Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter 38: Saratoga Township, 1914

Location

as some of the other sections of Grundy County, owing- to the fact that out little timber was to he found here. It was the usual rule with the pioneers that those lands which would furnish material for houses, fences, barns and fuel, would lie selected first. An idea prevailed among some that the prairie lands were not as fertile as those which nature hail covered with dense growth, and it was not until the thick sod of the prairie was turned, that some appreciation of its fertility was rained. Those who came into a section a little later on, oftentimes obtained the most valuable land, as the prairies fell to their share. Saratoga Township is in the northern portion of the county, lying on its northern boundary adjacent to Kendall County. On the east is Aux Sable Township; on the south is Morris Township and Erieuna Township; while on the west, is Nettle Creek Township. Aux Sahle Creek crosses the township in the eastern part, while Nettle Creek is in the southwestern corner. Saratoga Creek Hows through the centra] portion, and the east fork of Nettle Creek drains the southeastern, and joins the main stream at Morris.

First Settleks

The first settlement made in Saratoga Township was by Joshua Collins, of Oneida County. N. Y., who arrived here in 1844, and spent the remainder of his life in the township. That same year saw the arrival of Phillip Collins and Alexander Peacock. The latter was an Englishman, who perpetuated his name in Grundy County, by his donation in Morris Township, of a plot of ground between the two portions of Evergreen Cemetery, to lie known as St. George Cemetery. According to the terms of his donation, none but those of English birth were to lie buried in this cemetery. His original holdings also included the old fair grounds in Morris Township, so that his name is not likely to he forgotten. Another Englishman, II. M. Davidson, came in 1S:!4. In 1842, the records show that John 15. More obtained considerable land in the northeastern part of Saratoga Township, although he did not live in Grundy County, but across the line in Kendall County.

Early Teachers

took up land on Section 0, and Elias Bartlett, a friend, followed him at no great interval. Although he was then a very young man, he began teaching school, and so prospered and gained in favor with his neighbors that he felt justified in returning to New York State for bis bride, a daughter of Mr. Conklin, who had not* accompanied her father on his western trek. The tastes of this young couple led them to continue teaching, and in time they conducted the well remembered seminary at Ottawa.

Still another early settler was James Cronin, who came to this region in connection with the canal weak, and associated himself to a considerable extent with Mr. Peacock, above mentioned. Daniel Johnson and Gersham Hunt also came prior to IS IT.

Norwegian Settlers

The actual growth of the township did not perceptibly commence, however, until 1817, or 184S, when the Norwegians began flocking to Saratoga. Although they soon outnumbered the others who had heated here, they retained the name, Saratoga, given to it by the New Yorkers, in remembrance of their old home, and it lias since continued to he known as such.

The Norwegian Lutheran Church, known as the Hange's Menighed, was organized in 18TG, and a church edifice was erected on land owned by II. Osmonson.

Some of the earlier residents of Saratoga Township were: William If. Ayres, Jerry Collins, Cryder Collins, Joshua E. Collins, Henry It. Conklin. M. II. Cryder, K. M. J. Granville. Peleg T. Hunt, Gersham Hunt, James A. Hunt, Frank Hunt. John Johnson, Edmond Johnson, Erik Johnson, Gunner Johnson, Story Matteson, Halver Osmonson, Oliver II. Osmonson, Olie Osmonson, YVier Peterson, Andrew Sorem, Mons N. Sorem, Walter S. Smith, John Steel, Nathaniel II. Tabler, Seneca Tupper, Alexander Telfer, John Bredcnnick, and A. F. Watson. There were many others, who also did their part, in developing the natural resources of this fertile agricultural region.

Today, anyone traveling through Saratoga Township finds it difficult to believe that this fertile farming district was ever other than it is, for the farmers have so developed the locality that in the well-improved farms, with their comfortable houses, commodious barns, well-kept fences, and multiplicity of agricultural implements, are shown signs of a prosperity that is convincing proof of the substantiality of the property owners. As a rule they are men . of superior intelligence, whose exhibits at the annual stock shows prove that they believe in high grade produce, and know how to raise it. This is all hut the natural result of well-directed effort, intelligently carried out to a definite end.

The American principles of fair play and love of justice have prevailed here, and no matter how poor a man mighl be upon arrival, and no matter how little he knew of the customs of his new country, if he were willing to work and live honestly, he was given a chance, so that many of the men who have made Saratoga Township what it is today, started out without a cent. While there are no villages I; >re, the region being strictly agricultural, the people are in touch with the larger centers. They patronize the leading stores at nearby towns, and attend places of worship there. The schools of Saratoga are uniformly good, keeping pace with those in other townships, and many of the pupils graduated from them continue their studies at the Morris High School. Many of the fanners not only own costly machinery for farm work, but: automobiles as well, and a number of them belong to secret organizations tor the promotion of fraternal relations. Taking Saratoga Township all in all, it would be difficult to find a community that was more prosj>crous, contented or loyal to township, county, slate and nation.

The men who have served Saratoga faithfully as members of the County Board of Supervisors, have been as follows: Philip Collins, 1S50; Colquhoun Grant. 1S51-1S50 ; C. G. Conklin, 1S">7; Philip Collins. 1S5S-1ST0 ; Michael II. Cryder. 1S71-1S72 ; Philip Collins, is?:); Hiram Thayer. 1874; Gersham Hunt, 1S75-187G ; Townsend Gore, 1S77-1S7S; L. L. Gardner,