Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 18: The Civil War, 1906

Chapter 18: The Civil War

On April 12, 1861, the rebel forces under General Beauregard at Charleston, South Carolina, opened fire on Fort Sumter, commanded by Major Robert Anderson of the United States army. The news of this bombardment went at lightning speed from Maine to California and from the lakes to the gulf. The whole country was ablaze with excitement. Bureau county was no exception to the general feeling of indignation and patriotism that rolled like a great wave over the entire land. Immediately following the news of the attack on Fort Sumter came the call from President Lincoln for 75,000 troops. At first people could hardly believe the report, but soon they began to realize that civil war with all its untold miseries was upon them. The people, although shocked at the situation, were equal to the occasion. Meetings were called, speeches made, recruiting ofBces opened, and everything l)egan to take on a serious air. From all parts of Bureau county men were ready to go to the front. Patriotism that had lain dormant during the long controversy lietween the north and the south in the halls of legislation, now l)Iazed forth into a flame of determination that the union of the states should not ]>e severed, Imt on the contrary the flag should be honored over our whole country at whatever cost of blood and treasure. Party lines were lost sight of in the one single thought of saving the country from dissolution and decay. In less than three days after the firing on Sumter S. A. Paddock and F. B. Ferris w^ere raising companies for the war. On April 22 C'aptain S. A. Paddock's company started for Springfield, lieing the first company to leave the county. Captain F. B. Ferris left on the 25th and Captain Swain on the 29th and Captain Page's company left the next day. The influx of soldiers was so great at Springfield that only two companies were mustered into the three months' service, to-wit: Captain Ferris' and Captain Swain's companies joined the Twelfth Et'giment under Colonel Mc.\rthur. Both of tlu>se couipanies re-enlistcd and Captain Swain and Captain Ferris came home and enlisted men io (ill llicir respective companies.

Tlie ladies caiiglit the iiLsiiiratioii of the hour, and many are the deeds of kiiidnes:^ and love that flowed from their willing hands. They gave the last full measure of their devotion to their eountrv. Xo sacrifice was too great for their endurance. 'J'hey gave up husband, fatlier and son that our country might live, and many are the boys who live today that owe their lives to the quiet and gentle care of the Florence Nightingales of the Union army.

In 1860 Bureau county had a jKipulation of 26,415. The total number of men called for from this county was 3,598. Total number of men furnished, 3,626. E.xeess of quota, 28.

The Twelfth IJegiment was organized at Cairo and muslei-ed in at that place August 1, 1861. This regiment had two companies from Bureau county, to-wil : IT and I. Company H, William T. Swain, Tiskilwa, Captain, mustered August 4, 1861, died of wounds April 19, 1862; succeeded liy John M. Mills, Tiskilwa, mustered April 19, 1862; resigned April 14, 1865. Wheelock S. Merrinian was raised to captain but was promoted to Miajor. Alexander Brandon, of Sheffield, was mustered in as captain November 15, 1S64; mustered out Jidy 10, 1865. John M. Mills went out first lieutenant but was promoted to captain. He was followed by Merriman, Brandon, King in the order named. The second lieutenants were Merriman. Drake and Cook. About eighty men went out of Bureau county in this company. January 1, 1S64, about 20 men veteranized, 17 men were received as enlisted recruits and about 30 as drafted and sul5stitut(^ recruits. This company lost 3 killed; 6 from wounds and di.sease; 28 were discharged and 1 deserted.

Com])any T. Twelfth Kegiment, was officered as follows: Frank B. Ferris, Princet<in, captain, mustered August 1, 1861; killed at Pittsburg Landing. George L. Paddock declined to accept. William D. Jlills mustered October 8, 1862, term expired -Vugust 8, 1864. Kobert Bruton mustered November 15, 1864, mustered out July 10, 1865.

First lieulenanls were: Geoi-ge L. Paddoek, William ]). Jlills, .Vddison A. Jackson and Walton Ij. Odell in the order named, all from Princeton. Secoud lieutenants: \\'illiam 1). Mills. Princeton, jiroHioti'd, succeeded by (Jarwood, Bruton and Langworthy in the order named. About one hundred men went from Bureau county in this company; 45 men veteranized Jaiiuaiy 1, 18()4. It received 35 men from enlisteil recruits and 16 from drafted men and substitute recruits. This lompany lost 2 killed, 9 from wounds and disease. This reginuMit was at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson; was engaged two days at Shiloh. when 109 men were killed and wounded. It was iu the siege of Corinth and participated in the battle of luka. On October 3 and 4, 1862, in the battle of Corinth, the regiment lost 17 killed and 80 wounded. It was at Lay's Ferry, Kome Cross ]{oads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Bald Knob, Decatur, and siege of .Vtlanta. It went with Sherman to the sea.

It was in the campaign around Savannah and in the advance north and arrived in Washington for the "grand review," and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 10, 1865.

Company I of the 27th Kegiment had about SO men from Bureau county and vicinity. Its first captain was Joseph W. Merrill, of Neponset ; resigned March, 1863 : succeeded by William S. Bryan, who was killed September 9, 1863. He was succeeded by William B. Young, Tiskilwa, who died December 16, 1864. He was followed by I. (i. Heaps, of Annawan. The first lieutenants were Thomas Summer, John .\. Ifussell and Charles Grow, all from Neponset. Secontl lieutenants were John A. Eussell ami Charles Grow, both from Neponset, and both i)romoted. This regiment participated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Fai'mington, Corinth, Stone Eiver, Shelbyville, TiillaliDina. Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Kniixville, and in the Atlanta cani[iaign, Kenesaw Mountain and many others.

'J"he 'J'hirty-third Begiment was organized at Camj) Butler in August, 1861. The field, officers were: Colonel, Charles E. Hovey, of Bloomington; mustered in August 15, 1861. Promoted to brigadier general September 5, 1862. Succeeded by Charles E. Lip|iincott : mustered in September 17. l<S(i3: mustt'red out September 10, 1865. He was succeeded by Isaac II. Elliott, Princeton: mustered in September 30, 1865; mustered out November 24, 1865.

This regiment had but one field officer from ISureau county, aiul that was Colonel Elliott, who was |iroMU)ted from captain to luajor, then to lieutenant-colonel, and then to colonel. Conijiany K was largely from Bureau county, its first ca|)tain was Isaac H. Elliott, who was succeeded liy Lyniaii M. Pratt, of Bureau county. First lieutenant, .lulian K. Bryant, was from Princeton. He went out as second lieutenant but was promoted. Harrison Dwire. of La ^loille, was iiromoted from corporal to second lieutenant. Harrison Dwire was fidni l,a Moille. .\bout sexcnty-five nn'n went to llie li'oni in this regiment from Bureau county. The casualties were: Killed, 6: died, 9; discharged, 16: deserted, 1 ; received enlisted recruits, 50: recruits transferred from 72d Illinois Infantrv, 19: from 122d Illinois Infantry, 40. Janmiry l."l864, ">1 M'leranized. This company shared the joys and sorrows of the regiment until its discharge. They were mustered into service bv Captain T. G.

Pitcher of the United States army. They left camp September 20, 18G1, and went to fronton, Missouri, by way of St. f.,oius, where they remained during the winter, fn Mareli, 1S(J2, the regiment went with General Steele's command southward, crossing into Arkansas at f-*ittman"s Ferry and marching l^ocahontas and Jacksonport to Batesville, where it joined General Curtis' army, thence by Augusta and Clarendon to Helena. July T it participated in a battle with the Texas Eangers at Cache Creek, wIktc a large number of the enemy were killed, in September it moved to Sulf)hur Springs, thence to Pilot Ivnob, where the regiment arrived about the middle of October, 18G2. On November 1-5 it started out and made a winter campaign in southeastern Missouri and returned to IV'Uville, near Pilot Knob, March 1, 1863. The regiment was then ordered to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana. It iwrticipated in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black Eiver Bridge, the assault and siege of Vicksliurg and the siege of Jackson. After the surrender of Yicksburg the regiment was sent to Black liiver to oppose General Johnston. After successfully accomjjiishing this task the Thirt}'- third returned on July 24 to A'icksburg. In August the regiment was moved to New Orleans, where it was engaged in the different campaigns sent out from that vicinit}'. January 1, 18G4, the regmient re-enlisted as veterans, and on March 14 reached Bloomington, where the}' received a veteran's furlough. April 18, 1864, the regiment was reorganized at Camp Butler, Illinois, and proceeded to Xew Orleans by way of St. Louis.

March 2, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Join the Sixteenth Army Corps. Near Boutte Station the train was thro^ni from the track and 9 men were killed and 72 wounded. This company was amonw the heavy sufferers. On March 18 the regiment embarked for the Mobile expedition; March 27 arrived in front of Spanish F'ort, the main defense of Mobile, and from that time until its capture on April 8 was actively engaged. After the surrender of Mobile the regiment was ordered to Montgomery, where it arrived on tlie 25th of April. Here it received the news of Lee's and Johnston's surrender. This practically closed all further military movements. The regiment moved on May 17. by railroad to Meridian, Mississippi, and thence to Vicksburg, where it remained until mustered out of service November 24, 1865, and ordered to Camp Butler, Illinois, for final payment and discharge. On December (i, 1865, the enlisted men received their final pay and were discharged from the service.

The Fifty-second Eegiment had one company organized in Bureau county - Company B, captain, Edwin A. Bowen, La Moille, mustered in October 25, 1861 ; promoted to major and mustered out October 24, 1864, as lieutenant colonel. He was succeeded by David D. Baiky, La Moille; mustered in Mav 29, 1862: nnislered out October

This company followed the destinies of the regiment from the time of its mustering in at Geneva, Kane county, on November 19, 1861, until it was mustered out July 5, 1865, a period of three years and eight months. The regiment saw service in ilississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, (Georgia and the Carolinas. It was present and participated in the battles of Snake Creek Gap, Eesaca, Lay's Ferry, Eome Cross Eoads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro and many others, and was at tlie grand review at Washington.

In tlie Fifty-seventh Jiegiment Companies B, F, H and K were from Bureau county. In this regiment Frederick A. Battey was promoted from captain to lieutenant-colonel, and again promoted to colonel. Norman B. Page, of Maiden, was promoted to major, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. George W. Crassley was assistant surgeon.

Company B, Alfri'd IL Manzer, Maiden, captain, was mustered in December 26, 1861 ; resigned July 14, 1862. Succeeded by Linus A'an Steenberg, Maiden : nmstered in August 1, 1862 ; mustered out October 16, 1864. He was succeeded bv George N. Barr, Princeton ; mustered out July 7", 1865.

First lieutenant, Nathan Linlon. Arlington; mustered in December 26, 1861; transferred to quartermaster. Succeeded by George N. Barr, promoted. Succeeded by George B. Shurtz, of Westfield; mustered in March 26, 1865; mustered out July 7, 1865. Second lieutenant, John E. Larkin, Arlington ; mustered in Decend)er 26, 1861 ; mustered'out March 26, 1865.

This company was mustered in with eighty-seven men from Bureau county, and veteranized December 27, 1863, when thirty-seven Bureau county men re-enlisted. Forty recruits were added to this company at different dates, also seventeen drafted and sul)stitute men were added. Killed, three; died of wounds and disease, four; discharged, sixteen ; deserted, seven.

Company F, Frederick .V. Battey, Mineral, captain, mustered in December 26, 1861. Battey enlisted as a private September 12, 186 L was promoted to captain, major, and then colonel. Battey was succeeded by George W. AVells, Wheatland, who was not mustered. First lieutenant, Joseph 'l\ Cook, Tiskilwa: mustered in December 26, 1861; resiy-ned Julv 17, 1862. Succeeded bv An- drew Anderson, Wheatland; mustered in July 27, 186:^; resigned Xoveuiber G, 18G4. He was succeeded by C. C. Phillip, of Tiskilwa, not mustered as captain. Seventy-five of tliis company were Bureau county men.

About forty members of this company veteranized December 27, 1863. About fifty were added at different times from different places. There were also added about twenty men by draft and substitute recruits. Killed, two; died of wounds and disease, nine; discharged, twenty-seven; deserted, seventeen.

Company H, Josiah Bobbins, Jr., Princeton, captain; mustered in December 26, 1861; resigned September 29, 1864. Succeeded by William Gale; mustered in December 24, 1864; mustered out July 7, 1865.

First lieutenant, X^elson Flansburg. Galva : mustered in December 26, 1861 ; promoted to adjutant. Succeeded by John H. Weinck, Manlius; mustered in ilarch 2, 1863; mustered out January 4, 1865. Succeeded by Alexander B. Hunner; mustered out July 7, 1865. Only one second lieutenant was from Bureau county - "William Gale. He was j)romoted. Only about forty men in this company were from Bureau county.

Company K, Augustus C. Barry, of Wyanet, captain; mustered in December 26, 1861; resigned June 20, 1862. Succeeded by Harlan Page, Wyanet, July 20, 1862. Mustered out December 31. 1864. Succeeded bv Edward Gallagher: mustered in April 30. 1865; mustered out July 7, 1865.

First lieutenant, Harlan Page, "Wyanet; mustered in December 26, 1861 ; promoted to captain. Succeeded bv William Starling; mustered in July 20, 1862 ; mustered out December 25, 1864. He was succeeded bv William E. Allen; mustered in April 30, 1865; inustered out July 7, 1865.

Second lieutenant, William Brewer, Walnut; mustered in December 26, 1861 ; resigned October 29, 1862. Succeeded by Jacob Carper, ilacon; mustered in December 16, 1862 ; resigned. He was succeeded by Charles W. Evens, Greenville, not mustered. There were eighty men in this company from Bureau county. Killed, five ; died from wounds and disease, four; discharged, fourteen; deserted, four.

This regiment, with about 975 men, left Camp Douglas, Chicago, for Cairo, on Februaiy 8, 1862. where they arrived on the 9th: thence direct by steamer to Fort Henry, and from there was hurried down the river to Padueah, thence up the Cumberland to within a U'w miles of Fort Dnnelson, wlierc it landed on the morning of the 14th. On the 15th they were actively engaged with the enemy. Thus it will be seen that this regiment met the enemy the next day after arriving in the vicinity of Fort Donelson. They were )ioorlv supplied with bliinkets and suffered with the intense cold and were covered with snow. During the entire day of the 15th of February they were exposed to heavy cannonading and also exposed tu tiie bullets of the sliar]isliooters.

On the lith they received orders to march across the country to Fort Henry. On ilarch 8 they went aboard the Argyle and passed up the Tennessee river to Crump's Landing. On the 11th they resumed their passage and when opposite Clifton, Teuuessee, they were fired into by a band of guerrillas and two of their regiment were wounded.

The regiment arrived at Crump's Landing, March 13, then moved on to Adamsville, Tennessee. March 26 the regiment went up the Tennessee river to Pittsburg Landing. They remained there until April 6, when firing was heard toward the front. Preparations were at once made for an advance and the regiment was soon amid a storm of shot and shell. This was the first severe engagement the regiment had been in. They behaved with great fortitude and they distinguished themselves in a manner that would have been creditable to old and drilled soldiery.

But the men were at great disadvantage, having nothing but old flintlock muskets, which after a few ro\nuls became so foul that they co\ild not get a load down. Being thus crippled and being left without support, were obliged to fall back or be captured. Thus ended their first day at Shiloh. In this murderous engagement tlu' Fifty-seventh lost one hundred and eighty-seven men killed, wounded and missing. Among the killed was Major Xorman B. Page, of Maiden, Bureau county. Captain Battey, of Mineral, was wounded.

The next day, April 7, they were again engaged and this time they drove the enemy instead of being obliged to retreat. On the 9th they detailed men to bury the dead. The regiment then began the general advance on Corinth and was in the campaign until the evacuation of Corinth on May 30. During this advance the regiment received new arms, the Enfield rifle.

On the 31st the regiment joined in the jmrsuit of the retreating army as far as Boonsville, Mississippi. They then returned to camp near Corinth and remained until about the middle of September. September 18 thev moved into Corinth until after the battle of luka, September 19. On the 3rd of October the Fifty-seventh, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hurlbut, with other divisions of the army, moved out a few miles west of Corinth to meet the expected attack of the combined forces of Generals Van Dorn, Price, Lovell. Villipgue and Eust. Here the Fifty-seventh, on the 3(1 and 4th. lost forty-two men killed, wounded and missing. Three companies of the Fifty-seventh, to-wit: Companies A. F and B, were in the terrible battle of AUatoona Pa.^s. The remaining companies of the Fifty-seventh did not arrive until after the battle. The loss to these three conqianies was three killed, seven winmded and one ^li^?sing. Among tlic wounded was Lieutenant George X. Barr, of Company B. On the 7th the regiment started on its return march to Kome, where it arrived on the 9th. From Kingston Company F and a detachment of Company D, commanded by Captain F. A. Battey, were sent to Chattanooga in charge of two hundred rebel prisoners taken at Allatoona. On its I'eturn the command was taken prisoners at Dalton, Georgia, together with tlie garrison, being paroled in a couple of days. Captain Battey with his command returned to Chattanooga.

On November 10 the regiment, with five hundred and four enlisted men in line and seventeen officers present, moved out from Rome, Georgia, under command of Captain Battey toward Kingston. This proved to he the initial movement of -'Shernuin"s March to the Sea."' On the 11th it jiassed throiigh Kingston, General Sherman's headquarters. En route to Atlanta it passed tlirough Cai'tersville, Allatoona, Big Shanty, Marietta and on the 1.5th arrived and took dinner about one mile from Atlanta. Here the last mail was received before severing connections with the north. Here the boys wrote short notes home. The city of Atlanta was now in flames. The Fifty-seventh passed through the outskirts of the city and encamped a few miles south.

From this time on the regiment was with the marching columns of Sherman's army through Georgia until they arrived before Savannah, where tJie final arrangements for the investment of the city, which occurred just one month from the time the Fifty-seventh left Eome, or on December 10. After a few days of preparation for the siege cannonading was commenced. On the 20th heavy firing was continued all day. On the 21st orders were given for an advance along the line, and preparations were made for an engagement. Soon after the advance began it was ascertained that the enemy had evacuated the place, crossing the Savannah river and going north, leaving a large amount of ordnance stores. On January 27 the regiment, with four himdred and eighty-five muskets in line, commanded by Captain Battey, began the march north through the Carolinas. At Lynch Creek, South Carolina, the regiment was oliliged to strip themselves and carry their muskets and clothing above their heads while they waded through the stream with the water up to their nocks. The regiment reached Goldsboro on March 23. April 7 news was received of the capture of Uichmond. April 10 the regiment ana army left for Raleigh, North Carolina. Ajiril 12, while en route for Raleigh, news w'as received of Lee's army surrendering to General Grant. On tlie 17t]i the notice of Lincoln's assassination reached the regiment. On April 27 the regiment received the news of the surrender of Johnston's army. April 29 the regiment started north, ])assing tlirough Petersburg, Richmond and other rebel cities and went into cam]) at Ale.xandiia,

Virginia. The regiment left Alexandria May 22. May 24 crossed the I'otomac and participated in the "Grand Review" at Washington before President Johnson, Generals Grant, Sherman and Mead. Tlie regiment with its battle torn flags and banners was everywhere received with the wildest enthusiasm. June 3d the regiment left Washington over the J^altimore & Ohio railroad and down the Ohio river from Parkersburg, Virginia, to Louisville, Kentucky, where it arrived June 8, anil the regiment disembarked and went into camp.

On July 7 the regiment was mustered out, but retained its organization and returned to Chicago under the command of Colonel F. A. Battey, where it received its final pay and was disbanded July 14, 186.5, at Camp Douglas, which was its point of starting over three years before.

Company B of the Sixty-fourth Regiment was from Bureau county. George W. Stipp was its first captain, but was promoted to major. He was succeeded by Samuel B. Thompson, and Thompson by Robert R. Gibons, both from Princeton. Thompson was promoted from first lieutenant and Gibons from second lieutenant. George \y. Bell and George W. Robins were both from Princeton and both were promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant. About one hiindred men went to the front in this company from Bureau county. Companv B was organized in the fall of 1861. January 1, 1864, thirty-five men veteranized. The company was supplied at different times with recruits to the number of seventy. This regiment was known as "'Yateis' Siiarpshooters," as the first four companies were organized for that kind of service.

The regiment was organized in December, 1861, at Camp Butler. It moved to Quincy and entered active service in February, 1862. The regiment was engaged at tlie battle of New ]\[adrid and was in Pope's Fort Pillow expedition. It took part in the battles of Chambers Creek. Corinth, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie, Nances Creek, Decatur, siege of Atlanta, Snake Creek Gap, and Cedartown. November 16, 1864, started on "the march to the sea" ; engaged in skirmishes on the route; in the Bentonville fight April 30, 186-5; was in the grand review at Washington ; and mustered out July 11, 186.5. At the battle of Corinth the regiment lost seventy killed and wounded; at Kenesaw Mountain lost fifty-seven; and twenty-five wei'c killed at Dalla.«: at Decatur fifteen killed and sixty-seven wounded. It served in Pope's, Rosecrans', and Slierman's campaigns in ^Missouri. Tennessee and ^fississijipi.

Comjiany C of the Sixty-sixth Hcgiment had between forty and fifty men from Slioffield and vicinity. William Wilson, now circuit clerk, was appointed Aiu'il 3, 1862, and served until tin' exi)iration of jiis term of enlistment. Fitz Hugh Reed was quartermaster. George W. Green was second lieiitciiiint in Company C. W. H. Saunders was first lieutenant of Company F. Tliis regiment was in many battles and skirmishes. It was engaged at the battle of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Eesaea, Lone Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain. Dallas, Bentonville, New Hope Churcli, Fayctteville and a score of other battles; went with Sherman to the sea; was at the grand review at Washington and was mustered out of service July 7, 1865, at Camp Logan, Kentucky. This regiment saw much hard and trying service. The Sixty-sixth was under Are for one hundred and twenty days, being engaged in all the noted battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, losing in this eami)aign two hundred and twenty five men killed and wounded. July 22 it was hotly engaged, having sixty-three bullet holes shot through its colors, yet the men never faltered.

(Company .\, Sixty-ninth Begiment, was from Bureau county. Abram Lash Jr. was captain. David Eobinson first lieutenant, Edward E. Virden second lieutenant, all from Princeton. This regiment enlisted for three months and did not leave the state; was stationed at Camp Douglas, at Chicago, to guard rebel prisoners. It was mustered into service June 14. 18(52. and mustered out ()ctot)er il. lS(i2.

The Ninety-third Infantry, liliuuis \'oluiiteers, was organized at Chicago, Illinois, in September, l«(i2, by Coiiincl TToldcn Putnam and mustered in October i:'.. iiiiic liundivd ami ninety-eight strong. Six companies of this regiment were from Bureau county, to-wit: Companies B, C, E. H, I and K. The field and staff ollicers from Bureau county at its organization were as follows: Colonel, Holden Putnam, of Freeport, killed on Xovember 25, 1853 ; K". C. Buswell, Neponset. Lieutenantcolonel, M. 0., June 25, 1865, as lieutenant-colonel. Major, James 'M. Fisher. Princeton : mustered out June 23, 1865. Adjutant, David Si)arks. Wyanet; resigned Xovend)er 15, 1862. (Juartermaster, Edward S. Johnson, Tis^kilwa ; resigned August 29, 1864. Chajjlain, Thomas II. Hagerty, Princeton, resigned January 24, 1863. Sergeant major, Harvey M. 'J'rimble, Princeton, promoted to adjutant; mustered June 23, 1865. Com. sergeant, Phineas T. Pichardson, Wvanet; mustered out July 13, 1863.

Company B. laptain, John W. Hopkins. ^lalden; mustered in October 13, 1862; resigned February 29, 1864 ; followed by James W. Lee, Dover, who was mustered out June 23. 1865. First lieutenant, David Deselms, Princeton, resigned January 24, 181)3; followed by Leroy S. Hopkins, who resigned July 24, 1863; followed by James W. Lee, who was promoted to cajitain. Allen Ogan, Dover, served as cai)tain from March 1, 1864. to the time of mustering out of the company. June 23, 1805. About one humlred men went to the front froTii 15ureau county in this coniiiany. Out of this number twelve were killed, (iftet'n died of wounds

First Lieutenant, Youngson; mustered in October 13, 1862; discharged December 26, 1863. He was followed by Milton Cross, Wyanet, who was mustered in April 13, 1804; discharged Xovember 3, 1864. Then followed William L. Garwood. Fairfield, mustered -out June 23, 1805. Second lieutenant, Thomas Lockwood, ]?uda ; discharged January 11, 1864. First sergeant. Milton Cross, of Wyanet, promoted to first lieutenant. Ivilled, ten; died of woimds or disease, twentyone; discharged and deserted, 4. There were eighty-eight men from Bureau county in this company.

First lieutenant, Lyman Wilkinson, of Arisiiit' ; mustered in October 13, 1802; resigned September 3, 1863, followed by William C. Kinney, ov Indiantown, who was mustered in on March 16, 1804, and mustered out June 23. 1865.

Second lieutenant. William C. Kinney, of Indiantown, who was pronuitetl to caiitain. First sergeant, Thompson W. A\'_ylie, Indiantown, who was promoted to sergeant major. About ninetyfive men went from Bureau county in this company. Twelve were killed, eleven died of wounds or difiease, eighteen were discharged for disability and three deserted.

Comi>aiiy H, John A. Eussell. Xejionset. captain, mustered in October 13, 1802; discharged January 10, 1865, succeeded by Bufus Ford, Bu<la ; mustered in .Vpril 28, 1805 ; mustered out June 23, 1805.

First lieutenant, Samuel Dorr, Xeiionset ; mustered in October 13, 1802, promoted to quartermaster. Succeeded by Fufus Ford, Buda : mustered in October 21, 1864; promoted to ca])tain. He was succeeded by Cyrus H. Abbott, Neponset ; mustered in . Vpril 11, 1865 ; mustered out June 23, 1865.

Xinety-five nu>n were in this company from Bureau county. Killed, seven: died of wounds or disease, eighteen ; discharged, twenty-two ; dc sorted, three.

Company T. Ellis Fisher. Wyanet. captain, mustered in October 13. 1862; resigned January 1, 18(;3. Snccecd<-d by 'Mills Clark. Princeton: mustfi-c(l in .\ugust 15, lS(i3: resigned February 4, 1804.* He was succeeded by Jacob S. Kinnan. Princeton; mustered in April 3, 1864; mustered out June 23, 1865.

Second lieutenant. Mills Clark, Princeton ; mustered in October 13. 18G2; promoted to captain. Succeeded by Ezekiel Xetf, Wyanet ; killed in battle May 16, 1863. One hundred men were mustered in this company from Bureau county. Killed, two; died of wounds or disease, eight; discharged, twelve; deserted, four.

Company K, David Lloyd Clarion, captain, mustered in October 13, 1S(.!2 : killed May 16, 1863. Succeeded by Clark Gray, Westheld; mustered in September 2, 1863 ; mustered out June 23, 1865.

First lieutenant, Clark Gray; mustered in October 13, 1862; promoted to captain. Succeeded by Harrison J. Davis, of Princeton; mustered in September 2, 1863; mustered out June 23, 1865.

Second lieutenant, Harrison J. Davis ; promoted. One hundred men went from Bureau county in this company. Killed, nine; died of wounds or disease, twelve; discharged, nine; deserted, five.

These companies were mustered in Chicago, October 13, 1862. On November 9 they were ordered to Memphis, Tennessee; served in Grant's army in northern Mississippi campaign that fall ; returned to Memphis, December 30 ; marched immediately to La Payette, Tennessee; returned to Eidgeway and remained there during January and February of 1863 : embarked for Lake Providence, March 3; moved to Helena the 10th; thence went on Yazoo Pass expedition; on April 13 moved to Milliken's Bend and on April 25 commenced the Vicksburg campaign ; marched through Bruinsburg, Port Gibson, Eaymond and Clinton and arrived at Jackson. May 14, 1863. On May 16 was engaged in battle of Champion Hills. The loss to the regiment in this battle was one officer and thirty-seven men killed, six officers and one hundred and seven men wounded, one officer and ten men missing.

May 22 the regiment assaulted the works of Fort Fisher, losing ten or twelve men killed and wounded; remained around Vicksburg until July 13, 1863, when the regiment started for Jackson and from there to Vicksburg, where they arrived the 25th. On September 12 moved to Helena. Arkansas, and on the 30th to Memphis. Went to Barnesville, Mississippi, October 8. On the 19th marched toward Chattanooga by the luka, Florence, Alabama : Winchester, Tennessee, and Bridgeport, Alabama, arriving at Chattanooga, November 19. November 24 the regiment crossed the Tennessee river and on the 25th was in the battle of jMission Ridge, where Colonel Putnam and nineteen men were killed, one officer and forty-one men wounded, two officers and twenty-five men missing. On Decemlier 3 moved toward Bridgeport, .\laliama: on the 22d to Tjarkinsville, Alabama, and on Janiuirv 17 to Tluntsville. On February 12 participated in the recounaissance to Dalton. On 24tli and 25th lay in line of battle all day before Dalton; returned to Huntsville, March 6 : moved by rail to Decatur, Alabama, and June 14 marched via Huntsville and Larkinsville to Stevenson, Alabama, arriving on the 25th. On the 27th moved by rail to Chattanoooga and the 28th to Kingston; July 2 moved to Etowah to guard crossing until 11th, when the regiment returned to Kingston. August 2 and 3 marched to Allatoona. On September 3 twenty men were captured while foraging. On October 5 the Ninety-third was a part of the force of twenty-one hundred that defeated General French's rebel division of seven thousand. In this engagement the Ninety-third lost twenty-two killed, three officers and forty-nine men wounded and ten missing. On the 12th of November, 1864, the regiment started on "the march to the sea," and marched via Atlanta, McDonough, Jackson, Planter's Factory, Hillsboro, Clinton. Gordon, Irwinton, Summerville and Eden, reaching the enemy's lines around Savannah, December 10. On the 11th skirmished with the enemy at Ogeechee Canal, losing one killed, two wounded. On the 12th moved to "Station I," on the Gulf railroad, and remained till the 31st, when it marched into the city of Savannah and remained until January 19, 1865. Commenced the campaign of the Carolinas on January 19; marched across the Savannah river and two miles into the swamp. On the 20th returned to Savannah and on the 23d emljai'ked for Beaufort. North Carolina.

Landed on the 24th, and on tlie 29th uuirched northward via McPhcrsonv illc. Hickory Hill, Owens' Cross Eoads, Baneburg, Graham, Binnaker's bridge. Orangeburg, Bates' ferry, on the Congoree and to Columbia, arriving there on the 17th. From Columliia marched via ^luddy Springs, on the Wateree river. Liberty hill, West's comer, thence via Laurel hill, Big Eaft swamp, Fayetteville, Jackson's Cross Eoads, Cox's Bridge and Bentonville, arriving at Goldsboro March 24th. On April 10th moved toward Ealeigli. arriving on the 14th. After the sui'rendor of Johnson's army, marched by way of Petersburg and Eichmond, \'a., to Washington, D. C. Participated in the grand review May 24th, and on the 31st moved to Louisville, Ky., June 23, 1865, mustered out of service, and on the 25th arrived at Chicago, Illinois. Beceived final payment and discharged July 7, 1865.

During tbe two year.s and seven inontlis' service the casualties in battle of the Ninety-Third \Vere 446 and one officer and tliirty-one men accidentally wounded.

This regiment had hut a hundred days' service. In this regiment companies A, G and H were from Bureau County. Edwin 1{. \'irden was captain of Company A; Charles Jioliinson, first lieutenant; James L. Kendall, sci-oiid lieutenant; all from Princeton.

Solomon Z. Koth was elected captain of Cuiiipany G, hut was promoted to major. He waiS .succeeded hy Hoderiik B. Frary. first lieutenant. He was succeeded by Frank L. Angler, all of La Moille. Second Lieutenant, James E. Chapman.

William Fairman of Shetlield, was elected captain of Com]iany 11. Lyford Craig of Sheffield, first lieutenant, and .Vnsel Wright, second lieutenant.

This regiment was mustered June 1, 1864, and was mustered out October 25, 18(>4, having been in the service nearly live montht-. This regiment received coinniendation from President Limuln for doing faithful duly aft^'r the term of their enlistment had expired.

Companies F and H in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Hegimeut, were from Bureau County. James T. Stevens was cajjtain of Company F, Duncan Campbell, first lieutenant, and George Webb, second lieutenant, all from Princeton.

ThiiS regiment was must(^red in at Camp Butler September, 18C4, for one year. Km iliil not go out of the State. It was mustered nut July 5, LS()5.

The One Hundred and Forty-Eightli Regiment had two companies from Bureau County, to-wit : Companies A and K. Cliarlcs J. Peckluim, of Princeton, was cajjtain (d Company A; promoted to lieutenant colonel ; succeeded hy John Brady of Princeton. First Lieutenant. .lohn Brady, jirnmoted, succeeded l)y (Jeorgc ilartin. of Prineetoii. Second Lieutenant. George Martin, of Princeton, promoted, succeeded by .McColunin Morrison, of Princeton.

This regiment was organized at Camp Butler. Springfield, Fehruary 21, 18(15, and was ordered to Tennessee. Mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, Seplend)er 5. lSf;5.

In the One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Companies F. G and II were from Bureau County. S. S. Xewton, of Bureau, was captain of Company F: John E. X. Sparks, first lieutenant: William A. Winsejl, second lieutenant.

Silas Battey was captain of Company 11; Austin J. Warden, first iieutenr.nt : Richard Hobert, second lieutenant; Captain Silas Battey was promoted to major.

This regiment was organized at Quincy and mustered into .service February 23, 18G5. It .saw servile in Tennessee. Georgia and through the South. This regiment saw no lighting Init guerrilla skirmishes. It was musternl out at Columbus, Giiirgia, January 24, IStiti.

Company K of the Xinth Cavalry, warJ from Bureau County. Dr. S. A. Paddock, of Princeton, was elected cajilain and promoted to lieutenant colonel, October 2G, 18G1, Died, on the way to the front. Feliruary 18, 18G2, at Bloonungton, 111. William .Mcilanis went out aii .second lieutenant and Atherton Clark as first sergeant, both mustered out as major.

The Xinth Regiment of Cavalry was organized at Camp Douglas and mustered into United States service X'ovendicr 30, 18G1. This regiment sawservice in Tennes.see, Arkansas, ilississippi, Georgia and was mustered out at Salem. .Vlabama, October --!!. ISi;.").

in the Amerii-an-Spanisli war Bureau County furnished ComiKiny K in the Sixth Regiment. D. Jack Foster was colonel and Joseph H. Showalter, of La Moille, was battalion adjutant. Albert Tourtillott was elected captain; Frank E. Dayton, of 1a\ Moille. first lieutenant, and Elmer Giesc'y, of La iloille, second lieutenant. This regiment was mustered for two years at Springfield, Illinois, May 11, 1898. It left Springfield May IT and arrived at Camp Russell A. Alger, Virginia, (in May 20, 1898, where they remained until July ."), when they went i)y rail to Charleston, Soutli Carolina, where they arrived July G. Company K, with several companies of the regiment, left Charleston, July 21, 1898, for Ponce, Porto i{ico, and arrived there July 27, 1898. They renutined in I'orto Rico until September 7. 1898, when they embarked on the Fnited States Steamer ilanitoba and arrived at Weehawken. Xew Jersey. Se)itember 13, 1898. The regiment arrived at Springfield. Illinois. Septendier 22, 1898, and was mustered out November 25, 1898.

We lia\r now given a short account of the different coin])anies that served in the Civil war from Kureau Counly. Tlieir record was indecii a glorious one. From 18(;i to 18(!5 was an epoch in the world's history. In those eventful years great national (|uestions were settled and tiiis great peo- |)le, who, ])revious to this, had iieen distracted l)y internal dissension and strife, were again united in one common brotherhood. The rich young 111 1 that had been shed on a thousand battle- fields made it possible lor us to stand out before the world better, grander and stronger than ever before. The Stars and Stripes now float over a country whole and entire. And to the soldiers of the Civil war, lioth living and dead, we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. They left home, kindred and friends to go forth in the hour of their country's peril to face danger, hardship and death that the country might live, and today we of this generation are the recipients of the rich legacy they vouchsafed to us. We feel that in view of all the great sacrifices that have been made by the heroic ''Boys in Blue," that every eommimity should have some reminder to tell to the rising generation the story of the past. As we look over the broad acres of Bureau County, rich in houses and lands, and see the beautiful homes, well filled granaries and farms with grazing herds upon every hillside and in every valley, we realize that the foundation of much of this wealth and comfort was laid when the boys of "61 to '65 were stepping to the music of the union, sleeping under the open sky, marching through swamps and jungles, pining and dying in rebel prisons, and giving their all as a living sacrifice that this nation might live and that our flag which never has been lowered might still float from ocean to ocean over a free, happy and united people. Men of Bureau County let us in grateful remembrance of the past no longer neglect what should have been done years ago, to erect a suitable monument to the memory of Bureau county's noble dead. This much and more we owe to them. What would our country have been had not the brave .soldiers of the North invaded the South land and torn down the Stars and Bars and in their stead placed the Stars and Stripes? If this had not been accomplished we should have had thousands of miles of frontier to guard and the "Great Father of Waters" would have found its wa}' to the sea through a foreign country. Now in the name of the soldiers living and dead ; in the name of the thousands of crippled and maimed whose lives have been one constant continuation of sorrow and. pain; and in the name of justice and right, let us, the people of this prosperous county which is heir to all of the benefits that have come from that great struggle for freedom aiul perpetuity, not wait for the old soldiers to act, but rather let us by our voice and vote say we will do what we can to perpetuate the memory of these patriotic souls by erecting a shaft that shall point heavenward and upon its granite face place the name of every man that went forth to do, and to die, if need be, in our country's cause.

Fratkkx.Vl Societies Kxigiits Of Pytpiias

Beauseant lodge. No. 19, K. of P., was instituted April 11, 1871, the work being done by the then grand chancellor of the state, Henry Clay Berry, who now lives in Chicago. He was assisted in the work by three of the charter members, who had been made knights Ijy Board of Trade lodge, No. 4, of Chicago.

Only four of the above named are still members of the lodge, namelv: C. C. Weidrich. 1. O. Brokaw, C. W. McMullen and G. W. Taylor. I!ul one or two of the remainder are now living.

Past And Present Of Bureau Couxt.Y.

J). II. Duncan, Edward A. Remington, G. A. Mav, William H. Bloom. Henry C. Simpson, ]j. 0. ilav, J. H. Gudgel. .Melissa G. Paul, Alice J. Swain,' Belle Giles, Regina Duncan, Mae Gudgel and Nellie S. Gullii'ord were the charter members.

Uebecca Lodge, No. 159 Tonxalika Lodge, 1. O. O. F., Xo. 89

The charter was surrendered and the lodge disorganized some time between IStil and 1865, but was reorganized in 1883 by five of thi' nld members, viz. :

Peace Lodge, No. 801, I. O. 0. F.

Canton Xo. li:? now has forty-three swords. The encampment lias l)een honored by having one of its members, Thomas Wood, elected by acclamation to the office of grand patriarch, and Howard Makutchan is in line for same office at next election.

Orion Council No. 8, Royal And Select M.Vsters

The Woman's Club of i'rincetou. 111., was oiganized in 1891. Incorporated, 1893. Federated. 1896. United with District Federation, 1902, and became au.xiliary to the Mothers' Congress in 1903.

The first ol)ject of the club was practical temperance. The first work was accomplished in connection with Dr. Keeley's Bi-Chloride of Gold treatment. In jirosecuting this work other philanthropies presented themselves, which received careful attention and at the end of two years and four montiis there had been e.xpended $3,047.04 for the B. C. of G. T. and $444.90 for other pliilanthropies, as reported Ijy Mrs. Victoria M. Richardson, chairman of B. C. of G. committee.

The object of the club enlarged until in 1893; wlien incorporated, it was defined as being to advance the moral, educational and social welfare of the community of Princeton and vicinity. In 1893 there were four standing committees, viz. :

Regular meetings of the Woman's club have been held on alternate \yeeks. beginning in September or October and continuing till the latter part of .A|)ril.

Some of (he topics discu,<sed. other than those designated by the names of the standing committees, are: "The Home and Scliool." '"Relation of Parents and Teachers." "Child Study."' "Child- Savinsi." "Relation of Public Library to Schools."' "Sanitation." "Ventilat'on."" "Bird-Sayinji.'" '"Patriotism." "".Vssociated Cliirit ies." ""Physical Cul-

The literary programmes of the reguhir meetings have been enriched from time to time by such eminent sjaealvers as CoL Francis \V. Parlcer, Prof. F. W. Ormsby, Prof. Bennett; Mrs. llenrotin, .Airs. Coonley Ward; Misses ilary A. Wadswortli, Julia Lathrop, ^Irs. Mary t'odding Bourland and numy others whose names are equally worthy of mention. These, together with the best home talent, have brought helpful suggestion and inspiration to the various committees in their several hours of work and have touched the lives of individual members to broaden, enlighten and cement them into a united whole whose power for good is felt in every avenue of life, and whose ideal is well expressed in their club motto, "In Good Things Unitv, In Small Things Liberty, In All Things, Charity.""

Substantial aid has been given to tlie schools in the form of pictures, statuary, furnishings for manual training room in Douglas building, and ])rizes for domestic science in the high school. These departments were established in 190.3 and 190-t, largely through the inflence of the club.

The kindergarten material (chairs, tables, gifts and cupboard), given to the club by the Kindergarten Association, were turned over to the public kindergarten, wdiich was maintained in the schools from September, 1902, until June, 1904. A piano and other assistance was also given for the same ]nirpose: and material aid in tlie industrial work of the grades.

At this writing (October, 1906) the \Voman"s club has declared its oliject to be for the present year, "A new Public Library building," and if they receive the hearty support of the ])ublic as they have done in the past it will soon stand an enduring nionument to the enterprize of the people of Princeton, with its doors ever open to invite the seeking pilgrim to enter and satisfy his thirst for knowledge and open a fountain of per- ])etual inspiration to higher attainments and nol)ler living.

There is now in the club treasury over two thousand ($'2,000) dollars, which is constantly accumulating for the benefit of thi.s project. The nucleus of this fund was secured froin tlie receipts of three entertainments given in 'March. 1S94.

M. Gohlsmith, Post (iU.3, Sheffield, 111.; C. X. Masters, D. E. ilunger, li. K. Gibons. William Wilson, A. M. Swengel, 11. M. Trimble and T. P. Streeter of Princeton, 111.

After the object of the meeting had been stated by the chair, T. P. Streeter moved that this association be called "The Bureau County Soldiers' -Vssociation."" Carried.

Moved by P. P. Gibons that Comrade H. .M. Trimble be elected president of the association, which was unanimously carried. A. M. Swengel was elected secretary and William Wilson was elected treasurer.

The first reunion was ludd at Princeton, 111., October 14 and 1."), 189(5. The second annual reunion was held at Princeton October 13-14, 189T, at which meeting T. P. Streeter was elected pres'- dent, A. M. Swengel secretary, and William Wilson treasurer, each holding their office until 1906. Third annual reunion held at Tiskilwa, Illinois, September 29, 1898 ; fourth annual reunion held at Buda, Illinois, September 20-21, 1899: fifth annual reunion held at Sheffield, Illinois, September 2.5-26, 1901: sixth annual reunion held at Neponset, Illinois, September 18-19, 1902 ; seventh annual reunion held at Wyanet. Illinois, Septemlier 16-17, 1903; eighth annual reunion held at Princeton, Illinois, September 22-23, 1904 ; ninth annual reunion licld at Ohio. Illinois, October 11- 12, 1905; tenth annual reunion held at La Jloille, Illinois, October 4-5, 1906.

Daughters Of The American Revolutiox

^frs. Darlene Stevens Reeve organized the chapter and was elected the first regent, whicli office she held as long as she remained a resident of Princeton.

The clia])ter has presented a number of ]iic(iires to the schools of the city and each year gives lliree jirizes to the students of American history wild write Hie best essay on Ibe subject. They have conli'iliuted liberally in ibe building of Coiiliiieiital hall at Washington.

Kahi.Y Swedish Settlers Ix Bureau Couxty

A. P. Anderson and family of Horn, Ostergothland, came to Princeton during the summer of 18.30. At that time lie found here five persons of his own nationality. Among these was a young nian named Burgeson, in the employ of Owen Lovejoy, and a Miss Signa Xorell, from Bergsjo, Helsingland. An adventurer, Eric Wester, from Stockholm, also arrived in 1850. During the fall of the same year ten or eleven families came, but none of them located permanently. Hans Kamel came from Bergsjo. In 1851 Lars J. Spake and N. J. X^elson and their families came here from Djursdale, Smaland ; Jacob Xyman also came that year ; also C. M. . Skold, from Yestra Eyd ; A. P. Stern, from Asby, Ostergothland ; Ake Nelson, from Wa Skane; P. Fagercrans, from Brosart Skane : S. Frid, from Wa ; P. C. Anderson, from Elfsl)orgo Lfiu ; John Anderson, Stockholm; Henry Xorman, from Stockholm ; John A. Westmar, from Borstig; Johan G. Stahl, from Jonkopings-liiu : A. P. Larson from Vadstena: J. 0. Linderblood from Linkopings-lau; and Lars Anderson, from Gingrid Elisborgsliiu, came to Princeton in 1852: Jonas Anderson, from Farla Helsingland, and A. .\. Shenlund, from Westcrgothlaiid, canu' in 1853.

Nearly all of tlie a!)ove named persons and their desceiKhints and most of the later arrivals have taken an active part in the affairs of Bureau county. The Swedish people are industrious, frugal and honest. They have engaged in farming, mcrcliandising. manufacturing, teaching and in nearly every branch of industry. Xo more lawabiding people can anywhere be found. And of all nationalities they quickest Americanize and bwonie useful factors in our citizenship. Many of the Swedish citizens have held high positions both in the state and national affairs. In 1900 the number of people in this county born in Sweden was nearly 1,800 and their descendants were legion. One of the noticealde characteristics of the Swedish people is their industry. It is no unusual thing for families who came to this country but a few years ago with nothing but willing hands and a brave heart to now be surrounded by all the comforts of modern life. And this can only be done by thrifty habits. Sweden for centuries has been well and peacefully governed and this perhaps accounts for the stable and self-poised condition of her subjects.

The first Swedish Lutheran church was organized in 1854. The original members w^ere P. Fagercrans, X. P. Lindquist, Eric Wester, Jacob NjTtnan, Nels Linderblood, S. Frid, and Lars Anderson. Two j'cars later they built a church and called Pastor Esbjorn, who was their spiritual leader until 185S.

The annual meeting of the Old Settlers" Association has become one of the permanent institutions of Bureau county and is worthy of a |)lace in the chronicled events of its past and present history. The writer has obtained from the well kept books of J. M. McConihe. who has been secretary of this society for a period of years, such data as would seem to be useful as a matter of reference. These meetings were begun in 18G5. At that time most of the early settlers were still alive and could tell in their o'«ti language of the trials and hardships as well as of the I'ovs and sorrows of those strenuous davs. John H. Bryant. Milo Kendall, Caleb Cook, Eli Smith, and a host of others could entertain the people with personal reminiscences ; but now the cold clods of the valleys and hillsides cover their once proud forms and only the remembrance of their active and useful lives is left. It seems that as early as December 21, 1861, a preliminary meeting was held in Princeton for the purpose of organizing an association of early settlers, at which time J. V. Thompson was named as president and E. S. Phelps Jr. was elected secretary. At that meeting D. McDonald, E. S. Phelps, L. J. Colton, C. G. Eeed, Cjtus Langworthy and Arthur Bryant were present and made speeches favorable to the enterprise. The first meeting of the association was held in Converse hall. Princeton. January 12. 1865. John H. Bryant was elected president and L. D. Whiting, J. V. Thompson and Milo Kendall were appointed committee on resolutions.

The second annual meeting of the association was held in the court house. Princeton. Illinois, December 21. 1866. .\t this meeting a constitution was adopted and article three of said constitution ]irovi(!ed that any person having been a resident of Bureau county twenty-five years - or in other words, any person coming to Bureau county liefore January 1. 1841. could become a member by giving in his or her name to the association. .T. V. Thompson was elected president. E. S. Phelps secretary. E. S. Phelps gave an address. In compliance with article three of the constitution the following names were handed in. with the date of settlement :

The third annual meeting was held in Converse Hall February 22, 1867. John II. Bryant, presidall gave a very able address, reviewing the progress of the county and state up to that time, after which General Thomas Henderson made a short and interesting talk, and John H. Bryant recited a poem. The oldest man in the couiitv was called for and .\l)rani Stratton walked forth, being about sixty or sixty-five years of a^e. If tlie same request had been made at the la's! old f^ettlers" meeting the result would have been quite different, as Bureau can now boast of octogenarians and even add ten years to that, and those that are over sixty are legion. From 1S6T to 18T5 no meetings were held.

The tenth annual meeting, reckoning the years that no meetings were held was at the court house in Scptemlier. 1875, Caleb Cook, president. A new constitution was adopted, and the change made it possible for anyone residing in the county to become a member. The eleventh meeting was held at fair grounds on Thursday, January 15, 1876. Milo Kendall, president; E. S. Phelps, secretary. Mr. Warren gave an address. The clause in regard to membership was changed back so that to be called an old settler one must have been a resident for twenty-five years.

The twelfth annual meeting of the association was held at the fair grounds September 6, 1877. Rev. John Cole was president and E. S Phelps secretary. E. Strong Phelps gave an address.

The thirteenth annual meeting was held in Patterson's hall August 15, 1878. Rev. John Cole, president, and E. S. Phelps secretary. Short addresses were given by several of the old settlers. The fourteenth annual meeting was not held, nor the fifteenth or sixteenth.

The seventeenth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on August 24, 1882, T. W. Nichols, president. Short addresses were given by a few of the early settlers.

T'he eighteenth annual meeting of the early settlers was held at the fair grounds September 6, 1883, John Walters president, L. D. Whiting secretary.

The nineteenth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on August 30, 18S4, John Walters president, H. B. Leeper secretary. An address was given by Colonel Clay Bradslty.

The twenty-first annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on August 28, 1885, S. G. Paddock president, C. P. Bacon secretary. This meeting voted to build a log cabin on the fair grounds. Joseph Brigham, Dover; J. H. Bryant and H. C. Field, Princeton ; D. P. Smith, Ohio, and W. C. Ilobles of Indiantown were appointed a committee to take charge of the building of the structure.

The twenty-second annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, .\ugust 27, 1887, Julius Henedict president. Arthur Bryant secretary. The attendance was very large, the largest in the history of the society. General I. II. Elliott gave the address, which was nuu li appreciated.

the fair grounds on Saturday, August 27, 1889, George Rackiey of Maiden, president, Arthur Bryant secretary. Rev. V. H. Brown gave an address.

The twenty-fifth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, August 30, 1890, Anthony Saw^-er president, Carrie Everett secretary. Short talks were given by old settlers.

The twenty-sixth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, August 22, 1891, Colonel I. H. Elliott president, Carrie Everett secretary. General Thomas J. Henderson gave an address.

The twenty-seventh annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, September 1, 1892, General 1. H. Elliott president, Carrie Everett secretary. Rev. T. R. Strobridge of the Methodist church of Princeton gave the address.

The twenty-eighth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, August 23, 1893, Z. S. Hills of Ohio, president, Carrie Everett secretary. Short talks by old settlers were given.

The twenty-ninth annual meeting was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, August 25, 1894, D. P. Smith president, Jennie Smith secretarj-. Rev. W. I. Davenport gave the address.

The thirtieth annual meeting of the old settlers of Bureau county was held on the fair grounds on the twenty-fourth day of August, 1895, J. M. McConihe president, Jennie Smith secretary. An address was given by L. N. Stratton.

The thirty-first annual meeting was held on the fair grounds on Saturday, August 29, 1896, Z. S. Hills of Ohio, president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Rev. Albert Ethridge gave the address.

The thirty-second annual meeting of the old settlers was held at the fair grounds on September 4, 1897, Louis Zearing president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Colonel I. H. Elliott gave the address.

The thirty-third annual meeting of the old settlers was held on the fair grounds on September 3, 1898, Louis Zearing president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Charles K. Ladd of Kewanee and Smith D. Atkins of Freeport gave addresses. A large delegation came from Chicago.

The thirty-fourth annual meeting was held on the fair grounds on September 10, 1899, Z, S. Hills president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Rev. C. A. Moore of Kewanee gave the address.

The thirty-fifth annual reunion of the early settlers was held at the fair grounds on Saturday, September 15, 1900, Z. S. Hills president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Rev. C. A. Moore again addressed the association. There were 264 names recorded at this meeting. Of this nimiber two were over 100 years old : nine were over 90 ; forty-three over 80. and eighty-two over 70.

The thirty-sixth reunion of the association was held at the fair grounds on Thursdav, September 12, 1901, Z. S. Hills president. J. .M. McConihe secretary. Congressman . Joseph V. Graff gave the address, after which a number of short speeches were made.

The thirty-eighth annual reunion of the association was held in Machinery Hall at the fair grounds on, September 12, 1903, Arthur Bryant president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Judge Emery C. Graves of Geneseo gave the address.

The thirty-ninth annual reunion of the association was held in Machinery Hall on the fair gi'ounds on Thursday, September 15, 1904. Arthur Bryant president, J. M. McConihe secretary. Hon. Clark E. Carr of Galesburg delivered an eloquent address. S. G. Paddock read a very interesting paper on the evolution of the court house.

The fortieth annual reunion of the Old Settlers' Association was held at the fair grounds on Thursday, September 14, 1905, Arthur Bryant president. J. M. McConDie secretary. Kev. Frank G. Smith of Chicago gave a thrilling address.

The forty-first annual meeting of the association was held at the fair grounds on Thursday, September 13, 190G, Z. S. Hills president, J. M. Mc- Conihe secretary. Eev. Albert Ethridge gave the address. The attendance was large and the exercises listened to with marked attention. A pioxeek's experience.

Gen. Thomas J. Henderson in response to a request from the writer to give an account of his boyhood ride through tliis county says, "About tlie middle of Xovcmber, 1840. when I was sixteen years old, my father, then living about one mile south of Toulon, in Stark county, sent me to transact some business matters with my uncle, who lived on Indian Creek in La Salle county, some ten or twelve miles north of Ottawa. It was a two days' journey and I traveled on liorseback. The road ran by Wyoming, Holgate's Point. Boyd's Grove, Indiantown, now Tiskilwa, to Princeton, where I stayed all night. The country was then sparsely populated and but few houses anywhei'e on the road, outside the villages of Wyoming and Indiantown. From Wyoming to Holgate's there were but one or two houses. Prom Holgate's to Boyd's Grove I do not think there was a single hou.se immediately on the road I traveled, but there were several houses along the Spoon river timber, some miles away, but in sight. From Boyd's Grove to Indiantown I do not remember of passing a single house, but a few houses were to be seen in and around Providence and on Dorr's Hill, some distance away. But there wore several houses along the road from Indiantown to Princeton, where I stayed all night. Princeton was then a small village. Tiie road from Princeton ran by 'Lost Grove,' where Arlington is now located ; then by 'Troy Grove,' where tliere was a very small village, as I rememlier, with but few houses, called l)y the classic name (if Homer. I do nut icinend)er wlietlicr the road ran tbrough IloMT at that time or not. But as 1 now retneniber it, there were some houses on the road for four or five miles out of Princeton; then not a house till 1 gdt t(i 'J'lMv (irove or Homer. At this place 1 inquired the way to Davis' ^HU or Indian Creek, where my uncle lived. I was tobi that I must l)e sure and take the first right-hand road; that if 1 did not, I would go to' Paw Paw Grove, quite a nuudjer of miles al»ovc Davis' ilill and farther from it than I was then. So after going a mile or two, I came to a road leading to the right. It was a road which had been much traveled, but was not at that time. After traveling several miles I l^ecame satisfied I was on a wrong road, but thinking it must take mo to some settlement, and knowing that I ought to have been at my uncle's scnne time before. I pres.sed on. A little while after dark I crossed a traveled road and was tempted to change my course, but concluded to go on, and after traveling some miles farther, saw a light ahead and hastened to it. I was beginning to be anxious about a place to stay all night, as well as to know where I was. Asking if they would keep me all night, they told me there was a tavern at the foot of the hill. There I went and stayed for the night. I found that I was at Dayton, on the Fox river, and only a few miles from Ottawa. I was as far from my uncle's as when I was at Troy Grove and had traveled twenty miles or more. The next morning I went to my uncle's on Indian Creek and remained one night, then started on my return home late the next morning. It was a cloudy morning and before I had gone far it began to snow; the first snow storm of the season. The storm increased, traveling was slow and it began to be dark as I reached Lost Grove. I had expected to get to Princeton, where I could stay all night; but it was growing colder, and the roads were filling Tip with snow. I began to be afraid ] might get lost and perish in the storm. A murder had Ijeen committed at Lost Grove not long Ijcfnre, and the body had been discovered by a ilethodist preacher. As I was riding along the edge of the grove, thinking of this murder, I heard a rattling out in the b'ush and as it was still light enough to sec. I looked in the direction of tiie noise and saw two men with giuis on their shoidders. I confess that for a moment I was a little frightened, for as I have said, I was thinkiiii;- of tlio man who had been murdere<l, and as I knrw that no one lived anywhere near the grove, it nuidc my hair stand on end, Init as they paid no attention to mo, I concluded to find out what they knmv about the country, wlio they were and what tbcy were doing there. Sn 1 rmle out toward them, and hailing them, asked how far it was to Pi'inceton. Tlu>y replied about fourteen miles. Then I asked if tliere was not a house nearer on the road to Princeton, and fhey said if was eight or nine miles to the nearest liou.<e. I tlien inciuired if there was no house noarei-. and thev told me tlie house nearest to the grove was at (Greenfield (La Moille), five miles away. 1 then told them 1 had got belated, that my horse had not traveled very well, that the road w^as filling up and it was growing dark -and cold and I was afraid I might loose my way and perish on tlie prairie. They then said to me, 'You must not try to go any further tonight. We have a comfortable bed at the other end of the grove and can give you something to eat; come and stay with us.' I gladly w^ent and found it as they had said. They gave me a comfortable bed. a good supper and breakfast and then started me on my way home rejoicing. They would not receive anvthing for their trouljle and have always been very kindly remembered by me. The two men were carpenters, who were framing a barn for old Captain Kennedy, the first settler at Lost Grove, and fortunately for me, they had taken their guns a little while before dark and gone out to see if they could not kill a deer. And one thing they told me of interest was, that Fletcher Webster, son of old Daniel Webster, then living at Peru in La Salle county and witli whom I had spent the night before, was on his way to Eock river for a hunt and had stayed with them the night before. These carpenters had a very comfortable tent and it was well protected from the northwest storms by two long ricks of hay, and I have often tiiought how pleasantly I was sheltered by it from a cold November snow storm." iionTicri.TriiK.

Bureau county has a state notoriety in horticulture on account of its being the home of Arthur Bryant Sr. and Samuel Edwards, both of whom may be considered as pioneers in this enterprise, although there was some little attention given to fruit tree planting previous to the beginning of their extensive nurseries. The first effort in fruit culture was made by John Hull, who brought seeds from Kentncky. From these seedlings a few orchards were planted, but they were soon destroyed by the apple borer, which some of the fruit men thought were imported with the seeds. In the spring of 1833 John Belanger imported a quantity of grafted apple trees and started a nursery from which a few small orchards were started. In the winter of IR.^S-.'if) most of the fruit trees were destroyed on account of the severe weather. In the early forties nurseries were started in a small way by James Bosley, Charles S. Boyd and Curtis Williams. In 18)f> Samuel Edwards started a nursery in La Mnille. He brought his stock from Cincinnati. In 184(5 or 1847 Mr. Arthur Bryant Sr. commenced his nursery, at first with a limited amoimt of stock, but it soon grew into large and extensive proportions. Since then V. Aldrich, H. W. Bliss and John G. Bubach carried on a small nursery business for a time, but it has at last come down to .Arthur Brvant and son. who are the only men in Bureau county at the present time engaged in the nursery trade. The firm by prompt and fair dealing has established a large and groM'ing business, their trees and shrubs are sold and shipped over a large part of the northwest. Mr. S. G. Soverhill, of Indiantown, and Mr. Lester Bryant, of Princeton, are the largest apple growers in this part of this state; their fruit took premiums at the World's Fair in St. Louis and the Paris exposition in France.

Company

This company has become one of the great institutions of this county. The history and growth of it is worthy of a space in this volume. The Dover Telephone Company was incorporated February 22, 1899, by M. H. "Blackburn, J. W. Sabin and C. 0. White for two thousand dollars, and commenced to operate exchanges between Dover and La Moille, August 1, 1899, with a toll line connecting the two places. About the same time a company was at Ohio, 111., under the name of the Ohio Teleplione Company, and exchanges at Ohio and Walnut were installed and placed in operation. The Dover and Ohio Telephone companies were consolidated in May, 1900, under the corporated name of Bureau County Independent Telephone Company, with home ofBee in Princeton. The stock of the company has been increased from time to time ; at present the authorized capital is two hundred thousand dollars. This capital stock is carried by Bureau county people. Tlie company has eleven exchanges in the county, located as follows: La Moille, Ohio, Walnut, New Bedford, Dover, Spring Valley, Princeton, Wyanet, ShefTield, Tiskilwa and Ladd. The total number of telephones is about thirty-seven hundred, being the second largest system in the state. It operates about three hundred miles of toll lines. The Pi'inceton exchange was installed in 1900 with but a small number of subscribers, but at the present time it has grown to over nine hundred subscribers in the city. In 1905 the company erected a large brick building, modern in every way and fitted up with the most approved fixtures, so that first-class service is assured to all its patrons. The Princeton office employs eleven operators. The telephone company occupies the enlire upper floor of the new building. This b\iilding and lot cost about thirteen thousand dollars. An underground system has been installed, making it thorough and up-to-date in all of its departments. Its present officers are Dr. .\. E. Owens, piesident ; C. 0. White, secretary .111(1 general manaEC': and A. IT. Ferris, treasurer.