Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 8: Records Made by Old Settlers - on Disputed Questions the, 1885

Chapter 8: Records Made by Old Settlers - on Disputed Questions the

RECORDS MADE BY OLD SETTLERS - ON DISPUTED QUESTIONS THE BEST AUTHORITY - FIEST AGITATION OF THE SUBJECT - HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF RECORDS, SPEECHES, POEMS, ADDRESSES. REMARKS, AND ANECDOTES, PICTURES, ETC. - ADDRESS OF S. S. PHELPS - FIRST SETTLERS' MEETING - WHO PARTICIPATED - THEIR RECORD OF OLD SKTTLEBS AND THE YEAR THEY CAME - POEM BY JOHN H. BRYANT - DOCTOR BILL - OFFICERS OF SOCIETY - KILLING OF PHILLIPS - Mn,o KENDALL'S ADDRESS - WARREN'S HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY - E. STRONG PHELPS - JOHN M. GAY, MUNSON AND Miss HALL - FIRST BIRTH, FIRST BURIAL - CALEB COOK - AQUILLA TRIPLETT - CHAPTER IN WHICH ARE MENTIONED MANY OLD SETTLERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS - ARTHUR BRYANT'S POEM - MICHAEL KITTERMAN, SKETCH OF - THIRTEEN DOGS - ANECDOTES - REV. MARTIN AND HIB Doo "PENNY" - THE PERKINSES - GEORGE HINSDALE, C. G. CORSS AND MANY OTHERS - ECT., ETC.

subject of Old Settlers' Meetings was _l_ first agitated in Bureau County as early as 1861. This is an important item iii the county's history, as it is an index, first, to the patriotic interest the people entertained for their adopted State and county, and second, to the possession of that higher order of intelligence that makes a community interested in the history of their own people, and that country of which they are a component part. This was among the youngest of counties, and yet it was among the first to realize the great fact that the public mind had become active in gathering rapidly the materials of history - materials not only of a temporary interest, but of a permanent value, that should be gathered and preserved for the historian's use. They showed by this act that they held a high appreciation of the great deeds of the early pioneers, and that their names and memories should not be forgotten. The reader must bear in mind that as far back as 1861 the subject of forming Old Settlers' Societies was then a new and unheard- of thing; the conception as applied to a comparatively new country was fresh and original. Hence the importance which attaches to the fact that Bureau was among the first to commence to educate its people to become interested in the important subject, and there is no doubt but that the action of a few of the people of the county was one of the influences that spread over the United States, and finally induced the action of Congress, and the President and the Governors of all the States in the year 1876, in recommending to the people of the several counties and towns of the State and Nation, to cause a history of their respective localities to be prepared for the One Hundredth Anniversary of our National Independence. This action is something of an index of the activity of the feelings of the heart and of the faculties of the mind of these pioneers and their children. Nothing aids the historian to get at the real lives of a people who have passed away so well as to see their literature (if they had any), the pictures of their leading personages as preserved by the photographer's art, or the inception and spread of a public movement that becomes wide-spread and permanent in its actions or effects.

And just here we note it with pleasure, this early agitation of the subject of Old Settlers' Meetings resulted as early as 1865 in the organization of an Old Settler's Society, which continues in active and vigorous existence to this day. And upon their record books are most invaluable facts and incidents preserved for posterity. Everything about them is deeply interesting - the proceedings, the officers, the manner of working up their accounts of the meetings, the addresses and the reminiscences of the venerable men at the meetings, who in their own way recalled the long ago. Nor should we omit mention of the touching poetical addresses on these occai o sions, many of which will take a permanent place in Western literature. To all these may be added the picture, by Mr. Immke, photographer, grouping over 400 of the early settlers, and which for a work of that kind we do not remember to have seen excelled. Here is a picture of most interesting study. It is the serious, stern, heavy- featured faces of men and women, who commenced life in its most real and trying phases; who faced dangers, trials and sore vexations; the most of their young lives they knew they carried their lives in their hands, but they had counted the costs and weighed the chances, and foreknew the grand results that awaited upon their ultimate victories. The ripened fruits have come doubtless much sooner than any of these strong -faced, stern-souled old pioneers, even the most sanguine, expected. And some few of them have been spared to witness what they once had only hoped migh come to their children's children. Every picture in this large group of representative pioneers is a study of itself, and could a copy of the group be preserved for the people in their second centennial celebration, and then by the improved arts of that age each face be restored to its natural size, with its faithful reproduction of the strong lineaments and features, it would be one of the most valuable legacies in the world to the great-grandchildren of the present age. A room set apart for these faithful portraitures of the pioneer men and women in some of the county's public buildings, would be an inexpensive public school and place of recreation and resort, and yet it would become a public teacher and a monitor and guide that no amount of money could otherwise supply. We wish we could impress upon the people, the liberal and publicminded people of the county, the great importance of preserving and placing where they will be carefully kept, copies of this

A preliminary meeting was held in Princeton, December 21, 1861, at which J. V. Thompson was chosen) Chairman and E. S. Phelps, Jr., Secretary. Remarks were made by D. McDonald, E. S. Phelps, L. J. Colton, O. G. Eeed, Cyrus Langworthy and A. Bryant.

It was resolved to hold a regular county Old Settler's Meeting in Princeton, February 22, and E. S. Phelps was appointed to pre pare an address of invitation to the people. Mr. Phelps wrote the address - an admirable document - and it is so full of the real hearts of the old settlers, so vivid and true, that we reprint much of it for the admiration of posterity: '

When we look back to these early days of our county, when mills, churches, schoolhouses. etc., were few and far between, and when, in order to market our produce, we had to travel with our wagons to Chicago and bring back our lumber, salt, etc. , when we would take our teams and families and go several miles to see our neighbors, and help them raise their cabins or houses, and when it cheered the hearts of us all to again shake the hands of true friends and look into each other's countenances; when the fathers and mothers, with the young men and maidens, could go to the house of God and sit on benches made of rails, puncheons, or slabs, and worship and sing praises with spirit and in the love of it, and when our schoolhouses were no better seated - in fact, the little schoolhouses were almost the only places in which meetings were held - oh, with what joy we met one another on these occasions, and how our hearts swelled within us, feeling that we were truly brothers and sisters in a strange land.

No one who now comes into this beautiful county and sees our railroads, splendid churches, schoolhouses, dwellings, public houses, carriages, markets almost at our doors, improved machinery, county fairs, political meetings and other gatherings of the people, can realize the condition of our county from the time the first settlers came in, about 1828, up to 1847, when some of our sister counties ceased calling immigrants "old settlers."

other things we had to contend against? Who else has the history of those times engraved on their hearts never to be erased? What history has more interest than that of the early pioneers, and who can give that history better than they? Is not this history important? Is it not one worthy of preservation? Are you not willing that the rising generation should have this history to be handed down as a memento of our country? If so, let us try and gather up the fragments of this history, that is left in the memories of those who have not yet gone to the spirit world. How it cheers us as we see the faces of those once loved and respected as neighbors and friends scattered over this country and will we not cherish the times in which we may meet and talk over past scenes, and compare them with the present time?

Other counties in our loved Illinois have and are commencing to organize "Early Settlers" Societies for the purpose of gathering statistics of early times and enjoying in a social manner the company and presence of those who were scattered as early settlers over their counties. ********

The writer then appeals to all to attend the meeting, bring their dinner-baskets full, and each one get up appropriate toasts - appropriate to the occasion and the day (February 22), and thus concludes:

Let us show to our children and those who have recently settled among us that we are friends and brethren and that the love and respeet kindled in years gone by have not died out, but still live and are cherished in true friendly hearts.

This address had the effect to awaken a deep interest in the history of the early times, and this followed with the meetings and addresses and talks among the old settlers and their friends awoke the whole community to the fact that here at home was the most interesting, instructive and entertaining history in the world; that every aged pioneer was of himself a history; that the sacred circle of these gray-haired fathers and mothers "In Israel" was fast narrowing by old age and death, and that unless the facts that they carried in their memories were at once collected and put in a more permanent form that very soon they would be forever lost, except

Pursuant to this circular address of E. S. Phelps, a meeting of old settlers wau convened at Converse Hall, Princeton, February 22, 1865. A permanent organization was formed and Hon. John H. Bryant elected President; C. G. Reed, Vice President, and adjourned. January 12, 1865, an Old Settlers' Meeting convened at Converse Hall, Princeton. Col. J. T. Thomson called the meeting to order. William Hoskins, of Selby, elected Chairman. George Kadcliffe made appropriate remarks explanatory of the objects of the meeting. L. D. Whiting, J. V. Thompson, andMilo Kendall appointed Committee on Resolutions. The names of 151 old settlers, those who came to the county from 1828 to 1841, were given to the Secretary. Remarks were made by William Hoskins, who settled in the county December 6, 1830. Charles S. Boyd, who settled at Boyd's Grove, in 1880; James G. Forristol, March 4, 1830; Nicholas Smith, 1831; Frederick Mosely, August 1831; E. H. Phelps, July, 1831; Charles G. Reed, 1845; William Cowan, November 16, 1832; Alexander Holbrooke, 1832; and J. V. Thompson, 1840.

The committee reported a stirring set of resolutions, in which they eloquently talk of the people who came here from various States and countries to build homes in the West, and be friends and co-workers in the great cause of civilization, and acknowledge with grateful hearts the kindness of Providence which " conducted us here, and cast our homes where genial skies and wholesome air favor health and its attendant blessings; where enterprise has a fair field for success; where the great arteries of travel and commerce pass through our borders, and where nature on every hand has been grandly lavish of her wealth and her charms, in woodland and stream, in prairie and glen.

"That the'marvelous progress we have witnessed during the last third of a century, in numbers and wealth, in mental, moral and material progress, and in all that attends a high and advancing civilization, is but the shadow and prelude of a nobler coming age, when our rich prairies shall be cultivated to their highest limit, and adorned with all that beautifies rural scenery, thus rendering them the happy homes of multiplied thousands; when our villages and cities shall be centers of refinement and wealth, of manufacturing industry, and of the various institutions for social, moral and intellectual advancement

''Virtue, intelligence, justice, honor and patriotism are above wealth and material prosperity; that we are more anxious to endow our sons and daughters with high social, moral and intellectual qualities, than with gold and silver and lands."

February 22, 1867, another large meeting was held in the same place, John H. Bryant, Chairman, and Elijah Smith, Secretary; C. G. Reed, Vice-President; T. W. Nichols, L. J. Colton, E. S. Phelps, Jr., and Col. J. T. Thomson, Executive Committee.

The following is the record, as gathered at this meeting of the early settlers, commencing with the year 1828. In addition to the 151 names handed in we have gathered such as we find in the records and added them :

1828. - Mrs. Sarah Stratton, nee Baggs, widow of Abram Stratton, still living in the county; Mr. and Mrs. George Hinsdale (Mrs. Hinsdale was a niece of Henry Thomas, and a member of his household); Mr. and Mrs. Ira Jones. Also on the records are the names of Smiley Shepherd, 1828, and Nelson Shep-

1829. - Abram Stratton (see preceding page for complete sketch of), Amos Leonard, Daniel Dimmick, Timothy Perkins, Leonard Roth, William Hoskins, John Clark, Reason B., John and William Hill.

1835. - Lewis J. Colton (in Kansas), Cyrus Colton and wife, Frank W. Winship, Solomon Sapp, Henry Sapp, James Coddington, Austin Bryant, Timothy Searl, I. B. Chenoweth, Sol F. Robinson, James S. Everett, Enos N. Matson, Charles H. Bryant, James M. Winship, Mrs. S. M. Dunbar, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Newell, Mrs. David Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Phelps, Mrs. Hannah M. Phelps, John Clapp, E. Strong Phelps, W. C. Drake, Sarah Tucker, E. Sherwin, Enoch Pratt, Amanda Pratt, John Pratt, Susan Pratt, George W. Pratt. Susan married Daniel Kiser, and George W. was born in this county. Mrs. Susan Brown was a sister of i Enoch Pratt. She was the wife of George Brown and the mother of George H. Brown. 1836. - Nathan Rackley, Justin H. Olds, Enos Smith, Jacob Albrecht, Allen S. Lathrop, Sidney Smith, Daniel RadclifFe, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mohler, Martin Hops, John Long, Seth C. Clapp, John Stevens, E. S. Phelps, Jr., George Brown, A. R. Kendall, Jesse Emmerson, George M. Emerson, Alfred

The poem referred to as written by John H. Bryant, was entitled " ' Indian Courtship ' - Reminiscence - By An Old Settler"; And the scene is located by the first two lines:

"Where French Grove road winds down the hill, The hither side of Galer's Mill, In the mild winter of thirty-three A wigwam stood beneath a tree."

Then in rythmic phrase the story of a young white man's love with Maumese's daughter is well told, and how his heart was finally wrenched by the old chief striking his tent very suddenly and moving away. The young man was the "Deacon's son,"

And her father " bounded " her away and Dr. Bill was left to choose him a very sweet "pale face" and thus plod along in the old fashioned way of rearing young pioneers.

In February, 1867, another very large Old Settlers' meeting convened in Princeton, and we condense the following summary of its proceedings:

The principal address was then delivered by Milo Kendall. The speaker commenced with an eloquent apostrophe to the memory of George Washington. He then referred to the important but generally little understood fact, that ' ' When a country emerges from a savage to a civilized life, not by the slow process of development and culture, but by the sudden and abrupt change produced by conflict between savage and civilized races, the events which mark the transitions of power and dominion over the soil from one race to the other, are often the most interesting features in history." He then refers in fitting language to the story of the conflict that marks every inch of advance of the white man from his landing on the Atlantic shores until he had conquered all before him to the western ocean.

" Forty years ago," he says, "not a white man dwelt upon the soil within the limits of our county. What a mighty transformation has been wrought out by a single generation of settlers! The footprints of the retreating savage are scarcely obliterated in the Indian trail, before the shrill whistle of the locomotive is heard upon their track.''

He then proceeds to tell how these glorious pioneers were the avant couriers, the true soldiers and husbandmen pioneering this great nation, and preparing the easy way for all to follow. He then rapidly sketches the growth and present greatness of the county, and argues for it an undimned future. He refers to the Hampshire colony and recounts the happy achievements of that body of Christian men and women.

These are some of the important facts in the early history of which accounts have been given that materially differ in the facts, and were it not that these incidents were talked over and agreed upon by those who were there to see, we confess we find often great difficulty in reconciling these stories. We have no hesitation in adopting as the true version every historical fact that was related in these Old Settlers' Meetings and to which all present assented.

Killing of Phillips. - Mr. Kendall proceeds in his address to tell of Shabbona and the melancholy circumstance of the killing of Elijah Phillips:

" There was a venerable old chief and warrior of the Pottawattomie family, who had, in earlier days, fought side by side with the renowned chieftain Tecumseh. But forever banishing the hope, and even the desire, of ridding his vast hunting grounds of the presence of the white man, he became the friend of the early settlers, and devoted his remaining years to the welfare of the white man against the strategems and machinations of the more cruel and bloody of his race. Old Shabbona, as he was called, sent spies into the camps of the Sacs and Foxes to ascertain their designs against the whites. On learning that these hostile tribes had formed the bold plan of exterminating the whole white population in northern Illinois at one fearful blow, he lost no time in warning the inhabitants to leave. This duty he did not and would not entrust to any living mortal but himself alone. At the risk of his life he undertook and performed the duty ; night and day, wet or dry, the old chieftain rode on from one settlement to another, heralding the terrible news of the assassination plot which had already been matured, and which was about to be put into execution. All who obeyed the warning of the old chief were saved. The Hall, Davis and Pettigrew families on Indian Creek paid dearly for their most sad mistake in disobeying the earnest and almost passionate appeals of the old veteran to flee from the awful fate that awaited them. The details of that tragic event, already a matter of history, are as familiar to you as household words, and too painful to be related here.

" The Forristol party, near the present site of Dover, came near sharing the same fate. As there are some features connected with that event which I have obtained from living witnesses who ere long will pass away, I have concluded to tell the story as I gathered it from them, at the risk of being censured for repeating an oft-told tale, although I do it more with the hope of rescuing some of the details from oblivion, than from any expectation of interesting the old settlers with the narration.

"In the spring of 1832 John and Justus Ament each owned a cabin situated half a mile apart on Section 13 in Dover. The Forristol party then consisted of James G. Forristol, John Ament, Sylvester Brigham, Aaron Gunn, Jonathan Hodge, Ziba Dimick and Elijah Phillips. It became known to Shabbona that the Sacs and Foxes intended to commence a massacre of the settlers about the 1st of June that year. He notified the settlers of this fact in time to allow them to take shelter in a rude fort erected that season at Hennepin.

"But before I proceed further with my story allow me to tell how, in one instance, the old chief came near falling into the hands of the enemy whose bloody purposes he was seeking to avert, and narrowly escaped with his life while on his errand of mercy. Not knowing where the blow would first be struck, he had made the circuit about the Bureau timber and up on Indian Creek to the Hall settlement, and then made directly for Fox River to warn away a family of Hollanbaoks, then residing there. He approached their cabin about sundown (this was about the 1st of June, 1832,); his jaded and almost famished pony was reeking with sweat and foam; he hastily warned the family of their danger, telling them to flee that very night, as he thought he had discovered signs of a war party in the vicinity. This duty performed, Shabbona retired to a secluded spot half a mile away from the cabin, to rest and refresh himself and his pony, and yet in a position to keep an eye on the dwelling and its surroundings. In the meantime the family, quickened by the impulse of fear, hastily gathered such articles of food and clothing as would favor them in their flight, and immediately fled, with nothing to hide them from the face of their enemies but the impending darkness which by this time had gathered thick about them. Having proceeded from a quarter to half a mile, Mr. Hollanback suddenly bethought himself of some valuables which he desired to save, and which in the hurry and flurry of their flight they had forgotten. He determined to return alone to the house to secure them. He carefully approached the cabin and listened at every step as he neared the premises, and just as he was about to enter the door from whence he and his family had but a few moments before escaped, he heard the voices and rummagings of savages within as they were busily engaged in gathering the remnants of such plunder as the humble dwelling afforded. Softly but speedily Mr. Hollanback retraced his steps, joined his family, and renewed his flight A moment later and they beheld the flames of their burning cabin leaping upward higher and higher into the darkness above, warning them that their abiding place, which they had honored with the sacred name of home, had been immolated upon the sacrificial altar, and made desolate by the torch of the savage. Old Shabbona in his concealment witnessed all - the fleeing family, the stealthy approach of the marauders on their bloody mission, the flames of the burning cabin - and noted the retiring foe as they took to the trail and disappeared under cover of the night. The old veteran, thankful to the Great Spirit for the safety of himself and the fleeing family whose lives he had helped to save, resumed his journey in the late watches of the night and reached his home in safety. The Hollanbacks made good their escape during that terrible night of agony and fear. Some twentyfive years after this event, Old Shabbona, then upward of eighty years of age, visited among the old settlers here for the last time, and for the last time related to us this story, and as he sat by the fireside and partook of the bounties and hospitalities of those he had known and befriended in early days, and saw that their huts and cabins had given place to cheerful, happy homes and comfortable dwellings, and marked the change which a few short years had brought about, the old man gave utterance to sentiments of heartfelt gratitude and joy, as though we were all his children, and that our prosperity was his chiefest pleasure, and expressed himsel f abundantly rewarded for his sleepless viligance and care over the infant settlements about him in the times of their greatest need. The old man remembered and related every incident connected with the plot to exterminate the whites, and his heroic endeavors to avert the terrible blow; and in his narration of these exciting scones evinced a pride and satisfaction for the part he had acted, and a sensibility commendable even to minds of culture and refinement. It is gratifying to us to know that the Government made the old man a very handsome and suitable donation in his old age, as a reward for his enduring friendship toward the early settlers, and the assistance rendered by him in the settlement of some Indian difficulties, and as a compensation for the many sacrifices which he made during the turbulent times of the Black Hawk war. The old hero died a few years ago on land purchased at Government expense, near Ottawa, and we may truthfully say over his grave that the instances and examples are exceedingly rare, even in civilized life, where ' Men have exhibited more fidelity, more constant and enduring friendship, or made greater personal sacrifices, or exhibited more gen- ; erosity and benevolence toward a race with whom they claimed no kindred, than did this venerable old Poltawattomie chief. I now return to my story.

"The Forrestall party, seven in number, all young, bold, enterprising men, and tolerably well armed, having no women and children to protect, although apprised by Shabbona of the plot arranged for their assassination, felt nevertheless a determination to remain at their post - keep together and watch for something to transpire before seeking a place of greater safety. They had heard of the massacre of the Hall, Davis and Pettigrew families, and some of their party bad visited the scene immediately after i its occurrence. But no hostile demonstrations i having been made against themselves, they i still remained and watched the signs of the times, occupying together the cabin then owned by John Ament until the morning of the 18th of June, 1832. The party, all unsuspecting, arose as usual, little dreaming that within forty steps of their log-cabin lay concealed some thirty or forty Indians with muskets and rifles poin ting toward their cabin door. Elijah Phillips, having purchased of Justus Ament the other cabin, some half a mile distant, had occasion to go there and started before sunrise, and had proceeded some thirty-five steps directly toward the concealed and ambushed foe, when the sudden and startling report of two rifles revealed the fact that the dreaded attack had indeed been made, and that old Shabbona's warnings were indeed prophetic. Phillips staggered and fell forward upon the ground within five steps of his assailants. On the instant the infuriated Indians made a rush for the open door of the cabin, accompanied with terrific yells, such as savages alone can utter. The inmates of the cabin, keenly sensible of the terrible danger oE the moment, slammed the door in the face of their besiegers and barred it instantly. Another terrific yell, and every savage was again in concealment. The chiukings between the logs of the cabin were quickly removed in places on the wall side next to the besiegers, and the muzzles of half a dozen guns were run out, and their little cabin for once became a fort, and every gunner was eager for the sight of a red skin on whom to avenge the fall of their bleeding comrade, who lay prostrate and dying in sight of them all, but yet where no aid could be safely afforded him. He was pierced by two bullets, and at the time of the rush toward the cabin the savages, in passing over the bleeding form of their victim, gave him a blow with a tomahawk on his brows, and thrust a scalping knife into his neck. Not a cry or a groan escaped the lips of Phillips, although life was observed to linger some minutes after his fall, and after his assailants had rushed back into their hiding places. Here lay the besiegers in ambush awaiting some fresh opportunity to renew the siege without wasting their fire against the impenetrable walls of the cabin. Here also were the party besieged in armed occupation of their little fort awaiting some new development of the besiegers. At last a counsel of war was held in the cabin. Dimick, a lad only seventeen years old, was anxious to leave the cabin and make for Hennepin across the country as best they could, and take their chances of escape in that manner. In this he was overruled by all the others. At this juncture of affairs a mare owned by one of the party, and which had been spanceled and turned loose to feed about the premises, and which, by the way, was always exceedingly shy about being caught, and even hobbled as she was, universally gave the owner much trouble in catching her. On this occasion, to the great joy and surprise of the besieged occupants of the cabin, the mare, unbidden, had made her way directly np and into an open porch on one side of the cabin, as if she too desired the protection which its walls afforded. Young Dimick seized the opportunity of making his escape, and at the same time of bringing assistance to the besieged. Bushing out of the oabin with a handkerchief tied over his head instead of wearing a hat, he seized the mare by the mane, a bridle was handed him from the cabin, and with one slash with a knife he cut the spancles which hampered the limbs of the animal and with a bound was upon her back, and directing his course toward Hennepin dashed off at a fearful rate. Dimick reached Hennepin in safety, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day a company of well armed men arrived and relieved the little garrison of their imprisonment. When the rescuing party had arrived within two miles of the cabin the Indians were discovered to be in motion; occasional glimpses of the crouching form of an Indian here and there dodging, skulking and retreating could be discerned from the cabin, until they

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" A parry of men going from Hennepin to Dover, sixteen miles distant, to secure their cattle, were followed and watched all night by Indians, and in the morning a man named Phillips was shot as he came out of the cabin in which they had passed the night. The Indians then fled. A boy named Dimmick rode to Hennepin and gave the alarm. It was the day of the disbanding of the rangers, many of whom were there. About thirty of them, as many as could be gotten over the river in time, responded and hastened to Dover, where they found the body of Phillips lying as he fell and his companions still in the cabin. The Indians were followed but not overtaken. The company returned to Hennepin, bearing the remains of the unfortunate man, and Thomas Hartzell, J. S. Simpson, H. K. Zenor and Williamson Durloy, selected a burying-place and assisted in burying the only man who fell by the hands of the Indians within the limits of Putnam County, and the first to fill a grave in tho burying- ground of Hennopin."

E. S. Phelps, Jr., delivered a memorial tribute to the memory of Ebenezer Strong Phelps, who was born in Northampton, Mass., September 3, 1788. June, 1803, he apprenticed to the jewelry business. February 12, 1812, married Anna Wright, with whom he lived over sixty years. When married he commenced business in his trade and followed this till 1851. In 1816 he was elected Deacon in the church. At the organization of the Hampshire Church, Princeton, in 1831, he was chosen Deacon. In 1828 he proposed getting up a colony to come to Illinois, and succeeded in organizing one in 1831, and on May 4, 1831, the colony, in company with Phelps' two sons, started for Illinois. Mr. Phelps with the remainder of his family followed June 13, and arrived at Springfield, 111., where he went to work at his trade, where he remained until 1838. He was elected Elder in the Springfield Presbyterian Church, and was again elected Deacon of the Hampshire Colony Church on coming to Princeton, which position he held until his strength deserted him. He was Treasurer of the church many years; for some time a Justice of the Peace; School Treasurer for township about twenty-five years; an active worker in the Sunday-school, he was Sunday-school Superintendent both in Springfield and Princeton; an active anti-slavery man, and an earnest temperance advocate from 1828 till the day of his death. February 24, 1862, his golden wedding was celebrated. On his eightieth birthday he had a family re union and then and there arranged for his funeral; his sons E. H, E. S. and J. R., and his son-in-law J. S. Bubach, were to be the pall bearers, and L. J. Colton was to take charge of the funeral. In February his health began to rapidly fail and on March 19, 1872, "his spirit went to sing with the glorified ones."

Deacon Caleb Cook, one of the early settlers and from the day of his coming until his death a prominent and influential citizen of the county, died of gastric fever, March 27, 1876, age, sixty-eight years.

elected President he returned thanks in a few appropriate remarks, briefly alluding to his trip on horseback in 1835, from Montgomery County to the hotel of Elijah Smith in the vicinity of Princeton, and said that after a night spent with Smith he mounted again and started in search of Cornelius Corss, who had a claim to sell. On the road he came across a young man building a fence around a hay stack; he intimated that this then young man was in the audience and he was asked to come forward.

John M. Gay. - This brought John M. Gay to his feet. He was nearly eighty years of age, and he said that old as he was, he was nearly as diffident as the Chairman (Cook). He stated that he came to West Bureau, 1830; was driven off twice by the Indians, but returned, located the place afterwards sold to Mr. Tucker. He was the first Justice of the Peace on this side the river, and by virtue of this office married several of the early settlers; among those he remembered Mr. Munson, who married a daughter of William Hall, who was killed by the Indians, and Mrs. Munson was one of the captive " Hall Girls." Mr. Gay said he remembered officiating at the wedding of Abram Strattan and George Hinsdale. He said he vividly remembered the Hinsdale marriage, because a man named Timothy Perkins had requested his services. Gay's horse was in the pasture and he started to catch him and it turned out to be an all day job ; when he did get him he started in haste to the place; he soon met the wedding party coming to meet him, and as this meeting was close by a deserted cabin, the party dismounted, entered the cabin, and on the dirt floor, without doors or windows, and amid these royal surroundings the happy and joyful wedding took place, and all mounted (two on a horse) and returned as they came. Was this not a jolly wedding trip?

First Child Born. - The President, Caleb Cook, then introduced to the old settlers Mrs. Jacob Sells, as "the first white child born this side the Illinois River. " We presume this officially and authoritatively settles the always greatly vexed question as to who was the really "first child born," out of always the numerous claimants. Mrs. Jacob Sells was the second daughter of Henry Thomas.

In a conversation with Mr. Kitterman the matter of the first birth was brought up. He remarked that he was present when the question came up before the old settlers and without saying a word he heard it settled as above stated, but nevertheless he then believed and still believes that his third child, Ann, was really the first child born in what is now Bureau County. There are circumstances strongly pointing to Mr. Kitterman' s recollection as being the truth of the matter. Mrs. Sells was born "this side of the river," but it is told by some that she was really born in Peoria, where Mrs. Thomas had gone in anticipation of the event. Let us crown them both "the first born," as the county is large enough to honor the two forever.

Aquilla Triplett, Sr., was born in Gulpepper County. Va. , August 6, 1807. At the age of 16, with his parents, he removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, August 20, 1829. The family came to Bureau County in 1834. For a long time Mr. Triplett was personally acquainted with every soul in the county and was universally respected for his industry and integrity. He reared a large family. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in all his walks of life was an exemplary and consistent Christian. His nature was wholly

At the Old Settlers' meeting, September 6, 1877, under the signature of " S," was written a stirring " Greeting Song," to the tune of the " Morning Light is Breaking." One couplet runs:

" We talk of days now olden, Yet to us never new; Where mcm'rie's sky is golden Witli bright and varied hue; And like the hill-tops glowing With beauty, distance gives. The days and in years going, Gave joys that ever live."

The officers chosen at this meeting for the ensuing year were: President, Elder John Cole; Vice-Presidents, Simon Elliott and William Hoblet; Secretary and Treasurer, E. S. Phelps; Directors, H. C. Field, C. W. Combs and Martin Tompkins.

Mr. Arthur Bryant said: " I came to this State in 1830 and settled in Jacksonville. Came to Bureau in the spring of 1833. The people here were all of that class which the land speculators called squatters. We could not buy the land at that time for it was not in the market. I camped eight weeks in a wagon while I was putting up a cabin. In 1835 the land in this district was offered for sale. All of what is Bureau and Marshall Counties was in Putnam County. Wre went up to Galena to bid our land off in July, 1835. The Township of Princeton was nearly all bought at that sale. I bid off the land for nearly all my neighbors. I have been trying lately to think who were voters in 1835. I can now think of but seven. " [Unfortunately he did not name them. ]

" Come, 'ere we quit our native home, Afar in an unknown land to roam, Let us rove the meadow and woodland o'er, And look on the scenes we may see no more.

And then the poet proceeds to tell us what his eyes beheld as he trudged along to the "distant West" And here in beautiful words are painted that other side of the story of the cruel hardships, the dreary loneliness of the travelers in the wide wastes.

Lo! the verdant wastes in the brightening ray, O'er swell and o'er hollow stretch far away, And the sounds, we listen, the objects we view To the ear and the eye are pleasant and new. The thickets that skirt the untrodden way With the crab and the wild plum are fragrant and

The painted cup flaunts its leaves of red Like a sheet of flame on the prairie spread, The violet springs on the sunny swells, The lungwort hangs forth its azure bells, The red-bud blooms on the forest bowers, The paw-paw opens its dusky flowers. On the green savannas spreading far Shows the varied phlox its brilliant star, The crane's harsh note is heard on high

As he floats like a speek on the azure sky, The trumpet voice of the wild swan sounds, O'er the bush and hillock the wild deer bounds, From the new-leaved branches that sway above Comes the plaintive coo of the turtle dove, The prairie bird in his amorous play, Hails with boom and with song the dawn of day; And the southwest wind, with its warm caress, Breathes joy through the blossoming wilderness. We hail the land of the distant West."

The very soul of the young brave pioneer is here given out in sweetest song. It is the window to the inward real man, and in his immortal verse he has left us an unmistakable index to himself, his age, and the times and men who turned their faces toward the "distant West," and wrought here the finest jewel in our sisterhood of States.

E. Strong Phelps' Address: - -At this meeting, the principal address was made by Mr. Phelps. He commences by saying that he only claims to represent that class of our old settlers who were expected "to be seen, not heard." Those whose "hair would persist in coming through their hats; who waited for the second table and slept under the eaves in the loft." He proceeds to apologize for attempting to speak in that character to "tell of the recollections of children" and "fear such may not very interesting." The truth is that just here he was striking out in a new and most interesting path of observation - something that its very novelty would have made it remarkable, even if the substance was not a splendid treat. He insists that as children of the old settlers, they filled their places tolerably full and in happy content. He then bears willing'testimony to the fact that even at the second table they found plenty to eat and that they slept as soundly in their "bunks under the eaves, as did other children in grander rooms and softer beds.'' He then comments on the change in the face of the country since first he looked upon it, as follows: "What was known as the big slough, between Princeton and Dover, where we went miles to find a crossing place, is now a mere ditch with but little water running in it; where the grass was so tall that it came up to the horses' sides as we passed along, are now cornfields and growing orchards. I have seen the water deep enough, after heavy rains, to navigate a good-sized steamboat, in a slough near my father's house, that is now perfectly dry ; and on the site of the pond, where we, as boys, shot ducks and went swimming, the American House and business houses on the east side of Main Street (Princeton), now stand.

He thinks his father was the first to erect a house at a distance from the timber; the family came in 1836, and made an improvement one mile northeast of the Princeton depot. He says: "My first impressions were we lived a great way off from anywhere; that we were in imminent danger of freezing to death in the winter; that we were Yankees and very peculiar people anyway, as we lived in a frame house away out on the prairie, instead of living in a fashionable log-house in the timber. 1 think some of our neighbors looked upon us much the same way the citizens of Chicago would look upon one who should go and voluntarily make his home at the lake crib, instead of settling in the resident part of the city. It seemed such an unlikely place to live. Our little improvement seemed like some little crib in midwater, and the winds were continually sending the grassy waves of the great prairie lake against it, threatening utterly to destroy it. I have stood on the banks of Long Island Sound when the tide was coming in, and they recalled vividly to my mind the old home of my childhood days upon the western prairie. But when, as was often the case, the prairie lires were started and came upon us with their flame and smoke, then indeed we were in great danger, and many a hard hour's work have we performed, to save our little all from its devouring fury. I remember that my father, before he knew how deceiving the fires were to the eye at uight, set out a back fire to protect us from one that seemed coming over the ridge of prairie not a quarter of a mile from us, and that caused much alarm and some danger to persons at some distance north of us - when it was afterward found that the fire was on the Providence Prairie, eight or ten miles from us.

"There was no trouble with the Indians after we moved here; yet my mother was once badly frightened by them. It being Sunday, all our family but herself and an infant daughter, had gone to church. On going out of doors my mother saw a large body of Indians, some of whom were getting over the fence in the corn-field. In great alarm she went into the house, barred the door, ascended into the loft with her infant and rifle and pulled the ladder by which she reached it up after her, and waited for the fate she was sure was coming, resolving to sell her life as dearly as possible. The attack was delayed longer than she had expected, but still she stayed there until the voice of my father coming home with his family and asking admittance, convinced her that she coiild safely descend, and then she learned they were friendly Indians, being removed to their reservation west of the Mississippi, and that their destructive powers were bent upon the roasting ears only.

" Another great danger we had was of getting lost, especially at night. I remember one Saturday night a younger brother of mine was sent to take home a cousin of ours, who resided near Dover. Not coming back as soon as expected, and night and a thunder storm both coming on, I was sent to meet him. Failing in doing so, I kept on to my uncle's home, where I found that he had started but had taken the wrong road. The storm overtaking me there, however, I stayed all night. My parents finding that neither of us came home, concluded my brother had not started home before the storm, and they therefore were not alarmed. I proceeded home Sunday morning to find that my brother had not been home at all. A search by all about the place, together with the neighbors was immediately instituted, and after some time the trail was found and followed. He had turned the seat over during the storm and crawling under it, had let the horse have his own way and had finally gone to sleep. The horse at one time had come near home and then turned directly away. He was found in the afternoon four or five miles away and brought home.

"Being too young to work I was employed to run errands. I was once sent to our neighbor, Elijah Smith, to obtain some peas for planting. Furnished with a tin pail I mounted a horse and went and obtained them and started on my return. As I liked to ride fast I started in a brisk trot; the peas began to rattle and ' away went John Grilpin' - the harder the horse ran the louder the peas

"Our school was in a log-house in the edge of the timber, near the residence of John Ament, and where the brick now stands north of the Princeton depot. I can see it to-day as it stood long ago, with its stick chimney, slab seats and .writing desk, where we faced the wall when we went to write. But our schoolhouse was up to the time after all, as it had glass windows and a wooden floor, and a pail of water was always in the corner to use if the chimney got on fire. How well I remember the path through the hazel bushes that led to it. The spring where we obtained our water and the hornets' nest between it and the house, where at the boys' recess we clubbed it until they became so enraged that it was almost impossible to pass it going to the spring without being stung. Woe to the girl who came down the path to the spring during the recess, for they generally paid the penalty of our misdeeds until they learned to give it a wide berth. Then there was the opening in the bushes where we had our play-ground, on one side of which ran the Dixon stage road. How we used to run for it when we heard the sound of the stage driver's horn, and what shouts and eager faces greeted it as it passed. Then the nuttings, the strawberryings, the blackberryings we had, marred only by the dread of rattlesnakes and sometimes the thought that we were playing truant.

"Among the many teachers of those days, I have only time to speak of one, who stands out before my mind's eye more prominently than the rest; one who taught me to study for its own sake; from whom I parted with real regret at the close of school and only wished that I was old enough to marry her and be with her always. Many years have passed since then, but bright through the

"We used to have our rough-and-tumble fun too in those old days; especially when the big boys came to school in the winter, when the teacher had to go on his muscle, and black eyes and bloody noses were sometimes in fashion. A teacher who did not use his authority by force when the boys got into difficulty, had a hard time to succeed. "Town ball ' and ' bull pen' were played with a vim, and when the boys threw a ball they meant to hit. Sometimes these sports were varied by ''We are marching onward to Quebec," and the "Needle's eye," but I always noticed that us small boys could march right along to Quebec without molestation and pass the "needle's eye" without fail, while the big boys had great trouble in the matter. We must have sorely tried the patience of our teachers in those days. I remember we were called upon to recite a verse from the Bible each day, and how the book was searched for the shortest verses in it, and ' ' rejoice evermore," "Jesus wept," and such short verses were repeated many times every day. But at last we reached the end of our rope, for the whole school, from the largest to the smallest, repeated the same verse " And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. " The teacher then drew the line right here and each one of us had to take our seats and get a separate verse before we could go home. Then we had our debating clubs and old fashioned spellingschools, and I shall always remember the time when they failed to get us spelled down from Webster's Elementary and had to resort to the Bible, or how I went down under the work "Israelite."

tanees in those days to attend them; and I have a suspicion that it was not a desire of learning music that brought them all there, but we had a good time nevertheless. As usual from out the sea of faces that meet the mind's eye in those singing-schools of long ago, one face and one voice appears more prominent than the rest. For long years her body has rested in the leafy shades of our quiet Oakland; but through all the years I still see that sweet face, and here the sweeter voice of that singer of the olden time - Catharine Allen. Among the teachers of music too, there is one we cannot forget. He sleeps also in our fair Oakland, but to many hearts there will come thoughts of pleasure and regret at the mention of the name of our old singing teacher - James Perry. "

He then tells briefly of the earliest days of the Underground Railroad, and especially of Clapp Station, etc. etc. He then produced an old account book of Gay & Olds, and for the year 1837 he quoted some of the entries as follows: handle the rifle, so she made overtures of peace and friendship by offering them panfuls of doughnuts; this had a most taming effect on the Indians, and they would sometimes swarm about the premises, humble and hungry for more doughnuts.

Micheal Kitterman. - The big-hearted, bigbrained, though unlettered old Roman - a superb type of a grand old pioneer, was forced to get up and talk to his old friends, acquaintances and admirers. He said-

"I came to this county in 1828, and looked around and thought the country would suit me pretty well. In 1831, about the 18th of March, I left Indiana and thought I would come out to this country. I came on down nere to the Mackinaw; it was high, I couldn't get across. I didn't know what to ^Jo. I did not like to lay by. A man told me if I would go up to the Narrows I could cross by swimming my horse. I went there and found it so. A man there showed me over the river and said: 'you can't go through to-day.' I had faith I could; I had a good horse, and mounted and started on a wagon-track and traveled until it was dark, and then I got down and sat on my saddle, and held my mare by the bridle all night. It commenced getting cold and snowed a little, not enough however to cover the wagon track. lu the morning I put my saddle on iny mare and started. At 4 o'clock that day I struck the rapids above La Salle. I stopped at a house near by - every man kept tavern then - they got me something to eat. Next day I came down to Hennepen; there was no way of crossing the river. I hired Jim Willis, for half a dollar to ferry me over to the Hall settlement. I hired out to old Johnny Hall for six months at $9 a month. Every Sunday I would get a chain and ax of him, and I hauled up two or three logs each day and built me a cabin. Then I went back for a woman, and when I got her and came back there was a man living in my cabin. This was on Section 16. I had not a dollar in the world. I drove down to where I now live and have lived there ever since. I cut a log about four feet long and put some coals in it and burned a mortar; perhaps I was a week doing it of nights. I got my mortar dug out and got me a pestle, and every night I pounded meal enough to do me next day. I never enjoyed myself so much in my life as I did then. When the mills were built I went up to the Fox River and got a grist. When I wanted salt I had to go to Chicago. It would take me eight days to go up and eight days to come back. I took my, food along; when I was there once I wanted some whisky; I went all over Chicago for it. I could get whisky, but nothing to put it in.. Well, I went into a saloon and the keeper said: 'I've got a five-gallon jug.' Well, what will you fill it for? Says he: 'I'll put in the five gallons and give you the jug for a dollar.' I took it. I lived under the wagon as I came home, and had all the whisky I wanted to drink. I believe I have split enough rails at 50 cents a hundred to fence in the township. I have split 500 rails a day at $8 a month."

Mr. Kitterman was born in Franklin County, Va., near Rockmount, the county seat, about the beginning of the year 1800. He found his way to Indiana an orphan boy, and stopped in Harrison County August 18, 1826. He married Miss Lydia Clark in Perry County, Ind., a native of Nelson County, Ky., born September 15, 1810.

He came West in 1828 to look at the country, and, as he says, he liked it, and in 1830, with a saddle horse and just $4 in the world. He left wife and two babies and came to where he now lives to prepare a home. In his own language he tells how he hired to Hall for $9 a month, and during the six months thus engaged he would "rest on Sunday" by getting out a few logs, and thus patiently the young man built his cabin. After a long and arduous trip he reached here with his wife and babes with not a dollar in his pocket. He drove to his cabin and there found "Curt" Williams in possession - had " jumped" his claim and would neither give it up nor agree to pay a cent for it. Without wasting time or words upon this rather unneighborly man Mr. Kitterman proceeded to the spot where he now lives and unloaded his wagon, and from that hour to this he has stayed there on the lookout foi "jumpers." And there is no doubt, as he says, that in his " whole life these were my [his] happiest days." A nature so full of the sweet sunshine of life richly deserves the long and prosperous voyage, the rich endowment in worldly goods, the green old age, the large and respectable families of children and grandchildren, and the troops of friends that surround the walk in life and cheer and solace the declining years of Micheal Kitterman, and "his woman," as he styles his good old lady who has now for fifty-eight years, through storms and through sunshine stood bravely by his side, a truly noble companion and worthy helpmeet. To visit and talk with this venerable old couple is a rare treat. Their days have been spared and blessed until they have been long in the land, and to look at them cheerful, happy and contented, vigorous, hale and hearty as they are, their greatest delight being in recounting the reminiscences of the past in which the true charity of heart has forgotten the little of the mean of life that crossed their pathway, is to behold a picture of a worthy couple into whose lives has come all the sweetness of

Mr. Kitterman's broad and charitable mind is aptly illustrated in his statement of the loss of his claim and hard-earned cabin by the "jumper." And when the war had frightened Williams away, and as he did not return as soon as the other settlers, Mr. Arthur Bryant, supposing he had abandoned it, commenced to work upon the claim and fix and improve the house and prepare it for his home. Bat Williams did return, and biding his time, he waited until Bryant had improved it considerably and then, one night he moved in and thus really " jumped " it the second time. Mr. Bryant went to Kitterman and wanted to consult him and probably strengthen his title by getting him to release his claim to him. The two talked the matter over and it appearing that Williams would leave for $20, Mr. Kitterman advised Bryant to pay this and get rid of him. His advice was followed.

When visiting Mr. Kitterman, the writer reminded the old gentleman that he had heard some amusing anecdotes of him, and wanted to know if they were authentic.

' ' They tell a great many stories on me," he replied, "but they are only jokes. Some of them, I expect, I made up and told myself, just to tell a story, you know. What is your story?"

The writer related Boyd's story about the Assessor and dogs. How the Assessor had called, and Kitterman, being warned just before by Boyd that he was assessing the dogs, and that he would soon be there, etc. , whereupon he called his dogs and shut them in the cellar. In a little while the Assessor, Payne, arrived. Soon the property was gone over and assessed, and then he said he had to assess the dogs. He looked around and could see none, and Kitterman remarked that he believed his boys claimed one or two trifling curs that hung around the place, and made some remark about boys and dogs generally. Thus the dog subject was tided over, and as they sat on the porch, the apples and hard cider were at hand, the tax books were closed and all joined in a pleasant social chat, eating apples and drinking cider. Boyd had stayed, and the party were enjoying themselves, and chatting and joking in great glee. Finally the pitcher was emptied, and Mr. Kitterman ordered one of his boys to fill the pitcher. The lad obeyed, but knowing nothing of the dogs being in the cellar, he threw open the cellar door and out came thirteen dogs in a rush for the open air and frisking about the men and wagging their tails and barking their joy to their master and his guests for their liberty.

The men looked at each other and finally all joined in a hearty laugh. No words were equal to the occasion. The joke was too good, and no dogs were charged to either Kitterman or his boys that year.

"Indeed there is," said Mrs. Kitterman; "it is all true, but a good deal stronger than you told it. I tell you to put it in your book and make it as strong as you can, and then it won't be half enough."

The Kitterman family consisting of six sons and four daughters living, is one of the leading, wealthy and influential families of Bureau County. They are surrounded by their sons and sons-in-law, and the people of the county all join in wishing the cheery old couple to be spared many days yet in the land.

Pharisee. A man of worthy deeds, strong senso and no pretensions. A self-made man; the architect wholly of his own fortune, who has builded wisely and well. He is the oldest living settler in Bureau County - now the surviving link between the present and the past. Living or dead we would transmit his noble deeds and good name untarnished to the remotest generation, inseparably linked with the history of Bureau County.

At the old settlers' meeting, August 15, 1878, John H. Bryant was elected presiding officer, and E. S. Phelps, Secretary. The meeting was commenced with prayer by George Hammer, an old settler of 1834, who came with his uncle, John Hammer. John Clapp, C. P. Mason and K. B. Frary were appointed a committee to select officers for the coming year. President Cole gave an account of the Black Hawk war. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Arthur Bryant, President; J. Benedict and H. Moore, Vice-Presidents; John Walters, T. Nichols, Alanson Benson, Directors; Stephen G. Paddock, Secretary. H. B. Leeper talked to the old settlers, and amused them for some time. John Walters gave some amusing facts about his tailoring in Princeton from 1837 to 1840. B. B. Frary told the particulars of three families living in one house 14x16, and how the broom-maker and the basket-maker, in addition, carried on their trades in the same room, and how there was room enough and to spare.

In 1882 the old settlers met at the fair grounds. President, T. W. Nichols. Prayer by Elder Andrew Boss. An address was delivered by the President. Cyrus Colton, R. B. Frary and J. H. Bryant appointed a committee to select officers for ensuing year. Reported following: President, Milo Kendall; Secretary and Treasurer, H. B. Leeper; Executive Committee, Milo Kendall,

F. Frary presented an address on the life of John Clapp. G. M. Radcliffe gave sketches of Charles S. Boyd, Mrs. Austin Bryant, Mrs. J. V. Thompson, Mrs. Fanny Moneley and Edward R. Bryant. Milo Kendall read an interesting paper on John Elliott, and O.

Old settlers met at the fair grounds, September 6, 1883. President, T. WT. Nichols; Secretary, H. B. Leeper. Prayer by Rev. T. L. Pomeroy. Committee to nominate officers: T. L. Pomeroy, George Hammer and George Phelps; and John Walters was chosen President; Vice-Presidents, Andrew Ross and L. D. Whiting; Secretary, Romane Hodgeman. Roll-call of the deceased of the past year was as follows: Mrs. Lucy Cook, Mrs. Jacob Bettz, Dr. Joseph Jones, Dr. Avery, Mrs. Elliott, Arthur Bryant, Mrs. A. Boyd, Mrs. David Wells, Deacon Asahel Wood. William Frankeberger, John Proutz, Alby Colton, Charles Faley, Mrs. Sarah Musgrove, Mrs. Brookbanks, Walter Durham, Mrs. R. T. Templeton, George Brown, Sarina Clapp, and Mrs. H. R. Pomeroy. Appropriate eulogies were pronounced on each.

August 30, 1884, a meeting of the old settlers convened at the fair grounds. President, John Walters; Secretary, H. B. Leeper; commenced with prayer by Dr. R. Edwards; singing led by Streator; and John H. Bryant, Cyrus Colton and George Phelps appointed a committee to select officers for the ensuing year. H. C. Bradsby delivered an address, when the society adjourned for dinner. After dinner the amphitheatre was again filled and short and interesting addresses were made by John H. Bryant, Rev. T. L. Pomeroy, Dr. William Mercer, L. D. Whiting,

G. M. Radcliffe, Deacon Henry Wells, George W. Hammer, J. E. Dorr, Nicholas Smith, Rev. J. Coles and A. W. Bacon. These speeches were short, stirring and deeply interesting and elicited much applause. Rev. T. L. Potneroy said that in coming to Illinois in 1837, he arrived at Chicago, and then took the stage for Hennepin. This was a small coach that started out every morning, and at that time furnished all the transportation the country lying west of Chicago needed. Mr. Hammer said he came in 1834, with his uncle, John Hammer. He graphically described some of the straits the family were subjected to in the way of getting something to eat; how he had carried corn on his shoulder to mill, and then with his own hands ground it and carried it back; how, when his uncle had gone on a three weeks' trip to a mill about 100 miles east of the Illinois River, ho had informed his aunt that he suspected the bushel of sweet potatoes his uncle had brought and holed up so carefully for seed in the spring, were frozen, and how he got her consent to examine them and, sure enough, they were as hard as rocks, and they therefore ate them; and this and scant corn meal and meat was the only variety the family had to eat during the winter; thus again proving that it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

The roll-call of the deceased of the society since the last meeting, gave the following list: Edward Mercer, James Wiusor, James Garvin, James Swan and A. S. Lathrop.

James Hamrick was a native of Lancaster County, Ohio, born February 3, 1815; was a son of John and Elizabeth (Spenny) Hamrick, who had come from Virginui. Four of their children out of eleven, are now living. The family came in 1839, and settled at Center Grove.

Of his family now living are: Austin C. Thomas, now in Oregon; Laura, wife of John Stuchel, now in Peoria. There are many facts that go to show that she was the first born white child in Bureau, or, perhaps it was Mary Hobart (Thomas), who was born January 15, 1830, and now lives in Dover. As Mrs. Hobart is yet a citizen of the county, and can show days and dates, we incline to give her the blue ribbon among the first born in the county. Other children of Henry Thomas are Emily Jackson, of Bureau Township, Sarah Lumry, of Kansas, and Electa Martin, now in the county.

Ezekiel Thomas' family are: Ruth J. Frankeberger, a widow, of Wyanet; Sarah Ballard, of same place; Matilda Fisher, of Princeton; Harvey Thomas, same place; John, of Oregon; Mary Walker, same; Malinda Houk, of Princeton ;Hartzel. of Peoria; William and Nora Epperson, of Oregon.

William Hoskins was a native of Kentucky; lived many years in Indiana, and came here in 1831, and settled in Selby. His wife was Rebecca Kellums. They had five boys and one girl. The boys: Thomas, James, Wesley, Jesse H. and William W.; Lucinda married James Hosier. This family are all either dead or removed from the State. Judge Hoskins died in Missouri, 1849. He had improved four farms in this county.

Rev. WTilliam Martin was one of the earliest ministers here. He was a native of Virginia. He was President of the first Conference in Chicago. He took his dog ' ' Penny " with him, and when he got there a committee met him for a reception, and as he mingled in the crowd he lost sight of " Penny,'' and the ceremony was at once stopped while the President started down street calling, "Here Penny! Here Penny! Here Penny! " as loud as he was in the habit of calling hogs from the woods in Bureau. In fact his voice rang out all over the city, and Penny soon heard the familiar sounds, and master and dog were soon together and the grand ceremonies of the Conference then proceeded. It is said by eye witnesses that the large committee of aristocratic ladies that stood waiting the good man's pleasure and his yells for Penny, was about as amusing a sight as was ever witnessed at a Church Conference. The Rev. Mr. Johnson was in company with Mr. Martin, and he says he tried to stop the man in his yells for his dog, and told him that he was now in the city, and he must not act so; that those were very aristocratic ladies. Martin replied, in the highest key, ' ' What do I care - Here Penny ! - f or the aristocratic - Here Penny! - ladies or anybody else? Here Penny! Here Penny!! Here! Here!! Here Penny!!!"

Stephen Perkins was born March 31, 1798, in Grayson County, Va. ; died in this county, September 14, 1867. He was a sou of Timothy and Tabitha (Anderson) Perkins. The grandfather of Stephen was a soldier in the Revolution. Stephen married Margaret Woods, of Wythe County, Va., who was born in 1802. She was the daughter of John Banham. The Perkinses crossed the river in 1834, and wintered in a log- cabin three miles northwest of Hennepin, where Stephen Perkins settled, and it was called Perkins' Grove, which had been staked out by William Perkins in 1833. The grove was named after Timothy Perkins, who made and sold claims from the mouth of Bureau to Perkins' Grove. He went finally to Missouri where he died in Gentry County. He was of a roving disposition; reared a large and respectable family. Jabeth Perkins and his son William came in 1833; but William returned to Kentucky. Jesse Perkins bought Leonard Roth's claim in 1832, one mile west of Bureau Junction, where he died. His son Alvin lives near Senachwine.

In 1849 there was a party of fifteen started for California from about Perkins' Grove; among these were the Perkinses. John Perkins taught the first school in Perkins' Grove.

William Pollock, a native of Tyrone, Ireland, came to Illinois in 1832, and settled in Stark County, and caine to Perkins" Grove in 1837. He purchased William Anderson's claim. Anderson was a Mormon Elder. Anderson went to Nauvoo, and was killed in the Hancock County war. Johnson W. Perkins, born here, married Edith A. Wasson, daughter of Lorenzo D. Wasson.