Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter 39: Vienna Township and Villages, 1914

Chapter 39: Vienna Township and Villages

SURFACE AND DRAINAGE - SOIL - HARD WORK FACED EARLY SETTLERS - FIRST PIONEERS - CAME BY WAY OF ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL - A LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS - EARLIEST SCHOOLS - RFLIGIO'-S ORGANIZATIONS - CORN IS KINO - FINE SHOWING OF STOCK - LITTLE FRUIT GROWN - VILLAGES - VERONA - SUPERVISORS - PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

Surface And Drainage

Vienna Township is west of Mazon Township, and the history of the two is closely connected, many of the earliest settlers of both taking up claims in one and then the other. The surface of Vienna Township is level and is drained by Hog and Bill's runs, the Waupecan and Thunder creeks, a portion of Johnnie Pun and some other streams to which no definite name is given. The soil is rich, black prairie loam, which before tiling was introduced, was very wet. but now is exceedingly fertile, and owing to the close proximity of markets, the land is very valuable for farming purposes, selling from $200 to $250 per acre. Very little of the timber that skirted Hog Pun and the Waupecan, is left.

There was no royal road to fortune for those who settled here in the early days. What they accomplished came about through hard work, thrift and a never dying faith in the future of this locality. Those who followed the brave pioneers, found plenty left for them to do, and their children are still ke, t busy in furthering the advancement of the township, and maintaining the high standards raised by those who were not willing to barter any independence

Strong, Patrick Walsh. Amos Barber, Aaron came BY way OF THE ILLINOIS and MICHIGAN Harford. Chauneey Harford, John Alison, R. K. CANAL Slosson, E. Slosson, T. A. Walsh, William Peterson. C. Crozier, A. Kinley, J. Weldon. T. s. Other early settlers of this locality were Coleman, Joe Hutchins, C. A. Hill, II. Gorham, Justin Rennie, with his wife and six children, j. Greer, M. Esgar, Mat Hammond J. Reardon who migrated from Greene County, X. Y.. com- Allen, Isaac and Lucius Tilden, W. Cooper, J. ing by the way of the Great Lakes to Chicago. and C. St oner, J. Sheardain, E. and P. Donathence to .Morris, Grundy County, on one of hue. C. Whittemore, G. D. Smith, Martin Finch, the first jacket boats that were run on the A. II. Bruce, R. Siflett, James Lemark, Willlliuois and Michigan Canal, arriving at Mor- lumi Ransley, S. Cockram, George Finch. XI. ris, June 7, 1S48. Mrs. Rennie died in 1S74, XI. Dix, and Charles Knihhs. Nearly all of but her husband lived until 1901, when he died the above mentioned early settlers have at the age of ninety-one years, lacking about descendents in Vienna Township, the majority four months. Four of their children are still of whom are farmers and model husbandmen, -living, Ferdinand. George. Isabelle and Doug- Mrs. Dewey taught the first school, which las, the last named having been a resident of was a hoarding school, held in her own cabin. Vienna Township since 1S48. George and Jer- The first log schoolhouse was built near Hog ome Rennie rallied to the call of President j;mi. and the school was taught by A. War- Lincoln in 1SC0 and 1SG1, to protect our na- nock, tional emblem, the Stars and Stripes. Jerome

Rennie survived until 1SS1, but died from the bemgiocs organizations effects of ills contracted through exposure during the Civil War. The family underwent The Methodists were the first to hold rehardships incident to the early settlers, but ligious services in Vienna Township. The in spite of these the goal they were working Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in for was reached. Justin Rennie was the first 1S7G, and in 1877 a church was built at Verona.

The first regular church organization was that effected by the Baptists in 1S50. W. J. Fellingham was a minister who served the little society known "by the name of Ebenezer, until 1SU2, tlu- schoolhouse being used as a meeting place. In that year a neat church edifice was creeled, and until death claimed the good pastor, in 1SG7, the society was in a prosperous condition. .Members began .to lease, some died, and with the influence of the founder removed, there were not enough members left to keep up the organization, and the church was sold.

The Presbyterians organized on February 27, 1S."iS, under Rev. S. II. Loss, with fourteen members. Like the Baptists they used the schoolhouse, but in 1870, built a nice church edifice which they moved to Verona in 1N77. For a number of years following, they kept up their organization, but the building was finally sold to the Unman Catholic Church, which has a large and growing membership.

The Universalists once had an organization at Verona, but abandoned their property, and the building is now owned by the Eastern Star order, and used for a banquet hall.

Corn Is King

Corn, oats and hay are raised extensively, the first named predominating. The farms of Vienna Township are excellent, and the agriculturists know how to operate them, and are justly proud of the fact that they belong to the class that is developing this important division of Grundy County. They are becoming affluent and enjoy much in the way of comfort as well as many luxuries. The majority own automobiles, and their premises arc fitted with modern appliances. It is from the corn that the farmers of Vienna Township gain most of their wealth, for it grows more luxuriantly, and to the stockman this grain equals in value that of all other farm crops combined. Oats comes next to corn and on good, improved soil, yields from sixty to ninety bushels per acre. Hay comes third, yielding as heavily as from one to two tons per acre when cultivated. The value of live stock on every farm is something every farmer should realize. It has been shown time and again to the agriculturists that as the raising of live stock diminishes, the fertility of the soil lessens and the crop output decreases. That this is becoming acknowledged, the present output of stock shows. Some of the farmers specialize on high grade horses such as the heavy draught horses and others handle the White Face cattle. Finch Bros., of Verona, and Finch & Dix, are two firms of Vienna Township whose names are associated with high grade slock.

Until 1So4 fruit was cultivated largely, but the tine peach orchards were destroyed that winter and after that the farmers preferred not to risk losing valuable trees. In 1S3G there came into existence upon paper, and in the hearts of the visionary projectors, a city, which bore the name of Illinois City. It was founded and laid out by a Mr. Bullock, but had no actual existence.

Verona

is situated on the A. T. & S. F. Railroad, and was laid out and plaited in February, 1S77, by Martin Finch and Ambrose Kinley. It was named by G. D. Smith after his birthplace, Verona. X. Y. At present it has about three hundred population. The following business men and houses are located within its confines: Verona Exchange Bank; Beal & Renne; Dr. J. C. Bucher, physician and surgeon ; .T. F. Cody, proprietor of the Star Hotel and dealer in meats and groceries; John Card, dealer in ice cream, ice cold drinks, cigars and tobacco; Hough Bros., dealers in hardware and implements; Charles Leach, barber; MeCormick Bros., dry goods, groceries, crockery, glassware, notions, etc.; Overley Bros., meat market; J. C. Petery, The Motto Grocer; Small and Son, blacksmith and repair shop; John F. Stitt, postmaster, dealer in school hooks, stationery, periodicals, patent medicines, and toilet articles; C. II. Van Deusen, manufacturer of wagon dump holsters and elevators;- W. S. Walsh, dealer in grain, lumber and coal; and Whittemore Bros., undertakers and dealers in furniture and hoots and shoos.

The postoffice at Verona belongs to the fourth class and has two rural mail carriers. The concrete sidewalks have been laid since the village was incorporated, and the more progressive spirits are working to have the streets paved in the same manner. At present the fire department is a bucket brigade, and the willing members of it ha\e proven their bravery and efficiency upon several occasions when departments with a regular equipment might well have faltered. The Masonic fraternity is represented at Verona, the order owning its -own hall. There are also lodges of the orders -of the Eastern Star, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors.

From 1S50 To 1913

SETTLER - OTHEJi SETTLERS - FIRST MILL AND STORE - PRAIRIE FIRES A MENACE - FIRST HEATH - RELIGIOUS EFFORTS - SCHOOLS - SUPERVISORS FROM 1S50 TO 1913.