at Hennepin ; but not liking that county, they located here in Du Page County. The}' were on the main road to Chicago, and the circumstances of the times started them into a sort of hotel business. In- deed, for a few years, a sign was extended. Mr. Stacy continued on the place until his death, June 15, 1870. Mrs. Stacy has lived on the old homestead ever since. Philo W. lived at home until he was twenty-three years of age. He attended the common schools and an acad- emy. On becoming twenty-three, he bought a place adjoining the old homestead, and lived on it until his father's death ; since which time he has lived in the old home. February 22, 1853, he married Miss Betsy D. Taylor, a native of New York. Of their three children, two are living, viz. : Carrie A. and Fannie M. Mr. Stacy has held the office of Collector, Road Commissioner and Constable. He is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the Baptist Church for thirty years. JOHN SUTCLIFFE, of Sutcliffe & Kelley, grain, lumber and agricultural implements, is a native of Huntingdonshire, Eng.; he was born in the j'ear 1830; he received a common school education; at the age of thirteen, he ap- prenticed to the milling trade in Bythorn, serv- ing seven years, after which he worked one year as a journeyman at Thrapstone, and in 1852 he came to the United States and stopped in Cleveland, Ohio, and vicinity about twenty months, following his trade; he then returned to England and visited about six months, when he again came to the United States and located in Chicago, where he followed his trade, being in charge of the Hydraulic City Mills, which, at that time, also supplied the city with water, re- maining until the mill was torn down, about 1854; he then came to Du Page County and started a mill for Chicago parties in the town of Addison, which he conducted some two} T ears; he then came to Wheaton and took charge of the mill, and after about one j'ear he rented the mill and conducted it on his own account, con- tinuing until the destruction of the mill by fire, in which Mr. Sutcliffe lost all his property; he then opened a small flour and feed store, occu- pying a portion of what is now his present warehouse, which he continued a few years; he then moved to Kenosha, Wis., where he bought a farm and followed farming about three years; he then sold out and returned to Wheaton and formed a partnership in the grain, lumber and coal business, and, through several changes in the firm, Mr. Sutcliffe has continued in the busi- ness to this day. Mr. S. is Republican. He married Miss Martha M. Muzzey, a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Du Page County with her parents, who settled in Bloomingdale Township; seven children, five living. ALVIN SEAMANS, retired, P. O. Wheaton, 111., is a native of Ashfort, Windham Co., MILTON TOWNSHIP. 73 Conn., born in the year 1817, and was raised on a farm. He lived at home until he was past eighteen, when he went to Pomfret, where he lived over a year, working by the month on the farm, and in December, 1836, he started for Illi- nois, coming through by team to Warrenville, where he hired to the Messrs. Gary as a farm hand; after some five months, for which he drew $11 per month, he removed to Deacon Clark's, who paid him $25 per month, and continued working transiently until December following, when he went to the Benjamin settlement and took care of his cousin, Mr. Samuel Gary, who was sick, and in April, 1839, he made a claim in Wayne Township and occupied the same, but in July following he sold out and made a claim about half a mile west of where Wheaton now stands, and lived there until 1871, when he retired to his present place. In April, 1839, he married Miss Almira Munyan, a native of Thompson, Windham Co., Conn. She came to this county in 1838, and died January 7, 1870, leaving eight children. May 15, 1870, he married Betsy M. Barber, a native of Ben- son, Vt. Mr. Seamans has held the office of School Director for some seven years; he has also served as Road Commissioner; he is Re- publican in his politics, and one of the first in Ms precinct to vote anti-slavery; he was brought up a Baptist, but has for the past twenty years been a member of the Conaresrational Church and has acted as Deacon for the past seventeen years. Soon after the laying-out of Wheaton, Mr. Seamans was made the Superintendent of the Sabbath School, which was the first formed in Wheaton. ALEXANDER STEVEN, farmer, Wheaton, 111. Is a native of Scotland, born in the year 1821, and is the third of nine children born to James and Janet (McGown) Steven, who were natives of Scotland, and married there. He was a farmer, and about 1831 the family came to Canada, where they engaged in farming. Mrs. Steven died in Canada, and Mr. Steven lives there to this day, being now in his ninety- fourth year. Alexander lived at home until he was twenty -two years of age. He received a common school education. In 1 843, he came to the United States and settled in Du Page County, working by the month for one year, and then settled on his present place, which he pre-empted, and has lived here ever since. In 1845, he married Miss Elizabeth Fry, a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents. She died September 10, 1876. They had ten children, of whom seven are living. September 26, 1876, he married Mrs. Green, formerly Miss Fidelia Drake, a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and came to Du Page County, 111., in May, 1866. By the present marriage there are two children. Mr. S. is a Republican ; was strong anti-slavery. Has 240 acres of land located on Sections 4 and 6, he residing on the latter, distanced three miles northwest of Wheaton. S. P. SEDGWICK, M. D., is a native of Westmoreland, Oneida County, N. Y., born February 7, 1822. He received a common school course of study, and also attended Cazenovia Seminary about one year. At the age of eighteen, he began reading medicine under his father, Dr. Parker Sedgwick, and in February, 1843, he graduated from the Medical Department of the Geneva College, New York, and then began practice in his native town, and the following year came to Bloomingdale Township, Du Page County, 111., where his parents had settled the year previous. He and his father practiced together some two years, after which he practiced alone, moving from the farm to the village of Bloomingdale, where he remained for twenty years. He then came to Wheaton, where he has since lived. In 1877, he was appointed by Gov. Cullom. County Judge, holding the office until Decem- ber following, when he received the nomination of the Republican party, but declined to run. Except one year, the Doctor has been the E 74 BIOGRAPHICAL: Chairman of the County Republican Committee since the organization of the part}'. While residing in Bloomingdale, the Doctor held the office of Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, and also four years in Wheaton. He has also held the office of President of the Town Council of Wheaton three years. JOHN SAUER, hardware, cutlery, etc., is a native of Hiszbach, Bavaria, born in the year 1824. He received a common school education, and at the age of twelve he apprenticed to the tailor's trade and served three years, aud worked as a journeyman until 1846. He then came to America, and worked at his trade in New York City for nearly three years. He then came West to Geneva, Kane Co., Ill, where he worked about five years. He then, in 1854, came to Wheaton, where he opened a clothing store aud did a general tailoring business, which he con- tinued some twelve years, when he closed out and engaged in the hardware business, which he has continued to this day. Of late years, his son, Peter K. Sauer, has the active manage- ment of the business. In 1847, he married Miss Catherine Winter, a native of Hesse-Darin - Btadt, near Frankfort. They had eight chil- dren, six living — John P., married, lives in Wheaton ; Peter K., at home ; Adam J., mar- ried, lives in Kane County, 111. ; Boniface, Catharine and Elizabeth, in Kane County with their brother. Mr. Sauer has always been a Democrat, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church since his birth. He has held the office of Town Councilman of Wheaton. He has a farm one and one-half miles southwest of Wheatou, which he purchased some twelve years ago, and carries on by tenant. L. C. STOVER, County Treasurer, is a native of York County, Penn., born October 7, 1842. He was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. In 1854, the family came to Du Page County, 111., and bought a farm in Milton Township. L. C. lived on the farm until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment Illinois Infantry, and continued with the command until the spring of 1864, when he received his discharge, ovving to an accident while on the train with a portion of his com- pany, being conveyed to Chattanooga. As soon as able, he returned to Du Page County, York Township, and engaged in clerking, and part of the time as Collector of York Town- ship. He was out of health, and visited Penn- sylvania several times, and, while there in 1873, he was elected, and returned and entered the duties iu December of that year, and has held the office since. In 1876, he married Miss Jennie A. Eggleston, of Jackson, Mich. He is a Republican in politics. H. J. TRAVER, farmer ; P. 0. Wheaton ; is a native of Montgomery County, N. Y.; born in the year 1827, and is the sixth child in a family of nine children born to George and Elizabeth (Plautz) Traver. They were natives of New York. About 1835 or 1836, they moved to "Summit Count}-, Ohio, where they followed farming. George Traver died iu Sum- mit County, Ohio, about the year 1837, owing to an accident while cutting with an ax. The family then moved to Medina County and lived on the farm. Our subject received a very limited common-school course of study, and, at the age of seventeen, he apprenticed to the carriage-maker's trade and served three years. He then opened a shop of his own in Wadswortn Township, and continued in the business for some twenty-eight years, employ- ing from twenty to thirty men. During part of the time, he also carried on a branch shop at Ashland. He sold out his business and jived one year in Ashland. Having invested largely in Chicago real estate, he came West with the view of looking after his property aud handling real estate. In 1872, he moved to Wheaton, and occupied his present place in 1873, where he has lived since. His mother, who had lived with him, died here on the farm MILTON TOWNSHIP. 75 in 1877. In 1850, Mr. Traver married Miss Charlotte Beach, a native of Wadsworth, Me- dina Co., Ohio. She died in 1855. They had two children, viz., Emily, now Mrs. Grote, of Wheaton, and Marietta, now Mrs. Turner, of Ann Arbor, Mich. As second wife, he mar- ried Miss Clarissa A. Andrews, a native of Akron, Ohio. She died in February, 1882. They have six children — Ida. Cora. Ella, Gurta, Jessie, Ruby. Mr. T. has ninety-seven acres, located one and one-fourth miles east of Wheaton. G. B. VASTINE, Postmaster, Wheaton, is a native of Northumberland County, Penn., born in the year 1839, and is the youngest of ten children born to Lewis and Martha (Boone) Vastine. They were natives of Pennsylvania. Martha Boone was the daughter of Hezekiah Boone, a second cousin of Daniel Boone. Lewis Vastine and family came West in 1854, and settled near Elgin, where he bought a large land interest, and engaged in farming, where, also, he died in 1859 or 1860. Mrs. Vastine died in Wheaton in 1879. G. B. lived at home until after the death of his father ; he received a limited common-school course of study. The family remained on the farm until 1865. In 1862, G. B. went to California, where he re- mained one year. He then returned by the ship Ariel, which had, on its way from New York to Aspinwall, been captured by the Ala- bama, and, owing to the passengers being mostly women and children, the vessel was not de- stroyed. On the return, the ship did not use lights, as the Alabama was on the lookout, de- termined to destroy her. Returning home, he then went to Bloomingdale. where he en- gaged in the general store business for one year, when he sold out and went on a farm at Elgin, and shortly after engaged in the shoe trade in Elgin ; thence to Wheaton, where, in company with others, he opened a general store, which was conducted several years. He then engaged in building houses, which he sold, and continued until 1875, when he was appointed Postmaster of Wheaton, which office he has held since. In 1866, he married Miss Effie D. Sedgwick, a daughter of Dr. Sedgwick, of Wheaton. They have six children. He is a Republican. HON. WARREN L. WHEATON, P. 0. Wheaton, was born in Pomfret, Windham Coun- ty, Conn., March 6, 1812, son of James and Nancy Ljon Wheaton, who were also natives of Windham County. Warren L. received his education in the Pomfret schools and at Wood- stock Academy, and at the age of nineteen began teaching school during the winters and worked on the farm during the summer. In 1837, he started for the West, going to Hart- ford by stage, thence by water to Albany and to Schenectady by railroad, then the only rail- road in the State ; then by the Erie Canal and the lakes to Chicago, where he arrived June 1." and footed it to Gary's Mill, where he made his headquarters and traveled over the country very extensively, by horse, visiting Helena and Madi- son, Wis., Ottawa, La Salle and Quincy, 111., St, Louis, aud returning via Galena, 111. In June, 1838, he located a section of laud. Soon after, while sick, he had a narrow escape from the burning of Messrs. Gary's house, where he was stopping. In 1838, he put out eighteen acres of wheat. June 25, 1848, he married Miss Harriet E. Rickard, a native of Pomfret, Wind- ham Co., Conn., born June 10, 1826, and came to Du Page County, with her parents, when she was young ; she died May 29, 1863. By the marriage there were six children. During the summer of 1848, he received the nomina- tion of the Democratic party as candidate to the Legislature ; was elected and took an active part in the deliberations of that body. He was one of the Committee on township organiza- tion, which was the first of the township organ- zation, aud under that organization was elect- ed Supervisor in 1850. Mr. Wheaton is one of the original proprietors of the town bearing 76 BIOGRAPHICAL: his name, and which has prospered much, owing to his liberal favors, he, with his brother, first obtaining the good will of the railroad by donating the right of way for two miles. He took an active part in securing Wesleyan, now Wheaton College, and gave liberally to the same. JESSE C. WHEATON, farmer, P. 0. Wheaton, is a native of Pomfret, Windham Co., Conn., and he wasbornMarch 27, 1813. His fa- ther was soldier in the war of 1812, and his grand- father was a veteran of the Revolution His moth- er died Nov. 15, 1814, aged twenty-nine, in Pomfret. Our subject was raised on the farm, and received the usual district school educa- tion, and at the age of seventeen apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, serving^ three years ; he then went to Worcester, Mass., and in 1837 left the latter place, by stage, for Norwich, Conn., and thence by the Sound, Hudson River, Erie Canal and the Lakes to Chicago where he ar- rived July 1, and worked at his trade a few months. He then came to Warrenville and worked on Gary's mill, after which he built sev- eral barns, etc. March 26, 1839, he married Miss Orinda Gary, and settled on his claim which had been made for him in 1837, by Messrs. Erastus and Jude Gary. A house was built and some laud broke in 1838. This year a party jumped the claim but was afterward bought off, and Mr. Wheaton has lived on the place since. By the marriage there has been nine children. Mr. Wheaton was one of the the original proprietors of the town bearing his name, and has been actively identified with its history, aud interested in its growth. He labored to obtain and subscribed liberally to the construction fund of the Wesleyan, now Wheaton College. As a partisan he has been identified with the Whig, Free-Soil and Repub- lican parties, he casting one of the four votes in this county for James G. Birney in 1840. He served on the first Iowa Town Council, under the charter, and as School Director, for sixteen years, during which time he was also Secretary of the Board. He took an active part in se- curing to Wheaton the present elegant public school, aud has served his township in the ca- pacity of Collector, Assessor and Road Com- missioner. Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton and the family are all members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, he for forty-four years and she for fifty-three years. OLIVER B. WILCOX, retired, was boru in Saudisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., in the year 1818 ; he received a limited common school course of study, and at the age of twelve united with the Congregational Church ; he worked on the farm at home until he became of age, and thereafter in the neighborhood until his twenty-sixth year, when he married Miss Esther A., daughter of Josiah Sheldon, of Berkshire County, and farmed the home farm; soon after his marriage his father died, and he bought out the heirs, and remained on the place some ten years, when he sold out, and with his family and mother moved to Owego, N. Y., intending to enter in partnership with his brother, the Rev. Samuel C. Wilcox, who owned a farm there, and had started a board- ing school for boys. Iu Fcbruaiy following the removal to New York, his mother died, and the Rev. Samuel C. Wilcox died in March. 0. B. remained about one year settling up affairs, aud then moved to Illinois, locating at Como, in Whiteside County. While there in 1857, he had a stroke of paralysis, losing his voice and the use of his right side, and was laid up for some time, and was gradually restored. In 1860, his wife died, leaving three children, one sou aud two daughters. In 1864, he married Mrs. L. S. Mead, widow of Dr. T. Mead, of Batavia, 111., to which place they soon moved. She had two children living at this time, one son and one daughter, an invalid, who died in July following, and in October his eldest daughter died also. In 1865, he bought a form in Du Page County, three miles east of Bata- DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 77 via, which he occupied with his family, and in 1875 moved to Wheaton, where his wife died April 5, 1880. In July, 1881, Mr. Wilcox received a sudden stroke of paralysis, which seemed to threaten his life. He finally thought of sending to Dr. Collins, the great faith doc- tor of Boston, when his mind was impressed, most forcibly with the question, Why write to Dr. Collins? God is by your side ; he placed his faith in God and asked for a cure ; instant- ly a peculiar sensation came over him and lasted oue hour, and he was able to assist him- self and to walk thereafter, causing much sur- prise to his neighbors and friends, both at home and abroad ; he received so man}- letters of inquiry about the faith cure, that finally a pamphlet giving the matter in detail was printed, and over 1,000 circulated. WILLIAM H. WAGNER, blacksmith, Pros- pect Park, 111., is a native of Hamburg, Berks Co., Penn., born in the year 1829. At the age of nineteen, he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade in his native village, serving two and one- half years. He then worked as a journeyman nearly one year, when he started for the West, locating at Newton Station, later Danby, now Prospect Park. At that time, the railroad was a single track slab rail, and only a switch at Newton Station. Mr. Wagner was one of the first settlers, and now the only resident one. In the fall, he bought out a shop which had just been established, and has successfully conducted the business ever since. In 1851, he married Miss Lovina S. Weidmau, a native of Berks County, Penn. By the marriage there have been ten children, of whom eight are living. Mr, Wagner has held the office of School Di- rector for twelve years, and has been Super- visor of Milton Township for four years, being Chairman the latter year ; he is now a Town Trustee of the newly incorporated village of Prospect Park. He is a Democrat in politics, and though not a member he has been an at- tendant of the Congregational Church, of which he has been Treasurer for the past nine years. Mr. Wagner started in the world without any means, and b} r strict attendance to his business he has gained an ample competency. DOWNER'S GEOYE TOWNSHIP. A. B. AUSTIN, nursery, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., July 1, 1832. His father, Charles G. Austin, born December 3, 1808, in Berkshire County, Mass., was one of seven children born to Amos and Jerusha (Calleuder) Austin. When fifteen years old, he began learning the tanning, shoe- making and harness-making business, at which he worked sis years. He then engaged in the business on his own account for some time at different places. He came to Illinois in 1848. Was married, 1826, to Catharine, daughter of Asahel and Mary (Rockerfeiler) Blakeman, born in Columbia County, N. Y., August 23, 1809. They have had five children, viz., Asel B. (subject), Deidamia, Charles, Elvira and Esther. Subject attended school and worked with his father until thirteen years old, after which he lived with his grandfather in New York two years. He was married, in this county, August 31, 1854, to Susan Havens, born in this county February 26, 1837, daugh- ter of Lauren and Charlotte (Ranney) Havens, he born in Oneida Couuty, N. Y., October 11, 1799, she born in Ashfield, Mass., April 22, 1801. Mrs. Austin's parents came to Cass, this county, in 1836, where her mother died November 15, 1855, and her father December 9, 1876, at the subject's home. They had seven children. Subject settled for a short 78 BIOGRAPHICAL: time in Cass, where, in 1856, he entered into partnership with Albert Havens in the nursery business. He made one or two changes before 1869, when he began his present extensive nursery business, having as partner Mr. E. A. Crittendon. They have thirty acres, well stocked with a full line of fruit, ornamental and shade trees — in fact, everything to be found in a first-class nursery. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the parents of five children, viz., Lauren 6. (deceased), Mary Estella, Edith Catharine, Mabel Gertrude and Francis Charles (deceased). Mr. Austin was Town Clerk two terms while at Cass ; has also served in other offices ; has been Sunday School Superintendent for twelve years in the Universalist organiza- tion to which he and his wife belong ; was President of the Union League two years. He is a Democrat. His brother Charles served in Company B, Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His grandfathers Austin and Blakeman were in the Revolutionary war, in which the latter was killed. B. AUSTIN, retired farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, is a native of Hancock, Berkshire County, Mass., born July 28, 1809, son of George and Roxy (Ely) Austin, natives of Mas- sachusetts, he a blacksmith by trade. They were the pai'ents of eleven children, of whom the following are living : Noah E., George, John B. (subject), Eleanor, Sarah and Caroline. Subject attended the countiy schools during the winter seasons, and in summer worked on a farm by the month. He married, February 6, 1832, Lucinda Jenks, who has borne him five children, of whom four are living — Daniel, Thomas, Sarah (married John Gager) and Delia. Mrs. Austin is a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Kllis) Jenks, who were natives of Massachusetts and parents of twelve children, of whom the following are living — Welcome, Lucinda, Nancy, Albina and Ellis. Mr. Austin, after his marriage, settled in Chenango County, N. Y., where he carried on farming four years, then after moving to different places, finally settled in York Township, this count}-, in 1844, where he remained engaged in farming twenty years. In 1864, he came to Downer's Grove, bought a property, and has since lived there. He has accumulated considerable property by his own labors ; he first settled in a log cabin, and now has 260 acres of well improved, fifteen acres of timber, three lots and sixteen and a half acres in Downer's Grove, beside 100 acres in Downer's Grove Township. Mr. Austin has held several small offices. His wife is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church at Downer's Grove. PERRY J. ASHTON, farmer, P. O. Hins- dale, was born December 8, 1846, in Livingston County, N. Y. ; is a son of Palmer and Sally (Bush) Ashton, natives of Tompkins County, N. Y. His parents came to Illinois in 1865, and his father engaged some time afterward in a butcher shop at Hinsdale, this being the first one of the place. He and wife are now living in Boone County, Iowa, the former a member of the Christian Church, and the latter of the Baptist. Our subject is one of five children, and being attentive to his studies, obtained a good common school education. He worked in his father's meat market until 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry Volunteers, in which he served two years. In the beginning of the battle of Petersburg he received a sunstroke, from which he has never fully recovered. Soon after leav- ing the army, he came to Hinsdale, and rented land of Bush and Howard for two years. In 1867, he married Mary A. Roth, daughter of David Roth, of Hinsdale. They have had five children — Willie, Ida, Mamie, Edith (deceased) and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Ashton remained one 3 - ear on the farm of the latter's father, and then went to Western Springs, where they erected the first house in that place. He was next engaged with his father in the butcher business for four years, after which he made several trades of property until he procured DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 79 his present farm of twenty-nine acres in Downer's Grove Township. This land is well improved, and contains one of the best orchards in the county. Mr. Ashton and wife were members of the Baptist Church of this place, until it disbanded or. account of the scarcity of members. He votes the Greenback ticket. E. S. ANDRUS, farmer, P. 0. Lemont, Cook County, was born in this county December 27, 1835. and was probably the first white child born in what is now Downer's Grove Township. He was married, in 1862, to Apthia, a daughter of Andrew and Phoebe (Daily) McMillan, resi- dents of this township and parents of nine chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Andrus are the parents of four children, namely, Frankie M., Albert R.. Marvin P. and Phoebe M. He settled on his present farm of fifty acres in 1867, and has made good improvements. His father, Thomas Andrus, was among the first settlers of Chicago, having come there about 1833; he was born in Vermont January 26, 1801, and is a son of Lincoln and Amy (Short) Andrus. natives of Massachusetts. Thomas was married, in 1823, to Philena Fox, by whom he was given two children, viz., Mary (Mrs. Moses Walton), Eliza- beth (Mrs. Lorenzo Walton). Mrs. Andrus died and Thomas was married, March 23, 1835> to Melissa A., daughter of John and Zerua (Sanford) Snow. After going to Chicago, he worked at carpentering, and drove the first pile in the Chicago River. In 1835, he settled on eighty acres of land, a part of his present farm of 130 acres. He kept a hotel in a log cabin, and was Postmaster for fourteen years. Mr. Andrus began breaking the wild prairie with an ox team and a plow with a wooden mold-board. He has been Justice of the Peace, County Com- missioner, Town Clerk and Assessor. He assessed the township in 1870. He and family are stanch Republicans. Thomas cast his first vote for Jackson. The companion of Mr. Thomas is yet with him, yet very feeble. She was married, prior to that with him, to Dwight Bartlett, the result being one child, Horace D., a farmer in California. ANSON AYERS, retired farmer, P. 0. Hins- dale, was born in Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., Februaiy 17, 1819 ; son of Zebulon and Sarah (Scudder) Ayers, natives of New Jersey and parents of nine children, four of whom are liv- ing — Augustus D., Louise (Mrs. Gurney, of Chicago), Nancy (Mrs. Hannah, of Chicago) and Anson. His parents were Presbyterians ; his father, born Januar}- 22, 1775, died July 25, 1828. His mother, born December 20, 1780, died December 29, 1864. Anson received an ordinary education in the district schools, and at the age of seventeen apprenticed to the car- riage maker's trade, at which he worked till he was twenty-one, when he attended an academy for a time and afterward taught school for a short time. He then engaged in farming, which he followed in his native State twelve years, after which he engaged in a saddlery, hardware aud leather store, with D. Gurney & Steele, in Peoria, 111., remaining with that firm about twenty years, and doing well. He then engaged in the saw-milling business in Gurney, Mich., for about eighteen months. In 1867, he came to Naperville, this county, renting a farm there one year ; then bought eighty acres, now in the corporation of Hinsdale, where he now lives. In Peoria, 111., September 3, 1861, he married Mary J. Mish, who has borne him three children — Charles, born August 25, 1862, died December 1, 1864 ; Mary Louise, born December 4, 1864 ; and Frank E., born August 4, 1867, now employed in a railroad office in Chicago. Mrs. Ayers was born in Franklin County, Penn., March 30, 1830, and is a daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gillam) Mish, na- tives of Franklin County, Penn. He died in November, 1837. She, born in 1806, is still living. Mr. Ayers and family are members of the Congregational Church. He is a Repub- lican. 80 BIOGRAPHICAL: FREDERICK ANDERMANN, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in Hassbergen, Hanover, Ger- many, January 20, 1843, and is the only child of John and Dorothea (Strangmaun) Ander- mann ; lie, residing with subject, born in Hass- bergen, Hanover, Germany, September 28, 1809 ; she, born in Heemsen, Hanover, Germanj T , Feb- ruary 14, 1805, died May 25, 1876. Mr. An- dermaun obtained a good common-school edu- cation in both the German and English lan- guages. In Downer's Grove, September 21, 1866, he married Sophia Marguerite Schramm, born in Wietzen, Hanover, Germany, Novem- ber 15, 1841, daughter of Wilhelm and Mar- guerite (Palm) Schramm ; he, born in Wietzen, Hanover, Germany, died in July, 1871 ; she, born in Grane, Hanover, Germany. Mrs. An- dermann's parents came to Illinois in 1862 and settled in Cook County. Mr. and Mrs. Andermanu have been blessed with seven chil- dren, four boys and three girls — William F., Henry F. W., John C. H., Frederick G. A., Louisa M. F., May D. and Emma S. Mr. An- dermann is engaged in farming 122 acres of fine land owned by himself and father, the at- tainment of their joint labors. Mr. Andermanu is also clerk of the Downer's Grove Insurance Company. He has held several small offices in the county. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. JOHN ATWOOD, farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born in England January 13, 1819. His parents, John and Jane (Knight) Atwood, were also natives of same country, and parents of three children. Subject attended school but a few days, and at the age of ten began herd- ing sheep at 25 cents per week. At fourteen years of age, he hired with a farmer at £3 per year, and at the end of nine years his wages were increased to £11 per year. He was mar- ried in 1844 to Sarah Shaldrick, and started immediately for Illinois, and soon after landing settled where he now resides. He bought, in partnership with Mr. Batrom, eighty-eight acres of prairie and eight acres of timber. Batrom soon died, and Mr. A.twood became owner of the farm, save eight acres, which was left to the widow of Mr. Batrom. Our subject has but four children living — Thomas, Albert, Jane and Eliza ; he had one son, named William, who died in Company D, Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. By careful labor and strict economy, Mr. Atwood has succeeded in increasing his farm to 150 acres, and has improved the same, making it one of the best farms in the county. He is a Republican. I. P. BLODGETT, farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born in Belchertown, Mass., Sep- tember 14, 1823, son of Israel P. and Avis (Dodge) Blodgett. He born in Amherst, Mass., March 4, 1797, came to Will County, 111., in 1831, with his family ; settled on a farm, where he remained till 1835 ; then sold out, and in February, 1836, bought a farm where Downer's Grove now stands, where he lived until his death, which occurred November 24, 1861. He served in the Black Hawk war. His wife was a native of Belchertown, Mass., born June 5, 1796, and died in Chicago March 10, 1882. They were members of the first Congregational Church founded in Northern Illinois, and were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. Subject remained at home till 1849, when he went to California, where he engaged in mining, stock-dealing and merchandising till 1858, when he returned home. In Downer's Grove, August 30, 1859, he married Mary M., daughter of Alonzo C. and Rosalind (H3 - de) Blodgett, natives of Amherst, Mass., he born April 24, 1805; she, born July 13, 1809, died November 16, 1849. From this union three children have been born — Edward A., Charles P. and Cora C. Mrs. Blodgett was born at South Hadley, Mass , May 13, 1833. Her par- ents had five children, of whom three are liv- ing. After his marriage, Mr. Blodgett settled in Lisle Township, this county, where he lived till March, 1882, when he moved to Downer's DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 81 Grove. He owns 116 acres of land in Lisle Township, makes a specialty of breeding Clydes- dale horses, and brought the first imported horse to this count}-. He is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church in Lisle Township. While in Lisle Township, he filled the offices of Road Commissioner, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. ALFRED BUNNEL, farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born June 21, 1813, in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y; is a son of Moses A. and Lola (Hitchcock) Bunnel, the former a native of Mas- sachusetts and the latter of Connecticut. His father was a weaver in his younger days, and kept a country hotel on the old military road from Plattsburg ; was called out to serve with the militia in the war of 1812 ; was at Ogdens- burg when the British attacked that place. Our subject attended school and worked on his father's farm until the latter gave him twelve acres of land, when he purchased thirty-three acres more, thus making a good farm of forty- five acres. This he remained upon till 1854, when he sold it and came to Illinois, where he purchased his present farm of seventy-eight acres, which is among the best ones of this township. In 18-11, he married Nancy J. Har- mon, who has blessed him with two children, viz., Robert F. and George R. The former married Mary Persons, a daughter of Charles E. and Elvena (Dwight) Persons, natives of Jefferson Co., N. Y. George R. married Nettie, a sister of his brother's wife. Mr. Bunnel, al- though sixty-nine years of age, is hale and heart} - , and gives his personal attention to the farm. He is not an office-seeker. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. FRANKLIN BLANCHARD, miller, and manufacturer of cheese and butter, is a native of Downer's Grove. He was born November 7, 1838, son of Walter and Alvira (Norris) Blanch- ard, natives of New York. Walter Blanchard was born March 31, 1807 ; came with his family to Downer's Grove in 1836, and bought a farm of 103 acres. During the late war he was Captain of Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; was wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, and died at Chattanooga December 4, 1863, seven days after being wounded ; he was a Probate Judge iu this county for seven years, and resigned the position to enter the army. His wife was born in Orange County, N. Y.. April 8, 1821. They had four children— Frank- lin, William, Elizabeth and Nancy. Franklin worked on the farm till he was nineteen years of age, then apprenticed to the carpenter's, trade, at which he worked till 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, served three years and three mouths. On his return from the army, he en- gaged in the pursuit of his trade, also ran ma- chinery in wagon-shops in Batavia, 111., three years, and sold and put up Halliday's windmills two and a half years. He then came to Down- er's Grove, where he has since run a flouring and feed mill, taking into partnership with him in 1881, Francis Miller. He started a cheese and butter factory in December, 1881, and is doing a good business. He married in Cass, this county, April 17, 1865, Juliana Clifford, born in Barrington, 111., July 22, 1838, daugh- ter of Lyman and Roxana (Hawley) Clifford, he a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y., born May 24, 1809, now residing in Chicago; she is a native of Hampshire County, Mass., born August 18, 1816, died Dec. 30, 1881. They were the parents of nine childien, five of whom are living. Mr. Blanchard is a member of Batavia Lodge, No. 404, A., F. & A. M. He has an adopt- ed daughter, Mabel N., who was born in Bata- via, Kane Co., Ill, April 28, 1874. Capt. Blanchard was a man honored and respected in the community in which he lived ; he was presented with a fine gold-headed cane by the Plow Boys of Downer's Grove, as a mark of their esteem. ISAAC S. BUSH, salesman, Hinsdale, was born July 13, 1827, in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus 82 BIOGRAPHICAL: Co., N. Y., and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Howe) Bush, natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a shoemaker and farmer, and was a Baptist, as was also his wife. Mr. Bush is one of eleven children; he attended school until four- teen years of age, when he entered a tannery in Buffalo. In two years, he was promoted to the position of clerk in the leather store of his uncle John Bush. In 1854, the leather Arm, " Bush & Howard," sent him out as salesman, at which he was actively engaged until 186(5, when he came to Hinsdale, this count}-, where he soon began keeping a store. At this time, he was appointed Postmaster, and was also Notary Public. In 1869, he withdrew from his former business and entered the employ of an agricult- ural establishment of Evansville, Ind. While in their employ, he spent most of his time in the Southern States, repairing and setting up machinery, collecting and selling everything in their line. He remained with them till 1880, at which time he was employed by a similar firm in Wisconsin. With the latter firm, he re- mained until recently. December 15, 1858, Mr. Bush married Hattie A. Pratt, a daughter of Welcome and Susan P. (Hunt) Pratt, natives of Vermont. This union has resulted in two children, viz., Joseph P., born October 11, 1861, and Jennie S., born December 13, 1865. Mr. Bush had the honor of naming Hiusdale after his own native town in New York. He owns a house and lot in this place, and fifteen acres of ground known as Bush's Addition to Hinsdale; is a member of Evansville Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and is a stanch Republican. CHARLES BOCKMANN, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in Germany in 1834 ; is the son of Couradt and Catharine Bockman, who came to Willow Springs, Cook Co., 111., in 1845. They had three children, viz., Margaret (now Mrs. Peter J. Lutz), Catharine (Mrs. George Haixhold), and Charles. They are Lutherans. The mother is eighty-six years old and still liv- ing. Charles attended school in Chicago about four months. By hard work, he has become possessed of sixty-nine acres of well-improved land. In 1865, he was married to Matilda Stenter, a native of Hanover, Prussia, who came to this country with an uncle in 1864. She has blessed Mr. Bockman with eight chil- dren, as follows : Conradt, Mary, Charles, Peter, Hemy, Jacob, Margaret and Emma. Mr. Boch- man and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in which he holds office. F. BASCOM, minister, Hinsdale, was born June 8, 1804, in Lebanon, New London Co., Conn.; is the son of Abiel and Sibyl (Roberts) Bascom, natives of Connecticut. They had ten children, of whom our subject alone survives. He attended school during the winters, or about three months each year, and studied during spare moments in the summers, until he pre- pared himself to teach school, which oc- cupation he followed until twenty years of age. At this period, he entered Yale College, from which he graduated with high honors in 1848. He then became a teacher in an academy at New Canaan, Conn., where he continued one year. He then took a three years' course in the Theological Seminary at Yale, at the com- pletion of which he was appointed a tutor in the college, and held the position two years. In 1833, he came to Tazewell Count}', 111., as Home Missionary, residing in Pekin, and the interior of the count}', and organizing many churches. For ten years Mr. Bascom acted as agent of the American Home Missionary Society of Illinois, and was for several years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago; was six years at Galesburg, seven years at Dover, and five years at Princeton, doing a noble work at each of these places. He built up the infant church at Hinsdale. Since 1872, he has spent his time among the weaker churches, helping to set them upon a solid foundation. He preaches now at Western Springs ; was first married in 1833 to Ellen P. Cleveland, who died in 1838 ; was again married to Elizabeth DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 83 Sparhawk, by whom he had four children — Charles P., editor, and George S., Congregational minister ; the others deceased. His second wife dying, he married Ruth Pomeroy, by whom he has one son, Henry, a physician. Mr. Bascom was one of the pioneers of this coun- try ; has lived a successful life, and although past his threescore and ten, is still hale and hearty. PHILIP BAYER, barber, baker, confectioner, etc., Hinsdale, is a native of Germany, born Jan- uary 28, 1854. His parents, John P. and Cath- arine (Balzar) Bayer, also natives of German}', came here in 1871, and are now living with subject. Of their eight children, two are liv- ing — Philip and Catharine. Philip received his education in his native country, and at the age of eleven apprenticed to the barber's trade, at which he has since been chiefly engaged. His father is a tailor, and Philip spent some time at that trade also. After landing in New York City, he worked in a shop there for nine months ; then came to Oak Park, 111., where he ran a shop two years. In 1874, he bought out Jacob Bohlander, of Hinsdale, where he has since been engaged in business, with the exception of a few months of the year 1879, which he spent in Kansas, where he met with ill-fortune in business and returned to Hinsdale with but very little means, but by energy and industry has since built up a good business, his wife aiding him in his endeavors. He has a good barber shop, bakery, confectioner}- and general store, and is having a lucrative trade. He was married, December 15. 1877, to Mag- dalena Schweickart, a native of Germany, who has borne him two children, one living— Katie. Mrs. Bayer's parents — Philip and Catharine (Grass) Schweickart — came from Germany in 18G6, and settled in Downer's Grove, where her mother died in 1871. Her father is now in Colorado. They had eight children, two of whom are living — Sarah (Mrs. J. W. Patricks) and Magdalena. They were Lutherans. Mr. and Mrs. Bayer are connected with the Luth- eran Church at Fullersburg. JOHN BOHLANDER, hardware, Hinsdale, was born May 24, 1836, on board an American vessel on the Atlantic Ocean, son of John and Catharine (Glos) Bohlander, natives of Germany. John Bohlander, subject's father, emigrated with his family to America, and landed at Bos- ton, Mass., where he remained one year ; then came West, landing in Chicago in the latter part of 1837, and engaged in farming in Cook County fourteen years ; then sold out and bought a farm in York Township, this county, where he died in 18G2. His wife died several years previous. They had seven children — Mary, John, Margaret, Peter, Philip, Henry and Adam. Subject's father, by a second marriage, had four children — Amelia, William, Dora and Ernest. John received a limited education, and in 1859 engaged iu the grocery business at York Center, and after three years sold out and bought a farm of eighty acres in Downer's Grove Township, which he afterward sold to Charles Mandel. In 1871, he opened a grocery in Hinsdale, remaining iu that business six years ; then sold his stock at auction and en- gaged in the general hardware trade with Charles Pfeifer in 1878, and has since been engaged in that business, under the firm name of Bohlander & Co., doing a good business in all kinds of farming implements, tinware, etc. He married, in 1861, Solmea Wolf, a native of France, who has borne him nine children, six liv- ing — Caroline, John, Henry, Louisa, Sarah and Emma. The three deceased were Katie, Ame- lia and Pollen. Mr. Bohlander was Postmaster two years while in York Center. J. W. BUSHNELL, retired farmer, P. 0. Hinsdale, was born March 18, 1825, in Oneida County, N. Y., son of Calvin and Polly (Will- iams) Bushnell. Calvin Bushnell was born in Connecticut April 29, 1781, and died May 18, 1864 ; he was a Presbyterian minister, of which church his wife was long a member; she was 84 BIOGKAPHICAL: bora in New York October 9, 1787, and died January 6, 1877 ; they were the parents of ten children. J. W. received an ordinary educa- tion, and at twenty-eight years of age began farming on his own account. He married June 12, 1856, Mary J. Convis, born August 18, 1S33, daughter of Thomas and Emeline (Peck) Convis, natives of New York, and parents of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have two children — Charlotte L., born August 21, 1857, and Elmira A., born July 16, 1865. After his marriage, Mr. Bushnell settled in Kendall County, 111., where he remained till 1869, when he moved to Sandwich, and invested some cap- ital in the Sandwich Manufacturing Company. After several changes of residence, he came to Hinsdale in 1882, where he erected a fine build- ing, and will probably locate permanently. He and his family are active members of the Con- gregational Church ; he is a Republican. Mr. Bushnell and his brother Calvin own 240 acres of well-improved land in Iroquois County, 111., all of which they have acquired by their own efforts. Mr. Bushnell attends to the renting of the property. W. S. BROOKINS, hardware, Downer's Grove, was bora in Vernon, N. Y., March 5, 1826, of which place his parents David and Ruby (Smith) Brookius, were natives ; the family came to this county in 1838 ; sub- ject's father, prior to that date had sold car- riages in Chicago, and was the first in that business in the city. Subject's parents had nine children, eight living — Wooster H. (in Minnesota), Jane (now Mrs. Acy Manly, of Wisconsin), Erin (now Mrs. Z. M. Brown, Minnesota), W. S. (subject), Margaret (Mrs. A. Woods), Frances (Mrs. Dr. Le Due), Esther, Mrs. Dr. A. Randall, Kansas), Thaddeus, and Emma (Mrs. Charles Blodgett). Subject worked on the farm till 1856, then went to Minnesota and engaged in the livery business with his brother, Wooster, at Monticello, that State, forfive years. He then returned to this county and engaged in farming six years, thence to Ogle County, 111., bought 131 acres of land, and after farming it two years, sold out and went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he dealt in horses for five years. He then came to Chi- cago, engaged in the hotel^business there a short time, and in 1873 came to Downer's Grove, and has since been engaged in the hardware business there in company with J. W. Rogers ; the}' also deal in lumber, coal, etc. In 1853, he married Lucy Thompson, a native of Keene, N. H., who was killed by a train on the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Mr. Brookins was Deputy Sheriff one term, and afterward Sheriff one term in Wright Count}', Minn. He has an adopted child, Mary, a teacher in Chi- cago ; is a Democrat. JAMES M. BARR, Postmaster, Downer's Grove, was bora in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., November 5, 1838 ; son of John and Emily (Smith) Barr, natives of Massachusetts. Sub- ject attended the country schools and also at Gouverneur, N. Y., three terms, and,' at the age of nineteen years, entered the employ of the Farmers' Insurance Company, remaining with that corporation for some time. In 1857, he settled at Downer's Grove and taught school one term at Cass, this township. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till March, 1863. After leaving the army, he became an agent for the Farmers' Insurance Company, Freeport, and afterward for the American In- surance Company, Chicago. He was commis- sioned Postmaster in July, 1881. He married Sarah Whiffen, who has borne him six children, viz., Nellie, George, Harry, Lester, Edna and Ethel. Mr. Ban- takes a deep interest in all public enterprises ; he has been Assessor for seven years, and Police Constable for many years. He is a member of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 649, A., F. & A. M.; was first Senior War- den in same. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church of Downer's Grove. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 85 MRS. ALMIRA CLARK, farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born December 4, 1815. Her parents David and Abigail (Taylor) Well- man, natives of Connecticut, settled in Lee County, 111., in 1847, where they died ; they had ten children. Mrs. Clark attended school but lit- tle, and spent her younger days spinning flax- She was married, in 1836, to Ephraim Holley ; by this marriage they had four children, one living, viz., James L., who married Rhoda Gib- son (now deceased) ; he was in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as was also his brother Franklin, who was wounded at the battle of Chickasaw, and died in the hospi- tal at St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Holley died in 1849, and was buried in Downer's Grove. Subject was married, in 1852, to William H. Clark, and from this union was born one child, now Mrs. Joseph Oldfield. Mrs. Clark settled on the present little farm of forty acres when it was mostly raw prairie, on which stood a little cabin which had been formerly used for a schoolhouse. She now lives with her only sur- viving son. She is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which she has belonged over thirty years. CHARLES CURTISS, farmer, P. 0. Down- er's Grove, was born November 3, 1828, in Ver- mont. His parents, Samuel and Mary (Hatch) Curtiss, he of Connecticut, she of Vermont. They had five children. Samuel Hatch, born in 1789, was Postmaster here, and died in 1867 ; his wife, born in 1795, still survives, making her home iu the village ; she is eighty -six years old, and is hale and hearty. Charles attended school in this township, and also a select school at Naperville in 1848. In 1850, he and his broth- er Henry went to California, and engaged in mining for about five years. On his return in 1856, he was married to Laura A. Thatcher, of Ottawa, 111., daughter of Eldred Thatcher, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss have three children — Addie H. (married Charles Calwell), Samuel (a clerk at Hinsdale), and Alice M. Mr. Curtiss has been School Director, Township Collector and Assessor, Village Trustee, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Board of Supervisors, to which latter position he has been elected five terms, and is the present incumbent. He has a fine residence in Downer's Grove. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, on the Whig ticket, and is now a stanch Republican. Himself, wife and eldest daughter are members of the Baptist Church. R. 0. CURTISS, farmer, P. 0. Downer's Grove, was born October 19, 1830, in Rutland County. Vt.; is a son of Samuel and Mary (Hatch) Cur- tiss, natives of Vermont, and the parents of five children — Oromel, Eli W., Henry H., Charles and Roswell 0. The parents came to Downer's Grove in 1836, and bought land near the pres- ent village. Here the father was recognized as one of the leading men of the township ; he was Postmaster, and held other prominent po- sitions. He died February 24, 1S67. His por- trait appears in this work. The mother is liv- ing at the age of eighty-six. R. 0. attended school as much as was convenient. He labored on his father's farm in his younger days, and worked in a hotel which was kept by his par- ents for twelve years, on Maple avenue. In 1853, this building was burned and our subject began merchandising soon after, in Wheatou, in partnership with H. H. Curtiss, which he continued for four years. He then bought a farm in Du Page County, and worked on the same. In 1873, he engaged iu the grocery bus- iness in Chicago with H. H. Curtiss, from which he withdrew in four years, and returned to his farm, which he still continues. He was married March 1, 1855, to Cordelia, a daughter of Silas H. and Sophia (Fowler) Lyman. She was one of six children, three of whom survive — Harriet, Cordelia aud Eliza. Mr. C.'s anion has blessed him with three children — Hattie, Carrie and Willie (deceased). He has served in some small offices. He and his wife are 86 BIOGRAPHICAL: members of the Baptist Church of Downer's Grove. CHARLES CURTIS, farmer, P. 0. Hins- dale, was born July 1, 1834, in Mercer, Som- erset Co., Me.; is a son of Bracey and Eliza (Day) Curtis, natives of Kennebunk, Me. His father was a farmer and sailor, born in 1800 ; was Captain of a vessel on one trip to the West Indies ; had nine children, three of whom are deceased ; those living are Daniel D., a man- ufacturer of ladies' straw hats at Medfield, Mass. — will do $1,500,000 worth of business this year ; Irving, Lizzie S., Edward B., Mar- tha D. and Charles, our subject. The latter attended school as much as was convenient and worked on the farm till twenty-one years of age, when he commenced work in the manu- factory spoken of above. Here he remained two years, at the end of which time he began clerking in a wholesale millinery establishment, where he remained three years. In 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Maine Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, he started a grocery busi- ness in Skowhegan, Me., under the firm name of Farrand & Curtis. From this he withdrew in one year and came to Chicago, where he was engaged for one year in the wholesale millinery business with Keith Bros. In 1866, in Chica- go, he married Miss A. M. Fall, a native of New York, born February 18, 1843, which union resulted in six children, viz., Minnie Edith, Edna May, Irving Claude, Lida Day, George Percy and Walter Ray. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Curtis engaged with M. Camp- bell in a hair manufactory. This he continued three years, when he sold out and bought six and one-half acres of land in Clarendon Hills, which he afterward traded for his present prop- erty. He rents his farm, and, during the win- ter, manufactures babies' straw hats in Chica- go. Is a Democrat. PEARL S. COSSITT, A. M., son of Asa, C., Jr., and Ra. Seymour (Steel) Cossitt, was born in West Hartford, Conn., March 30, 1817. His father dying when he was young, the son went to live with an uncle in Tennessee. He received a good business education, and in 1832 removed to La Grange, Tenn. He returned to New England with some means ; entered Trin- ity College, Hartford, Conn.; graduated in 1845 ; studied law and then theology at East Wind- sor and Princeton, N. J., and was licensed to preach by the Hartford Central Association. He preached at West Hartland and New Hart- ford Center, Conn.; then at East Long Meadow, Mass. ; was ordained pastor of the Second Pres- byterian Church in Hanover, N. J.; came West to McHenry County, 111., in 1854, when he bought a good farm, yet taught and preached. In New Hartford, Conn., he married Sarah Northrop, by whom he had one child — Florence, who died in New England. In 1856, he mar- ried Eliza E. Squires, who was killed by the cars at Western Springs. In 1858, he removed to Indiana, where he resided during the war, in which he took an active part. In 1865, he re- moved to Noble, Richland Co., 111., and was en- gaged in the mercantile business there for some ten years with success. While in Indiana, he was for a season connected with the Terre Haute Female College. In 1875, he removed to Cook County, and in 1878 married Miss Mary John- son, of Richland, who has borne him two chil- dren — Fannie and May. In 1880, he bought the Rogers farm, near Downer's Grove. Mr. Cossitt is a man of books ; has read and written much and is a good speaker. HENRY CARPENTER, retired merchant, Downer's Grove, is a native of Washington County, N. Y., born February 22, 1810, son of William and Lois (Austin) Carpenter, who were the parents of six children. William Carpenter was a native of West Chester County, N. Y., and died in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1822 ; his wife, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., died in 1814. Mr. Carpenter was apprenticed to the harness-maker's trade, at which he worked several years, and in 1837 came to Downer's DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 87 Grove Township, this county ; bought a farm, brought his family there in 1839, and in 1840 moved to the village of Downer's Grove. In 1845, he built a storeroom adjoining his dwell- ing-house, and continued in business until 1857, when he sold out to Hatch & Thatcher. Since that time he has been engaged in farming ; was also in the boot and shoe business, but is now living retired. In Orleans County, N. Y., October 14, 1832, he married Martha Blanchard, a native of Whitehall, N. Y., born January 21, 1813, died October 2, 1882 ; they had three children — Walter, born November 5, 1833, a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, killed at Chicago by the bursting of a boiler ; William H., born August 6, 1842, died when young ; Martha J., born September 15, 1845, wife of B. W. Farer (the first white child born in Downer's Grove), and an adopted son of William S., employed in a notion store in Chi- cago. Mrs. Carpenter was a daughter of Ahi- mas and Mary (Tolford) Blanchard, natives of New Hampshire ; he was born April 27, 1765, died in 1817; she died in 1833. Mr. Carpenter is one of the earl}' settlers of Downer's Grove, is an influential man, and one highly respected in the community in which he resides. He has held the offices of Assessor, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public; was Enrolling Officer during the late war. He was formerly a Whig, now a Republican. JOHN S. COE, retired blacksmith, Fullers- burg, was born in Rockland County, N. Y., November 28, 1815 ; son of Samuel and Mary (Coukling) Coe, who were the parents of fifteen children, seven of whom are living. Ann, the eldest child, was born in 1801, and is still liv- ing, and hale and hearty. Subject's father served in the war of 1812. John S. received but a limited education, his mother dying when he was young. He made his home with his cousin, John Halsled, with whom he learned the trade of a millwright. In 1831, he went to New York City, where he learned the black- smith's trade ; was in that city during the cholera epidemic in 1832. After working in New York five years, he went to Bristol, where he worked for Chauncey Jerome. He after- ward went to Ypsilanti, Mich., where he worked at his trade for awhile, then went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and thence, in 1839, to Summit, Cook Co., 111., where he remained till 1841, when he located at York Centre, this county, where he engaged in farming and also worked at his trade. In 1844, he came to Fullersburg, where he ran a blacksmith shop till lately, when he retired, his son taking charge of the business. He owns -160 acres of land in this township, which he farmed for many years, but which he now rents. His children are Samu- el, Elizabeth (Mrs. James Walls), Alice (Mrs. George Long) and Clarence T. The latter was married April 7, 1882, to Libbie Chloe, of Chi- cago; and is running the shop formerly owned by his father, and makes a specialty of the manufacture of buggies, carriages, etc. Mr. Coe was director of the first school in this part of the county, and was the first storekeeper here. SAMUEL COLWELL, farmer, P. 0. Down- er's Grove, was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 20, 1842, and is a son of James and Ann (Reese) Colwell, who were the parents of four children, viz., Louise (deceased), Will- iam, Samuel and Charles. Our subject at- tended school in the country and also three terms at the O. C. Seminary, Madison County, N. Y. He has always worked on a farm, save five years, during which he was employed in the Remington fire-arm manufacturing estab- lishment in New York. He was married in 1S64, to Nettie Putnam, a daughter of Benja- min and Sophia (Myers) Putnam, who were the parents of the following children, viz., Oscar, Austin, Ellen. Gilbert, Helen, Charles B., Sophia, Louisa and Elizabeth. Mrs. Colwell's mother died in 1859, when she was quite a child. Mr. and Mrs. Colwell are the parents 88 BIOGRAPHICAL: of four children, viz., Edward, Benjamin, Fan- nie and Carrie. He came, directly after his marriage, to Christian County, III., where he farmed two years, then returned to New York, and some time afterward, came again to Chris- tian County, where he remained till 1879, when he rented 261 acres, the present farm of his niece, Louisa Lesznsky, where he now re- sides. Mr. Colwell votes the Democratic ticket; he is now Pathmaster. His grandfathers, Col- well and Myers, were in the Revolutionary war. MRS. L. A. DODGE, Downer's Grove. Mrs. L. A. Dodge, the subject of this sketch, was born July 11, 1815, in Williamsville, X. Y. She is a daughter of George and Rosaunah (Knox) Hickman, natives of Wheeling, W. Va., and residents of New York soon after marriage, and to whom were given four children as pledges of their marriage vow, viz., Felding, Reuben, Lucy A. and Hiram. The former son was with " Commodore " Perry at the time when negotiations were opened up between Japan and the United States ; was lost or died while on a voyage. Mrs. D. attended school as much as was convenient in her younger days. She was married, in 1830, at the age of fifteen, to Horace, a son of Zebulou and Salome (Thayer) Dodge, natives of Massachusetts, and parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew up, viz., Avis (Mrs. Blodgett), Charles Parker, (deceased), Parker, Horace, Harriett, Salome, Ezra, Caroline, Seva, Mariam and Hannah. Horace was born in 1802, in Belchertown, Mass. At marriage, Mrs. D. and her husband settled at Williamsville, where he worked in a plow shop. In two years they moved to Fre- donia, same State, he continuing the same avocation. In 1836, they came to Du Page County, 111., and settled on the farm which she now owns in Milton Township. At that time the country was a wild, raw prairie, inhabited by wild animals, with now and then a family. Here they experienced all the hard- ships that fell to the lot of early pioneers, such as going to church on horseback, milling and marketing with ox teams and truck wagons, and plowing with the old cast iron plow, which they brought from New York. Mr. D. hauled the logs to Warrenville on one of the above- described wagons, a distance of eight miles, from which lumber was made to construct their first house. Their building was near an old Indian camping-ground and these red men often pitched their tents near by. On one oc- casion Mrs. D. was alone, with three children, when one of the little fellows informed her of a large " crowd " of people approaching. She soon perceived them to be Indians, and gath- ered her babies and left the house to care for itself, retiring to a neighbor's, some distance to the south. The red men camped near the dwelling for several da3's and she returned to her home before they left. In their house were preached the first sermons in this part of the country. Revs. Beggs and Gaddis often held meetings here. Mr. and Mrs. D. had ten chil- dren, seven of whom grew up, viz., Sarah (Mrs. F. Irwin), Harriet (Mrs. Theodore Aldrich), Lucy (Mrs. Webster), Rosannah (Mrs. Bracken), Horace was in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry; is a physician in Colorado; Julia (Mrs. E. Willard, of Joliet), and Bertha (Mrs. Stover); she and her husband are mission- aries in Southwest Africa, where they are ac- complishing a good that will only be known on that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. Mr. and Mrs. D. took every ad- vantage in their power to educate their chil- dren. After sending them a short time to the country, they hired teachers to instruct their children at their residence; they afterward sent them to graded schools, and each obtained a good education, five having taught school. Mrs. D. was robbed of her loving companion by death, August 31, 1881. She has 275 acres of well-improved land in Milton Township, a portion of their first pre-emption. In March, DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 91 1840, her husband planted the apple seed from which their fine orchard has sprung. They brought many shrubs with them from New York, which, with their increase, adorn the landscape around. The beautiful maples that lie adjacent to her residence were planted there early by her husband,' who took them from Downer's Grove. Mrs. D. is an active member of the Baptist Church of Downer's Grove. She was a teacher of a Bible class for many years at York Center. A few months ago, she was thrown from a carriage and badly bruised about the face, but with her ever-enduring pa- tience, she has borne all, and has recovered- Now, being advanced in years, possessed of a competency of this world's goods, enjoying reasonably good health, she has retired from the toils and labors accompanying rural pur- suits, and is making her home in Hinsdale. We have only mentioned a few of the leading events that have made up the life of Mrs. D. and her companion, and to enlarge on what we have said would be unnecessary ; we will say, however, that she takes a deep interest in the benevolent enterprises of her neighborhood and her duty is her greatest pleasure, as was also her deceased consort. MRS. HANNAH DREHER, farmer, P. O. Lemont, Will County, widow of Israel Dreher, was born December 30, 1827, daughter of Andrew and Esther (Foust) Kimmel, who had twelve children — George, Hannah, Dan- iel, John, Hetty, Maria, Jacob, Andrew, Lewis, Sallie, and two deceased. The par- ents are both dead. Mrs. Dreher, our sub- ject, was married, December 12, 1846, to Is- rael Dreher, whose parents were Daniel and Mary M. (Huntsinger) Dreher, who, like his wife's parents, had twelve children. The old gentleman is dead, but the old lady, now over ninety years of age, is living in Penn- sylvania, hale and hearty for her great age. Mrs. Dreher bore her husband eight children, six of whom are living — Violet, Mrs. Fey; Elizabeth, Mrs. Steigerwalt; Silas K., in Iowa; Titus, married to Mary Oldfield, at home; Mary and Esther. July 12, 1870, Mr. Dreher died, and was buried at Naper- ville. Settled their farm in 1864. It con- sists of 120 acres, well improved. Albert Fey, the husband of Violet, and Frank Steig- erwalt, husband of Elizabeth, were in the late war in defense of the Union. JOHN W. DIXON, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove, was born March 25, 1843, in this county, where he has ever since resided. His parents, Robert and Mary E. (Wilson) Dixon, natives of Ireland, emigrated to New York in 1833, thence to this county in the same year. They had eight children, viz., Henry, James, Robert, Jane, Catharine, Charles, John W. and Mary. Subject's father was Justice of the Peace for many years; he was an Old-Line Abolitionist; four of his sons, Henry, James, Robert and Charles, fought for their country in the late civil war. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Our subject received his education in the early schools of his native township. He was married, in 1868, to May L., daugh- ter of Emerson and Cynthia Osgood Gleason, natives of Massachusetts, and early settlers of this county; she was one of six children, viz., Watson, Stella, Emeroy, May, Ella and Eu- gene ; her parents were Baptists. From this union four children have been born, viz., Maude, Eugenia, May and Estella. He has 100 acres of finely improved land, part of which he inherited, the remainder being ac- cumulated by his own labors. The build- ings cost about $2,500. He makes a special- ty of cattle, and is also engaged in the dairy business. He is an active member of the Methodist Church; his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. 93 BIOGRAPHICAL: JAMES DREW, farmer, P. O. Cass, was born in England November 3, 1828, son of Thomas an I Rosamond (Jacobs) Drew, na- tives of England; the former came to Du Page County in 1853, and the latter in 1854. Six of their children are now living. The father died March 13, 1864, and is buried at Cass; the mother makes her home with the subject, James Drew. The latter, although a well-informed man, is entirely self-educat- ed, with the exception of some private in- struction rendered by Rev. Lyman. At ten years of age, Mr. Drew commenced for him- self. He attended to stock and engaged in numerous kinds of work until he became twenty years of age, when he came to Illinois in company with Mrs. Wells, then Mrs. Pitcher), Mr. Rooke and daughter Sarah, and Jonathan Clark. Mr. Drew was em- ployed on different farms until 1853, when he married Maria Rooke and settled on the farm of D. H. Naramore, where he remained until 18G7, when his wife died ; she had borne him eight children, of whom five are living — Rosamond, now Mrs. Loughlin, Jonathan, James, Anna and Arthur. He then went to Chicago and worked at carpentering until 1870, when he married Mrs. Anna Palmer, born August 24, 1831, daughter of Robert and Martha Bean, natives of England. At this time, Mr. Drew settled on his present farm of 140 acres, which belonged to his wife. The result of this second union is two children, viz., Fannie M. and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Drew are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cass. He votes the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Wells, by her first husband, Thomas Palmer, had four children, of whom two are living — Harry B. and Annie E. AZEL DORATHY, Justice of the Peace, Hinsdale, was born October 19, 1822, in Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; is a son of Joseph and Jerusha (Hatch) Dorathy, natives of Massachusetts, and the parents of eleven children, six of whom survive — Eu- nice, Mary, Charles, Jerusha, Lucinda, Azel. Mr. Dorathy attended school in the country, and for awhile in an academy. At the age of eighteen years, he began clerking at Pots- dam, N. Y., at from $12 to $25 per month, for about five years, when he engaged in gen- eral merchandising for himself at that vil- lage. In 1854, he entered the real estate business at Chicago, which he continued for twenty years, a part of the time with success, and also sustained some losses. In 1874, he had mostly retired, on account of ill health. Was married, in 1859, to Mariam Dewey, a native of Potsdam, N. Y., the result being one daughter, Kate, deceased; his wife is also deceased. In 1881, he was elected Po- lice Magistrate of Hinsdale, which position he still holds, and is distinguished as a very efficient officer. He is a stanch Republican. WILLIAM DAVEY, farmer, P. O. Le- mont, Cook County, was born in England March 7, 1825. His parents, John and Catharine (Pomplin) Davey, came to New York in 1855, thence to Downer's Grove in 1858, where they farmed until 1868, when they went to Iowa, where his mother died September 13, 1881; his father still survives; their children were ten in number, seven living. Mr. Davey attended school in Eu- rope, and was a policeman two years in Lon- don. He came to New York in 1852, and worked on a farm at $130 per year. In 1857,' he came to Illinois and rented land of Ben- jamin Prentiss. He married, in 1858, Mary A. Dodge. Her parents, Sceva and Ruhama, came here single; her father died in 1870, and her mother in 1860; they had eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Davey are the par- ents of nine children — Carrie B., who grad- uated at Downer's Grove High School, and DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 93 is among the leading teachers of the county; Alice O, Mary E., George W., John S., Ed- ward, Charlie, Laura and Elvira. Mr. Davey has been School Director. He had three brothers in the late war, who returned unin- jured. He has twenty-three acres of tine timber, worth about $100 per acre, which has been made by his own labor; he is at present farming on John Oldfield's farm. Himself, wife and daughter, Carrie B. , are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cass. A. F. FOSTER, retired mechanic and farmer, Downer's Grove, was born in Middle- town, Conn., October 17, 1815, son of Chancy and Sallie (Atkins) Foster, natives of Con- necticut, he born May 14, 1783, she Septem- ber 25, 1785. Chancy Foster, subject's fa- ther, served as private in the war of 1812. They had seven children — Eliza (deceased), Oliver, Giles (deceased), Sallie, A. F., Wal- ter and Lydia. At the age of fifteen, was bound apprentice to the carpenter's trade, and, after serving three years, went to Can- ada. In 1835, he came to TV ill County, 111. Married, on July 16, 1839, Nancy Adams, who has born him eight children — William, a farmer in Kendall County, 111. ; Ellen, married Edward Vial, living in Iowa; Emma, married Frank Miller; Eugene, married Ger- tie Bettles, lives in town; Albert, married Susie Bean, lives at Mt. Carroll, 111. ; Jonas, married Fannie Reynolds, living in Iowa; George, in Mt. Carroll, 111. ; and Harry, at home. Mrs. Foster is a daughter of Jonas and Olivia (Seeley) Adams; he, a native of Massachusetts, born April 8, 1777, was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, now deceased; she, also deceased, was born in Vermont April 7, 1799; they were the parents of five children. Mr. Foster, after his marriage, settled in Plainfield, Will Co., 111.; in 1845, bought eighty acres of Government land, which he sold in 1849, and soon after bought some town lots in Downer's Grove, this .county, where he has since resided. He built the first Methodist Church in Downer's Grove, and was influential in raising sub- scriptions and keeping the church free from debt. He enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was disabled at Frankfort. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He voted the Democratic ticket till the elec- tion of Lincoln, since which time he has been a supporter of the Republican party. JOHN FLEMING, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in 1827, in Ireland, and is the son of Richard and Ann (Moran) Fleming, who came here in 1837 and settled in Will County, where the father worked on the Illi- nois & Michigan Canal. Subject's father died in 1837. His mother died in 1870, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Cass. Mr. Fleming was able to obtain but little education. When quite young, he hired out at a few pennies per day. By frugality and industry, he and a brother were at last ena- bled to purchase some ox teams, with which they broke prairie for the public, and soon were able to purchase a home. December 26, 1851, Mr. Fleming bought eighty acres of land of the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company. This he has added to until now he has 187 acres of well-improved land, upon which he has erected buildings worth about $2,000. In 1853, he married Bridget Maloney, a daughter of Michael and Bridget Maloney, natives of Ireland, who were among the early settlers of this county. Mr. Maloney died many years ago, but Mrs. Fleming's mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have eight children — Ellen, Richard, James, John, ADn, Thomas, Bridget and Michael. The entire family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Fleming came to Du Page 94 BIOGRAPHICAL: County May 10, 1842, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He is an ac- tive temperance man. THOMAS FLEMING, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in Ireland February 1, 1801. His educational advantages were limited. He came to this country and settled in Illi- nois in 1837. He married Hannah Welch, and soon after settled on his present farm of 120 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have had twelve children, seven of whom are liv- ing; they are John, Elizabeth, Michael, Han- nah, James, Ellen and William. When Mr. Fleming first came to this county, he con- structed a log cabin, in which he lived, and was obliged to bring the necessaries of life from Chicago with ox teams. He worked on the Erie Canal for a short time, also on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. He now has a fine home as a result of his hard labor. VICTOR FREDENHAGEN, fanner, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born June 11, 1832, in Mecklenburg, Germany; is a son of Victor and Paulina (Jurgens) Fredenhagen, who came toDu Page County, 111., in 1855. Our subject received his early education, at his father's house, a Professor being employed by the father. In 1843, subject entered col- lege; after five years, he graduated, and en- gaged on a farm of 1,200 acres, where for three years he was " sub-boss, " and where he learned farming in a scientific manner. He then remained with his father until 1851, when he, in company with E. Napp, came to Cleveland, Ohio, where they worked at farm- ing until 1852, when Mr. Fredenhagen made a prospective trip through Illinois and Iowa, which resulted in his coming, with Daniel Cook, to Du Page County, 111. Here they rented a farm, which our subject soon had entire charge of. In the fall of 1853, he bought 480 acres of land, with money fur- nished by his father; to this the latter after- ward added 160 acres. In 1855, our subject married Mary Lambe, a daughter oE William and Mary Lambe, and soon after settled on the present farm of 324 acres, upon which Mr. Fredenhagen had previously erected a fine residence. They have seven children — Sophia (Mrs. Cawley), Victor, Edward A. (en- gaged with the Hill Standard Book Com- pany), Paulina, Augusta, Martin and Frank. From 1857 to 1872, our subject was engaged with other parties in the millinery business at Warrenville. He has been Supervisor, and was one term, in 1875, a member of the General Assembly of this State. He is at the present time Township Trustee, and a mem- ber of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 649, A, F. & A. M. He and family are Lutherans. He is a Democrat. S. H FISH, inventor, Hinsdale, was born May 13, 1854, in Jefferson County, N. Y.; is a son of Edward and Jane (Barber) Fish, the former a native of Windham County, Vt., and the latter of Franklin County, Mass., she be- ing born December 18, 1815. The parents settled, at marriage, in Windham County, Vt. , where they had four children, two of whom survive, viz., Mary J., Mrs. Gilbert Pierce, sewing machine agent, Boston, Mass.; and S. H, our subject. The father was a farmer and merchant in Boston, and died April 25, 1857; was a Methodist, to which denomination his consort now belongs. The mother came to this county in 1874, and is keeping house for her son, who has never married. Mr. Fish bought a lot and built on the same in Clarendon Hills in 1873. From childhood his active mind has been engaged on the subject of machinery, and he has already completed some valuable inventions. He is now just finishing a potato-planter, the efforts of three years' active labor. The me- chanical arrangement of this wonderful in- vention is complicated yet simple, and is the DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 95 only complete planter in tbe world. Mr. Fish is very sanguine as to its success, and has several of the leading men of Chicago inter- ested in its completion. Success is certain, and, when once put. into actual use, will be a fortune to the inventor. FOX BROTHERS, merchants, Hinsdale. Charles, the senior member of this hrm, was born in Vermont May 14, 1837; attended school in the country, and one term at Wheaton, and at the age of twenty he took the contract of carrying the mail from Brash Hill to Summit, Cook County, for $200 per year, making two trips each week. He then bought the stock and crop on a farm near Summit; afterward ran a hotel for nearly a year; was burnt out, and then engaged, in 1864, in the general merchandise business at Brush Hills (now Fullersburg) on his own account two years, then took in as partner Ben- jamin Fuller, who, after a year, withdrew, Hermon, Jr. , member of the present firm, tak- ing his place. On August 17, 1875, they sold their building, and transferred their stock to Hinsdale, building at that time their present fine brick store, where they have since continued in business, keeping a gen- eral line of dry goods, notions, groceries, hardware, drugs, boots, shoes, etc. Charles was married, in 1861, on the day Lincoln was inaugurated, to Miss Betsey E., daughter of Benjamin Fuller; they have had three chil- dren, viz., William A., Eva T. and Delner E. (deceased). He has been Township Clerk and Constable eight years; is a member of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 649, A, F. & A. M., and votes the Republican ticket. Hermon M., the junior member, was born in Vermont in 1843, son of Marvin and Amy Fox, natives of New York, and parents of ten children, five living. Hermon M. attended the common schools, and also one year at Manchester, Vt. When twenty-one years old, he enlisted in Company L, Second Light Artillery Regi- ment, and served about one year. He taught school one winter, and then engaged with his brother in business. Married, Septem- ber 15, 1870, Phcebe, daughter of Lyman and Phcebe Babcock, natives of Ohio; the latter died when Mrs Fox was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of three chil- dren, one deceased— Estella H., Marvin and Edith E. (deceased). He votes the Repub- lican ticket. The parents of our subject are living in Hinsdale, at a ripe old age. ALMERON FORD, merchant, Fullers- burg, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y. , born November 4, 1829, son of Orrin and Sally (Jones) Ford, natives of New York, and parents of five children — Frances. Almeron, Levi, Libbeus and Sarah E. (Mrs. Wylie). Orrin was born October 5, 1801, and died July 4, 1869; his wife was born December 9, 1805, and died July 17, 1856. Almeron attended the country schools, and also one term at an academy, and at the age of twenty- one began clerking in a country store, working for his board six months, afterward receiving $4 per month, and, after working six months at that rate, came to Chicago, arriving there with only $1.30 in his pocket. He left Chicago and went to Aurora, 111., where he found his old employer, with whom he started for Iowa. His employer, however, bought land near Shabbona Grove, De Kalb Co., Ill, and Mr. Ford hired with him to work on the farm. He afterward engaged as clerk in the store of Mr. Sutherland, in Kan- kakee, 111, where he remained four years, after which he bought 160 acres of raw prai- rie land, which, after farming two years, he sold. He then bought out W alter Vanvelzer, a merchant of Fullersburg, where he has since carried on business, doing a good trade in dry goods, notions, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., his being the only store in the 96 BIOGRAPHICAL: place save one. He was married, in Kanka- kee, November 4, 1857, to Angeline Fuller, born in New York May 2. 1834; they have four children — Frank A., Leona B., Carrie B. and Arthur M. Mr. Ford has been Su- pervisor, Justice of the Peace and School Director; is now, and has been for some time, Notary Public. He has good property on Lots 2 and 3 in this village, a lot at Western Springs, and four acres of timber in York Township, this county. He is a Democrat. J. R. FINCH, real estate, Hinsdale, was born in Sussex County, N. Y., March 16, 1820, son of John and Elizabethj(Crampton) Finch, natives of New Jersey. John Finch was of German and French descent, and served in the war of 1812; he died at the age of eighty-eight ; his wife was of English and Irish descent; they had eight children. J. R. received a limited education in his na- tive State, and was apprenticed to the car- penter's trade. At twenty-two years of age, he engaged as solicitor and peddler for Wheeler, France & Madden, a hardware and tinware firm, in whose employ he remained four years. In 1842, he married Maria M. Vliet, of Warren County, N. Y., who has borne him six children; those living are J. Warren, a stock farmer in Nebraska; Joseph R., a stock farmer in Smith County, Kan.; Emma A., Mrs. William Gillett; and Em- manuel C, at home. Mr. Finch engaged in mercantile business for a time, and afterward, with his wife and two children, went to Mil- ton, Rock Co., Wis., and bought foity acres of land, which, after eleven months, he sold at a profit of $300, which he invested in land warrants, and has since dealt in real estate. He located 300 acres in Wisconsin, which he exchanged for a hardware stock in Evansville, Wis., which he sold, and invested the pro- ceeds in land in Virginia, on which was after- ward built the town of Finehville. He has dealt in property in Washington, Philadel- phia and Chicago, and now owns property to the amount of $60,000 or $70,000. He sus- tained but two actual losses in the whole course of his extensive transactions. He now resides in Hinsdale. His wife is a Meth- odist. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. WESLEY FELL, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born iu Cass, this county, October 24, 1861 ; son of JoHhua and Emeline (Hewitt) Fell. His mother was born February 22, 1830, and is the daughter of Orsemus and Ida (Spaulding) Hewitt, natives of Ohio; she was one of nine children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Fell's mother was a school-teacher in her younger days, and attained her knowl- edge of arithmetic by ciphering on birch bark. She was also a very popular nurse among the sick. The grandfather, Spauld- ing, was a teacher of vocal music. The father of our subject is a brother of Mrs. Elijah Smart, wife of Elijah Smart, whose sketch is in this work. Mrs. Fell had, by her marriage with Joshua Fell, nine children, five of whom are living, viz., Alson, who is married to Susan Bonner, and is a farmer in Jasper County, Ind. ; Anna; Carrie; Ed- gar, who is with his brother in Indiana; and Wesley, our subject, who attends to the old homestead. The farm now consists of eighty acres of well-improved land. The boys are as energetic a class of young men as can be found, and are fast accumulating means. Mrs. Fell, the mother of Wesley Fell, io a faithful member of the Methodist Church, in which denomination the children are deeply interested. GEORGE FRENCH, blacksmith, Hins- dale, was born in Denmark June 21, 1844, son of George H. and Helena French, who had six children — Christ, Peter, Nelson, Han- nah, Christina and George H. Mr. French attended school eight months in each year DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 97 until he was sixteen years old, when he be- gan learning the blacksmith's trade. He came to Du Page County in 1872, engaging on a farm in order to learn the English lan- guage. In 1875, he worked at his trade in Chicago, where he continued two years, and has since been doing a fine business here, making horseshoeing a specialty. He was married, in 1873, to Mary Hanson, a native of Denmark, and by her has one child, Hel- ena. He has two houses and lots in this place, worth about $3,000, the result of his own labors. Is a member of A. O. U. W. He attends the Congregational Church, and is one of our leading citizens. He is a Re- publican. GIFFORD & BURTT, butchers, Hinsdale. Prominently identified among the leading firms of Hinsdale is that of Gifford & Burtt. Mr. J. A. Gifford, the senior member of the firm, was born September 24, 1834, in Benning- ton County, Vt., son of Ora and Olivia (Turner) Gifford, and was one of eight children — Ly- man H, Samuel L., J. A., Lewis E., Sarah A . Lizzie H. and two deceased. Mr. Gifford attended school in the country and one term in a select school. In 1862, came to Brush Hills, Du Page County, where he engaged in farming and teaming. In 1868, began a meat market at Hinsdale, continuing about five years, and then entered a general store under the firm name of J. A. & Lewis E. Gifford. The latter was Postmaster. In 1873, Lewis E. died, and the business was closed. In 1877, our subject went into the meat market with C. A. Walker, who with- drew January 1, 1881, at which time E. A. Burtt, the junior member of the firm, stepped in. These gentlemen are doing a first-class business, merited by their own personal at- tention. Mr. G. has never been married, and, with his siBter, makes his home in an elegant little cottage in this place. He votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. E. A. Burtt, the jun- ior member, was born April 28, 1834, in New Hampshire; eon of Benjamin and Lucy (Wilson) Burtt, the former a native of Mas- sachusetts and the latter of New Hampshire. They were the parents of three children, viz., E. A., G. H. and Frederick, the latter dying when two years old. The father was a miller the most of his life. The parents were Congregationalists. E. A. attended school long enough to obtain a good business education. At the age of fourteen, he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he con- tinued until he was twenty-one years old, at which period he engaged for a lumber firm, at Potsdam, N. Y. In 1861, he withdrew from that business, and enlisted in Company E, New Hampshire Volunteer Sharp Shoot- ers, where he remained till 1862; he became disabled at that time by a wagon running over his ankle, but, as soon as able, he en- gaged as baggage master, brakeman and fore- man of the track-laying of the Concord & Portsmouth Railroad. In 1871, he came to Hinsdale and farmed a short time with his brother, afterward working in Ohio. In two years, he returned to Hinsdale and engaged in butchering, until 1880, at which time he entered the partnership as mentioned above, and with Mr. Gifford he makes his home, having never married. He votes the Demo- cratic ticket. EDWARD GOODNOUGH, retired farmer. P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in Vermont August 9, 1803; son of Liberty and Susan nah (Barney) Goodnough, natives of Vermont and parents of eleven children, of whom two are living, viz., Edward (subject) and Ira. Subject attended one of the log-cabin school- houses of that day, during three months of the year, and worked on the farm. In 1843, he came to Downer's Grove, bought 110 acres of land, which he farmed until 1867. when 98 BIOGRAPHICAL: he sold out and removed to the village of Downer's Grove, where he lives retired from active business life. He married, in 1825, Lura A. Harmon, who has borne him three children, all living, viz., Harmon, Antoinette (married Mr. Trumbull, and they have one child — Florence, an efficient school teacher), and Ann Eliza, now Mrs. Alf Nixon, of Austin, 111. Mrs. Goodnough is a daughter of David and Adelia (Overton) Harmon, who were the parents of eleven children, all living, the eldest being over eighty, the youngest over sixty-one years; they are as follows: David, Samuel, Lura A. (Mrs. Goodnough), Eliza, Lydia, Chauncey, Joseph, Mary, Franklin, Nancy and Joel. Eliza Harmon, Mrs. Good- nough's sister, married Ira Persons; came to Downer's Grove in 1865; they had two sons — Edwin and Chauncey, the former killed at the battle of Gettysburg, the latter at Bull Run. Liberty Goodnough, subject's father, was in the war of 1812. Mr. Goodnough and wife have long been members of the Baptist Church. J. R. HAGGARD, physician and surgeon. Downer's Grove, was born in Clark County, Ky., October 29, 1839. His parents, David J. and Sarah A. (Edmonson) Haggard, are natives of the same State; they had four children — J. R. ; Sarah, married to James Shaw, farmer in Nebraska; Z. W. and George T., farmers in Nebraska. 1'he parents are liv - ing in Nebraska. The Doctor came with his father's family to Scott County, III., in 1840. He took an academic course at Winchester, this State, and then entered the popular school at North Prairie. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and remained until the close of the war; was a private, and afterward Hospital Steward. He began reading medicine in Scott County with Drs. Skilling and Brengle. He was wounded in the left hip at Kennesaw Mount- ain. On his return from the war, he resumed his studies; was elected County Superintend- ent, which position he took in 1865. At- tended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating from the latter institution in 1868. He be- gan practice at Winchester. 111., the season before he graduated, and was selected as County Physician for Scott County. In 1869, he located in Knox County, where he met with good success, and, in 1870, came to Downer's Grove, where he has since remained. In 1877, he was elected County Superin- tendent, which jiosition he filled with credit for four years. In Winchester, Scott Co., 111., September 24, 1867, he married Fannie H. Avery, a native of that county, born Octo- ber 3, 1846. daughter of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Haxby) Avery, he a native of New York, born March 19, 1819, died iu 1866; she, a native of England, still living, was born in April. 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Haggard have been blessed with four children — Laura A., born November 1, 1868; David A., born June 9, 1870; Robert C. born June 23, 1874; and Ralph Waldo, born August 18, 1876. The Doctor is a member of Winchester Lodge, No. 105, A., F. & A. M. CHAUNCEY HARMON, retired mechanic. Downer's Grove, is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., born April 1, 1813; son of David and Delia (Overton) Harmon, he a native of Con- necticut, born January 20, 1772, died in Jefferson County, N. Y., August 7, 1859, where his wife, born March 18, 1782, who was a native of Long Island, also died, July 2, 1841 ; they were the parents of eleven children, all living; the eldest being over eighty years, the youngest over sixty-two years of age, named as follows: David, Samuel, Lura, Ann Eliza, Lydia, O J., Chauncey, Joseph W. , Mary, Ben- jamin and Nancy J. Chauncey attended a pri- DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP 09 vate school in Massachusetts for a year, and, while quite young, went on a whaling voyage to the Indian Ocean. He afterward engaged in railroading on the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad as an engineer, having learned to run an engine while in a machine shop, and, after being on that road about two years, transferred to the Great South Carolina Railroad, from Charleston to Augusta, and, af- ter one season, engaged on the Alabama, Mem- phis & Charleston Railroad for nine years. He then traveled for about four years, and, in 1842, located in Downer's Grove and engaged in carpentering, building houses, railroad bridges, etc. He married, November 6, 1850, Mary L. Rogers, sister of J. W. and Capt. Rogers, of this place, and from this union two children have been born — Isabel A., wife of J. W. Tucker, of Aurora, and Velonia, wife of E. H. Andrews, corresponding clerk of the Northwestern Bank, Chicago. Mrs. Andrews is engaged in the millinery business in this place, and has a large patronage. Mr. Harmon is a Republican; his parents were active members of the Baptist Church. J. HULANISKI, real estate and building material dealer, Hinsdale, was born in 1839, in Chicago, and is the son of Julian and Mar- cia (Tuttle) Hulaniski, the former a native of Poland, and the latter of New York State. The father graduated at the Warsaw Poland University; was a Colonel in the battle of Warsaw in 1833, soon after which engage- ment he was banished to this country, thus being robbed of a vast fortune. Upon arriv- ing in this country, he engaged in civil en- gineering in New York State; he was also at one time Professor of Languages at the Uni- versity of Richmond in Virginia. After this, he was engaged in civil engineering in Keo kuk, Iowa, where he was living with his fam- ily at the time of his death, in 1855; he had seven children, five of whom are living, viz., Julian, Polonia, Thaddeus, Edmund and Frederick. Our subject obtained a good business and literary education at Keokuk, Iowa, where he spent a portion of his younger days in civil engineering with his father. In 1861, subject entered the Chicago Post Office, where he remained two years under P. M. Scrips. In 1863, he became chief clerk of the general freight department at the Canal depot of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Chicago, which position he held ten years. From this time, he held various positions in railroading, until June 1, 1882, when he withdrew, and, August 1, started his present business at Hinsdale. He is doing some building, as well as dealing in lime, cement, brick, lumber and real estate. In 1861, he married Miss Fannie Hugunin. by whom he has one child — Dora, who keeps house for him, her mother having died in 1871. In 1869, Mr. Hulaniski bought his present property and erected buildings at Hinsdale, where he is one of the Village Trust- ees. His daughter is a Congregational ist; he is a Unitarian, and a member of the Board of Village Trustees. WILLIAM J. HEA.RTT, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born December 2, 1812, in New York State; is the son of Daniel and Jane (Calander) Heartt, who came to Illinois in 1838. In 1845, the family moved to this township, and bought 120 acres of land, known as the " Covely farm;" here they re- mained but a few years, when they returned to Chicago. There, subject's father, who had been Deputy Sheriff and Constable many years, died. Subject's mother is still hale and hearty at the age of ninety-three. Will- iam attended school until fourteen years of age, when he began working in a harness shop in Massachusetts, he having partly learned that trade with his father. Here he remained until 1837, when he came to Pike County, 100 BIOGRAPHICAL 111., where he built a harness shop of his own. In J 840, he located in Chicago, where he ran a " stage wagon," carrying passengers to different parts of the country. Here he remained two years, when he located on a farm in this county. Two years later, he bought 133 acres of land, a part of his pres- ert well-improved farm of 180 acres. In 1839, Mr. Heartt married Susan B. Roberts, daughter of John and Sallie (Davis) Roberts, natives of New Hampshire, who settled in Canada, where Mrs. Heartt was born in 1821. Her parents came to Pike County, 111., in 1836. They both died in 1874, were promi- nent Methodists, he being a class leader forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Heartt have thirteen children — George B., Mary J., Edwin, Em- ma, John, Jerusha, Smith, Sarah, Emily, Chester, Rolla, Frank and Ira. George and Edwin served during the late war, the former in Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, the latter in the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Mr. Heartt is one of the early pioneers. On his farm stands a cabin, 10x12, which was the first schoolhouse in this neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. H. is a Trustee. GEORGE HOFFMIRE, farmer, P. O. Lemont, Cook County, was born March 5, 1807, in Germany, son of L. and Mary (Brin- kle) Hoftmire, who were the parents of six children — Joseph, George, Leonard, Mary, Abbie and Julia. Our subject attended school very little, but has managed to acquire sufficient education to fit him for the transac- tion of all necessary business, and has that which is ofttimes more valuable to a man than "book larnin" — common sense. In 1837, he was married to Susan Hoffman, and has five children — Abbie, Vila, John, Nick and Charlie; they came to Illinois in 1837, when he worked by the day at any kind of labor on farms. In 1875, he bought 112 acres, his present farm in Will County, which is highly improved. Himself and wife are members of the German Church at Lemont. WENDEL HIX, butcher, Hinsdale, was born June 9, 1832, in Germany; is a son of John and Barbara (Raerich) Hix, natives of Germany; she came here in 1863, and died at the home of our subject; he died in his native country. Mr. Hix is one of ten chil- dren, three of whom are living. After at- tending school eight years in his native country, our subject was engaged in farming and butchering. He came to New York in 1852, and remained there till 1854, when he opened a butcher shop in Naperville, Du Page County. Here he remained until 1880, when he began the business at Hinsdale, since following the same, having a large patronage at the present time. He has been engaged in this business all his life, and but few are as well posted in the same as he. In 1855, he was married to Josephine Loos, a native of France. She bore him eight chil- dren, all of whom survive. They are Richard, Louisa, France, Peter, John, Mary, Willie and Josephine. His consort died in 1877, and, in 1880, he married Mrs. Caroline Ditz, who had been a resident of Hinsdale since 1S70. She came to this country in 1857, and settled in Chicago, where her former husband was engaged in a planing mill. Mrs. Hix is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hix is a Catholic, and votes the Democratic ticket. MITCHELL HEINTZ, harness, Downer's Grove, was born January 5, 1842, in France, now a portion of the German Empire, son of Mitchell and Catharine Heintz, who were the parents of nine children, all living — Catharine, George, Ellen, Mitchell, Mary, Sarah, Frederick, Christian and Charles. DOWN Kli'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 101 The whole family came to this country in 1851, landing at New Orleans, whence they came to Chicago and from there to Naper- ville, where they rented land for two years, and then bought forty acres in Downer's Grove Township. The father and mother died within one year of each other. Our subject was educated in the schools of this county, and began farming. In 1861, he enlisted for the three months service, in the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but remained two years. Was wounded at Vicks- burg by a shell, from which he lost an arm. In 1871, he was married to Catharine Mich- el, who has borne four children, only one of whom is living — William Fred. Mr. Heintz went into the manufacture of harness at Downer's Grove with George E. Downer, and is doing a good business. He also has a farm of eighty acres, well improved, also honse and lot in Downer's Grove. Him- self and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a Republican. Mrs. Heintz' s parents were natives of Germany; they had live children — Thomas, Catharine, Julia, Mary, and Eva (dead). They were also Lutherans. HENRY HOGREFE, farmer, P. O. Gow- er. was born in Germany in 1841, and is a son of Frederick and Mary Hogrefe, the lat- ter dying when the subject was quite small. The father lives in this county with his chil- dren When thirteen years of age, our sub- ject came to America with his father, and for two years lived with his uncle Bermen. He then commenced work for Mr. Mendel (his present brother-in-law), where he remained ten years. In 1872, he settled on his present farm of 160 acres. In 1863, he married Mena Hasamier, by whom he has six chil- dren, viz., Willie, Henry, Louise, Sophia, Jacob and Emma. Subject and wife are Lutherans. He has been School Director. JACOB JEANS, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in England July 31, 1821; is the son of Charles and Keziah (Williams) Jeans, natives of England, and Episcopalians. Our subject closed his school days when twelve years old, and commenced to work in the blacksmith shop with his father; he also learned the shoemaker's trade. He came to Illinois in 1847 with Judge Morey, Henry Dike and others. The company landed in Chicago, and our subject began working for a commission merchant. In 1848, Mr. Jeans was married to Mary Coan, and settled at North Branch, sixteen miles from Chicago, where they rented land for two years, after- ward renting at Romer. In 1852, our sub- ject bought eighty acres of land, a part of the 100| acres of fine land upon which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Jeans have had seven children, five living — Mary A., Harriet, Cath- arine, William C. and Jacob T. Mr. Jeans has plowed with the ox team, and experi- enced all the hardships of pioneer life. About nineteen years ago, he lost his health, and has since been an invalid. Notwithstand- ing this, he takes a deep interest in general improvements, literary productions, etc. MRS. A. P. KENNEDY, Hinsdale, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., November 11, 1833, daughter of John and Mary A. (Slater) Sears, he a native of Connecticut and she of New York; her parents settled in Lake County, 111., in 1845, where her father had purchased land in 1840. with the view of getting his sons interested in rural life, yet they all sought other occupations; her father graduated at college and early began labor as a minister of the Baptist Church, which he continued until his death, in Iowa, at the age of sixty-one. Almost immediately after marriage, he and his wife were sent to Fort Wayne, Ind., as missionaries among the Indians. The father of Mr. Sears was also 102 BIOGRAPHICAL: a minister, and for a time assisted his son at Fort Wayne, after which he returned to Ohio and died there. The mother of our subject survived her husband several years; after selling the old homestead, she located in De- troit, Mich., where she died at the age of seventy-one. Their union resulted in eight children, as follows: Eliza, Olivia, Anna, J. J. (deceased), Lucy, Harriet, Sarah and Asa. Mrs. Kennedy was married in 1866 to A. P. Kennedy, of Saratoga County, N. Y. ; he was born in 1814 and was the son of Lanson and Electa (Kellogg) Kennedy. Subject's hus- band was an early settler of De Kalb County, having come there in 1840; was a member of the First Congregational Church of Chicago. May 2, 1881, while the family were residing at Downer's Grove, Mr. Kennedy fell into a well and was drowned. Mrs. Kennedy has four children — Lina, Asa S., Grace and Carl S. ; she now resides in a beautiful residence in this village, possessed of an abundance of this world's goods, sufficient for the comfort and happiness of herself and children through life. VALENTINE KLINE, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in Germany in 1815, and is a son of Valentine and Mai-garet Kline, residents of Germany. Subject attended school until fourteen years of age, when he commenced to work at farming, which he continued until 1845, when he emigrated to this country. Soon after landing, he was married, in Buffalo, N. Y., to Sallie Shupp, who came over in the same vessel with sub- ject. Soon after marriage, they settled in Du Page County, where they worked by the month until 1846, when they purchased eighty acres of land. This has been added to until now Mr. Kline has 120 acres of well- improved land, the result of his own labor. In connection with his. farming, he raises a good many tine cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Kline are the parents of four children, viz., Sally, Mrs. Jacob Lehman; Frederick; Magdalena, Mrs. Lawrence Vix, living in Nebraska, and Catharine. They are all members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kline is a Republi- can. DAVID KLINE, merchant, Downer's Grove, was born May 20, 1838, in Alsace, France (now Germany), son of David and Catharine (Wickersham) Kline, natives of Europe. David Kline, subject's farmer, emi- grated with his family to America and settled in this county in 1853, where he bought 125 acres of land; he died in 1871, his wife in 1853; they were the parents of nine children. Subject received an ordinary education, and worked on the farm till 1863, when he en- listed in Company C, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served about two years, participating in the battles of the campaign from Dallas. Ga., to Atlanta, Ga. ; in the battle at the latter place, July 22, 1864, he lost his left leg, which was taken off above the knee. He engaged in the grocery business in 1868; afterward took J. W. La- selle in partnership for four years; then with- drew for about two years and Lasalle moving the goods, Mr. Kline put in a full line of goods in his present building; he carries a general stock and does a good trade. He married, in 1875, Miss Lena Heintz, who has borne him three children, viz., Edwin, Albert and George, he also had by a former marriage one child — Rosa. He has filled the office of Trustee; he is a Republican; polled his first vote for Lincoln. Mr. Kline attends strictly to business himself; is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and enjoys the confidence of all; he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. KLINE BROTHERS, farmers, P. O. Downer's Grove. John and Mathias Kline ar among the leading farmers of this town- DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 103 ship; they are the sons of David arid Catha- rine (Wickersham) Kline, natives of Alsace, C4ermany; they came here in 1854, settling where the subjects now live; here the father died in 1870, the mother having died with cholera at Chicago just before the family came to this county; the parents were Lutherans and had twelve children, nine of whom grew up, viz., Catharine (Mrs. Shuster), Mary (Mr3. Storm), David, Jacob, John, Mathias, Sarah and Caroline. The subjects of this biogra- phy have never married, and their two youngest sisters are keeping house for them. They are making a specialty of Durham cattle on their elegant little farm; they vote the Republican ticket. WILLIAM C. KESSER, farmer, Lemont, Cook County, was born December 18, 1847, in Blair County, Penn., son of Valentine and Martha (Brower) Kesser, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1842, and settled in Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Lock- port, Will County; they had eight children, six of whom are living — William, Sarah, Martha, Alice, Emma and Sylvester. The father is dead, but the mother is living with subject. Mr. Kesser has always followed farming, with the exception of one year, which he spent as a traveling salesman for a Cincinnati tobacco house; he is unmarried, and lives with his mother and sister Emma; they have fifty-five acres of land in Will County, and twenty- eight acres of timber at another point; makes some specialty in rais- ing Clydesdale stock. His father was a shoe- maker, and had a Bhop on the farm. The family have acquired their property since they came here, and are industrious and fru- gal. HENRY M. LYMAN, farmer, P. O. Dow- ner's Grove, was born in Vernon, Oneida Co. , N. Y, October 27, 1821, and is a son of Orange and Marcia (Dewey) Lyman. Orange Lyman was born in New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Conn., July 26, 1781; died at Downer's Grove July 16, 1851, and was buried at Na- perville; his wife was born in Sheffield, Mass., April 30, 1796, died in Iowa January y, 1873. Mr. Lyman removed with his parents to Chicago in 1838, and, the following year, came to Downer's Grove Township. He at- tended school in Ohio, in which State his parents lived for several years, and, at the age of seventeen, began teaching school in Will County, 111., Judge Williams, of Chi- cago, being one of his pupils. In Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, September 18, 1850, he mar- sied Lovancia Pease, born in Madison, Ohio, December 23, 1821, daughter of George and Lucinda (Campbell) Pease, natives of Con- necticut and parents of six children, viz., Lovern, Lovancia, Carlos C, Lauren S., Sarah B. and Granville W. Mrs. L's mother was a distant relative of the poet Campbell. She was educated at Oberlin College, and taught school for several terms in Lake County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman are the parents of two children: Sarah Estella and .Walter Campbell. Oar subject has 265 ares of well-improved land, on which he makes u specialty of raising Durham cattle; he brought his stock here over thirty years ago; he was one of the first Road Commissioners of this township, the most of the early records of which were written by him; he was chosen Foreman, by Judge Blodgett, of the United States Grand Jury of this district in the great whisky prosecution. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church; he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Lyman's parents, Rev. Orange and Marcia (Dewey) Lyman, were among the early settlers here. Our subject is one of seven children, viz., Stephen D., Cornelia, Henry M., Thomas, Euratas, Mary E. and Edward. In the pos- session of Mr. Lyman is a barrel which was 104 BIOGRAPHICAL: shipped to the family over forty years ago, by soine of the relatives, containing dried apples, and a bag of specie, with which "coin'' they paid for their first piece of land, a part of the old homestead. THOMAS LYMAN, real estate dealer, Chi- cago, Downer's Grove, was born in 1824 ; son of Rev. and Marcia (Dewey) Lyman, he a na- tive of Connecticut, she of Sheffield, Mass. ; they came to Downer's Grove Township in 1839. Subject's father was a Congregational minis- ter, and was one of the first clergymen in Downer's Grove, where he died in 1851 ; his wife died in Iowa in 1873; they were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living. Mr. Lyman received his education in the East and at Chicago, and, at the age of nineteen years, entered a store as clerk. When twenty-three years old, he, in company with his brother Stephen, opened a store at Rockton, 111., thence removed to Iowa, re- maining in business there eight years; he then engaged for ten years as real estate agent in Chicago for parties in the East, and represented for many years more property be- longing to Boston capitalists than any other dealer in Chicago. For the last seventeen years, he has been engaged in the general real estate business on his own account, and owns a great deal of property in Chicago; he built Portland Block, one of the best in Chi- cago. In 1847, he married Miss P. Clark, of Ashtabula County, Ohio; they have had one child -Bessie, wife of R. Giddings, who is in business with Mr. Lyman, with whom they reside. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings have one child — Edward R. Mr. Lyman attends very closely to his business, in thirty-eight years not having lost more than two months' time from actual business, save a few weeks' vacation each year; he settled at his present place, in Downer's Grove, in 1867, where he has a fine residence. He is well known throughout the United States as a dealer and breeder of fine Jersey cattle. Mr. Lyman was originally a Whig, now a stanch Repub- lican. R. LYMAN, farmer, P. O. Lemont, Cook County, was born in Massachusetts in 1824; his father, Liberty, was born in 1794, and his mother, Lucinda (Sikes) Lyman, in 1796; they were natives of Massachusetts, and set- tled in Michigan, where the father died in 1863; the mother of subject is still living; they were the parents of ten children. At the age of twenty-two, our subject started on foot for the Southwest, with only $10; this soon gave out, and he then chopped wood and logs for a time; he finally came to Le- mont, 111., where he took charge of a squad of men enrployed in constructing the Illinois & Michigan Canal. In 1850, he engaged in mining and the lumber business in Califor- nia, which he continued sixteen years; he was married, in 1856, to Mary G., daughter of George W. and Adaline M. (Sharp) Alder- man, who came to Illinois in 1838, settling where subject now resides, he dying in June, 1879, she in June, 1875. He returned from California in 1866, and farmed here two years; then went back to California, where he stayed four years, then made his final set- tlement on the present farm in Downer's Grove Township, containing 167 acres of land, in Sections 6 and 7. Mr. and Mrs. Ly- man are the parents of eight children, six of whom survive, viz., George L. , Marua (Mrs. A. Bannister), Henry M., Nellie S., Zolia B. and Sylvester A. Mr. Lyman was Supervisor while in California; he is a Republican. He is making a specialty of Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. THOMAS LAMB, retired farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in Hancock, Berk- shire Co., Mass., May 12, 1814; only son of Phineas and Eunice (Howe) Lamb, he born DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 105 in Canada, she in Massachusetts. Phineas Lamb was a shoemaker by trade, and died in 1816; his widow married Dennis Eggleston, whom she bore four children. By a marriage prior to that with subject's father, she had one child — Lothrop Smith. Thomas received a fair education in the country schools, and, at the age of eleven years, went to live with Mr. Samuel W. Wilson, with whom he re- mained till he was twenty-three years old. In 1844, he came to Kendall County, 111., bought 100 acres of land, which he farmed for seven years; thence moved to De Kalb County, 111., bought land and remained on it three years; thence to Iowa, where he in- vested in land, which he farmed eleven years. From Iowa, he moved, in 1865, to Lisle Township, this county, where he bought a well-improved farm of 160 acres, where he remained till 1877, when he retired from farm life and came to Downer's Grove, where he has since resided. He married, in 1835, Ellis Jenks (sister of Mrs. Austin), born in Massachusetts December 24, 1816; they had six children, of whom only one is living — Milton, married LuellaRoe, living on hisfarm; Palmer W. (deceased), Thomas P. (deceased), Benjamin F., died in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; William H., died in Company H, Seventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and Charles A. , died in 1881. Mr. Lamb is a Republican; his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. GEORGE LITTLEFORD, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in England March 1, 1825; is a son of Reuben and Maria (Hoar) Little- ford, natives of England, and parents of seven children; his father was a hotel-keeper and farmer; he and his wife were both Epis- copalians. Our subject attended school in those days when each pupil was obliged to carry fourpence every Monday morning, with which to pay for the week's schooling. In 1845, he, with his brother William, came to America: worked at farming in several States until 1859, when they bought eighty acres of land, a part of our subject's present farm of 240 acres. Here he began labor with ox teams. In 1851, Mr. Littleford was married to Ann Jones, daughter of George and Ann (Leonard) Jones, born May 17, 1830, and is one of a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Littleford have had ten children — Eliza and Sydney, deceased; George E., teacher at La Grange, 111.; Reuben H., a butcher; Frank, Jackson, Ann, James, Efne and Lottie, still living. Our subject and wife and their sons George and Frank are members of the Meth- odist Church at Cass. JACOB LEHMANN, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in 1839 in Germany, and is a son of Henry and Eva Lehmann, who came to York Township, Du Page County, in 1858, after residing in the State of New York one year. The father is dead, and the mother lives with her son Henry. Our subject attended school a very little, and worked at farming while in Germany. In 1862, he married Sallie Kline, by whom he has six children, viz., Jacob, Sallie, George, Fred, Louis and Valentine. Mr. Lehmann has eighty-seven acres of well- iru proved land as a result of his labors; he raises some fine cattle. He and his wife are active members of the Lutheran Church; he has been Pathmaster, and is now School Di- rector. Subject's eldest son, Jacob, is in partnership with John Liston in blacksmith- ing, and they are doing a tine business in Downer's Grove Township, at the junction of the Plainfield and Naperville roads. J. C. MERRICK, physician and surgeon, Hinsdale, was born April 21, 1842, in Wal- worth County, Wis. ; son of A. L. and C. P. (Cook) Merrick, natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively; he living in Wis- consin; she died in 1855; they were the par- 106 BIOGRAPHICAL: .ents of seven children. The Doctor attended the district schools in the winters, until he was about eighteen years old, when he en- tered the public schools of Burlington, Wis., attending two terms; then attended Todd's Seminary, at Woodstock, McHenry Co., 111., two terms, and afterward entered the Beloit College, where be completed his studies in the scientific course and Latin; he then read medicine with Dr. G. F. Newell, of Water- ford, Bacine County, for three years, attend- ing in the meantime the Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, from which he graduated with high honors, in January, 1809; he at once began to practice his profession, near Mil- waukee, and at the end of a year entered the celebrated Bellevue Hospital College for five months, locating afterward at Burlington, Wis., where he remained three years, meeting with success. In December, 1871, he located in Hinsdale, where he has a lucrative prac- tice; he kept a drug store here for several years, which he lately sold to William Ever- enden; he was married, in 1868, to Louise Weage, of Wisconsin, who has borne him three children — Harry A., Fred A. and one dead. He is a member, and also medical ex- aminer, of the A. O. U. W., and is now serv- ing as Village Trustee. JOHN MACKINDER, retired farmer, P. O. Hinsdale, is a native of England, born July 26, 1813; son of John and Ann (Black- burn) Mackinder, who were the parents of seven children — Mary (Mrs. William Banks), John, Elizabeth (Mrs. George Taylor), Rich- ard, Ann (2), Joseph and Edward. His par- ents were members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mackinder received a limited education, and began life working on a farm; he came to Chicago, 111., in 1851, thence to Fullers- burg, this county, where he bought eighty acres of land, which, after five years, he sold out and bought 100 acres in Cass, where he remained several years, and then invested in property in Fullersburg, where he has since resided. In 1833, he married Lydia, daugh- ter of John and Lydia Cross, natives of En- gland; from this union eight children have been born — Mary A. (Mrs. John Fuller), Elizabeth (deceased), Ellen (Mrs. Morrell Fuller), Jane (Mrs. Cyrus Fetterman), John, Edward (deceased), Emma (deceased) and Susan (Mrs. Robert Chilvers). Mrs. Mack- inder died September 7, 187-, since which time Mr. Mackinder has resided with Mr. Morrell Fuller; he is a Republican and is connected with the Universalist Church. Mr. Fuller, with whom he resides, is a plas- terer in Chicago, and served three years in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as Drum Major; he was married in 1865, and has one child — Nellie. H. C. MIDDAUGH, farmer, P. O. Hins- dale, was born February 19, 1833, in Scio, Allegany Co., N. Y. ; is a son of Elijah and Louisa (Noble) Middaugh, he born in Dry- den, N. Y., April 6, 1805, died October 17, 1872; she, born in Whitehall, N. Y., October 28, 1811, is living with her son, John E., in Scio, N. Y. , and is a member of the Methodist Church. Our subject had the educational advantages usual among pioneers, but in ad- dition, he, for a few years, attended Friend- ship Academy and Genesee College, taught for a short time, and, in 1S54, came West to seek his fortune. In 1855, he commenced work in a lumber aud sash factory in Chi- cago, where he remained three years. After teaching school a short time at Jefferson, 111., he served the Merchants' Loan and Trust Company in the capacity of book-keeper for three years; then, for four years, as Teller; severing his connection with this firm, he em- barked in business for himself, first, in the furniture business, which he continued but a short time, then in the lumber trade, and DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 109 afterward, in the real estate business, which he continued many years. In 1878, he in- vested $25,000 in land where he now lives, at Clarendon Hills, Du Page Co., III. He has since invested $25,000 more, so that he now has 180 acres of beautiful land, mostly laid out in lots, and dotted with ornamental and fruit trees. Near this, he also has another plat of eighty acres; all of this land is at a fine elevation, and upon it Mr. Middaugh has erected buildings valued at over $13,000; he raises good horses, Berkshire pigs and thor- oughbred Jersey cattle; has barn room for 500 tons of hay, and 150 horses. He was married, in Chicago, February 7, 1878, to Miss Susan Price, born in Lakeville, Living- ston Co., N. Y., in March, 1828, daughter of Arthur and Agnes (Sinclair) Price, he a na- tive of England, bom in 1783; she, born in Pennsylvania in 1793, died in September, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Middaugh attend the Methodist Church of Hinsdale. CHAELES MIHM, farmer. P. O. Gower, was born March 6, 1818, at Willow Springs, Cook Co., 111., and is a son of Christian and Catharine (Fisher) Mihm, natives of Bavaria, Germany; his father was born December 6. 1811 ; emigrated to America in 1839, and his mother, who was born October 23, 1817, em- igrated in 1845. They were married in Chica- go and settled at Willow Springs, where he worked on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. In 1849, they settled on the 280 acres, where the mother now lives with our subject, his father having died May 19, 1874; they were both life-long members of the German Lutheran Church. Charles attended school in a cabin which stood on his father's farm, it being the first schoolhouse in this part of the country; he also attended a business college in Chi- cago for two terms. The greater part of his life has been spent on the old farm, to which he has added twenty acres, making in all 300 acres of finely improved land. The original homestead of 280 acres was purchased by John Fisher, a brother of Mr. M.'s mother; he came here with the family in 1842, and, in 1850, commenced work in the Singer stone quarry, of Lemont, of which he became fore- man. September 13, 1864, he was killed at the quarry by an iron derrick. In Lyonsville, Cook Co., Ill, June 1, 1876, Mr. Mihm mar- ried Mary Pantke, born in Downer's Grove, this county, October 9, 1858, a daughter of August and Rosa (Steindel) Pantke, natives of Prussia, he born August 8, 1823, she born July 25, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Mihm are par- ents of four children, three of whom — Charles, Lydia and Rufus — are living Mr. Mihm raises some Short-Horn cattle. He is School Director and member of the Lutheran Church, as is also his wife. J. B. MACKIE, fanner, P. O. Cass, is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow October 20, 1833; his parents, Thomas and Margaret (Boag) Mackie, were also natives of Scotland, where the former died; the latter came to Ohio, where she was married to R. Simms; she died in Michigan in 1872; she was a Presbyterian; by her first marriage, she had six children. Subject attended school in Toledo, Ohio, when it was about the size of what Downer's Grove now is, and also in Brooklyn, N. Y. , obtaining a fair education; at the age of eighteen, he began learning the machinist's trade, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he remained over three years, when his health failing, from confinement to the shops, he came to Illinois to recruit for one year, stop- ping with his uncle John, who, at an early day, had settled the farm on which subject now lives. Here siibject engaged in farming and now has a fine farm of 188 acres, the greater part of which is the fruit of his own labors. He married, in 1S64, Elizabeth Dunn, daughter of William P. and Hannah 110 BIOGRAPHICAL: (Antill) Dunn, both natives of England, who came to Kendall County, 111., in 1840, and who had two children — Hannah and Eliza- beth. Mr. and Mrs. Mackie have one child — Laura M. , an efficient teacher, educated at Fort Wayne, Ind., and Naperville, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Mackie are active members of the M. E. Church at Cass. He is a stanch Republican. LEVI MERTZ, hardware, Downer's Grove, was born February 17, 1848, in Downer's Grove, this county, son of Edward and Sarah (Setzer) Mertz, both of Allentown, Penn., and both still living, he born March 6, 1817, she born September 22, 1822; they were the par- ents of eleven children, six of whom are liv- ing — Mary, Wellington, Levi, Allen, Lydia and Lewis. Edward and wife came to Illi- nois in 1841, and bought 207 acres of land at $5 per acre. Our subject engaged with J. W. Rogers & Co. in 1870, and continued with that firm till July, 1881. November 11, i 1881, he bought one-half interest in the hard- ware establishment of George Mochel &Bro., where he has remained and is doing a fine business. In Chicago, January 1, 1878, he married Lydia A. Faul, who has borne one child— Frod R., born February 19, 1882. Mrs. Mertz was born in Downer's Grove, this county, March 14, 1853, and is a daughter of Henry and Eva M. (Wolff) Faul, both of whom are living, he born in Bavaria March 19, 1818, she born in Strasburg October 26, 1819. Mr. Mertz enlisted during the war, but was pronounced too young. Is a Repub- lican, having cast his first vote for Grant. JOHN OLDFIELD, farmer, P. O. Lemont. The gentleman whose name heads this brief biography is a native of England, being born there June 15, 1824; his parents, Joseph and Ann Edgoose, were natives of England and possessed a family of five children, viz., one deceased when young, Mary A. (Mrs. J. Bat- terham, a farmer in England), John, Jesse, . The parents are both within the silent grave, in the bosom of the sunny land of En- gland. The mother was an active Methodist. John spent his younger days in attending school and the rural pursuits of life. On the 7th day of April, 1854, he was united in marriage with Hannah, a daughter of Will- iam and Ann (Tufts) Reader, natives of En- gland. Her parents were blessed with thir- teen children, seven of whom survive, viz., Elizabeth (Mrs. Standish), Hannah, Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Gregory), Mary (Mrs. Laywood), John (married Jane Winkley), Ann (Mrs. Herring) and William, who married twice, the first wife being Sarah Wallace, and the second Emily Siplaw; her parents were primi- tive Methodists, and meetings were held in their house when churches were yet to be con- structed. In a few days after mai-riage, Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield gathered their small amount of worldly treasure, and, in company with his brother Jesse, John James Reader and six others, they boarded the "Queen Victoria," and, in a few weeks, were landed safely at New York; June 12, they landed at Chicago, where Mrs. O. remained while her husband prospected for a location. After making a long and wearisome trip through the Fox River region, Mr. O. returned to Chicago, and soon after rented a farm of George Smith, a banker of Chicago, lying a few miles from that city, which he managed with suc- cess for four years; he then bought forty acres of John Riddler, in the Cass neighbor- hood, Du Page County; he and his brother Jesse, who had remained with him since their arrival in this country, brought a load of household articles, and lodged on the night of their reaching this forty acres in a small log cabin, now in use on the farm of Jesse. They used their boots for pillows, making their beds only planks. This seemed to be no DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. Ill discouragement to them, and in this locality they hare remained, accumulating, by industry and frugality, a vast fortune, consisting of several hundred acres of finely improved land and large herds of cattle and sheep. Mrs. O. has long been an active member of the Meth- odist Church, being now associated with the church at Cass, to which organization her hus- band has donated a large amount of money. Mr. and Mrs. O. have been blessed with one daughter — Elizabeth A., born December 10, 1845, and married May 11, 1869, George B. Heartt, who was in the late war; her marriage has blessed her with some happy children. It is the purpose of this personal sketch to note the prominent characteristics of the individ- uals to which they refer, and to hand down to the future those who now stand prominent as citizens of our country and representative men. Comment on the useful lives of this biography would be useless verbiage, super- fluous and unmeaning. Enough to say they have obtained their large fortune by their own efforts. R. OLDFIELD, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in England September 2, 1836; his parents, John and Anna (Fields) Oldfield, were natives of England and the parents of six children, all now living. John Oldfield, subject's father, came to Illi- nois in 1847, and, in 1848, settled on eighty acres in Section 16, this township, and after- ward added forty acres; he is now deceased; his wife is still living. Our subject attended school in the country and worked on a farm in his younger days; he carried on an exten- sive butcher business for about two years at Downer's Grove, with a man by the name of Briggs. He was married, in 1861, to Kate E. Dixon, who died in 1865, having borne him two children — Harry and Alice; he was again married, to Emma R., daughter of Rev. Samuel and Henrietta (Greeley) Ambrose; by this marriage, two children have been born, viz., Roy and Gracy; he met with a severe loss, that of his left arm, by the discharge of a gun in the hands of an awkward boy, who was quarreling with another boy. Mr. Old- field has taken delight in driving fast horses at fairs; he makes a specialty of horses; he has forty acres of well-improved land in Sec- tion 17; he is now in his fifth term as Tax Collector of this township. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. A. L. PEARSALL, Postmaster, Hinsdale, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., Octo- ber 28, 1828; son of John and Clarinda (Walker) Pearsall, also natives of that county. John Pearsall came with his family, in 1839, to Belvidere, Boone Co., 111., where he died March 2, 1865; his wife died in Iowa, Janu- ary, 1879 ; they were active members of the Methodist Church, and were the parents of six children. Mr. Pearsall attended school from one to four months during the winter seasons, and also used his own endeavors while at home to obtain an education. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching in Knox County, 111. While in Belvidere, he engaged for a time in the grocery and also in the hardware trade. In April, 1855, he mar- ried Harriet Rockwell, of Kalamazoo, Mich. . who has borne him two children — Jennie E., wife of A. R. Robinson, Principal of the Chicago Schools, and Henry, correspondent of the American Iron Works, Chicago. Mr. Pearsall settled in Hinsdale in 1870, and here engaged in selling school furniture for A. S. Barnes & Co., Chicago, for a year; then worked for a prominent uurscryin an of Michi- gan for some time; he was chosen Justice of the Peace, and, in 1875, was commissioned Postmaster at Hinsdale by President Grant, both of which positions he now holds; he is also a Notary Public. He has been Assessor of Downer's Grove Township two terms, and 112 BIOGRAPHICAL: filled that position in Boone County five years. He is a member of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 649, A., F. & A. M., of which he is S. W. ; he and his wife are members of the Con- gregational Church, of which he is Trustee; he is a Republican. He served four months in the One Hundred and Twenty seventh Il- linois Volunteer Infantry as superintendent of a ponton bridge at Nashville, Tenn., across the Cumberland River. GARDNER PAIGE, retired farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born July 17, 1826, in Royalton, Vt; son of David and Anna (Par- ker) Paige, who came from their native State to this section in 1837; bought land and built the first frame house in this section of Downer's Grove. David died June 26, 1864; the mother June 8, 1879. The grandfather Parker was in the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mr. Paige being a school teacher, taught him mostly at home. June 17, 1852, he married Annis W., daughter of M. P. and Hannah (Hill) Gilbert, of Vermont, who came to Illinois in 1848. Mrs. Paige's father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and her grand- father Gilbert was an officer in the Revolu- tionary war; her father died June 30, 1878; her mother is living with her. Our subject has had five children — Martha, married, Sep- tember 3, 1879, to S. W. Miller, station agent at Lockport; Rosa A. and Gertrude; those dead are Hannah and Alzina. Mr. Paige is now filling the position of Assessor; he has been a Justice of the Peace and Col- lector, each three terms; also Road Commis- sioner. He (subject), Judge Blanchard and John Marion voted the last three Whig tick- ets in this township; he is a Republican at present: wife is a member of the Baptist Church; she taught school many terms in this section. JOHN PARKER, retired auctioneer, Hins- dale, was born June 18, 1810, in Boston, Mass. ; is a son of Luther and Elizabeth (Lewis) Parker, who reared a family of eight children, viz., William, John, Mary E., Al- bert, Charles, Adaline, Francis and Ann; his father was a merchant in Boston, where John attended school, obtaining a fair education. When fifteen years old, he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked three years, and then engaged in a book bindery. He next worked in a grocery for two years as clerk, after which he had an in- terest in the business. In 1836, he came to Chicago and engaged in the general merchan- dising business, under the firm name of Par- ker & Gray. In 1844, he withdrew from mercantile pursuits, and auctioneered for twelve years; was engaged in the brewery business in Chicago for some time, and then had an interest in the Corrugated Iron Com- pany, in which he sustained considerable loss. In 1869, he settled in Hinsdale, where he has a good property and runs a vegetable garden. In 1835, Mr. Parker married Nancy T. Otis, by whom he had three children — Frank, Mary and Charles. His wife died from cholera in 1863. He next married Caroline M. Beal, by whom he has had two children — Samuel B. and Grace C. DANIEL PETERS, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove, was born August 3, 1851, in Downer's Grove Township; is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Graff) Peters, natives of Germany, and the parents of six children, viz., Barbara, Jacob, Fred, Sarah, Daniel and Samuel. The parents came to Downer's Grove in 1844, and settled where the subject now lives. The mother died August 21, 1876, and the father is still living, at the age of sixty- six, with the subject. Mr. Peters attended the common country scBool, and now con- ducts the farm, which consists of 112 acres of finely cultivated land, and twenty-seven acres of timber. In 1877, Mr. Peters mar- DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 113 ried Lena Atzel, a daughter of F. Atzel, of Downer's Grove; he was born March 6, 1813, in Germany; came to America in 1833, en- gaged in different employments in New York City until 1840, when he returned to Ger- many. The following year, he again came to America, locating in Chicago, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1851, he bought a farm of 120 acres in Downer's Grove Township, living on the same till 1874, when he rented his farm and settled in the village of Downer's Grove. The Atzel family are members of the German M. E. Church, as are also Mr. and Mrs. Peters. The latter have three children — Clara, Edwin and Hen- ry. Mr. Peters is a Republican. F. G. PRESCOTT, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born January 5, 1833, in Prussia, and is the son of G. Prescott, who came to this country in 1839; his father, who died in 1860, was married three times, and our sub- ject was one of three children by his first wife. Mr. Prescott received but little edu- cation; came to Cook County in 1839, and worked on the canal with his father. His first work for himself was trapping, in part- nership with his brother G. They were thus employed for six years, on the Desplaines River. In 1858, they went to Iowa and trapped along the rivers during the winters until 1805, when they abandoned this kind of work. They had been quite successful, making as high as $-40 each per day. In 1860, Mr. Prescott hunted with Little Crow, chief of the Crow Indians. In 1861, our subject married Rosa Pantke, whose parents are residents of this county. By this union, there are twelve children, all living, viz., Rosa, now Mrs. Huffman; Amelia, Julia, Lena, Edward, Matilda, Willie, Charlie, Otto, Caroline, Richard and Maude. Mr. Prescott now owns 144 acres of well-improved land, the result of his own hard labor. He and his father were two of the first passengers on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Our subject and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is treasurer and trustee. G. H. PAPENHAUSEN, tailor, Hinsdale, was born in Germany September 28, 1837; his parents, Richard aud Mary (Stopenhau- sen) Papenhausen, were also natives of Ger- many, and had four children, two living — Fred, a tailor iu Chicago, and G. H ; his father was a tailor and with whom G. H. learned his trade. Mr. Papenhausen attended school nine years, and then began to work at tailoring. He came to Brush Hills, this j county, in 1870, and began working at his ! trade there, having scarcely any money. In 1875, he came to Hinsdale, where he has since done a good business ; he has been fort- unate in securing property here worth $2,- 500; he was married, in Germany, to Mary Bachrans, who has borne him six children — Mary, Sophia, Ann, Willie, Lena and Charlie; they attend the Lutheran Church. He votes the Republican ticket, and is a member of the A. O. IT. W. at Hinsdale. PROF. J. K. RASSWEILER, Principal of Downer's Grove Schools. He is a native of Millersbiu'g, Dauphin Co., Penn., born September 10, 1853 ; his parents, J. Philip and Anna D. (Haesler) Rassweiler, are represen- tatives of that nationality to which the United States is indebted for very many thousands of her most prosperous citizens and substan- tial men of worth and merit, beiotr born in Hanover, Germany. J. Philip Rassweiler was born April 18, 1812; emigrated to Amer- ica in 1825, and afterward settled perma- nently in Stephenson County, 111. His parents not being in affluent circumstances, our subject worked on the farm during the summers, thus laying the foundation of his present energy, and, in the winters, when farm labor was not to be obtained, he applied himself to mental 114 BIOGRAPHICAL: improvement, with eminent success. His school days began in the country, and, when at a rea- sonable age, he entered an academy at Cedar - ville, Stephenson County, where he advanced very rapidly; he set his mind for a thorough education, and his parents were unable to help him, so he devised every means in his power to be able to reach the target. He became qualified to teach in the country schools at the age of fifteen, and took advan- tage of that vocation, teaching in the winters and attending college in the summers. He entered the Western College, at Naperville, in 1870, where he graduated in 1876, with high honors. During the period of sis years that he was receiving instructions at the last- mentioned institution, he taught terms of school at Mendota and Fullersburg. He was employed at the Downer's Grove Schools in 1876, a position his education and abilities peculiarly qualify him to fill. He has taken those schools from a mere primary grade, and has set them upon a foundation ranking among the best in this country. At Streator, 111., September 15, 1876, he married Mary E. Beringer, born in Menominee Falls. Wis., April 24, 1854, daughter of Mahlon D. and Caroline K. (Wambold) Beringer, natives of Pennsylvania; he died February 16, 1859; she was born July 23, 1833. Mrs. Bass- weiler's father was a member of the Evan- gelical Church. Her mother was again mar- ried to a Bev. J. Miller, of the Evangelical Church. Mr. B.'s union has blessed him with two children, viz., Lula Winifred and Balph Edmund. He and wife are active members of the Evangelical Church at Na- perville. He is now Village Trustee. Being averse to office, he has not been an office- seeker. He is, however, now a candidate for Superintendentof Schools of Du Page County, a position he will probably get before this sketch is in print. MBS. NANCY S. BOTE, Downer's Grove, was born August 29, 1830, in Lower Canada; her father, Daniel Boberts, was born in New Hampshire, and her mother, Lucy (Clark) Boberts, in Lower Canada; they came here in 1S45, settling in the Cass neighborhood. Subject attended school but a short time in the country, but afterward entered a select school at Naperville, where she remained quite awhile. She was married, in 1848, to Luke S. Kimball, and from this union two children were born, viz., Edward D. and Clara M., wife of Mr. Dawe, a Methodist minister; she died May 28, 1881, leaving three children — Ida M. , E. Eaymond and Charles. Mr. Kimball was educated at Mt. Morris, Ogle County, this State; was a class- mate of ex- Gov. J. L. Beveridge; studied law in Chicago and practiced in Hennepin, Putnam County; his death occurred February 13, 1852, from drowning, in attempting to rescue some men from a boat which was frozen in the ice. Mrs. Bote then came to this county, and, in 1857, was married to Biehard Bote, native of Columbia County, N. Y., and by this marriage was blessed with six children — Eva V., Esther H., Mabel G., Ada E., Berton H. and Ernest D. Mr. Bote died April 29, 1879; was a member of the M. E. Church at Cass, to which denomination the subject now belongs. In September, 1881, Mrs. Bote came to Downer's Grove. In 1882, she sold her eighty acres of well-improved land at $65 per acre, and is living retired. F. A. BOGEBS, postal clerk on Chicago & Dubuque mail route. Downer's Grove. Mr. Bogers, of whom we write, is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. ; is a brother of Capt. T. A. Bogers, whose sketch, together with that of his father, appears elsewhere. He had the advantage of the district schools, and a graded one at Somonauk, De Kalb County, this State. He spent his younger DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 115 days on his father's farm. He enlisted, in 1861, in Company E, I. C. A. V., and served the cause of his country for three years; was in about fifty battles and skirmishes, among which were those of the Potomac campaign. On bis return from the war, he engaged prin- cipally in farming until October 3, 1880, when he was commissioned postal clerk on the Chicago & Dubuque mail route, in which position he has proven an efficient officer, having scarcely made a single mistake in the transfer of mail, the labor of which is de- pendent entirely upon the memory of hun- dreds of officers, their locality and mail route. He was married, September 6. 1866, to Mary A. Plummer, a daughter of Benjamin and Amelia (Thomas) Plummer, of Hinsdale, which union blessed him with four children, viz.. Minnie A., born July 7, 1867; Mamie E., born July 15, 1869; Charlie L., born Au- gust 24, 1870; and Elbert A., born August 3, 1879. Mr. Rogers has been Collector of Downer's Grove Township for three years. In 1880, he took the census of said township. Is a charter member of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 649, A., F. & A. M. , and has been Past Mas- ter of the same. He votes the Republican ticket. In June, 1880, he bought eighty-five acres where he now lives, in Downer's Grove Township, and here his family remains On this farm stands an old log cabin that was erected about the year 1834, by Horace Al- drich, who for many years at this place kept the only hotel on the old plank road between Brush Hills and Naperville. It was in this building that tbe Rogers family slept the first night they were in Du Page County. The old well of forty-five years still furnishes as pure water as it did whenthe merry traveler of those olden times tied his ox team, that he might bend over the old oaken bucket to quench his thirst. A portion of the old nur- sery once cultivated by Mr. Aldrich can be seen here, adjacent to the old structures. This hotel was known as Prospect Hill, and recently a large number of receipts were found about the old building bearing such a postmark. They were receipts for board bills that were probably never paid. Mr. Rogers has the patents for his present farm, which were signed by J. K. Polk. CAPT. T. S. ROGERS, meat market, Chi- cago, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born August 30, 1831, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. ; is a son of Joseph I. and Caroline A. (Smith) Rogers. The father was born January 12, 1802, in Herkimer County, N. Y., and the mother on April 15, 1812, in West Spring- field, Mass. The family came to this county in 1844, and bought land where P. S. Cossitt now lives. Here the father died November 18, 1863; the mother is living in Downer's Grove. Our subject attended school in a log cabin which stood on the old Goodenough farm, receiving instruction from Amanda Forbes. He taught school some during his life, in Milton Township, Lisle, and at Brush Hill. He has run a threshing machine and driven ox teams. "Was married, December 13, 1855, to Helen M. Stanley, a sister cf L. W- Stanley, whose sketch appears elsewhere; she was born February 6, 1833; she has blessed her husband with two children, both of whom are deceased. In 1860, he was elected Sheriff of Du Page County. He en- listed, before his term of office closed, in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Captain in July, 1862, and served till the fall of 1864. On his return from the war, he taught school in Downer's Grove, and in 1866 he engaged in the meat business at Chicago, which he continues. He has a beautiful residence in Downer's Grove, and goes to and from his business each day. He has been President of the Board of Trustees of Downer's Grove 116 BIOGRAPHICAL: since its organization; was Township Super- visor one term, and has some other small offices. Mention of the Rogers family will be found elsewhere. WILLIAM BOBBINS, real estate, Hins- dale, was born July 20, 1824, in Oswego County, N. Y. ; is a son of John and Polly (Furguson) Bobbins, the former a native of Keene, N. H., and the latter of Albany, N. Y. They came to McHenry County, 111., in 1844, and died there. Our subject attended school in the country, and afterward graduated at the Bensselaer Academy, at Mexico, N. Y. He then taught district schools in New York and in Illinois, to which latter State he came with his parents. Soon after his arrival in this State, he entered a dry goods store as clerk, where he continued until 1850, when he went with several others to California, and mined one winter. The following spring, he engaged in general merchandising, under the firm name of Bull, Baker & Bobbins, at San Francisco, Bed Bluffs and Shasta. They were successful, and, after six years, sold out, and began banking at San Francisco. This they continued successfully for four years, when Mr. Bobbins withdrew and came to Chicago. In a short time, he invested his ample means in real estate, to which he has since given his personal attention. He was the founder of Hinsdale, where his beautiful residence now stands. He has about eight hundred acres of land in and around Hins- dale, and some in Cook County; has an office in Chicago, to which he goes each day. In 1855, Mr. Bobbins married Marie Steele, who blessed him with three children — Isabel, Mrs. William H. Knight; John S., engaged in the J. I. Case Plow Manufacturing Company at Bacine, Wis. ; and George B., chief clerk for Col. Forsythe, railroad official of Chicago. Mr. Bobbins is a member of the Congrega- tional Church at Hinsdale. In August, 1882, Mrs. Bobbins was thrown from her buggy by a runaway horse, and almost instantly killed. DAVID BOTH, farmer, P. O. Hinsdale, was born May_25, 1811, in Delaware County, N. Y. ; is the son of Edward and Mary (Close) Both; the father died in 1815, and the mother never remarried. In 1835, she came to Bu- reau County, III, where our subject engaged in farming and driving ox teams to and from Chicago. In 1842, he married Nancy Phelps, the result of the union being eleven children: Serena G., Mary, Porter, Charlie, Marshall, Frank. Myram, Frances, Norman Hyram, and Laura. They remained in Bureau County till 1865, at which time our subject bought land near Brush Hills. Here they remained until 1806, when they located in Hinsdale, where they have since remained, with the exception of four years which they spent in Iowa. Solo- mon and Leonard, brothers of our subject, were in the Back Hawk war. Mr Both was first a Democrat, then a Bepublican, and now is a member of the Greenback party, of which he is an enthusiastic advocate. JOSIAH BICHAEDS, butcher. Downer's Grove, was born in Will County, 111. . Sep- tember 6, 1837. His parents, John A. and Lucy P. (Peet) Bichards — the former born in New Hampshire October 31, 1803, the latter in Vermont April 24, 1804, came to Will County, 111., in 1835, thence to this county in 1836, where they still reside. Of their five children, four are now living, viz., Josiah, Louisa, Ellen and Emily. Subject received his education in the country schools; also at- tended the school at Naperville two terms; worked on the farm till he was twenty-one years of age, then began life for himself. In 1875, ho engaged in the butcher business with Mr. Naramore, at Downer's Grove, where he has since been engaged in that business, and doing a good trade. He owns 231 acres of well-improved land, in Lisle Township, this DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 117 county; has filled the offices of Constable and Road Commissioner. He is a supporter of the Republican party. MRS. ELIZA F. SMART, farmer, P. O. Cass. Elisha Smart, husband of Mrs. Eliza F. Smart, was born in England February* 1 0, 1816. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Brice) Smart, natives of England, came to America in 1825 settled in Monroe County, N. Y., where their thirteen children grew up, and came here in 1844. Mr. Smart worked by the year at $35; spent a few months at the cooper's trade, and, at the age of twenty, bought a farm of 100 acres in New York. He married, in 1835, Eliza, daughter of Joshua and Mary (Camach) Fell. Her father died September 25, 1846, and her mother March 24, 1861; they were Methodists. Mr. Smart remained three years on his farm in New York, then sold out and came to Illinois, taking four weeks en route, and settled on fifty acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Smart united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1839, Mrs. Smart being the oldest mem- ber of that chiu - ch now at this place. In 1853, Mi-. Smart went to the California gold fields, where he remained about seven years, and was somewhat successful. Mrs. Smart bought seventy acres of land, the present farm, while her husband was in California, which his earnings and the produce of the farm soon placed clear of debt. Eight children were born to them, all living — Mary, Mrs. George Price; Wesley, married Lucy Ahle; Caroline, Mrs. Thomas Leonard; Fannie E., Mrs. Amenzo Gilbert; Jerome, married Lyde Ahle; Cecilia, Mrs. Peter War- den; Ann M., Mrs. John Warden; and Jose- phine, Mrs. Martin Madden. Wesley was in Company B. Thirty-third Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, three years. SYLVESTER SMART, farmer, P. O. Cass, was born December 12, 1841, in the village I of Cass, this county. His father, William, was born in 1808, in Bedfordshire, England, and his mother, Mary (Fell) Smart, was born - July 4, 1817, in Lincolnshire, England. They were both single when they came to America, and were married in 1839, and from this union five children were born, viz., S. R., William H., George E., Albert and Mary E. Subject's father settled in this county, in what is now Cass, and died December 26, 1876; his wife, subject's mother, lives with her son Henry, and is hale and hearty. Sub- ject received his education in the common schools, and, when eighteen years old, went to New York on a visit; while there, attend- ed an academy at Rushford, N. Y. , and, on his return home, resumed farming. At the age of twenty-two, he rented land of his father and began farming for himself. He married, March 4, 1868, Editha, daughter of Welcome D. and Sarah (Spaulding) Morton, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, re- spectively, now residents of Vinton, Iowa, and parents of nine children, three living, viz., Editha (Mrs. Smart), Denisonand Lucy. Mrs. Smart was born in this county March 3, 1847. She and her husband are the par- ents of four children, viz., Blanche, born March 24, 1870, in Illinois; Ida, born May 12, 1872, in Jefferson County, Iowa; Gerrit S., born February 13, 1874, in Jefferson County, Iowa, died February 12, 1880, with scarlet fever; William D. , born October 18, 1876, in Iowa. In 1869, Mr. Smart borght a farm in Jefferson County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1870 removed to that State, where he remained until 1876, when he returned to the old homestead. While in Iowa, Mr. Smart was very successful, having secured two fine farms and improved them, making them worth about $6,000. A railroad is now in progress which will make the farms very valuable. One farm has a fine brick house 118 BIOGRAPHICAL: and all necessary buildings. The other farm has new frame buildings, of first-class mate- rial. This amount of valuable property has been obtained by his own labors. While in Iowa, Mr. Smart bought cattle at Chicago and fed them on his farm. He is making a specialty of fine cattle. He has 180 acres under very fine improvement, where he now resides, in Section 33. Himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cass, in which he is Steward; they attend Sunday school. G. E. SMART, farmer, P. O. Lemont, Cook County, a brother of S. E. Smart, whose sketch appears elsewhere, and was born October 7, 1847. in this township. He attended school as much as was convenient, and worked on his father's farm. He mar- ried, December 25, 1877, Esther, daughter of John and Louisa Hall. Her parents came here in 1870; her father died March 27, 1882; of their twelve children, three are living, viz. , Thomas H., Eliza and Esther M. Mr. and Mrs. Smart have two children — Kittie L., born June 30, 1871); and Jennie M. , born June 20, 1881. They have 138 acres of well-im- proved land. Mrs. Smart was born January 2, 1854; she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cass. Mr. Smart is very successful in farming. HAMPTON L. STORY, pianos and organs, Hinsdale and Chicago. Mr. Story, of the firm of Story & Camp, was born in 1835, in Vermont; is a son of Andrew and Adaline (Reed) Story, natives of Vermont, and the parents of three children, the subject only surviving. The father was in the State Leg- islature in Vermont, and held many smaller positions; was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Story attended school in the country, Cambridge, Bakersfield, Georgia and Fair- fax, all thriving towns of Vermont; at the latter, he completed his labors as a student, and at the age of eighteen he applied him- self to teaching singing and day school in this and Kane Counties. In 1857, he went to Chase County, Kan., and pre-empted 160 acres of Government land, paying for it with a land warrant received by his father for services rendered in the war of 1812. In one year he returned to Burlington, Vt., where he engaged in the general musical in- strument business, continuing until 1868. In the meantime, however, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Vermont Militia. In 1868, he formed a partnership with Isaac N. Camp in the wholesale and retail piano and organ business, at Chicago, which firm, Story & Camp, has since existed. They have a large factory in Chicago, and branch business rooms in St. Louis, Des Moines, Kansas City and St. Paul, together with those in Chicago, representing a capital stock of $500,000. In 1868, while at Burlington, Vt, Mr. Story edited and published the Vermont Musical Journal, a work possessing efficient talent. They make a specialty of the celebrated Estey organs, Decker Bros., Haines Bros, and other makes of pianos. Their place of business is 188 and 190 State street. Mr. Story has been twice married, the first time being to Marian Fuller, by whom he had three children, viz., Edward H., Robert T. and Frank. His sec- ond marriage was in 1876, to Adella B. Ellis, which union has blessed him with Addie and James. His residence is located within the limits of Hinsdale, on twenty-one acres of fine landjinthis and Cook Counties; together with the buildings, is valued at $40,000; all ' of which, with other large possessions, is the , result of his own energies. His wife is a member of ( the Episcopalian Church, and he is a Republican. M. SUCHER, farmer, P. O. Ogden, Iowa, was born in France in August, 1811. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Kries) Sucher, DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 119 were natives of France, where the latter died in 1819. Subject's father was again married to Margaret Knopf, who bore him three chil- dren By his marriage with Miss Kries, seven children were born, viz., Henry, George, Michael, Philip, Daniel, Jacob and Margaret. He came to Downer'B Grove about 1852. where he died; he was a member of the Lutheran Church. Subject attended school but little; he came to New York on 1833, where he worked in succession on a canal, in a foundry, a distillery, a ship-lock, at butch- ering hogs and chopping wood, and at any- thing he could get to do. He also worked at splitting rails, digging up stumps and flail- ing out wheat, at from $3 to $8 per month. In 1837, he married Miss Catharine Wolf, a native of France, who had settled in New York. He remained in New York some time, then came to Illinois and bought 160 acres of land, at 10 shillings per acre. He has, by careful management, accumulated 240 acres of prairie and about eighty acres of timber land in this county; he recently sold 240 acres at $80 per acre, as he intends to locate in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Sucher are the par- ents of eleven children, viz., Michael (dead), Henry B., William L,. Michael (dead), Mar- garet E., George F., Samuel M., Charles E., Matilda, Walter and Edward B. Mr. Sucher has been Pathmaster and Town Commissioner two years. He and his wife are members of the German Methodist Church at Downer's Grove. He has three lots and good houses in Chicago, and a house and lot in Napers- ville. He makes a specialty of tine horses. J. W 7 . SUCHER, blacksmith, Downer's Grove, was born in Shepherdsville, Bullitt Co., Ky., July 5, 1841, son of Philip and Emily (Hogan) Sucher. Philip Sucher, subject's father, who was born in Germany October 15, 1815, was a blacksmith by trade and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church; he had one sister and four brothers, viz., Margaret, Michael, Henry, Daniel and Jacob; he carried the mail from Downer's Grove to West Lyons, Lemont and Cass, in all, twenty -one years; he died October 26, 1877; his wife, born in Nashville, Tenn., March 8, 1818, also a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, now resides .in Downer's Grove; she is one of a family of three chidren, all living; she is the mother of five children, viz., James, Jacob, Lewis, Sarah and Nettie. Mr. Sucher's great-uncle, Shank - lin, was in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch learned the blacksmith's trade with his father; enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Blanchard, and served three years; his brother Jacob also served in the same com- pany. He married, December 26, 1866, Mary C. Gager, born at Whitney's Point, Broome Co., N. Y., April 27, 1848, daughter of Am- brose S. and Amanda (Thurston) Gager; he, born in Binghamton, N. Y., June 15, 1812, died November 17, 1874; she, also native of New York State, born at Whitney's Point, Broome County, June 11, 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Sucher have been blessed with three children — Beulah E., Elvin N. and Lydia. Mrs. Sucher is one of a family of ten chil- dren, of whom eight are living — Anna, John T., C. M., J. R., Mary C. (Mrs. Sucher), Ly- dia M.,Abbie and Ambrose S. Mr. Sucher owns a blacksmith shop, lot and dwelling; he works in his shop himself, and also employs two men; he does a general blacksmithing business. He is a charter member and Re- corder of Hinsdale Lodge, No. 182, A O. U. W T . M. F. SAYLOR, carriage painting and trimming, harness making and repairing, musical instruments, etc., Downer's Grove, a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., born September 17, 1831, son of Jacob and Pris- cilla (Hoffman) Saylor, natives of Schuylkill County, Penn., and who were the parents of 120 BIOGRAPHICAL eleven children, nine of whom are living, viz., Morgan F. (subject), Thomas, Francis, Jeremiah, Alexander, Peter, Mary, Emma and Alice. Subject, after receiving his edu- cation, taught school for five winters. In 1856, he came with his family to Naperville, where he engaged in house- painting till 1860, then moved to Plainiield, and soon after to Joliet. In 1862, he enlisted in the Fifty- second Eegimental Band as B flat cornet player, and, after one year's service, was dis- charged. In 186:}, he returned to Pennsyl- vania and served three months in the militia; then became freight agent at Ashland, Penn., and, after holding that position a year, went to work in the Pennsylvania Central Car Works, where he had previously worked five years. In 1875, he came to Downer's Grove and engaged in carriage and house painting; in 1881, added the harness and musical in- strument business, and is doing a very good trade. Mr. Saylor has been twice married. In 1850, he married Anna E. Feger, who was killed at Joliet in 1S72, by the explosion of a kerosene lamp; from this marriage six chil- dren were born, four of whom are living — Laura, Newton, Mary and Minnie. In 1874, he married Mrs. Margaret Freeman, daughter of Michael Sucher; from this marriage two children have been born, one of whom is liv- ing. Earl C. Mrs. Saylor had by her first husband two children, Edward and William. He is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. MICHAEL SHUMP, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove, was born in December, 1833, in Germany; is a son of Henry and Catharine (Sites) Shump, who reared a family of six children. Our subject had but little chance for education; worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began working out by the month. When he first came to this part of the country, he hunted mink and other valuable fur-producing ani- mals, and thus paid for a small piece of land. In 1859, he married Susannah Herbert, a na- tive of Germany, and they settled where they are now located. They have eight children, viz., Henry, Mary, Amelia, Ella, Clara, John, Frank aud Lucy. Mr. Shump has 145i acres of the finest land in the township, well drained with tile; also has two fine orchards. Although averse to office, he has held some small offices; takes an interest in education and local improvements and enterprises. He and wife are Catholics. QUIRIN SCHMITT, wagon-maker, re- pairer and livery, Downer's Grove, was born in Europe April 30, 1853; his parents, Ro- man and Sophia (Tilken) Schmitt, both de- ceased, were Europeans; of their nine chil- dren, seven are living, viz. , Nicholas, George, Joseph, Amand, Quirin, Sophia and Therese. Subject, at the age of thirteen, began learn- ing the wagon- maker's trade, which he has ever since followed. He came to Illinois in 1872, and worked one year and seven months with John Walters, of Downer' s Grove, whose business he then bought, and has since con- tinued, making a specialty of repairing and building spring wagons, and doing an excel- lent trade. In 1881, he added a livery to his other business, and is meetingwith good suc- cess in that line. He married, January 17, 1874, Barbara, daughter of Henry and Hele- na Schumpp. and from this union three chil- dren have been born, viz., Eugene, Ida and ; Helen. Mrs. Schmitt' s parents were early settlers here, and had six children, five of whom are living. Mr. Schmitt is a Democrat; members of the Catholic Church. PHILANDER TORODE, hotel and farm- er, P. O. Hinsdale, was born November 4, 1823, in Monroe County, Ohio. His par- ents, Nicholas and Rachel (De Lamare) To- rode, were natives of Europe, and emigrated DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSlirP 121 to America in 1820, settling in Ohio, and, in 1837, in Illinois, where his father died in 1845, and his mother in 1864; they had seven children — Nicholas, Peter R. , John J., Charles W., Daniel W., George and Philander; they were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Torode attended the common schools, and. at thirteen years of age, began working on his father's farm. His life has been mostly that of a farmer; however, he spent a few years in saw- milling, operating a cider-mill and a stone quarry on Section 24 in York Township, along Salt Creek. He was married, March 15, 1854, to Abba, daughter of David and Catharine (Fuller) ThurstoD, who has borne him one child, who grew to maturity — John A. In 1881, Mr. Torode left his farm of 150 acres in York Township and engaged in the hotel business in Hinsdale, where he has met with good success. The building is nicely located and well arranged for hotel purposes. In 1879, he engaged in farming in Alabama, whither he and his family had gone in search of health. He has been Assessor one term. His farm in York Township is the old homestead of his father. JOEL TIFFANY, inventor, Hinsdale, was born September 6, 1811, at Barkhamsted, Litchfield Co., Conn., son of Joel and Han- nah (Wilder) Tiffany, natives of Connecticut. His father was a builder, and was never in affluent circumstances, so that the children, all of whom were successful in life, were self- made. Our subject taught school and stud- ied hard until twenty years of age, when he began to read law with William G. Williams, at Hartford, Conn., and afterward with Charles Olcott, at Medina, Ohio, where, in 1834, he was admitted to the bar and prac- ticed until 1836. He afterward practiced for thirteen years at Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he held the position of Prosecuting Attorney, in which office he won distinction by his vigorous prosecution of horse-thieves and counterfeiters. This office he held for two terms, when, in 1849, he located in Cleveland and practiced two years. He next went to Little Mountain, Lake Co., Ohio, where he turned his entire attention to the law of parents in the United States Courts. After fifteenjyears here, he practiced at Al- bany, N. Y. , for ten years. From 1865 to 1868, he was Reporter of the Court of Ap- peals, from which labor twelve volumes were published. While at Albany, he wrote a " Treatise on Trusts and Trustees," and a work of " Practice under the New York Code of Law," consisting of three volumes; also a "Digest of the Court of Appeals," and a trea- tise on "Government and Constitutional Law. " He has lately published an able work enti- tled " Man and his Destiny," and is now pre- paring for publication some ideas and com- ments on "Agnosticism." In 1870, he bought property in Hinsdale, and began exerting his active mind in the art of refrigerating; has an office in Chicago, to and from which city he goes each day. In 1834, he married Car- oline M. Tryon, which union resulted in nine children, five of whom survive, viz., Mary, Mrs. Van Inwagen; Amelia; Martha, Mrs. Humimrey; Ella. Mrs. J. B. Page; and Belle. His consort died in 1859, in Ohio, and he again married, in 1860, to Margaret Mason, by whom he has four children, viz., Frankie L., Leon J., Wilder and George S. Although Mr. Tiffany has been offered positions of hon- or" and trust, he has as often refused them, being averse to holding office. In the person of our subject we have the marked character of a self-made man. A. L. TENNEY, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in New Hampshire Febru- ary 2, 1845, son of Oliver and Tryphenia (Bissell) Tenney, natives of Vermont, he born 122 BIOGRAPHICAL: in 1800 and she in 1807; they are still liv- ing, and are the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living. Our subject was educated in the best schools of his native county, and, at about twenty-four years of age, engaged in the express business, continuing at the same for three years, when he came to Illinois and commenced farming, renting land for that purpose. He afterward pur- chased eighty acres, his present farm, which is highly improved. In 1862, he was mar- ried to Miss Abbie Daggett, who bore him two children, one of whom is living, Myron. Mrs. Tenney died in 1869, and in 1870 Mr. Tenney married Miss Phyllis Pye, daughter of Watts and Mary A. (Goodman) Pye, na- tives of England, who came to Du Page in 1849, settling where subject now lives, but who are at present residing in Minnesota; they bad eight children, only live of whom are now living. From his last marriage, Mr. Tenney has had born to him six children — Abbie M., Ella T., Watts R, Nettie B., Bes- sie P. and Bertha J. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he votes for the best men. Alden and Mar- quis, brothers of A. L., were in the late war — one in the army and the other in the navy. Watts Pye, brother of Mr. Tenney's wife, died whilst in the service, member of Company B, Eighty-seventh Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry. ELDRED THATCHER, merchant, Down- er's Grove, was born in Susquehanna County, Penn., March 8, 1818, son of John and Sarah (Moore) Thatcher, he a native of Massachu- setts, she of New Jersey; of their six children, live are living, viz., Azor, Eldred (subject), John, Edwin and Editha. Subject, at the age of fourteen, apprenticed to the tanner's trade, after learning which he attended school three months. In 1831, he moved to La Salle County, 111., thence, in 1841, to Down- er's Grove. In 1856, he entered the dry goods and notion business, continuing in business one year, under the lirm name of Carpenter & Hatch; afterward, under various names, the present firm being Thatcher & Crescey. He has a good store and other property, which he has made by his own la- bors, having only $200 when he located here. He was married in 1838; his wife died in October, 1855, leaving one child, Mrs. Charles Curtis. He married Charlotte Smith, who has borne him three children, viz., John, Helen and Harvey. Mr. Thatcher has been Postmaster in Downer's Grove for nineteen years, being commissioned by President Bu- chanan; been Township Trustee for twenty years, and still holds that position, and has been Trustee of the village since its organiza- tion, with the exception of one year. He is a Republican, his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. EDWARD VENARD, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove, was born February 25, 1842. His parents, Charles and Catharine (Butler) Ve- nard, were natives of Ireland, and came to America about 1832, settling in the dense forests of New York, where they toiled and labored until 1845, when they gathered all and started for the West, locating the same year on the farm where they now reside. Here they again began in the pioneer style. Subject's mother died here in 1857; his fa- ther is still living, and is very feeble, being eighty- two years of age; the names of their seven children are as follows : Anastasia, Ellen, Charles, Thomas, Edward, John and Catharine. Subject was married, February 22, 1880, to Maggie J., a daughter of Adam and Julia Gorman, of Will County; she has borne him two children, both deceased. He makes some specialty of Durham cattle and the Chester White hogs. He has 184 acres of finely improved land, the fruit of his early DOWNER'S GKOVE TOWNSHIP. 123 labors. They are members of the Catholic Church at Naperville. DR. H F. WALKER, coal-dealer, Hins- dale, was born July 17, 1817, in Claremont, Sullivan Co., N. H. ; is a son of Solomon and Charity (Stevens) Walker; the parents emi- grated to Oakland County, Mich., in 1821, where they bought a large tract of land; the father died in 1857, and the mother in 1859; they were the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom grew up — Elihu S., Oricy, An- drew C, Leander (Methodist minister), Lu- cetta, H. F. , J. M. (deceased January, 1881, was President of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and attorney). Mi*. Wal- ker attended school in the districts in Mich- igan and at Pontiac, same State, and for a time at Oberlin, Ohio. His younger days were spent on a farm and clerking in a store. He began reading medicine in 1838, with Dr. A. Hudson, of Farmington, Mich., and afterward attended the Cleveland (Ohio) Med- ical College, graduating there in 1843. He began practice at Farmington, where he re- mained for nine years, and then retired for a short time, on account of poor health. In about one year, he engaged as a traveling salesman and collector for a wholesale dry goods house of New York, which he contin- ued for about two years, and again entered his profession for one year. He learned that his health would not permit him to follow his profession he loved so well, and he en- gaged in the clothing business with O. F. North, at Pontiac, Mich., for about one year and a half, at the end of which time he with- drew and came to Amboy, Lee Co.. 111., in 1855, where he remained for ten years. He then settled in Chicago, and acted as mana- ger of the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Com- pany, and is connected with said company at the present. Was married, in 1839, to Ath- alia N. W'atson, a daughter of Levi and Fanny W'atson. He has no children. He settled his residence at Hinsdale in 1868, he and his brother, J. M., buying at that time about three hundred and seventy acres where is now Clarendon Hills. They cut the same into lots, and, after selling many of them, they sold the remainder, but had to take a portion back on account of non-payment. The Doctor has been Supervisor of Downer's Grove Township, and has held other small offices. He is now a candidate for the Leg- islature from this district. He was first a W T hig, and since has been a stanch Republic- an. He and.wife are members of the Con- gregational Church of Hinsdale; were for- merly Methodists, but transferred on account of there being no Methodist organization at this place. ALFRED WALKER, farmer, P. O. Hins- dale, was born in Ludlow, Windsor Co., Vt., September 6, 1824, son of Josiah and So- phia (Pettigrew) Walker. Josiah Walker was born in Hopkinton, Mass., March 5, 1793, and died at Ludlow, Vt., March 22, 1846; his wife, born in Ludlow, Vt., December 28, 1795, died at Hinsdale, 111., December 12, 1875; he was a Methodist, she a Baptist; they had eight children. Mr. W'alker received a limited education, attending school about two months each winter season, and, when eighteen years of age, hired out at $13 per month, and, after working one month, set out to look for other employment. He worked for a time at various small jobs, then found permanent employment in the car works at Cambridgeport, Vt., receiving $8 per month for the first year, $16 per month the second year, and the third year received $1.50 per day. His father dying about this time, he returned home and hired out by the month awhile. In Tinmouth, Vt, March 30, 1847, he married Fanny Ann Hopkins, a native of that place, born May 24, 1823, who bore him 124 BIOGRAPHICAL: three children — Lincoln, deceased; Clifford, who married Nellie Steward at Hinsdale, 111. , January 28, 1874; and Lillian Sophia, who married Frank L. Wentworth at Hinsdale, October 2, 1877. Mrs. Walker's rjarents, David and Amanda (Andrus) Hopkins, were natives of Wallingford, Rutland Co., Vt., he born June 14, 1788, died March 30, 1849, at Tinuiouth, Vt. , where also his wife, who was born August 30, 1792, died March 31, 1849; they had fourteen children, six of whom are living. Mr. Walker, after his marriage, settled on the old homestead farm, renting it for awhile, afterward buying it, and finally selling it for a county poor farm. In 1853, he came to Brush Hills, this county, where he started a hotel, in connection with which he ran a cheese factory (the first in the State), and also dealt in fat cattle. He became wealthy, and purchased a large amount of property, the greater part of which he still owns. He is an active member of the Con- gregational Church. GEORGE WOLF, farmer, P. O. Hinsdale, was born May 14, 1835, in Germany; is a son of George and Mary E. (Heintz) Wolf, who came to Du Page County from Germany in 1847. The family rented land for five years, and then purchased where they now live. The father had but $40 when he locat- ed in this county, but, by hard labor and frugality, he amassed quite a little fortune, which he divided among his six children. The mother is dead, and the father, at the age of seventy-five, lives with our subject. The parents united early with the Lutheran Church. George's school-days were few, he commencing early to work at farming, which he has since continued; has experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hun- dred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war; was slightly wounded between two fingers; also contracted a disease in one of his lower limbs, which causes him considerable pain at this late day. In 1866, he married Miss Kate Faul, by whom he had two children, Eddie and Ella; they finally separated, and Mr. Wolf, in 1872, again married, the lady being Miss Emily Wigant, daughter of William and Lottie Wigant. This second union has resulted in three children, viz., Louise, George and Amanda. Subjectowns 110 acres of well- improved land, and some timber in Downer's Grove; the residence, which is surrounded by a good orchard, is situated on Section 23. He and his brother Fred for a time ran a threshing machine, which added to their finances. The family of Mr. Wolf are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. He votes the Democratic ticket. FREDERICK WOLF, farmer, P. O Kins- dale, was born December 28, 1838, in Ger- many, and is a brother of George, whose sketch appears in this book. Subject ob- tained what little education he could at Dow- ner's Grove, but, as soon as he was large enough, he was obliged to work on his fa- ther's farm; at fifteen, he was an expert at mowing. He used to drive four ox teams to a plow which his father and brother held; has journeyed to and from Chicago with oxen, and has, in fact, experienced all the hardships of one in limited circumstances in an early day. He now has 160 acres of finely im- proved farm land, and ten acres of timber land; runs quite an extensive dairy, keeping twenty-six cows, and selling the milk in Chicago. In 1866, he was married to Cath- arine Mochel, by whom he has seven chil- dren, viz., William, Louisa, Charlie, Emil, George, Albert E. and Adelia Mc. Mr. Wolf has held the position of Pathmaster. He and wife are Lutherans. They are giving their children a good education. DOWNER'S GROVE TOWNSHIP 127 CHARLES WHEELER, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born January 20, 1829, in New York, son of Merritt and Rhoda (Hyde) Wheeler, and brother of Allen Wheeler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject attended school in his early youth, but, as he grew older, was needed to help work upon the farm. W T hen twenty-two years of age, he bought thirty - •eight acres of land of his father, and invested all of his available means in cattle. He now owns 106 acres of well -improved land, the result of his economy and good management, and makes a specialty of raising Berkshire hogs. In 1860, he was married to Miss Nancy McMillan, daughter of Andrew and Rhoda (Daily) McMillan, and sister to Mrs. E. S. Andrews, whose sketch appears in this work. This union has been blessed with three children — Olive, Orin and Ida J. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wheeler has filled several offices in the township, and, although he has seen his full share of the hardships of life, now enjoys the fruits of his thrift and perseverance. ALLEN WHEELER, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born August 29, 1840, in New York. His parents, Merritt and Rhoda (Hyde) Wheeler, were natives of New York, and came to Illinois in 1844, settling on a farm west of Downer' s Grove, now owned by " Deeder." In 1847, they settled on a farm adjoining subject's place, and, in 1875, located in Michigan, where they still reside, the father being blind. Subject attended school but little, and that in a cabin on his brother's farm. His parents had nine chil- dren — George, Charles, Roxanna, Grace, Sarah. Allen, Betsey, Harriet and Albert. He clerked awhile in Downer's Grove, and in 186< >, attended school at Wheaton, this county. He enlisted in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry Regiment, but, being taken sick with the measles, was confined to the hospital at Alexandria, thence transferred to Philadel- phia, and there discharged, not being ex- pected to live. He resumed his studies in Wheaton, afterward taught two years, then engaged five years for T. M. Avery in the lumber business in Chicago. He married, in 1864, Elizabeth A. Bateman, who has borne him eight children, viz., Clara, Schuyler, Zoe- lina, Guy, Claudie, Lynn, Nora and Myrtle; the latter two died in 1880, of scarlet fever. Mr. Wheeler takes an interest in educating his children; is now Clerk of School Board. He has been a professor of religion since he was seventeen years of age; they attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has forty acres of well-improved land, and makes a specialty of fine Durham cattle. He cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. MICHAEL WELCH, farmer, P. O. Gower, was born in Ireland April 5, 1824; is the son of John and Mary (Burke) Welch, natives of Ireland, who came to New York in 1832; they had four children, viz., Michael, Han- nah, Patrick and John. The father worked on a canal and railroad in New York State. In 1842, our subject came to Illinois and bought a part of his present farm of eighty acres, in Downer's Grove Township. This land he has improved until now he has one of the best improved farms in the township. A cabin 16x18 feet, which he at first dwelt in, has been replaced by a commodious dwell- ing, surrounded by a good orchard. In 1852, Mr. Welch married Mary Fleming, by whom he has ten children, viz., John, Thomas, Rich- ard, William, Harriet, Mary, Catharine, George, Arthur and Ann; two are deceased. Mr. Welch has held several small offices, and takes an interest in all public improvements. He and his wife are Catholics. ABRAM WELLS, farmer, and present Postmaster, Cass, was born in England May 128 BIOGRAPHICAL: 1, 1841, and is the son of Robert and Sarah Wells, natives of England, who came to New York in 1856. Our subject obtained a good common-school education in his native place. When fifteen years of age, he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked four years. In 1860, he came to the State of New York, where he put in tile drains for one year. He then came to Du Page County, where he worked at farming until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Sev- enty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he remained till the close of the war, participating in many hard- fought battles. Upon his return home, he again engaged in farming. March 15, 1867, he married Mrs. Abigail Pitcher, only surviving child of James and Elizabeth Hardy, natives of England. By her first husband, Mrs. Wells had ten children; by Mr. Wells she has none. Mrs. Wells' only surviving child, John W. Pitcher, was married, July 3, 1879, to Miss Susanna Dawson, daughter of John and Anna Dawson. They have had one child, Carrie E. Mrs. Wells came to this county in 1848, when it was in a comparatively wild state. She has fed the hungry red man at her own house. Mr. Wells has been School Director, Consta- ble and Road Commissioner; was appointed Postmaster March 4, 1869, and still holds that position. The post office is known as Cass. He votes the Republican ticket. PETER WERTZ, blacksmith, Downer's Grove, was born in Prussia, Germany, Jan- uary 13, 1850, son of Peter and Maria (Zim- merman) Wertz, natives of Germany, and both still living, he born November 18, 1818, she born August 27, 1822. They raised a family of eight children, viz., John. Mary, Jacob, Joseph, Peter, Margaret, Clemence and William. Subject attended school in his native land, and, at the age of fourteen years, began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he completed, and has since followed. He landed at New York in 1867; soon after, en- gaged at his trade at Buffalo, where he re- mained about a year, and at other points in New York State for about eighteen months. In 1870, he came to Downer's Grove, where he worked twenty- one months for John Walton, a wagon-maker; then formed a partnership with J. W. Sucher, of this place, which partnership, at the end of a year, was dissolved. Mr. Wertz then worked for awhile with Mr. Sucher, and. in 1874, began his present business, which he has Bince continued, doing first-class work. He purposes adding a large building, in which to carry on a wagon and paint shop. He was married, January 13, 1872, to Frances Noll, a native of Germany, born July 9, 1854, daughter of John and Margaretta Noll ; he, born in Germany, died September 7, 1869; she died January 15, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Wertz have five children — Bertha, ten years of age; Francis, eight years; Catharine, six years; Maria, three years; and Elizabeth, one and a half years. Mr. Wertz owns prop- erty in this village to the value o $7,000. all of which he has made by his own labors, save $2,000, which he inherited. He votes the Democratic ticket. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Naper- ville. JOHN WALLACE, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born November 19, 1807, in New Hampshire; son of Joseph and Sarah (Mcln- tire) Wallace, of New Hampshire, where they both died. They had a family of seven chil- dren, only two of whom are living — Erastus and Sarah, now Mrs. Kibby. Our subject at- tended school in the old log cabin; came to Downer's Grove in 1839, and engaged in farming, pre-empting eighty acres. He now has seventy acres, which are well improved. In 1833, he was married to Mehitabel Har- DOWN Kirs GROVE TOWNSHIP. 129 rington, whose parents were James and Mer- cy (Sherman) Harrington, natives of Vermont, who had a large family. Mr. Wallace has five children living — Austin, Garry, James, Emma and Alice. He has served as Consta ble and is a Republican, but cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Downer's Grove. His son Garry was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country gallantly for three years of the great struggle for the Union. WILLIAM E. WARING, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in New York May 6, 1818; his parents, Solomon and Affey Snedeker Waring, were natives of New York, where they reared ten children, viz., Mary, Nellie, Harriet, Miranda, Sallie, Magdelia, Theodore, Solomon, Tunis and William E. ; they were members of the Dutch Reformed Church. Subject received more than an or- dinary education, having taken up the study of Latin, Greek and French; he taught two terms at small wages; when twenty-two years old, he began merchandising in a grocery and feed store, meeting with success. He then engaged in the real estate business in New York City and State, and, in 1868, went to Nevada, Story Co., Iowa, where he en- gaged in the same business, meeting with some reverses, and, in 1874, went to Chicago, whore, also, he engaged in the real estate business, meeting with indifferent success. In 1881, he bought thirteen acres of land in East Grove, this township, where he has since remained and is doing well. His children are Euphemia (Mrs. C. C. Carpenter, in Iowa), Peter, in New York City; John, a miner in Colorado, and Richard; two de- ceased, John and W r alter. Mr. W. was Rev- enue Assessor in New York for four years, being appointed by Chase; was Justice of the Peace many years and was Captain of militia; was once a member of the A., F. & A. M. ; he is a Republican, and cast his first vote forVanBuren; he has a good home, tine orchard and all necessary conveniences. VALENTINE WOHLHUTER, merchant, Gower; was born December 1, 1825, in Alsace, Germany, and is the son of Philip and Sarah W r ohlhuter, who reared six children, three of whom are living, viz., Philip, Eva and Val- entine. The latter obtained his schooling in his native place; he came to New York State in 1818, and worked by the month till 1850, when he began selling milk in Chicago for a dairyman of that city. At this time (1850), he married Sarah Garst, who came to Buffalo from the old country when four years of age. Our subject and his wife next settled at Dutchman's Point, fourteen miles from Chicago; here they purchased forty acres of land, which, after living upon two years, they sold and bought three acres of land where they now live. Upon this land, Mr. Wohl- huter soon erected a store, which he stocked with goods; he has continued in this line, doing a good business ever since; he now has a full line of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, groceries, hardware and everything found in a first-class country store. In Feb- ruary, 1869, a post office was established at his 6tore. and he was made Postmaster. His patrons are a wealthy claps of people, and he has a good trade, yet his age demands a rest, and he contemplates retiring from, active business; he has six children. 130 BIOGRAPHICAL: LISLE TOWNSHIP. JACOB AUGENSTEIN, farmer, Naper- ville, was born April 15, 1843, in Wayne Co., Ind. ; is a son of Rev. C. and Harriet, (Wal- lack) Augenstein, the parents of two children, viz., Jacob, and John C, a physician at Ba- tavia. The parents are living at Freeport, where the father is engaged in the ministry of the Evangelical Association. The father can rightly be called a pioneer, who has seen some of the hardships that the early settlers had to endure. He bought 114 acres of land where the subject now lives, which he still owns; he was among the early preachers of Chicago; he has given the greater part of his earnest life in his ministerial labors to the churches. Jacob, of whom we write, was mar- ried in 1875 to Susie, a daughter of Jacob and Saloma (Arnold) Hirtzel; he is making some specialty in raising stock; is in the dairy business. HENRY L. BUSH, farmer, Downer's Grove, was born February 3, 1840, in what is now Downer's Grove Township; is the son of Ed- win A. and Nancy B. (Stanley) Bush, the par- ents of two children — Edwin A. and Henry L., our subject. The father, born in Canton, N. Y., June 16, 1816, died March 5, 1842; the mother, born in New Milford, Penn., Novem- ber 26, 1813, some time after her first hus- band's death, married Mr. Dryer, who has since died. Mrs. Dryer is a sister of L. W. Stanley, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. In 1836, in Cass, Du Page Co., subject's mother began teaching school in a cabin 10x12; in this room were crowded twenty-seven scholars, besides the stove, which used to be carried out doors and emptied when becoming filled with ashes; she also taught the first school in Downer's Grove; she is now living with her son, Henry Bush, the subject of our sketch. During his youth, he was in sach poor health that he was unable to attend school, but by careful atten- tion to his books at home, he obtained a good education. At Downer's Grove, August 27, 1865, he married Miss Calla E. Belden, born at Downer's Grove March 24, 1848, daughter of N. A. and Fannie (Randall) Belden, who came to this county about 1844; her father, born in Saratoga County, N. Y. , December 11, 1819, died April 13, 1864, and her mother, born in Cortland Couuty, N. Y., August IS. 1818, lives in Downer's Grove. This union has resulted in two children — Guy L., born November 13, 1866, and King M. , born Sep- tember 14, 1870 Mr. Bush has 122 acres of finely improved land ; he makes a specialty of raising cows to supply a dairy which he car- ries on. He was Assessor of Lisle Township for Beven years, and is now agent for the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Lactor Station, which position he has held for near- ly fourteen years. He has always taken an active part in the agricultural organizations of Du Page County, where he is now Secre- tary of a society of that kind. S. A. BALLOU, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born October 19, 1828, in Saratoga Coun- ty, N. Y. ; is a son of Isaac A. and Hannah (Allen) Ballou, the former a native of Mas- sachusetts, and the latter of Saratoga County. They were the parents of ten children that grew up, six of whom are living, viz., O. R., Capt. D. W., Malvina and Henrietta, Amelia LISLE TOWNSHIP. 131 W. and S. A. The mother was a descendant of Ethan Allen, the famous "warrior;'' the father was a mechanic and farmer; the par- ents were Episcopalians. Mr. S. attended school in the districts and an academy at Cleveland, Ohio. He taught some in Ohio and California; his younger days were spent on a farm and in a tannery and shoe shop, his father having having followed said busi- ness for several years. In the fall of 1849, he went to New Orleans, and soon engaged as a sailor on the barque "Oregon." In L850, he began labors in California; was mining and merchandising for ten years, after which he returned to Du Page County. In 1861, was appointed by President Lin- coln Captain of C. S. V., which position he held during the entire war. His three broth- ers, O. R., D. W. and Morgan were in the war. On his return from the war, he settled on his present farm of 225 acres, which he bought in 1S63; was married, 1865, to Julia, a daughter of A. S. Barnard, who blessed him with oae child, Roy B. His wife died Sep- tember 17, 1869; was a Congregationalism He was again married, 1875, to Eliza A., a daughter of Michael and Mary (Fitzgerald) Norton ; her mother is dead ; her father is living at the age of ninety three; her parents had ten children, four of whom survive, viz. , Thomas Gerritt, Mary and Elizabeth A. Mr. Ballouhas two children as a result of his last marriage, viz., Ralph E. and Mary E. While in Cali- fornia, Mr. Ballou was chosen to represent his district in the Legislature and Senate; used every effort in his power to prevent that State from becoming a slave colony; he was a reporter for the Legislature, and did some excellent newspaper work; has served in small offices his share; was Staff Officer for Sherman. McDowell and Thomas. Has al- ways been an active Republican, and has often been chosen by that body as a delegate to county and State conventions. He is a relative of the Garfield family; is a member of the A, F. & A. M. Lodge. R. W. BOND, farmer, P. O. Lisle; was born in 1847 in Portage County, Ohio; is a son of William and Angelica (Woodruff) Bond, natives of New York, and parents of five children — Josephine (married to Thad- dous Cooper), Celia (Mrs. A. Macinturf), Janett (deceased), R, W. . and Arvilla, who married John M. Wells. The parents came to Naperville, this county, in 1850, where the father was millpr for Joseph Naper for several jears; they moved subsequently to Somonauk, De Kalb County, this State, where they died, the father in 1869 and the mother in 1871 The father was in the war of 1812, and was ninety-nine years eight months and ten days old at the time of his decease. Our subject attended school at Naperville and worked on the farm. At the age of six- teen, he managed to be received into Com- pany H, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and remained in service three years; was a brave soldier. On his return home, he engaged in farming with his brother, Will- iam, a child by his father's marriage prior to that with Miss Woodruff. In 1875, he en- gaged as a policeman in St. Louis, Mo., which he continued the greater part of three years. Was married, November 9, 1879, to Maggie, a daughter of Jeremiah and Ann Caskey; ber father died in the late war, and her mother in Iowa; her parents had three children — George, one deceased when small and Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Bond have no children. They settled on Mr. D. M. Green's farm of 251 acres in 1879, having the exclu- sive control of the same, except being in partnership with Mr. Greene in a large dairy business. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, Downer's Grove. He votes the Republican ticket. 132 BIOGRAPHICAL: HON. A. S. BARNARD, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born February 11, 1819, in Mon- roe County, N. Y. ; is a son of Timothy and Julia (Hills) Barnard; be a native of Connec- ticut, born in 1789, and died January 8, 1881; she a native of Masachusetts, died in 1864. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an Elder for forty years; was Judge of the Courts of Mouroe County, N. Y. Our subject obtained a fail- education in the schools of his native county. In 1838, he came to Du Page County with Rev. E. Strong, and entered land where he remained for twenty-five years. In 1800, he settled on his present farm of 185 acres. He was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Ray- nolds, daughter of William and Margaret (Morrison) Raynolds, natives of Connecticut. Mr. Raynolds was a noted sea captain many years. This marriage resulted in seven chil- dren, viz., Julia, deceased, who married S. A. Ballon, a Major in the late war; Timothy H., who was a clerk in the Commissary De- partment during the late war; Robert It., Daniel D., Charles F., Frederick O, Eliza- beth and an infant deceased. Mr. Barnard has been Supervisor and Town Clerk; he honored his county as a member of the State Legislature in 1863-04. The family are members of the Congregational Church of Naperville. WILLIAM H. BANNISTER, farmer, P. O. Naperville; was born October 15, 1813, in Ontario County, N. Y. ; is a son of Asahel and Polly (Miles) Bannister, natives of Mas- sachusetts, and parents of eleven children, six of whom survive, viz., Asahel, Thomas M., W. H., Mary, Henry, Dwight and Edwin. The parents were Presbyterians; the father was in the war of 1812; was a Colonel, and was shot in shoulder. Mr. Bannister received a com- mon school education, worked on the farm and clerkeil for his father in a drv foods stern ^hir- ing his younger days, and came to Illinois with his brother Albert about 1840. Subject worked awhile by the month, and then bought laud where he now lives. He was married, in 1849, to Catharine Leich, a daughter of John and Catharine (Kinkid) Leich. natives of Pennsylvania, and parents of seven children, viz., Lettie, Robert, Belle, Rebecca, Samuel, Catharine and Joseph. Mrs. Bannister came to Illinois in 1840, in company with all her family save her father, who died a little while prior to their starting. Mr. Bannister's mar- riage blessed him with hve children, viz. , Asahel, Willard, Eva, Catharine and Will- iam H. Mr. Bannister has 313 acres of fine lands, the result of his early days' labors with the ox teams and the ancient plows. He helped to construct the first schoolhouse in his neighborhood; takes an interest in educa- tion; votesthe Republican ticket. A. B. CHATFIELD, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born November 20, 1810, in Dutchess County, N. Y. ; is a son of Sherman and Deborah (Wood) Chatfield, natives of New York and Connecticut, and parents of six chil- dren, viz., Alonzo B., Barak, Minerva, Henry H., Eliza and Benjamin F. The parents emigrated to this county in 1835, and here the mother, who was born in 1791, died in 1839, and the father, who was bom in 1790, died in 1853. The educational advantages of oiu' subject were limited. He was married in Broome County, N. Y, in 1834, to Mary E. Graves, a native of that county, born in 1816, daughter of Adam and Lydia (Lin%ley) Graves, natives of Connecticut; hedied in 1853; she. born in 1780, died in 1840. This marriage resulted in ten children, seven of whom are still living — Mary, George W. (who was in the late war), Edward, Lucy Ann, Alonzo B. (clerk in the Treasury Department at Wash- ington, D. C. ; was in the late war, and lost !,;.; r ivl,f arm jr) fiio bnttln of Blafk River LISLE TOWNSHIP. 133 Bridge), J. Randolph, Emma, Rosa, Charles and Albert; the latter married to Anna Lloyd, of Iowa, and has one child. Mr. Chat- lield was Constable several years; Justice of the Peace eight years; Assessor five years, and School Trustee six years. He was the first to suggest the name of Lisle Township, that being the name of one of the townships in his native county; his present home lies on the old Indian trail from Batavia to Chi- cago. Mrs. Chatfield is a member of the Methodist Church of Downer's Grove. Mr. Chatfield is a Republican. CAPT. ROBERT DIXON, merchant, Lisle, was born November 8, 1835, in Belfast, L-e- land. His parents, Robert and Mary (Wil- son) Dixon started from Belfast to Australia in 1834, and were shipwrecked, and returned to where they had started from. The passen- gers at once brought suit against the owners of the ship at Liverpool for damages, and while the litigation was going on our subject was born. In 1836, the parents landed with their family at New York, and thence came to Downer's Grove, where the father bought land and located. He once had occasion to go away from home, and upon returning after dark and striking the prairie adjacent to his new home, everythingseemedchanged. While away, his wife had in some way set fire to the grass, and hundreds of acres were con- sumed. Mi'. Dixon wandered around for many hours, and finally tied his oxen and laid down, soon falling into a sleep. He awoke with* the sunshine, and on going to a little cabin strange looking to him. he there was greeted by his wife. The father, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1804, was one of the first temperance men here, and was a .Justice of the Peace. He was one of the leaders of the Underground Railroad, being an Abolitionist when it almost cost a man's life to express anything, in that cause. He was informed in his own house by a preacher that Abolitionists were on the road to hell as fast as they could go; the old man had a heart that bled for the poor unfortunate ones in bondage, and took no fear upon himself. He died August 3, 1850, his wife, who was born in Enniskillen, Ireland, in 1809, died in 1865. Our subject was on the farm until twenty-six years old, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and held every office up to Captain, having been appointed one year before the close of the war. He was one of ten from his regiment who, in no way marked or crippled, was in thirty-six heavy battles, besides sieges and skirmishes. On his re- turn, he engaged in the wood and coal busi- ness, under the firm name of Dixon & Glea- son, at Chicago. He then formed a partner- ship with C. P. Dixon & Co. (brothers) in the manufacture of sash and window blinds. August 10, 1874, he entered a partnership with D. D. Escher in the general dry goods business at Downer's Grove, and through the unfortunate failing of his partner, P. A. Rowland took Escher's place and with him Mr. Dixon was successful. In 1881, he lo- cated at Lisle, where he has done a lucrative business. In September, he closed out his stock of goods, and anticipates a home in the West. He was married at Downer's Grove. December 25, 1869, to Sarah J. Rowland, bom inMendon. N. Y., April 5, 1844, daugh- ter of Stephen and Celia (Smart) Rowland, by whom he has four children, viz.. Maiy C, Robert R., Stephen W. and Sarah E. He has always been a temperance worker; is an active member, as well as his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Downer's Grove; was one of the building committee for the present church; was voted a resolution of thanks for the discharge of his duty of Treasurer of said committee. h.-.s 134 BIOGRAPHICAL: always been an active and energetic Repub- lican. J. DUTTER, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born August 2, 1827, in Germany; is a son of Jo- seph and Magdalena (Bapst) Dutter. The parents came to this county in 1839, and the father engaged on the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal; he died in 1853; the mother is living. Our subject is the only one of seven children that survive. He had little chance of education, owing to the limit- ed circumstances of his parents; was married, 1850, to Theresa Riedy, who blessed him with two children — Louisa and Delia. In his early days in thi ; county he witnessed the hard ships that made up the life of the early set- tlers. On one occasion, he hauled a wagon load of turnips to Chicago and sold them for enough to buy a hoe; and many other like ex- periences were attached to him. He has 138 acres of well improved land, the result of his own labors. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church of Naperville; he votes the Democratic ticket. ANDREW DILGER, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove; was born May 27, 1832, in Ger- many, and is a son of George and Mary A. (Ehrhard) Dilger, natives of Germany. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and had eight children, viz., Andrew, Fred, John, Christian, Lena, Emma, Godlove, and one who died in infancy. The father, born April 15, 1801, died September 4, 1870, was a soldier in one of the wars of Germany; his wife, born February 3, 1806, died October 25, 1836. Our subject attended school as much as was convenient, and early commenced to work at farming, which he continued until he came to this country in 1852. He borrowed money to pay his passage over, and afterward liquidated the debt with money earned by ar ming for very small wages. By his in- u s try and perseverance he now owns 127 acres of well-improved land. At Naperville, 111., October 28, 1857, Mr. Dilger married Chris- tina Shafer, born September 30, 1837, daugh- ter of David and Christina (Nusbaum) Shafer. natives of Germany. By this unionrive chil- dren have been born — Mary A. (Mrs. Henry Roth), Emma L., Lydia C, Lizzie R. and George M. He is also the guardian of George, Mena, Elbert and Samuel, children of his wife's sister, Mrs. Mary Hassert; these children live with him, as well as a boy, Frank Manfelth, whom he is bringing up. He, his wife, Mary, Emma and Lydia are members of the German Church of Downer's Grove, in which Mr. Dilger is serving as Trust- ee and Collector. He has held some town- ship offices; is a Republican. JOHN EICHELBARGER, farmer, Naper- ville, was born August 20, 1818, in Lancaster County, Penn. , is a son of Jacob and Ann (Baker) Eichelbarger, the parents of thirteen children, five of whom survive, viz., George, Jacob, Michael and Abe. Our subject attend- ed school a very little in a log cabin; John be- ing compelled to labor on the farm the time when he should have attended school. He was married in 1838 to Susan HartrunnufT, who blessed him with three children, viz., Urias, Mary A. and John. He came to Illinois in 1870, and bought thirty acres of land where he now lives, paying $2,600 for the same. He and wife hold a membership of a Pennsyl- vania Methodist Church. He votes the Re- publican ticket. DANIEL M. GREENE, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born November 14, 1807, in Ver- mont, son of Richard and Lydia (Latham) Greene, natives of Connecticut; he, born about 1779, died about 1830; she, born about 1776, died in May, 1834. They had live children — Richard, Lydia, Maria, Daniel M. and William H. Aside from the country school, Mr. Greene attended an academy; his father's LISLE TOWNSHIP. 135 vocation was that of a shoemaker, and the son had to engage early in rural pursuits. At the age of twenty, he bought his time, and engaged in making potash and in running a mill, which he continued for several years; he then taught school in Western New York, receiving a compensation of $16 per month and board among the patrons. In Ogden, N. Y. , November 30, 1834, he married Elizabeth Venilea Trowbridge, a native of that place, born October 9, 1814, a daughter of Windsor S. and Rebecca (Willey) Trowbridge, the par- ents of seven children, viz., Elizabeth Ven- ilea, Fidelia, Oliver, Martha. Windsor, J. T. (the well-known author), and Edward. Her parents were Congregationalists. Her father, born January 1, 1788, died May 30, 1844; and her mother, born October 2, 1791, lived among her children until her death. March 1, 1882, at the age of ninety. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have had six children, viz., Edward T. (manufacturer and shipper of feed, Chi- cago), Maria F. (married to Darius Hunkius, ex-Mayor of Galena, 111.), Francis D. (died in Company B, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry), Carrie R. (married to J. W. Scott, publisher of the Chicago Herald, and associate proprietor of the Daili/ National Hotel Re- porter of Chicago), Grace H. (married to A. F. Hatch, of the law firm of Hatch & Aldis, of Chicago), and Venilea, who died in infancy. Soon after marriage, Mr. Greene came West and settled where he now lives, and where he has 251 acres of finely improved land, the re- sult of his own labors. He has served the town- ship as Assessor, Trustee, and several other small offices; was elected Sheriff in 1839, and retired in 1842, having been the first Sheriff of the county. The family are members of the Baptist Church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Greene is a Republican. DEACON P. GOODRICH, farmer, P. O. Lisle; was born in Benson, Vt., December 13, 1776; is a son of Simeon and Sarah (How- ard (Goodrich, natives of Connecticut, and parents of eight children, viz., Emily, Henry, Simeon, Lura, Charles, Pomeroy (subject), Sarah and Eliza. His father, born Septem- ber 11, 1758, died February 7, 1852, was Deacon in the Congregational Church for many years at Benson, Vt. ; his mother, born June 1, 1765, died February 14, 1839. Our subject attended the district schools and the academy at Castleton, in his native State. At twenty-one, he was engaged at farming and running a saw-mill: was married in Ben- son, Vt., January 2S, 1819, to Lucy M., daughter of Oliver and Keziah (Allen) Par- melee, natives of Connecticut, and soon after started for the West in company with his brother, Henry, Isaac Clark, Samuel Good- rich and Lester Peet; they stopped for one year in Ohio, and then came with their ox teams to ' what is now Lisle Township, Du Page County. Mr Goodrich took a claim of 320 acres where he now resides, and while he was constructing his log cabin, with dirt and stick chimney, his family remained at the residence of Mr. Boardman, of Will County. It was in this " cabin home " that the Indians, then friendly, found a welcome resting place. Occasionally the "red skins" would get on a spree from the use of too much wkisky, and would make the night hideous with their yells around this the first house in this part of the country. .At such times, the squaws would take care of the war and game implements, that no harm might come to Mr. Goodrich, who was always courteous to them. On one occasion, when the " bucks'' were on a '"spree," Mr. Goodrich became vexed, and taking his gun from the rack forced them away. He has by his first wife five children, viz., Betsey C, Chauncey M., Pomeroy H, Sarah A. and George, deceaseil. Mr. Goodrich lost his first wife, and his pres- 136 BIOGRAPHICAL: ent consort is a sister of A. S. Barnard. Sub- ject has been Deacon in the Congregational Church for fifty years; his family are mem- bers of that denomination. Mr. Goodrich, with Messrs. Morse and Kichards, built the first schoolhouse in his neighborhood. He votes the Republican ticket. C. H. GOODRICH, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville. Mr. Goodrich is another of the pio- neers of this county; was born July 31, 1823, in Vermont; is a son of Henry and Thankful S. (Watson) Goodrich, natives of Vermont They came to this county October, 1832, and settled for a short time where William B. Greene now lives, and later where the sub- ject now lives; here the father died on May 3, 1S41, and the mother about January 12, 1857; the parents had seven children, five of whom came to this county, viz., Eliza (Mrs. William Osburnj, T. H, Charles H, Willard C. and Martha F. The parents were two of the founders of the Naperville Congregational Church. Mr. Goodrich attended school some in the cabin and for awhile in Chicago. Went East in 1840, and while there attended school in Benson and Castleton, Burr Semin- ary at Manchester, and Middlebury, all of Vermont; he then taught for some time; he returned to Illinois in 1847, and engaged in teaching. Was married, 1851, to P. Jane Tur- ner, by whom he had five children — Henry H, Ida T., Jennie E., Irving and C. W. (de- ceased. He settled, at marriage, where he now lives, having 212 acres of well-improved land; has three acres of orchard. One of the finest schoolhouses constructed in this neigh- borhood was located on the northwest cor- ner of Mr. Goodrich's farm; it was built by John Collins. Henry H., Ida and Jennie have each taught school. All of his children graduated at the Northwestern College at Naperville. He and wife are members of the Congregational Church at Naperville. in which he is Deacon. He votes the Repub- lican ticket. More will be found of the Good- rich family elsewhere. WILLIAM B. GREENE, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born October 20, 1818, in Madison County, N. Y. ; is the son of Richard and Ethelinda (Briggs) Greene, natives of Rut- land County, Vt ; they removed to Connecti- cut by ox teams. The father practiced the botanical system of medicine for some time; the mother died in 1829 and the father was again married to a Miss Pease, resulting in two children, viz , one deceased when small and Richard L., now a physician in Mis- souri. Mr. Greene was one oE three chil- dren, viz. , Laura (deceased when seventeen), William B. and Spencer (represented his dis- trict, in the Legislature of Vermont one term; was an attorney). The father died August 29, 1831. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and awhile at the seminary at Castleton, Vt. He taught several terms in Vermont, and in Will Coun- ty, this State. In 1841, he came to Illinois aud engaged in rural pursuits, which he has since continued. In 1843, he bought 200 acres of land for $1,000 of the widow of Charles H. Goodrich, and has since remained on said farm, improving it exceedingly. Was mar- ried, March 16, 1845, to Harriet E., a daugh- ter of Eli and Eliza (Meacham) Meeker, natives of Vermont, and parents of three chil- dren, viz., Charles H, Harriet E. and Edward F. The father was a Congregational minis- ter; was a Mason, and by that order was sent South to teach in the public and private schools. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have been blessed with six children, three of whom sur- vive, viz., Laura E. (Mrs. Capt. M. Y. Morgan, whose husband was of Company — , Thirty third Illinois Volunteer Infantry; he gradu- ated at the "Normal," McLean County, 111.; was Principal of the Naperville Seminary. LISLE TOWNSHIP. 137 William S. (who married Jessie, a daughter of Thomas and Cleantha (Storm) Hibbard, natives of New York and residents of Chicago, where her father is receiver of the Grand Pacific Hotel) and Gertrude M. (at St. Mary's College, Knoxville, Knox Co., 111.). Mr. Greene has served his township faithfully in some of the small offices which are all labor and no pay; has been Supervisor, and held the office of Township Treasurer thirty years in succession. He is Warden in the Protest- ant Episcopal Church of Naperville, of which organization the family are active members. ADAM GESSNER, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville. was born August 27, 1833, in Germany: is a son of Casper and Margaret (Steperlin) Gessner, natives of Germany and parents of five children — Henry, Conrad, Catharine. Adam and Margaret. Mr. Gessner attended school as much as was convenient in the old country; became to this county in 1850, and engaged for awhile by the month at SI to SlO: was chopping wood, etc. Was married, 1860, to Elizabeth, a daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Swilly) Russler, the parents of eight children — Elizabeth, Fannie, Rebecca, Daniel, Mary, Susannah. Matilda and Joseph. Mr. Gessner has nine living children out of ten, the result of this union, viz., Clinton, Sarah, Joseph, Albert, Henry, Emma, Ida, John. Lizzie, Walter and infant. He set- tled his present farm of 170 acres in INTO. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Association of Naperville; votes Republican ticket. JOHN HEITZLER. farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born in Alsace February I - .'. 1845; is son of Joseph and Frances Heitzler, natives of Alsace and parents of four children, viz., Frances (Mrs. Fred Polling), Rosa (Mrs. J. Seiler), Joseph (living in Henry County, 111.), and John; parents came to Du Page County in 1853, settling where the subject now lives, where they died; the mother was killed by lightning in the cabbage patch August 19, 1879; the father died November 11, 1881; were members of the Catholic Church of Naperville; parents came here in poor circumstances, and labored hard to sus- tain their family, using the pioneer imple- ments and ox teams. Subject attended school but little; owing to the limited circumstances of the family, he was compelled to hire out at the age of twelve at $8 per month, plowing with five yoke of oxen; he mowed with scythe when quite young. The means obtained by his labors were consumed by the family; he often hauled corn to Lockport, and sold it at 30 cents per bushel. He worked with his father until his father's death: was married May 'J5. 1869, to Kate Seiler. by whom he has six children, viz., Joseph, Henry, Frank. Mary, Adaline. infant, also one deceased. He has about one hundred and seventy acres of well improved land, partly timber and partly under good cultivation. He has never sought any office; the family are members of the Catholic Church at Napervi le; votes the Democratic ticket; takes interest in education; he ran a threshing machine for sixteen years; he was in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was out seven months; in no battles. PHILIP HERBERT, farmer, P. O. Cass, was born April 19, 1839, in Germany; is the son of Henry and Katharine (Bohrer) Her- bert, natives of Germany, who came here Jan- uary 12, 1854, settling near where the sub- ject now resides. The parents had nine chil- dren — Margaret, Katharine, Mary. Philip, Henry, Abbie, William. Elizabeth and John. The father, who was born June 22, 1801, died February 24,1880; the mother, born June 20, 1807, is living with her son William. The parents early united with the Catholic Church ■ at Lemont. Our subject attended school but 138 BIOGRAPHICAL: nine days in this country. He teamed for three years in Chicago, and the remainder of his life has been spent in farming; was mar- ried in Milton, January 9, 1866, to Elizabeth, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Miller) Oberhart. She blessed him with six chil- dren, four of whom died within two weeks in 1882 with diphtheria. Their names were — Maggie, Katie, Annie and George. Those living are Willie and Mary. Mrs. Herbert was born in Chicago September 4, 1845; her father, born March 11, 1807, died October 30, 1868; her mother, bom April 25, 1808, died April 22, 1870. Mr. Herbert has held some minor offices; he and his wife are mem- bers of the Catholic Church of Lemont, 111. He votes the Democratic ticket. FRED HATCH, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born February 5, 1839, in Lisle Township, Du Page County, the son of Luther and Laura (Kidder) Hatch, natives of New Hampshire, and parents of three boys, viz., Fred, Ezra (storekeeper at Brooklyn, Iowa), Luther A. (farmer in Lynn County, Iowa). The father was born February 5, 1S04; came to DuPage County about 1832, and bought land where Patrick O'Brien now lives, and afterward lo- cated permanently where our subject now lives; here he died April 22, 1852, having pos- sessed 145 acres of well-improved land, which he had taken when raw prairie; the mother died May 25, 1879. The father was Township Treasurer at the time of his death, having held the office for many years. Mr. Hatch attend- ed the country schools and Wheaton College, after whicli he applied himself at teaching for nine terms. He was married in Lynn County, Iowa. October 12, 1862, to Hannah T. Burtis, of Iowa; by her he had two chil- dren — Freddie B. (decease;!) and Luther. Mrs. Hatch died July 7, 1867, and he was again married March 10, 1868, to Anna Ott, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Warner) Ott, natives of Germany, and the parents of six children, viz., Elizabeth, Franklin, Joseph, Anna, Laura and Joseph; her parents settled in Milton Township, in this county, about 1841, where the father died in November, 184S, and the mother in February, 1849. Mrs. Hatch was born May 27, 1S44, in this county; she has blessed her husband with six children, viz., Frank W. , Clarence R., Rosa, Hattie, Harry and Mabel. Mr. Hatch has 145 acres of finely improved land here, and 120 acres in Linn County, Iowa. He has held some small offices, as Trustee, etc. He is an active member of the Congregational Church; votes the Republican ticket. His father was an early ^Abolitionist. MARTIN HINTERLONG, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born June 15, 1841, in Alsace, Germany; is a son of Joseph and Celestika Hinterlong, natives of Germany, and the par- ents of four children — Martin, Antony, John, Joseph; the parents were early settlers where the subject now lives; here they used ox teams and experienced many hardships that were attached to the lives of the pio- neers. The father died in 1868, and the mother followed him two years later. They possessed 240 acres; at the time of their de- cease, which the children now possess. Our subject obtained a fair education; was mar- ried January 14, 1869, to Frances Kaefer, a daughter of Lawrence and Frances (Neff) Kaefer; her parents had three children — Josephine, Francis and William. Mr. Hin- terlong's union resulted in three children — Edward, Frank and Henry; members of the Catholic Church; has been Pathmaster ; Dem- ocrat; has a dairy of forty cows. HENRY HORSTMANN, farmer, P. O. Na- perville, was born January 22, 1822, in Prussia; his parents, Henry and Dorathy (Jung) Horst- mann, were natives of the same country, and had nine children, four of whom grew up — ■ LISLE TOWNSHIP. 139 Henry, Emily, Matilda and Bertha; the par- ents were Lutherans. Our subject attended school till he was seventeen, and was engaged then for a time in merchandising. In 1848, he came to New York, and worked awhile for a farmer in Ohio. In 1S49, he bought fifty acres of land, a part of his present farm of 200 acres. In 1857, he was married to Maria Hammerschmidt, a native of Germany, which union blessed him with six children, viz., Henry, Adolph, Emily, Julius, Bertha, and one deceased. Mr. Horstmann has been School Director thirty years in succession, and has filled other small offices; he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Naper- ville, in which he holds office. He takes a deep interest in education, and is a Republican. E. W. HEYNEN, farmer, P. O. Naperville, born February 28, 1816, in Germany; is a son of John and Margaret (Reth) Hey nen, the parents of nine children — Fred, Caroline, Minnie, John, Peter, August, Harriet, E. W. , Julia; they were Lutherans. Mr. Heynen attended school considerable, obtaining a fair education; he entered a store room as clerk when quite young. In 1841, peddled on com- mission, handling all kinds of notions; was married in 1841 to Matilda Kreuzer, the result being seven children, four of whom survive — Robert, Otto, August and A.nnis. Robert is farming the home place. Our subject came to Illinois in 1848 ; he farmed two years near Freeport and then worked with Henry Horst- mann for five years. In 1856, he bought sixty acres where he now lives, paying $2,000 for the same. He and wife are Lutherans; votes the Republican ticket; his oldest son, Annis, killed in the late war. S. D. ICHL, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born July 23, 1853, in Vernon, Lake Co. , 111. ; is a son of George and Mary (Escher) Ichl, natives of Germany. His par- ents came to Illinois, the father in 1830, and the mother later; the parents had four children — Leanna (Mrs. Fred Gress, farmer, Dakota). Libbie, Solomon D. and Reuben; they were members of the Evangelical As- sociation; the father is living in Lake Coun- ty; the mother died October 20, 1866; the father aga:n married Mrs. Elizabeth Schnei- der, the widow of Jacob Schneider, by whom she had two children, viz., Sarah and Henry. Pen cannot describe the hardships of the par- ents of our subject, and we will only leave them to be compared with similar experiences mentioned in different parts of this book. Our subject is farming 167 acres belonging to his uncles, M. E., J. T. and S. D. Escher. His brother, Reuben, is working for him, and his aunt. Mrs. Lizzie (Faul) Escher is keep- ing house for them ; her husband is deceased ; the boys are making a specialty of raising grain. THOMAS JELLIES, farmer and retired carpenter, P. O. Lisle, was born December 31, 1807, in England; is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Baker) Jellies, who were the parents of twenty children, eleven of whom grew up and eight now survive. The par- ents lived to be very old; the mother died in a rocking chair without a struggle, while reading the Bible; she was an active member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Jellies, our subject, obtained a fair educa- tion, and when eighteen years old began the carpenter's trade, which he continued the most of his life. He was married in 1830 to Mary A Chapman, by whom he was blessed with five children: three survive, viz., William, Betsey and Sarah. Mrs. Jel- lies died in 184S, and Mr. Jellies was again married in 1850, this time to Mary, a daugh- ter of Thomas H. and Mary (Marney) Black- burn; she was born February 21, 1822, in Kentucky, and was first married to James E. Smith, the union resulting in three boys and HO BIOGRAPHICAL one girl, viz., Byron, Eugene, Thomas and Julia, now Mrs. L. H. Mcintosh, of Califor- nia, whose husband owns 4,000 acres of land. Mrs. Jellies' first husband died in 1848; her marriage with the subject resulted in four children — Jennie, Lucy, Bertha and Mary. Mr. Jellies put up the first schoolhouse in the neighborhood of Lisle. He made a wagon, the wheels of which were composed of blocks sawn from an oak tree, upon which he hauled the logs to the mill, and the lumber for it with ox teams to build the rude structure. At this building meetings were held, to attend which many of the early settlers drove their ox teams to their rude wagons and sometimes to sleds in the month of July. Mr. Jellies has property worth $3,000 near Lisle Station, and with his wife enjoys good health at their ripe old age. Mr. Jellies is a Republican. JOHN KUECHEL, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville,.was born January 17, 1840, in Alsace, now Germany; is a son of John and Salome Kuechel, natives of Germany, where the father died, and the mother, emigrated to this country in 1856, and died in 1869; was a member of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Kuechel attended school until fourteen year old, at which time he engaged actively in rural labor, driving ox team, etc. He set- tled with his mother on the land now owned by Solomon Mertz, where he remained until 1864, entering then the ministry in the Evan- gelical Association, which he continued with unbounded success in different parts of the State till 1876, when he withdrew on account of ill health; he now devotes his time mostly to his line farm of 106 acres, lying a short distance north of Naperville; he was married to Mary Sembach, which union resulted in six children, viz., Adin, George, Charles, Samuel, Mary C. and Benjamin. He is now Superintendent of the Sunday school of the Evangelical Association at Naperville, of which organization he and wife are active members. Mr. Kuechel is the artificer of his own little fortune ; he experienced the loss of a father when quite young, and consequently, being the only child, had to care for himself and mother. He labored for several years by the month, and by frugality and energy se- cured him a very pleasant home. He has taken a deep interest in educating his chil- dren. HENRY MANBECK, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born in Berks County, Penn., Janu- ary 14, 1823; his parents removed to Schuyl- kill County, Penn., when he was six years old, where he lived till 1854. He received a fair education in the district schools, and began life working on the farm; he also worked at the turner's trade two years, but abandoned it for farming. April 26, 1853, be married Rachel Reed, a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., and in the same month moved west to this county, where he bought a piece of land about two miles east of Naperville, on which he lived till about the year 186!t, when he moved to his present place, which adjoins the northeast corner of the corporation of Naperville; here he has lived ever since. Of his seven children only five are now living. He is a Republican, and a member of the Evangelical Church. J. R. McMILLEN, Station Agent and Post- master, Lisle, was born September 4, 1830, in Union County, Ind., and was raised in Ohio; is the son of James W. and Cynthia A. (Mil- ler) McMillen, he, a native of South Car- olina, born October 31, 1796, died in Illinois February 26, 1868; she a native of Shelby ville, Ky., born in August, 1806, died in Ohio August 23, 1843. Our subject availed him- self of such educational advantages as the din trict schools afforded. At twenty years of age, he commenced working on the Illinois Central Railroad track, where he continued two years, after which he learned the trade LISLE TOWNSHIP. 141 of brick-laying; after working at his trade four years in Bloomington, he settled in Ches- ter, Randolph County, where he continued his trade successfully; while at work on a railroad depot, he fell, breaking both his lower limbs, one of which was amputated above the knee. As soon as he had sufficient- ly recovered to labor, he was employed in a railroad office in Chicago. In 1866, he was appointed agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Lisle, which position he has since beld. In 1867, he was commis- sioned Postmaster. At Macomb, 111., Septem- ber 13, 1859, he married Martha A. Hawkins, born in Reading, Vt., March 11, 1840, a daugh- ter of John S. and Martha (Morrison( Hawk- ins, natives of Vermont. This union has re- sulted in live children, viz., Edward W., aged nineteen years; John F., seventeen years; Charles A., twelve years; Fletcher H. , ten years; and Anna M., who died in infancy. Mr. Millen was Justice of the Peace three years, and is now in his seventh term as Town Clerk. By his industry, he has secured a good property worth about $1,800. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, he of the Congregational, in the Sunday school of which he is Superintendent; he is a stanch Republican. SOLOMON MERTZ, farmer, P. O. Lisle. was born July 12, 1813, in'Pennsylvania: is a son of Henry and Hannah Mertz, the par- ents of eighteen children, six of whom still survive, viz., Solomon, Charles. David, Elias, JMward and Mary. The father was in the battle of Lexington, the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Mertz obtained a good education, and worked at farming, which occupation he began on his own re- sponsibility on attaining his majority. In 1834, he married Lucy, daughter of Solomon Butts, of Pennsylvania; she died in 1854, having borne eleven children, seven of whom are living; they are Solomon, Frank, Will- iam, Owen, Henry, Louisa and Mary. Mr. Mertz was again married in 1856 to Saloma, daughter of Jacob and Saloma (Repps) Rehm. Mr. Rehm died December 28. 1881 ; his wife, at the age of sixty-seven, lives with the sub- ject. Mr. Mertz has by his second wife nine children, viz., George, Daniel, Edward, Alice, Amelia, Delia, Ida, Ella and Lula. Mr. Mertz settled where he now lives August 11, 1845; he has 350 acres of well-improved land in this county, and 160 acres in Kankakee County. Mrs. Mertz is a member of the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Mertz of the Lutheran; he was one among the noted hunters of this county; he is a Republican. D. H. NARAMORE, retired farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., December 10, 1803; son of Joel and Electa (Clarke) Naramore, natives of Pitts- held, Mass. Joel Naramore, who was born October 1, 1767, died at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., June 13, 1813; his wife, born October 29, 1764, died March 3, 1844; she was a member of the Congregational Church. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living, the eldest being eighty-seven, the youngest seventy-three years of age. Mr. Naramore., at twenty-one years of age, appren- ticed to the blacksmith's trade in Benson, Vt., which trade he followed for ten years or more. In 1835, he came by boat and stage to Ohio; afterward settled at Lisle Township this county (then Cook County), paying $1,000 for a claim of 280 acres, which he farmed till 1876, when he moved to Downer's Grove, where he has since resided. In this county, February 12, 1837, he married Eunice K. Peet, born July 24, 1815, in Poultney, Rut- land Co., Vt. , who came to Lisle Township and stayed with her brother Lester, who taught the first school in this county at Naper- ville; she is a daughter of Wheelock and 142 BIOGRAPHICAL: Alcy (Hickok) Peet, he a native of Bethle- hem, Conn., born April 28, 1774, died July 29, 1860; she was of Williamstown, Mass., born September 12, 1775, died October 20, 1832; the parents of six children, of whom three are living, the eldest being seventy- eight, the youngest sixty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Naramore are the parents of five children, of whom two are living — Lucy A. (married John Stanley) and Lester P. (mar- ried Eppie M. Pinches). Mr. Naramore has always been a stanch advocate of temper- ance; his wife is a member of the Congrega- tional Church; when she first came to this county the Indians were quite numerous. HENRY NETZLY, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., Septem- ber 21, 1832; is the son of Jacob and Mary (Mentzer) Netzly, who came to this county in 1851, settling where the subject now lives, and where the father died in 1868; the mother is living in Chicago. The parents had fourteen children, viz., Urias, Henry, Susan, Betsey, Sarah, Mary, Jacob, John, Daniel, Samuel, Lenaus, Franklin, Lydia and Lucinda. Mr. Netzly obtained a fair ed- ucation, and the greater part of his life has been that of a farmer. He came to Du Page County with his parents by steamboat; for a few years the family did all their tilling of the soil and hauling of grain to Chicago by means of ox teams. Mr. Netzly was married in 1855 to Catharine Brossman, born October 14, 1836, daughter of Jacob and Leo (Grill) Brossman, natives of Pennsylvania; they were Lutherans, and came to Naperville, 111., in 1854. They had twelve children, all of whom are dead, except four, viz , Jacob, Mar- tin, Catharine and Lydia; the father is dead; the mother is living. Mr. and Mrs. Netzly have had nine children, viz., Adelia, Rufus, Mary, Laura E. , Ira, Lydia, Marvin, who was drowned June 10, 1882, in the Du Page River, and Jared and Horace, also deceased. Mr. Netzly owns 300 acres of fine land, most- ly the result of his own labors; he and wife are members of the Baptist Church; he is a Republican. MORIS NEFF, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born in September, 1822, in Alsace, Ger- many, son of Martin and Catharine (Craver) Neff, natives of Germany, and the parents of four children — Moris, Martin, Joseph and one deceased; the parents were Catholics. Mr. Neff attended school during his younger days, and came to America at an early day. He mined in California from 1850 to 1851; he served during the Mexican war, being in every engagement from Vera Cruz to Mexico. In 1849, Mr. Nell', married Helena Frederick, who blessed him with seven children — Adam, Andone, Henry, Moris, Victor, Allen and Katie. Mr. Neff settled on his present farm of 104 acres in 1852; he put up a store building costing $2,000. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Neff has plowed with the ox teams, and has wit- nessed the varied scenes of pioneer life; he is a Democrat. JOHN NADELHOFFER, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born July 10, 1836; is a son of John and Magdalena (Operline) Nadel- hoffer, the parents of five children, viz., Magdelena, John, Mary (Mrs. John Earhardt), Charles and Saloma ; the parents were Luther- ans; the father was a wagon-maker. John attended school during the winters until fourteen years old, when he hired out at small wages; he came to America in 1856, and en- laced on a farm for John Christie, of this county, at $12 per month. In 1863, he rented of Alois Schwartz for two years, afterward of D. Sleight and James Wright; he then bought 143 acres where he now lives, and has since remained there, improving the same; he pos- sesses 150 acres, the result of his own labors; LISLE TOWNSHIP. 145 "was married August 16, 1856, to Catharine Krantwasser, the result being eight children, viz., Catharine (Mrs. J. D. McMahan), John, Daniel, Lena (Mrs. J. Seiles), Julia, Emma and Bertha. Mr. Nadelhoffer has been no office seeker, but is now Constable of Lisle Township. The family belong to the Lutheran C hurch of Naperville ; he votes the Democratic ticket. JACOB OFFEELE, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born September 28, 1844, in Alsace, France, now Germany; is a son of John J. and Marie Salome (Yagel) Offerb, also natives of Alsace, France, now Germany, who came to Pennsylvania in 1855, and to this county in 1865. The father, born April 10, 1811, died February 18, 1881, and the" mother, born May 28, 1813, died August 8, 1876; they had three children, viz., Adam, Jacob and Adolph; the parents were Lutherans. Mr. Offerlo at- tended the country schools, and was married at Naperville March 19, 1S6S, to Wilhelmina Rippe, born December 12, 1850, only child of Henry and Marie D. (Bosenwinkle) Rippe, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to Illinois in 1S56; the father was a tailor, and worked in Naperville. Mr. and Mrs. Offerle have five children — William Frank, born De- cember 17, 1868; Marie Dorothy, born May 2'.). 1870; Henry Adolph, born Jan. 29,1872, died May 27, 1872; Hannah Lovine Clara, born August 12, 1874, and Henry L., born May 16, 1879. Mr. Offerle has ninety acres of well improved land; he and wife are Lutherans. Mr. Offerle' s brother Adolph was born December 20, 1847, and was married in]lS72 to Matilda Rosenwinkle, by whom he had five children — Frank, Alfred, Amel, Adolph and Amelia. F. S. ORY, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born January 12, 1818, in Germany; is the son of Ferdinand Ory, and one of five children, and the only boy; he attended school some in his childhood days; he came to Illinois in 1844, and bought 200 acres where he now resides at $15 per acre. He now possesses 300 acres of well improved land, the result of his own labors; was married to Josephine Doael, and has eight children living of a family of eleven, viz., Antres, Atwal, Adaline, Joseph- ine, William, Ferdinand, Mary and Louise; has used the ancient farm implements and driven ox teams, hauling oats to Chicago, and selling them at 13 cents per bushel. He has twenty-eight cows, and runs a dairy. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church at Naperville; he votes the Democratic ticket. MRS. ROSELLA PUFFER, Downer's Grove, was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y. ; she is the daughter of David and Lavina ( Wilkinson) Kinyon, natives of New York State, and the parents of seven children. The father died in 1826; the mother is still living. In her younger days, Mrs. Puffer lived with her cousins, Loring and Grenell. In 1843, she married Reuben Puffer, a son of Henry and Lusani (Wilson) Puffer. Soon after their marriage, they came to Du Page County, and settled where subject now re- sides. Their first purchase was eighty-five acres of farm land, and they have since bought fifty acres of timber land in Milton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Puffer had ten chil- dren — Edwin, a stenographer in Chicago; Elmer, a manufacturer of telegraph apparatus in Chicago; Frank, a merchant in Chicago; Leonard R., engaged with his brother Elmer; William, Hattie and Genevieve, all at home. Two of their sons were in the late war; they were George, who died in the service, and Charles, who died in Iowa in 1867. Mr. Puffer died of heart disease in 1867. He and his wife experienced all the hardships of pio- neer life. The Puffer family are active Re- publicans. She is an active member of the 146 BIOGRAPHICAL: Baptist Church, and the family are possessed of tine literary accomplishments. THOMAS PELLING, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born October '25, 1812, in England; is a son of James and Jane (Belchambers) Poll- ing, who came here in 1843, settling where Netzley now lives. The parents had five children, viz., John, James, Thomas, William and Jane; parents were Baptists. Our sub- ject obtained but little education, owing to some financial disappointments of his father. Mr. Polling worked out by the year, the com- pensation varying from $60 to $85; he came to this county with his uncle, William Bel- chambers, who was afterward killed by a team running away with him. Mr. Pelling worked for awhile in New York with his brother at blasting rock. He was married in 1850 to S. Karfer, who blessed him with nine children, viz., Mary, Fred (was married No- vember 23, 18S0, to Frances Hitzler, and has one child, Iny), Angeline, Frank, Lawrence, Adaline and Ida A. In 1872, Mr. Pelling settled on his present farm of 113 acres; he makes a specialty of running a dairy; his wife is a Catholic; he votes the Democratic ticket. E. E. PAGE, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born December 28, 1824; is a son of Samuel and Judith (Elliott) Page, natives, the father of Massachusetts, and the mother of New Hampshire; the parents emigrated to Kane County, 111., in. 1838; there the father died December 28, 1839, with the small pox; he was the father of six chicken, viz., E. E., Clarissa and Harriet, and three deceased. The mother was married a second time to Nathan Williams, of Naperville, and the re- sult was one child; she died about 1865; was a Methodist. Mr. Page attended school in a log cabin Kane County. At the death of his father, he went to live with William Leonard, of Jo Daviess County, and in two years came to Du Page County, and made his home with the father of Judge R N. Murray. While here he had the privilege of attending school at Naperville, one and one-half miles distant. He afterward attended the school at Warrenville. In the spring of 1844, he engaged as a farm hand for John Dudley at $9 per month. At the expiration of six months he took service on a farm in Kane County at $12 per month. He labored, prior to that with Dudley, eleven months with Murray, spoken of above. In 1847, he en- gaged in the lumber business in Michigan; bought forty acres of land in Du Page Coun- ty in 1845 and 1846; he worked on the old Hobson mill dam across the Du Page River in 1849 ; was married, 1852, to Elizabeth Hob- son, which union resulted with three children, one living — Albert, married Florence Moody and has two children, Ethel and Lottie A. Mrs. Page was born in 1832; she settled with her husband for a short time in Milton Township, and then in 1853 came to then- present farm of 150 acres well improved, and with a large stone quarry; was elected Jus- tice of the Peace, 185S; enlisted in Company K, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was First Sergeant; was elected Supervisor of Lisle in 1866, and held the office for nine years; votes the Republican ticket. ALONZO PALMER, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born August 4, 1842; is a son of Riley S. and Nancy W. (Richards) Palmer. His parents came to this county in 1S55, settling on the Charles Parmelee farm; here the mother died in 1872; the father is now living in Nash- ville, Washington Co., this State. The par- ents had eight children, viz. , Mrs. C. P. Hatch, Alonzo, Allen, Mehetable, Mary V. (Mrs. George Schriver), Rosotta V. (Mrs. Perry Boucher), and Anna (Mrs. Elwood). Mr. Pal- mer attended school but little, owing to the limited circumstances of the family. He LISLE TOWNSHIP. 147 learned carpentering, and worked at the same for many years; was married in 1878 to Ella F., a daughter of John and Lucy (Peet) Rich- ards, now residents of this county. This union blessed him with two children, viz., Emma L. and May; he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was in several hard engagements; votes the Republican ticket. JOHN PHILIPP, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born October 5, 1854, in Gran- ville, Putnam Co., 111. ; is the son of Martin and Eve (Rohner) Philipp, natives of Germany and the parents of one child — John, our sub- ject; they came to Illinois in 1850. The father died in 1855, and the mother was sub- sequently married to Herman Pilz, by whom she has three children — Henry, Edward and Albert. The mother settled immediately after her marriage with Mr. Pilz, in Lisle Township, where they have since lived. Our subject remained on the farm with his father until 18S1, when he was married to Sarah Hoehn, and has one child — George. Mr. Philipp has forty acres of well-improved land, the result of his own labors. He and wife are members of the German Methodist Church of Downer's Grove. ELIJAH ROOT, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove. The subject of these notes was born September 26, 1821, in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt. ; is the son of Martin and Abigail (Stearns) Root, who came to this county in 1843. set- tling where the subject now lives, and were the parents of six children — Emily, Maria, James (deceased), Amos, James, Elisha. The parents were members of the Congrega- tional Church, in which the father was Dea- con. The father of the mother of Mr. Root was a Revolutionary soldier; was under the command of Gens. Sullivan and Burgoyne; was engaged in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Our subject, who is the only one living of his father's family, attended school as much as was convenient; he had the advantages of a select school at Benson, Vt. He was married September 6, 1853, to Jeannett, a daughter of Oliver and Jane Kin- yon, the result being eight children, viz., Al- mah J., Arthur-, Charles, Emma, Leonard, Al- bert (deceased), James (deceased), Helen (de- ceased). He settled on his present farm in 1842, buying eighty acres of the same, in 1844. He has now 147 acres of finely improved land, the attainment of his own labors. He went to California in 1851, where he mined with fair success for two years. He crossed the Isthmus of Panama when the people were dying there by the hundreds. Possessed of that characteristic that prompts a man to care for others as he would have them care for him, he with his strong arm carried many of the weak, sick and distressed ones from the hot, broiling sunshine to the shades of some isolated peak or small building, there to await death's summons. His official positions have been few but important; he has served the township faithfully for several terms as As- sessor, and is now in his eighth term as Jus- tice of the Peace; he has also held his share of the small offices, where it is all labor and no pay. He has experienced a few of the hardships that were to be endured by the pio- neer; he hauled oats to Chicago with ox teams, and sold at 10 cents per bushel. He makes a specialty of manufacturing sorghum molasses, having an elegant evaporator of the best construction; he brought the first sample of sorghum molasses to this county: he hauled the first load of merchandise to Down- er's Grove, for Henry Carpenter. His active mind never finds rest, and he has obtained a knowledge of law sufficient to practice before any justice court; he is an active Republican. JOSEPH RANOK, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born A])ril 23, 1844, in Lancaster 148 BIOGRAPHICAL: County, Penn. His parents, Joseph and Mar- garet Ranck, were natives of the same State; the mother came here in 1865, and lives with our subject; the father died in 1869 ; the par- ents were blessed with eight children — Jona- than, Samuel, Elizabeth (Mrs. Lewis), Emery, Amos and Joseph, and three deceased in in- fancy. The Ranck family emigrated to Penn- sylvania about 1740. Mr. Ranck attended school in the country academy at Waynesburg, Chester Co., Penn., and State Normal at Mil- lersville, same State; he taught some time; he clerked and kept store in Naperville two years, and the remainder of his life has been spent on a farm; was married to Francis E. Higgins, the result being two children, de- ceased; wife died in 1870; was married a second time in 1875 to Rebecca, a daughter of David and Susannah (Boyer) Frost, natives of Lebanon County, Penn. ; her parents came to this county in 1850, and twelve of their thirteen children survive — John, Elizabeth, Daniel, George, Susannah, David, Rebecca, Henry, Samuel, Jacob, Simon, Clara. Mr. Ranck has two children as a result of his last marriage — Elmira and Clarence; he has 115 acres of well-improved land, which he bought in 1866; he is running a dairy; he and wife are members of the Evangelical Association of Naperville; he votes the Republican ticket; has served in some small offices. RICHARD RICKERT, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born October 18, 1831, in Schuyl- kill County, Penn. ; is a son of Samuel and Mary (Green) Rickert; the mother died in 1844, having blessed her husband with six children, viz., Hannah, Richard, Edwin, Alexander, Matilda and Alfred. The father married a second time to Esther Deibert, re- sulting in no children. The father was a minister of the Evangelical Association; he also merchandized and shipped coal; is living in Naperville. Richard had some school ad- vantages in his younger days; his life has been that of a farmer; he came to this coun- ty in 1854 with his father's family, and his wife, Sophia, a daughter of George and Esther (Shiffert) Wenner, whom he had mar- ried in 1853; she was one of seven children — George, Esther, Mary, Clarissa, Peter, Lydia and Sophia; her father died when she was small; was Lutheran, to which organiza- tion her mother belonged. Mr. Rickert's re- union gave him six children, two of whom have been stricken from life's roll on earth; the four living are Mahlon, Emma, Irvin and Mary. His wife died in 1869, and he was subsequently joined in marriage with Susan Kramer, a daughter of Mrs. William Stark, by whom he has four children, viz., Matilda, William, Truman and Addie L. In 1860, he located-on his present well-improved farm of 116 acres, in Lisle Township, mostly the result of his own efforts. He has served in some small offices; enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry; votes the Republican ticket; takes an interest in educating his children; he and wife are members of the Evangelical Association at Naperville; his wife's parents live with the subject; her mother is blind. Mahlon, the son of Mr. Rickert, is employed in the Atchison, Topeka& Santa F6car works at Kansas City, and Emma, his daughter, is the wife of John Slick, a fireman on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. J. W. STEININGER, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born October 11, 1836, in Pennsyl- vania; is the son of George and Mary (Moose) Steininger, who emigrated to Du Page County at an early day. They were the parents of five children — Rebecca, Tillman, J. W., Catha- rine and Lizzie. The mother was born May 1, 1806, and died August 29, 1870. The parents were members of the Evangelical Association. Mi - . Steininger attended school LISLE TOWNSHIP. 149 some in his native State; he emigrated here with his father's family in 1843; he was married in 1S63 to Rebecca Ressler, a daughter of Joseph and Susannah Ressler, which union blessed him with six children — Alwin, born July 22, 1864, died August 11, 1870; Emma, born November 5, 1S66, died August 7, 1870; Glistie, born January 25, 1870, died August 30, 1870; Hattie, born October 22, 1871; Annie, born April 24, 1874; Charlie, born July 12, 1876. Mr. Steininger settled on his present farm of ninety-three acres in 1874, which is well improved, and the attainment of their own labors, save about $2,000 inherited by his wife. He and wife are members of the Evangelical As- sociation; takes an interest in education; has a dairy; votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. Steininger was born in 1843 in this county; her parents came here 1842; her mother brought five dozen eggs from Pennsylvania, thinking that such an article could not be found here. She remained overnight at what is now the Page residence, and the next morning carried Mrs. Steininger in ber arms a distance of two miles, together with a broom, to the place of their choice, a cabin 12x16, which for awhile contained three families. Since the above was written, Mrs. Steininger sends us the following, which we insert in her own language: "The threshers had come, and hands being scarce and wages high, mother not only cooked for them but helped to thresh. The required amount of ' chips ' were gathered, by which a fire was kept up, and over it was hung a kettle filled with beef. Giving her three children, the eldest bsing five, the command to feed the fire, she locked the door to prevent our get- ting lost on the prairie, and went to help the threshers; the only thing we could see was the cloud of dust from the machine. It was getting dark when mother returned, but she hastily changed her threshing suit for her 'home-made blue,' and soon bad supper wait ing. In the meantime, two ministers of the Evangelical Association called. Mother was an active member of that organization, and on this same evening determined to attend the prayer maeting at some distance. Father was opposed to her going, but she had the ministers remain for supper, and after all were seated she took a bowl of soup and a slice of bread, and left them to enjoy their meal while she ate her supper on the road to prayer meeting. " Mrs. Steininger's par- ents were blessed with eight children —Betsey, Rebecca, Mary, Daniel, Matilda, Joseph, Pianah, one dead. MARQUIS L. SARGENT, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born January 30, 1833, in Michigan. His parents were John and Irene (Sweet) Sargent, the father a native of New Hampshire, and the mother of the State of New York. They had seven children, six of whom now survive, viz., Louisa (Mrs. Judge Murray), Silvester (grocer in Chicago), Cleo C. (Mrs. Wright), M. L., Walter A. (police- man in Chicago) and Sarah M. (Mrs. W. Marvin). The parents emigrated to Mich- igan at an early day, and to Illinois in 1837, settling where the subject now lives. The father died in 1867; he was in the war of 1812 as a Sergeant. The mother died in 1876; she was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Sargent attended school in the country and at Naperville; he has spent the most of his active life on a farm. In early manhood he went to California, where he re- mained for a few years, and then returned to his present farm of 145 acres of well-improved land, on which he makes some specialty of stock raising. He was married in 1860 to Lois M., daughter of Henry and Lois (Royce) Ingalls, the parents of twelve children. Mr. Sargent was blessed with five children bv his 150 BIOGRAPHICAL: marriage, two living, viz., Earl and Lorene A. Mi's. Sargent is a member of the Con- gregational Church of Naperville. Mr. Sar- gent is a member of Naperville , Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., and votes the Democratic ticket, having cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. Mr. Sargent is educating his children in the Northwestern College. L. W. STANLEY, farmer. P. O. Downer's Grove, was born May 14, 1826, in Susque- hanna County, Penn. : is a son of Dexter and Nancy (Capron) Stanley, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Our subject is a brother of Mrs. Dryer, the mother of H. L. Bush, whose biography appears elsewhere. Mr. Stanley attended school in a cabin which stood where the residence of Mrs. Curtis, of Downer's Grove, now stands, his instructor being Nor- man G. Hurd. He has devoted his life'to farming, save four years, from 1850 to 1851, when he was mining in California, with his brother D. C. and Amos and Albert Adams. He settled on his present farm of 1 30 acres in 1 854, and has improved the same from the "raw" state to that of one to be desired by the most tasteful. In 1854, he married Helen, a daugh- ter of Aaron K. and Maria (Ford) Farr, the par- ents of seven children, viz., Helen, Edward, Mary, George. Frances. Ida and Charles; her parents came to Downer's Grove in 1842, where the father died subsequently, and the mother is living with the subject. Mr. Stan- ley has three children living, from a family of five, viz., Arthur F., Mabel and Louie; the former is working for the Western Eclec- tic Manufacturing Company of Chicago. Our subject has been identified with the Re- publican party since its organization, merg- ing from the Whig and Free- Soil organiza- tion. He devotes considerable time to the dairv business. SIMON SCHAFER, farmer, P. O. Down- er's Grove, was born September 17, 1839, in Germany; is a son of David and Christina (Nusbaum) Schafer, who came from Germany in 1853. They first settled in Canada, where they remained two years, and then came to Du Page County; here they rented land for several years, until they had saved sufficient means to purchase eighty acres, where our subject now lives, and where the parents died, the father in 18S0, the mother in 1806. Our subject was the only son, and had but little opportunity for attending school, the greater part of his time being employed in farming with the ox-team and the primitive implements of agriculture. The father's vo- cation was that of a weaver, and the son was hired out at an early age to learn farming, after which he took charge of his father's farm. He now has 120 acres of well-im- proved land of his own. In 1866, Mr. Scha- fer married Sarah Peters, a sister of Daniel Peters, whose biography appears elsewhere in this book. This union has resulted in six children, viz., Frank, Bertha, Amelia, Min- nie, Edith and Willie. Mi'. Schafer is en- gaged in the dairy business; he votes the Republican ticket. ALOIS SCHWARTZ, farmer. P. O. Na- perville. Mr. Schwartz was born June 17, ]828, in Alsace, now Germany; is a son of Michael and Mary Schwartz, natives of Ger- many and the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living, viz., Lawrence, Joseph, Alois, Ferdinand, Lewis, Antone and Michael; the parents emigrated to this coun- ty in July, 1846, and settled on the farm now owned by Michael Schwartz, near the center of Lisle Township; here the father died, September 10, 1865, and the mother in February. 1874; the parents were Catholics; the father was a fisherman in his native country. Alois experienced some of the LISLE TOWNSHIP. 151 hardships that were upon the early settlers. He never attended school a single day, and what education he possesses is the result of his ambitious efforts. In 1850. he went to California; there he mined successfully for about five years, after which he returned and bought land in Du Page County. By fru- gality and careful management, he has seciu'ed 380 acres of land, which is finely improved, partly by his own hands. In 1866, he made a wise selection of a help-mate in the person of Miss Katie Gipe, which union gave him four children, viz., Edward. Amelia. Dan C. and Andrew. He is tiling his farm; has now about 800 rods of tile drainage on his fine farm. The family are members of the Catho- lic Church of Naperville. His political pro- clivities are Democratic. ALBERT SCHMITT, farmer. P. O. Na- perville, was born July 22, 1834, in Alsace, now Germany; is the son o.f Francis A. and Francisca (Schwartz) Schmitt. The parents came to Du Page County in 1843, settling where the subject of these notes now lives; the father died on February 6, 1861 ; the mother was born October 24, 1808, and is living with her son Albert, of whom we write; the parents had three boys — Theopo- las. Antona and Albert; they united early with the Catholic Church. Mr. S. attended school some during his younger days; he drove ox teams when ten years old, hauling oats to Chicago and selling at 20 cents per bushel; he was married, June 3. 1856, to Mary Schmitt (no connection), she a daugh- ter of Martin and Mary (Pfaff) Schmitt. By her Mr. S. had seven children — Frank, Otilia, Henry E., Willie N., Joseph T., Andrew A. and Sophia (deceased). Ho owns 270 acres of well-improved land, which was formerly timbered. He is now Road Commissioner; has been School Director. The family are members of the Catholic Church of Naper- ville. Votes the Democratic ticket. His wife was born July 16. 1840, in Alsace. NICHOLAS STENGER, farmer, P. O. Naperville, was born January 22, 1860, in Du Page County; is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Snebly) Stenger. natives of Ger- many. The parents settled at Naperville very early, where the father died; the mother is still living; the parents had seven chil- dren, five of whom are living Mary. Amelia, Nicholas, Adolph, Elizabeth; they became members of the Evangelical Association very early. Our subject had good eduational advantages. He was married, November 25, 1881, to Emma, a daughter of Fred Strubler, of Naperville. He settled on his present farm of ninety-four and a half acres in 1882. He is making some specialty of stock-raising. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Association. He votes the Republican ticket; is a strict temperance man. His father was an owner of the early brewery at Naperville. E. O. STANLEY, farmer, P. O. Downer's Grove, was born August 8, 1828. in Penn- sylvania; is a son of Dexter and Nancy (Cap- ron) Stanley. Mr. Stanley is a brother of L. W. Stanley and Mrs. Dryer, the mother of H. L. Bush, in whose sketches the parents are prominently noticed. E. O. attended school in a small building on his father's farm, and for awhile in the old building that stood where T. M. Woods now lives. Was married, in 1862, to Mary Allen, a daughter of Mr. Allen, of Ohio, who blessed him with two children, viz., Adah M. and Lee. He has 134 acres of well-improved land, the re- sult of his own labors. He is running a dairy, having seventeen cows. Been in some small offices. Votes the Republican ticket. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church of Downer's Grove. G. W. WEBSTER, farmer, P. O. Naper ville. This enterprising young man is the 152 BIOGRAPHICAL: son of George W. and Caroline "Webster. The father is a son of Lyfretand Sarah Web- ster, and was born in 1811. The mother of our subject was born July 1, 1822. in Ash- land, N. H. ; is a daughter of Jacob and Clarissa (Webster) Shepherd. The Shep- herds are descendants of the Holdeness Colony, and the Websters of the Plymouth Colony. Mrs. Webster's parents emigrated to Lisle Township, this county, in 1849, and settled on the farm where the subject now lives. Here her father died in 1865, and her mother in 1860. She was one of two chil- dren, Caroline and Walter (a grocer of Chi cago). Her mother was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. She was mar- ried to Webster, the father of our subject, in 1846, the result being two children — Clara E. and George W. Her husband died in November, 1848. She and her consort came to this county in Saptember, 1846, buying at that time 152 acres at $1.25 per acre. Here she has lived since. Her parents really never bought any land here, but made their home with her after her husband died. She and her son lived in Chicago for seven years, where he was engaged in the milk and gro eery business. George is now managing the farm, raising grain and stock. His mother lives with him. He is somewhat in the dairy business. Mrs. Webster tells a little circum- stance connected with the life of ancestors, Websters and Shepherds, which we deem worth a notice, as it illustrates some facts set forth in parts of this book. These relations were, two families o£ them, located on the banks of a river, in New Hampshire, some forty miles away from any other people. The river ran between the two families, and, as there was no means by which they could cross, the women were so eager to visit that they would go to the banks and holloa at each other, thus learning the condition and wel- fare of the family. They would bring their interviews to a climax by the one singing and the other dancing to the sweet music that rolled over the turbulent waters. S. J. WILLARD, farmer, P. O. Lisle, was born August 27. 1818, in South Brimfield, Mass. ; is a son of George R. and Hannah (Dunham) Willard, natives of Massachusetts and parents of eleven children, viz., George R., Ferdinand, Clarissa, Oriel, S. J., Whit- ney, Benjamin C. , Oriel L., Annis, Edwin and Maryette. In 1835, the parents settled on a claim of 300 acres, where the subject now resides. The father died in 1835, about six weeks after arriving in this county; the mother died in 1862. Our subject attended school as much as was convenient; worked on the farm and with his father at wheelwright ing. When they located in this county, Mr. Willard drove the ox teams and witnessed the scenes that make up the life of the pio- neer. He was married, in 1859, to Janet Decker, by whom he was blessed with live children — Judson, Lewis, Maurice, Alice, and one deceased when young. Our subject has 21S acres of well-improved land. He votes the Republican ticket. S. D. WEBSTER, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born January 16, 1848, in Du Page County; is the son of M. R. and Caroline Webster, early settlers of this county, and the parents of eight children, viz., Henry, Sarah, Charlotte, Mary, Charles, Rockwood, William and S. D. The mother died in 1850; the father survives, among his children. The father was married a second time to Arvilla Bessel, by whom he had two children, Laura and Julia. His second wife died in 1870. Our subject attended school at Naper- ville, aside from the district schools. Was married, October 1, 1874, to Flora A., daugh- ter of J. D. and Lucinda Turner, one of six children — Joel, George, Jennie, Matilda, YORK TOWNSHIP. 153 Flora and Charles. He is farming 150 acres of well-improved land belonging to his father. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church. He votes the Republican ticket. His father is noted as one of the early Aboli- tionists. JOSEPH WORLEY, farmer, P. O. Naper- ville, was born February 21, 1832, in Alsace, Germany; is a son of Antona and Mary (Herstel) Worley, who came here in 1853, settling in Lisle Township, where they both died, having: been blessed with four children — Joseph, Sophia, Lizzie, and one deceased. Mr. Worley attended school some in his na- tive country. Came to this country in 1849, and engaged for eleven years in a brewery at Naperville. Was married, in 1855, to Lizzie Schmitt, the result being six children — Will- iam, Andrew, Mary, Frank, Henry and Lib- bie? He settled on his present farm of 180 acres in 1S69, which is well improved, and the attainment of his own labors. The fam- ily are members of the Catholic Church. He votes the Republican ticket. YORK ATWATER, Utopia, GEORGE H. A'J WA.TUK, Utopia, was born in Broome County, N. Y. , February 19, 1826; his father, Jesse Atwater, was born March 7, 1784, in the State of Connecticut, son of Jesse, a Revolutionary soldier. The mother of our subject was Lucretia Martin. The Atwaters came West in 1834, and settled in this county. Jesse died in 1866, and his wife in 1868. They were the parents of eight children — William, Olive, George H, Rachel, Ann, Betsey, Rebecca and Benjamin. William Olive and Rebecca are dead. Jesse Atwater was a good citizen and was much esteemed. His successor on the homestead, his son George H. , has constantly resided here since his father located the claim. July 14, 1849, he married Phebe Willig, a native of Penn- sylvania, born September 9, 1831, daughter of Henry and Mercy Ann (Abbott) Willig; he died May 8, 1882. Mr. Atwater has two children — Alfred and Almeda. Alfred mar- ried Ada Stevens, and has two children. Almeda married Jones M. Clapp, of Marengo, McHenry County. Mr. Atwater has 146 acres of fine land. GERRY BATES (deceased). Prominent among the early arrivals of Elmhiu'st of one TOWNSHIP. who contributed much toward its advance- ment and settlement, was Gerry Bates, who came here in 1842, and purchased the section of land upon which the town of Elmhurst now stands. He was born August 24, 1800, in Chesterfield, Mass., son of Benjamin Bates, whose ancestors were of English origin. Our subject removed with his father in 1808, to Geauga County, Ohio, but in 1842, removed to this locality as above stated, and soon after making his purchase, built Cottage Hill Hotel. A. few years after, he engaged in merchan- dising-, and was made Postmaster, the first one in the township, and held the office up to tbe time of his death — a period of about thirty years. His death occurred July 29, 1878. He was twice married — first, to Ada- line Hovey, who bore him several children. His last wife yet survives him, and resides on the homestead; her maiden name was Georgia S. Smith, a native of South Waterboro, Me. She, with three children — Frederick H, Ada- line and Charles, resides at the "Willows," the name of the family residence. Fred H is now practicing medicine in Bensenville, in Addison Township, this county, and is get- ting into a fine practice; he received his lit- 154 BIOGRAPHICAL: erary education at the University of Chicago, and graduated at Rush Medical College Feb- ruary 21, 1878. After the death of his father, he became Postmaster, and held the office un- til his resignation. In August, 1881, he was associated with Dr. J. M. Zahn. of Elgin, in the practice of medicine, which copartner- ship was dissolved in May, 1882, when he lo- cated at Bensenville. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Harlem Lodge, No. 540. GEORGE BARBER, farmer, P. O. Lom- bard, was born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., November 18, 1818, second son of Joel and Laura (Cleveland) Barber, he born in Rutland County, Vt., she in Hampton, Washington Co., N. Y. Joel Barber was a son of William Baber, one of the first settlers in Rutland County, Vt., who had to keep his family in the fort at Ticonderoga, N. Y., for shelter while he was making a settlement in Benson, Vt., and who had seven children — William, Robert, James, Joel. Sallie, Polly and Eu- nice. Joel Barber's wife, Laura Cleveland, was a daughter of Josiah Cleveland, who was thrice married, Mrs. Joel Barber being one of the children of the first marriage. The Clevelands were Methodists, the Barbers Bap- tists and Congregationalists. Joel Barber had eight children— William C, George, Gilbert, Carlyle, Margaret A., Lucy, Anna E. and Betsey, who died in infancy. Our subject left borne to push his own fortunes at the age of twenty-two, having but little edu- cational advantages. In the sjaring of 1844, he started West; arrived in Chicago June 15, that year, and came to this county, having then about $70. In the fall of 1843, he mar- ried Maria Root, a native of Rutland County, Vt., daughter of Martin and Abigail (Stearns) Root, he born March 14, 1785, died Febru- ary 18, 1865, she born January 23, 1788, died in York Township, this county. March 2, 1873. Martin Root's wife, Abigail Stearns, was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, who -was with Washington at Valley Forge. The Root family came to this county in the fall of 1843. Martin Root had a family of eight children. Mr. Barber, when he first came to this county, rented land in Lisle Township; then bought forty-eight acres in Downer's Grove, where he remained several years, then sold out and moved to Lisle Township, and after remaining there about four years, came to his present place in 1860, bought 140 acres of land, at $20 an acre, and has since remained here; he bought this farm from Horace Brooks, who settled it. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have had three children — Josiah C, Lucy M. and George F., who died March 3, 1866, aged seven- teen years. Mr. Barber has followed farm- ing since he located here, and has also been agent for Kirby's mowers and reap- ers; he has been Assessor and Supervis- or; was formerly a Whig, now a Republican. HENRY BUCHHOLZ, farmer, P. O. Elm- hurst, resides on Section 1; his residence is situated on the northeast corner of the township. He was born November 5, 1846, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and came to this country with his parents when but two years of age. His father, Henry, was born October, 1810, and married Minnie Beckmann, daugh- ter of Fred Beckmann, and by her two chil- dren were born — Henry and Louisa. Louisa married Henry Kemman, of La Grange. The paternal grandfather of our subject was also named Henry; he never came to this country. The father of Henry came here in the spring of 1848, and purchased the farm upon which he remained until his death, in March, 1868; his wife yet survives him, and resides in Proviso; she married Henry Avers. October 1, 1873, our subject married Caroline, born March 12, 1S49, in this township, and is the second daughter of Fred Fisher, one of the YORK TOWNSHIP. 155 early settlers of the county. Mr. Buchholz has two children — Albert Henry anrl Carl Fred; he has about 200 acres of land under excellent improvement. MEL YIN J. BALLOTJ. railroad conduc- tor. Lombard. The popular and well-known conductor of the Omaha Express was born in the Empire State, St. Lawrence County, Oc- tober 5, 1845, son of Philander and Abigail (Stearns) Ballou. The paternal grandsire of Melvin J. lived to be eighty-six years of age. James F. Stearns his mother's fa- ther, lived to be also four-score years. The father of M. J. was a farmer and yet resides in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. He raised nine children, six sons and three daughters. Melvin was brought up on the farm, and, while yet in his teens, he volunteered in Company Gr, Sixtieth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After the war, he returned home; soon after, however, he came West, to Du Page County, first, to Turner Junction, and. in 1807, he began railroading and worked his way up. and in due time was placed in charge of a train as conductor, and, for thirteen years, has been serving in this capacity, his run being the Omaha Express on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad, running from Chicago to Clinton, Iowa; his efficiency as a railroad man and his known fidelity have se- cured him one of the best runs on the line. He resides at Lombard, having a little home of his own, a wife and two children — Eva F. and Ashley Melvin; his wife Fannie was born in Milton Township, daughter of M. W. Murray, one of the old residents of Du Page. Mr. Ballou is a Republican and a member of the Masonic order. He has three brothers in this State, all of whom are railroad men — Henry, Hector and Louis. Henry resides at Blue Island, and is passenger conductor; Hector at Danville; is conductor of freight train; Louis S. resides at Watseka, is pas- senger conductor. He has one brother — Charles, a farmer, who lives near Mears, Mich. SETH CHURCHILL, Lombard, was born in Vermont May 25, 1805, and is a son of Winslow and Mercy (Dodge) Churchill, na- tives of Vermont, Winslow Churchill having been born in Rutland, that State. The Churchill family came to this country from England in the Mayflower; the Dodge family came from Scotland. Winslow Churchill and family came to this county in June, 1834, having landed in Chicago on the 5th of that month, came, to Babcock Grove, now Pros- pect Park, whore some of the family still re- side, took a claim eight years before the land was surveyed, paying $1.25 p^r acre for 160 acres. Winslow Churchill settled on the banks of the Du Page River, where he died, aged seventy-seven years, eight months and eight days; his wife died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years; they had the fol- lowing children: William, who came West about the year 1840, died in Wisconsin, aged eighty-one years; Malinda, who married Syl- vester Ketcham, died in Michigan; Christina, in this county, has been twice married, her first husband. Erastus Ketcham, died, leaving one son, Erastus ; her second husband, David Christian, also deceased, left two sons — Wesley and W T illiam C. Lorana, who came with her parents from New York, married John D. Ackerman, and had five sons — Seth, the subject of this sketch; Major, living in Jeddo, N. Y. ; Betsey, living in Cook County, wife of Samuel Mahoffy; Winslow, in Down- er's Grove, this county; Amanda, died when young; Isaac B., in Milton Township, this county, and Hiram, who went to California and has never since been heard of. The sub- ject of this sketch lived on his first purchase of land until March, 1854, when he came to 156 BIOGRAPHICAL: Lombard, having previously, however, spent one year in Chicago. August 9, 1828, he was married to Roxana Ward, of Jordan, N. Y., by Rev. M. Fuller. Mrs. Churchill was a daughter of Elijah Ward, who had a large family; she died March 12, 1872, aged sixty- four years one month and twenty-one days, leaving five children —Mary J., born January 8, 1830; Horace, December 9, 1831; Myron, April 23, 1834, Emily K, August 17, 1838, and William H., July 17, 1840 Horace started for California via the overland route; was at Fort Laramie May 9, 1852, and has never since been heard from. Myron died December 25, 1876; he had two sons, War- ren and Orvilie. Emily resides at Prospect Park, wife of Oscar Johnson. William H. resides in Iowa. December 10, 1874, Mr. Churchill married Eliza Young, born August 23, 1849, in Oberholm, Germany, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Young, who came here about 1852 ; the latter died in August, 1852. By this union they have one child — Jessie. Mr. Churchill has a fine farm of 420 acres of land; he has been a church member for forty years; his father was formerly a Congregationalist; later, a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, to which he be- longed at his death. EDWARD ELDRIDGE, farmer, P. O. Utopia. This gentleman came to Du Page County May 29, 1835, making his first set- tlement in York Township, where he has since lived. He was born November 16, 1803, in Albany County, N. Y. He was the seventh child and fifth son of a family of eleven children. His father was Benedict Eldridge, a native of Cape Cod. Benedict Eldridge married Rhoda Chevalier, and her children, who grew up, were Richard, Zenas, Hannah, Dorcas, George, Edward, Mary, Lydia and Louis. In May, 1835, Edward came West to Du Page County, and the same year went north to Section 14, where he made a claim, which he afterward purchased, located thereon, and has since been a resident of the same. July 10, 1836, he married Ra- chel B. Atwater, who was born January 8, 1815, in Broome County, N. Y., daughter of Jesse Atwater, one of the early settlers of this township. Mr. Eldridge has had five chil- dren born, four living — Rhoda, wife of Frank Filer, she died June 1, 1882; Lazetta, mar- ried Charles B. Townsend; Benedict J.; Mar- tha, wife of Charles G. Howell ; Rebecca, wife of Walter S. Price. Mr. Eldridge is now nearly fourscore years of age; has been a resident of the township forty-seven years, and is yet in good health. Not a member of any church; in politics, Democratic. GEORGE FULLER, farmer, P. O. Uto pia, was born March 6, 1815, in the town of Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., son of Jacob W. Fuller, who came to this county in 1836, and died at Fullersburg June 5, 1867; he was a blacksmith. Jacob W. married Candace Sul- livan, who bore him thirteen children, all of whom grew up save one. George remained on the farm until twenty-three years of age; he learned the trade of his father, which he followed for several years, but finally gave his entire attention to farming. In 1850, he located where he now lives. He was the first Assessor of York Township, and has subse- quently refilled the same position. He has served as Township Treasurer for fourteen years. He was married, December 31, 1841, to Cynthia M. Talmadge, a native of New York, daughter of John Talmadge; she died September 15, 1851. July 12, 1853. he mar- ried Polly Davis, daughter of Nelson Davis; she bore him three children — Lorin, Sarah and Mary, all deceased; she died in 1863, February 12. December 31, 1864, he mar- ried his present wife, Lydia A., who was born in this township; her parents were YORK TOWNSHIP. 157 Louis and Harriet (Clark) Eldridge. Four children were born — Lorin, Sarah, Mary J. and Willie N., all deceased. Mr. Fuller has about 300 acres of land; is in very easy and comfortable circumstances, and is spending his declining years in happiness and content- ment. FRED J. T. FISCHER, physician, Elm- hurst, was born in Du Page County on the homestead farm, in Addison Township, July 30, 1842, and was the second son of Henry D. and Maria Franzen (Fischer). Fred J. T. was brought up on the farm, where he remained until June, 1861, when ho enlisted as private in Company B, Thirty- third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and three months; during that time, he participated in every battle in which his company was engaged, some of the most prominent being Cache River, Ark, Bolivar Bend, Miss., Champion Hills, Miss., seige of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and Fort Esperanza, Texas. Soon after his return home from service, he was elected County Clerk, and served three years, when he resigned in order to complete his education. He entered Oberlin College, and graduated in 1874, receiving the highest honors of his class, consisting of thirty mem- bers, and being elected Greek orator of the class; he received the degrees of A. B., A. M., as well as M. D. He also took a three years' course at the famous Heidelberg University, Germany, and, upon his return, engaged in practice at Cincinnati, Ohio, until the spring of 1879, when, on account of the death of his father-in-law, Diedrich Struckmann, he re- turned to Elmhurst. Since that time, he has been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion here. September 27, 1874, he married Martha S., daughter of Diedrich Struckmann and Caroline Korthauer. Mr. Struckmann came to this country in 1844; he was a carpenter and builder by trade; he was a successful business man and accumulated a handsome competence for his family; he died in 1879. (See sketch of Mr. Struckmann and portrait appears in this work.) The Doctor has one son — Walter D. He is a stanch Republi- can and a member of the Evangelical Church. DAVID FULLER, farmer, P. O. Fullers- burg, born March 28, 1825, in the town of Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., son of Jacob W. Fuller, one of the pioneers of York Town- ship. David was a lad of eleven years when his father came to" this township, and has been a resident of the same up to the present time. He was first married when twenty-six years of age, April 7, to Catharine, daughter of Philip Bohlander, one of the early settlers of Du Page County; she died March 28, 1870. Of this marriage the issue was three children. Angeline, now deceased, was the wife of George Coffin; Charles P. B. and Lydia L. are living. June 1, 1871, he mar- ried his present wife — Charlotte, a native of England, daughter of Thomas Evernden and Mary Ford, who came to the United States in 1855, and to this State ten years later. Nine children were born to Mr. Evernden, two sons and seven daughters — William, Thomas, Mary, Jennie, Charlotte, Esther, Kate, Annie and Birdie. Esther and Kittie deceased. Mr. Evernden died September 2, 1870; his wife Mary resides with her son Thomas, in Fulton County, 111. William resides in this county, druggist at Hinsdale. By the last marriage, Mr. Fuller has one daughter — Elsie Bernice, born November 25, 1872. He resides on the farm his father set- tled (Section 27), which has never been out of the family name; he has 208J acres and other interests in the county; he has traded successfully in real estate, and is of a me- chanical turn of mind. 158 BIOGRAPHICAL: FRED GRAUE. miller, Fullersburg, was born January 25, 1819, in Landesbergen, in the Kingdom of Hanover, the third son of Frederick Graue and Lucie (Thiirmau), to whom were born eight sons and one daugh- ter. The Graue family emigrated to the United States in 1833, arriving first in Albany County, N. Y. In May, the following year, came to Chicago. They remained at Chicago a short time, and, he the same summer, lo- cated in Addison Township, this county, at a grove which has since borne their name. Here Frederick, the father, died in 1837, his wife surviving him until 1866. Fred, the subject of these lines, remained with his fa- ther until of age, when he located on a piece of land near the homestead, upon which he lived until 1850; he then moved to the south- east corner of the township, on Section 36, where he, in company with William Asche, purchased a mill site and erected a saw-mill. After three years' association together in business, Mr. Graue bought the entire inter- est, and has since run it. In the summer of 1852, he built the brick mill, main building 45x28, three stories high and basement, put in two run of buhrs, and has since run the same, mostly on custom grinding. Mr. Graue bas been twice married — first, to Louise Fischer, born in Hanover, daughter of Frederick Fischer; seven children were born of this marriage, five of whom lived to maturity — Caroline, wife of Fred Grage, of Addison Township; Louis and Fred E. are on farms in York Township; Emma resides in Port- land, Ore., wife of Harmon H. Kiessling; William, the youngest, remains yet at home. His second marriage was to Mrs. Henrietta Kiessling, whose maiden name was Korthaur. He has about 200 acres of land which he car- ries on, but gives his attention personally to his milling. He is a member of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church. EDWARD D. GRAUE, farmer, P. O. Elmhurst, is a son of Henry Graue, one of the early settlers of tne township, and resides on the farm owned and settled by his father. Henry Graue was born April 23, 1826, in the same locality in the Kingdom of Hanover as were his brothers Fred, August and Lewis. Henry came here to York Township with his brothers, and made his purchase and engaged in farming, remaining here until his death, July 19, 1868. He was a good citizen, and a worthy member of the community. His wife was Louisa Krage, born near Hanover, in February, 1829, daughter of Fred Krage and Mary Stuenkel, which family came to Du Page in 1837. Two children are living, of a family of three, born to Henry Graue and wife — Edward D., our subject, and Louisa, who resides in this township, wife of Edward Rotermund. Edward D. , who has taken his father's place and represents him on the home farm, was born April 13, 1818, and has now charge of the farm and resides with his mother. The farm, at his father's death, consisted of 360 acres. Mrs. Rotermund's portion taken out leaves 240 acres. HENRY D. GRAY, hardware, Lombard. This genial and wide-awake business man was born November 19, 1849, and is a de- scendant of the Graue family (pronounced Gray), who were among the earliest settlers. Henry D. was a son of Deidrick Graue and Louisa Flag. Deidrick Graue was the pio- neer of the family ; he came and settled in the south part of Addison as early as 1S33; he purchased considerable amount of land, which he afterward divided out among his brothers, who settled near him; he died in 1879, in January; his wife yet survives him and resides on the homestead. The children born them were Henry D., August, Louisa, Regina and Albert, all of whom yet reside on the farm except H. D. and Louisa, who re- YORK TOWX.SIIIP. 159 side in this town. Louisa married Duncan Malcomb, a partner of Henry D., who was raised on the farm where he was born until he came to Lombard, in 1877, and engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business. Prior to this, he was for some time engaged as auctioneer, which he has since followed, in connection with his other business. In 1879, he associated with him in business his brother-in-law, Mr. Malcomb. Since, the firm has been Gray & Malcomb. In politics. Republican; is unmarried, and a member of the A., F. & A. M. , Wheaton Lodge. Mr. Gray is the ' ' outside man " of the fiiTu, attends to the canvassing and set- ting up the machinery. Malcomb attends to the store and tin-shop. AUGUST GRAUE, store and farming, Elmhurst, was the youngest child born to Frederick Graue; he was born January 12, 1829, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and came with his parents to this State, arriving at the grove which bears the family name, June 9, 1834. August was but a child when he came here, and was brought up to farm labor, and has since that time given his time to agricultur- al pursuits. July 24, 1851, he married Caro- line Krage, daughter of Fred Krage, a native of Hanover; she died March 21, 1862, having borne four children — Louisa, Henrietta, Mary and August. His last wife was Mrs. Louisa Stelling, and by her he has Caroline, Edward, Willie and Julius. After Mr. Graue married, he located on part of the homestead, and continued on the same a constant resident and been engaged in farming. He has 271 acres in this county, and 100 in Will County, this State. October, 1881, he left the farm and located in Elmhurst and engaged in mer- chandising, carrying on a general store- -dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, notions, etc. J. B HULL, stock-dealer, Lombard. Among the old-time residents of Lombard is Joseph B. Hull, who descended from old English stock; his progenitors came to Con- necticut and there settled prior to the Revo- lution. Joseph B. was born March 24, 1814, in Kinderhook. Columbia Co., N. Y., and removed with his parents to Cortland Coun- ty when six months old. His father, George Hull, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. , in June, 17S6, son of Tiddman and Annie Hull. George Hull manned Sarah, daughter of Jo- seph and Eunice Barnard. The family on both sides are remarkable for their longevity. Subject s father is yet living, in his ninety- sixth year; his wife died aged seventy-live; her mother, Eunice, died aged eighty-four. Tiddman lived to nearly a centenarian; his wife Annie died aged ninety-four. Joseph Barnard, from whom our subject was named, was a sea Captain, and followed the seas and was lost while on one of his voyages. To Tidd- man Hull and wife Annie were born seven children; those who lived to be grown were Penelope, Avis. Ruth. Annie, Amy, Solomon and George; now living, are George, the father of J. B., who resides in Madison County, Y. Y.; Avis resides in Brooklyn. To Joseph Barnard were born two children — Eliza, and Annie, the mother of J. B. Eliza married a man by the name of Hunt, and settled in Wisconsin. Our subject was raised a Quaker. To Geo. Hull and wife were born ten children; except the one who died in infancy, nine of them lived to many years past their maturity ere there was a death in the family; the first death of this number was at the age of forty-nine. The eldest was Edward; then, in order, came Judith, Joseph B., Lydia, Annie, Tiddman, Caroline and George M. ; those deceased are Edward and Lydia. Eliza and Tiddman never came West. Caroline resides at Harvard. McHenry County, wife of Henry Benjamin. Annie and Judith reside at Oak Park; the 160 BIOGRAPHICAL: former married L. Morey, the latter Horace Coleman. George M. resides at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Joseph B., who resides here in Lombard. His father was a mill man, and, for several years, ran a large paper mill in Kinderhook; afterward, was engaged in farm- ing, and run a saw-mill. Joseph was raised to farming and in the mill business; lived with his father until about twenty-five years of age; he afterward engaged with his brother Edward in the mill business. He came to this State in 1845, arriving in Chicago in April, and came out to Bloomingdale Town- ship, this county, and purchased of the Gov- ernment and laid claim to 160 acres, 120 of which he got at Government price, the other eighty a neighbor entered away from him, which he afterward obtained by paying him $100 extra; when he paid for his land, he had $75 left; he purchased two yoke of cattle for $65, and a horse for $13; this wiped out all his money. The first money he got he obtained by cutting by hand twenty-five tons of hay, which he sold to E. O. Hills at $1.25 per ton; he hauled the same on a sled and his wife stacked it. About two years after, he sold his improvements and land to W. R. Patrick, for $25 per acre. He then came to the northwest part of York Township, and purchased over 300 acres, costing $2.50 per acre. When he first settled, he engaged in butchering, and, in two seasons, he killed 188 head of cattle, and other stock in pro- portion. About the year 1848, he went to Chicago, and engaged in business; carried on a store and manufactured shingles. About two years later, he came to Lombard and built a storehouse and engaged in merchan- dising; subsequently, had interests in a store at Cottage Hill and at Danby. About the year 1875, he sold out his land, reserving twenty acres and engaged in stock trading, which business he has since followed. He has done much toward building up the town; when he came there was about three buildings there; there are now nine buildings here which he built. He has always been identi- fied with the Republican party since its or- ganization In September, 1861, he enlisted in the army, and was over one year in the commissary department, serving as non-com- missioned officer; ou account of ill-health, he was released and returned home. He was married, in April, 1841, to Fannie E. Pat- rick, born in Cortland County, N. Y. , in 1817, daughter of Nathaniel and Penelope Patrick. Four children have been born to Mr. Hull; but two living — Alma and Alice (twins); Alma resides in Huron, Dakota, wife of C. C. Hills; Alice resides in Lom- bard, at the home of her parents, wife of Henry Ferguson. Emily and Lydia are de- ceased. Emily E. died, aged thirteen; Lydia married Franklin Claflin, and moved to Hop- kinton, Mass. ; she had two children, both of whom died of diphtheria, and now lie by the side of their mother, who died in 1877. Mr. Hull has been a member of the Congre- gational Church since its origin in this place; himself and wife and two daughters of the number (fourteen) who formed the so- ciety at its organization. Though now nearly his threescore years and ten, yet he is active as a man of forty, and is actively engaged in stock trading, his operations extending into Iowa and other places, where he gathers up beef and stock cattle for the Chicago market. GEORGE F. HEIDEMANN, physician, Elmhurst, was born February 10, 1839, in Hanover, Germany, the seventh son of Chris- tian Hiedemann, who served in the famous battle of Waterloo. His wife was Mary Heuer. Our subject was left an orphan at a very early age, and came to this State when a lad of fifteen. At the age of seventeen, he engaged in a drug store, after which he at- YOHK TOWNSHIP. 163 tended the University at Ann Arbor, where he took a course of lectures and completed his course at Rush Medical College, being at one time private pupil of Dr. Brainard. March 31, 1S63, he was appointed Second Assistant Surgeon of the Fifty-eighth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. May 7, same year, was commissioned as First Assistant Surgeon by Gov. Yates, and was assigned to Spring- field in charge of the post there. In the summer of 1863, he was sent to Cairo, where he remained until he joined Gen. Sherman's forces: afterward was with Gen. Banks on the Red River Expedition; subsequently, was with Gen. A. J. Smith, at Memphis; then with Rosecrans, who was operating in Missouri, winding up his service with Gen. Thomas at Nashville. He was discharged in February, 1865. After his discharge from service, he came to Elmhurst and engaged in the practice of his profession, and has since remained. He was married, March 26. 1865, to Hannah C. Schween, daughter of William Schween; her mother's maiden name was Sophia Boeska. The Doctor served two years as Coroner under Hayes' administration, and has been School Director for nine years at the place; has six children — Alvenia M. , William G., George H, Lydia, Ellen and Edie. Member of the Evangelical Church and a Republican. He has since his coming to Elmhurst been in active practice, which has been a successful one, having now been here about eighteen years. L. A. HAGANS, Elmhurst, has been iden- tified with the interests of Elmhurst since 1857. at which time he removed here, locat- ing on the place he now owns, though pur- chased by him some time previous to his ar- rival. He was born January 31, 1825, in Preston County, now West Virginia. There were nine children of his father's family, five sons and four daughters, L. A. being the third son and fourth child in order of birth. His father was Harrison Hagans, who was born in 1796, in Massachusetts, son of George Hagans, who served in the war of the Revo- lution and came of Irish stock. The mother of our subject was Jane, whose father was Daniel McCollum, of Scotch origin. The subject of these lines received the advan- tages of a common school, and, entering Washington College, Pennsylvania, remained there until his graduation, after which he began merchandising at Brandonville. Va. . remaining about one year, and then to King- wood, the county seat, where he continued about eight years. In the fail of 1857, he came to Illinois, locating here. In August, 1860, he returned to Virginia, and engaged in merchandising once more. The war breaking out, he went to W T heeling, where he was appointed Secretary of the commonwealth under Gov. Pierrepoint. After the formation of the new State of West Virginia, he re- moved to Alexandria, remaining there until 1865, when he returned to this State to settle his father-in-law's estate, after which he re- turned to Virginia once more and purchased an interest in the Wheeling Daily Intelli- gencer, and was associated in the manage- ment of that journal until the fall of 1873, when he sold out his interest and returned to Elmhurst. His place is called "Hawthorn.'' which he has improved from the wild prairie to its present condition. Since his last re- turn to this State, he has been associated with the firm of Rand, McNally & Co., Chi- cago. April 19, 1848, he married Lovela. born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Elisha and Anne M. (Brown) Hagans; he has one child living — Wilbur E. Myra Bella is dead ; she was born May 9. 1857, and died June 10, 1868. Mr. Hagans is retired from active business, and employs his spare time in beau- tifying and improving his home. 104 BIOGRAPHICAL: WILLIAM HAMMERSCHMIDT, tile manufacturer, Lombard. Among the recent inventions of the day, there are none that are productive of better results and pay a better return as an investment to the farmers than the judicious distribution of drain-tile on low and wet soils, which fact is now gen- erally understood. As an industry, the manu- facture of drain-tile is becoming one of im- portance, and, recognizing this fact, Mr. Hammerschmidt has, within the past few years, turned his attention to the manufact- ure of tiling. He came to this township in May, 1878, and established the Lombard Tile Factory, and has since been giving his whole time and attention to the enterprise, giving employment to a large force of men. He is a native of Da Page County, born in Naperville October 10, 1853, eldest son of Adolph Hammerschmidt, a native of Prussia, who came to this country in 1848. "William remained at home until twenty- four years of age, and came to York Township in the spring of 1878, and has since been identified with that township. His factory is situated one mile south of Lombard; his residence is adjacent to the factory. On March 30, 1882, he married Miss Elizabeth Bundorf, a native of Hanover. A. E. HILLS, merchant, Lombard. Fore- most among the energetic and stirring busi- ness men of Lombard is A. E. Hills, who was born September 15, 1840, in the town of Bloomingdale, eldest son of H. S. and Lorena (Maynard) Hills. At the age of fourteen, he set out for himself, and for several years was engaged as a clerk In January, 1871, he came to Lombard and opened a grocery, flour and feed store, and was Postmaster. About two years later, he moved to the Marquardt corner, and continued there under several firm changes until 1878, when he sold out to his partner, Louis Marquardt. In 1879, he associated with W. J. Loy in the auction business as Hills & Loy. May, 1881, he purchased Loy's interest and built tho store building he now occupies, which he stocked with general merchandise. May 3, 1S82, he associated with his brother, D. O, and since the firm is known as A. E. & D. O. Hills. He also does an auctioneering business and attends to sales all over the country. He is the present Postmaster and Police Justice of the town, and a member of the A. , F. & A. M., Turner Lodge, No. 872. May 16, 1870, he married Ellen M. Patrick, born in Bloom- ingdale Township, daughter of W. R. Pat- rick and Mary L. Knowles. He has five daughters — Carrie L., Florence E., Donna J., Helen M. and Alena. HERMAN H. KORTHAUER, hardware and agricultural implement, Bensenville, eldest son of Esquire Henry Korthauer, was born in this township May 28, 1852, on the homestead farm. He received a good com- mon-school education, which was completed by a thorough course in the business depart- ment in Wheaton College, where he grad- uated in 1867. He then returned home and engaged in farming pursuits, continuing here until the fall of 1881, when he located in Bensenville and engaged in the hardware business, buying out Henry A. Coggswell, who was well established in the trade. Mr. Korthauer is well known in the community, and, having good business qualifications, will merit the patronage of his many friends. He makes a specialty of the Grand Detour plows and Woods' machines, as well as a line of the best farming machinery and implements in i use. May 25, 1877, he married E mm a, ■ daughter of Fred Heuer, a well-known and , prominent farmer in the township; has had two children, one living, Mary, Carrie died March 4, 1880. B. M. LEWIS, farmer, P. O. Lombard, is a native of Berks County, Penn. ; was born YORK TOWNSHIP. 165 April 26, 1811, the youngest son of Morgan Lewis, born in same county in 1771, and died in 1843; he married Rachel Hudson, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1768, and died in 1849. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Evan Lewis, who married Rach«l Williams; she bore him three sons — Morgan, Daniel and Amos; the former was a teacher; the latter were farmers by occupa- tion. The great-grandfather of B. M. was Morgan Lewis, a native of Wales, and came to Pennsylvania soon after William Penn's arrival. To Morgan Lewis and wife, Rachel, were born six children — two sons and four daughters, viz., Drusilla. Rebecca, Maria, Amos, Jane, and Benjamin M., the youngest of the family. He was raised upon the farm of his father until the year 1828, when he went to work on the public works, on the Mine Hill & Schuylkill Railroad, where he contin- ued sixteen years and worked from one po- sition to another, until he was promoted to Superintendent, which position he held un- til he resigned on account of impaired health from typhoid fever, which incapac- itated him for about one year. In June, 1852, he came West, and located first in the south part of Addison Township, pur- chasing 240 acres where Henry Geills now lives. In 1858, he removed to Lombard and engaged in merchandising until 1861, when he located on the farm he now owns, which place was settled by Walter Filler. Since his advent to this place, he has been engaged in farming pursuits. He has been a success- ful business man. He has 263 acres here in York Township, 160 in Bureau County, and 1,015 in Kankakee and Will Counties. He was married, in 1833, to Sarah Robinson, born in Berks County, Penn., in 1814, daugh- ter of Robert Robinson and Martha Philips. They have the following children: George M. , Jane L., Ben F., Rebecca, Amelia, John D. , Thomas J. , Morgan J. and Carrie N., all living. Charles M. died in 1881; was mar- ried, and had two children. George resides in Bureau County, a farmer. Jane L. lives in Wisconsin, near Lake Mills, wife of Luciol Griswill. Ben F. lives in Chicago; runs a flour and feed store. Rebecca lives with her parents. Amelia married John Loy and re- sides in Will County; also John D. Thomas J. works the home farm. Morgan J. resides in this township, farming. Carrie is a teacher; graduated in 1878 at the Northwest- ern College. Mr. Lewis has for several years been Road Commissioner. In politics, has been Democratic, yet not partisan. Was raised an Episcopalian, and, prior to his leav- ing Pennsylvania, became affiliated with the Masonic order. JACOB LOY, retired farmer, Lombard, was born April 14, 1S04, in Perry County, Penn., son of Nicholas and Margaret (Miller) Loy. Jacob, our subject, was raised to farm- ing, and lived with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to the tanner's trade, working at it four years. He then began the career of a drover, and afterward followed butchering while the canal was being built. He was subsequently made Superintendent, and placed in charge of several miles of con- struction work. After the canal was com- pleted, he engaged in boating, and ran the first boat, Juniata, Newport; was also engaged in the mercantile business, after which he engaged in the manufacture of iron, and pur- chased a foundry, but the venture was not lucrative, so he turned his attention to the lumber business, purchasing a saw and grist mill, but finally sold out and removed with his family to this county March 31, 1858, locating on the northwest quarter of the northwest section in the township, and has since been a resident here, and engaged, in 166 BIOGRAPHICAL the meantime, in farming. In February, 1830, he married Catharine Zinn, a na- tive of Lebanon County, Penn. , daughter of Joseph Zinn and Elizabeth Snavely. He has had ten children born him, seven of whom are living — William J., George, John, Rebecca, Caroline, Amanda and Mary. Mr. Loy is now retired from active life. His farm is carried on by his sons, George and John. Is a member of the Lutheran Church. W. J. LOY, farmer, P O. Lombard. One of the worthy officials of York Township is Esquire Loy, who has been meting out legal justice to the people of this locality for sev- eral years; is now serving his fourth term. He came to York Township in September, 1857, from Perry County, Penn., where he was born September 11, 1831, and is the only son of Jacob and Catharine (Zinn) Loy, well- known residents of the township. William J. has been reared to farming pursuits. He worked with his father, remaining under the parental roof until of age, and afterward, as he continued in his father's employ some time after arriving at his majority. Decem- ber 25, 1859, he married Sophronia Hatfield, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Adam and Isabella (Truesdell) Hatfield, who came to the townshijs in 1851. Her father died July 3, 1865; mother, in 1859; seven children were born them ; five grew up — Jennie, now of Chicago; William, in Cali- fornia: Luellen, in Missouri; Lucinda, in Wayne County, Ohio, wife of John Reeder. After the marriage of Esquire Loy, he located on the farm he now owns, and has been closely allied with the township interests. He is Township Treasurer, and held that office for eight consecutive years. He has three chil- dren — Edward E. , Vesta L. and Hazel V. Is a member of the Masonic fraternity of long standing, having been entered, passed. raised, inducted, etc. , etc. , before coming to the West. Is a member of the Chapter at Wheaton. J. H. LATHROP, capitalist, Elmhurst, was born July 5, 1800, in Lebanon, N. H., and was the youngest of a family of ten chil- dren. His father, Samuel Lathrop, was the youngest of a family of twenty children, and, when but a mere boy, served in the Revolu- tionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. He married Lois Hunting- ton, daughter of Theophilus Huntington, of Connecticut. Samuel died about the year 1819. Our subj ect came West to Erie County, N. Y., where he remained until some years past his majority. His educational advan- tages were limited, but in early manhood he turned his attention to active business pur- suits, first embarking in the lumber trade; afterward, was appointed Collector at Buffalo. Subsequently, he removed to Virginia, where he married, in 1843, Miss Mariana, born in Alexandria, Va., daughter of Daniel and Mary (Barbour) Bryan. While in Vir- ginia, he engaged in the banking business, and operated extensively in coal mines, which at that time was the largest and most impor- tant in the United States. During President Taylor's administration, he was appointed Navy Agent at Washington, D. C. In 1865, he came to Illinois and settled in Elmhurst. where he has since resided, having an elegant home, surrounded with all modern comforts and conveniences. He has three children — Bryan, Barbour and Florence W. WILLIAM H. LITCHFIELD, Justice of the Peace, Elmhurst, was born November 2, 1832, eldest son born to Cyreneus and Nancy (Plummer) Litchfield. Cyreneus was a son of Joel, and, early in life, was apprenticed to learn the clothier's vocation. In the year 1820, be removed to Erie County, N. Y., and engaged in farming. In 1846, he came to YORK TOWNSHIP. 167 Dn Page County and located on Section 13, in this township, where he purchased land and improved the same. In 1865, he located at Elmhurst. In 1851, he was appointed Justice of the Peace, to fill an unexpired term, and was four times re-elected, serving eighteen yea"rs in all. His death occurred September 28. 1S76. He was first married to Nancy Gardiner, and by her had one child, Harris G., now on Governor's Island, an officer in the regular army, and attached to Gen. Hancock's staff. His last wife was Nancy Plummer, born in 1813. in New Hampshire, daughter of Caleb and Polly (Webster) Plummer. Mrs. Litchfield had three brothers and four sisters, nine in all — her sister who married David Talmadge. They came to the county and settled in this township in 1836. She has two brothers, Benjamin and Chester, who are residents of the county. By last marriage to Miss Plum- mer, two children, William H. and C. W., were born, both living with mother in Elm- hurst. William H was elected Justice of the Peace in 1877, and has since been hon- ored with re-election. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. D. MEYER, retired farmer, Lombard. The present prestige of Da Page County is largely due to the advent of the German peo- ple, who came to this country, and, in many instances, penniless upon their arrival, yet their resolutions were only surpassed by their industry and economy, which, together com- bined, have made them to day our most con- spicuous and well-to-do farmers, and added thereby very materially to the wealth and prosperity of the county. Of this class Mr. Meyers is one. He left his native home, Stulsnau, in province of Hanover (where he was born December 5. 1818). in the summer of 1840, son of Frederick and Sophia (Ess- mann) Meyer, who died in Germany. He left Bremen in the summer of 1840. and for the first two years lived near Cincinnati. In the spring of 1844, he came to Leyden, Cook County, where he soon purchased land, which he sold in 1849, and came to this county and purchased 210 acres where his son lives, and remained on the same until 1878, when he removed to his present location. He was married, while in Cook County, to Dorotha Dierking, born in Hanover in 1830, daughter of Christian Dierking. Mr. Meyer has ten children — Louis, Louisa. Caroline. Emma, Fred. William, Rosa. Henry. Martha and Frank. Louis resides on the homestead; Louisa is the wife of August Rotermund; Emma (dead) was the wife of August Schmidt; Henry resides at Bartlett, in cheese factory; Fred runs a store at Utopia. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Lutheran Church. W. D. MEYER, farmer, P. O. Elmhurst. William Deidrick Meyer was born in the Faderland, province of Hanover, June 13, 1848. His father's name was Henry Meyer, a native of Germany, born August 25. 1807, and married Caroline Reinking, born Feb- ruary 6, 1822, daughter of Deitrich Reink- ing. Four children— one son and three daughters — were the offspring of Henry and Caroline Meyer. William D. was the eldest born. The girls, in order of birth, were Louisa, Doratha and Minnie. Louisa mar- ried Louis Balgemann. of Elmhurst: Doratha resides in Bloomingdale, wife of Herman Malwitz; Minnie also resides in Elinhurst, wife of George Balgemann. William D. was but three years of age when his parents came to this country from Germany. His father for some time was in partnership with his brother Deitrich. they working together until each had means to purchase. Father located on this farm about the year 185 1, and improved it, and remained here until removed by death, March 18, 1882: his wife yet survives. Will- 16-1 BIOGRAPHICAL: iam D. now occupies and owns the homestead, having 120 acres. November 4, 1877, he married Annie, born in Lombard September 11, 1857, daughter of Deitrick Klusmeyer; has one child, Robert William; one daughter, Alma, deceased at rive months. F. Q. MEYER, store, Utopia, is the rising young merchant of Utopia. He was born in the township October 10, 1855, and is the second son of Deitrick Meyer, a well-known farmer in the township. Frederick G. has, since his birth, been a resident of the town- ship, remaining on the farm until the fall of 1879, when he came to this place and engaged in the employ of Arthur Robinson in the cheese and butter factory, and while here ob- tained a general knowledge of cheese manu- facture. "While here, he saw there was a good opening for a general store, and accord- ingly erected the storehouse he now occupies, and in August, 1880, he stocked up his store- room with groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, hardware, crockery, willow ware, flour, notions, etc., and has since been doing an excellent business, being well known in the community, and keeping a neat and select stock of goods at reasonable prices, he has been well patronized. In January, 1881, he was appointed Postmaster of Utopia, which position he yet holds. August 10, 1881, he married Annie Thoma, daughter of J. M. Thoma, of this township. L. MARQUARDT, store and elevator. Lombard, is the junior member of the firm of Mail i uardt Bros. He was born September 23, 1851. in Bloomingdale Township, the fifth son of Henry and Sophia (Weber) Marquardt. He remained at home until fourteen years of age. when he was sent to Fort Wayne, Ind., and remained here in school three years and a half, and then went to Chicago, on Twelfth street, and engaged in the grocery business, where he continued until July 13, 1876, when he came to Lombard and engaged in the grocery business on the corner he now occu- pies; was first associated with A. E. Hill; afterward purchased his interest and carried on the business alone some time; then took in his brother Fred, and since then the firm has been Marquardt Bros. They keep a general store, and, aside from this, have a large elevator and warehouse, and do a large business in grain, coal, bran and feed in general. November 1, 1877, he married Minnie, born March 9, 1860, in Addison Township, daughter of Fred Rotermund. He has two children, Amanda and Arthur. Are members of the Lutheran Church. MRS. FRANCES E. OGDEN, Elmhurst, is a native of Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y. Her parents were William B. Sheldon and Ann Bonesteeu. He was a native of Rhode Island, and son of Job Sheldon, who served in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather was Philip Bonesteen, whose wife was Maria Ollendorf. To William B. Sheldon were born three daughters — Maria, Cornelia and Frances E. (Mrs. Ogden). Cornelia is deceased. In 1854, Frances E. became the wife of Hon. Mahlon D. Ogden. He was born July 16, 1811, in Walton, Dela- ware Co., N. Y., son of Abraham and Abigail (Weed) Ogden, of English descent. Mr. Og- den went to Columbus, Ohio, in 1836, where he studied law under Judge Crane, and came to Chicago about 1840, and engaged in the practice of his profession. About fifteen years later; he associated in the real estate business with his brother, William B., and continued in this relation up to his death, which occurred February 7 13, 1880. In 1871, he was elected Alderman of his ward, and was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church. He was a stanch Republican and a thorough business man. He was first mar- ried in 1837, to Henrietta M. Kasson, who YORK TOWNSHIP. 169 died leaving two children — Charles C, now a resident of Little Kock, Ark. ; and Mary B., who resides in Chicago, wife of Gen. Will- iam E. Strong. In 1873, Mr. Ogden located on his summer residence, known as ' ' Clover Lawn," in Elmhurst, where he died ; his wife yet occupies the same during the sum- mer months, when not traveling, and her winters are passed in New York City. She has three children — Anna S., "William B. and Brernon. Is a member of the Episcopal Church. C. W. PLUMMER, farmer, P. O. Utopia, was born December 20, 1821, in Erie County, N. Y. He was a son of Caleb and Polly i Webster) Plummer. Caleb Webster died in 1840. To him were born the following chil- dren: Sally, Polly, William, Benjamin. Nancy. Maria, Philura and Charles W., who was the youngest of the family. Our subject came to this county in 1848, and. the year following, began breaking land on Section 15. where his land was located, and, in 1850, built a house, and has since been a resident of the township, and upon the same farm, which contains 120 acres Before leaving New York, September 17, 1848, he married Mary Townsend, who was born in Erie County February 25, 1829. in Concord. Her parents were Gilbert W. Townsend and Esther Twitchell. Gilbert W. was born in Erie County, N Y, February 12, 1812; Esther was born in Athol, Mass.. October 11, 1811, The Townsend family came to York Township from New York in 1856, locating on Section 15. In 1874, Mi-, and Mrs. Townsend re- moved to Oak Park, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer have two children — Henry M. and Mrs. Mary E. Philips. Henry married Lovina Kernan: they have one child. Chester Henry, bora May 7. 1877. Mr. aud Mrs. Plummer are Protestant Metho- dists. ARTHUR ROBINSON, cheese-maker, Utopia, the enterprising proprietor of the cheese factory at Utopia, in this township, who was born in Derbyshire, England. July 6, 1854, son of William Robinson and his wife, Catharine Palmer. Our subject received his instruction as a practical cheese-maker in his native country, having worked in the first cheese factory that was run on the American system. He came to this country in March, 1875. Previous to his coming here, he worked two years in a factory in Otsego County, N. Y. He came to Will County, this State, where he started a factory at Frank- fort, which was operated by the farmers, where he continued about two years and a half. In the fall of 1877, he came to Du Page County, and engaged in the commission bus- iness in Chicago. The factory is at what is called Utopia, this township. In Jan- uary, 1882. he started a new factory in Downer's Grove Township, which is prom- ising good results. Mr. Robinson has proven himself to be a man of thorough bus- iness principles, and given entire satisfaction to his patrons. In August, 1880, he was married to Amelia, daughter of Henry Baethke, of Proviso, Cook County, and has one child. DEIDRICH STRUCKMANN was bora in Landesbergen, on the River Weser, province of Hanover. Germany, on the 29th of Novem- ber, 1818. After accpiiring a common school education, such as his poor parents could afford to give him, he devoted himself to the carpenter's profession, at which he worked faithfully till he proved himself as a good workman and mechanic, then traveling' to some extent in Holland and other parts of Eui'ope. Being a man of great enterprising spirit, he concluded to leave his Fatherland, and chose America for his future field of la- bor. Mr. Struckmann emigrated to New York 170 BIOGRAPHICAL: in 1841. but, having no means whatever, he immediately looked for employment, and worked for several years at Sandy Hook, building lighthouses, etc. After working here awhile, he was taken sick, which, for a time, consumed all his earnings. In the fall of 1844, he came to Illinois, settling in Addi- son Township, Du Page County, the country being at that time all one open prairie. Here a number of his friends and countrymen had settled previous to him. and, havijig "Excel- sior " for his motto, he made himself useful wherever he could obtain work, for low wages, and, after several years, gradually worked himself up as a master of his calling, and, through his ability, his cheerful disposition and straightforwardness, and also his honest and upright character, he rapidly made friends, and gained the entire confidence of all he came in contact with. In 1848, he was married to Caroline Korthauer, which marriage was blessed with three children, one son and two daughters, the youngest daughter, Caroline, dyiog at Wheaton in 1871, while preparing herself for teacher at college. He steadily increased his reputa- tion as a builder, and continually had to have more men in order to erect the many buildings which he had contracted for. Whatever building had to be done within many miles of where he lived, he seemed to be their choice, as he acted for them as contract- or, builder and architect. Owing to his clear head and sound judgment, he was generally successful in all his undertakings, and when- ever he would meet with misfortune, he would show a ceaseless spirit in overcoming it. In whatever capacity he served, he would fill it with honor and ability. Besides his professional abilities, he was also a very good real estate speculator, in which he was also very successful. He erected almost every building in the vicinity of where he lived, and put up sixteen churches, some of which are very large and costly structures. He helped to form the Addison Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, for which he acted as agent for over twenty years. In 1875. he went to Europe to visit his old home, and re- turned after an absence of about three months. In 1877, he erected a large Ger- man seminary at Elmhurst, valued at $25,- 000, being as nice a structure as can be found between Chicago and Elgin. Mr. Struckmann was a ceaseless toiler for business, a self- made man, and his name will long be remem- bered as one of the leading and best business men of Du Page County. Through his great enterprise and good calculations, he accumu- lated a large amount of property, comparing well with any man's standing in the county who built himself from nothing upward, and being the founder of his own fortune. He died at his home in Elmhurst May 4. 1879. HENRY G. STRUCKMANN, only son of Deidrich Struckmann. deceased, was born at Addison, Du Page Co., 111., January 8, 1849. He received a good school education, attend- ing some good colleges, and always took much interest in learning. He intended to be a draughtsman, and worked in a Chicago architect's office for some time, but was obliged to go into other business on account of weak eyesight. At the age of eighteen, he devoted himself to the milling trade, and, after five years' experience commenced bus- iness for himself at Vernon Mills, Lake Co., 111., where he owns a large mill property, and is carrying on a very successful business there. He is also acting as Justice of the Peace there, and is now serving his second term. September 26, 1875, Mr. Struckmann was married to Bertha Rotermund, daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmine Rotermund, liv- ing near Bensonville, Du Page Co., 111., and YORK TOWNSHIP. 171 two children have blessed this union — Laura and Arthur. GEORGE SAWIN. attorney at law, Elm- hurst, is one of the leading lawyers in Du Page County. He was born in Boston, Mass., April 14, 1834. His ancestors four genera- tions back came from the North of Ireland. His parents were John and Charlotte (Lash) Sawin. About the time of his majority, he began the study of law in the office of Hon. George S. Hilliard, remaining there nearly two years, and, from close application and confinement, his health became impaired, and he concluded to try traveling, so he ac- cordingly accepted a position offered by L. L. & W. H. Mills as general collector and ad- juster of accounts, remaining in their employ three years, also working in the same capacity for Stacy & Thomas one year. He then en- tered the law office of James P. Root, and was admitted to the bar, and first associated in practice with John Mattocks, then with Hon. Gilbert S. Walker, and with Chase & Munson. In November. 1801. he enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and was commissioned First Lieuten- ant and assigned to the Quartermaster's de- partment, where he remained until after the battle of Shiloh. when he was assigned to the staff of Gen. Sweeney. He served until the close of the war, and came out with the rank of Major. During his term of service, he participated in the battle of Ft. Donelson, Shi- loh, Corinth, Iuka, Meridian, on Price's raid in Missouri, Pleasant Hill, and at Nashville. He escaped unscathed, yet had three horses shot from under him. Upon his return home, he resumed th e practice of his profession. No- vember 13, 1855, he married Miss Carrie L., who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., daughter of Elijah and Charlotte (Brockway) Rust. This marriage has been crowned with the birth of three children — George, Robert L. and Gertrude B. George died aged one year; Robert L., at the age of nine; Gertrude B. resides at Ridgeland, in Cook County, wife of Morton L. Marks. Mr. Sawin located at Elmhurst in July. 1870, where he has since resided, at ' 'Clover Lawn. " Mr. Saw- in is one of the Trustees of the town, and is a member of the Episcopal Church. Is an honored member of the A. , F. & A. M., and, since November, 1881, has been Eminent Commander of Siloam Commandery at Oak Park. J. R. STRICKLAND, farmer, P. O. Utopia, born June 28, 1822, in Broome County. N. Y. His father's name was Ebenezer Strick- land, who served in the war of 1812; he married Mary Mack, and by her had fourteen children, of whom John Rogers, our subject, was the eighth in order of birth. The Stricklands came to Du Page County in 1839, and located where Mr. Hesterman now re- sides. Ebenezer removed to Iowa in 1866, and there died. John R. was brought up to farming, but went to Chicago, where he worked a short time. In August, 1847, he married Cirinthia Barus, born in Berkshire County. Mass. . daughter of James and Tem- perance (Chi Ids) Barus, who came West in 1840.' In 1848, Mr. Strickland located where he now lives, purchasing 120 acres of land, upon which there were no improvements. His wife died March, 1878. March 4, 1880, he married Mrs. Maria Cavanaugh, a native of Du Page County, daughter of Patrick Mulnix. who was an early settler. Mr. Strickland has been identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for thirty years. SETH WADHAMS, general business, Elmhurst, President of the Washington Ice Company of Chicago, is a resident of Elm- hurst and has been identified with the State since 1835. He was born October 2D, 1812, in Litchfield County, Conn., son of David 172 BIOGRAPHICAL: Wadhams, born March 4, 1769, and died in 1829. The mother of our subject was Phebe Collins, who bore her husband sixteen chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity, but only four of whom are now living — Phebe, Mrs. Roswell Carter, of Chicago; Mortimer, in Rochester. N. Y. ; Carleton, in South Bend, Ind. ; and our subject, Seth, who left home at the age of nineteen and clerked for about three years in dry goods store at Rochester. N. Y. .after which he decided to cast his fort- unes with the then wild State of Illinois, and came first to Vandalia, Fayet*e County, but did not remain there long, coming, in July of the same year, to Chicago, which, at that time, had less than one thousand inhabitants; yet, as small as the place was, Mr. Wadhams grasped the idea readily that Chicago was destined to become a great city. Turned his attention at whatever he could do; worked in harvest at 75 cents per day and boarded him- self; afterward clerked for Norton & Case in Chicago, and, subsequently, for Ryerson & Blakeley, dealers in hardware. While in their employ, he sold the first piece of bar iron ever sold in Chicago. Afterward, he took an interest in foundry and machine shop with H. P. Moses, and remained about three years, and then went into the ice business in Chicago, which business he has built up from a capital of a few thousand, until it now has become one of the largest in the city, and, in fact, in the West. In 1868, he began improving the place he now owns, which is called "White Birch," and it is one of the most desirable residences in the State. In January, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth McKenney, a native of Hartford, Conn., daughter of David McKenney. Her grandmother was a Wal- cott, which was one of the old and substan- tial families in early time. She died sud- denly, at her home, Sunday, July 9, 1882, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery. Mr. Wadhams has no children living; had one child, Dana T. , which died aged six and a half years. He has property of great value in Chicago, and is yet actively engaged in business. Though now having attained nearly his threescore years and ten, he pos- sesses all the vigor of mind and body that is usually seen in men of forty. In politics and religion, he has taken but little interest, yet he was the first Assessor of personal prop- erty in the county. WINFIELD G. J. ATCHERSON, retired, P. O. Turner, is a native of Rockingham, Vt. He was born in the year 1825, and was raised on the farm. He received a limited common-school edu- cation. At the age of thirteen, his father died, and he worked with his brother till he became of age. He then began peddling, and traveled by wagon in that line for nine years, selling tinware the first year, and dry goods and notions thereafter. He then came West and rented a farm on Salt Creek, Du Page County, 111., and the next year, he TOWNSHIP. moved to Turner Junction and engaged in buying hides, r furs and wool. He also kept a boarding house, and, about three years la- ter, he added the boot and shoe business. About 1870, he began dealing exclusively in hides and fur. Since the spring of 1881, he has retired from active business. Politi- cally, he was formerly a Free-Soiler, and Re- publican since the organization of the party. He has held the office of Poor Master, and has served as Supervisor of W infield Town- ship for three years. In 1855, he married WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 173 Mrs. Mary Ann Bolles, formerly Miss Wea- ver, a native of Rockingham, Vt. They have no children. By her first marriage there were three children, two living— Charles E. Bolles, now living in Oak Park, 111. ; and Delia I. Davis, living in Windsor, Vt. WILLIAM ADAMSON, deceased, was born in Yorkshire. England, in the year 1818. He lived in his native land until he was twenty-five years of age. He worked at mining, and in 1841 married Miss Harriet Squires, a native of Yorkshire. In 1843, they came to America, in company with Mrs. Sqitires, her son and daughters, and bought a farm one mile south of Turner and lived there. About 1860, Mrs. Squires and her son went to Kansas, where she died soon after. Mr. Adamson died in 1876, on the farm, and Mrs. Adamson lived there until 1879, when she came to Turner. By the marriage there were twelve children, of whom three are living — William, on homestead; Mrs. Sarah A. Pernel. living in this county; Mary E., at home. JACOB BARTSH. farmer, P. O. Geneva, is a native of Baden, Germany, He was born in the year 1812. He was raised a farmer, and received a common-school edu- cation. In 1832, he came to America, and first stopped at Lithopolis, Ohio, and worked at a hotel, and in 1834 he went to New Lan- oaster, and the following year he joined a circus and traveled with them for four years, and then hired as coachman in Cincinnati, and lived there about seven years. During the latter part of the time, he kept a livery stable, and then went to farming in Shelby County, Ohio, where he lived a number of years. He then, in 1850, came to Du Page County, and bought eighty-five acres in W in- field Township, finally getting 230 acres. While in Cincinnati, he married Ragena Har- mon, a native of Alsace, France. She died here in Du Page County, and was buried at Geneva. They had nine children, of whom four are living. About four years after the death of his first wife, he married Mrs. Fogt. She lived in Shelby County, Ohio. They have one child, Julia. He sold his farm to his son-in-law and moved to Geneva. HENRY BRADLEY, grain-dealer, Turner, is a native of Berkshire County, Mass. He was born in the year 1834, and is seventh of twelve children born to Ebenezer and Abi- gail (Sturges) Bradley. They were natives of Massachusetts. They married there, and came West in 1847 and settled on a farm lo- cated on the line between Du Page and Kane Counties, 111., three miles west of Turner Junction, where they now live, at the ad- vanced ages of eighty-seven and eighty-four respectively, both in good health, body and mind. Our subject was raised on the farm, and received a common-school education. At the age of nineteen, he began working on his own account, with his brothers on the farm, and, some three years later, he engaged, in partnership with Mr. Fowler, of Batavia, in the lumber business, and continued in the business four or five years, and soon after came to Turner Junction, where he engaged in the grain business and shipping stock, which he has continued since. He is a Re- publican in politics. In 1S59, he married Miss Mary Lathrop, a native of Massachu- setts. By the marriage there are four chil- dren — Clarence, Fannie. Grace and David. DARIUS BARTHOLOMEW, farmer, P. O. Batavia, is a native of Du Page County, 111. He was born in 1844, and is the second of five children born to Bishop and Almina Jones Bartholomew, who are spoken of else- where in this work. Mr. Bartholomew was raised on the farm and received a common- school education. In August, 1862, he en- listed in the One Hundred and Fifth Regi- 174 BIOGRAPHICAL: ment Illinois Infantry, Company D, and served until the close of the war. He was with the command at the battle of Resaca, Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea, and the other engagements of the regiment. From the army he returned home and farmed the home farm on the shares until 1871, when he married Miss Hannah E. Lehman, a native of Pennsylvania. She came to Dn Page County, 111., with her parents. After the marriage, he bought and occupied his present place, which contains 136 acres, lo- cated three miles east of Batavia. By the marriage there are two children — Arlind E. and Walton H. He is Republican in politics. THOMAS BROWN, farming, P. O. Tur- ner, is a native of England. He was born in the year 1812. In 1831, he came to America and located in Schenectady County, N. Y., where he worked on the farm until 1842. He then worked a year in Onondaga County. In 1843, he came West by the lakes. He first stopped a few weeks at Bata- via. He then bought forty acres of the Gov- ernment here in Winfield Township, and rented a farm adjoining, and he has farmed ever since. He now owns 110 acres, located adjoining the village of Turner. In 1834, he married Miss Cornelia M. Van Valken- burg, a native of New York. By the mar- riage there have been seven children, of whom three are living. He is a Republican. He has held the office of Highway Commis- sioner. The throe children living are Will- iam H. , mining in Montana; Mary, at home; Mark, on a cattle ranch in Montana. D. C. BROWN, farming, P. O. Warren- ville, is a native of Wayne County, N. Y. He was born in the year 1834, and is the eld- est of nine children born to James and Annie' (Crane) Brown. They were natives of New York, and married there January 10, 1833, and came West in the fall of 1836. They came by team and lake, and made a claim to the present place. She died here on the farm in 1858. He married a Mrs. Scofield, May 9, 1858. They moved to Wheaton in 1868, and he died there in 1879. She is living there at present. They had one child, George Brown. Our subject has always lived on the old homestead. He received a com- mon-school education, and, at the age of six- teen, he took the management of the farm, and, in 1868, he bought the same. In 1857, he married Miss Louisa Bean, a native of Ohio. They have four children. He is a Republican; has served two terms as Road Commissioner, and has been School Director for nearly thirty years. He owns 175 acres, located three miles west of Warren villa CAPT. L. B. CHURCH, retired, Turner, is a native of Wyoming County, N. Y. He was born in 1833, and is the fifth of ten chil- dren born to Liicas B. and Betsy (Patterson) Church, the latter an own cousin to Mrs. Bon- aparte. They were natives of Cayuga County, N. Y., and Colerain, Mass. Thej- married in New York. He was engaged in the lumber business, having mills on the Genesee, and a yard in Rochester. The mills were de- stroyed by floods, and, in 1844, the family came West and settled in McHenry County, 111., where they followed farming at Crystal Lake, where he died in 1849. She died there in 1878. Our subject lived at home until he became of age. He then began as agent for the stage company on the old Galena & Chi- cago Railroad, and in 1857 he became the proprietor of the Junction House. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry. He was made First Lieutenant, Company B, and served six months with his regiment. He was then de- tailed upon the staff of Gen. W. T. Ward, of Kentucky, and, a year later, was ordered to his regiment, and again detailed on the staff WINFIELU TOWXSHIP. 175 of Gen. E. A. Payne, and, a year later, was detailed on the staff of Gen. Saul Merideth, of Indiana, and, five months later, joined his regiment, being promoted to Captain of his company, joining the command at Roanoke, N. C. Returned home in June, 1865. He then became the traveling agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad for five years. He was then appointed one of the Assistant Supervisors of Illinois in the Inter- nal Revenue Department, and, about six months later, was relieved and appointed In- ternal Revenue Assessor for Montana, where he served until 1873, when he returned home and took his old position with the Lake Shore & Michigan Railroad, and, three years later, he was made General Western Passenger Agent of the Hoosac Tunnel Line, headquar- ters at Chicago, and remained with them un- til 1879, when, owing to ill health, he had to retire, and has since looked chiefly after his health. November 23, 1854, he married Miss Clara Haffey, a native of Schoharie County, N. Y. She lived at Franklinville, 111., with her parents. He is Republican. JAMES CONLEY, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of Tipperary County, Ireland. He was born in the year 1822, and was brought up on the farm, receiving a fair common-school education. In 1834, his par- ents came to America and settled in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. In 1839, Mr. James Conley came West to Illinois, and lo- cated with his brother in Livingston Count}-, where he worked on the farm. In 1843, he married Miss Eliza Sutter, and, the next your. came to Du Page County, where he bought forty acres of land in Winfield Township, and has farmed in the vicinity ever since. During the past twelve years, hehas also con- ducted the eating-stand at the depot in Tur- ner. By the marriage there are three chil- dren. C. M. CLARK, dealer in lumber and coal, Turner, is a native of Canada. He was born in the year 1830. When two years of age, his parents removed to Syracuse, N. Y., where he was raised. He received a com- mon-school education. Ai the ageof twenty, he began teaching public school in the vicin- ity of Syracuse, and taught for five or six years. In 1856, he came West, and taught school two winters in Wisconsin. He then taught four winters at Gary's Mills, in Du Page County, 111., and five winters at Turner, after which he engaged in the lumber and coal business at Turner, and has continued same since. In 1859, he married Miss Ar- villa, daughter of the Rev. R. Currier. She was born in New Hampshire, and came to Turner with her parents. She died in 1865. They have had one child, viz., Charles D. Clark, now attending Wheaton College. In 1867, he married Miss Amanda E. Williams. She was born near Syracuse, N. Y., where, also, she was married. He is Republican in his politics. He has served as Town Clerk, Village Trustee, and a member of the School Board for the past twelve years, and has taken an active interest in securing efficiency to the school. JUDGE THOMAS DRUMMOND, Win- field, was born October 16. ISO 1 ,), at Bristol Mills, Lincoln Co., Me. His father, James Drummond, descended from a Scottish line; was a sailor, a farmer, and for many years. a legislator of bis State. Young Drum- mond took his course through the common schools, the academies, to prepare him for college, and, at his majority he was a grad- uate of Old Bowdoin. His next three years were spent- as a student in the law office of T. Dwight, of Philadelphia, whose f either was President of Yale College. He was admitted to the bar in 1S33, and, in 1835, made his professional start in life in Galena, 111. . and 176 BIOGRAPHICAL: never lost sight of his original aim in life. He soon won distinction among his peers, as .the sequel showed. His law practice grew into large proportions, and, in 1850, he re ceived substantial proofs of the public esti- mation of his able jurisprudence by being appointed Judge of the Northern District Court of Illinois, The duties and responsi- bilities of his office soon multiplied on his hands, in proportion as the country increased in wealth, and with it the inevitable rivalship of growing interests, only to be harmonized by the principles of general law, and never, since the days of Moses, the great law-giver, did a jurist find more versatility, more com- plexity, and more fallow ground to break, than has come under the jurisdiction of Mr. Drummond since he has been clothed with the ermine. Since December, 1869, he has been Judge of the Circuit Court of the United States for the Seventh Judicial District, em- braced in the States of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. His rural home, near W infield, to which he came in 1868, evinces his love for domestic life, in its immunity from the turmoil of metropolitan centers like Chicago. Here, at this tranquil retreat, he entertains his coterie of friends who visit him and en- joy his pleasant surroundings at the same time. He has a large family, two of whom have died — his daughter, Annie E., in 1869, and his wife in 1874. To his neighbors he is plain Mr. Drummond at home, and in his official capacity, when they uncover their heads before His Honor, it is done with all the more genuine respect. JOHN FAIRBANKS, deceased, Turner, is a native of England. He was born in the year 1806, and came to America with his par- ents. They settled in Wyoming County, N. Y. His father was a clothier, and John learned the same trade. When he was about twenty-five years of age, he went to Erie Co., N. Y. , and conducted a woolen factory in Amherst, now Cheektowaga, N. Y. While here, he m .Tried, in May, 1838, Miss Pame- lia Levens. She was a native of Erie County, N. Y. After the marriage, they came to Illi- nois and settled on a claim he had bought in the previous year, in what is now Winfield Township, Du Page County, where he lived until his death, on January 11, 1879. He was a Republican, and served as Supervisor of his township a number of years. They had six children, of whom three are living — Mrs. Almina Chatfield, of Turner; Judson Fairbanks, on the old homestead; and Nellie Fairbanks, at home. Mrs. Fairbanks lives in Turner. JAMES FAIRBANK, farming, P. O. Turner, is a native of Yorkshire, England. He was born in the year 1814, and is the seventh of nine children born to Francis and Jennie Shaw Fairbanks. They were natives of England. They married there; also all the children were born there. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods. About the year 1820, they came to America, and located in Genesee County, N. Y. , where they farmed uni.il their death, he in 1847, and she some four or five years later. John Fairbanks, the eldest son of Francis, manufactured woolen goods in New York until 1837, when he and his brother James started by teams for the West. They proceeded as far as Erie, Penn., when, owing to the roads, James took the wagons, etc., and went to Chicago by boat, John going through on horseback, they meet- ing at Warrenville, 111. John bought a claim about three miles northwest of Warrenville, and lived there until his death. James worked by the month at farming for a few years, and then worked at carpenter work for a number of years. He also bought a claim to his present place, and has lived on the same since. In 1839 he married Miss Maria WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 177 Blackmail, a native of Erie County, N. Y. She died a few' months after the marriage. He married Miss Electa Chandler, a native of Genesee County, N. Y. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents in 1836. By the marriage there were two children, of whom one is living, Allen H. He was Democratic in his politics in early days, then Abolitionist, and has voted Republican since the organization of the party. He owns 220 acres, located three miles south of Turner. GEORGE FEHRMAN, of George Fehr- man & Son, Winfield, is a native of Hanover, Germany. He was born in the year 1822. He was raised a farmer, and, at the age of fifteen, he apprenticed to the tailor's trade, and served four years, and worked some five years as a journeyman. In 1849, he came to America, and first stopped at Dnnkle's Grove, now Addison Township, Du Page Co. , 111. , where he worked at his trade one year, and then opened out for himself at Addison Vil- lage, and, some two or three years later, he added general merchandise, and continued the business until 1865, when he sold out and lived three years in Chicago and conducted a produce commission business. He then went to Lombard, in Du Page County, where he conducted general store until 1871, when he went to Bloomingdale Township and farmed three years. He then rented his farm and came to Winfield, and, two years later, he and his son William opened the present store. In 1853, he married Miss Catharine Oehman, a native of Germany. She died in 1870. By the marriage there were seven children, six of whom are living. In 1876, he married Mrs. Kerch. JOHN M. FAESSLER, retired, Turner, is a native of Baden, Germany. He was born in the year 1828, June 11. His father, also his grandfather, were carpenters, and he learned the same trade, and, at the age of twenty, came to America. He worked one year in New York City, and then went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he worked for about four years. In the fall of 1854, came to Turner, 111., and bought a farm, two and a half miles west of the town, where he farmed until 1869, when he removed to Turner, where he has lived since. In 1852, he married, at Portsmouth, Ohio, Miss Mary Walter, a na- tive of Germany. She came to America two years after he did. They were acquainted in the old country. They had five children, of whom but one is living, Charles F. M. Faes- sler. The four deceased all died within one week, by the scarlet fever. He is Repub lican in his politics. He is a member of the Evangelical Association, and is one of the pioneer members of the St. Michael's Church of that denomination in Turner. Mrs. Faes- sler is also a member of the church. Dur- ing his residence in Turner, Mr. Faessler has farmed his place by a tenant. SEBA FRENCH, farmer, P. O. Warreti- ville, is a native of Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio. He was born in the year 1819, and was raised on a farm. He received a limited common-school education. His father was a clothier by trade, though, in later years, followed farming. He also conducted a saw- mill. Our subject worked on the farm, and, in 1842, married Miss Elizabeth Clark, a na- tive of New York. She died here in Illinois. They had three children — Abigail Peas, liv- ing in Wisconsin; D. C. French, living in Boone County, 111. ; Lucy R. Brown, living in Parsons, Kan. In 1862, he married Miss Harriet Woodburn, a native of New Hampshire, and living in Lake County, Ohio, at time of marriage. They have one child, Hattie E. In February, 1854, Mr. French came to Illinois and bought a place one mile north of Naperville, where he farmed two years, and then came to his present place, 178 BIOGRAPHICAL: which contains 129 acres, located one mile west of Warrenville. ' He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as Road Commis- sioner one term. JACOB A. GALUSHA, retired farmer, Warrenville, is a native of Burlington, Vt. He was born in the year 1803, and is the second of ten children born to Ezra and Ma- bel Barney Galusha. They were natives of Connecticut and Vermont. He was a farmer, and, when a young man, went to Vermont, where he married, and, in 1834, they came to Illinois and located on a claim in what is now Milton Township, Du Page Co. , 111. , and lived there a few years, and lived thereafter with their sou until their death. Our sub- ject was raised on the farm. He received a common-school education. On becoming of age, he began on his own account, farming a piece of land he had bought, and upon which the family lived. In 1833, he came West, over the canal and lakes, and made a claim to his present place, and, the nest year, his father sold the property in Vermont and came West with his family and made a claim ad- joining his son's. Mr. Jacob A. Galusha was married to Miss Parmelia K. Foote, of Kane County, 111. She died in 1870. They had three children — Ezra and Edwin, farm- ing the old homestead; and Mrs. Cora Han- cock, of Chicago. In 1872, he married Mrs. Bisbee, formerly Annie Jayne, a native of Susrpiehanna County, Penn. She came to Du Page County, 111., in 1804. By the first marriage, she had three children — Alonzo and Albert, farming in Nebraska; and Mrs. Net- tie Henderson, living in Beedsburg, Wis. He is Republican in his politics, and a mem- ber of the Universalist Church since he was a young man. JUDE P. GARY, deceased, was a native of Pomfret, Windom Co., Conn. He was born February 3, 1811, and was one of the pio- neers of Du Page County, 111., where he set- tled in the year 1832, making a claim near the present village of Warrenville, fuller par- ticulars of which are given in another part of this work. In 1851, he married Miss Margaret L., daughter of the Rev. Mr. Kim- ball, who is spoken of elsewhere in this work. She died July 25, 1862. By the marriage there were eight children — George P., Lucy M., Leora M., Jude F., Lovisa J., Edwin A., Laura E. and William S. In 1863, Mr. Gary married Mrs. Dr. Rose, formerly Miss L. M. Sherwood, a native of Chenango County, N. Y., born April 28, 1827, by which marriage there were born four children, three of whom are living — Eben S. Gary, Lewis E. Gary and Charles L. Gary. By her first marriage, Mrs. Gary had one child, Mrs. Mary Rose Wilson. Mr. Gary died May 11, 1881. Mrs. Gary is living on the old homestead near Warrenville. C. W. GARY, hardware, tinware and agri- cultural implements, Turner Junction, is a native of Du Page County, 111., and is the youngest son of Charles Gary. He was born on his father's farm, located two miles south of Turner, in the year 1844. He received a commou -school education. At the age of twenty, he began farming on his own account, farming the home farm on the shares, and, on becoming of age, his father deeded him 100 acres, and, after his father's death, he bought out the heirs, and now owns the home farm of 250 acres. In 1877, he bought the hardware business of J. W. Gates & Co., and has conducted the business since. He is Republican in politics, and has held the office of Supervisor for two years. In 1864, he married Miss Maria Pierce, a native of Du Page County. She died in 1873, leaving three children — Charles E., Mary Nettie and Ella M. In 1874, he married Miss Mary Baker, native of the State of Ohio, near Cleve- land. Her parents died when she was a WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 181 child, and she made her home with her un- cle, at St. Charles, 111. They have one child, Lula. G. W. GUILD, farming, P. O. Warren- ville. is a native of Huntingdon County, N. J. He was born in the year 1837, and is the eldest of eleven children born to A. E. and Suzan A. Warne Guild. They were natives of New Jersey and now live in Cook County, 111. In 1839, they moved to Fulton County, 111., and, about 1843, moved to Sugar Grove, Kane County, and thence to Cook County. Our subject lived at home until he was about twenty years of age. He received a common- school education, attending the Wheaton College for two years. In 1857, he came to Du Page County, and worked on the farm of Mi-. John Warne, and, the next year, rented the place, and farmed it several years. He then bought the present place where he now resides, and, in 1881, he bought the adjoin- ing place, now owning 220 acres, located one mile west of Warrenville. In 1858, he mar- ried Miss Abbie E. Warne, a native of Du Page County, 111., daughter of John Warne, Esq. By the marriage there is one child — John W. — and an adopted daughter, Augusta Guild. He is Republican in politics. FRANK J. HAGEMAN, farming, P. O. Winfield, is a native of Du Page County, 111. He was born on his father's farm, in Win- field Township, in the year 1852, and is fourth of five children born to Frederick and Margaret Snyder Hageman. They were na tives of Germany. Frederick Hageman came to America with his parents when a young man, and she with her parents when seven years old. On the way over, his mother and brother were drowned. He and his father went to Chicago. His father was a physician, and practiced in Chicago. Frederick studied medicine in Germany, and got his diploma in the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and also practiced in that city. He first ran on the lakes, and made headquarters at Buffalo, where he married. His father died in Chi- cago. Frederick came to Du Page County about 1850, and settled on a farm in Winfield Township. He bought first forty acres, and added to it until he had 325 acres. Shortly after coming here, he retired to Wheaton, and lived thereat the time of his death. Mrs. Hageman is living there at present. While in Chicago, he served as City Physician and Alderman. Frank J. was raised in Wheaton. He received a course of stud.y in Wheaton College, and learned the painter's trade, which he followed about five years. August 11, 1877, he married Miss Emma Batchelor, a native of Du Page County, 111. They have three children — Lucy, George and Frank. After the marriage, he came on the old home- stead farm, and has farmed it since. MATHIAS HILLS, general store, Win- field, is a native of Prussia. He was born in the year 1831. He was raised a fanner. He received a common-school education. In 1854, he came to America, and stopped a few months in Michigan, and thence to Chicago, and, after a fow months of sickness, he went to Lake County. 111., and dealt in stock for two ■ years. He then rented a farm and farmed for about six or seven years, and next went to Cook County and opened a butcher shop at West Wheeling, now Arlington Heights. He remained there three years. He then came to Winfield and engaged in his present business, and has continued since. He is Democratic in politics; has served as Postmaster of Winfield for about four years. He also served as agent for the American Ex- press Company for six years, and station agent for the NorthWestern Railway Company at Winfield for three 'years, and Collector of township for one year. In 1855, he married Miss Barbara Nilles, a native of Prussia. 183 BIOGRAPHICAL: They had seven children, five living — Jacob P., Toony, Mary, Eva, Katie. M. W. HAWKS, carpenter, Turner, is a native of Goshen, Hampshire Co ,Mass. He was born in the year 1817. When he was fourteen years of age, he apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and served until he became of age, after which he worked transient as a journeyman, at Amherst, on the college. He also traveled three years in Canada. While there, he married Miss Julia Wait. She died in July, 1876. From Canada he came to Chicago, where he lived until February, 1846, when he came to W infield Township, Du Page Co., 111., where his brother-in-law lived, and bought a small place and farmed the same in connection with his trade as car- penter, and lived thereuntil a few years ago, when he moved to his present place, in the village of Turner. By his marriage there were seven children, of whom four are living — Mary Church, resides near Milwaukee; Cloye Jones, resides in Beatrice, Neb. ; Arthur Hawk, telegraph operator ; Clifford Hawk, engineer on North-Western Railway. Sep- tember 16, 1877, he married Hannah Akers, a native of Fulton County, Penn. She resided in Wheaton at the time of her marriage. He is Republican in politics; was Whig, anti- slavery. He is a member of the Congrega- tional Church. NEWTON HAWKS, farming, P. O. Tur- ner, is a native of Goshen, Hampshire Co., Mass. He was born in the year 1819. His father was a physician, and died when New- ton was young, and our subject was raised in the village until he was eleven years of age. He then went on the farm, living with a rel- ative until he became of age. He then worked one year in a saw-mill, and six years in a flower garden at North Hampton. He then, in 18-47, came West and worked at the carpenter business in Chicago for one year, when he came to Du Page County and bought his present place, though he rented for two years before he occupied his place, and has lived here ever since. In 1858, he married Miss Jane Wood, a native of Vermont. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her par- ents about 1854. They have three children — Wilbur D., Louisa C. and Theron B. Mr. Hawks is Republican in politics. He has served in the school offices, and as Road Commissioner. He owns eighty acres, locat- ed one and a fourth miles southwest of Tur- ner. BENJAMIN HOWARTH, livery, feed and sale, Turner, is a native of New York. He was born in Auburn, N. Y., in the year 1843, and is the fourth of six children born to Sanders and Mary Peacock Howarth. They were na- tives of England. They married there, and moved to New York soon after, and in 1844, they moved to St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., and in 1846, settled in Milton Township, two miles north of Wheaton, where they carried on farming. He died there in 1879. She is livtng with her daughter, in Wayne Town- ship. Our subject was raised on the farm. About 1868, he farmed the home farm on the shares, and, in 1875, went to Kane County, where he farmed one year; he then moved on a farm two miles south of Wheaton. and, in 1878, came to Turner and engaged in his present business. In 1875, he married Miss Emma Vandervolgin, a native of New York. He is Republican in politics. WILLIAM J. HOLLISTER, farmer, P. O. Batavia, is a native of Berkshire County, Mass. He was born in the year 1840, and is the youngest of five children born to G. J. and A. M. Fuller Hollister They were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont. He was a wollen-manufacturer. In 1846, they came West, and bought a place lying on both sides of the county line of Du Page and Kane WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 183 Counties, where he farmed until his death, in 1880. Mrs. Hollister died in 1875. Our subject was raised on the farm: He received an academic course of study at the academy in Batavia. In 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment Illi- nois Infantry, Company B, and was in the service three years. The first year, he served as Clerk in the Commissary Department. He was in the siege and capture of Vicks- burg, siege and capture of Mobile, and the other engagements of the regiment. He re- turned home from the army, and, in 1866, he married Miss Ella Carpenter, a daughter of A. E. Carpenter, an old pioneer of Du Page County, now resident in Aurora, 111. He lived on the old homestead the first year after he was married, and then came to his present place, where he has lived since. By the mar- riage there are three children — Bertha M., Freddie A. and Robie C. He is Republican. Owns 150 acres located in Du Page and Kane Counties. A. H. JONES, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of White Hall, Washington Co., N. Y. He was born in the year 1S24, and is the second of eleven children born to Cornel- ius and Fannie M. Wilson Jones. They were natives of Washington County, N. Y. They married there and, a few years after, moved to Providence, R. I., and, in company with Mr. Jerry Breede, owned and conducted a canal boat for three years. He then re- turned to his native county in New York and farmed until 1835, when he and Reuben Jones, a son of his half-brother, with their families, came West by teams to Illinois, and settled on the east side of the Big Woods, in what is now Naperville Township, Du Page County, where they bought claims and occupied and improved the same. In 1850, Mr. Jones went overland with two of his sons, Franklin and Hiram, to California, where he mined on the Yuba River for about three years. Ho then came home and sold out and moved to Iowa, where he lived for four years, when he re- turned to a place he bought in W infield Township, where he lived until 1875, when they moved to Batavia, where they now live, both of whom have passed the age of eighty. Our subject lived at home until the year 1847, when he married Miss Susan Warne, a native of New Jersey. She came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents, in 1834. After the marriage, they occupied a part of his father's farm, where he farmed until 1852, when he went overland by learn to California, and mined one year, and farmed two years in Santa Clara Valley. He then returned home, and, soon after, bought and occupied his present place, where he has since lived. By the marriage there are five children, all daughters — Sarah M. Delana, farming in Linn County, Iowa; "Emma E. Hodges, of Turner, 111. ; Mary Hummel, farming in Ne- braska; Carrie, at home; Josephine, at home. Mr. Jones is Republican. He owns 160 acres, located two and a half miles northwest of Turner. J. J. KAUTZ, farming, P. O. Turner, is a native of Baden, Germany. He was born in « the year 1828. He was raised on the farm. He received a common-school education, and, at the age of twenty, he entered the army, and was engaged in the war or rebellion against Prussia. In 1840, he came to Amer- ica, and stopped in Erie Couny N. Y., where he worked at farming and lumbering for about two years, when he came to Illinois and located at Turner, where he had relatives. He worked at gardening, and, the following spring, his parents. Christian and MaryPfei- fer Kautz, came and bought a farm in Win- field Township, Du Page County, where they lived until their death. J. J. Kautz worked on the Galena & Chicago Railroad, he being 184 BIOGRAPHICAL: foreman of a gang of laborers, and, the next winter, went to live with his parents, and has lived on the farm since, he buying out the heirs after their death. He married, in 1856, Miss Saloma Hansel, a native of Germany. She came to America with his parents in 1852. They had nine children, of whom three are living — Christian, farmer in Kane County, Charles, at home; Louisa, at home. He owns 208 acres, located on county line, three miles west of Turner. MARTIN KAUTZ, farming, P. O. Geneva, is a native of Baden, Germany. He was born in the year 1829. He was raised on the farm and received a common-school education. In May, 1855, he came to America and settled in Turner, 111., where he had relatives living. He then worked as a helper to a mason in Geneva, and then rented one of his present places for four years, and then bought the place, and has lived there since. He now owns 223 acres, located on the line, three miles west of Turner. In 1855, he married Miss Barbara Hawk, a native of Baden, Ger- many. She came to America on the same vessel he did, and also came to this county with him; they were married a few months later. They have seven children — Carrie Wolf, farming in Kansas; Mary, Martin, Jr., Jacob, Frederick, Barbara, Christina. He has earned all his property. EDWARD LAMBE, milling, Warrenville, is a native of Yorkshire, England; he was born in the year 1831; he received a common- school education, and, at the age of fifteen, began clerking in a railroad office, where he continued about three and a half years. In 1850, he came to America with his parents, William and Mary Watson Lambe; they were natives of Yorkshire; they settled on a farm in Du Page County, 111., where the family lived till 1857, when Mr. Edward Lambe bought the mill in company with Mr. Victor Fredenhagen, and the family moved to War- renville, where Mrs. Lambe died a few years later. In 1862, Mr. Lambe sold one-half his interest in the mill and moved to a farm in Downer's Grove, where he farmed for eleven years, during which time his father died. In 1873, he returned and bought Mr. Freden- hagen' s one-fourth interest in the mill, giv- ing him then one-half interest, and, a few years later, he became the sole proprietor. August 11, 1879, the mill was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt, on a more extensive plan and improved pattern. In 1855, he married Miss Sofa Fredenhagen, a native of Germany; they have four children — Williain Victor, Paul Edward, Mary L. and Carrie A. Both the sons are engaged in the mill. J. E. LEHMAN, farmer, P. O. Batavia, is a native of Lee County, 111. ; he was born in the year 1847, and is the second of three chil- dren born to Samuel and Mrs.Foutz Lehman. Our subject was raised on the farm in Lee County, 111. , until he was ten years of age, when the family moved to Warrenville, 111., where our subject lived until 1871, when he came to his present place, and has lived here since. In 1S73, he married Miss Emma Pratt, a native of Du Page County, 111. By the marriage there are three children — Wil- ton, Delia and Luke. He owns 130 acres lo- cated two and a half miles southwest of Tur- ner. JAMES W. McKEE, farmer, P. O. War- renville, is a native of Du Page County, 111. ; he was born in the year 18-10, and is the sec- ond of three children born to David McKee and his second wife, Sarah Ward. David McKee (deceased) was a native of Loudoun County, Va. ; he was born December 2, 1800; his parents were John F. and Jane Marple McKee, of Scotland; they settled in Virginia, from which State they went to Pennsylvania, and. in 1813, they went to Cincinnati, Ohio, WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 185 where David learned the trade of blacksinith- ing. In 1821, he made a trip to New Or- leans, on the City of Washington, and, in 1822, he was appointed to do blacksmithing for the Indians at Chicago, where he worked for eight years; he then carried mail for a year between Chicago and Fort Wayne; served with Capt. Bordman in the Black Hawk war, and then hired to the Government again. In 1836, he located on a farm at the forks of the Du Page River, and kept a blacksmith shop there for a number of years; from there he moved on a farm in Winfield Township, Du Page County, where he lived to within a few years of his death, which occurred near Au- rora, 111., April 8, 1881. Mr. McKee was twice married — first, to Miss Wealthy Scott, a sister of Willard Scott, Esq., of Naper- ville. 111. : two children were born — Stephen and Josephus; the latter died when he was young. Stephen served four years in the army during the rebellion, after which he re- moved to Nebraska, where he died. The second wife was Miss Sarah W'ard, a native of New York; they had three children — Mrs. Wealthy Bicknell, of Cedar Springs, Mich. ; Miss Carrie A. Fisher, of St. Louis, Mo. , and James W. McKee, living here on the old homestead, where he was born. November 28, 1860, he married Miss Frances L. Bird, of Winnebago County, 111. WILLIAM A. MACAULEY, farmer, P O. Turner, is a native of St. Lawrence Coun- ty. N. Y. ; he was born September 21, 1823, and is the second of ten children born to George and Mary Miller Macauley; they were natives of Ireland and New York City, she being of Scotch descent. He came to America when a young man; he had been educated as a Presbyterian minister; his father was a successful merchant of Dublin, and placed his son in circumstances that he was not re- quired to follow the ministry, and did not. George Macauley married in New York City, and came to Illinois in the summer of 1841, and occupied a claim he had bought of Mr. Town, which was located in what is now Winfield Township, Du Page County, and lived on the place until his death. Mrs. Macauley died about two years previous to her husband. Our subject was raised on the farm; he received a common -school educa- tion. In 1841, he and his brother Walter M. drove a team to the present place. In 1864, he married Miss Anna Whitmer, a native of Niagara County, N. Y. , where she lived when married, she being engaged as a school teacher. They have three children — Will- iam L. , David W. and Mary F. In 1849. Mr. Macauley went to California overland with cattle, being seven months on the trip; he lived there three years; he followed mining one year, and conducted a grocery and butcher shop for about two years; he then returned and kept a general store in Elgin for about seven years, when he came to the old homestead, and. except three years' resi- dence in Chicago, has lived here since. M. W. MURRAY, farmer, P. O. Winfield, is a native of Ireland; he was born in the year 1823, and is the eldest of four children born to John and Mary Brenan Murray; he was of Scotch descent and born in Ireland; he married in his native land and came to Canada soon after, where he lived for six or eight years, and then came to the Fnited States and settled in Connecticut, and. in 1835, he came We9t by the lakes and bought a place on the lake short', at Grosse Point, and, the next fall, wont to Chicago, where he lived until 1837, and then made a claim in what is now Winfield Township, Du Page County. 111., and occupied and improved the place where he lived until his death. Mrs. Murray lived on the old homestead until her death. Our subject lived with his parents 186 BIOGRAPHICAL: until he was about nineteen years of age; he then began for himself, working by the month for a season, and then rented a place, which he farmed a year, and, on becoming of age, he was elected Constable of Wayne Township to fill a vacancy, and he served in all for seven years. During the last four years, he also served as Deputy Sheriff; he then moved on a place which his father deeded to him, and farmed the same since. In January, 1845, he married Miss Martha Ann Billings, a native of Indiana, and came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents, who were early pioneers. She died May 1, 1872. By the marriage there were nine children, of whom seveu are living. September 29, 1875, he married Mrs. Ketchum, formerly Miss Lu- cinda C. Scott, a native of Pennsylvania; she came to Du Page County in 1856. By the present marriage, there have been two chil- dren, both of whom have died. He iB a Re- publican in his politics. D. R. MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of Erie County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1843, and is the second of eight children born to Christian F. and Sarah Rhodes Martin; they came to Kane County, 111., in 1849, and to Du Page County in 1805; they now live near Naperville. Our subject was- raised on the farm; he received a common-school education. When he was about twenty-two years of age, he began farming the home farm on the shares, and, in 1871, he married Miss Lucinda Pratt, & na- tive of Du Page County, 111. After the mar- riage, they came to the present place, which he rented a few years and then bought the same, it being the old David Martin home- stead, and has lived here since. By the mar- riage there are four children — Jessie, Olive, Albert and Cora. Mr. Martin is Republican in politics; he has served as Assessor and school officer. He owns 122 acres, located one and three-fourths miles west of Tur- ner. JONATHAN R. MATHER, farmer, P. O. Warrenville, is a native of Du Page County, 111. ; he was born in the year 1849, and is the seventh of ten children born to Israel and his second wife, Hannah Royce Mather; they were natives of Essex County, N. Y. Our subject was raised on the farm; he received a common-school education. At the age of sixteen, he began doing for himself, working by the month, and, after becoming of age, he began farming the home farm on shares. In 1877, he married Miss Nettie L. Ketchum, a native of Du Page County, 111.; they had two children, one living — Israel. Since his mar- riage', Mr. Mather has farmed the home farm. HENRY H. MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Tur- ner, is a native of Erie County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 184S, and is the fifth of nine children born to Christian F. and Sarah Rhodes Martin. Henry H. Martin was raised on his father's farm, and received a common- school education; he lived at home until he was twenty- four years of age; had an interest or share in the product of the home farm, since he was sixteen or seventeen years of age. In 1872, he married Miss Clara A. Hodges, a native of Pennsylvania; she came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents, who settled on a farm in Winfield Township. After the marriage, they settled on the pres- ent place, which ho bought of his father, and has lived here since. He owns eighty-six and one-half acres located one mile west of Turner. By the marriage there have been three chil- dren, two of whom are living — Elmer and George. Mr. Martin is a Republican. He is at present Highway Commissioner. DANIEL W. MARTIN, farmer, P. O. Turner; is a native of Kane County, 111.; he was born in the year 1851, and is the fifth of eight children born to Christian F. and WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 18? Sarah Rhodes Martin. Mr. Martin was raised on the farm, and received a common school education. In 1865, the family moved to Du Page County, 111., and, in 1872, he began fanning his father's place on the shares, and, in 1874, he married Miss Jennie Pratt, a na- tive of Wayne Township, Du Page County, 111, and daughter of Obadi ah Pratt, one of the pioneers of Wayne Township. After the marriage, he rented the farm, and, in the spring of 1881, he bought the place, his par- ents then retiring to Naperville, where they now live. Mr. Martin is a Republican. He owns 117 acres, located one mile south of Turner. In addition to farmiug, Mr. Martin has conducted a thresher for the past ten years. RUSSEL MANVILLE, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of Whitehall, Washing- ton Co., N. Y. ; he was born June 5, 1818; he was raised on the farm and received a common -school education; his father died when he was about fourteen years of age; he lived on the home farm with his mother till he was twenty years of age; he then decided to go West, and, accordingly, took the canal to Buffalo, thence by boat to Detroit, and railroad to Ypsilanti, and team and stage to St. Joe and lake to Chicago; thence to War- renville, where, the next spring, he rented a farm and farmed one season, after which he worked during summers and taught school in Marshall and Tazewell Counties, and, about 1845, he came to his present place, and has lived here since. In 1848, he visited Ver- mont, and married Miss Julia C. Smith, a native of that State. By the marriage there are four children — Lotan S., United States mail agent; Mrs. Jane E. Smith, of Wayne Township; E. H., of Oak Park; Martha J., at home. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as Collector one year. He owns 175 acres, located four and one-half miles southwest of Turner. EDWARD P. MACK, farmer, P. O. War- renville; is a native of Susquehanna Coun- ty, Penn. ; he was born in the year 1815, and was raised on the farm and received but a very limited common-school education. At the age of twenty, he went to Rockingham, VI, and learned the clothier and cloth-dress- ing business, working about five years. He then returned home and boated on the Schuyl- kill Canal one season, and, in 1841, he came West and sold dry goods and groceries from a wagon in Wisconsin and Illinois. He then engaged in breaking prairie in Wisconsin, which business he followed for two seasons. He then bought his present place and occu- pied the same. He owns 240 acres, located two and one-half miles north of Warrenville. In 1842, he married Miss Maria Royce, a native of Essex County, N. Y. ; she came to Will County, 111, with her parents; she died in July, 1882; there have been ten children, of whom seven are living — Abner, farmer in Iowa; Edward, farmer in Nebraska; Charles, employed on the Chicago & North-Western Railway; Orland, farmer in Will County, 111. ; Adaline, at home; Elmer, at home, and Mil- ton, at school, Aurora. Mr. Mack is a Re- publican. J. C. NELTNOR, general store and nurs- ery, Turner, is a native of Pennsylvania; he was born in the city of Erie, in the year 1841, and is the eldest of six children born to Francis X. and Mary A. Runser Neltnor; they were natives of Baden, Germany; they came to America when young; they married in Pennsylvania. He was a merchant tailor, and came to Du Page County, 111., in 1N47, and conducted his business in Bloomingdale until his death, in 1881, Mrs. Neltnor is living in the old home at Bloomingdale. Our subject lived with his parents until he became of age. When about ten years of age, he engaged as clerk in a general store in Bloom- 188 BIOGRAPHICAL: ingclale, and clerked there until 1861, when he became a j>artner with Dr. Sedgwick in a general store, and continued thereuntil 1S64, when he sold out and came to Turner and en- gaged in his present business. In 1808, his place was destroyed by fire, and he afterward built his present place. In 1870, he estab- lished, in company with Mr. G. W. Rich- mond, the Grove Place Nurseries, and, in 1874, he became the sole proprietor and has conducted the business since. In 1882, he established Neltnor's Fruit and Flower Grow- er, a horticultural magazine, published quar- terly. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as Secretary of the County Committee for a number of years. In 1864, he married Miss Mary E. Kinney, a native of Du Page County, 111. They have six children. CAPT. G. N. ROUND Y, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of Spafi'ord, Onondaga County, N. Y. ; he was born December 4, 1811; he was raised on his father's farm and received a common-school education; on be- coming of age, he began on his own account, working by the month; he also spent two years in Canada, collecting for a party doing business there, and, in 1836, November 12, he drove the first car over the Erie & Kala- mazoo Railroad, from Toledo to Adrian, now part of Southern Michigan. November 1, 1837, he came to Illinois and bought a claim in what is now Wayne Township, Du Page County, and improved the place, and, in the fall of 1843, he sold out and came to Win- field Township, and has farmed in the town- ship ever since. He owns 120 acres, located one mile east of Turner. He married Miss Maria L. Kimball, a native of Vermont; she came to Illinois with her parents. By the marriage, there have been twelve children, of whom seven are living. He is Republi- can in his politics; he has served as Assessor of Winfield Township some seven or eight years, and has held the office of Supervisor. During the war, he was appointed County Marshal; he has also served as Road Com- missioner for two terms, and he was Captain of the old Winfield Cavalry Company. DAVID ROOT, farmer, P. O. Batavia. is a native of Piermont, near Haverhill, N. H. ; he was born November 8, 1815; his parents, Ephraim and Vashti Burd Root, were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont. He was a farmer, and moved to Genesee County, N. Y, in 1822. Mrs. Root died there in 1829, and Mr. Root later moved to Michigan, and thence to Illinois, and finally died in Indiana, where he lived with a son. Our subject was brought up at home until his mother died; he then went to live with an uncle, for whom he worked on the farm, receiving §7 per month, and, after two years, he began teach- ing at the age of sixteen, having a school of fifty scholars and receiving $12 per month, for a four-months' term. He then went to Kentucky, where he had brothers living, and taught school at Newport and in Fayette and Harrison Counties, for seven years. When Mr. Root first went to Kentucky, he made a trip horseback to Michigan; this was about the year 1832, and, in 1839, he came horse- back to Illinois, and bought a claim to his present place, which he occupied, and has lived here since, except about a year he lived in Indiana. In 1841, he married Miss Syl- van ia Graves, a native of New York; she came to Du Page County with her parents; she died September 22, 1847; they had three children. In 1847, he married Miss Marietta Hallenbeck, a native of Erie County, N. Y.; she came to Du Page County, 111., with her parents, in 1843; they had seven children. He is Republican, and a member of the Baptist Church for the past forty years; also Mrs. Root is a member of the Baptist Church. He owns 190 acres, located three miles east of Batavia. WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 189 W. T. REED, Reed & Stark, general store, Turner; is a native of Du Page County, 111.; he was born on the farm in Wayne Township, in the year 1843, and is the third of seven chil- dren born to Geo. W. and Juda A. Ellenwood Reed, of Wayne Township. Our subject was raised on the farm and received a common- school education. After he became of age, he began farming on the shares, which he contin- ued until 1876, when he removed to Turner and engaged in partnership with Mr. Voll in the general store business, and, about one and a half years later, Mr. Voll sold his interest to Mr. Stark, and they have conducted it since. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- first Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was in the service about five months. In 1878, he married Miss Maggie Campbell, a native of Philadelphia; she came to DuPage Coun- ty, 111., with her parents. By the marriage there is one child — Jennie Irene. He is Re- publican in politics, and has served as Police Magistrate for two years. C. K. SANDERS, commercial traveler, Turner, is a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1836, and is the eldest of four children, born to James and Betsy Irish Sanders; they were natives of Vermont and New York; they married in New York, and came West in 1841, and rented a farm in Wayne Township, Du Page County, 111., and, two years later, bought a piece of land and began building a house on the place, but died before it was completed, and Mrs. Sanders sold the place and soon after married Mr. O. Higgins, and lived in Wayne Township until about 1881, when they moved to Turner, where they now live. Our subject lived at home until he was about eighteen; he received a common-school edu- cation; he spent one year in the East, and, while there, taught writing, and returning home in the spring, clerked in a store in Wayne during the summers and teaching writing in the winters. He then accepted the position of Deputy Circuit Clerk, under Mr. Whitney, and held the position about one year, when he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry, Company, C, and was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant, and served fifteen months, when he was dis- charged, after which he became a citizen em- ploye in the Quartermaster's department, and held the position until the close of the war, when he returned home to Wayne Township, and clerked in a general store for about one and one-half years, at Lincoln, 111. He then engaged in the business at that place on his own account, which he conducted until the fall of 1869; he then became a salesman in the office of Franklin McVeagh & Co., of Chi- cago, and, four years later, began traveling on the road for the same house, with whom he has remained since. In 1865, he married Miss Elvira Currier, a native of Du Page County, 111. ; she died in 1 876. By the mar- riage there was one child — Bertha D. In 1878, he married Mrs. Almeda E. Townsend, a native of Utica, N. Y. There are no children. EDGAR STEPHENS, of Wiant & Stephens, general store, Turner; is a native of Morris County, N. J.; he was born in the year 1845. In 1847, the family moved West to Illinois, and located at Geneva, where they lived for seven years, then moved on a farm, two miles south of Batavia. Our subject lived at home until 1S61, when he enlisted in the Forty- second Regiment Illinois Infantry, Company I, and served three years; he was in the bat- tles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge; at the latter place was wounded and joined his regiment about five months later, and took part in the Atlanta campaign — battles of Jonesboro and Kenesaw Moun- tain; from the army he came home and en- gaged as fireman on the North- Western Rail- 190 BIOGRAPHICAL: way for two years; he then became engineer and continued with the company nine years longer. He then became a partner in the present business. He is Republican in poli- tics, and has held the office of Trustee of Tur- ner and Township Treasurer. In 1869, he married Miss Alice Wiant, daughter of Joel Wiant, Esq., of Turner. By the marriage, there have been four children, one of whom is living, viz., Lloyd Stephens. JOSEPH W. SMITH, Postmaster, Tur- ner, is a native of Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1812. In 1819, the family moved to Gates, Monroe County, N. Y., where his father died; he then went back to Cazenovia, and lived with his uncle until he was about sixteen years of age, during which time he worked at black- smithing; he then went to Greece, Monroe Co. , N. Y., where his mother lived. February 28, 1829, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was in the service for three years; he then learned the cooper's trade and followed the business in Monroe County and in the State of Michigan for eighteen years, where he engaged first as trackman and then as fire- man on the Michigan Central Railroad, and later, he engaged with the New Albany & Sa- lem Railroad, having charge of their black- smith shops. In 1857, he came to Turner and engaged as blacksmith for the old Galena Railroad. During the war, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served about five months, and, on his return, he resumed his place with the railroad company. In 1873, he was com- missioned Postmaster of Turner, and has held the position since. October 20, 1833, he married Miss Eliza Ann, daughter of Dr. Moses Lewis, of Greece, N. Y. ; they had five children, three of whom are living — two sons and one daughter; the latter married Mr. D. C. Stanley, of Downer's Grove. C. P. STARK, of Reed & Stark, general store, Turner, is a native of Du Page Coun- ty, 111. ; he was born on the farm in the year 1855, and is the second of nine children born to Martin and Margaret (Voll) Stark; they were natives of Germany; she came to Amer- ica with her parents, and he came to America in 1847, and settled in Du Page County, 111. Our subject lived at home until he was about fifteen years of age, then engaged as a clerk in a general store at Turner, and continued clerking at Turner and Chicago for seven years (one year in Chicago), and, in 1877, he purchased Mr. Voll's interest in the business and formed the firm of Reed & Stark. In 1881, he married Miss Ida M. Reed, a native of Du Page County, 111., daughter of George W. Reed, of Wayne Township. Mr. Stark is Democratic in politics, and has served as Town Clerk three terms and Village Clerk four or five years. CHRISTIAN D. SMAIL, farmer, P. O. Winfield, is a native of Mecklenburg, Ger- many; he was born in the year 1812; he was raised a farmer and shepherd, and, in 1819, he married Miss Mary Witt, a native of Mecklenburg, and the same year came to America, and lived for three years in Chi- cago, and then came to De Plaines, where he lived about one and one-half years, and, in 1853, he came to Du Page County and rented a farm in Winfield Township. In 1858, he bought and occupied his present place. There were two children — one liv ng — Caro- line; she married, January 15, 1874, Mr. Christian Fessler, a native of Baden, Ger- many; he was born October 4, 1841; he was raised a farmer, and received a common- school education, and served as a teamster in the French and German war; he came to America in 1871, and worked at farming in Du Page County. By the marriage there are two children — Flora and George. Mr. and WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 191 Mrs. Fessler live on the old homestead with Mr. Smail. He owns forty acres, located two and a half miles south of Winheld. JOHN WEST, drags and general store, Turner, is a native of England; he was born in the year 1829. In 1830, his parents moved to America, and located in Oneida County, N. Y., where they engaged in the man- ufacture of woolens, which business they and their ancestors carried on in England for generations. Our subject was raised in Oneida County, and received his education at the Whitesboro Academy. When about eighteen, he began as book-keeper in a gen- eral store, and, in 1850, he visited one year in England; in 1852, he engaged in that busi- ness on his own account; in 1855, he went to California via Panama and lived there about fifteen months, being engaged in mining; he then returned East and soon after took charge of a general store at Blackberry, 111., and, in the spring of 1857, he located at Turner and opened a general store, and has conducted the business ever since, he being the oldest merchant in the town. In 1852, he married Miss Elizabeth Allison, a native of Leeds, England; she came to America with her par- ents. By the marriage there have been four children, three of whom are living. He was formerly a Whig, and, later, a Republican; from 1860 to 1869, he was Postmaster of Turner; he has also served as Town Clerk, in all about fifteen years. In 1848, Mr. West and his father subscribed for twenty shares in the old Galena & Chicago Railroad, and that s-J.OOO has now increased to $20,000, besides the dividends, and has remained in the fam- ily. The children are as follows: John A. West, musician and organist in the Church of the Ascension, Chicago ; Mrs. J. T. Hosford, and Annie West, Utica, N. Y. JOEL WIANT, retired, Turner Junction. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, is a native of Luzerne County, Penn. ; he was born December 10, 1812, and was raised on the farm; his educa- tion was obtained in the common schools of his day; he lived at home until he became of age, and then went to the vicinity of Mauch Chunk, where he was principally engaged as a clerk in a hotel until 1837, when, with a Benjamin Fuller and family, he came West by team, via Chicago, and stopped at Spencer's Cross- ing, owing to the roads. He and Mr. Fuller took horses and prospected, visiting Rockford and Dixon, returning, intending to go to Dixon, but, owing to the roads, they stopped in Wayne Township, where they bought claims. Mr. Wiant lived with Mr. Fuller about one and one-half years; he then went East and married Miss Rhoda Wolever, a na- tive of Sunbury, Penn.; after their marriage, they occupied their place in Wayne, to which piece after piece of land was added, until fin- ally it contained over 400 acres Mrs. Wiant died June 6, 1851; they had four children, all of whom are living to-day. October 17, 1852, he married Miss Dorcas Wolever, a twin sister of the first wife. By this mar- riage one child has been born, which died September 22, 1865. In 1858, he moved to the Junction, trading a part of his farm for a store property and grounds. He conducted the store until 1862, when he traded his business for a farm near W'heaton and a village prop erty in that village, where he moved, and, in 1865, he returned to Turner and opened up in the old store again, firm, J. Wiant & Sons, and was connectod with the business about foul 1 years, since which time his sons have conducted the business. He then built his present elegant brick house, where he has lived retired since. In politics, Mr. W T iant was formerly a Whig, but, since the organization of the Republican party, has voted that ticket. While in Wayne, he served as Assessor, Col- 192 BIOGRAPHICAL: lector and Highway Commissioner. In 1869, he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors County Treasurer, which office he held about two years. A. H. WIANT, United States Gauger, Turner, is a native of Wayne Township, Du Page County, 111.; he was born in the year 1841, and is the oldest of five children born to Joel and Rhoda Wolever Wiant who are spoken of elsewhere in this work. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, and, in addition to the common schools, he attended the Wheaton College a short period. At the age of seven- teen, the family moved to Turner, and, in 1862, they moved to Wheaton, where he en- listed in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was in the service nearly three years; during the first year and a half, he acted as Commissary for the company. He was with his regiment in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, the Atlanta campaign, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, the march to the sea, Averysboro and Bentonville, and finally, at the review in Washington, D. C. He served every day with the command, never being ill or injured in any way; from the army he came to Turner, 111., and became a partner in the firm of Wi- ant & Sons' general store, and, a few years later, the firm became Wiant Bros., Mr. Wi- ant continuing in the business until 1876; he then sold out and engaged as a traveling salesman for Franklin McVeagh& Co., of Chi- cago, and, the same year, he was appointed United States Gauger and has held the office since. In 1870, he married Miss Ella Haffey, a native of Turner, 111. By the marriage there is one child, viz., Lester Albert. THOMAS WIANT, of Wiant & Stephens, general merchandise, Turner, is a native of Du Page County, 111. ; he was born on his father's farm in Wayne Township, December 24, 1844, and is the second of four children born to Joel and Rhoda Wolever Wiant, who are spoken of elsewhere in this work. Mr. Wiant was raised on the farm until fourteen years of age, when the family moved to Tur- ner. He received, in addition to the common schools, two terms at Wheaton College; he assisted his father in the store, and, in 1865, became a partner with his father and brother, and has been identified with the store ever since. October, 1877, he married Miss Mary Moore, a native of Canada; she came to Tur- ner, 111., with her parents. By the marriage there are two children — Edith and Clare. HENRY S. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Warrenville, is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1820; his parents, William and Mary Sterling Williams, were natives of Connecticut and New York. Mary Sterling was a daughter of Judge Ster- ling, who was the first Judge of Herkimer County, N. Y. William Williams was a farmer; he went to New York when a young man and married there. In 1834, he came West afoot, and made a large claim near Warrenville, 111. ; he also made a timber claim in the Big Woods, where he put up a log house, in 1836; he was joined by a daugh- ter and two sons, and, in the following year, built the house on the prairie claim, one mile west of Warrenville. In 1838, his wife and several children came. Mr. Williams was a militia man, and took part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. He was very poor when ho came West, and borrowed $43 of Dr. Max- well, of the United States Army, at Fort Dear- born. He made a claim of 1,600 acres when he first came, but it was jumped down to 320, upon which he and his wife lived until their death. Henry S. Williams was raised a farmer, and had but limited opportunities in the schools of his day. In 1836, he came West with his brother aud sister, and, the next year, assisted in building his present WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. 193 residence; he worked on the farm which finally became his after his parents' death. In 1855, he married Miss Sarah Jane Welty, a native of Maryland; they have no children, but one adopted daughter — Florence Will- iams. JACOB WURTZ, invalid, Turner, is a native of Baden, Germany; he was born in the year 1823 ; he was raised on the farm and received a common-school education; his father was a weaver, and he learned the same business, and worked at it and farming. In 1 8 18-49, when the Revolution took place, he took up arms against the Prince, and, in 1849, he and his brother Christian came to America and worked in New York State by the day for about two years, when their par- ents came to America and they all came West and settled in Winfield Township, Du Page County, 111., where the parents died. Mr. Jacob Wurtz has lived here since; for the past eight years he has been afflicted with paralysis, and has been confined most of the time. In 1849, he married Miss Saloma Schocb, a native of Baden, Germany; she came over to America at the same time he did. There are four children — Mrs. Saloma Asmus, farming in Erie County, N. Y. ; Christian, farming in Erie County, N. Y. ; Mrs. Louisa, wife of Rev. Mr. Wolf, of Cook County, 111., and Michael, managing the home farm, which contains 102 acres, located two and a half miles, southwest of Turner. MICHAEL WURTZ, farmer, P. O.Turner, is a native of Baden, Germany; he was born in the year 1825; he was raised a farmer and received a common-school education; when about fifteen years of age, he began working at weaving, which he followed for about three years; he also worked at washing gold in the Rhine and also at fishing. In 1851, he and his parents came to the United States of America, and settled on the present place, where the parents died, and the son has lived here since. In 1S53, he inan - ied Miss Saloma Kress, a native of Baden, Germany; she came to the United States of America with Mr. Wurtz. There have been five children, three of whom are living — Maiy B. , Susan K. and Annie E. Mr. Wurtz was a Revolutionary soldier in the rebellion in Baden against the Prince. He is Republican. He owns 230 acres in this county, besides some timber land in Kane County. The homestead is located three miles southwest of Turner. CHRISTIAN WURTZ, farmer, P. O. Tur- ner, is a native of Baden, Germany; he was born in the year 1828, and came to America in 1849 with his brother; they worked for two years in Erie County, N. Y. , and then wrote to their parents, Michael and Suzannah C. Pfeifer Wurtz; they came and bought a farm in Winfield Township, Du Page County, 111., where they lived until their death. Our subject married, in 1857, Miss Elizabeth Bachman; she was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and came to America with her brother After the marriage, they lived on the old home farm; he then bought and moved to a place on the Geneva Railroad, and. later, came to his present place. There have been nine children, seven living — B. Franklin, Michael E., Suzannah C, George W., Christian J., Carrie D. and Louisa S. E. He is Republi- can. Mr. Wurtz owns about 356 acres; his residence is located two and one-half miles northwest of Turner. He is a member of the Evangelical Church since childhood, and has taken an active interest in its affairs. COL. J. M. WARREN, retired, Warren- ville, is a native of Fredonia, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1810, and is the third of eight children born to Daniel and Nancy Morton Warren; they were natives of Worces- ter County, Mass. ; they married in Madison County, X. Y., in 1803, and moved to Chautau- 194 BIOGRAPHICAL: qua County soon after. He conducted a grist and saw mill, and also carried on a general store, and, at one time, a distillery. In 1833, they came West by teams, the Colonel and two sisters coming in the spring, and made a claim to about 160 acres, where Warrenvi lie now stands. His father came out the same spring, and bought a claim on the river north of Naperville, where he lived several years, when they came here and lived with their son, where they died, he July 6, 1866, and she February 4, 1873, they living to the age of eighty-six and eighty-eight respectively. Col. Warren farmed his claim, upon which he built the first house in the village of War- renville, which was laid out on the claim about 1836; he also built and conducted, in company with Philo Carpenter, of Chicago, a saw-mill. He also conducted a general store in Warrenville for a number of years. He was the first Postmaster of the place, and has held the office in all some twenty-five years. He was formerly a Democrat in poli- tics, his first vote being for Jackson, and has been Republican since the second administra- tion of Lincoln. In 1844, he was elected to the Legislature from the Will District, rep- resenting Du Page, Will, Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, and, later, was elected to fill a vacancy. The Colonel was raised in the village of Fredonia until he was fourteen years of age; he received a common-school course of study; after he became old enough, he assisted in his father's business, which, at the time, was principally confined to the distillery, where he worked until he came West. DAVID WARD, farmer, P. 0. Turner, is a native of Rothwell, Yorkshire, England; he was born in the year 1826; his father was a coal miner, and David was put in the mine at nine years of age, and continued at work in the mines for about thirteen years, he re- I ceiving his education by attending night schools. In 1S46, he married Miss Ann Bar- ber, a native of Rothwell, Yorkshire, Eng. In 1849, they came to America, and located on a farm near Winfield, where they farmed for eighteen years; they then sold out and came to his present place, located one mile east of Turner, where he has lived since. By the marriage there are nine children, of whom eight are living- — Joseph A. Ward, liv- ing in Sycamore, 111. ; Mrs. Annie Gladding, of Fulton County, 111. ; William K. Ward, of Turner, 111.; Mrs. Mary Roundy, of Turner, 111.; John L., George Alfred, Ella May and Charles D., at home. Mr. Ward is Republi- can in his politics. SANFORD WATSON, farmer, P. O. Ba- tavia, is a native of Cortland County, N. Y. ; he was born in the year 1839, and is the fourth of eight children born to Eliphalet S. and Lois Kendall Watson; they were natives of New York and Massachusetts; he was a carpenter and also farmed. In 1844. they cpme West and settled in Winfield Township, Du Page County, 111., where Mrs. Watson died; he afterward married Miss Morina Bartholomew, and lived on the old homestead until 1882, when they moved to Geneva, where they now live. Our subject was raised on the farm ; he received a common-school education ; he also taught school a number of terms. On becoming of age, he began working as a car- penter with his brother. In 1862, he married Miss Jane Cooper, a native of Ohio; she came to Du Page County, 111,, with her parents. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Infant- ry, and some three months later, he was trans- ferred to the Pioneer Corps, and served for three years. From the army he returned home and began farming, also doing carpen- ter work. They have four children — Irving S., attending Grinned College, Iowa; Charles WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 195 S., Mary E. and Frank S., at home. He is Republican; he owns 118 acres located two miles east of Batavia. REV. JOHN WIEDERHOLD, Winiield, is a native of "Westphalia, Prussia; he was born in the year 1840; he was born on his father's farm, and lived there until he was twelve years of age, when he began to pre- pare for-the ministry, and studied at Pader- born and Fulder, except a two years' vacation, owing to sickness, until 1864, he came to America, and studied for four years at the St. Mary's Seminary, of Chicago, and then fin- ished his studies in Milwaukee, where he was ordained by Bishop Henne and was appoint- ed to his present parish, where he has pre- sided since. WAYNE T IRA ALBRO, farmer, Wayne Township, was born in Erie County, N. Y., October 31, 1809, son of John and Martha (Gardner) Al- bro. John Albro was a native of Rhode Isl- and, to which State his ancestors came from Nova Scotia. He was twice married; his wife was Betsey Dunham, sister of Solomon Dunham, of Du Page County; his second wife, Martha Gardiner, bore him seven chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity, none of whom, however, came West, save Ira, our sub- ject, the eldest of the family. He came to Illinois in the spring of 1835 ; worked out by the month some time; took a claim of 228 acres of land in the fall of the same year, and has since resided on the place. He has devoted his attention to farming since he set- tled here; he started on his farm, May, 1866, the first cheese factory in this section of the country, which he sold after running it seven years; his farm now comprises about three hundred acres of land. Mr. Albro was mar- ried, September 29, 1839, to Betsey Dunham, born in Erie County, N. Y., June 24, 1819, eldest daughter of Solomon Dunham. Mrs. Albro died October 25, 1880, leaving one son, Adrian B., born in 1841; she was a woman of ^prth and of marked character, and did much good in the community. Mr. Albro was a Democrat, as was also his father. The OVNSHIP. latter was in the war of 1812, came West in 1853, and died February 2, 1861; his wife died January 4, 1862. ROBERT YOUNG BENJAMIN, farmer, P. O. Turner Junction. Of the pioneer repre- sentatives of Du Page County, this gentleman ranks among the first. At the time of his coming, the red man had not taken his final de- parture, and was watching with envious anxiety the encroachments of the ' ' pale face " upon their domain., and the consequent dimi- nution of their own numbers. Robert Young Benjamin was born in the (then) wilds of the Buckeye State July 7, 1808, near Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio. He was the eldest son and the third child of his father, Daniel Ben- jamin, a native of New York State, son of William. Daniel Benjamin was a carpenter by trade, and emigrated to Ohio and made his settlement north of where Columbus now stands, and was one of the early pioneers of Franklin County. He married Martha, a daughter of Robert Young, who was a native of county Tyrone, Ireland. Robert, whose name heads this sketch, was named for his mother; he was reared to farm labor, and as- sisted his father when young in clearing up the farm, and thus early in life became accus- tomed to the usages and inconveniences that are necessarily incident to frontier life. His 106 BIOGRAPHICAL: school advantages, as a matter of course, were very meager; the elements of reading, writ- ing, etc., were acquired in the log cabins of that day ; his principal schooling was such as he obtained in the busy school of life — ex- perience. February 25, 1826, he married Nancy, who was born March 8, 180S, in Hop- kins County, Ky. , daughter of John Groff. In the spring of 1834, he came West to this State, and the 12th of May he made his loca- tion where he now resides, and the 15th, three days from his arrival, he moved into his house, which was the first one built in the township. His claim amounted to about four hundred acres, which he purchased of the Government as soon as it came into market. Here he settled, and for well on to half a century he has been a constant resident of the place, and been identified with the interests of the county and township. Of eight chil- dren born to him, seven are living, viz., Will- iam, Allen, Daniel and Nathan (twins), George, Walter and Elizabeth. The above are living, but variously scattered. William resides in Roseburg, Ore., Register of Land Office there; Allen, Walter and Daniel are in Harrison County, Iowa; George resides in Montana; Elizabeth and Nathan are residents of Wayne Township; Elizabeth is the wife of John Kline. Mr. Benjamin has now 150 acres of land, and is yet engaged in the cultivation and management of the same, and has always been one of the township's worthy citizens. He is not a member of any church or society. Politically, he has since his youth been a stanch Democrat. LUTHER BARTLETT, deceased, was born July 21, 1817, in Conway, Franklin Co., Mass., of a family of six sons and one daugh- ter, he being the fourth son and the fifth child that grew to maturity. His father was Luther, and his mother's maiden name was Annie Nim^, of Massachusetts. Three broth- ers named Bartlett came from England at an early day in the history of this country, one settling in New Hampshire, one in Massachu- setts and one elsewhere. To Luther and Annie (Nims) Bartlett was born seven chil- dren, all of whom lived to maturity. Luther Bartlett, father of subject, died on the home- stead in Conway, and there our subject was raised to maturity. He taught school for several years. In the fall of 1842, he came to Michigan, and the following summer he and his brother Lyman bought a farm in Wayne Township of 320 acres, and settled upon the same, and the following spring I IS 14) they bought of the State enough land to make 765 acres in all. Here he remained until his death, June 25, 1S82, of Bright's disease; he was sick only a few days; he was a life-long Democrat; he was Supervisor several years. The deceased was a man highly respected in the community in which he lived; was strictly upright and honest in all his dealings with his f ellew-men, and although not a member of any church, was extremely lib- eral to all denominations, November 8, 18-44, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Chester and Sophia (Palsifer) Bartlett, he a native of Massachusetts, born in 1788, and died in 1850; she born in 1798. Chester Bartlett and wife came West in 1843. WILLIAM BLANK, farmer, P. O. Bart- lett. Of the wealthy farmers in the township there are none that are entitled to more credit than William Blank. He was born April 12, 1823, in Pennsylvania, near the Lehigh River, son of William Blank and Sarah Hick- man, both of the same State. Our subject started out in life upon his own resources. He had no school advantages; could just read and write his name, but had no knowledge of figures whatever. He worked out by the month, and got means to enable him to come West. Upon his arrival, he had nothing but WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 190 his bands, but be labored on; be came West in 1845. In 1850, be went tbe overland route to California, and while on bis way bad some trying experiences; was sick six months, and was in danger of his life from the Indians, and other difficulties. While he remained in California, he was engaged in teaming and minincr. He succeeded in saving some money, and upon bis return to tbe county he settled permanently, and has since remained. He is a self-made man, and what he has ac- cumulated has been by hard labor, having never speculated nor engaged in any com- mercial business. He has 181 acres, upon which he put all tbe substantial improve- ments. July 1, 1847, be married Mrs. Elea- nor Blank, born April 12, 1822, in Perry County, Penn., daughter of Benjamin Dunkel- berge. Mr. Blank has four children — Orlin- tliia. Evaline. Lydia A. and Allison. Orlin- thia married Albert Ellis; Evaline, wife of Dr. Vanderhoof. Mr. Blank's first purchase was eighty acres, costing §8 per acre, and after added forty more, for which he paid $15 per acre. He piu-chased and located where he now resides in December, 1866; farm cost §40 per acre. HENRY F. BARBER, farmer, P. O. Wayne, was born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., July 12, 1804, and is a son of Levi and Rebecca (Hinman) Barber, natives of Wor- cester. Mass, and parents of nine children — six sons and three daughters. Mr. Barber remained on the homestead farm until be grew to manhood, and in January, 1828. mar- ried Huldab L. King, born in 1806, daughter of David King. Mr. Barber came to this county in the fall of 1852, and purchased a farm in Bloomingdale Township, where be remained about three years; then moved to Cook County, 111. ; lived there until about the year 1869, then moved to bis present place in Wayne Township. Section 15, where be has a fine farm of 211 acres. Mrs. Barber died July 4, 1875, leaving three children — Caroline E., wife of Josiah Sterns, of Bloom- ingdale Township; Mary, wife of I. B. Kin- ney, and Henry F., living on the homestead, who married Mary Moore, who has borne him three children ; Barton H. , May and Howard. JOHN CARR, farmer, P. O. Turner Junc- tion, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in June, 1808, in Ireland, and emigrat- ed to Vermont in 1834, where he worked by the month at a small salary for one year, when he went to Massachusetts, and farmed for two years. In 1837, he came to Chicago, and subsequently to Batavia, where he engaged in a grist mill at $20 per month. Within about one year he took sick, and when able to work, his means were exhausted, and he started again anew. In 1841, he was married to Bridget McGuire, which union blessed him with two children that grew up, viz., William J. and Ann. He began buying land as soon as he could save some means from bis daily labors, such as digging wells, chopping wood. etc. He has now 250 acres of well-im- proved land, the result of his own labors. He lived for many years in Winfield Town- ship, and in 1 867 he settled where he now re- sides in Wayne Townnship. He has ex- perienced the hardships that make up the life of the pioneer. He labored for some time in a distillery, yet has never attained the habit of drinking strong drinks. He has hauled wheat from this township to Chicago and sold it for 40 cents per bushel, and also oats at 20 cents. He served one term as School Trustee. He and wife early united with the Catholic Church. He votes the Democratic ticket. His son William was married to Mary E. Lynch, a daughter of James and Margaret Lynch, by whom he has. as a result of his union, four children, viz., Anna, John. Gertie and James W. William has good 200 BIOGRAPHICAL: land adjoining the home place, and he with his family reside with his parents and sister Ann, who was never married. "William is now School Director, and has served in some small offices. Our subject has always taken a deep interest in educating his children, yet he had but little chance himself. He is now well along in years, burdened with poor health, while his consort suffers with cancer on the hand. EOBEET CARSWELL. farmer, Wayne Township, was born in Scotland May 1, 1837, son of Allen and Janet (Johnson) Carswell. Our subject was the youngest of three sons, and emigrated to Herkimer Coun- ty, N. Y. , with his parents. He engaged for several years in agricultural pursuits in dif- ferent counties in New York State; then went to New Jersey, where he engaged in farming in Hudson County for two years ; then located in Otsego County, N. Y. From there Mr. Carswell came to Wayne Township, Du Page County, 111. For several years after coming to Illinois, Mr. Carswell worked at the car- penter's trade, which he had learned in New Jersey. In 1872, he married Emma Dun- ham, youngest daughter of Solomon Dunham, one of the old pioneers and representative men of this county. After marriage, Mr. Carswell lived one year in Wheaton, and the following spring located in this township, of which he has since been a resident. He has 173 acres of land under cultivation, and ten acres of timber land. Since purchasing his place, he has erected a good house and barn and made general improvements. Aside from general farming, Mr. Carswell raises Norman horses and conducts a dairy, having thirty- seven cows. Mr. and Mrs. Carswell have four eh ildren — Robert F., Ira A. , Grace D., and Willard B. Mr. Carswell is a Republican. SOLOMON DUNHAM, deceased. Of the early settlers who came to this region of country and were prominently identified with its interests, was Solomon Dunham; although not an actual resident of the county, yet living as he did near the line, and in that early time lines were not as closely drawn as now, and being a man of much more than natural ability, possessed of an educa- tion much superior to the settlers in common, and being of strong mind and of a positive nature, his influence was felt to a large degree for miles about him. Hence, though Solomon Dunham was not an actual settler of Du Page County, yet it is no more than just to him that he receive some honorable men- tion in this volume. Most of his children and descendents have since become identified with this county. He was born in Saratoga County, N. Y. , in 1791. His father, who was an officer in the war of the Revolution, was a native of England, and had several sons, some of whom took sides with the British, and were denominated Tories. The father of our sub- ject took the side of the colonists, and took up arms against his brothers. Solomon, our subject, was bereft of his father at an early age, and was thus early in life thrown upon his own resources. He soon learned the tan- ner's and currier's trade and that of shoemak- ing, all of which he carried on for several years. He used to run a boat on the Hudson River; was engaged in the lumber business, and was on a sail boat passing down the river when the first steamboat jdowed the Hudson, and his boat run a race with the new steamer. He afterward removed West to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and still carried on his trade and engaged in farming to some extent. As the tide of emigration was drifting west- ward, he caught the spirit of the times, and in March, 1S35, started with his family in a wagon, the party consisting of himself, wife and seven children — Betsey, Daniel. Harriet, Cordelia, Jane, Julia and Helen. He located WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 201 on Section 12, now St. Charles Township, bought a claim of about four hundred acres of land of Frances Perry, a portion of land ex- tending into Du Page County. He studied surveying, and surveyed oil' and divided many of the claims that were taken at that time, and in the settling these lines it often required much promptness and decision of character to settle disputes among the real claimants and the "jumpers."' He was the first Station Agent at Wayne Station on the Chicago & Galena Railroad, and built the first store there. In politics, he was a Jefferson Demo- crat, and up to the time of his death was true to the principles he held. He was a good farmer, and was successful in his business affairs. He was a good neighbor, and a valu- able member of the Commonwealth. He was the first County Commissioner and first Assessor in Kane County, and took an active part in the interests of the county as long as he lived. He died in April. 1865. His mar- riage to Lydia Ballard was blessed with eleven children, all born in New York, except Mark W. and Emma, now Mrs. Carswell; six are living — Daniel, Harriet, Cordelia, Helen, Mark W. and Emma, all now in Wayne Town- ship, except Mark W. and Harriet; the latter resides in St. Charles Township, adjoining Wayne Township, wife of Mark W. Fletcher. Betsey, now deceased, married Ira Albro; Helen; Jane married Daniel Stearns: Julia died aged sixteen; Cordelia resides in Wayne Township, wife of Peter Pratt: Emma, wife of Robert Carswell: Mark W.. on the home- stead. Solomon Dunham died April, 1865. DANIEL DUNHAM, farmer, breeder and importer of Percheron horses; residence, Grove Place; P. O. Wayne; is one of the prominent farmers of Du Page County, and ranks among the first of the breeders of fine stock in the State. He was born in Erie County, N. Y., January 13, 1821, and is the eldest son of Solomon and Lydia (Ballard) Dunham. At the age of five years, he removed with his parents to Gowanda. Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he remained till the spring of 1835, when he came West to Illinois, and located at St. Charles Township, Kane County, one-half mile from the Du Page County line, where his father purchased about 400 acres of land from Francis Perry. Mr. Dunham lived with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, having, in 1812, purchased a farm of 250 acres in this county, which he began improving in 18-49. November 5, 1853, he married Olive Hatha- way, born in Steuben County, N. Y. , in May. 1837, eldest daughter of Edward and Sallie A. (Dolph) Hathaway .he born in Massachu- setts in 1S15, son of Joel Hathaway, she born in Steuben County. N. Y., daughter of Alvin and Mary (Calkins) Dolph. The Hathaway family moved AY est in 1844 to St. Louis, Mo., where they remained until 1850, when they came to Wayne Township, this county. Mr. Dunham built a house in 1849, on his farm, where, after his marriage, he located and has since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have four daughters — Ellen D. , wife of Joseph Ross, of Wayne Town- ship; Flora L, wife of Charles P. Dewey, of the banking firm of Birge & Dewey, Toulon, Stark Co. , 111. ; Julia and Mary at home. Mr. Dunham began breeding and importing Norman horses in 1872, and makes a specialty of that business, in which he has met with good success. He has now forty brood mares and eighty head in all. Prior to his engaging in the breeding and import- ing of fine horses, he followed the dairy busi- ness, beginning in 1868. He kept about 100 cows, and, in the summer of 1877, shipped to Chicago 7,000 cans of milk. Before keep- ing the dairy farm, he fed cattle for about ten years, shipping large numbers of cattle V 202 BIOGRAPHICAL: and hogs. He carried on the dairy business till 1880, since which time he has given his attention to his horses. He has 800 acres of land, and one of the best improved farms in this county. Among the breeders of Per- cheron horses in the United States, Mr. Dun- ham ranks third. He is a supporter of the Democratic party. LYMAN W. DURFEE (deceased) was born in Windsor County, Vt., April 4, 1802; second son of Nathan and Cynthia (Slade) Durfee, natives of Vermont. Our subject was raised on a farm, and was early in life thrown on his own resources. He finally purchased some land and engaged in farm- ing. June 5, 1825, he married Betheny Al- len, born November 4, 1807, in Cayuga County, N. Y. , eldest child of Barry and Abigail (Derby) Allen, she a native of New York State, and he of Vermont. Mr. Durf ee came West in the fall of 1838; spent that winter two miles east of Elgin; thence he came to Kane County, 111., near the Du Page Couuty line, where he worked three years. He visited this county first in 1837, and brought his family here in 1838; in 1842, he pre empted a piece of land, which he afterward lost, and the following year bought forty acres for $40; he added to this land till he had 120 acres at the time of his death, which occurred December 5, 1874; he was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Durfee had eight children — Jane, living in Jackson County, Wis., wife of Irvin Whitney; Martin, en- gaged in mining in Arizona; Harvey, in Kansas; Henry, in Idaho, mining; Almera, deceased; Andrew, Frank and Abigail, at home. W. J. GORHAM, farmer, P. O. Wayne Station, born November 27, 1837, in Dutch- ess County, N. Y. , the youngest son of Will- iam and Sarah (Halloway) Gorham. He re- moved West with his parents, and located with them in Will County, and remained there until his location on the farm he owns, which was shortly after his marriage, which occurred in July, 1866, to Lucinda Smith, daughter of John Smith, one of the early settlers. Mr. Gorham has an excellent farm; the buildings he has erected since his purchase; he has one child — Willis, born October 17, 1871. His father, William Gor- ham, was born in old Stratford, Conn., about the year 1792, son of William and Man- (Cannon) Gorham. Mary Cannon was born in France; her father came over with Lafay- ette, and fought in the Revolution under Washington. William Gorham. the grand- father of our subject, was a sea pilot by oc- cupation. He had ten children born to him, viz., Le Grand, Joseph, Hannah, William, Mar\% Lewis, Stephen, Charlotte, Curtis and Betsy. Le Grand was born the day that Danbury was burned; he settled in Massa- chusetts, and run a mill and kept a hotel at Great Barrington. Joseph went off with Commodore Porter on the sea, and was never heard of after. Hannah married George Robson, a Revolutionary soldier; they settled in New York. Mary settled in the same place; she was the wife of George Cox. Lewis settled in Great Barrington. Stephen in old Stratford, where he was born. Betsy married Capt. Kimball, and settled in New York. Charlotte and Curtis never married, so far as known. Sarah Holloway, the mother of W. J., was born July 22, 1800, in Pawling. Dutchess Co., N. Y. , daughter of Justice and Hannah (Parks) Holloway. Hannah was a daughter of Jacob Parks and Deborah Stevens. Jacob Parks married Lydia Tinkham, who was a daughter of Jacob Tink- ham, an Englishman by birth, who died leav- ing a large estate, which his heirs in this coun- try have never been able to get possession of. He (Jacob Tinkham) had three children — WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 203 Lydia, Hannah and Jacob; the latter died when crossing the ocean. To Justice Hollo- way and Hannah, his wife, were born five sons and one daughter, viz., Sarah, Debo- rah. Jacob, Althea A., Phebe and Anna; all of the above, except Sarah (Mrs. Gorharn), came West and settled at St. Charles, Kane County, this State. Justice Holloway died March 1, 1840; his wife survived him until January, 1862. William Gorham, the father of W. J., was a tanner and currier by trade, and carried on merchandising to some extent while in Dutchess County. After he came West, about 1852, he went to Will County, where he died. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Seven children were born to him, viz.. Hannah E., Mary A., Ai- ken. Eletha, Jacob E., Elijah and William, all of whom are living, except Eletha. Han- nah E. resides in Grundy County, this State. relict of Newall Dodge. Mary A. resides in St. Charles, wife of R. H Leake. Aiken re- sides in Will County, a farmer; Jacob R. and William, in this township. JACOB RANSOM GORHAM, Wayne, is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. , born September 26, 1830, second son of William and Sarah (Holloway) Gorham. William Gorham was born in Stratford, Conn. ; was a tanner and currier by trade, and, in addition to pursuing his trade, carried on mercantile business and the manufacture of boots and shoes; his wife, who was a daughter of Jus- tice Holloway, was born in Pawling, Dutch- ess Co., N. Y. Mr. Gorham learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner: left home when he attained his majority, and arrived in this township with but §4 in his pocket, and engaged in farming with R. H. Lake; after- ward, traded in stock, meeting with success. After one year, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Lake and returned East, and, after stay- ing a short time, returned to this county and worked at his trade and also engaged in farm- ing. In 1855, he married Adelia Reed, born November 15, 1838, only daughter of Horace Reed; from this union five children were born — Almira, wife of Thomas W. Lake; Gussie F. . Edith, Horace and Mamie. Hor- ace Reed, Mrs. Gorham's father, was born January 26, 1795, in Weston, Mass. ; came West and settled on the place now owned by our subject, which he improved and on which he remained until his death, which occurred January 28, 1867. April 19, 1818, he mar- ried Almira Parker, a native of Massachu- setts, born May 5, 1800, daughter of William and Sallie (Parker) Parker, also natives of Massachusetts. William Parker was born in Lynn, Mass., and died in 1828, aged fifty- seven years; his wife born in Leicester, Mass., died November 3, 1863, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years; they had the following children, who grew to maturity: Esther, Otis (settled in Vermont), Almira and Louisa (twins), Sarah and Mary. Mr. Parker settled in Vermont in 1803, and died in that State; his wife and daughters came to Illinois in 1859. Horace Reed served in the war of 1812; afterward, joined a militia artillery company, in which he was promoted from Sergeant to Captain; he and his wife were members of the M. E. Church. After his marriage, Mr. Gorham bought a farm of sev- enty acres, which, after working six years, he sold, and bought 180 acres in the same school district; worked it five years, then sold out and bought his present place, on which he has lived since 1867; his farm consists of 337 acres; he carries on general farming and dairying. He is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party. William Gorham, subject's father, had seven children, six of whom are living — Hannah E., residing in Grundy County, relict of Newall Dodge; Mary A., in 204 BIOGRAPHICAL: St. Charles, wife of R. H. Lake; Elijah; Ai- ken, a farmer in Will County, 111. ; Jacob R. (subject) and William, in this county; he was a Methodist. The Gorhams were early settlers of Stratford, Conn., being there in 1777 ; they came out with the Pilgrim Fathers. The Holloways were of Quaker descent. M. J. HAMMOND, farmer, P. O. Wayne, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. , October 13, 1834, eldest son of Egbert and Phoebe (Halloway) Hammond, he a native of New York, born in 1809, son of Mathew Ham- mond, she a daughter of Justice Holloway and Hannah Parks, daughter of Jacob Parks, all of Dutchess County, N. Y. Jacob was one of the first settlers of that county, and a Revolutionary soldier. The Holloways were of Scotch descent, the Hammonds from En- gland. Jacob Parks died aged eighty-eight. The Hammonds came West in 1850. The family consisted of parents and five children — M. J. , Perry H. , Jacob C. , Sarah and Em- ma. Perry H. died in the army, a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, Company F. ; Jacob died at home, aged twenty-two; Sarah and Emma are at home. When Mr. Hammond came to this township, he bought in company with A. H. Leake; stayed here one year, but settled finally on Section 16, and lived there from 1S61 to 1808. M. J. remained with family till he was twenty-one. In 1855, he bought land. In 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K, and served until September, 1862; was Sec- ond Lieutenant, and resigned; he re-entered the service as private, but was promoted to Fifth Sergeant, and finally was commissioned as Second Lieutenant; he was at Pea Ridge and the siege of Corinth. After his return home, he resumed farming, and has since lived here. He owns 250 acres here and 120 acres on Section 16; has farmed and run a dairy. Mr. Hammond has served as Jus- tice of the Peace two terms; also for several years as Assessor and Collector. He was married, in February, 1863, to Miss Marga- ret Simpson, born in Ontario County, N. Y. . daughter of John and Alice (Palmer) Simp- son. Mr. Simpson came to Cook County in 1835. Six children have been born: Charles M. , Florence A., Frank J. and Edward. JOSIAH HARRIS, Bartlett, Cook County. Among the early settlers in this township was the Harris family. Josiah was born April 26, 1836, in London, England, the second son of Benjamin and Amy (Cook) Harris. The family emigrated to this State in 1845, and bought eighty acres in this township, Section 2. The father remained here until his death, in 1860. aged fifty-seven years; he was a member of the Protestant M. E. Church; he raised four children, three of whom came here — Josiah, Amy and Hannah. Benjamin remained in England. The mother is still living. Amy resides in Minnesota, wife of John H. Mason; Hannah resides in Grinnell, Iowa. Josiah has since remained in this county. He was married, in May, 1867, to Jane Denham, born in this county, daughter of Robert and Jane Denham, natives of the Isle of Wight, and seven children have been born to them — Hannah E., Robert B., Amy J., Melvin J., William, Irvin and Nathaniel. Mr. Harris has 125 acres of ex- cellent land, and is a Baptist and a Republi- can. ABRAHAM KERSHAW is a descendant of one of the early settlers, and is one of the leading breeders of Short-Horn cattle of this county, born in Rhode Island July 10, 1822. His father, for whom he is named, was a na- tive of Manchester, England, and was a weaver by trade; he married Rachel Butter- worth, who bore her husband thirteen chil- dren, of whom our subject is the third son WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 205 and fourth child; three of the oldest were born in England. Subject's father came to this country in 1818; he was a thorough silk and cotton weaver, and ran great risks in coming to America when he did, as at that time England had forbidden her mechanics to c >me to this country. He first operated a factory in Rhode Island, then went to New York State, and. in 1838, came West, locat- ing in what is now Wayne Township. Du Page County, 111. ; here he died in June. 1850; his wife died in 1840. Mr. Kershaw, our subject, now owns the homestead, situ- ated in Section 7. Of the thirteen children, seven grew to maturity, viz. , John, Abraham, William, Mary, Marsden, Minerva and Charles; of these, three are now living — John, in Johnson County, Neb. ; Marsden, in San Francisco, Cal.. and Charles, in Can- ada. Abraham being the only one of the chil- dren in this State. When our subject was a lad of seven years, he worked in the factory at Fall Eiver, printing calico, at SI per week, and boarded himself; he then worked mainly for his father until the latter's death. Mr. Kershaw was married, in September, 1 851 I, to Mrs. Althea J. Whipple, relict of Dr. Thomas Whipple, a native of New York. who came West in an early day. Mrs. (Whipple) Kershaw died July 4, 1873. Mr. Kershaw married his second wife. Mrs. Emily Lee. January 24, 1880; she was born in Kane County, 111., daughter of George Muir. Mr. Kershaw has, by his second wife, two chil- dren — Althea and Abraham. Jr. Our sub- ject located on his present farm in 1852; he traded a suit of clothes and a gun for his first claim; he now owns 320 acres. Since 1S55, he has been engaged in the breeding and raising of Short-Horn cattle; he has bred some of the finest cattle in the county, having raised twin steers that weighed respectively 3,350 and 3,400 pounds; they were sold in Chicago, and were on exhibition at Dexter Park; he raised a three-year-old heifer that weighed 2,200 pounds; he also raises some Berkshire hogs. His farm is finely located, and he has the best of farm implements. Politically, he is a Democrat. JOHN KLINE, Winfield, was born in the city of New York December 27. 1828. son of Casper M. and Louisa (Krebell) Kline. Casper Kline was born in Germany August 28, 1801, and came to America when very young; his wife, whose parents were from Germany, was born in Philadelphia, Penn. , and died in January, 1 876 ; they had the fol- lowing children, all living: Matthias, in Michigan; John and Francis, on the home farm in Winfield Township; Mary L.. wife of Thomas Watson, of Winfield Township: Joseph, in Benton County. Iowa; Louisa, wife of Nathan Benjamin, of Wayne Town- ship. Mr. Kline remained on the home farm till he had reached the age of twenty-four years, and, November 23, 1852, married Clarissa M. Champion, bom in Canada. daughter of Elias and Susan (Ayres) Cham- pion; she died January 25, 1858, leaving two children — Eliza A. , wife of Byron Keid, of Kane County, 111., and Francis T., in Black Hawk County, Iowa. September 21. 1859, Mr. Kline married Caroline E. Benja- min, born August 23, 1836, eldest daughter of R. T. Benjamin, one of the earliest settlers of this township. Since his marriage. Mr. Kline has resided in this township, at the Junction for some time, and at Wheaton six years, locating in the latter place December 5, 1870. He has held the office of Sheriff three terms, being elected in the fall of 1870, and since re-elected twice; he has also been Road Commissioner one term. He moved to his farm in 1S55, and has since resided there, with the exception of the time he resided at the Junction and at Wheaton while acting as Sher- 2(lfi ];i»k;raphical: iff; his farm consists of 102| acres of land. By his last marriage, he has four children — Ade- laide C. , Cooper M., John R. and Nathan J. GEORGE KLINE, farmer, P. O. Winfield. Among the prominent farmers of Wayne Township is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Prussia, born December 1, 1822, son of Michael Kline. The family came to this State, bought eighty acres the same year and settled upon it, where they lived and where the father died in 1866, the mother surviving until 1876. They had two sons and two daughters, the daughters being dead — Jacob, in Kansas, and our subject being the survivors. Mr. Kline learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country, and worked several years at the same in Naper- ville. He bought the farm he now owns in 1853, and has made all the improvements on it. June 22, 1850, he was married to The- resa Hentes, born in 1832, daughter of Math- ew Hentes, and six children have been born to them— Peter, Jacob, Nicholas, George M. , Theresa and Maggie. He has 194 acres at the Junction and 170 acres here. Mr. Kline is a member of the Catholic Church and a Democrat. ROBERT H. LAKE was born in Dutch- ess County. N. Y, October 27, 1819, and is the eldest son of Thomas and Elise Lake, both natives of New York and parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Lake remained with his father on the farm till he was twenty-seven years of age, and, in June, 1849, came "West, to Illinois, and bought 152 acres of land in this town- ship at $12 an acre; afterward increased his farm to 222 acres, and carried on farming and dairying; in 1876, he removed to St. Charles. He married Mary Ann Gorham, also a native of Dutchess County, N. Y. , and daughter of "William Gorham; they have two children — Thomas and Imogene. He is a supporter of the Democratic party. Thomas "W. Lake, only son of the subject of this sketch, is one of the enterprising farmers of this township. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, September 25, 1851. He married, December 15, 1875, Almira Gorham, born May 11, 1855, eldest daugh- ter of Jacob R. Gorham; they have one child — Jacob Ransom Bertie, born July 15, 1882. Mr. Lake has had control of the farm since his marriage. THOMAS MUIR, farmer, Wayne Tp. . was born April 2, 1810, in Scotland, youngest of eleven children born to Alexander Muir, a shepherd and small farmer, who died in Scot- land. Our subject was a shepherd boy un- der his father until coming to Canada, land- ing at Quebec in June, 1832, after a voyage of eight weeks. After working by the month in Canada for three years, he came (just pre- vious to the Patriot war in Canada) to Buffa- lo, N. Y. He worked in a saw-mill in Buffalo for a short time, then on a railroad running from Buffalo to Niagara Falls (this was one of the first railroads); subsequently, he was engaged in a saw-mill and at the car- penter's trade on the Illinois River; then, after recovering from a severe illness, he worked in Chicago for two winters, then bought and worked up thirteen acres of tim- ber on North Branch. Mr. Muir next came to Bloomingdale, Da Page County, and bought 120 acres for $800; he also paid $25 for a claim, and entered the same. After making some improvements on his land, he returned to Chicago and engaged in the commission business for two winters, then, after a return to his farm, he sold goods on commission for James F. Durant, and subsequently, handled the same line of goods on his own account. Mr. Muir next located on his farm, built a house and remained there until April, 1867, when he bought 178J- acres in Wayne Town- WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 207 ship, where he still resides. October 7, 1857, Mr. Muir married Esther J. Owen, bern June 9, 1826, in Hastings, Oswego Co. , N. Y., daughterof Shubel and Hannah (Cook) Owen, natives of New York. Mrs. Muir's paternal grandfather served during the entire war of the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Muir have buried three infants, and now have four children — Alexander J., Albert O., Helen J. and Thomas E. Mr. Muir was raised in the faith of the church of Scotland, or Old School Presbyterians; he is now a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, but cast his first vote for Harrison. W. H. MOFFATT, farmer, Wayne Tp., who was born February 24, 1810, in Orange County, N. Y. , came to this county in 1845, and purchased a part of a claim from the Government, upon which he settled and where he has since remained. He was the eld- est sou of Thomas and Deborah (Helm) Moffatt, natives of New York State. Thomas was a farmer, and raised a family of eight children — W. H., Mary A., Phebe, William, Sylva- nus, Catharine, Anselm and Ruth, all of whom are living except William; Mary A., wife of Elmer Gregory, lives in Elgin; Phebe resides in Bartlett, Cook County, relict of Henry V. Sayer; William died a young man; Sylvanus resides in Wheaton, and Catharine in the same place, relict of Frank Bordeen; Anselm resides in Kansas near Clyde, Cloud County; Ruth, wife of Daniel L. Wheelock, resides in Iowa. Mr. Moffatt's father, Thom- as, died in September, 1827; his wife died iu May, 1879. Our subject remained on the home farm until he became twenty-three years old, when he began for himself. He was married, December 31, 1833, to Dolly A. Watkins, born February 3, 1809, in Orange County, N. Y. ; she is the youngest child of Joshua and Ann (Tuthill) Watkins, both of Orange County, N. Y. ; Joshua was a son of Hezekiah and Dolly (Brown) Watkins. Ann was a daughter of Benjamin and Susan Tut- hill. After leaving home, Mr. Moffatt worked land on shares until he came West and set- tled on his present farm of 203 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt have had three children — Mary, Thomas and Albert. Thomas enlisted in September, 1861, in Company K, Thirty- sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and, after serving one year, was killed in the battle of Perryville; Mary, wife of Jonas G. Blank, resides in this township; Albert resides on the homestead, and is married to Alice Wal cott; they have two children — Charles and Fannie. Mr. Moffatt and his family are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Moffatt was a Whig, and has been a Repub- lican since the organization of that party. ERNST MEYER, farmer, P. O. Ontario- ville. Among the settlers of Bloomingdale was Mr. Meyer, who was born September 1, 1819, in the Kingdom of Hanover. He was the eldest son of Christian and Margaret (Essmann) Meyer. Ernst remained with his father till he was fourteen years of age, when he went to clerking for some time, when he went into the army, where, in consequence of merit, ho was appointed to a position as serv- itor"at court, where he remained till twenty- eight years of age. In 1848, he came to America, and, coming to this county, bought eighty acres of land in Addison Township, where he lived some time, and then went to Brush Hill and lived. In the fall of 1850, he married Louisa Krausa, born in Prussia, daughter of John Krausa; she died August 26, 1 W>, leaving one child — Matilda. Feb- ruary 29, 1856, he married Wilhelmina Hin- amann, a native of Hanover, born May 22. 1826, daughterof George and Margarita (Ro- ller) Hinamann. Six children were born, five of whom are living — Loixisa, George, Augus- ta, Julius, Mary (dead) and Emma. Louisa 208 BIOGRAPHICAL : lives in Chicago, wife of Charles Schramm. Matilda, first wife's child, married John Red- eker, of Elgin. Mr. Meyer has lived here since 1856, and has put all the improvements on his farm. He sells very little grain, feed- ing the same to his stock. He is a member of the Evangelical Church and a Republican. PATRICK O'BRIEN, farmer, P. O. Bart- lett. Among the self-made men of this town- ship is Patrick O'Brien, who was born in June, 1826, on the Emerald Isle, County Wexford, of a family of twelve children born to Thomas O'Brien and Bridget Grant. Patrick obtained a good common-school edu- cation, and was raised to farming pursuits and was early in life thrown upon his own resources, and, at the age of sixteen, he emi- grated to this country, and soon made his way to Chicago, where he worked for several years, turning his attention to any honest labor that would promise the best and surest returns. Having, by diligence and economy, saved some means, he entered 160 acres of land in Bloomingdale Township, located in the northwestern part; this he obtained at Government price. He soon settled on the same and improved it and remained on it un- til about 1866, when he sold out and pur- chased 200 acres in this township of Daniel Wheelock and has since been a constant resi- dent of this township and been engaged in farming pursuits, and, from a poor and friend- less boy, has come to be one of th.> county's substantial farmers. He has been twice mar- ried — first, to Mary Ackermann, a native of Germany, who died in 1866. Of ten chil- dren born of her, five are living— John, Mike, Henry, Mary and Carrie. Mary married James Shields, and resides in the township; other children at home. His last wife was Mary Calloway, a native of Ireland. Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. CHARLES PLANE, farmer, P. O. Tur- ner Junction. Most of the young people of the present generation are not aware of the difficulties and discouraging circumstances that attended the early settlers upon their making a start in life. The history of many of these men should be a valuable incentive to the young men of the present age. The success that has crowned their efforts .is with- in the reach of all those that will heed the lesson taught by the experience of these men. Among the self-made men of Du Page County who has succeeded under adverse and dis- couraging circumstances is Charles Plane. He was born March 6, 1820, in Norfolk, En- gland, and emigrated with his father, Pelan Plane, to Livingston Coutny, N. Y., when about ten years of age. His father hired him out to a hard master, with whom he remained until about fourteen years of age, when his treatment and the requirements made of him became almost past endurance, and he left him and turned his back upon the Empire I State, and came West, to this State, and hired out among the farmers on Rock River, in Ogle County. By diligence and economy, he succeeded at length in a few years in ob- taining the nucleus of a home. About this time his father came "West, and, as he was yet under age, Charles had to give up his hard earnings, and he struck out to make another beginning;. Went first to Cook County, where he worked some time in a liv- ery stable, after which he went to Boone County, remaining here one year. After this, he came to Maywood and kopt tavern two years; then went to Algonquin, McHenry County, and carried on the same business one year. Subsequently, came to this county and purchased 160 acres, where he now resides; the land cost him $9 per acre. Since that time, he has been a constant resident of the township, and is to-day one of the wealthy WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 209 farmers of the county, having here 300 acres, besides 330 in Kane County. His improve- ments are among the best in the township. He lost his former residence by fire, which has since been replaced by a large and com- modious residence of modern style. Few, if any, men have worked harder than Mr. Plane, yet. notwithstanding all the obstacles thrown in his way, he has surmounted them all and is now independent, having a compe- tence laid by for his declining years. He has beeD twice married; his first wife was Lucy Clark, daughter of Daniel Clark, one of the early settlers of the county; his wife died, leav- ing two sons — Albert and George, now of Kane County. His present wife was Sophia, born in Allegany County, N. Y. , daughter of Levi H. Appleby and Rebecca Stoddard, who came West in 1842; hedied in 1852; she. June, 1881. By last wife he has three children — Edwin, Carrie and Minnie. Carrie resides in Kane County, wife of Joseph Higgins. Mr. Plane used to haul wheat from Rock River to Chi- cago, when the trip would take eleven days, wheat 45 to 50 cents j>er bushel, often getting stuck in the road, and would have to convey the wheat on his back to dry ground; this would have to be repeated several times din- ing the same trip. Mr. Plane had eight brothers and sisters, who are severally located as follows: John resides in Bel videre; Robert in Independence, Buchanan Co. , Iowa; Sarah resides in Belvidere. also, is the wife of Ben- jamin Gill; Esther settled in Ogle County, wife of Matthew Riseborough ; Charlotte lives near Fort Dodge, wife of Thomas Gill. Mr. Plane is a Republican. PETER PRATT, farmer, Wayne; was born in Erie County, N. Y., March 1, 1823, eldest son of Luther and Ruby (Shippy) Pratt, he born in Massachusetts, son of Peter and Olive (Short) Pratt, natives of Massachu- aetts, she born in Vermont, daughter of Jacob Shippy. The Pratt family are of Scotch de- scent. When twelve years of age, our sub- ject removed with his parents to Cattaraugas County, N. Y. , where they remained seven years, and then all started in a wagon for Illi- nois. They located in Kane County, 111., in the fall of 1842. and. two years later, the father bought a small piece of land in Wayne Township, where Wayne Station is now situ- ated, on the Chicago & North-Western Rail- road. Subject's father died in 1840, and his mother in 1S64; they raised eight chil- dren — Olive, now Mrs. T. Evans, of Belle - vue, 111.; Peter, our subject; Mary, now Mrs. Albert ComptoD, of Kendall County, 111. ; Philogus, deceased about 1850; Eleanor, now Mrs. Charles Wheeler, of Linn County, Kan. ; Christopher, a resident of Jackson County. Ore. ; Rebecca, now Mrs. John Norton, of Coftey County, Kan. ; Annetta, now Mrs. Georo-e Furnell, of Pecatonica, this State. Our subject remained at home, working on the farm, till he was twenty-one years old. when he began for himself ; worked as a farm hand, at $12 a month; also chopped wood and split rails, boarding himself. Septem- ber 26, 1847, Mr. Pratt married Cordelia Dunham, born March 11, 1825, in Erie Coun- ty, N. Y. ; she is the third daughter of Solo- mon Dunham, one of the early settlers of this county. After his marriage, Mr. Pratt located on his present farm, on Section 17; this place of 131 acres he purchased in 1840; he owns some timber land in Kane County; he raises some horses. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have had five children — Mark D., who died May 20, I860, at the age of eleven; George, now in Washington Territory, in the railroad business; Jessie, wife of Thomas Julian. residents of Plate Centre, Kane Co., HI.. Emma and Frank, at home. Mr. Pratt, al- though not a member, is a supporter of the Congregational Church, of which his wife 210 BIOGRAPHICAL: and family are members. Mr. Pratt, former- ly a Whig, is now a Republican. JAMES T. PIERCE, farmer, P. O. Bart- lett, Cook County, is a native and one of the early settlers of the county, born in the town of Lisle February 2, 1822, second son of Martin and Esther Pierce, natives of Massachusetts. Martin Pierce came to this county in the fall of 1835, and settled near Naperville and died in 1865; his wife survived him several years. The subject of this sketch remained at home till 1845, and, in 1851, located permanently on his present place, consisting of 212 acres of land, on which he has put all the improvements nec- essary to a well-regulated farm. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Mr. J. Blank, and from this union eight children have been born — Austin, Eva, Spencer, Carrie, Mate M., Eugene, Frank and Etta. Austin is in Gen- oa, 111.; Eva is the wife of Rev. John Bid- well, and Carrie resides in Marengo, 111., wife of Marsh Underwood. Mr. Pierce is a Republican; is Road Commissioner, and has held several other local offices; his wife is a member of the Congregational Church. GEORGE W. REED,f armer, P. O. Turner, one of the early settlers of this township, was born February 26, 1806, in Cambridge (then Franklin) County, Vt. He is the youngest son of Nathaniel and Anna (Keys) Reed, na- tives of Warren, Mass. Mr. Reed remained upon the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he began clerking in a store in St. Albans, Vt. ; there he remained till he was twenty-four years old, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Cambridge, Vt. , in company with his brother Renssalear; they continued this business until about 1834. January 1, of that year, Mr. Reed married Julia A. Ellenwood, born in Johnson, Vt., December 28, 1816, eldest child of Thomas and Alice Lathroj), she born in Connecticut, daughter of Veranus Lathrop, he born in Vermont, son of Ralph Ellenwood. After Mr. Reed's marriage, he removed to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and remained there about two years. In the fall of 1837, came to this place and took a claim where the cheese factory now stands ; he remained upon that claim till 1842, when he sold out and bought the claim where he now lives, paying $100 for 180 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had eight children — Rodney B. , born in Ohio, died June 4, 1880; George B. , living in Kane County; William L., a merchant at Junction; Emily A., wife of Robert Benjamin, living in this township; David E., deceased; Julia A., at home; Charles F., also at home, and Ida M. , wife of Charles P. Stark, located at Junction; the last seven children were born in Illinois. George B. was in the late war, serving in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Twentieth Corps; was with Sherman in about all of his battles. Will- iam Thomas was out in the 100-days' service. Mr. Reed has been a member of the M. E. Church for about thirty years; in politics, he is a Republican. HENRY VENDUSER SAYER (deceased) was born in March 15, 1815, in Orange Coun- ty, N. Y., eldest son of William and Mary (Venduser) Sayer. William was a native of Orange County, N. Y. , son of Jonathan Say- er. The Vendusers were from Holland. Mary was a daughter of Henry Venduser. To William and Mary Sayer were born six children, five of whom lived to maturity — Fannie, Henry, Catharine, Harriet and Jo- seph, none of whom are now living. Henry V. was raised a farmer and was married, April 10, 1838, to Phebe E. Moffatt. born December 13, 1813, in Orange County, N. Y., third child and second daughter of Thomas and Deborah (Helm) Moffatt, both natives of Orange County, N. Y. Thomas was a son of WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 211 William Moffatt. In 1837, Mr. Sayer came West to see the country, and, in the spring of 1S3S, took up a claim near Aurora, but fi- nally traded for a claim in Wayne and located there in 1841, where he remained until his death, December 5, 1874; he was a Whig in the early times, but became a Republican. Since the spring of 1876, Mrs. Sayer has re- sided in Bartlett. To Mr. Sayer were born eight children — William, Warren, Alvira, Harriet, Theodore, Charles, Emily and Mary. Alvira is the wife of Alex Thompson, of Wheaton; Harriet is Mrs. William Howard, Maryville, Mo. ; Theodore is on the homestead ; Charles is in Bartlett, in the cabinet busi- ness: Emily is the wife of Ed Phillips, of Maitland, Mo. ; Mary is Mrs. Will Richard- son. Mrs. Sayer is a member of the Congre- gational Church. WILLIAM SAYER, farmer, P. O. Bart- lett, Cook County, is one of the enterprising farmers of this county, and was born in Kane County. 111., January 16, 1839; he came to this county with his j'arents, and has since resided here; he received his early educa- tion in the common schools of this county, afterward attending Elgin Academy for some time. April 8, 1869, he married Emma F. Martin, a native of Addison Township, this county, and daughter of Charles W. and Nancy (Pierce) Martin. Charles W. Martin, Mrs. Sayer's father, was born in Potsdam, N. Y. , January 11, 1816, and, Septemper 6, 1838, he married Nancy Pierce, born in Os- wego County, N. Y. , April 6, 1816, daughter of John Pierce; from this union they had eight children — George D. , killed in the late war, member of the Fifty-first Illinois Infant- ry, Company B; Smith D. served in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, now a farmer of Wright County, Iowa; EmmaF. (Mrs. Sayer); Milton E., in Elgin, 111.; Orel L., wife of Malcomb McNeil, of Chicago; Alva D., in Elgin, 111. , and two others who died when young. Mr. Martin and family were early set- tlers of Addison Township, this county; they moved to this township in 1867. After his marriage, Mr. Sayer moved to his present farm, where he has since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Sayer have been blessed with four chil- dren, two of whom are deceased — George Martin, Dyer O. , Clara A. (died, aged one year and eleven months), and a babe deceased, unnamed. Mr. Sayer has a good farm and keeps twenty-live cows. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church; his parents were members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is a Republican. WARREN M. SAYER, Wayne, was born near Aurora, 111., January 5, 1841, and is a son of H. B. Sayer. When less than a year old, hiB parents moved to this county, and Warren M. remained at home till he attained his majority, when, July 31, 1862. he enlist- ed in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war, participating in the battle of Nashville, Tenn. , and other engage- ments. After his return from the war, he remained at home one year, and, in Decem- ber, 1866, married Harriet M. Brown, a na- tive of Madison County, N. Y. , and daughter of James and Harriet (Smith) Brown. By this union, they have been blessed with three sons — James H. , Eugene D. and Louis A. In the spring of 1867, Mr. Sayer located on the farm which he now owns, consisting of 106 acres of land, where he has since resided, with the exception of four years, which he spent on the homestead farm. Mr. Sayer was elected Township Clerk in 1867. and has since served in that office, and is now serving his third term- as Township Treasurer. He is a Republican. THEODORE F. SAYER, farmor and dairyman, P. O. Bartlett, was born on the 212 BIOGRAPHICAL: homestead farm, where he now resides, May 1, 1848, son of Henry V. and Phebe (Moffatt) Sayer. Our subject was raised on the farm and remained under the parental roof till his marriage, which occurred February IS, 1875, to Martha Smith, born June 30, 1851, in Steuben County, N. Y. . and daughter of William and Jane (Jones) Smith, both na- tives of New York, he born January IS, 1818, son of David Smith, a native of Scotland, and was one of the early settlers in that county, as early as 1810. Jane Jones was born December 18, 1S25, daughter of Harley and Lucy (Sidney) Jones. Our subject took charge of the farm since his marriage, and has 120 acres from the old homestead. He has two children — William Smith and Phebe Emily. Mr. Sayer runs a dairy and fifty cows. JOHN SMITH, P. O. Wayne, was born in Orange County, Vt. , January 29, 1808, and is the second son of Asa and Lucinda (Morey) Smith, natives of Massachusetts. Asa Smith, subject's father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, was a prominent man in his locality, and represented his county in the Legisla- ture, as did also subject's grandfather Morey. Mr. Smith's mother, Lucinda Morey, was a daughter of Simeon Morey, who was born in 1739, and who served in the French and Revolutionary wars; he had five children — Sabra, Lucinda, David, Ephraim, and Bertha, all of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Smith's grandfather, Asa Smith, was of English de- scent, and served in the Revolutionary war; he had eight ^children, all of whom grew up —Stephen, Polly, Asa, Manasseh, William, Abigail, Lydia and Silas. Mr. Smith re- mained on the home farm until he attained his majority; then staid with his brother Manasseh in Orange County, N. Y., four years, worked out two years, then bought a one-fourth interest in a blast furnace in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., but after two years, sold out his interest and returned to Vermont. He came to this county October 15, 1837, and bought a claim of land of Mark Fletcher for §200. On this claim there were no build- ings of any kind, and but ten acres of land broken. After living there five years, he moved to his present place, where he has ever since resided, and where he now has 252 acres. Mr. Smith was married September 10, 1837. to Elizabeth H. Banfill, born in Corinth, Orange Co., Vt., March 6. 1816, youngest daughter of John and Hannah (Dear- born) Banfill, both of Massachusetts, he a son of John Banfill, she a daughter of Samuel Dearborn, who served in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Smith's parents had twelve chil- dren, ten of whom grew to maturity — Sally, Samuel, Mary, Abigail, Hannah, Clymenia, Prenella, John, Elizabeth and David. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed with the following children: George Asa, born in May, 1839; Mary L., February, 1842; Henry A., November, 1<843; Ellen E., August, 1845; Albert E. , August. 1 847 ; Newton A. , August, 1849; Sarah L., October, 1852, and Florence E. , September, 1856 ; and of these three are deceased — Sarah L., November 19, 1856; George A., August 15, 1863, and Albert E., November 10, 1865. George A. , when with- in a month of his graduation from college, en- listed in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his death afterwards occurred from disease contracted while in the service. Albert E. also died from the same cause; he first enlisted for the three months' service, and afterward re-en- listed. Mary L. resides in this township, wife of William Gorham; Elizabeth E. , wife of William Lewis, resides in Webster County, Neb.; Henry A. is on the home farm; Newton A. lives in this township, and Florence, wife of John D. Colvin, in Wheaton, this county. WAYNE TOWNSHIP. 213 Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Congregational Church, as was also their son George A. THEODORE SCHRAMER, farmer, P. O. Turner, is a native of Prussia, born March 5, 1839, son of John and Mary (Stiel) Schrarner. John Schramer, subject's father, emigrated to the United States in 1857, leaving Prussia in April, and arriving in Wheaton, this county, May 27, that year. He purchased 106 acres of land in Winfield Township, this county, paying $20 per acre for his farm, on which he died in i860; he had ten children — John, Peter, Helen, Lizzie, Nicholas, Kate, Theo- dore (subject), Martin, Nick, Jr., and John. Theodore remained with his father until the death of the latter, devoting his attention to farming. He married, October 26, 1863, Mary Leas, also a native of Prussia, born May 19, 18-13, daughter of John and Marga- ret (Schomer) Leas, she a daughter of Jacob Leas. The Leas family came to the United States and located in this county in 1851. Since his marriage Mr. Schramer has resided in this county, principally in this township. He began life with but little means, but by the energy and industry of himself and wife they have accumulated 3S6-| acres of land; they settled on their present farm in 1871, having previously, however, made several purchases and changes of location. Mr. and Mrs. Schramer have been blessed with six children — Mary, Peter, John. Nicholas, Lizzie and Susan. They are members of the Catho- lic Church. DANIEL STEARNS, farmer, P. O. Wayne; one of the old settlers of this township, was born October 26, 1816, in Benning- ton County. Vt. He was third son and fourth child born to Simeon and Irene (Newcomb) Stearns: he, born in Massachusetts in 1788, was a son of Capt. William and Joanna (Duncan) Stearns. Capt. William Stearns was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and died in 1834 at the age of eighty. Sub- ject's father was a farmer and inn keeper, and died at the age of sixty-one. Mr. Stearns, our subject, was one of a family of nine children, all of whom grew to ma- turity. When he was twenty-four years old, he came West to this State and purchased land: he now has 135 acres, and carries on farming and dairying. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have four children — William, who resides in Franklin County, Iowa; Franklin, in De Kalb County, 111. ; Jennie, wife of Newton Smith, and Zenas, at home. Mr. Stearns is a strong Republican. D. LOUIS WHEELER, farmer, P. O. Wayne, came to Illinois in September, 1845; remained in Quincy till the following spring, then went to Toulon, Stark Co., 111., and after staying there six months, came to this county in the fall of 1846. His father, Daniel Wheeler, came to this county soon after our subject came here, and bought 240 acres of land; then returned East, and in the fall of 1847, returned to this county and settled permanently. Daniel Wheeler was born in Guilford, Vt., in October, 1797; his wife, Sadie D. Stewart, born May 1, 1802. died August 12, 1870; they had ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity — D. Louis (our sub- ject). Eleanora J., William S., Sylvanus M., AlmiraA.. Franklin S., Lucinda andPamelia. Eleanora married Myron Smith, of Elgin, 111. ; Lucinda married George D. Sutton, of New York City; and Almira married L. Bene- dict, of Chicago. March 27. 1851. Mr. Wheleer married Julia A. Pierce, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., born March 3, 1830, eldest daughter of Luther and Clarissa (Wells) Pierce, he born in January. 1800, she born in 1807. After his marriage. Mr. Wheeler remained in this township four years; then moved to Bremer County, Iowa, 214 BIOGRAPHICAL: and after remaining there ten years, returned to this township in the spring of 1865, and has since remained here on his farm, con- sisting of 104 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have had three children, two of whom are living — Walter P., Warren Daniel. Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Congregational Church; his wife has been a member of the Free Methodist Episcopal Church for fourteen years; his father, Dan- iel Wheeler, was a supporter of the Demo- cratic party. BLOOMIiYGDA WILLIAM BATTEN, farmer, P. O. Mea- cham. Among the old settlers and substan- tial farmers in this township is Mr. Batten, who, for thirty-five years, has been closely identified with the interests of the county, and one of its stanch and valuable citizens. He was born December 12, 1812, in Devon- shire, England, son of John and Mary (Moore) Batten, who were the parents of three children — William, John and Elizabeth Jane. John resides in Canada, and Eliza- beth remains in England. Our subject came to America in 1847, arriving in Chicago June 8 of the same year. From Chicago he came to this county, and went to work among the farmers, digging wells, ditches, etc., and, in fact, working at anything he could get that would bring him money, continuing in this way about four years. He then had saved some money, and purchased eighty acres of land. He afterward added forty acres, and has resided here since. He was married, when twenty-live years of age, to Mary Ann Baker, born about 1816, in Cornwall, Eng- land, daughter of James and Mariam (Neal) Baker. Mrs. Batten died about 1872, having borne eleven children, eight of whom are liv- ing — Mary, Mariam, John. James B., Eliza Ann, Jane, Charles G. and Sarah. Mary is the wife of James Pierce; Mariam is the wife of Charles Landon; James B. lives in Iowa; Eliza A. is the wife of James Lake; John, Charles and Sarah are at home. He has been LE TOWNSHIP. a member of the Methodist Church since 1852, and Superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty years, having not missed live Sundays during that time. He had no school advantages; was bound out when eight years of age; but has been a School Director for fifteen years, and owes no man a penny. Is a stanch Republican. JOSEPH BUTLER, farmer, P. O. Bloom- ingdale, was born in Erie County, N. Y. . August 25, 1818, second son of John and Pattie (Wilson) Butler. John Butler was a native of Vermont, born in 1788, and died in New York at the age of eighty- four years. He was a Baptist, and in politics a Repub- lican. He had seven children — John, Jo- seph, Seth, Harvey, Sarah (deceased), Charles (deceased) and Ozias. Joseph came West in the spring of 1843; bought eighty acres of land, which he afterward sold and bought eighty acres more; sold it, and, in 1S50, came to his present place, and now owns 313 acres, on which he has put all the substantial improvements. He gives his attention to stock-raising, in addition to general farming. In 1843, he married Abigail West, born near Sardinia, Erie Co., N. Y., in November, 1812, daughter of Ashbel West. They have had nine children, six of whom are living — Sewall. farmer in De Kalb County, 111. ; Ira, at home; Ashbel, farmer inDe Kalb County, 111. ; Elbert, at home; Judson and Delia. Those deceased were Elijah, died aged twen BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 217 ty six; Gilbert, aged twenty-five; and James, who died July 6, 1882. Mr. Butler owes his success to his own thrift and energy. He is a Republican. GEORGE W. BARNES, farmer. P. O. Bloomingdale. is a native of Clinton County, N. Y., born June 4, 1831, and is the third son born to Jonathan and Mary (Gorham) Barnes. Jonathan Barnes, the youngest son of Jeremiah Barnes, was born in Massachu- setts March 24, 1793, and was a carpenter and joiner by trade; came West in the fall of 1838; bought a claim of about three hundred and twenty acres of land, where he died March 25, 1874. He was a Congregational- iet; in politics, a Whig. His wife is still living. They had the following children: Eliza, wife of John M. Howe, of Milwaukee, Wis. ; Phoebe, wife of Philip Farnsworth. never came West; Noah, in Chicago; Thomas H. . died in California; Mary, deceased, wife of Franklin Talmadge, Wayne Township; George; Marie, wife of M. Pendleton, of Wayne Township. Our subject has always remained on the homestead farm, which con- sists of 240 acres, and devotes his attention to general farming and stork-raising. De- cember 22, 1858, he married Susan S. Dud- ley, born in Oswego County. N. Y. . in 1833, daughter of Asa and (Miss Alcott) Dudley. From this union nine children have been born — Jesse, Millie, Harry, Mabel, Newton, Maude, Robert, Ella and Alson. The Dud- ley family came to this county in the fall of 1839. Mr. Barnes is a Republican. JACOB E. BENDER, farmer, P. O. Bloomingdale, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, April 2, 1843. fifth son and sixth child of Michael and Elizabeth (Neuhardt) Bender. Michael, who was the son of Philip Bender, was born July 21, 1802; was a farmer by occupation; emigrated with his family to America in May. 1858; came to Bloomingdale Township and bought 165 acres of land al $30 an acre, and has since resided here. His wife, daughter of Michael Neuhardt, was born in 1802. They had the following children: John, Philip. Henry. Conrad, Mary, Jacob E. and Emma. Our subject took charge of the homestead farm in 1870, and has since managed it. The farm comprises 120 acres of land. Mr. Bender was married, December 26, 1870, to Wilhel- mina Iser, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, born in April, 1837, daughter of John and Helen (Bender) Iser. She came to this county in 1868. By this union they have been blessed with six children — Emma, So- phia, Mina, John, Lucy and Katie. Mr. Bender assessed the township in 1882; has been Collector and School Director; is a member of the Evangelical Church; in poli- tics, a Democrat. JACOB CLAPSADDLE, Wheaton, was born on the German Flats, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 20, 1808, eldest son of George A. and Nancy (Bellinger) Clapsaddle. George A. Clapsaddle was born in Herkimer County. N. Y. ; was a farmer by occupation, and died in December, 1862, aged seventy- eight years. His wife was a daughter of Peter F. Bellin- ger, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wound- ed in the shoulder in an engagement in that war. They had eight children — Elizabeth. Jacob. Mary, Peter G., George H, Andrew. Frederick and Nancy. The Clapsaddles are of German descent. Our subject's grand- father. Andrew Clapsaddle, served all through the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch left home at the age of twenty- four years. He was married, July 14, 1831, to Sally E. Terbening, a native of Herkimer Couuty, N. Y., born October 3, 1814, daugh- ter of Peter I. and Elizabeth (Brown) Ter- bening, he a son of Lucas Terbening, she a daughter of Valentine Browu. After his S18 BIOGRAPHICAL: marriage, Mr. Clapsaddle moved to Herkimer County, N. Y., and worked on land there for one season. The following year, he went to Onondaga County, N. Y., where he bought fifty acres of land, of which he cleared forty acres during the five years he lived on it. In May, 1844, he came to this county, bought 240 acres of Government land, on which he has since resided, his farm now consisting of 190 acres. By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Clapsaddle have been blessed with eight chil- dren — Kelburn and Jerome, in Kankakee County, 111. ; Harriet, wife of Hiram Kelsey, of Iowa; Sophia, in Travis County, Texas; Jacob P. , at home ; George A. , in Ida County, Iowa; Mary E. , wife of Horace Richardson, of Wheaton, 111. ; and Elvie, wife of James Steven, Kossuth County, Iowa. On the fif- tieth anniversary of the same, Mr. Clapsaddle celebrated his golden wedding. He has eight children, twenty-nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics, a stanch Republican. GEORGE F. DEIBERT, retired, Bloom- ingdale. Among the self-made men of this township is Mr. Deibert, who began in life with nothing except his hands and a resolu- tion to make for himself a home and a com- petence for his old age. His father died when he was but about three years of age, and from that time forward he was upon his own individual resources. He was born Jan- uary 4, 1821, in Schuylkill County, Penn., son of George Deibert and Maria Faust, both of whom were natives of Schuylkill County. In September, 1S44, Mr. Deibert came West, and made his location at Naperville, where he immediately began work, turning his at- tention to any honorable employment that promised a reasonable compensation. He made it a rule, if he could not get his own price for his labor, he accepted the best terms offered, and never ate the bread of idleness. In one year, $2.50 was all the money he spent. He was elected Constable while here at Naperville, and served until April, 1850, when he took a trip across the plains to Cali- fornia, where he engaged in mining, remain- ing here until the spring of 1854. when he returned to the county and came to Bloom- inardale and engaged in business with his brother, D. F., under the firm name of Dei- bert & Brother, and carried on a general store. This association lasted until 1861, when he sold out to his brother, and, for one year, was out of active business. He then asso- ciated with J. R. Dunning in the mercantile business; firm name was Dunning & Deibert, which copartnership lasted until August 9, 1879, when he sold out to. his partner, and since has been retired, and resides in the town in the peaceful enjoyment of life's savings, having secured what he set out to accomplish when he came to the State. He has been twice married — first time, in August, 1844, to Susan Dewald, a native of Schuylkill County, Penn. , daughter of John Dewald. She died in 1849, leaving no children. In October, 1853, he married Sarah, the sister of his first wife. By her he had four children, three living — Milton G., Ida M. and Mary. Ida M. resides in Greene County, Iowa, wife of Sherman E. Kinney. Stanch Republican. J. R. DUNNING, merchant. Blooming- dale, born March 14, 1822, in Hamilton County, N. Y. , son of Justice Dunning and Lorinda Rich, both natives of New York State. The paternal grandfather of Jonathan Rich Dunning was Amos, who served in the war of the Revolution. Our subject was raised in the county where he was born, and, upon coming to maturity, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, starting a store in Rome, where he continued in business until he came to this place, arriving in the town of Bloomingdale, BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 219 July, I860, where he subsequently purchased the interest of Dr. Sedgewick, and has since been engaged in merchandising, and been Postmaster since 1S6'J. January IS, 1844, he married Harriet Pendleton, who was born December 25. 1825, daughter of Benjamin C. Pendleton, who was born November 11, 17'J4. in Westerly. R. I., and was present at the bombardment of Stonington. October 29, 1818, he married Asenath, who was born July 28, 17 ( JS. in Hopkinton. R. I. She was the youngest daughter of Saunders Langworthy, to whom thirteen children were born. The Pendleton family came to this county and settled in Bloomingdale Township in IN 47. His death occurred March 12, 1877; his wife died May 13, 1871. They raised six chil- dren — Benjamin F.. Mercy L., Etherliuda D.. Harriet E., Mason M. and Mary J. Mr. Dunning has four children — Calvin L., Al- bert D., Francis H. and Estelle; Calvin L., in Chicago; Estelle, of South Park, wife of George H. Berger; Francis H. and Albert D. , at home. A. D. has one of the best selected libraries in the county. JOSIAH FRENCH, Ontarioville, Cook County, was born March 1, 1813, in East Salisbury, Mass., son of Josiah and Hannah (French) French, she having same name, but being of a different family. They had nine children, seven of whom are living. Our sub- ject left Boston April 21, 1831, and arrived at Carrollton May 25, coming by canal, steamboat and wagon. In the fall of 1833, he moved to Jersey County, and lived there until 1856, when he came here. He lived also eighteen months in Galena. He came from his native State with a man with whom he learned the trade of carpenter. He first bought 160 acres of land in Jersey County, and then 620 acres unimproved. He now owns over three hundred acres of good land. April 20, 1838, he married Dollie Adams, born January 26, 1818, in Ohio, daughter of N. B. and Sallie (Bliss) Adams, both natives of Vermont. The Adams family came West in the spring of 1833, to the southern part of the State, and were among the first settlers of Jersey County. Mr. French, by this marriage, has four children — Joseph G. , Josiah N. , Han- nah M. and Orville A. Joseph G. is in Nuckolls County, Neb. ; Josiah is in Iowa, a farmer in Delaware County; Hannah M., wife of G. W. Moss, Chicago; and Orville A., in Iowa, near Iowa Falls. Mr. French was raised a Congregationalist, and is a Re- publican. He began a poor man, and has built up his own fortune. R. W. GATES, mechanic, Bloomingdale, ex-soldier and one of the inventors of Du Page, was born October 15, 1835, in Tomp- kins County, N. Y., son of Levi Gates, a na- tive of Worcester County, Mass.. where he was born in 1800, and subsequently removed to Tompkins County and married Nancy Gould, a native of North Adams. She bore him seven children, all of whom are now liv- ing. The eldest is Elmira, wife of Henry Haddock, of Elgin. Skillman, the eldest son, resides in St. Louis, Mo. Next in order comes Robert W. Sarah resides in Chicago, wife of John Morrison. Helen resides in Madison County, Neb. , wife of M. J. Davis. Charles resides in Elgin. Charlotte, the youngest, resides in Batavia, this State, wife of John Hugitt. Robert W. is the only member of the family residing in Du Page, and was nineteen years of age when he came to this county with his parents. His father was a carpenter, with whom he worked, and learned the trade under his instruction. After at- taining his majority, he began business on his own account. In September. 1861. he enlisted as a private in Company D, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and served until after the close of the war, receiving his discharge July, 220 BIOGRAPHICAL: 1865. Six months after his enlistment, he was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant of the regiment, and, in the winter of 1863, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and had charge of the Quartermaster's Department of his regiment. His term of service was filled in the Army of the Potomac, where he was assigned. After his return from the service, he built and ran a cheese factory for three years at Itasca. Since that time, he has been a resident of Bloomingdale, and engaged in wagon-making and blacksrni thing combina- tion shops, and has since conducted the same. In 1869, he invented the potato-digger, which has had an extensive sale, it being the most Bucessful machine of the kind ever invented. In 1874, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has since been re-elected. In August, 1865. he married Laura Landon, who was born in this township, daughter of Lewis E. Landon and Maria Farnum. He has four children — Nellie, Allen, Harry and Eugene. Mr. Gates has, since his majority, been affil-- iatedwith the Republican party, and a strong advocate of the temperance cause. HENRY HOLSTEIN, miller. Blooming- dale, was born in Hanover, Germany, Decem- ber 22, 1821, eldest son of John H. and Maria (Boss) Holstein. John H. was a farmer, and died in his native land in 1862, aged sixty-five years. He had two sons and five daughters — Louisa, Fred and our subject. Louisa is the wife of Louis Homeir, of Ad- dison Township, and Fred resides with her. Henry was raised a farmer, and remained with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he went to learn the miller's trade. In the spring of 1849, he came to America, ar- riving in Baltimore in the latter part of May. The next month, be came to Addison Town- ship, where he worked at farming, and after- ward went to Cook County. The next year, returned to Addison and rented land from Deitrich Stuckmann, where he continued thirteen years. He then came to Blooming- dale and bought 1 14 acres of land, costing $2,600; lived there about twelve years, and then came to where he now is, one-fourth mile south of the village of Bloomingdale, where he bought the old mill owned by Col- bury, and ran the same until 1872, when he built a new mill, and has since run the same. In 1879. he built the steam mill at Roselle, and has three run of buhrs. He is also (1882) putting in machinery to manufacture the "patent process " flour. April 15, 1845, he was married to Louisa Foltmer, born May 4, 1821, and who died May 16, 1880, having borne nine children, only three of whom are living — Frank, Matilda and Caroline. Ma- tilda is the wife of Fred Boner, and Frank runs the mill at Roselle. Mr. Holstein is a self-made man. He began poor, and has ac- quired all he has by his own industry. H. O. HILLS, Bloomingdale, was born June 26, 1818, in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y. , son of Allen and Almeda (Collins) Hills. Allen Hills was born in Connecticut April 26, 1791, and died in April, 1862. His wife was born December 28, 1794, died February 28, 1863. They had five children — Erasmus O. , in Hyde Park, 111.; H. O. , our subject; Nu- bria C, at Hyde Park; Almeda P., married R. Stevens, of Wheaton, 111., always lived in this county; and Huet B. , lived in this county until his death, in August, 1881. Allen Hills was a son of Huet Hills, who had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Our subject lived on the home farm till he was twenty-four years of age, and, in June, IS 12, came "West to Illinois; worked that summer on a farm his father had bought in Bloom- ingdale Township, and, in the fall of the same year, began driving a stage from Chi- cago to Peru, which occupation he followed for two vears. He has since given his atten- BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 221 tion to farming, and has a farm of ISO acres. He clerked six years for Deibert & Bros. December 7, 1842, he married Lorena May- nard, born in Potsdam, N. Y., December 31, 1818, daughter of Elias and Lorena May- nai'd. Elias Maynard and family came to Illinois about the year 1837, and settled in this township. He had five children — Ruth, wife of Orin Lilley; Lorena, Mrs. H. O. Hills; George, deceased; Hiram, residing in Austin, 111. ; and Esther, wife of H. Brun- son Hills, of Wheaton. Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Hills are the parents of nine children — Sabrina E., wife of O. A. Verbeck; Helen J., wife of Harrison Muzzy; Allen E., Huet B. . Charles H. , Dewitt C. ; Lorena M. , wife of Thomas Lake; Edwin O. and Fannie B. , all living in this county. Mr. Hills was formerly a Whig, now a Republican. His parents were members of the Congregational Church. His father was formerly a Demo- crat, afterward a Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace several terms. MOSES K. HOYT, Bloomingdale, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., April 12, 1817, fifth son and sixth child of Moses and Sallie (Piper) Hoyt, natives of New Hampshire. Moses Hoyt was a lumberman, and shipped lumber to Quebec. He came with his fam- ily to this county in the fall of 1837, locat- ed on 160 acres of land, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1800. He was a Whig. His wife died several years previous. They had seven children — George W.. who settled at Dundee ; Hiram and Charles H. . who located in Addison Town- ship; Sallie, who married Thomas H. Thomp- son, of Dundee; Louis L., who resided in Plattsburg, N. Y. ; Moses K. ; and Faunie M. , wife of Alfred Rich, of Dakota. All are deceased save Moses K. and Fannie M. Our subject has followed farming since he came to this county. His farm consists of 200 acres of land. In the fall of 1843, he mar- ried Sarah Butler, born in Erie County, N, Y. , daughter of John and Pattie (Wilson) Butler. Mrs. Hoyt died in 1856. The chil- dren by this marriage were Martha, wife of Jerome Lester, of Cook County, 111. ; Ellen, wife of George Wilson, died in Iowa leaving one son, Charles; and Walter, died aged seventeen. Mr. Hoyt married, June 29, 1857, Nancy Hopkins, a native of Windham, Vt. , born in 1820, daughter of David and Hannah (Cobb) Hopkins, natives of New Hampshire, who moved to New York State when Mrs. Hoyt was seven years of age. By this union they have been blessed with three children — Llewellyn, married and settled in Franklin County, Iowa : C. G. and Moses K. ; one deceased. Mr. Hoyt is a Republican. JOHN H. HARMENING, Bloomingdale, was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, Decem- ber 31, 1826, son of John Henry and Sophia (Pfingsten) Harmening. John Henry Har- dening, son of Fred Harmening, came with his family to America in the spring of 1865, and came West to Chicago. He died in Sep- tember, 1871. His wife, who was a daugh- ter of John Pfingsten, died in Germany. They had live children — Christian, who died in 1S59; Mena and Charlotte, in Germany; Hannah, who died in Germany; and John H. Our subject, after coming to this country, worked in a brickyard, drove a team, farmed, and kept a hotel at 112 West Lake street, Chicago, for some time. He then came to this township and bought 310 acres of land, on which he has put all the improvements, set out trees, hedges, etc. He married. April 2, 1859, Dorothea Thies, a native of Han- over, Germany, born February 11. 184J, daughter of John and Charlotte (Prinne) Thies. By this marriage they have been blessed with four children - Henry, Sophia, Matilda and William. 222 BIOGRAPHICAL IRVING EDWARD INGRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Bloomingdale, was born in Essex. Chit- tenden Co., Vt., November 22, 1850, eldest son of Artemus A. and Lucinda (Goodhue) Ingraham. Artemus A. Ingraham came with his family to this county in the spring of 1869, bought 380 acres of land, on which he lived till the fall of 1881, when he moved to Wheaton. Our subject received a good com- mon-school education, and afterward attended Wheaton College for two years. January 1, 1873, he married Francelia Deibert, a native of this county, and adopted daughter of Daniel F. Deibert, one of the prominent men of this township. Mr. Ingraham has taken charge of the farm since the fall of 1881. He runs the largest dairy in the township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Tem- perance Union. CHAS. B. KELLEY, farmer and stock- raiser, P. O. Wheaton. was born in Milton Township March 6, 1853. on the homestead farm, second son living of Daniel Kelley. He was reared on the farm, and received good school advantages. April 14, 1879, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Maggie Pottage. In 1877, he purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of 100 acres, which lies in the southern part of the townshiji, and since bis marriage he has been a resident of the township, and been identified with its interests as a farmer and breeder of thorough- bred Merino sheep. Is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Republican. No chil- dren. FREDERICK LANGHORST, Roselle. Among the principal business men of Ro- sell is Mr. Langhorst. He was born Febru- ary 7. 1840, in Germany, the third son and fourth child born to Christopher and Doro- thea (Turner) Langhorst, he born in 1801, she burn in the kingdom of Hanover, daugh- ter of Henry Turner. Our subject was reared on a farm, and came to this country in 1858, when eighteen years of age, and to Cook County shortly afterward, where he worked among the farmers for about three years. In 1863, he went to Chicago and learned the baker's trade, but subsequently returned to Cook County and purchased a thrashing ma- chine, and for eight years engaged in the business of thrashing grain. About 1866, he purchased 300 acres of land in Palatine Township, and engaged in farming, also doing business in Chicago for a seed firm. In 1873, he removed to Chicago, and re- mained there about one year, in the grocery, flour and feed business, at the same time car- rying on his farm. In 1875, he located at Roselle and engaged in the grain business. He has built several houses, and done much toward improvement. Since he came here, he has been engaged in the grain, flour, coal and feed business, and in buvino- and seilino- stock. He has also an elevator at Harper. November 6, 1864, he married Hannah Mey- ers, born on the ocean October 22, 1847, daughter of Charles and Corlene (Hartmann) Meyers, both natives of Hanover, and sis children have been born to them — Mary, March 28, 1867; William, May 22, 1869; Freddie. October 3, 1871; Sophia, August 17, 1S73; Henry. December 3, 1875; and Annie, October 24, 1878; the last two being born in Roselle. In 1872. Mr. Langhorst made a trip to the old country and brought over his parents, but the father died August 21, 1875. and the mother November 26, 1876. He is a member of the Evangelical Church. CHARLES LAWRENCE, retired farmer, Meacham, was born November 11, 1804, in Cornwall, England, son of John and Mary (Shaplin) Lawrence. He emigrated to Amer- ica in 1844, and located in Schaumberg. Cook County, and purchased land and engaged in BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 223 farming, where he continued for many years, when he finally located in this township, and has since been retired. He married Grace Tinnemore, who was born in 1806, in En- gland, daughter of Hugh Tinnemore. She died in 1868, having borne him five children — Charles, who resides in Iowa; Ann. mar- ried Joseph Baker, deceased; Mary, Henry F. . and James, who is farming in this town- ship. He was born in Schaumberg. Cook County, April 15. 1850. where he remained on the farm until he came to this county. He engaged in business for himself after he became of age. In 1881, he purchased the Col. Meacham farm, consisting of 250 acres, and is engaged in farming and dairying. JAMES PIERCE, Postmaster, merchant and depot agent, Meacham. is a native of England, born February 24. 1841. eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sandercock) Pierce. Thomas Pierce was one of the early settlers of this township; came here in the summer of 1842; bought 200 acres of Gov- ernment land, on which he lived till the time of his death, having increased the farm to (i n i acres, which he divided among his children. He had five children — James, Maria J., Henry. John T. and Charles. James S. remained on the homestead farm until he attained his majority, then worked out for some time. February 1, 1863, he married Mary, daughter of William Batten. They have two children — Horace Elmer and Ella Maria. After his marriage. Mr. Pierce rented the homestead farm for five years, tin 'u bought a farm on Section 11. where he lived for ten years. In the winter of 1878, he came to Meacham Station, opened up a store, and has since been Postmaster and de- pot agent there. He owns 170 acres of land in Sections 10 and 11, and 100 acres on Sec- tion 2. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics, a Republican. ' HENRY PIERCE, farmer. P. O. Mea- cham, was born in this township October 14, 1845, the second son and third child born to Thomas and Elizabeth Pierce, whe came to Du Page about the year 1840. Thomas Pierce first lived about one year south of Bloomingdale; afterward bought land in the northeast part of the township, now owned by Charles Pierce. Here he died July 11, 1880. His wife is still living. They raised five children— James, Maria, Henry, Thomas and Charles. Maria died in 1875. wife of Charles W. Geary. All the others are young. Henry, the second son, was raised on the farm, and was married, January 6, 1869, to Emma Rathburn, born in this township, the second daughter of Rowland and Eliza (Mose- ly) Rathburn. After marriage, he remained on the homestead two years, and then built where he now lives, the land having belonged to his father. He has 1 00 acres, and has put all the improvements on the fai'm. He has four sons and one daughter — Arthur - R. . Al- bert T. , Nellie M. . Henry Clyde and Chester G. Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and he is identified with the temperance movement. Is now serving his sixth year as Commissioner of Highways, and is a Republican. FRANK W. PIERCE, farmer, P. O. Mea- cham, was born in Addison Township, this county. July 27. 1846, on the land first set- tled by bis father. He is the eldest child of Charles and Margaret Pierce. Charles Pierce was born in Cornwall, England, in 1810; emigrated to America and came to this county in 1843; bought eighty acres of land, on which he remained some time, then bought 100 acres of land where Itasca now stands, and. in 1869, came to this township, and lived here till the spring of 1882, when he removed to Elgin. 111. He had two chil- dren. Charles AV. and Susan. Mrs. Samuel 2U BIOGRAPHICAL: Samuels, of Elgin. Frank W. was married, December 1, 1867, to Mary Ericson, born in Wisconsin July 6, 1849, who has borne him two children — Jennie and Nelson. Since his marriage, Mr. Pierce has had charge of the farm, which contains 130 acres of land. He is a Republican, and a supporter of the tem- perance cause. JOHN T. PIERCE, farmer, P. O. Mea- cham. was born May 8, 1850, third son and fourth child of Thomas Pierce. He was raised on the farm, and, on attaining his ma- jority, rented land of his father in this town- ship. He married, January 22, 1874, Hattie A. Baxter, born in Wiufield Township, this county, March 1, 1854, second daughter of John and Sarah (Sharp) Baxter, residents of this county, who came here from England about the year 1S48. After his marriage, he located on his father's farm, known as the Daniel McGraw place, where he remained until March 25, 1881, locating on the George Meacham farm, containing now 193 acres, 160 acres of the Meacham farm, the remain- ing thirty-three acres of the Trewin farm, on which he has good improvements. He car- ries on a dairy in ad ition to farming. By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have been blessed with two children — Eddie Til- ton, born June 30, 1S76; and Clarence Ray- mond, born April 11, 1880. Mr. Pierce is a Republican. CHARLES PIERCE, farmer, P. O. Mea- cham, was born in this township February 24, 1857, and has always resided here. He is the youngest child and son of Thomas Pierce. Thomas Pierce was born in 1S07; came with his family to this county in July, 1841, and bought land of the Government. He died July 11, 1880. His wife, a native of Cornwall, England, was born February 20, 1818, daughter of John Sandercock. The subject of this sketch, when he attained his majority, rented the homestead for one year, and his father gave him eighty acres of land. In April, 1881, Mr. Pierce married Jennie Batten, a native of Devonshire, England, born October 10, 1862, daughter of John and Tamzer (Rundle). From this union they have one son, born August 17, 1882. Mr. Pierce has a farm of 170 acres of land. W. KIRK PATRICK, deceased, was born February 16, 1824, inTruxton, Cortland Co., N. Y. , son of Nathaniel and Penelope (Pot- ter) Patrick, he born February 10, 1785, in Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; she born in 1793, daughter of Nathaniel Potter. To Nathaniel and Penelope Patrick were born fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity — Stephen, Elias, Fannie E., H. B. , Albert, Charles, "William K, Lydia, Mary, Rachel, Alfred, Elizabeth. Stephen resides in Cortland County, N. Y. , and has repre- sented his county in the Legislature of his State; Lydia married Alanson P. Benson, of Onondaga County, N. Y. Those who settled in this county were William K, H. B., Fan- nie (Mrs. J. B. Hull); Elizabeth, wife of Robert Patrick ; Charles, Richard, Alfred and Eliza settled in McHenry County ; Alfred is a farmer; Mary married Charles Angle, and removed to Topeka, Kan. W. K. Pat- rick came West in 1850. He was raised on a farm, and his father died in 1844. Our subject, being the eldest son at home, took charge of the farm until he came West in 1850. The paternal ancestors of Mr. Patrick emigrated from Scotland to the North of Ire- land during the reign of James I, and the Patricks landed in New York in 1763. Our subject married, February 16, 1847, Mary L. Knowles, born in Chenango County, N. Y. , June 17, 1827, daughter of Daniel and Lo- vina (Reynolds) Knowles, he born in 1785, in Rhode Island, she born in 1797, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Briggs) Reynolds, who BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 225 removed to Chenango County about 1S02. To Benjamin and wife were born nine chil- dren, who grew up. Daniel Reynolds and wife removed to Cortland County in 3 837, and died there. To Daniel and wife were born three children — Mary, Darius D. and Sarah, the last two deceased. Prior to Mr. Patrick's coming West, he bought 100 acres of land, and afterward added more, and made several changes, but finally settled where he lived until his death, May 8, 1882. He was a Republican; served as Assessor and Super- visor several terms. About 1858, he engaged in sheep-raising, and, later, was a large breeder of the same. He was a liberal sup- porter of the Gospel, although not a member of any church, and always a helper of the poor and needy. To Mr. Patrick and wife were born nine children. Those who grew to maturity were Delia, wife of C. B. Field, of Freeport, 111. ; Ellen, wife of A. E. Hills, of Lombard ; Florence, Wilbur K., Jr., Frances, Charles, Abraham L. and Jesse. Mrs. Patrick is a member of the Congrega- tional Church. ALFRED S. PATRICK, farmer, P. O. Wheaton, was born on the homestead farm, where he now lives, September 8, 1841, and is the third and youngest child of H. B. and Clarissa (Frisby) Patrick. Mr. Patrick was raised on the farm, and has always followed farming. He also devotes his attention to feeding cattle. January 1, 1875, he married Ida W. McClester, born in Long Meadow, Mass., February 13, 1819, youngest daughter of Robert and Mary (Field) McClester, he a native of Massachusetts, of Lish descent, she a relative of Cyrus W. Field. The McClester family came West to Plainfield, Will Co., 111. , in 1853. Robert McClester, who was a master mechanic in Grovernment employ, died in Chattanooga, Tenn. , in the second year of the late war. His widow is still living. Mrs. Patrick has one brother and one sister, George and Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Hoag, of Plainfield). Herjparents were members of the Congregational Church. ROWLAND RATHBURN, Prospect Park, was born near Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., Au- gust 18, 1817, and is a son of Acors and Sarah (Peckham) Rathburn, natives of Rhode Island. Acors Rathburn was one of a fam- ily of six, born to Burden Rathburn, of Rhode Island. Acors Rathburn learned the hatter's trade, and, after his marriage to Sarah Peck- ham, daughter of Judge W. Peckham, he re- moved to Oneida County, N. Y., where he was one of the early settlers. He followed farming there till his death. He had a fam- ily of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity — William, Solomon; Sarah, resid- ing at Oak Park, 111., wife of Daniel Mory; Wells, Joshua, Peckham and Mercy, all three in New York; Dorcas, wife of Henry Thomas, of Lone Rock, Wis. ; Perry, in Atlantic, Iowa; Benjamin, also in Iowa; May A., Row- land and James. The latter went to Califor- nia, and has not been heard from for several years. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents on the farm till he was twenty-two years of age. In the spring of 1814, he came to Illinois, and in September of that year, purchased, at $1.50 an acre, a claim of eighty acres of unimproved land, where be still resides, having now, however, 100 acres of well -improved land. He has been thrice married. In January, 1840, he married Elisa Mosely, a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., daughter of Charles Mosely. She died leaving four children — Joshua, Cor- nelia, Emma and George. His second wife, Harriet Mosely, sister of his first wife, died leaving one child, Eliza. His third wife was Josephine Smith, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Alvin Smith, one of the early settlers in this county. By this last marriage 226 BIOGRAPHICAL: he has six childlen — Acors, Sarah, Carrie, John. Richard and Warren. He is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends. Of his chil- dren, Joshua served four years during the late war, in the Thirty -sixth Illinois Cavalry, and died after leaving the service; Cornelia resides in Chicago, wife of George Meacham, lumber merchant; Emma is the wife of Henry Pierce, of this township; George is a farmer in Ellsworth County, Kan. ; and the remain- der of the family are at home. WILLIAM RATHJE. farmer, P. O. Bloomingdale, has been a resident of this county since October 23, 1846, and of this township since the spring of 1847. He was born October 13, 1833, in Rodenwald, Amt Nuestadt, in province of Hanover. His par- ents were Frederick Rathje and Sophia Frol- ich. His father was born December 20, 1799, and had eight children born to him, whose names, in order of their birth, are Louisa, Frederick, Henry, Mary, William, Louis, Henry and Sophia. Henry died in the old country; Mary resides in Addison Township, wife of Henry Buchholz; Louisa married Fred Wakenhauer, of same township; Fred- erick resides in Peotone, Will County, this State; Sophia resides in Corvallis, Benton Co., Ore., wife of Fred H. Fisher. William, when he came to this county, resided the first year with his sister, Mrs. Wakenhauer, in Addison Township. The following year, he came to this township. He hired'out for six months to Horace Benjamin, at $3 per month. The year following (in 1848), his father came, and bought 120 acres of land, which William now owns, which was obtained of Cyrus Kellogg, at a cost of $10 per acre, there being but little improvements on the place at the time. Since that time, Mr. Rathje has been a constant resident at the place. His mother died in 1843. His fa- ther resides with him on the farm. William has given his attention to farming pursuits. In 1856, he had the misfortune to lose his right arm while working with a threshing machine. He has always been a stanch and reliable Republican; has served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and, since 1873, has been Supervisor of the township, except 1877, and in all his official relations he has maintained the dignity and uprightness which characterize the true man. He has 258 acres of land in the township, and 480 acres in Kossuth County, Iowa. March 20, 1863, he married Louisa Ehlers, who was born in the same place as himself, February, 1841, daughter of Fred Ehlers and Maria Meyer; has eight children — three sons and five daugh- ters — Emma, Mena, Bertha, Annie, Sophia, Fred, Louis and Willie. Member of the Evangelical Church. JOSIAH STEVENS, Bloomingdale, is now the oldest living male resident of Blooming- dale Township, having come here with his parents in the spring of 1835. He was born July 10, 1832, in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y. , third son and seventh child of Noah and Lois (Walker) Stevens. The Stevens family came originally from England, four brothers of the family coming out in the Mayflower. Noah Stevens, a farmer by occupation, son of Thomas Stevens, was born in Sangerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., November 16, 1797; was married, November 9, IS 18, to Lois Walker, a native of Hinesburg, Vt., born Jan. 21, 1801, daughter of Asa Walker. By this union were born the following children: Sibylla, born February, 11, 1820, wife of D. D. Noble, of Nebraska; Thomas R. , born March 25. 1822, a farmer, died at Wheaton, 111., in March, 1882; Leonora, born April 3, 1824, married C. W. Kellogg, of this township, and died September 24. 1875; Lois, born May 19, 1826, wife of Henry Hatch, of Iowa; Lavina, born June 20, 1828, wife of ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 237 E. A. Herrick, of Winnebago. 111. ; Ethel H., bom March 25, 1831; Josiah; Alvira L., born December 31, 1835. lives with Josiah; Adeline D.. born June 28, 1838, wife of Ed- ward Herrick. of Iowa; and Mary A., born November '25. 1840, wife of Asa W. Farr. of Iowa. All grew to maturity save Ethel H. Noah Stevens came West with his family and settled on a claim of 175 acres, on which Jo- siah now resides, and remained there till his death, which occurred September 5. 1862. He was a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and one of the organizers of that church here, their meetings being held in his house, which was the home of the ministers. In politics, he was a Whig, and later a Republican. His wife died February 4, 1863. Our subject married, March 5, 1855. Caroline E. Barber, born in Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., October 5. 1829. daughter of Simeon and Lorain H. (King) Barber, natives of Benson. "Vt. , he a son of Levi and Rebecca (Hinman) Barber. The Barber family came West in 1853 and settled in Bloomingdale Township, this county. Simeon Barber now lives with his son Henry; his wife died in July, 1875. They had three children— Caroline E.. Mrs. Stevens; Henry F., residing in Wayne Town- ship, this county; and Mary L., wife of I. B. Kinney, of Henry County, Mo. Mr. Stevens has had charge of the farm since 1853. He now rents the place. Since 1867, he has kept a public house, the Farmers' Home, and, since the spring of 1875, he has been en- gaged in the construction of tubular wells, keeping four teams constantly on the road. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have been blessed with three children- -Hattie L. , Addie L. (wife of E. W. Lester, of Addison Township) and Myrta A. Mr. Stevens has been Constable since 1865. and has served for nine or ten years as Township Trustee. ADDISON TOWNSHIP, WILLIAM ASCHE, farmer, P. 0. Elm- hurst, is one of the young settlers of Addison Township; his father, William Asche, was a native of Hanover, where he was born Febru- ary 26, 1809, and emigrated to America short- ly after the Fischer family came. He worked on the canal in Chicago for some time, finally locating in Addison Township, where his son William now resides, making his purchase July 10, 1844. May 12, 1842, he married Mena Fischer, a native of Hanover, born Oc- tob )i 7, 1823. daughter of H. F. Fischer, who for several years operated the wind-mill in the southeast part of the township. William Asche, Sr. , died March 18, 1876; his wife in November, 1858; six children were born to them, live coming to the years of maturity, Dora, Fred, Emma and William are now liv- ing. Dora resides in Chicago, wife of Fred Wassaman; Fred resides at Lemont, t In- state; Emma is the wife of Henry Kay, and resides at Blue Island near Chicago. Will- iam, our subject, who now resides on the homestead farm, was born January 7, 1854, and, being 'he youngest, he has always been on the home farm. April 16, 1874, he mar- ried Louisa, eldest daughter of August Graue; He has five children — August, Edward, Ma- tilda, Albert and Ada. WILLIAM HENRY BOSKE, farmer, P. O. Bensenville. resides at Kaler's Grove, which took its name from Barney Kaler, who married Mrs. Boske, the mother of William Henry; her maiden name was Mary Flhorn, whose fir^t husband was Henry Boske, and by him had two children- — Sophia and Will- 228 BIOGRAPHICAL: iam Henry, who was born January 4, 1823, in Ehrenburg, in the Kingdom of Hanover; his father died in 1827. William Henry emigrated to this State with his mother and stepfather in 1834. William Henry left home after his stepfather's settlement here, and went to Chicago, remaining there until he was about eighteen years of age, when he returned to this township, where he has since remained. June 2, 1848, he married Mary Charlotte Schmidt, who was born February 19, 1829, in Londesbergen, in the Kingdom of Hanover, daughter of Henry Schmidt. Nine children have been born to him, eight of whom are living. Sophia was born August 16, 1849, and resides in Bloomingdale Town- ship, wife of Marquardt; Louisa W. , born November 20, 1851, and resides in this town- ship, wife of Fred Bucholz; Anne L. E., born January 12, 1854, wife of William Stuenkel, of Lombard; Maria D. ft., born January 19, 1859, wife of George C. Johnson, of Chicago; Henrietta L. E., born May 24, 1861, wife of August Webber, of this township; Elsie L. M., Fred H. and William W, at home. Mr. Boske has over 300 acres with excellent im- provements thereon. Is a member of the Lutheran Church. WILLIAM BARUTH, general store, Itasca; located in this town in the spring of 1882. He purchased the interests and store of L. F. Magers, and keeps a general store, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hard- ware and notions; he also keeps a saloon and sample room adjoining. He was born Au- gust 3, 1839, in Amt Otterndorf, in the Prov- ince of Hanover, son of William and Bebecca Baruth. Mr. Baruth came to America in 1856, and lived in New York about two years, work- ing for what he could get. In March, 1858, he came to Long Grove, in Cook County, 111., where he hired out among the farmers. In June, ]862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, and was never absent from his command except when home on furlough one month, by reason of a wound received at Guntown. At the close of the war, he went to Chicago and engaged as clerk in the gro- cery store of J. H. Haake, remaining in his employ until May, 1868, when he purchased hia employer's interest and run the store until the great fire, in 1871. Two weeks later, he set up in business on Milwaukee avenue, near Noble, where he remained about ten months; then sold out and opened a flour and feed store, and continued in that business until 1880. In May, 1868, he married Mary Hu- ell, born in Cook County, 111., daughter of John Huell; they have three children — Will- iam, Carrie and Emma. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. FREDERICK H. BATES, M. D., Ben- senville, was born in the village of Elmhurst, 111., October 8, 1856; he was the son of Gerry and Georgia Bates (a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work). After receiv- ing a liberal education, he commenced the study of medicine, in 1875, and on the 26th day of February, 1878, he graduated with honors at the Rush Medical College of Chi- cago. After the death of his father, Gerry Bates, which occurred July 29, 1878, he was appointed Postmaster at Elmhurst, an office which his father had held for thirty years previous to his death. He continued to act as Postmaster and in the practice of medicine at Elmhurst until 1881, when he resigned both and entered into a partnership in the practice of medicine with Dr. John Zahn, at Elgin, 111. In January, 1882, this partner- ship was dissolved, and Dr. Bates has since been practicing his prof ession at Bensenville, in this county, where, owing to his profi- ciency as a physician and his extended knowl- ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 229 edge of the German language, he has a large practice. The Doctor has for some time been a member in good standing of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, Harlem Lodge, No. 540. WILLIAM BUCHHOLZ, farmer, P. O. Addison; is a native of Hanover, Germany, born February 8, 1826, son of Henry and Mary (Knage) Buchholz. Henry Buchholz came with his family to Illinois, in Novem- ber. 1844, and located in this township, where he lived until his death, which occurred July 12, 1853; his wife died two years later; they had five children — Mary, Louisa, Henry, William and Fred. Our subject was about eighteen years of age when he came to this county; when a little over twenty-three years of age, he began the business of life on his own account. He married, May 4, 1859, So- phia Fiene, also a native of Hanover, born in September, 1829, daughter of David Fiene. By this union, they have been blessed with eleven children, six of whom are living — August, Fred, Sophia, Louis, Anna, Louisa, William (died May 6, 1877, aged seventeen); Emma, wife of Henry Deirson, died August 9, 1877; Bertie died March 11, 1877, aged five years; Henry died March 19, 1877, aged two years; Matilda, the eldest child, died November 11, 1861. After his marriage, Mr. Buchholz located on his present place, where he has since resided; his son August lives on the adjoining farm; he has 253 acres of good land and a good farm-house, erected in 1871. They are members of the Lutheran Church. CHRISTIAN BALCKE, mechanic, Ben- senville, is the leading mechanic in his line in Addison Township; he is a native of the "Fatherland," Province of Hanover, where he was born April 3, 1847; his father was Christian Baucke, a farmer, who died when his son was eighteen years of age. His mother's maiden name was Dorathy Fogt. Christian came to America in the spring of 1867; he spent one year in Chicago, and came here the following year, and has since been engaged at his trade, being both stone and brick mason and plasterer, and an excel- lent workman withal. He was married, March 3, 1872, to Lesetta, daughter of John Brettmann, one of the old settlers in the town- ship; he has three children — Herman, Julius and Malinda. He has, by honest labor and attention to his business, obtained a home here in Bensenville and valuable property. GEOBGE COGSWELL, farmer, P. O. Bensenville, was born December 15, 1847, in Bensenville, eldest son living of William F. Cogswell, a native of Concord, N. H. , who came to this township in 1842, and purchased a claim on Section 13, of M. L. Dunlap, and here the family have since lived. August 26, 1843, he married Annie A. Franzeu, who was born August 30, 1826, in Prussia; her parents were Garrett Franzen and Anna Krimpleman, who came here in 1843. The father died June 23, 1869, having been for twenty years a member of the Evangelical Church. Ten children were born to him. Of this number, William, George, Caroline, Henry, Louis and Clara grew up. George has now the posses- sion of the homestead, where he grew up. In November, 1870, he married Maggie Brust, who was born in Ohio, near Chillicothe, daughter of Adam and Barbara Brust. He located after his marriage in Cook County, where he lived seven years. Since that time, he has been an occupant of the homestead. He has four children, viz., William F., Ar- thur, Nellie and Alice. Is a member of the Evangelical Church. HENRY A. COGSWELL, retired, Bensen- ville, was born on the homestead farm in this township March 21, 1852; was the fourth son and fifth child of William F. and Anna (Fran- zen) Cogswell, who came to Du Page County 230 BIOGRAPHICAL: soon after its organization. Henry A. was educated at the common schools; afterward, attended the commercial school of Bryant & Stratton, at Chicago, completing his studies at Plainfield College. At the age of seven- teen, he engaged in selling farm machinery, and canvassed the greater part of the county and was a very successful salesman; he subse- quently built a large storeroom and engaged in the hardware trade, but continued in the ma- chine business. He was the first one who carried on the business in the town ; he con- tinued in the trade for thirteen years. He sold out. in the fall of 1881, to H. H. Kort- hauer, who has since succeeded him. De- cember 2, 1874, he married Matilda Graue, who was born in this township, and who has borne him two children — Ada M., living, and Walter F., who died at the ago of two years. A. G. CHESSMAN, farmer and general business, Itasca, one of the leading business men of Itasca, was born March 4, 1832, in Cumberland County, N. J., son of William W. and Lydia (Griffith) Chessman, a daugh- ter of Abel Griffith, a Revolutionary soldier and participated in the war of 1812. At the age of seventeen, Abel G. began learning the carpenter's trade, and came to Chicago wheD twenty years of age. About the year 1858, he purchased land in this township, and lo- cated on the same, and from that time he has been closely allied to the interests of the township and Du Page County. He has in the meantime been engaged iu building and contracting to some extent, and, since the existence of Itasca, has been prominently as- sociated with it as a business man. He was the first Postmaster in Itasca, receiving his appointment under Abraham Lincoln, in 18G3. He was for some time engaged in buying and shipping grain. After abandon- ing the grain trade, he put up a mill, and is now doing effective work for the farmers. In 1878, he built an addition to his mill, and has since been engaged in manufacturing cheese boxes, wooden ware, fruit crates, etc. , which gives employment to several men. In December, 1857, he married Eliza Brooklyn, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. , by whom he has eleven children — Carrie, William, Annie, Grant, Leonard, Philo, Joseph, Walter, Eliza, Abel and Robert. His farm of 114 acres is situ- ated about one mile and a half from Itasca, where he resides, and carries on his business in Itasca at the same time. DANIEL CLARK (deceased) was born in Connecticut August 15, 1820, and came West with his father, Daniel Clark, when Chicago was a mere town. Daniel, Sr., was for many years engaged in the hotel business, in Cook County, 111., just outside of what is now the limits of the city, and he was widely known by the people at that time, far and near, as " Uncle Dan." He subsequently located in Bloomingdale Townshirj, and there carried on the same business up to the time of his death. His son who bore his name located in this township, on Section 8, in the year 1851, purchasing his land at 110 per acre. March 23, 1852, he married Mary Jane Fos- ter, a native of Upper Canada, born April 1, 1832, daughter of Asher and Hannah (Rose) Foster, who came here prior to 1840. Mr. Clark engaged actively in farming, and, for several years in his early life, ran a threshing machine, working excessively hard several months each year for many years, and while in this business doubtless sowed the seeds of consumption, which caused his death, January 5, 1S77. He was a generous-hearted man, a kind husband and indulgent father, and, with- al, an excellent neighbor. His wife and three sons — James, Burlon and Allen — survive him and reside on the homestead. James, who was born December 18, 1856, has charge of the farm, assisted by his brothers. July 14, ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 231 1878, he married Maggie Hamilton, bom in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of David and Jane (Morrison) Hamilton, to whom were born three daughters and one son. James Clark has two children — Adelbert and daugh- ter (unnamed). LOUIS DIERKS, farmer, P. 0. Bensen- ville, was born July BO, 1835, in Neustadt Amt Rodewald, in the Province of Hanover, only son of John Henry and Dorathy (Preus- sner) Dierks. In 1841, Louis came to Amer- ica with his parents, and, in November of the same year, his father located on Section 13. There was a log house and but little improve- ments. His father is now well up to ninety years of age; he resides with his daughter Caroline, wife of Henry Miller, in Cook County. Louis, being raised on the farm, became attached to that life, and decided to make it his business. July 4, 1855, he was married, in Chicago, to Margaretha Lauing, born September 10, 1833, in Amt Hoya, Province of Hanover; her parents were De- trick and Rebecca Breuning, he born in 1803, his wife in 1815, and he came to America in 1861. She died in the old country in 1855; he in 1S65, in this county. Since Mr. Dierks' marriage, he has been located on the homestead, consisting of 155 acres; he has one of the best houses in the township, built of brick and furnished in first class style; his farm adjoins the town of Bensenville. Twelve children have been born to Mr. Dierks, nine of whom are living — Sophia, born April 29, 1856; Ernst, February 11, 1859; Louis, June 26,1861; Martha. October 20, 1863; William. October 19, 1865; Emma, February 10, 1868 Albert, July 26, 1870; Henry, August 3, 1872 Ida, April 1, 1S74. Mr. Dierks is a member of the Lutheran Church. EDWARD EHLERS, farmer and miller, P. O. Elmhurst, is the owner and proprietor of the wind-mill in the east part of Addison Township; he was born in this township March 8, 1856, second son of Frederick Eh- lers, a native of Hanover, who 'came to this State in 1850; he married Maria Meyers and subsequently located in Cook County, when' he died in 1869; his widow yet lives on the homestead. Edward remained at home until his marriage, which occurred May 23, 1877, with Caroline Korthauer, daughter of Esquire Korthauer, of this township. Since his mar- riage, he located where he now resides, and has been engaged in farming and running the Addison Mill. Having a steam engine of twenty-five horse-power, he is never compelled to cease running his mill, when the wind is not sufficient to propel the machinery. He has two children — -Mary Christina and Ber- tie E. FREDERICK FISCHER, farmer. P. O. Elmhurst. Henry D., the eldest brother of Frederick, emigrated to this country in 1833; came first to Chicago, and shortly after, took a claim on Section 27, in Addison Township. The remainder of the family came in the fall of 1836, and have since been identified with the interests of Du Page County. Frederick was born March 17, 1823, in Hanover. His father was Conrad Fischer, who married Lou- isa Reinking, and the fruits of this marriage were three sons and three daughters — Henry D. . Louisa, Frederick. Augustus, Caroline and Wilhelmenia; the latter was accidentally drowned while coming to this country. Lou- isa married Henry Bielfeld, now of Milwau- kee; Caroline, wife of Louis Rathje. Con- rad Fischer and his family settled where George Fisher now lives, in this township, where he remained until his death, having attained to the age of over fourscore years: he was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was a man Df substantial char- acter and highly respected. Frederick has 1 been a constant resident of this township, and 232 BIOGRAPHICAL has been successful as a farmer, having 630 acres of choice land. He has been twice married — first, in 1847, to Henrietta Mesen- brink, who died in 1880, leaving three chil- dren — Louisa, Caroline and Albert. Louisa is the wife of Fred Koch, United States Gau- ger; Caroline married Fred Buchold, and Albert lives in Chicago. His present wife ■was Mrs. Dorothe Poehlsen, daughter of Lud- wig and Charlotte (Bube) Kluto. Mr. Fisher moved to his present location in 1845. AUGUST FISCHER, farmer and stock- raiser, P. O. Elmhurst, was born February 26, 1826 at Estorf, in the Kingdom of Han- over, and is the third son born to Conrad and Louisa (Reinking) Fischer. August was but ten years of age when his parents located in this township. He married, May 27, 1849, Eliza Hackrott, who was born December 25, 1828, near the city of Hanover. Her parents were August and Mary (Krueger) Hackrott, who emigrated from the old country and settled in this township in 1842, on land adjacent to the Fischer estate. August Hackrott was born in the summer of 1800; his wife Mary on February 27, the same year. To them eleven children were born, seven of whom lived to be grown, Mrs. Fischer being the only one of the family remaining in Du Page Cotvnty. Her father died in 1852, her mother iu 1849; they were members of the Evangelical Church. After Mr. Fischer's marriage, he located on the farm he now oc- cupies, where he had then but 200 acres of land; he has now over 1,500 acres in all, 400 in Iowa, the remainder in this and the ad- joining county. Farming has been his busi- ness since he began life for himself ; he keeps a dairy of over fifty cows and is a very suc- cessful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer are parents of five children, four living — Otto, Amelia, Gustave and Charles. Amelia re- sides in Elmhurst, wife of Adam S. Glos; Otto, a farmer in this township; Gustave and Charles, at home. GEORGE A. FISCHER, farmer, P. O. Addison, was born on the farm he now owns, January 30, 1851, the seventh son born to Henry Dietrich Fischer, born in 1815 in the village of Esdorf, in the Kingdom of Hano- ver; he learned the harness -maker's trade, and, in 1834, embarked for America. In 1836, his parents, two brothers and two sis- ters came to this section from the old country, and determined to engage in farm- ing. In 1837, Henry D. married Ann Maria Franzen, daughter of Bernhard, one of the early settlers of this township. Mr. Fischer was a representative man of his time; he held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1854 up to the time of his death, July 1, 1868. In 1855, he was elected Supervisor, and was re-elected annually until 1859, and again in 1866. He was a stanch Republican. His children were as follows: Hemy D., born May 21, 1838; Charles C, March 1, 1840, died 1855; Frederick I., July 30, 1842; Au- gustus H. , October 1, 1844, was killed at At- lanta, Ga. , August 13, 1864; Herman A., September 6, 1846; William H. , December 18, 1848, died June 9, 1865; George A., June 30, 1851; Eliza C, June 25, 1853; Will- iam H., August 17, 1855; A. Henriette, No- vember 27, 1857, died in 1859. George A. has succeeded his father on the homestead; he received good common-school advantages; also attended several terms at Wheaton Col- lege. He took charge of the farm in 1876. January 30, the same year, he married Mary C, daughter of B. H. Franzen and Charlotte Buchholz. Mary C. was born May 29, 1856, in Prussia; she has one brother, Augustus H., and two sisters — Louisa and Caroline. Mr. Fischer has 237 acres and the best of farm improvements. He has two children living — Edgar B. H. and Henry F. A. ; Flora ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 235 died November 15, 1878, born December 27, 1876. OTTO A. FLSCHER, farmer, P. O. Elm- hurst, is the oldest son of August Fisher, one of the prominent farmers and early settlers of the township. He was born March 16, 1850, and has been a resident of the township since. His school advantages were such as were obtained in the neighborhood at the common district school, which he completed by attending Dyrenfurth Commercial Col- lege, at Chicago; returning home, he contin- ued work on the farm. July 16, 1874, he wedded Mary Weinrebe, daughter of August and Christina (Marges) Weinrebe. After his marriage, he located where he now resides, and engaged in fanning and stock-raising. He has 195 acres in this, and 78 in Cook County. Has three children — Alfonso A. , Eleanora E. and Alonzo Gr. J. H. FRANZEN, farmer, P. O. Bensen- ville. was born in October, 1813, in Prussia, the eldest son and second child born to Bar- ney H. Franzen and Fenne Adelherd Elf ring; he was born October 4, 17S2, and married in 1808; his wife Fenne was born March 18, 1781. To them were born Anna Catharine, John Henry, Annie Gesina, John Barney and Gerhard Henry. The family emigrated to the United States in 1834; the father died January 5, 1844; the mother April 3, 1835. July 1, 1838, he married Anne E. Dieckhoft', who was born in Hanover September 13, 1816. and died July 25, 1844, leaving four children, but two of whom are living — Mary and Sophia. Mary is the wife of Henry Kirchhof; Sophia married Henry Fruchli. Herman was struck by lightning July 13, 1859. He was married in October, 1844, to Anna Catharine Deters, who was born Sep- tember 14, 1824, and by her ten children were born, seven living — Barney, born Octo ber 2, 1845; Caroline, born August 11, 1847; Emma O, born April 6, 1849; Carl August, born September 28, 1852; John Henry, born February 27, 1855, died March 7, 1880; Dorothy, born January 25, 1857; Fred W., born March 18, 1861; Herman H.. born September 3, 1868. Mr. Franzen has thirty-eight grandchildren. For sev- eral years after his coming here he was engaged in running an oil-mill; aside from this, he has given attention to farming. He has about 250 acres here and 600 in Min- nesota. He has now retired from active life and is enjoying the fruits of his labor in quiet and contentment. HENRY FRANZEN, farmer, P. O. Ben- senville, is a son of John Franzen, a native of Prussia, who came to Du Page County in 1837, and was identified with the county un- til his death. He first settled on the farm now owned by George Eiterman, and followed farming. Henry was born June 20, 1836, and has given his time and attention to farm- ing. July 16, 1858, he was married to Lou- isa Eiterman, born in August, 1842, daugh- ter of John George Eiterman, who came here in 1842. Since his marriage, Mr. Franzen has been located on the farm he now owns. He has had nine children, seven of whom are living — Sophia, the eldest, residing in Elk Grove Township, Cook County, wife of Fred Everding; Elvena, Matilda, Julius, Emil, Lizzie and Hulda; Henry, who died in his sixth year, and a babe who died young. Mr. Franzen has 106 acres here, upon which are nice farm buildings and a residence large and commodious. He has also 120 acres lo- cated in Cook County. He is a member of the Evangelical Church. 0. A. FRANZEN, lumber and warehouse Bensenville, was born in this township Sep- tember 28, 1852, second son of John H. Franzen; he received a good common-school education, and afterward graduated at Bryant N 236 BIOGRAPHICAL: & Strattorfs Commercial College at Chicago, after which he returned home, where he re- mained one summer; then went to Bensen- ville and took charge of the warehouse and managed the business for his father. Since that time, the business has been turned over to him, and he has been conducting the same upon his own account. He has the control of the lumber, grain, coal and feed trade at this place, and has a good patronage. March 14, 1875, he married Mary, daughter of Fred Heuer, of this township; three children have blessed this union — George, Ida and Rosa. DR. JOHN G. FRANKE, physician, Ad- dison, was born in Fuerstenthum, Schwartz- burg, Rudoestadt, Germany, son of Christian Franke and Augusta Regen. Christian came to Jefferson County, Penn., in 1854, and en- gaged in farming and in the lumber trade. The Doctor remained in Germany until 1858, attending school; he went to Pennsylvania, and there began the study of medicine, under a German physician; in 1801, he went to Ann Arbor, Mich. ; afterward attended the best schools in Cincinnati and received the benefits of Rush Medical College and began practice in 1865, at Brush Hill, in this county, where he continued until the fall of 1876, when he removed to Addison and has since been en- gaged in the practice of his profession, and is doing well; his thorough knowledge of his profession is being recognized. In the fall of 1866, he married Olive, daughter of David Thurston, one of the early settlers in York Township. He has four children — Ada, Amelia, Freddie and Ella L. Member of the Lutheran Church. FRED FEDDERCKE, farmer, P. O. Ben- senville, was born in Neustadt, in Hanover, August 5, 1838, only son of Diedrich and Sophia Feddercke. The family came to Du Page County in the year 1840, where his father purchased seventy- four acres on Section 2, at $2.50 per acre, there being no improvements on the same. There were but two children born to Diedrich and Sophia Feddercke — Fred and Sophia; the latter re- sides in Cook County, wife of Henry Heuer. Fred came to this county four years after his father, and has always remained on the farm. In his twenty-second year, October 15, he married Sophia Oelerking, born in Hanover, daughter of John Oelerking. Mr. Feddercke has 132 acres of land. Is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has seven children— Beteni, Sophia, Regina, Martha, Clara, Ber- tha and August. JOHN GODFREY, farmer, P. O. Itasca, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, about the year 1817, eldest son of William and Elizabeth (McCarty) Godfrey. Mr. Godfrey shipped from Liverpool in April, 1851, and landed at New York May 20 following; he first went down to Cape May, where he worked a short time; afterward worked at Altoona, Penn., and finally came to Illinois, in No- vember, the same year, having nothing but his hands to assist him, but he was willing and ready to work, and hired out, getting at first but $8 per month; afterward, he hired out at the rate of $100 per year, and he con- tinued on in this way about three years. In 1854, he purchased sixty-seven and a half acres on Section 5, which cost him $10 per acre, borrowing the money to pay for it, and in due time paid off every dollar. In 1868, he added another portion of about sixty-seven acres, which cost him $66 per acre, and has since been a resident of Addison Township; he has also 240 acres in Iowa. In 1853, he married Hannah Griffin, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, daughter of Thomas Griffin, and by her has four children — William, John, Mary and Eliza, all at home. FRED HEUER, farmer, P. O. Salt Creek, was born October 21, 1831, near the city of ADDISON TOWN (SHIP. 237 Hanover, Germany, second son of a family of three children. His father's name was Henry Heuer, who married a Miss Kulman, who bore him three children — Henry, Fred- erick and Lena. The family left the old country in 1844, and came to this State and located in Cook County; here Henry Heuer, the father, died; his son Henry resides there still; Lena resides in Chicago, wife of Henry Oehlerking; Frederick came here in 1854, having purchased land the year previous; since his location here has been a constant resident. He has 240 atjres of land. Since 1865, he has been County Commissioner, and tilled some minor positions in the township, as Trustee and School Director. He was first married, in January, 1852, to Christina Oehlerking, who died in 1858, leaving two children — Emma and Mary. Emma is the wife of Herman H. Korthauer, of Bensen- ville. Mary married August Franzen, also in Bensenville. His second wife was Mena Reker, who died in 1860, leaving one child — Edie, who resides on the farm ad- joining. His present wife was Amelia, sister to his last wife; by her he has three children — Mena, wife of William Kussack, of Frank- lin County, Iowa; George and Amanda, at home. HENRY HEIDORN, farmer, P. O. Salt Creek, born February 10, 1849, in Amt Neu- stadt, Province of Hanover; his father, Henry Heidorn, born June, 1800, in the same prov- ince, married Mary Biermann, who bore him seven children, two of whom came to the years of maturity. Subject's parents died in the old country, and none of the family ever came to America but Henry. He was raised on the farm at home, and, in the spring of 1867, emigrated to this country, arriving at New York on February 15, and soon after came to this State. He spent about three years in Cook County at work on a farm, where, in the fall of I860, he purchased sixty acres of land and kept it until 1870, when he came to this county, locating where he now resides. His farm is situated on Section 3, in this township, and is known as the Lueh- ers farm; he has 160 acres, eighty in this township and the remainder in Cook County, adjoining. November 4, 1870, he married Adelheid Luehers, daughter of one of the old settlers in this township, now deceased. He has four children — Herman, Fred, Ernest and Henry. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of this township. HENRY KORTHAUER, farmer, P. O. Bensenville. The great-grandfather of our subject was John Henry Korthauer; he mar- ried Anne Sophia Stuken. who bore him two sons and two daughters — Daniel, Henry, Maria and Anna Catharine. In direct line comes Daniel, who, in 1785, married Catharine Margarita Doebbcken, of Engebostel; she bore him three children, but one of the number lived to be grown, viz. , John Henry Korthauer, who was born July 17, 1789. December 11, 1812, he married Catharine Dotendorf, whose par- ents were George Ernest Dotendorf and Doratha Gravemeier. To John Henry and Doratha were born nine children, six of whom grew up; tive of the number are yet living, of whom Henry, the subject of these lines, is one; he was born October 27, 1822, in the town of Bisendorf, in the Kingdom of Hano- ver; he emigrated to America with his parents in the fall of 1840, arriving at New York; navigation being closed, they were detained there until the spring of the following year, when they came to this county, locating on the section of land where Henry now resides. He had loaned money to the man owning the land, who failed to return it as agreed, and Mr. Korthauer took the land in lieu of the money, and improved it and remained on the same until he died, 1876; his wife in 1865, 239 BIOGRAPHICAL: Of the five children living, they are located as follows: Louisa resides in Peabody, Ma- rion Co., Kan., wife of Frederick Seybold; Henrietta is the wife of Fred Graue, of York Township, this county, Caroline resides in Elinhurst, relict of Diedrich Strucknian; George resides in Oregon ; Henry has always been a resident of the township since he came. His father, being of mechanical turn of mind, taught his son Henry the carpenter's trade, at which he worked while young; soon after coming to his majority, he gavo his at tention to agricultural pursuits. He has been twice married — first, Novmber 18, 1852, to Mary Kirchhoff, who was born in Hanover, daughter of Henry and Christina (Ofingsten) Kerchhoff; she died May 1, 1874, having borne him three children, viz. , Herman, Caroline and William. May 28, 1876, he married Mrs. Mary Stueve, who was born in Hanover October 10, 1827; she was a daugh- ter of Henry Hoppensteat and Doratha Bier- niann, who came to this country in 1842. Mr. Korthauer has 195 acres of land; he for several years was giving some attention to the nursery business, but farming has been his principal interest. He was elected Jus- tice of the Peace in 1870, and has since been re-elected; was six years Supervisor, and has always been a stanch Republican and a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church. F. L. KRAGE, retired farmer, P. O. Ad- dison. Of the old-time settlers living who came here in 1837, Mr. Krage is one of the few remaining. Frederick Louis Krage was born April 28, 1827, near the village of La- derholz, in the Kingdom of Hanover. He was the only son and eldest child of Freder- ick William Krage, who was born March 17, 1800, in Rodenwaldt, a farmer and carpenter by trade; his wife was Anna Mary Doratha Stuenkel, born January 4, 1802, daughter of Louis Stuenkel. The family came here in 1837, purchasing a claim on Section 34, of Richard Kingston; upon this the father set- tled with his family, and remained here until his death, August 18, 1872; his wife died the year after their arrival here, July 18, 1838. The children born to them were Fred L. . Louisa, who married Henry Graue; Mary, wife of Peter Meville, of Chicago, and Caro- line, who was the wife of August Graue, now deceased. Fred L. has always remained on the homestead, being the only son. He has been thrice married — first, July 24, 1851, to Wilhelmina Graue, daughter of Fred Graue; she died November 20, 1862; but one child now living by her — Augusta, wife of Fred Stuenkel, now of Arlington Heights. His second marriage was, April 24, 1863, to Mary Weber, daughter of Henry Weber; she died November 10, 1866; by her two children were born — Caroline and Mary. Caroline is the wife of Otto Feine. April 5, 1867, he mar- ried Caroline Graue, daughter of Fred Graue, of York Township; by her five children were born, viz., Louis, Emily, Fred, Paulina and August. Mr. Krage has over 500 acres of land; is a successful farmer and a Lutheran. HENRY F. KOLZE, farmer, P. O Ben senville, was born in Cook County, 111., in the Kolze settlement June 6, 1856. He is the eldest son and child of Henry and Mary (Resto) Kolze, both natives of Hanover, who, upon their arrival in this country, located in Cook County, where they raised a family — two sons and four daughters. Nest in order of birth to Henry is Louisa, who is the wife of Fred Arbecker, residing in Cook County. Elvena resides in Addison Township, wife of George Basenburg. Lillie is also a resident of this township; she is the wife of William Franzen. Amelia resides with her parents in Cook County. Henry Fred remained on his father's farm in Cook County until his marriage, which occurred May 12, 1876, ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 239 when he married Minnie Steve, who was born September 18, 185S, on the farm where she now lives, upon which Mr. Kolze settled after his marriage. The homestead consists of 100 acres; he also owns 136 acres in Cook County, 111. ; he has four children — Lizzie, Lillie, Clara and Tillie. FRED E. LESTER, merchant, Postmas- ter, farmer and proprietor of the cheese fact- ory, P. O. Salt Creek, was born in Clinton, N. Y., July 3. 1828, and is the youngest child of Edward and Hannah (Newton) Lester. Edward Lester, subject's father, was of En- glish descent and was born on Long Island; he was a farmer of mechanical turn of mind, and served during the war of 1812; he came to Illinois in the fall of 1835; lived for a short time on Section 16, in this township, then located permanently on Section 9, where he died at the age of seventy-four years; his wife died in August, 1846; they had seven children, five of whom are living — Lewis, died August 7, 1879; Marshall; John, died in Minnesota; Julia, residing in Racine, Wis., wife of Edgar Waite; Daniel, in Wayne Township, this county; Acentha, re- siding in Elgin, 111., wife of F. W. Wright, and Fred E. Mr. Lester was married, May 31, 1854, to Julia A. Duncklee, the first child born in this township, born in Section 10 January 8, 1835, daughter of Ebenezer and Amy (Higley) Duncklee. Ebenezer Dunck- lee was born in Hillsboro, N. H. , March 22, 1797; he was a member of the Congregation- al Church, a Whig and the first Abolitionist in this township: he died July 22, 1863, aged sixty-six years; his wife, born in Shoreham, Tt. , November 22, 1799, was killed by a cy- clone blowing down the house, in which there were nineteen persons at the time, March 1)!. 1852. They had seven children — Elizabeth A., wife of James A. Hawks, of Nebraska: Abbey T., wife of Lorenzo D. Newton, of Whiteside County, III.; Alonzo, residing near Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Julia A. (Mrs. Lester); Emily, married H. P. Goodrich, of Chicago, and died in that city; Ellen, mar- ried Hiram Airnck, of Chicago, and Alma M. , married Reuben Bunnell, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Lester have been blessed with eight children, four of whom are living — Edward \V. , living on the Lester homestead, married, in 1880, to Addie L. Stevens, and has one child — Carrie C. ; Newton M. , Lottie M. , Mabel J.; Hattie. died aged eight years; Charles, six years; Alma, eight months, and Birdie, eighteen months. Mr. Lester located on his present place, which consists of 212 acres, May 31, 1854, and lived for some time in a log cabin on the farm; the place was at that time $2,500 in debt. Mr. Lester, when eighteen, years old, lost a limb in an accident while working on a threshing machine. He was elected Postmaster in 1874, and has since held that office; opened up his cheese factory in 1873, and, in February, 1878. engaged in mercantile business. He is a Republican; his father, was a stanch Democrat. WILLIAM LEESEBERG, farmer, P. O. Addison, was born November 13. 1818, in Amt Neustadt, Province of Hanover, eldest son and third child of the family. His fa- ther. George F. , was born in the same lo- cality; his wife's maiden name was Mary Scheele. William landed in New Orleans in 1838, and, in March the following year, came to St. Louis and thence to this county, in August the same year, but soon returned to St. Louis, where he worked two years. He purchased eighty acres where he now resides, paying for it with his own earnings. He has, since his location here, been engaged in farm- ing. He has served as Justice of the Peace several terms, and is now the incumbent of that office; he has also held other offices in the township and important positions in the 240 BIOGRAPHIC A I,: college here as an official, and in the church he has borne a prominent part. August 23, 1844. he married Rebecca A. Brettmann, born February 1. 1819, in Hanover, daughter of John Henry and Anna (Alfken) Brettmann; her father was one of the early settlers of the township, coming in 1842; he had six chil- dren — Mrs. L. being the youngest of the number. Mr. Leeseberg has eight children; the eldest was Frederick, who died in March, 1863. in Gallatin, Tenn. , and was a soldier in Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Kegi - menc. Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Louisa married and resides in Elgin, this State; Sophia resides at Oak Park, wife of John W. Senne; Mary died January 27, 1881, in Chi- cago, wife of August Ganske; Emma lives in Fond du Lac, AVis., wife of Rudolph Fretz- ke; Adolph died, aged eight years; Louis and AVilliam, the latter a teacher in St. Louis. BARNEY H. LANDMEIER, farmer, P. O. Bensenville, born April 21, 1838, in Prussia, eldest son and second child of Barney and Elsebine (Oesterfink) Landmeier, who emigrat- ed to this country in 1848, and located on Section 2, the land costing $4 per acre, with out improvements. This land Barney H. now owns, on which he has built a handsome brick residence; has rebuilt the barn and has the farm in good shape. His fattier is yet living; his mother died in November, 1881; members of the new church (Lutheran); they raised a family of three children — Ellen, the eldest, resides at Elk Grove, in Cook County, wife of Henry Scheringhausen; Barney H. and Henry, the latter residing in Cook Coun- ty. Barney has been twice married — first, Oc- tober 4, 1861, to Ellen Schoppe, who was born in this county, daughter of Barney Schoppe, she died October 22. 1864; no children living. May 25, 1865, he married Mary Schoppe, sis- ter of his first wife, and by her has had eight children, six living — Henry, Alvena, Bertie, Clara, Leda and Barney. HENRY LANDMEIER, farmer, P. 0. Bensenville. Henry Landmeier is the eldest and only living son of George Landmeier and Mary Hilka, both natives of Prussia, where Henry was born June 11, 1834, and emigrated to this State with his pareuts, who settled in Addison Township, in 1838, his father pur- chasing a claim consisting of eighty acres. The family have since lived here and been engaged in agricultural pursuits. There were four children born to his parents, but only two came to maturity — Henry, our subject, and Louisa, who now resides in the State of Alabama, wife of Christopher Wolf. Henry has always remained upon the farm and as- sisted his father, and since his retirement has been in possession of the homestead, his par- ents residing with him. In July, 1856, he married Henrietta Everding, born in Ger- many, daughter of Henry Everling; he has six children living — Herman, Frederick, Al- vena, Louis, Martha and Eddie; two died in infancy. He has about 180 acres of land, with good buildings thereon, and is a suc- j cessful farmer. His parents and his family are members of the Evangelical Church. HENRY B. MARSHALL, farmer, P. O. Salt Creek, was born in Leyden, Cook County, September 11, 1855; his father was Barney Marshall, who was born in Prussia. His mother's maiden name was Annie Law. The family emigrated to this country in the early part of 1853, coming first to Cook County, where subject's father rented land several years; afterward, came to this town- ship, and, for seven years, rented land on Sec- tion 2, where Barney Franzen now lives; sub- sequently, he purchased the farm now occu- pied by Henry B., which consists of 125 acres. The house is new and situated on a pleasing eminence, with a grove surrounding it, mak- ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 241 ing it a desirable and pretty place. There were nine children born to Barney and Annie Marshall; those living are Barney, Annie, wife of Henry Melhap, in Cook County; Emily, living in Chicago, wife of August Sehack; Mary, wife of Henry Magers, of Cook County; Henry B., Louisa and Herman; the latter is in Chicago. Henry B. was mar- ried, October 18. 1880, to Mary Khle, who was born in Cook County, daughter of Henry and Louisa (Hoffman) Khle, both of the Province of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- shall have one child — Malinda. Since his marriage, Mr. Marshall has had charge of the farm. LOUIS J. MARCKMANN, saloon, Ben- senville, was born September 16, 1833, in Ehlanfeldt Mecklenburg Strelitz, son of Christian Marckmann and Augusta Radckee: he was born April 30, 1794, a shoemaker by trade. Louis was left fatherless at the age of seven, his father being killed by accident August 26, 1841, and, at the age of fourteen, he went to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked until twenty-two years of age, when he entered the army. In September, 1859, he came to Chicago and engaged at his trade; then in the grocery business for five years, after which he ran an orchestrian hall; he then returned to his trade again, which he carried on until he came to Bensenville, June, 1877. He has been thrice married — first time, in October, 1859, to Joanna Henrieh: she died, leaving one daughter — Augusta now living: his second wife was Wilhemina Foss. a daughter of J. Henry Foss; she died, leaving no issue. His present wife was Mrs. Caroline Hafer. daughter of Henry Kline. L. F. MAGERS. lumber and grain. Itasca. The grain, lumber and coal interests of Itasca are ably represented by L. F. Magers, who has recently established himself in this line; he has erected an elevator, with side-track and switch, coal shed, etc., and is ready for busi- ness. He is a native of this State, born April 28, 1855, in Elk Grove, Cook County. He is a son of Conrad and Mary (Wischsteadt) Magers, both natives of Germany, who came to this State about the year 1850 and settled in Cook County. The subject of these lines left home when ten years of age, and early in life learned to care for himself; he had but limited education, having to provide for his own maintenance while other boys of his age were attending school. At the age of seven- teen, he began learning the carpenter's trade; he subsequently engaged as clerk in a whole- sale establishment in Chicago, two years, and afterward, carried on a saloon one year. In the fall of 1876, he came to Itasca, and start- ed a general store, which he run successfully nearly six years: then sold out to William Baruth, the present proprietor. In the spring of 1882, he set about building an elevator. and built a switch and side-track, which he has completed. From his acquaintance with the people, and his known business qualifications, he will be a valuable component to the town and an assistance to the farmers. November, lsTii, he married Emma, daughter of William Scharringhousen and Mary Klunder. CHARLES MARTIN, blacksmith, Bensen- ville, is a native of this township, born July 5, 1859, the eldest son of Charles Martin, a native of Mecklenburg; his mother's maiden name was Doratha Colso. The family emi- grated to this country about the year 1857; his father was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in this township, where he lived until his demise, in September. L866; his widow is yet living. The subject of these lines left home at the age of seventeen, and began learning the trade of his father's choice. He worked with Louis Schroeder for four years, and, in the fall of 1880, came to Bensenville and purchased the shop 242 BIOGRAPHICAL: and good will of William Oelrieh, and setup in business for himself, and has since been doing a thriving business. October 10, 1880, he married Emily Eickhoff. a native of this township, daughter of Fred and Charlotte (Krage) Eickhoff. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. FRANK ORT, harness-maker, Bensenville, came here and set up in business in October, 1878, and has since carried on harness-making. He was born October 17, 1857, in Proviso, Cook Co., 111., and is the youngest of four children, two sons and two daughters. His father, Paul Ort, was a native of Hesse Darmstadt, and a farmer by occupation; when he came to Chicago, he had but 25 cents in money; he, however, finally pur- chased land of his own. He met with a tragic death, in February, 1877 ; his wife survives him. The children born them are Eva, wife of George Glock; Sebastian, and Agnes, wife of James Pollock, all of Chicago, and Frank. Frank remained at home until fourteen years of age, when he hired out as clerk and worked in stores until he was nine teen, when he went to Chicago to learn the harness maker's trade, remaining there until he completed the same. When he came to Bensenville, he purchased Mr. Snyder's in- terest, and began in business one door north of his present place of business. When he got his building finished, all he had left was $75. with which to buy stock. However, he made a commencement, and, by diligence and attention to business, he has built up a fair trade, which he hopes to yet enlarge. He has a new building in which he lives and has a commodious place. December 19, 1880, he married Dorathy Franzen, born January 25, 1857, in this township, daughter of John H. Franzen, a well-known resident of the town- ship. They have one child — Rosa, born Jan- uary 28, 1882. HENRY PLAGGE, farmer, P. O. Addi- son; is now living on the farm where he was born, which event took place January 22, 1848; his father, William Plagge, was born March 7, 1800, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and came to this county about the year 1 838, and purchased a claim of 160 acres, upon which there were only limited improvements — a log cabin, etc. — for which he paid $100. Here he settled on Section 36, and spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring July 2, 1870; he was a good man and a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church; his widow yet survives him and yet resides on the home- stead with her son Henry. There were three children — Frederick, Henry and Charles. Henry has always remained on the farm. June, 1871, he married Louisa, daughter of William Heuer, of this township; by her he has had four children, three of whom are liv- ing — Herman, Charles and Anne. William died in his fifth year. Mr. Plagge has a snug farm, with good improvements thereon. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. WILLIAM RICHARDSON, farmer. P. O. Itasca, is a native of the Green Mountains, born May 9, 1821, in Topshaw, Orange Co., Vt. , fifth son and eighth child of Thomas Richardson, a native of Connecticut of Scotch descent, who married Dorathy Templeton, who bore him the following children: Thom- as, Sarah. Matthew, Dorathy, Moses, Polly, Mark, William, Robert, who grew to man and womanhood. Subject's parents died in Vermont. William, on attaining his ma- jority, hired out by the month, working for $10 and $12 per month, and continued on in this way until the year 1847. About this time he married, on May 2, Susan Martin, who was born in Bradford, Vt., June 27, 1827, daughter of Nathaniel and Betsey (Sawyer) Bradford, he a native of Vermont, she of Canada. After Mr. Richardson's mar- ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 243 riage, he and wife came West, locating here | iD Addison Township, and, with the excep- | tion of eight years spent in Wheaton, to edu- . cate their children, they have been constant residents of the township. He purchased 240 acres, at $4.50 per acre. He has five children living — Mark, Horace, Jeannette, William and Maria. Jeannette resides in Wayne Township, wife of Allen J. Spitzer; William is traveling for a drug house; Maria resides in Stanton, Neb., wife of Charles Howard; Horace resides in Milton Township, and Mark is at home on the farm. Mr. Rich- ardson's farm now consists of 193 acres, which is situated near Itasca, and i6 well adapted to farming and dairying purposes. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. FREDERICK ROTERMUND, Bensen- ville, is one of the substantial citizens and among the early arrivals of this township. He was born June 18, 1812, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and emigrated to this country with the Brettmann family in 1842. He lo- cated near the place he now owns, on the border of Cook County; the land he since sold to Esquire Korthauer. After his arrival here, he married Wilhemena Schmidt, daugh- ter of Henry Schmidt. Ten children were the fruits of this marriage — Henry B. and Frederick, reside in Cook County; William M. , in Bloomingdale; August G. ; Bertha, resides at Half Day, wife of Henry Struck- man; Louis M. , in Lombard; Herman, at home; August G., resides on the home farm; he was born July 18, 1851, and raised to farming pursuits. In September, 1874, he marri ed Louisa,.born i n Cook County, daughter of Deitrich Meyer and Dora Dierking. Au- gust removed to Bloomingdale Township after his marriage, where he purchased land, and lived two years, and, on account of his father's advanced age and consequent retire- ment, he returned to the homestead farm, where he now resides and carries on the homestead, giving his attention to farming and dairying. Has three children — Emania, Edie and Laura. ELIJAH SMITH, retired physician, Itas- ca, the founder of the town, was born May 8, 1815, in Morristown, N. J.; his father was Abner Smith, son of Elijah, who was an offi- cer in the Revolutionary war. Abner Smith was born June 5, 1786, and, March 9, 1809, he married Sarah Sutton, who was born Au- gust 7, 1784. To Abner and Sarah Smith were born seven children. Elijah died in Chicago, in September, 1847. The Doc- tor had two sons by his second wife — Allen and Frank Amasa; Allen was born in 1852 and died in 1863; Frank A. is at home with his father. November 16, 1875, he was mar- ried to Mrs. Jeanette Allen Smith, relict of Samuel Smith; she was a sister of his second wife. Mrs. Smith's husband died in Austin. Texas, January 29, 1873. Our subject at the age of nineteen began reading medicine with his brother, Dr. John Smith, and afterward attended lectures in New York City, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and subsequently received his diploma, June 25, 1838. He came to this State in May, 1841, and settled where he now lives, in June, same year; he first bought eighty acres of land and began the practice of his profession; ho added to his first purchase at different times until he owned over 400 acres. He has been farming and practicing medicine until within a few years past; he has sold off the greater portion of his land, having now 140 acres. He still attends to some calls from his friends, but only in urgent cases. In 1873, he laid off eighty acres of land and platted the town of Itasca, gave the right of way to the Chicago & Pacific Railroad, and has done much to encourage the building of 244 BIOGRAPHICAL: the town. He cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He has been thrice married — first, February 10, 1841, to Jane C, daughter of Richard Smith, of Herkimer County, N. Y. ; she died May 31, 1846, leaving no issue. May 23, 1850, he married Mary, daughter of Deacon Elijah and Anna (Hotchkins) Allen, of Stockbridge, Vt. D. SCHMIDT, farmer, P. O. Bensenville. Of the substantial families of Addison Town- ship, the Schmidt family stand among the first. Deitrich Schmidt was born April 9, 1826, near Stulznau, in Landesbergen, in the Kingdom of Hanover, and is the youngest of a family of twelve children born to John Henry Schmidt, who moved here with his family in 1835, arriving in June and pur- chasing a claim; he located on it, and about him afterward settled his sons. Deitrich was first married to Sophia Steager, who was born in Hesse Darmstadt; she was killed by lightning in 1852; his second wife, Louisa, daughter of Yost Turner, who was an early settler in the county. Mr. Schmidt has seven children, sis sons and one daughter — Au- gust, George, Alexander Deitrich, Edwin, Herman; his daughter Sophia married Bar- ney Franzen. He has several hundred acres here and 305 in Iowa. He is a successful farmer and substantial citizen of the com- munity. LOUIS SCHMIDT, farmer, P. O. Ben- senville, was born January 15, 1840, on the farm he now owns, which his father located in 1839; his father was Louis, bora in the Kingdom of Hanover in 1808, who came to this county in 1835, with his brothers and father, all of whom settled in this immediate neighborhood, the land being yet in the pos- session of the family. The mother of our subject was Louisa Fischer, who bore her husband three children — Louis, Louisa and Caroline; both of the sisters are now de- ceased. The father died in 1876, the mother in 1854. August 15, 1862, he volunteered in Company I, One Hundred and Fifth Regi- ment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, retiring from the service with the rank of Sergeant. He participated in all the battles of the war in which his company was engaged. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and it may be said of Louis Schmidt that as a soldier and comrade he knew his duty and performed the same with fidelity and zeal. In the fall of 1867, he was first married, his wife being Hannah Ahrbecker, who died, leaving him four children — Ida O, Herman A., Emma and Louisa. August 29, 1880, he married his present wife, Mrs. Frederica Schutte, by whom he has had four children, three living — Ida, Emma and Annie. Mrs. Schmidt's maiden name was Franzen, daugh- ter of Gerhart and Catharina (Hartbeck) Franzen. Mr. Schmidt has an excellent farm of 213 acres, with stone house and the best of barns aud farm implements. In politics, Mr. Schmidt has always been a stanch Re- publican, and is generally selected by his party to represent them in caucuses and con- ventions. ERNST C. SCHROEDER, blacksmith, Itasca; is one of the oldest smiths in Addison Township, having been here since 1856; he learned his trade with his father in Germany, where he was born in April, 1833, and came to America in 1854, making Chicago his home for two years prior to his coming here. His father, Charles Frederick Schroeder, was born in Mechlenburg October 24, 1801, and, April 25, he married Hannah Maria Steuve. Ernest worked at his trade while in Chicago the first year for Peter Schutler; the remain- der of the time for Pierce, Tucker & Hicks. After he came to this township, he worked first for Fred Seibold. Afterward, he and ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 245 liis father started a shop of their own, and worked together until I860; he also carried on business at Sagone until 1873, aDd since then has been a resident of Itasca. He has valuable property in Itasca, besides about 130 acres of land in the township. He does a thriving business at his trade, and has given much time and spent a deal of money in in- venting and perfecting mechanical appli- ances; one of them he has brought to comple- tion, called the revolving coupling for bob- sleds, which is a success, and he has a patent therefor. His second machine is a combina- tion machine, potato-planter and cultivator. January 27, 1863, he married Christina Beck, born in January, 1845, near Detroit, Mich., daughter of Barney and Margaret (Leser) Beck, she a native of France, he of Baden Baden, and came to this country about the year 1833. Mr. Schroeder has four children — Josephine, William, Cecelia and Victor. Caroline and Joanna died young. LOUIS SCHROEDEK, blacksmith, Ben- senville, was born June 28, 1839, in Giewitz, Mecklenberg, second son and sixth child born to Charles Frederick and Maria (Stueve) Schroeder. Louis came to America with his parents in 1854, landing in New York Sep- tember 6, and coming to Chicago, where they remained about one year and a half. In the spring of 1856, he came to Du Page County. His father was a blacksmith, of whom he learned his trade, and worked with him until thirty years of age. In 1877, Louis came to Bensenville and built the shop he now owns; he carries on wagon-making also. July 2, 1869, he married Doris Biermann, born in August, 1852, in Province of Hanover; her parents were Rudolph and Margareta (Goel- ner) Biermann, who came to Cook County in 1862; her father died in 1867; mother living. They had live children, three now living — Mrs. Schroeder, Henry and Lizzie, wife of Henry Dresster, of Leyden. Her father was a cabinet-maker in the old country, but fol- lowed the carpenter's trade after coming here Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have three children — Louis, Alexander and Annie. Is a member of the Evangelical Church. LOUIS STUENKEL, cheese factory, Addi- son, was born October 6, 1838, in this town- ship, youngest son of Frederick and Doratha Stuenkel. Frederick Stuenkel was a native of the Kingdom of Hanover; emigrated to this locality in the fall of 1836, and pur- chased a claim of 240 acres for $300. He died August 7, 1850; his wife also died in August, four years later; to them were born six children, four of whom lived to be grown — Henry, Fred, William and Louis. Their father was a Lutheran and a Democrat. Louis at an early age worked industriously at whatever promised the quickest and surest returns. In 1861, he began merchandising at Addison, and continued in business there about eleven years, when he sold out to his brother Fred and engaged in the manuf acture of butter and cheese at this place. He has been twice married — first, at the age of twenty-four, to Lena Blacke, a native of this township, daughter of Lewis B. and Mena (Flagge) Blacke, who came to this township in 1843; she died in August, 1871, leaving three children — Julius, Ella and Emma. His last wife was Mary Botermund, also a native of this township, daughter of Henry and Doratha (Fiene) Rotermund, who came here in 1841. By his last marriage, seven chil- dren were born, six living — Adolph, Leopold, Caroline, Doratha, Lucy and Melinda. Mr. Stuenkel is a Lutheran. HENRY FRED STUENKEL, Addison, only son of Henry Stuenkel, of this township: he was born on the farm he now owns June 28, 1^47, and has since been a resident of the township. He took charge of the farm in 246 BIOGRAPHICAL: 1877. June 12, 1875, he married Louisa Turner, who was born in Elk Township, in Cook County, daughter of Fred and Louisa Turner. Has one child — Louisa, born Octo- ber 4, 1880; one child deceased, named Hen- ry, aged two years and four months. Has 150 acres; is a Lutheran. JOHN H. SCHOPPE, farmer, P. O. Ben- senville, who was born June 28, 1850, on the northeast quarter of Section 1, in Addison TownshijJ. His father, Barney Schoppe, lo- cated there about 1847; he was born October 15, 1819, in Schale Chreis Techlenberg, Prussia, a son of John Schoppe, whose wife's family name was Stueve, both of whom are yet living, though very old, having outlived their son Barney, who came with them from the old country; he died January 20, 1880, his wife January 30, 1878. They had six children, three living — Mary, John H. and Barney. Mary resides in this township, wife of Barney Landmeier, Barney resides on farm adjoining the homestead, which is located in Cook County. Barney, the father of John H., was a member of the^Evangelical Church, and soon after coming here identified himself with the Republican party, and re- mained a supporter of that party until his death. John H. now owns the homestead, consisting of 160 acres, which cost at the time of purchase $10 per acre, and of which he took charge in 1876. He was married, March 22, 1877, to Amelia Kruger, born March 22, 1857, in Cook County, daughter of Charles and Wilhelmina (Beisner) Kruger, who settled in Du Page County in 1854, he a native of Prussia, she of Hesse Darmstadt. Mr. Schoppe has three children — Clara, John and Lillie. BARNEY SCHOPPE, farmer, P. O. Ben senville, resides in Leyden Township, Cook County, on the line adjoining Du Page County. He was born February 28, 1854, on the homestead farm, in Addison Township, this county, which place is located just across the road and adjoining his premises, where he was raised to maturity. He is the second son of , Barney Schoppe. On December 23, J87S, he married Mary Wiemerslage, who was born March 15, 1861, in Cook County, eldest daughter of Fred and Mary (Midden- dish) Wiemerslage, who had but two children — Mrs. Schoppe and one son, August. After Mr. Schoppe married, he located on the farm he now owns, which his father gave him; he has 160 acres; he has two children — Rosa and Laura. AUGUST SCHWERDTFEGER, farmer, P. O. Bensenville, was born on the farm he now owns, August 15, 1845. Charles Schwerdtfeger, August's father, was born in the Province of Hanover February 13, 1813, and came to America with his parents in 1833, settling first in Dearborn County, Ind., where they remained until about 1840, then removed to this county and settled in Addison Town- ship, on the farm now owned by August; lie (Charles) was married, in 1835, to Catharine Franzen, a native of Prussia, born August 10, 1810, daughter of Barnard Franzen, and from this union seven children were born; he died August 7, 1878. August has always lived on the farm, which his father settled and improved. He was married, April 14, 1872, to Alvena Krueger, born in Cook County, 111., in 1854, who has borne him two children — Emil, born January 13, 1873, and Martha, born August 4, 1874. Mrs. Schwerdt- feger is a daughter of Charles and Wilhel- mina (Beisner) Krueger. Mr. Schwerdtfeger owns 125 acres of prairie and sixteen of tim- ber land. WILLIAM STRUCKMEYER, Bensen- ville, is the founder of the cheese and butter factory of this place; he was born September 16, 1856, son of Louis Struckmeyer, who was ADDISON TOWNSHIP. 247 a stone-cutter by trade and died in the land of his birth in 1860. William emigrated to this State with his mother in 1867, landing at Chicago, where they remained a short time prior to their coming to this county. He worked until nineteen years of age among the farmers, and made the best of bis time and op- portunities. He then commenced learning butter and cheese making in Bloomingdale Township, with Fred Stuenkel, remaining there until July, 1878, when he came to Ben- senville and established the factory he now runs, and has since been a valuable and nec- essary component to the town, as well as to the farmers in this portion of the county. July, 1878, he married Carrie, daughter of Fred Stuenkel, and by her has two children — Jennie and William. P. T. TIEDEMANN, merchant, Bensen- ville, is one of the thriving and prosperous business men of this township; he was born on the Island of Fehmarn, District of Schles- wig, now a part of Prussia, October 26, 1832, and is the fourth son and sixth child of Jacob and Anna D. (Haltermann) Tiedemann; he a sea captain, who had been a sailor all his life, died in New Orleans, La. ; she died in her na- tive country. M. Tiedemann emigated to America, landed in New Orleans, and thence came to Chicago, in 1854, having but $2.50 in his pocket when he arrived in the latter place. He secured a situation as clerk in the store of A. Bigelow, of Chicago, with whom he remained nine years, and, in 1864, having saved considerable money, began business on his own account on Milwaukee avenue, Chi- cago, where he remained until the fall of 1877; he then moved to Bensenville, where he has since conducted a general store, doing a good trade. October 25, 1860, he married Anna M. Fortmann, a native of Oldenberg District, now part of Prussia, daughter of John and Mary (Wielage) Fortmann. Mrs. Tiedemann's parents, who came to Chicago in 1844, are both deceased, her father dying in 1857, her mother in 1855; they had three children — Mena, Mrs. Tiedemann and George, the former and the latter both of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Tiedemann are the parents of the following children: Jacob T., Thomas H, Dora Anna, Emma, Amanda, Frederick, Will- iam, Louisa, Minnie. Mr. Tiedemann has a brother Thomas in Chicago; William in Utah; Christian, Anna and Froderica in New Or- leans, La. WILLIAM WINKELMAN (deceased) was born in Hanover, Germany, in September, 1824; emigrated to America, bought land in this county and settled on it about the year 1855. He married Mary Bargman, a native of Germany, born in 1827, who bore him the following children: Henry, residing in Cook County, 111.; William, on the homestead; Sophia, wife of Lewis Heina, Elgin, 111. ; Fred, farmer, in Cook County, 111. ; Barry, Herman, Emma, Edie and Martha. Mr. Winkelman moved on to his farm in 1860, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred November 19, 1877. The farm con- sists of 160 acres of good land. 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